Laugh a little - it's good for you.

So in 2011, I'm working on mind over matter. Some say you can actually think yourself happy. So let yourself laugh a little at these thoughts. A co-worker sent these to me at 8:30am today - what a great way to start a Wednesday! Enjoy. (It's worth the time to read each and every one.)

1. I think part of a best friend's job should be to immediately clear your computer history if you die
2. Nothing sucks more than that moment during an argument when you realize you're wrong.

3. I totally take back all those times I didn't want to nap when I was younger.

4. There is great need for a sarcasm font.

5. How the heck are you supposed to fold a fitted sheet?

6. Was learning cursive really necessary?

7. Map Quest really needs to start their directions on # 5. I'm pretty sure I know how to get out of my neighborhood.

8. Obituaries would be a lot more interesting if they told you how the person died.

9. I can't remember the last time I wasn't at least kind of tired.

10. Bad decisions make good stories.

11. You never know when it will strike, but there comes a moment at work when you know that you just aren't going to do anything productive for the rest of the day.

12. Can we all just agree to ignore whatever comes after Blue Ray? I don't want to have to restart my collection...again.

13. I'm always slightly terrified when I exit out of Word and it asks me if I want to save any changes to my ten-page technical report that I swear I did not make any changes to.

14. I keep some people's phone numbers in my phone just so I know not to answer when they call.

15. I think the freezer deserves a light as well.

16. I disagree with Kay Jewelers. I would bet on any given Friday or Saturday night more kisses begin with Miller Lite than Kay.

17. I wish Google Maps had an "Avoid Ghetto" routing option.

18. I have a hard time deciphering the fine line between boredom and hunger.

19. How many times is it appropriate to say "What?" before you just nod and smile because you still didn't hear or understand a word they said?

20. I love the sense of camaraderie when an entire line of cars team up to prevent a jerk from cutting in at the front. Stay strong, brothers and sisters!

21. Shirts get dirty. Underwear gets dirty. Pants? Pants never get dirty, and you can wear them forever.

22. Sometimes I'll look down at my watch 3 consecutive times and still not know what time it is.

23. Even under ideal conditions people have trouble locating their car keys in a pocket, finding their cell phone, and Pinning the Tail on the Donkey - but I'd bet everyone can find and push the snooze button from 3 feet away, in about 1.7 seconds, eyes closed, first time, every time.

24. The first testicular guard, the "Cup," was used in Hockey in 1874 and the first helmet was used in 1974. That means it only took 100 years for men to realize that their brain is also important.

A Christmas Island Birthday

December 18th was Dashing's 26th Birthday. However, he has thought he was 26 since I turned in July. He usually just assumes that we are the same age. I, however, take the crown on that one by 5 months.

This year, I wanted to throw him a birthday party of "things he loved." So, here's how it came together.
Things he loves: Friends, Food, Islands, Christmas, Coor's Light, Mai Tais.

How was I possibly going to put all this together in one event??! Then, it just showed up. Dashing heard a song played on the sub-par PA system of Good Will as we were shopping for Ugly Sweaters. He immediately began Googling the song, and I started paying attention to the words. The song....Christmas Island (the version by Six Pence None the Richer). What perfect timing! That's it! A Christmas Island Birthday Party!

With Island Grill catering, homemade Rum Cupcakes, ugly Christmas Sweater's, card games, and Santa's Silver Bullet Beer; it was a hit!!! (Not to mention the "Icing" shenanigans that occurs that evening as well).

I would like to say that this has been an adventure in preparing for two of my 11 in 11's...preparing for my own Golden Birthday party AND experiments in baking!

So, I'd like to share with you the DELICIOUS Rum Cupcake recipe! I got the recipe from a blog The Cupcakery.

Rum Cupcakes

1 cup chopped pecans, toasted

1 18-1/2 ounce yellow cake mix
1 1-3/4 ounce (4-serving size) instant vanilla pudding mix
4 eggs, room temperature
1/2 cup cold milk
1/2 cup vegetable oil
1/2 cup dark rum

1. Preheat oven to 325 degrees F.

2. Line muffin pan with paper liners. Sprinkle toasted pecans on the bottom of liners.

3. Combine all cake ingredients in a large stainless steel bowl. Beat for 2 minutes on high with electric mixer.

4. Pour batter into prepared cups.

5. Bake for 27-29 minutes or until toothpick comes out of center completly clean.

6. Cool on a cooling rack. Prick top of cupcakes with toothpick.

7. COOL CUPCAKES COMPLETELY, then dip cupcakes into Buttered Rum Glaze.

Buttered Rum Glaze 

1/2 cup unsalted butter
1/4 cup water
1 cup sugar
1/2 cup dark rum

1. Melt butter in saucepan.
2. Stir in water and sugar. Boil 5 minutes, stirring constantly.
3. Remove from heat and stir in rum. Be very careful when adding the rum, it will cause steam, so you do not want to burn yourself on this step!


Buttercream Frosting
1 package(s) 16 ounces, confectioners' sugar
1/2 cup (1 stick) butter, softened
1 1/2 tsp vanilla extract
4 Tbsp milk, plus up to 2 tablespoons more, as needed
1. Before starting, place your stainless steel bowl and the arms for mixer into the freezer, for about 5 minutes. The cold bowl and arms form stiffer peaks in your frosting.
2. In large bowl, with mixer at medium-low speed, beat sugar, butter, vanilla, and 4 tablespoons milk until blended.
3. Increase speed to medium-high; beat until light and fluffy, occasionally scraping bowl with rubber spatula.
4. Beat in more milk as needed for easy spreading consistency.
5. Once the cupcake is glazed, a dollop of of buttercream frosting added, drizzle remaining glaze over the top of the buttercream and insert a vanilla filled Pirouette cookie.

Goodbye 2010, Welcome 11 in 11

Wow, where did 2010 go? 

I'll tell you....

It went to spending all my energy recovering from my chemotherapy and radiation treatments.

It went to planning my marriage/wedding/life with my Dashing.

It went to training for and completing a half-marathon benefiting the Arizona Cancer Center.

It want to volunteering for my Delta Gamma alumnae group and St. Jude.

It went to spending precious quality time with my family.

It went to starting a new job.

It went to celebrating my 26th year of life.

It went to a family vacations to Coronado, Disneyland, Mexican Riviera, Indiana, and Oregon.

2010 Tucson 1/2 Marathon

Terri Brush Art Camp - Oregon

Searching for my first wig.

So what is next for 2011....
Becoming an Aunt to a little girl (Miss E)
Celebrating my golden birthday (27)
A one year wedding anniversary
Dashing starting Residency in Emergency Medicine
and much much more - but to continue to strive for a fulfilled life, I have created my list of 11 in 11 that I'll share with you as I not only check them off my list, but enjoy every minute of it.

Sara Cate's 11 in 11


1) Have a picnic with Dashing 
2) Find an exciting museum or venue 
3) Have a wine party 
4) Do something totally spontaneous 
5) Watch the Star Wars series (Dashing has been wanting to do this with me for years)
6) Hike Camelback Mountain 
7) Go camping in northern Arizona
8) Have a board game night with a group of friends
9) Go a whole day without complaining (repeat as needed) 
10) Take a cooking/baking class/attend a culinary event 
11) Throw myself a Golden Birthday Bash (27 on the 27th of July)