Food on Friday (a bit late): Chocolate beet cupcakes

Yes, it's true, there are beets in these cupcakes.  The vegetable kind.  And, no, they are not weird.  They are absolutely delicious, in fact.  If you don't believe me, I have a bunch of people who can testify. 

One of my favorite bloggers, Joy the Baker, posted this recipe here in the week before Peter's birthday and I just knew I had to try it.  It was right up Peter's ally...junk food with something healthy slipped in! 

The original recipe is for a cake but I adapted it to make 2 dozen cupcakes instead.  I didn't change anything, just the cooking time.  I checked them frequently to see when they were done and it was after about 25-30 minutes.  I was worried about roasting, peeling and grating the beets--I had never worked with beets before--but I was surprised and happy to find that it was a piece of cake (pun intended).

These cupcakes are seriously delicious.  They could not be more moist or rich.  They have a very deep chocolate flavor and are topped off with beet and cream cheese frosting.   Plus, it feels good to know you are getting some veggies in with your sugar.  You won't regret making these!  Enjoy and have a fantastic weekend!

Dreams can come true

Mine did.  Okay, well, one of mine did.  The one where I desperately wanted an attic bedroom.

I got one, friends.  And here it is.

It's about as complete as it is going to be for the moment--we've hung everything and gotten all the furniture that we can afford set up--but, as with everything in my house, it will be a constant project and there is a lot of room for improvement.

It's really cozy and the bed is basically always begging to be slept in.   It's our favorite room in the house.

But, there is still more furniture to eventually buy and paint, art to be changed, improved or switched out,  corners to be spruced up.  My work never ends and I love it that way.

This afternoon

Who would have known that this California girl could survive the extreme cold? It's  -11 degrees Celsius (12 degrees Fahrenheit)  but it's sunny (which is way more important than the temperature).   I have a super cozy blanket (Ralph Lauren, a housewarming gift from my mom), a cup of tea, a journal and some cook books for inspiration...cold weather survival guide.  

Pretty in pink

I saw this home today on the blog Miss Moss website and I just had to share it! It is so comfortable, cozy and, let's face it, pink!  Pink is a really great color for interiors because of its warmth and ability to make everything a all glowy. Even if you are not the kind of girl who sits at her dressing table, bouncing her freshly painted toenails and powdering her nose, pink bring instant charm and comfort to your home...even if you live with your husband or boyfriend.  Try pink light bulbs to start.

I love the added warmth a dog brings to your home!

I love this idea! Wallpapering your entry hall, or even just the closet in your entry hall and removing the doors,  can make a big impact without being too big a commitment.  (I think if I didn't rent, I would spend all my time wallpapering things!)  This would also work on the inside of a bookshelf, armoire or wardrobe.

Two great, creative ideas for your home

I love these two ideas I found on Pinterest this week.

Magazine holder shelf
I am thinking about trying this one in our new place!

Via Pinterest, originally from Design*Sponge.

Dresser turned kitchen island

I love this idea.  Just give a dresser a nice coat of bright paint and a new top (ooh, I dream of marble).  I love this blue with the oranges!

Image via Pinterest, originally from Small Place Style

Gemütlichkeit is: a hot shower, while standing

Image via H&M.

"Gemütlichkeit" is quite hard to define using English words and after two years in Germany, even I am just starting to get to know its many uses.  Wikipedia says that, in addition to coziness, it also "connotes the notion of belonging, social acceptance, cheerfulness, the absence of anything hectic and the opportunity to spend quality time."  Wiktionary defines it as, "comfortable, cozy, pleasant, friendly, genial, cheerful, easy-going." Either way, it is certainly an abundance of all things comforting and happy.  


Today I am starting a new weekly post called "Gemütlichkeit is."  Every Tuesday I will choose something from the last week that embodies comfort, coziness, cheerfulness, love, friendship--or, basically, all the things that make life good--and post about it.  It will always be something that is free or almost free and will be my place to express my appreciation of the small things in my life which make it wonderful.  I also hope to get everyone else thinking about the small things in your lives that inspire you and make you happy.  I invite you to leave comments finishing the sentence for yourself, "Gemütlichkeit/Happiness/Love/Relaxation/Peace is..." I can't wait to see what everyone is thankful for or inspired by! 

***

This week, Gemütlichkeit is: my brand new, lovely standing up shower.  As you may remember (or for a lucky few, experienced) for the last two years, I took my daily shower while sitting in a bathtub.  Our bathtub was tucked neatly under a slanted roof, which left no room for standing.  We had a shower head, mind you, but we had to use it while sitting in the bathtub like big babies or golden retrievers getting hosed down. :-(  This may not seem so annoying, but it took something away from showering...it took away the pleasure.  It wasn't difficult and it was pretty easy to get used to, but showering went from being a relaxing, pampering end (or start) to my day, to something that was more of a nuisance than anything else.

The old shower.  :-(

Until, we moved into our new apartment.  Now, I can finally shower and stand at the same time.  Showering is fun again!  It's invigorating and relaxing all at the same time!  It is inspiring! And, quite honestly, it makes me want to sing.  (It really is the little things, people.)

I am so gosh darn thankful for that shower everyday, I am pretty sure it is my favorite part of our new home.  This week, showering has left me feeling happy, energized and bright-eyed in the mornings or relaxed, soothed and pampered at night.  And don't even get me started about how much easier it is to shave my legs!

The new shower :-) 

What is making you feel inspired this week? Leave me comment with your "gemütlichkeit/happiness/love/friendship/peace/etc + is..."

And many more, on channel 4...

Happy birthday to this guy ^.  I really feel lucky to have him in my life and am so glad that he was born 22 years ago.  He's the best.  :-)  

 

What our weekend looked like.

We finally got internet on Friday last week so I am happy to be back. I'm looking forward to posting lots of pics of the new place this week.  Happy Monday!