Holiday Itch

It's happening again. Every year, I get restless when my birthday comes into view. I turn 25 in less than 3 weeks! Am I already turning 25? Really?

When I was a kid, teachers used to call me a turkey baby. I hated it when they called me that. Why couldn't I be the winter baby with the jolly fat cheeks, or the summer baby with sand on its butt? But no,every year when my birthday rolls around, I see turkey on a round platter and my family doesn't even eat turkey. The good thing about my birthday though is that it signals the official start of the holiday season. And I love the holidays...

I love listening to Christmas songs on the radio, even for two or three months straight. I love the glistening decorations, the snow, and as crazy as this may sound, I love the preparations. I love making lists, thinking of perfect gift ideas for family, shopping for last-minute things, and sending out Christmas cards. I love the cooking and the baking, and especially the eating. I'd gladly skip over my birthday if I could just get to this part right now.

It also makes me want to pick up the camera. It makes me want to write down new New Year resolutions...even if they are things that I'll wholeheartedly keep up for two weeks and then forget about until the next season. I want to push myself and do another Photo Project 365. I see potential, but I give up so easily sometimes. I get caught up with other things and all my other projects get pushed aside. I'd like to just really focus on one thing and be really really good at it for once.

This year was different. I accomplished many many things, which I am very proud of, but I rushed to get to the end. I think though that it's time to slow down a little bit now and just scratch this itch to live.

Trick or Treat Cupcakes

Confession: I am not a big fan of Halloween. Maybe it's because I watched too many gory horror movies as a kid and I grew up into a big wuss. But I do love any occasion for sweets! Candy corn are my favorite Halloween candy-- forget the chocolate bars and lollipops. Who can resist its bright colors? Plus, seeing (and eating) candy corn gives me that feeling that more wonderful holidays are up ahead!

I baked these cupcakes for my fifth grade religion class. I'd like to say I was cajoled and begged into it, but the honest truth was that I was looking for an opportunity to play with my Williams-Sonoma piping kit again. And I had a new Devil's food cake recipe I was jonesing to try. Let me tell you, cake flour makes a world of difference!

I made two dozen, but... don't tell the kids, I already snagged two while frosting. Couldn't help myself! Oh, how do I sleep at night? Anyways...HAPPY HALLOWEEN! Have fun and stay safe this weekend, friends.