300 Days of Sunshine

I’ve been baking up a storm lately!   (I guess I shouldn’t use the “s” word so lightly in the wake of Hurricane Sandy… but regardless, I have been baking a lot.)   I was so excited to make cupcakes for a Halloween party last weekend, and I decided to repeat my St. Patrick’s Day cupcake recipe because those delectable delights are just too delicious for one holiday.   I bring you: Irish Car Bomb Cupcakes. Side note:   My mom laughed when I told her what I was making.   I didn’t realize an Irish Car Bomb was a real thing (beside the drink, of course).   My generation can be so naïve. You start with chocolate cupcakes made with Guinness.  Then you mix of some ganache (a fancy name for filling) with Jameson. Scoop the middle out of the cupcakes and spoon in the ganache. Last comes the icing.  Buttercream frosting with Baileys.   This is by far the best part!   (Especially if Baileys happens to be a staple in your diet during the colder mon

“Climb the mountains and get their good tidings. Nature's peace will flow into you as sunshine flows into trees. The winds will blow their own freshness into you, and the storms their energy, while cares will drop away from you like the leaves of Autumn.” -John Muir My favorite season is waning as temperatures and aspen leaves drop.   There is a crispness in the air in the mornings, and I’ve already replaced my flip flops and tank tops with boots and sweaters in my closet.   But I am eagerly trying to squeeze in a few more long hikes before the first big snow.   There are so many amazing hikes to do this time of year that I just want to hike every day! Last weekend I wanted to try a new hike outside of Santa Fe.   I planned to do Holy Ghost/Spirit Lake, a 14.5 mile trek in the Pecos Wilderness, but opted instead for something a little bit shorter since I really haven’t put in many miles in my hiking boots lately.   The Stewart Lake trail is an 11