Sweet Silver Lining

I am so not good at being sick. It has been a week of no fun feeling bad. I like to listen to music to lift my mood. One song that always lifts my moods is Sweet Silver Lining by Kate Voegele.

On One Tree Hill, Kate Voegele's character Mia dedicates this song to the character Peyton Sawyer. Peyton is the ultimate survivor of the series. She is shot, loses two mothers, overcomes a drug addition, and nearly dies on her wedding night. Just to name a few of the Peyton tragedies. However, she continually picks herself up off the ground and ends her part of the series in the best way imaginable for her character. (Sorry, no major spoiler alert here, Netflix the series and find out the whole story for yourself. :-P )

In honor of Peyton's happy ending as I keep looking for mine, I dedicate this song to everyone else who is in need of a little bit of hope that the sweet silver lining is just around the corner.





SWEET SILVER LINING
By Kate Voegele


Well I'm going home
Downhearted and hoping
I'm close to some new beginning
I know there's a reason for everything
That comes and goes


But so many people are looking to me
To be strong and to fight
But I'm just surviving
And I may be weak but I'm not defeated
And I'll keep believing
In clouds with that sweet silver lining


Most days I try
My best to put on a brave face
But inside
My bones are cold and my heart breaks
But all the while
Something's keeping me safe and alive


But so many people are looking to me
To be strong and to fight
But I'm just surviving
And I may be weak but I'm never defeated
And I'll keep believing
In clouds with that sweet silver lining


And I won't give up like this
I will be given strength
Now that I've found it
Nothing can take that away


And so many people are looking to me
To be strong and to fight
But I'm just surviving
And I may be weak but I'm never defeated
And I'll keep believing
In clouds with that sweet silver lining
Sweet silver lining

Nummy Wednesday - Oreo Cupcakes

So I was looking for yummy things to make for the Company FRG (Family Readiness Group) event tomorrow and I came across this amazing recipe for Oreo cupcakes on Sweet Tooth Sweet Life. 

I did a test run this weekend and brought them into work to see what people thought. Compliments were everywhere. One guy even said he wanted to be buried with these cupcakes (I'm guessing as some sort of offering to his pagan gods?). I am so happy with the results I needed to share. 

Warning, I would however be prepared to make more than one batch of the frosting, because a big dollop helps hold the Oreo on top of the cupcake. Oh, I used regular Oreos to crush up, or it gets to bee too much frosting. Other than that this recipe is first class yummy. My inner Martha is happy. Enjoy!

Oreo Cream Cupcakes with Oreo Frosting

- 3/4 cup butter, room temp

- 1 cup brown sugar

-1 cup white sugar

- 7-8oz dark or milk chocolate, melted

- 3 large eggs

- 2 tsp vanilla extract

-2 cups all-purpose flour

-1 tsp baking powder

- 1 tsp baking soda

- 1 3/4 cups milk

- 8-10 Oreo cookies, chopped in food processor or with rolling pin

Directions:

1. Preheat oven to 350.
2. Beat butter and sugars until light and fluffy.
3. Mix in eggs, vanilla, and chocolate.
4. In a separate bowl, mix flour, baking powder, and baking soda.
5. Alternate adding flour mixture and milk to the butter/sugar mixture.
6. Stir in Oreos.
7. Fill cupcake liners and bake for 20-25 minutes, or until toothpick comes out clean.
8. Cool completely and top with frosting (see below).

**The number of cupcakes the recipe yields will depend on the size of the cupcakes you make.  The size you decide to make may also change the bake time above, so keep an eye on the oven anywhere in between 15-25 minutes.

Oreo Cream Cheese Frosting

- 8 oz. package of cream cheese, room temp (I used 1/3 less fat)

- 1/4 cup butter, room temp

- 3 1/2 cups powdered sugar (use more or less depending on how stuff you want the frosting to be)

- 1/2 tsp vanilla extract

- 3/4 cup crushed Oreos

Directions:

1. Whip cream cheese and butter until light and fluffy.
2. Mix in powdered sugar gradually, mixing completely between each addition.
3. Add vanilla extract.
4. Gently stir in crushed Oreos.
5. Frost cupcakes and ENJOY! 
6. *Optional: Top each cupcake with a full Oreo cookie

Jaz and Chris's Wedding

I love a beautiful wedding. I have to say I am so honored to have been a bridesmaid to the most beautiful bride, my friend Jasmine.

It was at Crenshaw Hall in Wake Forest, NC. I can't tell you how lovely it was at dusk to listen to the words of promise and the happiness of my friend with her wonderful husband. I almost cried.

Best Wishes to one of the best couples I know.

 

WAQ

Hey! I got to participate in an amazing new program the Army has started for Soldiers through the MWR (Morale, Welfare, and Recreation) program, it's called the Warrior Adventure Quest (WAQ).

A issue the Army is facing with the many multiple deployments to high stress areas is Soldiers are coming home still in 'red' or high alert mode. They have trouble reintegrating back into life at home, with their families and friends. Many times Soldiers turn to high adrenaline and dangerous activities. WAQ is designed to introduce recently redeployed Soldiers (like myself) to activities that serve as alternatives to potentially destructive behaviors.

I was able (as a work day) play paintball with the other Soldiers in my Company. It was AWESOME! We broke into teams and played objective based games. This helped encourage teamwork and build communication between others in the unit. I even had the flag a few times. I am happy to have some good people in my unit. I encourage everyone to support programs like this for the military. We fight for freedom and need support to be free of the fighting at home.

My Time

So, I'm back in the US. But it has been a crazy long and difficult return. But I haven't forgotten about ya'll and want to share a little more of my world... Enjoy!