Sorry I've been MIA the past couple of days.  I have had a headache beyond belief and it is PAINFUL to look at a computer screen.  I wanted to hop on and wish everyone a wonderful and relaxing weekend, and to my friends and family in the NY capital region -- be safe and drive carefully!  I will be thinking of you.  I am going to leave you with a live version of one of my favorite Christmas songs, although, I feel like it is debatable whether it is REALLY meant to be a Christmas song or not.  Even if it wasn't, I always hear this song at Christmastime, so it brings back holiday memories for me. What's your favorite Christmas/holiday song?

All I want for Christmas part I

Christmas List part I by nicole pascale

So my family has requested a few Christmas ideas, and so, of course I must oblige! I started a Universal Wish List on amazon.com, and since I discovered the "Add to Wish List" bookmark to my browser, the list has grown fast! You can add pretty much anything from pretty much any website. So fun. I love it!

Congrats are in order!

Congratulations to my beautiful sister, Breanna and my dashing future brother-in-law Dave!  Dave asked Bre to marry him this past saturday -- of course she said, "YES!"  

How exciting it is to see our family continue to grow!  

*Fabulously flattering pictures courtesy of Dave's sister Lisa and of course, yearbookyourself.com 

Let them eat cake!

So these days, I've just been baking up a storm!  We're talking cakes, cupcakes, in all shapes, sizes and flavors -- I just love it!  Initially, Jake was my official tester, but yesterday, I ran out of bowls and plates, so I had to branch out and share the love (and cake) with others.   

 While I love the weather in Annapolis pretty much all year round; there's no better place to capture the feeling of fall than good 'ol upstate NY.  I am craving apple pie, apple cider,apple  doughnuts and then I remember our annual trips of my childhood to Focastle Farms.  For a while, I am homesick and nostalgic...  My most recent creation -- a cinnamon apple cake seemed to capture the essence of the new season that is upon us and my longing for NY, not to mention -- it is delicious.  It is so moist (I hate that word) it almost has the consistency of a bread pudding.  Unfortunately, I have no good photos to share, so you'll have to use your imagination for this one.  

Sweet love of my life...

My charming sister sent me a gift card a la Target last week for my 31st birthday.  Today, I put it to good use and bought myself a lovely new hand mixer.  I tested it for the first time this evening and made these charming red velvet cupcakes with cream cheese frosting.  

Ahhh...to die for!