So, I know today is today...
But yesterday was really awesome and therefore, it is time to jump in a time machine for just a few minutes:))
IT WAS CRAZY!
Do you every have one of those days when, from the moment you wake up, it's like... THIS WILL BE A GREAT DAY.
And then it doesn't stop??
I mean, sure there may be a few bumps in the road... but it can't really compete with the beauty of each and every "sparkle" that God places throughout the day?? (Btw, the quotation marks are because I definitely just borrowed that from my mom... she likes God's sparkles...)
Just take this memory-journey with me for a minute...
The day started with the day being quite lovely, so I already felt pretty peppy venturing out for my morning walk, on which I gratefully was being overwhelmed by a passage in Colossians 2:13-15,
"13 When you were dead in your sins and in the uncircumcision of your sinful nature, God made you alive with Christ. He forgave us all our sins, 14 having canceled the written code, with its regulations, that was against us and that stood opposed to us; he took it away, nailing it to the cross. 15 And having disarmed the powers and authorities, he made a public spectacle of them, triumphing over them by the cross"
As this was happening, I came across a marvelous reminder written on the sidewalk with chalk:
Plus, there was a drawing of a snowman, which was a happy sight:)
Upon re-entering the house, I began to prepare to leave for Music Theory class (which is always fun). First step, prepare lunch. Lo and behold! Something unexpectedly awesome actually worked that I was expecting not to work but ignoring for the sake of a fun time making it!
Cue the Chicken Hummus Sandwich...except magically held together between to large leaves of crunchy iceberg lettuce. Lovely:) The chicken was actually the vegetarian variety from Gardein, which is amazing. If you're looking for a tasty alternative to meat for a day, go for Gardein chick'n scallopini. :)
From there, it was time to leave for school with my sister<3 We pull in and begin to search for a parking spot. Taken, taken, taken....and then suddenly it was like we entered parking-spot Narnia. There were so many open spaces, so strangely hidden on the other side of s very busy parking area.....but that's not the great part. Take a well-appreciative look at our awesome parking-spot neighbor;) 
After school, we proceeded to pull out of the parking lot, where we came across this, which made me laugh very hard---
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And theeeeen, my sister remembered it was the last day for free sandwiches at Chick-fil-a if you bring in a toy for Toys For Tots. This made her a very happy sister:)
IT WORKED<3<3<3<3
Just to overview the rest of the day, there was a frozen yogurt excursion, Christmas lights on the way, and then the beginnings of decorating our Christmas tree. Happy Happy Christmas Season Day!!!!!!!!!!!!!:)BUT NOW, on to the actual recipe;)
VANILLA BEAN CUPCAKES
(original recipe)
Makes: 14 cupcakes
Ingredients:
1 (15 oz) can Great Northern Beans (Surprise!!! I promise, you cannot taste the beans AT ALL)
1/2 tablespoon pure vanilla extract
3 tablespoons agave nectar
4 egg whites
1/4 teaspoon cream of tartar
1 1/2 teaspoons baking powder
2/3 cup stevia, baker's bag
pinch salt
Directions:
1) Pre-heat oven to 300 degrees. Prepare 14 cupcake liners or a cupcake tin or silicone baking cups.
2) Mix baking powder, stevia, and salt in a large bowl. Set aside.
3) Puree beans, vanilla, and agave in a food processor. Set aside.
4) Whip egg whites with cream on tartar with an electric hand mixer on high speed until soft peaks form. Set aside.
5) Mix puree into dry mix.
6) Fold whites into batter.
7) Scoop batter into cupcake liners...which are still UNGREASED. (That is important! Egg whites do NOT like grease!)
8) Bake for 40 minutes.
9) Take out of oven and very quickly turn UPSIDE DOWN. Leave them like this to cool! (Yes, you heard me. Upside down. I promise I'm not crazy.... I have multiple failed attempts to prove this as an important piece in my magic puzzle:P )
10) Frost however you wish and enjoy:)
In case you're wondering, here is the recipe for the Whipped Cream Frosting on those cupcakes:
1/2 pint heavy cream; 1/4 cup powdered sugar; few drops extract of choice.
Whip cold cream in a bowl with cold beaters until very fluffy. Add sugar and extract. Keep beating until good consistency is reached.
Also, if you so choose, you can use a different kind of baking dish to make this recipe in. A medium sized glass dish makes this kind of cake (on the left)...which could be very interesting when a creative mind dresses it up like a molten cake....hmmm..... ;)
Last thing I will note: NEVER GIVE UP ON A GOOD IDEA. Keep on trying. If Thomas Edison didn't keep trying, we would all be very unenlightened on billions of good ideas that followed! ;)
Plus, failed attempts are really just other ideas in the wrong light. For example, one failed recipe attempt prior to this one is now called "Ugly Muffins" in my file, which is very tasty in the context of an Ugly Muffin Sundae:) Anyway, have fun with your great ideas. If you want, you can tell me all about them. I like ideas, and listening to dreaming on all levels. :)
Ciao for now!
-The Red Lady-
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