Sure, November is most widely known in the States for Thanksgiving and *sighs* Black Friday.  But there's an incredibly important holiday that I've been missing out on for the past 28 years...National Vanilla Cupcake Day.

Screw you chocolate cupcakes!  Step aside!  Today is dedicated to delicious, mouthwatering, fluffy VANILLA CUPCAKES!!

I've always, always loved vanilla cupcakes.  I was never a huge chocolate eater as a child.  I remember standing in my backyard as a child and my mother's best friend telling me I couldn't be American if I didn't like chocolate (she quickly recovered when she saw my whimpering face and told me that liking Cheese Doodles would save me).  It's always been vanilla cake for me!

As I've grown older, I've been able to incorporate chocolate more often and can stomach a slice of chocolate cake, but there is still nothing in the world like a vanilla cupcake.  It's so wonderful that there is a whole day devoted to it's beauty.

You can celebrate by baking (here's a yummy basic recipe and a yummier vegan one) or be realistic like me and chomp into someone else's creation (like the local bakery's).

Happy National Vanilla Cupcake Day!  May your cupcake never grow stale.

So, News Flash--I'm cheap.  Like super cheap.  I don't really think you get the picture, but imagine the cheapest person you know...I'm lower than that.  I'm probably one step above Extreme Cheapskates.

Hi my name is Jen and I like to eat.  I just wish I was good at making that food to eat.

Aaannndd after a ridiculously extended delay...I'm back!  Bring back the challenge my friends!

Another month has come and gone!  October felt like quite a whirlwind.  Family came into visit.  I turned 28.  My mom, Dad, and I visited my grandpa in New York and climbed the Fire Island Lighthouse for the very first time.