Inhale-able Pumpkin Muffins (without a story)

I have no clever story to add, I’ll just say my 5 year old daughter declared she wants to eat these *every single day* in her lunchbox, except Wednesdays, which are pizza days. There are more proper ways to make them, and healthier, but these are easy and soooo delicious. You can do subs, like lowering the butter to 1/2 c or subbing coconut oil. If you lower the fat, also use a bit less flour, by about 1/4 cup. You can also lessen the sugar by 1/2 cup and they’ll still be yummy, but healthy isn’t my goal here. Deliciousness is.

Inhale-able Pumpkin Muffins

Makes 24

Ingredients

• 2 cups AP flour
• 2 cups granulated sugar
• 1 (15 oz) can pumpkin purée
• 2 large eggs
• 1 cup butter, salted (or add 1 tsp salt)
• 1 tsp baking powder
• 1 tsp baking soda
• 1 Tbsp cinnamon
• 1/2 tsp cloves
• 1/2 tsp nutmeg

In a large bowl, melt the butter.

Add pumpkin purée and sugar, mixing well

Add eggs and mix well.

While mixing vigorously, add baking powder and baking soda. (To do this the proper way, you would sift it into the flour first. I have 3 small kids and little free time).

Add spices, mix well.

Lastly, add the flour and mix well with a wooden spoon.

In either an oiled muffin tin or baking cups, fill 2/3 full. Bake at 350 degrees for 22 minutes or until a toothpick inserted in the center comes out (mostly) clean.

ENJOY!! Please let me know if you make these and enjoy them as much as we do.

SHOULD WE ALL JOIN THE UNION?

I saw a post in a VO thread this morning wondering why all the rest of us voiceover pros don’t join the Union (SAG/AFTRA).  The basic premise was that rates are being pushed lower by subpar talent and cheap, drive-thru …

Feeling Pregnant

Okay, there’s been a lot going on since that positive, or BFP as we call it in the world of infertility treatments.  I’ve had 3 beta tests – that’s where they draw your blood and see if the baby’s growing as it should.  My first beta was at day 15 past retrieval, and it was at 272!  2 days later, it was somewhere around 650.  Yesterday, on day 21 past retrieval, it was at 3,604!  So, it’s quite high, although it could still be a singleton.  I don’t know how I’m going to get through these next ten days until the ultrasound without losing my mind!  I just have to know!!! 1 or 2?  Omigosh, I’m just so darn excited either way.  

I also actually FEEL pregnant now.  What does that feel like, you ask?  Well, I have hints of morning sickness.  Light abdominal pain, frequently – and I’m completely STARVING all the time.  Everyone keeps telling me obvious things, like to eat protein to stave off hunger.  I’m telling you, I can eat a ribeye and be hungry 30 minutes later.  I’m trying here.

This may be TMI for those not going through IVF – so I apologize in advance, but my doc said my progesterone was high enough that I could switch from the nightly intramuscular injections to an…ahem… alternate method.  You ladies know what I’m talking about, right?  I said, no thanks – I’ll stick to the injections.  One and done.  If my hips get too bruised I might change my mind.  But, you know what?  I only have to do them another 5 weeks, and I think if I’ve held off this long, I can make it.  BRING IT ON!!!

eLearning Voiceover Tips

Today, I thought I’d share some of my favorite tips for voicing and editing eLearning courses.  Yes, I know… there are a ton of schools of thought and ideas out there, but here’s my two cents worth.

1.  DON’T SOUND LIKE A ROBOT. That sounds easy enough, doesn’t it?  But when voicing long, technical copy it’s easy to go into “drone” mode.  Resist the urge.  As a former piano and voice teacher, it comes a bit more naturally to me, but there are still things I do to help this.

Talk with your hands.   I know, I have to be very careful so the mic doesn’t pick up movement, but it helps A LOT if I allow myself to talk with my hands.

Envision the person you’re talking to.  This should go without saying, because we’re supposed to do it anyway, all the time.

Always, always, always be interested in what you’re reading.  Whatever you’re reading is the most interesting thing you’ve looked at all week.

Put a HUGE smile on your face, and check every so often to make sure it’s still there.

2.  CONSISTENT MIC PLACEMENT

I was in this great eLearning seminar one time where we were given the tip to attach a small piece of foam to the mic right where your mouth should be.  This way, when you come back to it later, there’s no noticeable difference in tone.  As odd as this sounds, I’d take it a step further.  Place your mic right where you want it.  Next, take a long piece of thread (not yarn, thread) and tie something small on the end- a button, a lead weight from fishing, whatever.  Place it so that it’s just above your mic and tape it to the ceiling.  Drastic?  Maybe.  But a great idea nonetheless, if I do say so myself.  Electrical tape on the floor where you stand or sit helps as well.

3.  SAVE OFTEN.  Again, this should go without saying – and yet it doesn’t.  I can’t tell you how many times I’ve stopped what I was doing to work on something else.  Then, I finished and CLOSED THE WRONG FILE.  Everyone asks me the same question, don’t you have autosave?  Of course – but if you click NO, DO NOT SAVE it doesn’t.  There.  What a confession.

Be watching for more SOON.  Thanks for reading my little newborn blog!

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June Is Busting Out All Over

Did I just inspire you to sing that song in your head?  If not, you may be at the wrong blog.  I’ve been a voice and piano teacher for more years than I care to admit – and, no, I’m not going to tell you how many.  Let’s just say I started when I was 15 and am now 32.  I’m hoping you’re as bad at math as you are at recalling music theater selections.  

This June is bringing lots of big surprises.  Not the least of which is a new feature film-length documentary that you SHOULD ALL GO CHECK OUT.  Ken Beale of Sailwind pictures has produced a new Christian documentary, “The Sereer: Desperately Trying to Please God.”  They hired me for the voiceover through one of those evil websites everyone seems to hate these days.  I’m always amazed at how many voiceover jobs land in my lap that align perfectly with my values.  Then again, I’m always completely amazed at the ones that DO NOT.  Male enhancement, anyone?  😉

The next thing you MUST MUST investigate is the new audiobook available on iTunes, Amazon, and Audible – “Persistent Love: A Novella” writted by Laura J Marshall and narrated by… well, you know.  JESSICA FIELDS.  I’m warning you: I had to break out my English accents, so for my friends across the pond – no judging.  Let’s hear you narrate an audiobook set in Texas.  Which I’m also currently doing, by the way – be looking for that release in July.  😉 

I guess this princess had better get back to work.  First, I might log into Amazon and search for something new – thanks to an awesome client who treated me to a gift card after I saved her tail. You know who you are!!!  Thank you!!!  I may look for a new apron.  I LOVE frilly aprons. 

My First Post….

Hmmm…. why am I starting a blog? Could it be because I love to talk, I communicate with people for a living!  In all my communication, all of my demonstrating how great this is or how great that is, one thing is missing from it all – ME.  Sure, it’s my voice, but wonderful, talented writers are the ones putting those words into my mouth (and I’m oh-so-grateful for it, mind you)!

So, my first post WOULD be dedicated to letting you know what to expect, only I’m not sure what to expect.  There you go!  

Enjoy!