Whine or Wine

After a day like today, I battle the choice of these two.  Right now, I've decided on both however it makes me think, hmmmm, this is a tough call, which one will actually make me feel better.  Well let's see I could whine about the fact that it's Monday.  But let's face it, I will have the same things to whine about tomorrow and the next day...and the next.   Whine that my husband and kids just don't seem to get that I am a lunatic by now so shouldn't they just pick up their things and listen, Lord knows I've asked enough.  Nope, not that either because let's be real, they are kids and a man, they will never get it.  Whine because there is another Presidential debate on TV.  Nope, not that either because everyone will just be talking about that tomorrow, so I'll just have to whine about it all over again, well for the next 15 days anyway.

Let's face it, everyone has a right to whine and everyone has their fair share of problems, no matter who you are.  And don't say you don't, because then you are just a liar and I'd rather deal with a whiner than a liar.  BUT, whine or wine?  Well studies show that a glass (or 2) of wine a day is actually healthy for you.  I have not yet seen a study that says whining is healthy for you and I'm pretty sure its negative effects cause wrinkles and high blood pressure.  Another positive of a glass of wine, you will no longer want to whine.  I guess what I am trying to say is find that happy, if it is not wine than so be it...Dessert works too and dessert and wine go great together.  Dessert and whining, not so much, afterall you should not talk with your mouth full!

There is too much to whine about but there is also much to wine to.  We made that homemade wine in the picture above for a family gathering this past summer.  Yes, we make homemade wine, well my husband does, I just whine when there is no more wine :)  Point is, we didn't have anything real to celebrate other than family and life.  We didn't need a reason to celebrate, we just did.  It's times like that, when you've had a bad day that you should remember because the good far outweighs the bad, if you allow it. 

Today, I'd like to share my Pumpkin Whoopie Pies with Cream Cheese filling.  Since they were on my picture of the tray with my sugar cookies from the other days blog, I probably should share that YuMMMy recipe too.  Afterall, I don't want anyone whining about my blog :)

Pumpkin Whoopie Pies - Makes 36-48

1 can (15oz.) solid-packed Pumpkin
2 cups packed brown sugar
1 cup vegetable oil (or I use 1/2 cup apple sauce and 1/2 cup canola oil)
2 large eggs
1 tsp. vanilla extract
3 cups flour
1 1/2 tsp. cinnamon
1 1/2 tsp. ginger
1 tsp. baking soda
1 tsp. baking powder
1/2 tsp. salt

Preheat oven to 350.  In a large bowl, beat together pumpkin, brown sugar, oil, eggs and vanilla until blended.  In a separate bowl, whisk flour, cinnamon, ginger, baking soda, baking powder, and salt.  Add to pumpkin mixture and beat until smooth.  I used muffin pans (sprayed with PAM) and filled bottoms with mixture or you can drop batter by tablespoons onto baking sheets.  Bake 10-12 minutes until tops spring back when lightly touched.  Remove from pans to wire racks to cool completely.

Cream Cheese Buttercream filling

1 8oz. pkg. cream cheese                   1 tsp. pure vanilla extract
1/2 cup (1 stick) butter                       1 TBSP. Meringue powder
4 cups confectionery sugar                 2 TBSP water 
 
Mix all ingredients until smooth.  If using muffin pans to bake whoopie pies, once cooled, cut in 1/2 and spoon desired amount of filling on bottom layer and place top 1/2 on top OR spread filing onto flat side of one cookie and top with another.  Repeat remaining cookies and filling. 

! ENJOY !