Sunday, January 31, 2010

Reaaaalllllly?

As if it is not bad enough that I have bats, wolf spiders, coyotes, deer, snakes and foxes in my backyard..... here comes Mr. Bull the other day. This big guy hopped the fence from the neighboring ranch and decided to come into our backyard for breakfast.... I chased him away twice and he finally got the clue. But you KNOW the boys loved it!!

Keeping with the cupcake theme.....

I came across some really cute seasonal ideas for cupcakes.... some of these seem super simple while others seem like they may take some time and effort. But how cute are these?
The melted butter on the corn is a microwaved Starburst... cute,huh?
Awwwwwwww...
You KNOW I am a sucker for Halloween.... These witchies are adorable!!
For the man who loves to golf.... or a retirement party???
I am sooooo not a fan of coconut but this little chickie/rooster was too cute to pass up!
These just look yummy! I was thinking that frozen cheesecake bites would be yummy too! Is it any wonder that every diet fails with me?!?!?!?!
I also am loving these cute beachy ones. I think the snow is finally affecting me!!
More cute Halloweenie ideas.... and I just adore this lollipop idea!! So cute for a spring party!!

Anyway.... just a little happy cupcake inspiration for you!! :)

Saturday, January 30, 2010

Some Yummy Cupcake Recipes from Martha!

I just adore cupcakes.... easy to bake, fun to decorate, yummy to eat. So I dug up some of Martha Stewart's favorite cupcake recipes and added them here.... just in case ya need some baking inspiration!! ;) Flourless Chocolate Cupcakes
In place of flour and leaveners, whipped eggs whites to produce cupcakes with a light-as-air texture.
Ingredients:
6 tablespoons (3/4 stick) unsalted butter
8 ounces bittersweet chocolate, coarsely chopped (or 1 1/2 cups semisweet chocolate chips)
6 large eggs, separated, room temperature
1/2 cup sugar
Ice cream, for serving (optional)
Directions
1.Preheat oven to 275 degrees. Line standard muffin tins with paper liners. Melt butter and chocolate in a large heatproof bowl set over (not in) a pan of simmering water. Stir to combine, then remove bowl from heat and let cool slightly. Whisk in egg yolks.
2.With an electric mixer on medium speed, whisk egg whites until soft peaks form. Gradually add sugar, beating until peaks are stiff and glossy but not dry (do not overbeat). Whisk one quarter of the beaten egg whites into chocolate mixture to lighten; gently fold mixture into remaining whites.
3.Divide batter evenly among lined cups, filling each three-quarters full. Bake, rotating tins halfway through, until cupcakes are just set in centers, about 25 minutes. Transfer tins to wire racks to cool completely before removing cupcakes (their centers will sink). Cupcakes are best eaten the same day they are baked; keep at room temperature until ready to serve, topped with scoops of ice cream, if desired.
Makes 22 cupcakes.... YUM!!


Chocolate Graham Cracker Cupcakes with Toasted Marshmallow
*This delicious recipe is courtesy of Jennifer Shea, owner of Trophy Cupcakes.*

Ingredients:
2 1/4 cups plus 2 tablespoons sugar
1 3/4 cups all-purpose flour
3/4 cup plus 1 tablespoon cocoa powder (not Dutch-processed)
1 1/2 teaspoons baking powder
1 1/2 teaspoons baking soda
1 teaspoon salt
2 large eggs
1 cup whole milk
1/2 cup vegetable oil
2 teaspoons pure vanilla extract
1 cup boiling water
1 1/2 cups graham cracker crumbs (from about 20 squares)
1/3 cup unsalted butter, melted
9 ounces bittersweet chocolate, finely chopped
Marshmallow Frosting
Directions
1.Preheat oven to 350 degrees. Line 2 standard muffin tins with cupcake liners; set aside.
Sift 2 cups plus 2 tablespoons sugar, flour, cocoa powder, baking powder, baking soda, and salt together into the bowl of an electric mixer. Using the paddle attachment, mix ingredients together on low speed.
2.In a large bowl, mix together eggs, milk, oil, and vanilla. Add to flour mixture and beat on medium speed for 30 seconds. Scrape down sides of bowl and continue mixing on medium speed for 2 minutes. Add boiling water and stir to combine; set cake batter aside.
Place graham cracker crumbs, remaining 1/4 cup sugar, and melted butter in a large bowl; stir until well combined.
3.Place 1 tablespoon graham cracker mixture into the bottom of each prepared muffin cup. Use the bottom of a small glass to pack crumbs into the bottom of each cupcake liner. Reserve remaining graham cracker mixture for topping.
4.Place 2 teaspoons chocolate in each muffin cup. Transfer muffin tins to oven and bake until the edges of the graham cracker mixture is golden, about 5 minutes. Remove from oven and fill each muffin cup three-quarters full with cake batter. Sprinkle each with remaining chocolate and graham cracker mixture. Return to oven and bake, rotating pans halfway through baking, until tops are firm and a cake tester inserted in the center comes out clean, 18 to 20 minutes. Transfer muffin tins to a wire rack and let cupcakes cool in pan for 10 minutes. Remove cupcakes from pan and let cool completely.
5.Pipe frosting in a spiral motion on each cupcake. Transfer cupcakes to a baking sheet. Using a kitchen torch, lightly brown the frosting, taking care not to burn the cupcake liners. Serve immediately or store in an airtight container, up to 2 days.

Makes 2 dozen
Lemon Meringue Cupcakes

Ingredients:
3 cups all-purpose flour
1 tablespoon baking powder
1/2 teaspoon salt
1 cup (2 sticks) unsalted butter, room temperature
2 cups sugar
4 large eggs, room temperature
Finely grated zest of 3 lemons (about 3 tablespoons), plus 2 tablespoons fresh lemon juice
1 teaspoon pure vanilla extract
1 cup buttermilk
Lemon Curd
Seven-Minute Frosting

Directions
1.Preheat oven to 325 degrees. Line standard muffin tins with paper liners. Whisk together flour, baking powder, and salt.
2.With an electric mixer on medium-high speed, cream butter and sugar until pale and fluffy. Add eggs, one at a time, beating until each is until incorporated, scraping down sides of bowl as needed. Beat in zest and vanilla. Add flour mixture in three batches, alternating with two additions of buttermilk and lemon juice, and beating until just combined after each.
3.Divide batter evenly among lined cups, filling each three-quarters full. Bake, rotating tins halfway through, until golden brown and a cake tester inserted in centers comes out clean, about 25 minutes. Transfer tins to wire racks to cool completely before removing cupcakes. Cupcakes can be stored overnight at room temperature, or frozen up to 2 months, in airtight containers.
4.To finish, spread 1 tablespoon lemon curd onto middle of each cupcake. Fill a pastry bag fitted with a large open-star tip with frosting. Pipe frosting onto each cupcake, swirling tip slightly and releasing as you pull up to form a peak. Hold a small kitchen torch 3 to 4 inches from surface of frosting, and wave it back and forth until frosting is lightly browned all over. Serve immediately.

Makes 2 dozen!

Friday, January 29, 2010

A Trip to the Library

This post will hopefully make the Grandmas happy.... Landon and I went to the local library in Castle Rock for a very fun and energetic story time. They do several different things for the kids throughout the week and Landon LOVES going to the preschool story time with Miss Melissa. Here are some pics from our excursion to our awesome library!!


Mommy and her little man...
This is Miss Melissa.... she is so good and animated with the kids. 4 books, 3 songs, 2 crafts and 1 snack.... she ROCKS!! He liked these twins off to the right of him.... I think he was flirting for awhile... Mr. Observant....
Do you think he likes story time?
This was Flip Flop Jack.... he was made entirely of food which Landon thought was silly and yummy all at the same time!

He was one happy boy!! Got a snack and a stamp for being such a good participant!!

Free Valentine's download!!

How stinkin' cute are these? Northridge Media is giving these 2 VERY cute Valentine Tags away for FREEEEEEEE! I just adore the fact that they included one for both BOYS AND GIRLS!! So have fun using these tags!! You'll find them:
HERE
And for the ladies!!

Cute Candy Tags

I think I am in love with these little candy wrappers. It is a digital product and very inexpensive!! I always give out little suckers to the students at the kids' school and this is such a cute and inexpensive way to do the tags on the lollipops!! Thanks Elle!!!
ALSO, check out her other down loadable treat bags and banners!!! SOOOO cute!!

Thursday, January 28, 2010

Just bought some of these....



I couldn't resist.......
Tessa Ann's etsy shop adorable button sets!! I just snagged a few to work with and I can't wait to pair it up with Elle's new Valentine's line!! How cute are these? Here is a link to Miss Tessa Ann.... she is too stinkin' talented if you ask me!! There is truly something for everyone in her shop!! And she also has a DT call out for anyone who wants to go for it!!
Check her blog out here:
Tessa's Blog

New Elle's Studio!!

OK.... so so so excited about Elle's new line for V-Day. There is just so much to choose from and I think the colors just go so perfectly with so many lines that are out there for Valentine's Day. I just ordered some of the goodies today and I can't wait to get my hands on them and play!! Her stamps are also so cute so ya gotta check those out as well. Here is her link to the new goodies... have fun shopping!!Elle's Studio- Valentine's Release
And a little side note.... thank you Elle for that awesome auction you did for the people of Haiti. This is truly why I adore the scrapbooking/crafting/artsy community! We are all so willing to give and help.... it just makes my heart happy!!

Wednesday, January 27, 2010

I know... I know.....

I have been gone almost the whole month of January!! I seriously don't even know how it is almost February practically!! Pure craziness!! Work has kept me really busy as well as some client albums that I have been trying to find time for. We have been meeting up with lots of friends here and have had a couple of date nights even! One of the funnest nights yet was a night out with our sweet neighbors Michelle and Dave... we had a blast at Siena where the food and atmosphere is awesome! $5 martinis and reaaaaaaaaally good food!! So yummy!!
Then we had some friends over and my friend Ellory made these totally scrumptious cookie bars (which she left at my house and they were devoured within the weekend.... not so good for the diet). She swears these are fat free IF you eat them with coffee..... whatever... I wish that were true!! Anyways... so simple to make and take to someones house. But be prepared to gain a few pounds.
INGREDIENTS
1 package (8 oz) cream cheese, softened
1/2cup sugar
1 egg
1 roll (16.5 oz) refrigerated chocolate chip cookies

DIRECTIONS
1.Heat oven to 350°F. In small bowl, beat cream cheese, sugar and egg until smooth.
2.In ungreased, 9- or 8-inch square pan, break up half of cookie dough. With floured fingers, press dough evenly in bottom of pan to form crust. Spread cream cheese mixture over dough. Crumble and sprinkle remaining half of dough over cream cheese mixture.
3. Bake 35 to 40 minutes or until golden brown and firm to the touch. Cool 30 minutes. Refrigerate at least 2 hours or until chilled. For bars, cut into 4 rows by 4 rows. Store in refrigerator.
So enjoy the recipe for now and when I am at home, I will upload some new pics of the boys and HOPEFULLY have some crafty stuff to show you guys!! See you all soon!

Saturday, January 2, 2010

My work space and chandelier!

This gorgeous chandelier was found at The Barn at one of Amy's shops. If you are local to Colorado and get close to Castle Rock, you have GOT to go to The Barn. I swear... there is something for everyone there and it is VERY hard to stop at one of the indoor shops. I think I have spent a small fortune there over the last 4 months!! I also have to thank Cindy for my going away/housewarming Visa gift card.... this is what ya bought me girl!! Hope you approve of it and can see it in person someday!! Miss you!
This is the working half of my workspace. I love it. Still lots of stuff to hang but it is right in the middle of all of my supplies. I can't seem to get the boys to stop sliding on the wood floor though... it is pretty distracting. :) But now everything is in one place and I am ONE HAPPY scrapper!! As things continue to be hung and displayed, I will show you some pics. I have altered quite a few things for the room but haven't gotten around to taking pics. I will though!!

That's all for now!! :) See you soon!

Friday, January 1, 2010

Happy New Year!!


We have been busy with family and friends for the last 2 weeks. We are finally getting around to taking the lights and tree down. So sad when that happens.... We are looking forward to another fun and happy year. Some resolutions of mine:

1. Start submitting projects again. I have been on a 9 month hiatus!
2. Eat healthy and get healthy again!!
3. Spend more time keeping in touch with our loved ones.
4. Get back to California to visit!!
5. Enjoy my family and discover more of Colorado!!

Hope your resolutions aren't too stressful!! Enjoy 2010!!