Everyday Beauty

Sunday Kitchen

I was in the kitchen this morning photographing some new products, and I just got a little carried away. I knelt down on the floor next to kitchen table and took a picture of my morning cofffee and journal. And the hyacinths I cut from the garden. A simple centerpiece that perfumes the whole house.

A pile of our napkins.

A stack of teacups on a shelf. Along with an egg I kept for myself. {since I didn't keep any last year, my basket was looking pretty sad!}

Looks a bit fuller this year.

These are the ruffles on some prize ribbons I have to put away with inventory. Still sitting on the kitchen table. I WILL put these away today. The goal is to clear off the counters today. It's a tall order!

Aprons hanging on the wall.

Let us not forget the beautiful refrigerator art. W is the letter of the week, didn't you know?

I made some more bookmarks and I think I'll sell a bunch. They, too, are on the kitchen table. It's a wonder we can eat there.

I'll package them in One Hundred Wishes cotton pouches.

I'll spare you the other kitchen photos... {dirty dishes, bananas smashed in Sam's high chair, etc.} You're welcome!

I hope your week is off to a lovely start!

Would You Like Some Cupcake With That Frosting?

 

Butter, Confectioner's sugar, milk and vanilla extract.....lunch never looked so good!

Things I Accomplish When the Shop is Closed

 

This mini shop break I'm taking has been quite productive! Boy, did I ever need this time to regroup and recharge. I've been puttering around creating little vignettes in my home and studio. {something I could easily get carried away doing all day long if certain sweet little boys didn't keep me on track.}

It's been fun gathering trinkets to use in my Silver Bella workshops.

And I even baked Natalea's Chocolate Sheet Cake. {and unwisely ate 50% of the pan myself. It's so delicious, although not so good for the waistline...oh well! Yum is an understatement, girls.}

Been photographing lots of new items for One Hundred Wishes. Like this sneak peek below {which is my new favorite thing and I can't wait to show you!}:

And this:

And this:

And I've even been making jewelry. I know! It's been a while, huh?

And I crafted a couple little paper projects too.

 

There is still so much more to do this week, so I guess I'd better get busy!

The Way to a Man's Heart

 

Step 1: Mix flour & salt. Cut in shortening, then slowly sprinkle water to achieve desired consistency.

 

Step 2: Prepare filling. Pour it in the pie shell and bake {after you cut out little leaves}

 

Step 3: Roll out extra dough and sprinkle with cinnamon sugar. Roll it up and cut into 1/2" pieces and bake.

 

Step 4: Have a very happy husband!

It Was Only a Matter of Time

Mario has had only 4 days of pre-school, and he's already gotten a cold. And, subsequently, so did everyone else in the house.

I called George at work on Wednesday and asked, "What would you like for dinner?" I was expecting, "Ravioli" or "Chicken Parmigiana". Nope. He replied with, "Chicken soup". WOW! He must really not feel well. So, I put on a big old pot of soup and let it's aroma fill the house. We've had soup for lunch and dinner for the past 3 days. I'm still not tired of it.

Here's Mario's version. Heaven forbid I should add the celery or even parsley flakes to his broth! "Oh, no, no, no, Mama. Just alphabets."

So, anyway, I should be back in the swing of things by Monday or Tuesday. Wishing you all a wonderful weekend!

32

Today is my birthday! To celebrate, I decided to bake myself a cake using the gigantic cupcake pan I bought a few months ago. This is one big cupcake, and with my husband out of town, I'd hate to think I have to eat the entire thing myself. Not to worry, Mario is a good cupcake eater too.....and some friends are stopping by so they can help me out as well.

It's 1:30 in the morning on April 22nd, officially my birthday, but also time for bed. Morning will be here too soon, but at least I'll have sweet dreams!

Happy Day!

Sweet Tooth Necessities

Did you know? Martha Stewart has a new book and it's all about cookies. I can't wait to sit down and read through these recipes and start baking up some delicious treats. Thank you to my friend Dana, for the heads up! Martha's books never disappoint.

Now these, I just had to show you because they're so pretty sitting all in a row. I am on a never-ending quest for candies and confections in "my colors". These mousse filled truffles fit the bill.

I just couldn't stop taking pictures of these beauties!

And speaking of sweet.....I've got something very sweet in the works for One Hundred Wishes. You'll just have to sit tight and wait until it's all ready to unveil. Yum, yum, yum, my friends. I know, I know, I shouldn't tease you when it comes to sweets. That's grounds for punishment!

Now, go find something sweet to eat......you know you want to!

Twirling Cheesecake Pops

What is it about treats on a stick? They're just fun to eat, don't you think? Maybe a little messy but well worth it. I got the recipe for these delicious Cheesecake Pops from the book Sticky, Chewy, Messy, Gooey by Jill O'Connor. If you enjoy baking, I'd say this book is a must-have. It's full of mouth-watering color photographs that will inspire you to get the measuring cups out and tie on your apron!

There are baskets full of ballerinas in my studio waiting for opening day. The one pictured here is 5 inches tall. Among other things, I've added a ton of cupcake trinkets like these to the shop. There are hearts, cameos, scripty words and much more. You can see them all on Monday.

Now, I think I'd better stop baking and start working 'cause Monday is right around the corner!

A Sweet Tree

In addition to the main Christmas tree that is decorated in the family room, I like to decorate smaller trees throughout the house. This is the Sugar Plum tree. It sits on the old chest we use as an island in the kitchen. All of the ornaments are sweet treats or baking supplies including little copper spatulas, gumdrops, petit fours, mini copper tarte pans, iced sugar cookies, and chocolates. Yum, I'm getting hungry just looking at the photos!

Isn't the little Baker Santa adorable? And I love the glass petit four complete with paper wrapper. And the chocolate dipped fruit, oh, I could go on and on! I have a sweet spot for confections and I love to bake so this tree is an annual favorite to decorate in the kitchen.

Don't these look good enough to eat? I've been trying to stay away from sweets and shed this extra "baby weight", but now I seriously want a box of good chocolates! My will power is mediocre, at best. Ok, I admit, I have no will power. Who am I kidding?

Happy Tree Trimming everyone!

I'm Still Baking

I guess not even swollen legs can keep me from baking sweets. Just what my thighs need right now, right? But, I'm telling you, this Pumpkin Roll is delicious! The best part is that you can find the recipe on the inside of the label on the can of Libby's Pure Pumpkin. Or you can get it here. Cream cheese filing....,..need I say more?

And then, when you find yourself with extra pumpkin filling, you can make one of these:

A pumpkin milkshake! It's simply 1/2 cup pumpkin puree, 1 cup vanilla ice cream and 1/2 cup milk. Give it all a whirl in the blender and voila! Yummy. If you love pumpkin, you will enjoy this. I promise.