Monday, November 28, 2011

Easy but Elegant Plum Pecan Pastry



Happy Tea Party Tuesday! 


 I would like to share a wonderful  
Plum Pecan Pastry
that I adapted from the Sept/Oct 2008 
Tea Time Magazine with everyone this week.



For the easy & printable recipe click HERE.


I paired this recently with a lovely
Holiday Spiced Tea

For a great recipe, try the one I use from Taste of Home.


SPICED TEA


Ingredients

  • 2 cinnamon sticks
  • 6 to 12 whole allspice
  • 1 teaspoon whole cloves
  • 12 cups water
  • 12 individual tea bags
  • 1 cup packed brown sugar
  • 1 cup cranberry juice
  • 1/2 cup orange juice
  • 1/4 cup lemon juice

Directions

  • Place cinnamon sticks, allspice and cloves on a double thickness of cheesecloth. 
  • Bring up corners of cloth; tie with a string to form a bag.
  • Place water and spice bag in a large saucepan; bring to a boil. Remove from the heat. Add tea bags; cover and steep for 5 minutes.  Discard tea bags and spice bag. 
  • Stir in brown sugar until dissolved. 
  • Add juices; heat through. Serve warm.

Taking time for Tea is very important
but at times it can serve as a metaphor in life.





By that I mean in the upcoming holiday season, I will
be taking "time for tea" with my beautiful child, my wonderful
husband and my amazing family and friends. 

I hope YOU take the "time for tea" in whatever
way, shape or form that means for YOU. 
I am excited to see what everyone is bringing for 
the Tea Party this week! Make sure to try to visit
the other links so we can support one another.

Sharing with:
TEA, INSPIRATION & TABLESCAPES:
OTHER FUN SWEETS/FOOD and CRAFT LINK PARTIES YOU MIGHT LIKE:
Mouth Watering Mondays, Melt in Your Mouth Mondays, Mingle Monday, Made it on Monday Sumo's Sweet Stuff Made by You Mondays Making the World Cuter Mondays Motivate Me Monday Joy of Desserts Dittle Dattle Amaze Me Monday Jam Hands Recipe Share Monday Mangia MondaysTUESDAY Crazy for Crust Confessions of a SAHM Delicious Dishes Cupcake Tuesday Let's Do Brunch Tempt my Tummy Tuesday Mandi's Tasty Tuesday Topsy Turvy Tuesday Handmade Tuesday Tasty Tuesday Tip Me Tuesday Time Out Tuesday Get Your Craft On WEDNESDAY Cast Party Wednesday Lil' Luna Ginger Snap Crafts Wonka Wednesday Whatever Goes Wednesday Wow Us Wednesday Look What I Made Wednesday What I Whipped Up Wednesday Let's Do Brunch Whatever You Want Wednesday Wow Me Wednesday This Chick Cooks Gooseberry PatchTHURSDAYArtsy Girl Sweet Treats Thursday Sweets This Week Thursday Show Your Stuff House of Hepworths Brambleberry Cottage FRIDAY: Tidy Mom Inspiration Friday Feathered Nest Friday Bacon Time Friday Party Sweet Tooth Friday Show and Tell Friday It's a Hodgepodge Friday Weekend Wrap Up Flaunt it Friday Sassy Sites Friday Fun Fridays Unfolded Food on Fridays Friday Flair Foodie FridayWEEKEND Sweets for a Saturday So Sweet Sundays The Girl Creative Sundae Scoop







Wednesday, November 23, 2011

I AM DONE!!!! HAPPY THANKSGIVING ~ CUPCAKE STYLE


Holy Moley Artichokey, I am
finally DONE!!
I took my boards today and I am 
pretty sure I SMOKED it!
All that time studying sure did pay off.



I am so glad to be done and it worked out so great that I could
get a test date and time BEFORE Thanksgiving so the holiday
could be spent free from studying and pressure! 

Here are some cupcakes and fondant toppers I made
a few weeks back. I was inspired by many things
I have pinned onto my cupcake boards on Pinterest.

See link below the picture for the inspiration.

Inspiration




Inspiration


Inspiration


I just want to say THANKS to my family, friends
and blogging buddies for your support, inspiration
and many laughs! I appreciate every single moment!




I always get choked up on Thanksgiving, anyone 
can tell you...I am profoundly grateful for life. 
I am grateful for my doctors and modern medicine.


I am also grateful for my job and the wonderful,
awesome doctors, PA's, NP's, nurses, MA's and
admin staff that walk along side me in the
"battlefield". It is a true honor!! 


HAPPY THANKSGIVING!!!!!

Tuesday, November 22, 2011

Cornucopia and Turkey Cookies Inspired by The Decorated Cookie Blog


I wanted to share some cookies
I made a week ago inspired by
Meaghan Mountford from


I would have to admit that I have
always been intimated by 
Royal Icing, but these designs
just seemed so cute and fun that I 
had to suck it up and give them a try!

Sugar Cookie Turkeys are my FAVORITE!

Cornucopia Cookies!

A side view for your viewing pleasure......



I am glad I did because in all honesty,
I had a lot of fun making them. 

Plus, the staff at Sophia's school thought 
they were so cute as well!!! 

Eat Chicken

For the how to on the cornucopia's click HERE.
For the how to on the cute gobblers click HERE. 

Thanks for the inspiration and all the great ideas, Meaghan!

Monday, November 21, 2011

Tea Party Tuesday ~ Tea with my Sophia Rose

Happy Tea Party Tuesday

This week I am sharing the sweetest
thing in my world, my Sophia Rose.



The Friday before I left for my conference
in Houston, Sophia had the day off of
school!! This was a great time to take her to our 
favorite place for tea...The Mad Hatter Tea Room!!!


Can you say, Wish List??!!


This place is so special to me as this was the
VERY first place I took my child out of the
house when she was born...so true, so true!

The story goes that as a new mom I was
truly scared to death to venture beyond my
house with this scary little bundle of joy.



I figured I would just camp out for the next 18 years
and everything would be just fine.
A few days after Sophia was born my mom came
up from Nebraska to visit us.  When I told her
my plan to become a hermit, she quickly said, 
"I don't think so."  

She forced me out of house and knew with
a little tempting, I could be persuaded to have
tea at the Mad Hatter. The owner at the time
was a wonderful mother and daughter combo
that I had come to be very close with and they
were delighted to host a 10 day old baby for tea. 

I was scared to death!

The very first place I changed Sophia's diaper in
public was the Mad Hatter Tea Room's bathroom!

This place will always be near and dear to my heart.

I want that glamorous hat WAY UP THERE!


Oh Darling, you look MARVELOUS!


The new owner, Liz has climbed into our hearts
as well. She is so lovely and just makes Sophia and I
feel like family. Not to mention the tea & food are amazing!

Here is a collection of pictures from our tea time before I left.
I hope you enjoy this sweet treat.

I love you!

My elegant Tea LOVER!

They serve the BEST chicken salad on cinnamon raisin bread!

Scones are so good...with LOTS of Devonshire cream please!

Lovely white teapot filled with our tea of the day, "Nutcracker Suite"


I am truly thankful beyond words in my vocabulary
for this precious little girl and the time I have on this
earth to enjoy her laughter and her sweet, 
tender, compassionate heart.

I am just about done with studying and
ready to take this test very soon.  I am so excited to
get back to visiting and commenting on your
treasures each week, as I do miss letting you know
when I stop by to admire your treats and photos!

Thanks to those who link up and have hung in there with me!

Stop by again this week, as I will be posting some fun 
Thanksgiving Cupcakes and Cookies that are sure to 
make you smile! Blessings to everyone!!

Sharing with:







Friday, November 18, 2011

Pumpkin Pie Vodka Shots - A Sweet Repeat


This week long medical conference 
away from my family is killing me....I need a drink.


How about a Pumpkin Pie Vodka Shot


 

Pumpkin Pie Vodka Shots


When I saw this on Edible Crafts and clicked
over to 1 Fine Cookie to get the how-to, 
I knew it was going to be a WINNER!


The steps are simple and the outcome wonderful. 
I made these recently for our Halloween party 
and everyone who was brave enough sure enjoyed them!

I know I did......
Click above or HERE for the HOW-TO!


These may also take the sting out of your Thanksgiving family
adventure....I am sure you will find Aunt Martha
and the discussion regarding her bunions
so much more enjoyable after a few of these. 


delish....
And to my sister Paula...yes, I will be making these at Christmas!

WHOOOP WHOOOP!

Wednesday, November 16, 2011

Butterscotch Pudding Pie Turkeys ~ A Fun Edible Craft.




Butterscotch Pudding Pie Turkeys!!


Gobble Gobble



Oh man these were fun to make.



What you need:

Butterscotch Pudding (I used Sugar Free)
Keebler Mini Graham Cracker Pie Crusts
Nutter Butters
Swedish Fish
Royal Icing Eyes
Candy Corn
Fruit Roll up

The Assembly:

Make the pudding according the instructions for mousse
or at least, I did, but it probably doesn't matter one bit.

Put the nutter butter in the center and add on the 
eyes and candy corn nose with some karo syrup
to hold it in place. I added the waddle 
using a piece of fruit roll up.

Finally, just add the colored Swedish Fish for
his SASSY Feathers so Mr Turkey can strut is stuff!

Now EAT THEM!



If you can get over their cuteness.....


This is super easy for little hands. 
My 7 yr old loved making these.


I love you sooooo much!

Let me know if you make them!!

  Come join Love the Pie with TidyMom  sponsored by Cherokee USA, Le Creuset, Wilton, Bags by Bloom and  Harvard Common Press

Sharing with: 
OTHER FUN SWEETS/FOOD and CRAFT LINK PARTIES YOU MIGHT LIKE:
Mouth Watering Mondays, Melt in Your Mouth Mondays, Mingle Monday, Made it on Monday Sumo's Sweet Stuff Made by You Mondays Making the World Cuter Mondays Motivate Me Monday Joy of Desserts Dittle Dattle Amaze Me Monday Jam Hands Recipe Share Monday Mangia MondaysTUESDAY Crazy for Crust Confessions of a SAHM Delicious Dishes Cupcake Tuesday Let's Do Brunch Tempt my Tummy Tuesday Mandi's Tasty Tuesday Topsy Turvy Tuesday Handmade Tuesday Tasty Tuesday Tip Me Tuesday Time Out Tuesday Get Your Craft On WEDNESDAY Cast Party Wednesday Lil' Luna Ginger Snap Crafts Wonka Wednesday Whatever Goes Wednesday Wow Us Wednesday Look What I Made Wednesday What I Whipped Up Wednesday Let's Do Brunch Whatever You Want Wednesday Wow Me Wednesday This Chick Cooks Gooseberry PatchTHURSDAYArtsy Girl Sweet Treats Thursday Sweets This Week Thursday Show Your Stuff House of Hepworths Brambleberry Cottage FRIDAY: Tidy Mom Inspiration Friday Feathered Nest Friday Bacon Time Friday Party Sweet Tooth Friday Show and Tell Friday It's a Hodgepodge Friday Weekend Wrap Up Flaunt it Friday Sassy Sites Friday Fun Fridays Unfolded Food on Fridays Friday Flair Foodie FridayWEEKEND Sweets for a Saturday So Sweet Sundays The Girl Creative Sundae Scoop

Monday, November 14, 2011

Pumpkin Party Cakes ~ Happy Tea Party Tuesday!

Happy Tea Party Tuesday! 

How about some Pumpkin Party Cakes!!











I am making this short and sweet this week,
you see, I have a bit of studying to do...






YIKES.


I have to cram all of that into my 
wee little brain this week. 


I regret that I will not be able to visit or
link up as much as I would prefer this week
as I am at a medical conference in Houston
preparing for my Physician Assistant recertification. 

All week.  In a hotel room. Away from my family. 

Waaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaa!


Anyway, so I hope you forgive me and
enjoy these fun Pumpkin Party Cakes.
Maybe add them to your Thanksgiving table? 






I adapted the recipe from Southern Lady 
and it can be found/printed by clicking HERE!!


I hope am excited to see what you are 
bringing for TEA this week!


I love my tea cup topiary!!




Going to try to share with:
TEA, INSPIRATION & TABLESCAPES:
OTHER FUN SWEETS/FOOD and CRAFT LINK PARTIES YOU MIGHT LIKE:
Mouth Watering Mondays, Melt in Your Mouth Mondays, Mingle Monday, Made it on Monday Sumo's Sweet Stuff Made by You Mondays Making the World Cuter Mondays Motivate Me Monday Joy of Desserts Dittle Dattle Amaze Me Monday Jam Hands Recipe Share Monday Mangia MondaysTUESDAY Crazy for Crust Confessions of a SAHM Delicious Dishes Cupcake Tuesday Let's Do Brunch Tempt my Tummy Tuesday Mandi's Tasty Tuesday Topsy Turvy Tuesday Handmade Tuesday Tasty Tuesday Tip Me Tuesday Time Out Tuesday Get Your Craft On WEDNESDAY Cast Party Wednesday Lil' Luna Ginger Snap Crafts Wonka Wednesday Whatever Goes Wednesday Wow Us Wednesday Look What I Made Wednesday What I Whipped Up Wednesday Let's Do Brunch Whatever You Want Wednesday Wow Me Wednesday This Chick Cooks Gooseberry PatchTHURSDAYArtsy Girl Sweet Treats Thursday Sweets This Week Thursday Show Your Stuff House of Hepworths Brambleberry Cottage FRIDAY: Tidy Mom Inspiration Friday Feathered Nest Friday Bacon Time Friday Party Sweet Tooth Friday Show and Tell Friday It's a Hodgepodge Friday Weekend Wrap Up Flaunt it Friday Sassy Sites Friday Fun Fridays Unfolded Food on Fridays Friday Flair Foodie FridayWEEKEND Sweets for a Saturday So Sweet Sundays The Girl Creative Sundae Scoop


Now YOU share your wonderful things!



Friday, November 11, 2011

Easy Tepee Cupcakes (or place card holders) for Thanksgiving!



Happy Veterans Day!
Thank you, Lord for our Veterans.




This past weekend I made some
really fun cupcakes for Thanksgiving.
The first style I would like to share is this
TEPEE CUPCAKE!!



My inspiration came from these edible crafts
that you can see by clicking HERE!

I just adapted them, CUPCAKE STYLE!

How fun are these?


I used sugar cones and cut the top off
and using chocolate frosting as glue placed in the cut
pretzel sticks on the top.


Then I used the canned chocolate
frosting to pipe on the stripes with a #4 wilton tip.

Using mini M&M's, I decorated the Tepee's
with ornamental flair.


After piping the frosting on top of my
cupcake I placed the Tepee on it's sacred spot!


These would also work as place card holders
if you were smart enough to place your pretzels
in a manner to accommodate a place card! 


Now that is CLEVER!!


I look forward to sharing more fun
Thanksgiving treats soon!! 


Sharing with:

The Tablescaper ~ Seasonal Sundays
StoneGable - On the Menu Monday! 
 FUN SWEETS/FOOD and CRAFT LINK PARTIES YOU MIGHT LIKE:
Mouth Watering Mondays, Melt in Your Mouth Mondays, Mingle Monday, Made it on Monday Sumo's Sweet Stuff Made by You Mondays Making the World Cuter Mondays Motivate Me Monday Joy of Desserts Dittle Dattle Amaze Me Monday Jam Hands Recipe Share Monday Mangia MondaysTUESDAY Crazy for Crust Confessions of a SAHM Delicious Dishes Cupcake Tuesday Let's Do Brunch Tempt my Tummy Tuesday Mandi's Tasty Tuesday Topsy Turvy Tuesday Handmade Tuesday Tasty Tuesday Tip Me Tuesday Time Out Tuesday Get Your Craft On WEDNESDAY Cast Party Wednesday Lil' Luna Ginger Snap Crafts Wonka Wednesday Whatever Goes Wednesday Wow Us Wednesday Look What I Made Wednesday What I Whipped Up Wednesday Let's Do Brunch Whatever You Want Wednesday Wow Me Wednesday This Chick Cooks Gooseberry PatchTHURSDAYArtsy Girl Sweet Treats Thursday Sweets This Week Thursday Show Your Stuff House of Hepworths Brambleberry Cottage FRIDAY: Tidy Mom Inspiration Friday Feathered Nest Friday Bacon Time Friday Party Sweet Tooth Friday Show and Tell Friday It's a Hodgepodge Friday Weekend Wrap Up Flaunt it Friday Sassy Sites Friday Fun Fridays Unfolded Food on Fridays Friday Flair Foodie FridayWEEKEND Sweets for a Saturday So Sweet Sundays The Girl Creative Sweet Indulgences Sunday 
 Six Sisters Stuff ~ Strut Your Stuff Saturday


Monday, November 7, 2011

Jewelry & Angel Birthday Cupcakes for Tea Time!


Hello Friends!

What a wonderful week it has been
and I hope everyone is doing great!

This past weekend I had the first delivery
to the winners of the CUPCAKE CLUB for
Humor to Fight the Tumor ~ Brain Tumor Gala.

For an inspiring refresher click HERE.
It was wonderful getting to know 
Matt and Kristen, they are an amazing couple. 


To get to know Matt's story click HERE.
These first cupcakes were very special 
 so I wanted to share them with you this week.


Matt requested that his first delivery
be for his wife's birthday party this weekend!!


I asked Matt to tell me a little bit about his wife
so I could incorporate some touches that
would reflect his wife's life and interests.
This is what he lovingly told me...

She loves to make jewelry.




They will be celebrating her birthday with friends.






She is an angel.




I poured my heart into these cupcakes.



I truly understand the phrase......made with love.

I made these with a lot of love.

The lighting and my patience with photography lately has been LOW ~ sorry!



I just can not tell you how good it felt 
making this delivery.  It is ironic that about 
this time last year I began to come out of my darkness
and frustration with my illness through baking therapy.

I have come a long way.

I hope I have a long way to go.



This week, I raise a STACK of teacups to all my 
blogging friends and all the great blogs that inspire me.
You know who you are!

YOU are all GEMS!!

A lovely sugar necklace just for you!

And matching earrings perhaps?


I truly believe that if it wasn't for 
this blog and the "responsibility" 
I feel to create new things, I would not be in the 
same place of peace as I am right at this moment. 
Thank you from my heart.

I am excited to see what you are sharing for TEA this week!
Sharing with:


OTHER FUN SWEETS/FOOD and CRAFT LINK PARTIES YOU MIGHT LIKE:
Mouth Watering Mondays, Melt in Your Mouth Mondays, Mingle Monday, Made it on Monday Sumo's Sweet Stuff Made by You Mondays Making the World Cuter Mondays Motivate Me Monday Joy of Desserts Dittle Dattle Amaze Me Monday Jam Hands Recipe Share Monday Mangia MondaysTUESDAY Crazy for Crust Confessions of a SAHM Delicious Dishes Cupcake Tuesday Let's Do Brunch Tempt my Tummy Tuesday Mandi's Tasty Tuesday Topsy Turvy Tuesday Handmade Tuesday Tasty Tuesday Tip Me Tuesday Time Out Tuesday Get Your Craft On WEDNESDAY Cast Party Wednesday Lil' Luna Ginger Snap Crafts Wonka Wednesday Whatever Goes Wednesday Wow Us Wednesday Look What I Made Wednesday What I Whipped Up Wednesday Let's Do Brunch Whatever You Want Wednesday Wow Me Wednesday This Chick Cooks Gooseberry PatchTHURSDAYArtsy Girl Sweet Treats Thursday Sweets This Week Thursday Show Your Stuff House of Hepworths Brambleberry Cottage FRIDAY: Tidy Mom Inspiration Friday Feathered Nest Friday Bacon Time Friday Party Sweet Tooth Friday Show and Tell Friday It's a Hodgepodge Friday Weekend Wrap Up Flaunt it Friday Sassy Sites Friday Fun Fridays Unfolded Food on Fridays Friday Flair Foodie FridayWEEKEND Sweets for a Saturday So Sweet Sundays The Girl Creative Sundae Scoop








 
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