Date Night Cupcakes ~ Happy New Year

These cupcakes have a particular significance for me

and it seems only appropriate that I saved them for the 

last post of 2012 on Sweetology.

I made these cupcakes the beginning of last year, before I started blogging. These were the first "major" set of "fancy" cupcakes I tackled with my new found skills and confidence 

from My Cake School.  I was so stinkin proud of these! 

At the time, I wasn't blogging and I hadn't upgraded to my 

fancy Nikon...all I had was a LOT of pride and my little

point and shoot camera with some bad lighting. 

As I look back over 2011, I get kind of emotional. Last year at this time I was just discovering myself again and coming out of a tough spot dealing with my brain tumor and its impact in my life. 

I have definitely found the sweetness in life again. 

I hadn't planned to post anything for New Years 

but last night after I put Sophia to bed, I sat down and

started to go through some old photos and happened 

upon these cupcakes.

So, I share with you my "Date Night Cupcakes"

for New Years and I also share with you this....

Those of us who blog, do so for a reason. We want to be noticed.

We want to feel like we make an impact on our world. 

We want to carve out meaning, to find our bliss.

In Joseph Campbell's more eloquent words:

“If you do follow your bliss you put yourself on a kind 

of track that has been there all the while, waiting for you, 

and the life that you ought to be living is the one you are living. 

Follow your bliss and don’t be afraid, and doors will 

open where you didn’t know they were going to be.”

 

“People say that what we’re all seeking is a meaning for life. 

I don’t think that’s what we’re really seeking. I think 

that what we’re seeking is an experience of being alive, 

so that our life experiences on the purely physical 

plane will have resonances without own innermost 

being and reality, so that we actually feel the 

rapture of being alive.”

HAPPY NEW YEAR!

And the journey continues......... 

Sharing with Tidy Mom

DIY CUPCAKE PRINTABLES FOR NEW YEARS - PAPER SCISSORS CAKE!

Shhhhhhhhh, want to know

one of my BEST KEPT SECRETS?

You all are going to just

LOVE me for showing you this

FANTASTIC site on ETSY.

It is called PAPER SCISSORS CAKE

and their products are whimsical and amazing!

Pressed for time but want a FABULOUS

New Years Eve Cupcake Design??

ME TOO!!

Photo from Paper Scissors Cake Etsy

NO PROBLEMO!

We just got back from Nebraska on Tuesday 

night and I am back to work for the rest of the week

which means....I will not be getting to most of my

fun ideas for New Years Eve inspired sweets. 

BOOO HOOO

However, all is NOT lost...oh NO.....I will be saved

by the awesome printables from PAPER SCISSORS CAKE!

YOU CAN BE SAVED TOO!! CLICK HERE!!!!!

Oh yaaaaa...you can thank me in cookies.

I like peanut butter!

Looking forward to getting back a little baking and 

blogging soon, but I must say, I have LOVED the

extra time playing Barbies and watching

some SPONGEBOB with my favorite sweetie pie!

Thanks and Giving Campaign Winner

  

Hope everyone had a wonderful Christmas!!!

I am still taking a bit of a blogging break

until after the New Year but I did

promise to announce the winner

of my St Jude Thanks and Giving 

Campaign Giveaway!!

True Random Number Generator Min: 1  Max: 39  Result: 13 Powered by RANDOM.ORG

Lucky Number 13!!!!!!!!

 

 

"WEBEE" 

 

 

 

Email me (trshamp@gmail.com) within the next 48 hours!!

 

THANKS!!!! 

 

See you all back again here for Tea Party Tuesday

on January 3rd 2012 

MERRY CHRISTMAS TO ALL!!

MERRY CHRISTMAS

THE BEST PART OF

BLOGGING IS YOU!

THANKS TO ALL THE PEOPLE

WHO HAVE SHOWN SUPPORT OVER

THE LAST YEAR, BLESSINGS TO ALL!

Some AWESOME Goodies For YOU While I am Gone...........

 

Sophia helped me put this post together.

We went through my Pinterest Christmas Board

and she picked out what she liked.

These are all things I would love to make but

I am happily too busy loving on my child for the holiday.

Plus we are heading to Nebraska and time with my parents

and family is priceless and the blog is on the back burner 

for awhile. I will still announce the winner on 12/26/2011 

to my special St Jude Tea Party Tuesday Giveaway. 

Ok so let's start the viewing FUN..

 

 

How about these fun PITA TREES

that you can find HERE 

 

If you have never seen the amazing

talent over at Little Food Junction - it is a

fun little site - find this TREE HERE 

 

Sophia just thought these were the best ever, 

actually all things at Hungry Happenings are fantastic. 

To find the how to click HERE 

 

 

I would love to make this tortilla spiral tree

for a holiday tea party - see the simple how to HERE 

Elf donuts!!!  Ummm ok, I just might

have to make time to do these...Sophia agrees!

So cute, simple and all you need are some cheerios!

For the easy tutorial on this tiny treat click HERE 

Sweet Simple Stuff is the best blog ever.

She is like my twin from anotha' motha'

Look at these...I just might make these in January

What the heck right!!! Cute is always in season!

Find the sweet simple steps HERE

How about a fun CRAFT?

Hand print SANTA!!!

Photo Credit and how to: HERE

This is super cool...it is a virtual 

Gingerbread House 

that you can decorate...and NO MESS!

To decorate this house click HERE.  

Hope you enjoyed this fun collection!

I try to party at these great blogs you can find HERE!!!

Frosty the Donut Hole Snowman

This is almost the last holiday post I have.

I leave to go to Nebraska and I am so excited 
to get my fat pants on and chow down and relax.


But before I go, let me introduce you quick to
Frosty the Donut Hole Snowman


I must apologize for the pictures 

I have for this little cutie snack. 

iphone 4s...not so bad......

I made these for that holiday school

fundraiser you all have heard me mention

oh, like 1000 times.......

In all the craziness of preparing and setting up, I 

forgot to snap a better shot of these sweeties.

I had to share them because they really are super cute and

easy to assemble. I was inspired by the idea

HERE at The Celebration Shoppe!

I made it easy for a craft DUNCE like me by just cutting out the black hat from construction paper and taping it onto the bag. 

I did draw the eyes and smile face with a Sharpie 

onto the bag but cut out an orange 

carrot nose from construction paper

and glued it on for his face.  

Then I used some ribbon for his scarf. 

Frankly, I think this is one of the cutest darn things, EVER!

When time allows, I LOVE to link up to the

GREAT BLOG PARTIES found HERE

Nutmeg Stick Cookies ~ A Guest Post for This Heart of Mine!!

 NUTMEG STICKS

Hi there baking and tea time buddies..

today I am guest posting at

This Heart of Mine

I am so excited to be contributing

to Amy's "25 days of COOKIES".

Come on over, say HELLO to Amy and 
find an amazing new recipe for delightful, 
easy and TASTY cookie!! WIN WIN!!

~ MERRY CHRISTMAS ~

Mini Cupcakes in their Christmas Best

I just wanted to quick share these

Mini Chocolate Cupcakes I 

made for Sophia's piano recital. 

And gloat as a proud parent......

 

My sweetie pie, Sophia, getting ready to leave for her recital!

Sophia played her songs so beautiful.

 

The recital was hosted at the local nursing home in our town - how neat!

 She has such grace, poise and confidence!!

Sophia's teacher, Sharla is awesome. 

She makes playing fun and Sophia is

always excited to go to practice and play

her piano lessons at home. Sharla did a great

job putting this together for the nursing home

residents, they really enjoyed listening to the kids play! 

We are so proud of you SOPHIA ROSE!!!!

For fun the video...it starts out on it's side but gets flipped in a few seconds!

North Pole Snickerdoodles with a visit from Mr. Sugar Cone Santa

North Pole Snickerdoodles

Sooooo......I made some snickerdoodles

the other day and they kinda looked funny.

I used the recipe I found on all recipes
that you can find by clicking HERE.

They ended up sorta FLAT, but tasted super good.

Truth be told, I am a box baker. 

Not a scratch baker, per se. 

So...I was looking at these flat doodles and said 

to myself, "Self, you need to FANCY these

FLAT doodles up, they look pathetic." 

oh that poor poor pathetic snickerdoodle

So self took the challenge and used some left

over royal icing (because I am cool like the cookie

ladies now and have that stuff just laying around) and 

piped on some cloud puffs with my #18 tip and 

slapped on a nice mini candy cane stick with a mini

M&M on top. Then, I cut out that north pole label from a

FREE DOWNLOAD found Here at One Charming Party.

Then I sat back and said, "YOU DA BOMB!"

Then, with all my NEW confidence and being inspired by 
this felt cone Santa I saw on Pinterest...
  

felt craft santa how to found by clicking here

I turned this 
pathetic little sugar cone......

into this.....

I just dipped the cone into melted red chocolate candy
coating from Wilton and when dry added the fondant details.


HO HO HO!!!


For those interested, I generally use
Sweet Sugarbelle's Royal Icing 
(the reduced size one)
Recipe Found HERE.

Linking up to TIDY MOM  and some GREAT 
PARTIES found HERE
 

Tea Party Tuesday ~ Vintage Pastel Snowflake and Snowmen Cookies for Tea!

Happy Tea Party Tuesday!

Today, I am bringing something 

I feel is pretty special to tea.

Vintage Pastel Snowflake & Snowmen Cookies!!!

Inspiration for the designs come from

Glorious Treats and Pinterest 

These are special because I am normally

petrified of sugar cookies and royal icing. 

Flood this...pipe that....EEEEEEEEKKKK!

This set is the best I have done so far, so 

 why not share them on the last 

Tea Party Tuesday before CHRISTMAS!!!!! 

It is also my pleasure to share this stunning holiday

teapot that was gifted to me by my dear neighbor and 

tea room loving buddy, Kim. 

Here is how Websters Dictionary defines sweetheart:

Sweetheart: Trisha's neighbor with beautiful milky white skin, 

who is the best mother on the planet, not to mention loyal friend and caring, 

intelligent woman who often goes by the eponym, Kimmie.

Recently, while shopping and tea rooming with

Kim, I purchased this regal gold laced teacup!

Isn't it stunning?  I think so too!

So dear tea friends, I just want to wish everyone a 

very Merry Christmas or whatever holiday or not 

you chose to celebrate. I thank each and every one of you

for your visits, comments, posts and inspirations all year long. 

Sharing tea on Tuesday has become such a source of joy and

excitement for me. I find it very enriching!

~ Thank you ~  

If you haven't already, don't forget to enter my
Christmas Giveaway for St Jude's Hospital - click HERE!

I can't wait to see what you are bringing for tea this week!

Sharing with some of these great blog parties: 

TEA, INSPIRATION & TABLESCAPES:

Rose Chintz Tea Time Tuesday

Martha's Favorite TeaCup Tuesday
The Plumed Pen ~ Tuesday Tea for Two!
Tea Cup Tuesday at Artful Affirmations

Tabletop Tuesday

Teapot and Tea Things Tuesday

A Return to Loveliness

LACE Wednesdays

Tablescape Thursday

Pink Saturday

The Tablescaper ~ Seasonal Sundays
Bernideen's Tea Time Blog
Teapot and Tea Things Tuesday ~ Breath of Fresh Air

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

More Christmas Cupcakes Toppers

Fun Christmas Cupcake Toppers!!

Inspiration for these designs came from 

etsy shop owners here  and here.

I SOOOO hope I get that photo box and 

Lowel Ego Light from Santa, my pictures seem

to be getting darker and darker the busier I get!!

HO HO HO!

A Special Thank You

 A special note to my sister, Paula

Dear Paula,

Paula, I just had to let you know in an extra special way, how grateful I was for all those cupcake picks you made and sent me for the holiday fundraiser at St Andrew. You knew how busy I was and how much I wanted to make the table special to raise money for this wonderful school. I will never forget waking up to all those pictures you sent me from your phone and how completely speechless I was at what you and Jocelyn did for me. 

Between studying and taking my boards, working and and all the other things life has to offer me these days, I was a TAD overdrawn. But also, like you, I can never turn down a chance to help others. Thank you for stepping in and helping me....I really, really needed it. 

You know this is my favorite saying and you have heard this before; but it bears repeating. The truest meaning in life is to plant a tree under whose shade you do not expect to sit. 

Thank YOU for planting a tree for me when I needed the shade.

I love you from the bottom of my heart.

Trisha

Now you see them, now you don't...cuz they all sold OUT!

Melted Snowman Graham Treat - Easy!I'

Easy Melted Snowman Graham Treat

I am cute.

Credit and instructions for these

cutie graham treats comes from

Cute food for kids

The only thing, I did different was to put him
into my microwave to do the melty part.

If you have never seen the melted snowman

themed creation for cupcakes and cookies 

you must be living under a rock.

The original, original idea goes to one cool

chic and the source of a lot of my fun

edible inspirations, Meaghan at the  
The Decorated Cookie Blog

Go tell her what a GENIUS she is! 
Cuz, she really is. And nice.



Linking up to the GREAT parties found HERE

Cupcake Toppers for Christmas

....and the stockings were hung

Easiest Reindeer Cookie EVER! (NO BAKE)

The Easiest Reindeer Cookie Ever.

Graham Cracker

Cinnamon Candy Disc

Canned Chocolate Frosting

Mini Marshie cut in Half

Edible Food Writer to draw eyeballs onto marshie

Pretzels

P. S. If you don't have any edible writers, just use some frosting or food coloring

and paint on your own eyeballs with a food safe paintbrush

or even a toothpick would work just fine! Use what you have!!

I sold "kits" with all the goodies to make these
at my daughter's school holiday fundraiser and they
were a huge hit as well, so easy, fun and tasty!  

Baking and treat making does not have to be
about the most FANCY PANCY treats all the time.


Sometimes it boils down to the memories you are baking.

You can find me linking to some of these fun parties found HERE!
Tidy Mom 

Happy Tea Party Tuesday ~ Gingerbread Waffles with Earl Grey Syrup

Happy Tea Party Tuesday!

photo credit

This week I am joining the 
Gingerbread Christmas Tea
hosted by the LOVELY, 
Wanda Lee!!
and Pam!! 

I had the most amazing experience a few weeks ago.
My husband and I joined our dear friends
and neighbors on a weekend retreat to
Stillwater, MN where we escaped for
a few days into Victorian bliss. 

We stayed the historic Ann Bean Mansion and were
treated like royalty by the amazing Innkeepers,
Erin and Jeremy. They were beyond wonderful. 

photo from their website - see link 

I can not say enough about our experience there, it was truly a magical time. The rooms were so beautiful & well appropriated and the food along with presentation was
*****5 GOLD STARS*****

To visit a link to their website click HERE.

The weekend was extra special because the
Bed & Breakfast's of Stillwater were hosting 
their annual Progressive Christmas Tea and Tour 
of each establishment. It was quite a feast for the senses!

It certainly got both my sweetie and I into the
Christmas spirit and we enjoyed the weekend very much. 
We both needed to escape the hustle and bustle!

One of the B&B's we toured was the 
Lady Goodwood, and while there, we were
treated to a wonderful Raspberry Punch that was 
delicious! My good friend Kim was able to 
score the recipe for us, THANKS KIM!!!

Good friends, Good memories!! Thanks Guys!!

Lady Goodwood's  
Raspberry Punch

Ingredients
1 10oz package of frozen raspberries
1 28 oz bottle of ginger ale
2 cups raspberry juice
2 cups apple juice
1 cup lemon juice
2 cups water
1 pint raspberry sherbet


Preparation
Spoon sherbet into punch bowl. 
Combine apple juice, water, sugar and lemon juice, stir until 
sugar dissolves.  Add raspberries, still until raspberries separate. Slowly add carbonated beverage. 
(makes about 25 4oz servings)


YUM!

How about a delicious Gingerbread Waffle
with Earl Grey Syrup to go with these yummy drinks?


I made these especially for our hostess, Wanda Lee!!

For a printable recipe for the waffles click HERE.
For a printable recipe for the Earl Grey Syrup click HERE.

 

Remember to check out the St Jude's Children's
Research Hospital Thanks and Giving Campaign
and Giveaway I am hosting - click HERE!!

 I love to see what everyone is bringing for 
the Tea Party this week, so make sure to link up below.


Thank you to Wanda Lee and Pam for a 
special party this week!


Sharing with:

TEA, INSPIRATION & TABLESCAPES:

Rose Chintz Tea Time Tuesday

Martha's Favorite TeaCup Tuesday
The Plumed Pen ~ Tuesday Tea for Two!
Tea Cup Tuesday at Artful Affirmations

Teacup Thursday

Tabletop Tuesday

Lady Katherine's Tea Time Tuesday

Teapot and Tea Things Tuesday

A Return to Loveliness

LACE Wednesdays

Tablescape Thursday

Pink Saturday

The Tablescaper ~ Seasonal Sundays
Bernideen's Tea Time Blog
Teapot and Tea Things Tuesday ~ Breath of Fresh Air

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