Monday, April 30, 2012

Tea Party Tuesday ~ Chilled Blueberry Soup

Happy Tea Party Tuesday Friends


Hi lovely ladies!!

I am a huge fan of chilled soups in the spring and summer 
especially for tea time.  I recently made this delicious chilled
blueberry soup and found it to be so yummy!!



Chilled Blueberry Soup

Makes ~ 3 cups

2 cups fresh blueberries
1 cup dry white wine
1/2 cup sugar
1 cup half and half
3/4 cup sour cream

In medium saucepan, combine blueberries, wine and sugar. 
Bring to boil, reduce heat, and simmer 10 minutes. 

In food processor or blender, process blueberry mixture until smooth, stopping to scrape sides.

Return mixture to saucepan.

Add half-and-half and sour cream, stirring until combined.

Cover and refrigerate for 4-6 hours. 

You can find a printable recipe HERE.

Enjoying this with a cup of Peach Breeze Black Tea


Sharing with:
TEA, INSPIRATION & TABLESCAPES:
CRAFT/RECIPE AND SWEETS BLOG PARTIES I OFTEN LINK TOO:
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  Dittle Dattle Amaze Me Monday  Mangia Mondays Mix it up MondaysTUESDAYTrick or Treat Tuesdays 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 WEDNESDAYMrs Fox's Sweets Party  Lil' Luna Ginger Snap Crafts  Whatever Goes Wednesday Wow Us Wednesday Look What I Made Wednesday What I Whipped Up Wednesday  Whatever You Want Wednesday Wow Me Wednesday This Chick Cooks THURSDAYTastetastic Thursday Sweet TemptationsTablescape Thursday Artsy Girl Sweet Treats Thursday Sweets This Week Thursday Show Your Stuff House of Hepworths Brambleberry Cottage FRIDAYPinterest Party Fun Stuff Fridays Freestyle Fridays 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 Show and Tell Saturday Sweets for a Saturday So Sweet Sundays The Girl Creative 
 

Saturday, April 28, 2012

MayPole Cupcakes for May Day


One of my fondest childhood memories
was delivering May Baskets on May Day.

My Mom was always so good about doing
this with us. I remember filling the Styrofoam cup
and twisting pipe cleaners for the basket handle.

Then going around the neighborhood to deliver.

Fun times.

MayPole Cupcakes


When I had Sophia and she got to be around a year old,
I wanted to start doing this with her but realized that May
Baskets and May Day really weren't a big deal where we lived.

Sophia delivering May Baskets, a few years ago! I am so glad I found this picture!


I changed that.

Although Sophia is growing up and becoming less 
interested in delivering May Baskets, I still think it
is fun celebrate May Day in some shape or form.

This year, I made these MayPole Cupcakes.



Very easy.

Just bake your favorite cupcake and use your favorite frosting.
I made the MayPoles using Pirouette cookies and ribbon.
I attached the ribbon underneath the top of the MayPole using
a dab of left over Royal Icing but you could use Karo Syrup.

The top of the MayPole is a flavored tootsie roll, but you 
could just as easily use a piece of fondant or spiced gum drop. 

See.....simple.

Have a great May Day Everyone!  

Sharing with Crazy Sweet Tuesdays @ Crazy for Crust


Monday, April 23, 2012

Tea Party Tuesday ~ Chocolate Bibles



Happy Tea Party Tuesday!
On April 15th, Sophia received her First Communion
and I thought I would share the fun! 




I kept the event very simple,
which was great and relaxing. 

My GREAT parents!


My parents drove up from Nebraska for the
weekend which was WONDERFUL!
My in-laws also made the day special!

My great in-laws!

After mass we came back to our house for 
some tea, lemonade and opened gifts. 
My Dad gave Sophia a Rosary from the Vatican, 
blessed by the Pope (or as Sophia would say...the real Pope!)






I made the little chocolate mini candy-bar
 bibles from an idea that was inspired  Here at Tip Junkie.

Then we went out to a lovely dinner & 
returned to our house for desserts.


Sophia requested the Ice Cream Cupcakes
from Coldstone Creamery!!!

So I was able to purchase those and adorn them
with a little bit of fondant flair. 

Thursday, April 19, 2012

Baby Blossom Cupcakes



I have been going through my baking pictures recently and 
came across a series of baby shower cupcakes I did this year that I think are really cute and worth sharing!
With spring in the air, how about a "Baby Blossom"
These were made this winter for a friend whose
niece was having a baby shower.
I will be sharing other designs for baby shower
cupcakes next week! 

Linking up to: Tablescape Thursday and Tidy Mom

Tuesday, April 17, 2012

Ride the Wave



Today I got home from work and honestly, I was exhausted. 

I walked into the house and was met by the most amazing
smile and face ever!!  Somewhat out of the blue Sophia said to me, 
"Mom...how about we go SWIMMING tonight!"




YOU BETCHA!

Life is short...if you get a chance, RIDE THE WAVE!


Monday, April 16, 2012

Pretty Person Pick Me Up Pansy Cookies ~ Tea Party Tuesday



Happy Tea Party Tuesday
I would like to share something special that
happened to me last week. 
After a rather trying week, I came home to
find a package with the most amazing treasure inside, ever!
A collection of exquisitely decorated pansy cookies 
with the following note:

I was humbled and shocked. 
Unbeknown to me, I was nominated and won
the Pretty Person Pick Me Up that Nicole
hosted at her amazing blog Life's a Batch

I recognized these cookies right away as being 
party of the amazing collection that was recently 
featured by a group of FANTASTIC cookie bloggers
as part of the "Let's Smell the Flowers" Blog Party. 


All I can say is that it could not have come at a better time.
I shared these with Sophia over milk and tea. 
She is a special pretty person who always "picks me up"
so I thought it only fair. 


Lately, I have found myself reading more
 Elizabeth Kubler-Ross.  Many times she just knows
what to say to me when I am looking for answers.  

So to the wonderful women who nominated me
and to Nicole for sharing her talents, compassion and sugar,
I leave you with one of her fitting quotes:

"If we make our goal to live a life of compassion and
unconditional love, then the world will indeed become
a garden where all kinds of flowers can bloom and grow".

~ Elizabeth Kubler-Ross

Thank you 

After much thought, I have decided to eliminate the linky for
Tea Party Tuesday, for now. I began to feel so bad as the party grew if I could not visit and comment on each person who linked up!!


Blogging for me is about making sincere friendships and supporting
others who support me, not about growing a "following". 


The whole point of Tea Party Tuesday began as a way to remind me to take time and enjoy the peace that came with having tea as
well as creating some wonderful treats to share.

I hope you continue to visit and share what you are doing
by leaving me a comment or a link to your blog.
 
TEA, INSPIRATION & TABLESCAPES:
Bernideen's Tea Time Blog 
The Tablescaper ~ Seasonal Sundays


Saturday, April 14, 2012

Pogo Stick Snacks

I have been M.I.A. lately around blogland.

But I think that is probably going to be the case
for awhile and I am ok with that.

You see, I am busy doing something very 
important. Like, making edible Pogo Sticks
for the Neighborhood Pogo Stick Champion, 
which just so happens to be my daughter.



Who would have thought a Pogo Stick
from the Easter Bunny could lead to such
confidence as well as a new business venture.



In case you want to learn, Sophia does give
Pogo lessons 3 nights a week and on Saturday mornings.

Price - 2 rocks. 

Of course her trusty employee (me) will make some
fun Pogo stick snacks for her students.  

I have always said to myself,
 "Life before blog, never blog before Life"
and this past month I was given that reminder...and I listened.

Have a wonderful weekend!

Saturday, April 7, 2012

Bunny Pops a la The Decorated Cookie



And yet another big THANK YOU
for this GREAT idea.



We had a blast making these and they were so easy and
turned out so darn cute! I can't wait to share them tomorrow.




HAPPY EASTER!!

Friday, April 6, 2012

Easter Cupcakes for the Cupcake Club Winner



Life around here has really been nuts-o lately but
I wanted to make sure I snapped some quick pictures 
of the Easter Cupcakes I made for the Cupcake Club Winner






 I printed some cute edible image toppers 
from FREE printables I found at Skip to my Lou Here!
I think they made CUTE toppers.





I was short on time, so although I had great ideas for 
some pretty fondant toppers, I decided to make this
fun carrot topper for my carrot cake cuppies that 


  


I really hoped they enjoyed them.
I made carrot cake from a recipe found HERE.
And classic red velvet from a great recipe found HERE. 
(wink wink)




HAPPY EASTER FRIENDS!
 

Wednesday, April 4, 2012

What is beautiful?




This really touched me and I wanted to share it.







Reading this gave me peace of mind.








I look to this Easter as one that is full of hope
with promises of a new beginning. 

 



Sometimes we just need a gentle
reminder to stop, smell the flowers and enjoy
the company of those around us we love. 


Monday, April 2, 2012

Easter Bunny Cream Puffs ~ Tea Party Tuesday



HAPPY EASTER 
TEA PARTY TUESDAY!

Easter Bunny Cream Puffs




I invited some Cream Puff Bunnies
over for Tea Party Tuesday.

You can see how I made them HERE!




I used Pepperidge Farms Puff Pastry Shells
instead of making my own cream puffs 
and it worked great! 

Someone I know was excited to try them, so
a quick counter top Tea Party was had. 







Easter is my FAVORITE holiday.
I love the colors and fresh start.

This week I am drinking a tea from
the Mad Hatter Tea Room, called Summer Breeze.




Just delightful and floral.
Wishing you a wonderful Easter!
 
I am excited to join Sandi's special Easter Tea this week.




You can usually find me with the following great parties:
TEA, INSPIRATION & TABLESCAPES:
CRAFT/RECIPE AND SWEETS BLOG PARTIES I OFTEN LINK TOO:
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  Dittle Dattle Amaze Me Monday  Mangia Mondays Mix it up MondaysTUESDAYTrick or Treat Tuesdays 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 WEDNESDAYMrs Fox's Sweets Party  Lil' Luna Ginger Snap Crafts  Whatever Goes Wednesday Wow Us Wednesday Look What I Made Wednesday What I Whipped Up Wednesday  Whatever You Want Wednesday Wow Me Wednesday This Chick Cooks THURSDAYTastetastic Thursday Sweet TemptationsTablescape Thursday Artsy Girl Sweet Treats Thursday Sweets This Week Thursday Show Your Stuff House of Hepworths Brambleberry Cottage FRIDAYPinterest Party Fun Stuff Fridays Freestyle Fridays 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 Show and Tell Saturday Sweets for a Saturday So Sweet Sundays The Girl Creative 



Sunday, April 1, 2012

My Cake School Giveaway Winner



AND THE WINNER IS.....





 The comment from..

ROCHELLE

 Hello Trisha,

I have loved reading your blog, not only for the great tips, but for the positive energy you bring to each day. You have not let anything stand in your way and you have fought with dignity and grace. 
You are a wonderful example of the power of positive thinking.

I have learned so much from you and it has inspired me to start my own business selling cupcakes. It has always been something I have thought about but haven't had the guts to try. A membership to Cake School would help me learn so much that I can bring to my business.

Thanks so much for your generosity!!

Rochelle


Thanks to random.org for making this easy on 
me because it would have been so hard!

I want to say thanks for the all the comments, emails and
facebook posts during this giveaway. It really was touching.
I know many bloggers often wonder if they are making
a difference. It is one thing to have a bunch of pageviews, it
is another to connect with others and make a difference, even
if it is small.  For me, that is what blogging is about.

Thanks so much and please, if you follow on FB, 
introduce yourself! If you have your own blog, or FB
page, let me know so I can support YOU!

If you didn't win, please really consider a
membership to My Cake School on your own.
It is really such an amazing price for the incredible amount
of support, ideas and inspiration you will receive for a whole year!

Thanks!

 
 
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