Sweetology: November 2011

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:

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
StoneGable - On the Menu Monday!
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

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

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

The Decorated Cookie Blog

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:

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
StoneGable - On the Menu Monday!
Bernideen's Tea Time Blog
Teapot and Tea Things Tuesday ~ Breath of Fresh Air

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:

The Tablescaper ~ Seasonal Sundays
StoneGable - On the Menu Monday!

OTHER FUN SWEETS/FOOD and CRAFT LINK PARTIES YOU MIGHT LIKE:

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:

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
StoneGable - On the Menu Monday!
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:

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:

Tablescape Thursday

Pink Saturday

The Tablescaper ~ Seasonal Sundays
StoneGable - On the Menu Monday!
FUN SWEETS/FOOD and CRAFT LINK PARTIES YOU MIGHT LIKE: