Fun with broken bones!

It's not what you think...honest.  My dear not so coordinated friend took an unfortunate spill down the stairs a few days back.  She ended up with a broken arm and bruised ego.  ...You know whole lemons to lemonade thing...  Most see a cast...we saw a canvas...  bring out the decoupage, dried flowers and homemade paper...and get a little crazy

BEFORE

AFTER

And here's the in between

...It's all about the presentation

Recently, when preparing for an event, I started thinking about the vegetable tray... (I know, I have too much time on my hands.)  But really...for as many times as veges are put out on display, they really aren't done very originally. Think about it.  When preparing for a party, you grab some vege's, cut them pretty and put them on a plate, usually with some dip in the middle.  ...This didn't make me happy... I decided to take on the challenge of the normal... of this....

But lets face it...there is only so much you can do with a carrot and stalk of celery....I pondered a bit and came up with an idea that I thought was inspired.  I took my multi level candle holders ran them through the dishwasher... filled them with veges and Voila...  same old items, new presentation.  I'm not sure but I think they stood a little prouder in their glass dishes!!

Cupcake Mania - Featuring Cake Batter Filled Cupcakes!

So... it seems I have gone little cupcake crazy.  I have been making them in my sleep lately.  100 cupcakes for this event...100 cupcakes for this party... just moments ago, a friend at work who has a birthday tomorrow came up to me and said, "Don't forget my cupcakes tomorrow."

My kids are in love with batter filled anything!  I am always kicking them out of my cookie batter... so I decided to combine the two...

Confetti Cupcakes filled with cupcake batter...  YUM!...

.

...and while I usually make everything from scratch...it is summer, and I try not to be a cake snob...so Yes I used a box mix...but in my mama's words...you must ALWAYS use DUNCAN HINES!

I baked the cupcakes according to their instructions and used my new amazing cupcake coreer

It leaves behind cupcake holes, and great snacks to eat while your finishing!

For the filling empty dry mix into a bowl and add club soda until you get a cake like consistency.
Add buttercream frosting

 

Classic American Buttercream frosting.

This is a great recipe for decorating and piping on cupcakes and cake.

Ingredients

• 1 cup unsalted butter (2 sticks or 1/2 pound), softened (but not melted!) Ideal texture should be like ice cream.
• 3-4 cups confectioners (powdered) sugar
• 1/4 teaspoon table salt
• 1 tablespoon vanilla extract
• up to 4 tablespoons milk or heavy cream

Instructions

1. Beat butter for a few minutes with a mixer with the paddle attachment on medium speed. Add 3 cups of powdered sugar and turn your mixer on the lowest speed (so the sugar doesn’t blow everywhere) until the sugar has been incorporated with the butter. Increase mixer speed to medium and add vanilla extract, salt, and 2 tablespoons of milk/cream and beat for 3 minutes. If your frosting needs a more stiff consistency, add remaining sugar. If your frosting needs to be thinned out, add remaining milk 1 tablespoons at a time.

Bacon Overload

Bacon Overload!
(also known as....call the cardiac doctor)

I just finished a donor event for work.  In preparing for such things, I often find myself waking from a solid sleep in the middle of the night and sitting up in bed with ideas...  It is silly.... and annoying... but yes I dream about parties and decoration ideas.  I blame it all on my mom who, when I was a child would dream about how the furniture should be arranged, and get up in the middle of the night and move it.  This was all fine and good until I became a teenager and came home in the middle of the night to a dark house with the furniture moved around... enter bruised legs!

This night I happened to be dreaming about bacon, and my favorite thing in summer to eat...the simple and amazing BLT.  I decided that summer was a great time to put it all out there for an event. I have a wonderfully simple BLT dip recipe...what better to serve it in than a bacon cup!  Yes I did this.  Yes it is time consuming.  And yes it is purely a delight!

 

 

 

 

BLT Dip

Ingredients

• 1 pound bacon
• 1 cup mayonnaise
• 1 cup sour cream
• 1 tomato - peeled, seeded and diced

Directions

1. Place bacon in a large, deep skillet. Cook over medium high heat until evenly brown. Drain on paper towels.
2. In a medium bowl, combine mayonnaise and sour cream. Crumble bacon into the sour cream and mayonnaise mixture. Mix in tomatoes just before serving.

Glam Shoe Rack

Kennedy's Shoe Rack

Ken went on vacation this week.  She has spent weeks complaining about not having any place to put her shoes.  ...Let me define her shoes.  They are basically anything that has at least a 4 inch heel.  As I point out to her, this is something important for a person who is already 5'7".  Regardless... her shoes needed a home.  So, when she went out of town I went to work.  Not to be undaunted by 100 degree weather..

I really thought this thing out...  I contemplated pvc pipe, shoe boxes, those little over the door thingys...nothing quite hit me as the right thing.  Then I visited craigs list...and there before my very eyes I saw "IT."  I knew the moment I laid eyes on it that it needed to be mine.  ...the fact it cost only $20.00 might have had something to do with it.

Here's the picture that was posted online...I'm sure you can see my attraction

 ...now what to do...

Did I mention that it was 100 degrees...

...and my air conditioning is out

not to be daunted I gathered some of my favorite supplies

This primer is amazing... sign me up at NO SANDING REQUIRED

I am soooooo in love with these new paint samples from Lowes.  They come in several awesome colors and they are in nifty little bottles.  It is the perfect amount to paint small pieces of furniture.  An amazing deal at $2.94.

First I primed

Then painted and decorated with mirrors and Swarovski crystal.... I love the result.  I hope Ken will be happy she came home from vacation!

 

HAPPY BIRTHDAY AMERICA!

You know, The 4th of July is one of those casual laid back holidays.  One that my usual over the top tendencies slip away to a simpler approach.  And...there's nothing simpler than the all American Rice Krispie Treat.  ...Of course old habits die hard... I had to spruce it up a little...

Patriotic Rice Krispie Treats

 

All Things Shannon

Dear Important Person From Washington DC,

This afternoon I spoke with you regarding a reference for Shannon Burke. I answered all of the questions that you had asked to the very best of my ability. However, as I sit and think back on our conversation, there are so many things that I feel we missed out on, things I need to tell you. Shannon blew into my life just over two years ago as an AmeriCorps Volunteer.

First, she worked in the role of Volunteer Coordinator, then Community Relations Coordinator …. Either way, many, including Shannon would say she was, “Tamara’s Bitch”. I would be lying to say that everything from that first moment was flowers and candy. We have had many rough spots along the way – way too private to share with you. Yet somewhere along the way it was as if this really strongvine encased us and continues to wrap us together. Neither one of us is quite sure how to describe it. When we were together at the AmeriCorps Build a Thon in Cedar Rapids, someone asked if we were ‘best friends’. We both kind of shook our heads. Shannon said, “I wouldn’t really classify us as friends.” It’s true. I’m not sure there is a classification. She is just my person. That simple.

Today as you consider Shannon for this position, these are the things I wish you could know.

• She quotes great West Wing!

• Shannon will drop everything she is doing and come running to see a giant hair I just found on my chin - and appropriately ooh and ahhh. (Hypothetically)

• When you start random games like ‘GREEN TRUCK’ you don’t have to explain it to her. She just gets it…and me. Without explanation. (If you haven’t heard the rage – On long road trips you randomly scream at the top of your lungs GREEN TRUCK! When one goes by) (Not to be confused with RED TRUCK, and BLUE TRUCK)

• If you were in a dark alley – she is the person that you would want by your side… If you were in jail, she is probably the person sitting next to you.

• She is a great writer, which is a huge compliment for me…yet when when we volley words back and forth for several days….they become magic.

• Shannon is a great teacher. She taught my kids ‘the bloods’ sign….something every 13 and 15 year old should know.

• She can give up to date Hollywood gossip, list what is going on in the supreme court and give the latest MLB standings in the same breath.

• She jumps up immediately when in the middle of the day you exclaim – “Let’s have a high kick contest.”

• She hates it when you call her prickly – like the cactus.

• Random information? – She’s your gal.

• It takes a while, but if you’re patient, and peel away the layers, she will love you completely. No questions. No matter what.

One last thing… The Shannon I met two years ago was pretty incredible; the one I am sending to you is SIMPLY PHENOMINAL. She is unique and special in every way. I beg you to handle her with care. She will not simply be missed. A piece of me will no longer be in South Bend.