Happy Valentine's Day

Wow, seems like forever since I logged onto my blog. With facebook, pinterest & being a <3 wife & MOM <3 time just slips away.....

Since my last post I have been on health kick and excited about my new juicer!! Since watching the documentary "Fat, Sick & Nearly Dead" I was thoroughly impressed and wanted to give it a whirl! I am not trying to loose weight Nor Am I trying to give up SUGAR......just wanted to include some healthier options and see where it takes me.

Also with Christmas & so many birthdays money hasn't exactly been flying off my money tree so I slowed down on the baking a bit. You know, all that fondant, cutters, colors, the fun & crazy wilton gadgets add up!! Lets not even talk about the price of pecans, walnuts & macadamia nuts! 

Just a quick little update on this beautiful day of love, flowers, chocolate & romance....wanted to say HELLO! Happy Valentine's Day!

Cupcakes & More Cupcakes.....

Good afternoon on this beautiful sunshine day!
First I want to say please keep Japan in your thoughts and prayers. I have a very dear friend from Tokyo and I am glad to report she is fine! A bit shook up, but nonetheless ok!

Here is a link to the American Red Cross which has valuable up to date information. You may also make donations on this site to help Japan in their much needed crisis! http://www.redcross.org/en/

I have been experimenting trying to find new & super delicious cupcakes. Every time I think of making a cupcake I want it to be just more than a simple plain ole cupcake! Most of my cupcakes have a sweet surprise inside. Some have butterscotch, chocolate ganache, cherry filling, coffee buttercream and just about anything else you can think of that I can stuff into that sweet little amazing cake!

http://justjennrecipes.com

Here are some of the cupcakes in my very near future: Key Lime, s'mores, spicy chocolate, salted caramel & a really adorable cupcake that I saw on someone's blog (Hawaiian themed party) it looked exactly like shaved ice! Here is a pic of her cupcake (this is not mine, but its so absolutely beautiful)!!





OK, now on to my most recent cupcakes! I hope you enjoy looking at the pictures. Have a wonderful day!

Orange Blossom Cupcake candied orange pieces infused throughout...♥

Butter Pecan Cupcake Butterscotch Filling White Chocolate Drizzle

I seem to love the color orange for cupcakes ;)

Honey Lavender Cupcake

Love the colors on this one! Vanilla Cupcake Chocolate Drizzle!

Espresso Cupcake with Coffee Buttercream

First Attempt at a Croquenbouche

I do not know what first drew my eyes into this amazing french pastry, but surely I appreciate learning about its existence! It may have been one of the many hours I spent gazing at desserts online, or walking into a local bakery, but not only is this beautiful, but its a masterpiece!

I really would have preferred an occasion to make this, but with all my excitement I had to give it a shot! OK, so maybe I don't want to make the cream puffs from scratch since this is just a test run....hehe

I must thank Sara Lee for her amazing sweet little puffy clouds of heaven since those were the foundation of this Croquenbouche. I also did another first today. I have a strong desire to learn about spun sugar so I found some pastries online that incorporated this as well. I have much more learning to do since I was only able to make a topper for this pastry. Next time I will make more and try new techniques.

I used chocolate ganache to dip the cream puffs and then layered them on top of each other to create a towering effect. I played around with chocolate decorations, but in the end I thought it looked better without them. Also I gave it a chocolate & white chocolate drizzle.

Before I removed the extra chocolate...

Not sure how the family would enjoy this, the empty plate 30 minutes into presentation kind of spoke for itself... lol

I love the chocolate on her face!!~

I hope you enjoy & Have a fabulous day!!~

Lasagna Our Way!

My hubby and I often talk about choosing lasagna for dinner, but it quickly gets tabled for another day. The main reason is because up until now I have only known how to make lasagna one way! Growing up I always watched my mom make it. Her motto was make sure there is enough for everyone with plenty of leftovers! Well, we prefer to eat on the lite side and not having that overstuffed full feeling when we are done.

Not wanting to miss out on this delicious Italian delight it came to me one day to use my cupcake pan to create little mini lasagna's! I thought why not, let me give it a try....

Success! Not only were they extremely simple to create, tasted wonderful, everyone enjoyed, but we didn't stuff ourselves silly!

Just a side note, when trying these (if you do), lightly spray the cupcake pan with some olive oil "pam-like" spray so they come out easily without a mess! I used the Wilton circle cutter on my noodles & on my mozzarella cheese.

A wonderful suggestion from Ingrid was to be able to create a lasagna for each family member since not everyone loves the same ingredients (i.e ground turkey, spinach, artichokes, etc). This dish was a true delight and I enjoyed making it. I hope you enjoy!!~

A Tri-Celebration!

Hello & Happy Thursday! Just a quick little note to show the most recent cake I made. I love that each cake and dessert I make, Mike gets more and more involved....! I am not sure if he really loves this or if he is doing it to make me happy. Either way, I am glad to spend the extra time with him and do something that I love!

Happy 20th Birthday Anjelica!

 This cake was a "gift" to my ex husband for his 45th birthday, his step daughter's 20th birthday, and his in-laws anniversary! I had no plan going in. No color scheme, nothing!

Happy Anniversary Dianne & Leonard!

I bought the wilton decorative flat plates with pillars, but I ended up not using those. I wasn't crazy about how they snapped and fit together. I used something that was purchased from a local bakery. It worked well & so simple to use. I also wanted to put roses over the entire top of the cake, but my lovely buttercream was a bit too soft to hold the shape of roses. I always have a full cabinet of confectioner's sugar, but this particular day I actually ran out! (That was a first)! So, I wasn't able to stiffen my buttercream. You know Reese and I ran out the next day and bought enough confectioner's sugar to recreate a snowstorm! lol

I forgot to mention, the only request Brian had was to put custard in between the layers. I used french vanilla cake, homemade custard, and buttercream. I was pleased with the outcome. I have a question though, how do baker's know what their final product tastes like if we can't cut a piece to try? haha I was so into baking that I don't even sample the cake that I cut off from the top (those get used for cake pops by the way which hopefully I will get to post soon)!

Happy 45th Brian

No matter what the occasion....its always a "celebration"!

 I was just told that today is National Chocolate Cake Day! So don't forget to indulge and enjoy in that wonderful piece of chocolate cake!

Listen to SugarInTheSky

Samoa Cupcakes

Happy Thursday! Its a beautiful chilly day outside!

Just wanted to post some pics of the cupcakes that I made last night. They are yellow butter cupcakes with a nice gooey coconut topping delicately placed upon a mouth watering chocolate ganache! Finished off with a chocolate drizzle....eat at your own risk!

♥ Nikol trying the cupcake ♥

♥ isn't chocolate pretty? ♥

Today I went on an adventure to find something unique for my next cupcake....I stumbled upon 3 very beautiful and what I think will be Super Yummy items! I will play either tonight or tomorrow with those. I also found the cutest molds in the cake supply store. They are both suited for making chocolate lollipops. One is a cupcake on a stick and the other is a soft serve ice cream cone on a stick! How neat is that? I can't wait to decorate and play with that! OK, I also some some lavender and electric blue sugar crystals....they sort of jumped into my hand basket (hehe).

Have a sweet day!!~

P90X Yoga day & I am back on track!

Surprise surprise! Guess who took a spur of the moment trip to Disney on New Years Eve? We did!!~

Happy New year 2011. @ Epcot

I had a really nice time. We met Nikol and Thi. It was very crowded, but we had a ton of FUN!

Reese enjoying the gingerbread house @ Grand Floridian

Mickey @ Epcot with Nikol & Thi

OK, time to get back on track.    No  success comes easy and not without a few slip ups, procrastinations and possibly a few excuses (who me??) hehe

Today I started my Yoga. Props to the people in this video because they are amazing! Flexible, capable, calm, and very inspiring! I am going to do part of this now and save the rest for tonight when Mike comes home so he can help me (last time we did this together he showed me that he is awesome in yoga)! I love learning new stuff about him. But then again I just LOVE everything about him.

Also just a side note, been working on some new sugar treats. Kentucky Bourbon Balls are a success. I don't mind standing in the kitchen until 1:00am hand rolling about 100 bourbon balls thinking anytime my back is going to break. Especially after hearing the few people that have tasted them so far say "Oh wow that brings back memories", "My mom used to make those, or my grandmother made those", and then see a smile on their face while they eat them. Then... HAHA the alcohol hits them... <3 Something about sugar and alcohol just seem uniquely refreshing. 

I'm a side note kinda girl so here goes another...GUESS WHAT MIKE BOUGHT ME (totally surprised me)... Well, quick story first. I was going to save up for this until next year. No clue it was on its way to my little ole kitchen. My mom had bought me a kitchen aid hand mixer for Christmas and I love it. I used it to make my rum cake for Tiffany (she is the only one so far that buys my cake). Well as I was walking into the house he said close your eyes (yeah, I was peeking).....it was a kitchen aid stand mixer!! Love~~ Love~~ & More Love!

I am in search for a few sweet treats to make and possibly share with others....Mike started looking at business cards with Hayley last night. I have the perfect name, just lacking the Martha Stewart experience, but hey, that's ok. I love baking. I love seeing people smile and enjoy delicious treats ...isn't that a start?

Have a beautiful Monday!!~

Day 3 Always a Charm!

Shoulders & Arms tackled as well as another adventure with Ab Ripper! Woo Hoo! I am seeing a pattern of doing my work outs at bed time while my hubby watches tv and I am at the foot of the bed panting like im in labor! I like the audience as he glances up now and then I think it helps to keep me motivated and not skip anything pertinent.

I enjoyed shoulders and arms with my total of 16 pound weights! I felt the burn, as well as the pain! I have my goal in my head and so that is what I keep focused on. I am especially excited that I didnt wait until tomorrow to start all of this. There is just a certain taboo with starting a new year and making a promise! I am not that person and I will achieve my goal!

Side note to show we are all human and I am by far perfect! Met a girlfriend for a late christmas exchange. She gave me a bag of christmas M&M's as we said good bye at the car. You know the one's with the pretzel's inside? Yep, those! I opened them shortly afterward not even waiting until I got home. I had some self control as I only had about 2 small handful's. They sit in my freezer as I try to not think about them. Darn it why did I have to just bring that up! hehe

Today is Yoga. Its also New Year's Eve! Let me just tell you a little bit of info. I think in my mind my favorite out of all of this is YOGA! I would love to be able to glide right through it with ease, but its pretty tough! Last time I seemed to make an excuse each time Yoga came up, but this time I don't care if it takes me 2 hours I am going to get through it. Have you ever seen someone do yoga poses? They aren't easy! I am all about meditation, calmness, serenity, but just need to work on my LIMBERNESS....is that a word? hehe

not as easy as it looks! (not p90x)

yoga pose in the p90X

Happy New Year 2011!!  < * - * >

Plyometrics- Whew!

Plyometrics: is a type of exercise training designed to produce fast, powerful movements, and improve the functions of the nervous system, generally for the purpose of improving performance in sports.

As my body wakes up in much discomfort today, I can smile and say I did it! Last night was plyometrics which I defined above courtesy of Wikipedia. I have to admit I enjoyed it much better than the first day. This is probably because its fast moving and most of the exercises are in 30 second increments . As Tony states in the DVD anyone can do anything in 30 seconds right?

The program I am doing is called p90x classic version.
First 3 weeks I will repeat the same routine. Week 4 I change and only do that for week 4. Week 5, 6, & 7 it changes up again, Week 8 yet another, Week 9 & 11 / Week 10 & 12. After this I look forward to sharing my progress and quite possibly starting it all over again - we will see!

Have a wonderful day!!~

Day ONE Down! Day TWO Begins...

I did it! Its not usually a good idea to save your work out for the end of the night. Mostly because you will find just about any excuse to skip it.
 
This was not the case with me. I actually did the chest & back AND Ab Ripper! I feel very accomplished and its only day two. This is a good start! I didn't realize I had two work outs to do last night since its been so long since I did the p90x program. I think I physically took a step backwards from the last time I worked out.

Let me refresh. The last time I was able to use the actual pull up bar with a chair (assisted), this time I used the resistance bands tossed over the top of the pull up bar. (In his video he demonstrates both of those) Also I was able to do "10" push ups each time Tony Horton instructed it was time for a set of those. This time I did 10 each time, but for some of them I had to do push ups on my knee's (modified). He calls for standard push ups, military push ups, wide grips push ups, incline push ups, & dive bomb push ups!

Correction in my weights. They are 8 pounds each.

I really think this blog is going to help motivate me to carry through with this 90 goal! On a side note, I just picked up a huge bottle of Kentucky bourbon and pineapple rum for some upcoming desserts.

last time around (trying to do Yoga). Mike was WAY better!

Have a beautiful day!!~

My P90X Challenge......DAY 1

Good morning on this chilly day. I love baking alot! I also love staying in shape. I started the p90X a while back, but somehow I put that on hold....until NOW! I figured I don't have to just blog about what I bake. I can also keep track of my progress with p90x.


My hubby and I took before pics the last time we started. I am not sure if I should use one of those or take a new one since I may have gained or lost weight from that day....I can always add one in at some point during this process.

Tuesday December  28, 2010 Day One. I don't really want to wait until New Years to start this resolution because Mike seems to think it will set us up for failure since most people break those resolutions pretty quick. So on that note, lets begin today!

This kind of reminds me of Julia & Julia, one of the cutest baking movies I have ever seen. She feels unaccomplished so she sets a goal to bake through an entire Julia Child's cook book with a deadline of about a year. Fortunately (or is it unfortunately LOL), I only get 90 days!

So in 90 days, I have a pull up bar, a chair, a resistance band, a yoga mat, lots of water, p90X dvd's, & a pair of 10 lb hand weights that I picked up from the local walmart. There is a diet to follow & shakes to buy, however I choose not to follow it since I feel as though our daily consumptions are smart & healthy choices already. I will cut out 90% sugar, all diet soda & try not to eat past a decent hour.

Let me define what I mean by healthy choices: lean chicken breast, fresh & cooked vegetables, lentils, brown rices, tofu, fresh fruit in moderation & lots of water. We do not eat red meat, seafood, pork, & cream sauces so that helps.

My love for baking will never go away. I still plan on baking often! Most of the stuff I bake now I sample and then share among family & friends. I hope this goal I have set becomes a reality not so much for loosing weight and firming up, but just picking something and following it though until the very end.

Wishing me lots of luck....see you tomorrow with a report!

Oreo Balls

I was first introduced to Oreo balls by an Army friend. Her name is Kimberly. She came for a visit and called them inside out Oreo's. They were a huge hit!  She reminds me of a mini Paula Dean with her fabulous baking ability and southern charm!

Here we are way later and I am going to attempt to make them, but change it up a bit. That is one thing about me and my baking. I NEVER follow directions, I always have to add my own stuff, and I most certainly have to take pictures. Isn't food beautiful?

We start off with my sous chef. Her name is Reese. She is 6. Loves the color PINK. She is a vegetarian almost vegan. Been like that since birth and I'm pretty darn sure there is NO way that she will ever change. You know people say someday when she gets older she will like meat....I don't think so! She has even formed her opinion on leather. I guess I am the one you can blame (wait blame is for something someone's did wrong?)....I guess I am responsible for that life decision. Anyhow, she is here to help me make these Oreo Balls.

getting prepared & smiling

Reese crushes the oreo's up into a zip lock bag. She remarks that she is punching the bag hard as if she were hitting a boy. Girls? Where do they get this from?

The Reese method

Reese then pours them in a bowl adding one package of room temperature cream cheese.

Reese's favorite part

getting dirty & having fun!

Fun part: MIX time and with her hands! Feeling the ooey gooey oreo's & cream cheese between her freshly washed hands. I stand back and watch her with a smile. Kids like this stuff and let me tell you.....They will remember it when they get older! I promise you this! It will be a story they tell their kids. Hopefully one of many if I have anything to say about it!

Forming the oreo's into balls and placing them onto a cookie sheet with wax paper we stick them in the freezer to firm up.

Melt some vanilla flavored almond bark in a microwave safe bowl. You will roll your oreo balls in this to coat well. Stick back on wax paper & into freezer.

Melt some milk chocolate which you will drizzle over the oreo balls.

1) if you want shredded coconut, crushed peppermint, sprinkles, chopped nuts add these right after rolling the oreo balls in the almond bark so they have something to stick to and place in freezer to firm up.

2) if you are wanting a plain chocolate drizzle over the white almond bark then drizzle a small amount with a fork and place in freezer to firm.

 Pretty much you are done. You can use cupcake liners to put them into. Or if you have holiday cookie tins you can use those, too. If you are serving them for dessert at home take a white plate, drizzle with chocolate syrup in a pretty design and place a few in the center of the plate. For me its not just about the taste, but the presentation.

I am off to discover a grown up version of this with some type of liquor .....Have a Beautiful Day! <3

Reese & Her Daddy

Cake Success!

After getting inspired by that rainbow marshmallow cake (above), I ended up going in yet another direction. (Go figure)
I checked out a sewing blog. This blogger made her first fondant cake and I was totally impressed. I changed her flowers to my hearts and went up in size on the heart cutter. A few tweaks here and there and it was a success.

My hubby came into the kitchen and helped along with my little girl, Reese. Last minute he ended up pulling a Christmas diamond off the tree & used buttercream and pink sparkles to set it on the top.

cooling on wax paper

approx. 2 cups per bowl

After looking at the pictures, one of the things that I would have changed was using green hearts on top. Maybe purple would have matched better. The original plan was to go up the side of the cake with hearts in every color. The cake wasn't tall enough so I wasn't able to use all of my rainbow colors. Somehow green ended up on top all alone & nowhere else on the cake. It stuck out a little to me, but nonetheless I was still very pleased with the cake.

First time using Wilton fondant. I usually make my own homemade marshmallow fondant. What a treat it was to have such a perfect smooth cake!

This is Mike. I just adore him!

Mike's last minute sparkly addition ;)

Hayley took this picture. I love how the colors turned out :D

Have an amazing day & don't forget to check out the beauty all around you.... <3

Hayley's Birthday!

Today Hayley celebrates her 14th birthday!! She has requested a lady gaga cake. Not an easy task, but I think I may have something she will love just as much! When I was searching for ideas and put in Lady Gaga this one cake came up with rainbow marshmallows! It looks so pretty. I am even going to make the center rainbow. I am going to attempt this cake for her Sunday family gathering.
 Have a beautiful day!