Sweet Lolita Tea Party

Isn't she so cute? There's a *little bit* of a lolita schoolgirl in her. Some days, I feel like getting dolled up like this, then I remember I can't stand tights, and I don't do mini dresses.

I love how the sweets table, everything is proportional and set apart from each other in even spaces. French macaroons, pastel confections, cherry topped cupcakes, bundt cakes, jello molds and perfectly piped cakes, are just the right touch of elegant meets girly.

 I love all of the decadent white as well, from the gauzy curtains and dress, to the tea cart, chandelier and sofa. The neutrals to really make the colors of the sweets and pastel shoes appear magical.

Looks like someone had a sugar crash. What do you think got her, a day of baking, or too many sweets?
From Vogue Girl, Korea, 2007.

Sweet Treats: Graham Cracker, Icing and Strawberry Summer Dessert

I love baked goods... when other people make them. Sometimes, I get excited to bake, but the energy, ingrediant checking/shopping and the stress of eating them while fighting off my boys is just too much.

 Also, the heat. Ovens, especially in {Texas} summer, I would rather avoid. Now, this treat may not be for the high society, elitest of bakers, but maybe someone out there may enjoy it, so here goes.

 I simply break the graham crackers along the perforated lines, smear on some chocolate icing (store bought or you can make your own), top with chopped strawberries and a shot of whip cream. If you have fresh mint, that is yummy on top, but my mint plant didn't move with us when we moved.

Easy, fast, no baking involved, simple ingredients and you make the amount you need in one sitting. Oh, and kids love it. Sometimes, I like to spread just a bit of frosting on the graham cracker and eat it without anything else.

Also, can you believe this monster of a strawberry? It's as big as my hand. Of course, my hands are fairly small, but still, it was huge... and most importantly, delicious.

Sweet Treats: Chocolate Chip Meringues Recipe

pink vanilla meringues with sprinkles fine art photo print~ maria kallin

I tried to make meringues a few years ago and they did not turn out well at all. But, over the past year, I have been seeing them everywhere. I'm starting to rethink my meringue fluke could be improved upon, because really, don't they look so sweet?

Holly of In the Fun Lane has a Chocolate Chip Recipe she shared that I think I will try, I've already heard rave reviews on it. The step by step pictures help a girl out a lot as well. Here is her extremely thorough recipe (and photos):

The ingredients you will need are:
4 eggs
sugar
vanilla
chocolate chips

To start take your eggs and separate the whites from the yolks. Let the whites sit out until they are room temperature (you won't need the yolks). While they are warming up I take some sugar (1/4 cup for every egg white so in this case 1 cup) and put it in the food processor. I like the meringue to be like silk so this really makes the fine grains even finer.

Once the whites are room temp I blend them with the whipping attachment on medium until the whites look foamy. Then you slowly start adding the sugar.

Some recipes add other stuff to get the texture really thick, but with the Kitchenaide mixer I have no problems getting them fluffy and stiff. Once the mixture can hold a peak add just a touch of vanilla extract. (One commenter wrote, not to add any extracts that are too oily, like peppermint, otherwise they won't whip correctly).

This is where the recipe goes from average to amazing! I take a half cup of chocolate chips and put them in the food processor as well so that they are little crumbs.

I mix it all together for just a second then spoon (or use a baggie with the tip cut off) to swirl them onto a Silpat sheet. You can use aluminum foil as well, but parchment paper really doesn't keep them from sticking.

Place the sheet into a preheated 250 degree oven for about an hour and 40 minutes. I like to let them sit in the oven once I shut it off to let them get a smidge crunchier, but at the same time have a bit of a gooey center (I don't like solid, rock hard meringues).

Sweet Treats: Edible Painted Marshmallows and Popcorn Activity

Amy of Living Locurto's edible paint project is adorable! She got the idea from Katherine's amazing drive in movie and popcorn themed party. Katherine used sweet evaporated milk with food coloring, and  Amy used regular milk with food coloring.

We have been loving both popcorn and marshmallows lately, ( put them together to make popcorn balls) and so I'm confident that my boys will just love this little activity.Wouldn't those marshmallows be cute in little s'mores?

Sweet Treats: Happy Sundae!

We had a wonderful weekend, and I am excited to close this week, to wake in the morning to a bright and shiny new Sunday to reflect on the Saviour, appreciate my family, set some new goals and be sure to dig into a yummy ice cream sundae, complete with lots of chocolate sauce, fresh fruit and sprinkles!

May your Sabbath be full of peace, rest, love, charity, warmth and lots of sweets.

Sweet Treats: Magic Pumpkins Holiday Desserts

I love pumpkins. I probably love decorating them more (though I prefer white cinderella ones), so stay tuned for that post, oh yeah) , but really, I love them. I tend to like them on the sweet side, but am not opposed to a hearty dinner version either. Plus, they are quite healthy for you (minus the sweets), and who can resist that? And even WITH the sweet toppings, can you resist that either?!!

*mouth waters from below image*

 Maltese Bakes -Pumpkin Cake RECIPE

zoe bakes for a streusel apple pumpkin cake recipe

When I was first married (6 years this month), I got adventurous and made a pumpkin jambalaya, IN the pumpkin. Oh, it was heavenly. I made some mistakes, but nothing that still couldn't be enjoyed. And the fact that you can cut away the pumpkin as you eat, and dip it in the stew as if it were a crusty soft chunk of bread, made it all even better! I don't remember the recipe I used, but it had rice, sausage, various veggies... you can make it more stew like with beef, potatoes, celery, carrots, or jambalaya like, I've done both and both were delicious! I also read, that if you use non toxic paints, you can paint a jack-o-lantern face on it prior to baking, how fun would that be for the kids or even a Halloween party!! Here is a good recipe, but there are way more out there, just search for "dinner in a pumpkin".

You can also make mini pumpkins into desserts by baking them with butter, brown sugar and spices and topping with ice cream or whipped cream. Lots of possibilities. I used an acorn squash for this one, as shown in my pic above. Just cut that sucker in half, add some butter, cinnamon, brown sugar and pumpkin pie spice, then pop it in the microwave for a few minutes and you are done. Top it with whip cream or ice cream for some extra yum factor. You can also bake it, but you have to put it in a thin layer of water... too much work!

 saffron pumpkin macaroons form tartelette... I know!

And though, I am not a huge pumpkin pie fan, I do love pumpkin bread, cookies, those swirl things. Also, canned pumpkins are one of the few natural canned foods that is just as healthy as a fresh pumpkin. This pan cooked pumpkin with duck fat looks amazing! Lots of good and simple pumpkin recipes here!

 Libby's Pumpkin Roll Recipe, photo by Pinch my Salt

Candy Jamamas Pumkin Bars with Cream Cheese Icing

If you have any good pumpkin recipes or food ideas, please share in the comments... or bring me a sample and I will love you forever ;)

Cake -a- tete

banner cakes kat hayes

My week break from blogland was nice and unexpected. We went with the hubby to his work conference for the week and I fully anticipated to blog while away. However, I couldn't save photos on his work computer, and my weak and quick typing fingers and laptop buttons don't get along, so I ended up disappearing.

sarah maren

Note to self, 2 toddlers in a hotel room for 5 days... never again. But, we did have a lot of fun and I have no regrets, and am totally excited that the boys only broke one drinking glass and a lampshade!

Oh, the coming weeks will be so very busy for our family, as we house hunt, David starts a new job (with a nice commute)and he goes on another conference, and at my favorite time of year as well, so I will try and keep up with you all. I thought, that perhaps some cakes in lovely display settings would merit forgiveness from my dear readers, as it seems to work in real life, right? Okay then.

i dream of cake north beach san franscisco

Also, I had a lovely time at my 10 year high school reunion. I truly regret walking away without taking a single picture.  I regretted it as I walked actually, knowing full well I could just turn around and snap a few photos right quick, but I didn't. Perhaps it was due to sophomoric fear- a popularity regression, killer painful shoes, or the smoky room we couldn't stand to be in any longer? Do you ever do that, decide to not do something you will regret while you still have a chance to change it? Try not to do it next time.

 

rainbow layer cake RECIPE whisk kid

 It was a nice time to see how people were doing and I am glad I went, even though I had a lot of anxiety about going, though the curiosity beckoned me. It's amazing how trivial that phase of our lives are in hindsight, though how difficult it was at the time. I suppose all phases of our lives can relate to that statement.

 

pink cake wall art - jenny's bake shop

Have a happy Sunday, make a cake and eat it too (and NO Marie Antoinette did not say that!!),  and I will see you back soon, sweet tooth, tummy ache and all!

candy cake table - little shindigs

Cover Me in Triangles

Let's talk garlands. More so, I write you read, we shall chat with our minds. Pennants, banners, buntings, single flags, what'ere you wish to name them, they are the same in spirit. Usually they are triangular pieces of fabric (though some surprises occur as well) in a lovely line or toothpicks to hang in various themes.

colin cooke photography

Where have I seen them? Weddings? check. Parties? check. Cakes? check. Let's face it, they are everywhere! Have you bannered up yet? Do you dislike them? Too circus-y for you? Do you want one?

kevin + paige lovely wedding ( page 1 here, page 2 here, page 3 here)

 

tiara mia ~ sunset balloons 

  

pennant wedding cake - amazing photos in the link!

Cathe's  tutorial on making a pennant roller stamp, here!

 

 barbara berrada paper boats origami  garland

  

dsharp vintage postage stamp wedding cake garland

holly hoyt photography

 

paper acorn garland

  

42nd and orange pennant banner

 

cara + james gorgeous wedding

Now, we can see all of the lovely lovely banners can be used in so many ways! They are everywhere, and they can be all over your home too! I wrote a little tutorial on making a no sew easy fabric garland here if you are in a crafty type mood. ... and I had about 10 more to show you too that were stunning, but all of my amazing blogging and shop redo photos have been lost... so bare with me as I try to cope these next two weeks!

Also... I am having a free shipping sale in my Jeweled Ambrosia shop to all of my blog readers! Just mention that you read my blog upon checkout and I will refund your shipping via Paypal as well as include a little "thank you" gift in your package!