Sugar Sisters

Today I shared some of my sugary secrets in a Food Art class at Adriene Rathbun's house. Six women and one precious kindergartener (who was quite the fast learner!) watched, listened and experimented for 2 hours as I showed them how to make cherry pie brownies, dessert burgers & hotdogs, bumblebee cupcakes, taco cookies, cinnamon roll lollipops, chinese takeout cupcakes, and caramel candy fortune cookies. There were chocolate butterflies on the agenda too, but we ran out of time and only got a few of them to "fly."

It was lots of fun. Thanks to my hostess, Adriene, for inviting me to share my crazy love of sugar art. I think everyone had a good time and learned some clever dessert tricks to attempt at their next birthday party or summer potluck.

Sweet.

Kites + Dandelions = Springtime

What's New, Cupcake?

I bought myself some baking inspiration last week. This is the second book from Karen Tack & Alan Richardson. And I love, love, love, love, love everything in it. Much like I love, love, love, love, love everything in their FIRST book - Hello, Cupcake!

I'm going to steal one of their ideas - Chinese Takeout Cupcakes - for the Edible Art Class that I'm teaching in a few weeks. Holy moly, did she say TEACHING? Yes. My dear friend, Adriene Rathbun, suckered me into demonstrating some of my sugary sculptures at her in-home cooking class called Social. Check it out. She does 2 or 3 classes every week. And if you'd like to join in on the fun, my class is scheduled for Saturday, May 1st from 10am to noon. Here's what I'll be making:

- Dessert Burgers & Dogs

- Cinco de Mayo Taco Cookies

- Bumblebee Cupcakes

- Chocolate Rockets

- Cherry Pie Brownies

- Chinese Takeout Cupcakes

- Cinnamon Roll Flower Bouquet

Guaranteed to entertain your sweet tooth and possibly put you in a sugar coma.

WOW! MOM is 73!

No matter which way you read the cake (WOW or MOM), it was pretty awesome to celebrate my mom's 73rd birthday this weekend. It just happened to fall on Easter Sunday this year, so we all gathered for a big family lunch, multiple egg hunts with the grandkids, and lots of cake.

The last couple of years have been a struggle for my mom with all of her back surgeries and moving to Salina, so it was really great to see her feeling healthy and happy to be near family.

Many, many, many, many, many macarons.

Last year, I attempted to make french macarons for the first time. Complete failure. They're a tricky little recipe to get right, and I just didn't have the patience. But then I found this ADORABLE book called "I Love Macarons" and it inspired me to try them again. And what better occasion than Lathi de Silva's 39th birthday!

I had myself a mini, macaron-making marathon this weekend. I baked 5 batches total. The first ones went straight into the trash. Too much almond flour. The 2nd batch - raspberry - turned out OK. Still too stiff though. The 3rd batch - chocolate toffee - turned out better. The 4th batch - lemon - turned out PERFECT. And the 5th batch - orange almond - turned out swell as well.

They must have tasted pretty good, because Eric could not stop snacking on them. I put an assortment inside this glass apothecary jar I found at Target and wrapped up another "I Love Macarons" book for Lathi to enjoy. She really does appreciate all the finer details in life and food, and I knew she'd enjoy unwrapping this present.

I was right. She was all smiles. (And so were her boys, Luc and Ian. ) They couldn't take their eyes off the jar when I brought it over last night.

Happy Birthday Lathi. And many, many, many, many, many more!

Not-so-funny Bunny.

Guess who DIDN'T enjoy going to Cero's Candy to visit the Easter Bunny?
Bea wanted nothing to do with the 6-foot hare-ball or his generous offering of a candy-filled egg. Although, I was pleased at her politeness. As she clung to the right-half of my body and attempted to climb me, she said "No thank you Mr. Bunny."
Gus, on the other hand, was a real pro. After 7 years of visiting the same candy shop & rabbit, he posed dutifully, took the free goodies, and then proceeded to pick out six more bags of chocolate treats for his Easter basket. He ain't scared of no rabbit.

Hello Spring?

Funny, the first day of spring looked a lot like the last 93 days of winter. We got about 3 inches of snow on Saturday, which meant Gus and Bea wanted to build one more snowman, have one more snowball fight, and we dried one more round hats, gloves & boots on the heater vents.

Just the day before, we'd had the lid off the sandbox in the backyard and Bea was wearing sandals. Go figure.

Luckily, this last blast of winter is short-lived. The sun is out, the melting has started, and the weatherman is calling for highs in the 60's this week. Come on spring! (I just got a pedicure and my toes are begging to be on display in some flip-flops.)

It's all in the details.

Eric's been on an odd woodworking binge lately - building things we don't necessarily need or have room for, but yet he feels compelled to build it anyway. He considers it a personal challenge. Whatever. It keeps him out of trouble and it gives me an excuse to rearrange furniture or sell off past projects to make room for new stuff.

Last week he completed another Krenov-style cabinet with lots of interesting details. The outside is cherry, the inside is white oak, and the drawer pulls are made of walnut. Oh but wait, the porn-like woodworking terms get even better. The veneers are hand-sawn and the drawers are hand-dovetailed. Yeah baby. That's what I'm talkin' about.

It looks gorgeous. And for now, this little beauty is residing in our bedroom. I'm just not sure if it's true purpose in life is to hold the bingo card collection that I bought at a flea market six years ago, or if there's a higher calling in another room or another home. Time will tell.

Spring Break with Grandma Nette.

This week was Spring Break for Gus. And since my mom's been feeling better after her last back surgery, we made plans to have her come spend the week with her youngest grandson. A 72-year-old woman and an 8-year-old boy don't typically have the same interests. So, each morning I invented a mini scavenger hunt for Gus and Grandma Nette to figure out. And the prize at the end was always something to keep the two entertained during the day - puzzles, movies, video games, Legos, art projects and Hot Wheels Cars.

I think they both enjoyed hanging out together and I'm pretty sure Grandma Nette got her fill of SpongeBob Squarepants.

Bea managed to sneak in some quality time with Grandma too - painting toenails and playing My Little Pony. You know, girl stuff.

Bea the Baker

I love when Bea wants to watch or "help" me bake. She can even (sorta) crack open the eggs for me. Watch out Betty Crocker. Bea Denneler's in the kitchen, and she knows how to use a spatula. Or, at least lick it.

A venti, triple-shot, half-foam, double-whip, mocha, Happuccino Birthday!

My coffee-lovin' husband turned 43 this week. And to celebrate, I made him a "Coffee Cake" - a birthday-themed Starbucks coffee cup filled with layers of chocolate cake, brown sugar frosting and coffee-flavored ice cream.

Wowzer. It was delicious, if I do say so myself. But, then I really like coffee. And apparently, Bea really likes it too because she ate the "tall" cup. Should we be worried? Probably.

Have a Hap Hap Happuchino Birthday, Eric!