Crafts & Cupcakes

My Brownie troop rallied yesterday to raise funds for the upcoming Susan G. Komen 3-Day Walk by donating crafts, home-baked goods, their time, and their remarkable sales skills. Some of the girls made potholders, bird houses, and friendship bracelets; and the moms baked all sorts of goodies, including beignets and caramel cake.

Olivia and I made keychains using the weaving technique we learned at Girl Scout camp, cinnamon-scented soap, our favorite granola from Smitten Kitchen, and dark chocolate cupcakes with white chocolate frosting.



















































The day was gorgeous, the turnout was even better than expected, and the event was a great success.

Cookies, and a Onesie for Baby "B"

I'm getting back into the swing of things, thanks to the big pink Amoxicillin pills that are knocking out my two-week sinus infection. Yesterday we made thumbprint cookies. Really Olivia made them; all I did was read the recipe and help with measuring. I'm so pleased that she likes to bake. And oooh, they were tasty! Between us we must have eaten 12 last night.














Also I finished and packaged (but alas have not yet mailed) this onesie for Doreen, who won the December giveaway and is expecting a baby girl in May.

Cookie Time

Olivia amazed me by going to bed early (!) last night, so I was on my own with our favorite sugar cookie recipe for today's class party. But Harry Connick Jr. kept me company. Yum.














Also on my Christmas baking list are these two, blogged by Elizabeth at Oh, Fransson. Can you say "Chocolate Covered Cherry Cookies" and "Praline Cookies" without your mouth watering? Neither can I.

Cake

Olivia just had a birthday, which we've celebrated twice so far (cupcakes at school, Christmas pageant party with friends) and will celebrate once more tonight (family party). Excessive? Definitely. Shameful, really; we're determined to figure out how to consolidate next year. But oh, the cakes have been grand.


















I ordered these precious ballerinas (and other lovely cake toppers) from the delightful cyber-shop Bake It Pretty.

Sugar Rush

These are our first attempt at "Fairy Cakes," which I've long admired at Yarnstorm. We used the glossy, lemony icing recipe in The Gentle Art of Domesticity.

Wishing you a sweet and happy Halloween.














P.S. Heartfelt thanks to all who left comments in response to Monday's post. I really appreciate your kind and caring thoughts.

Why I Love Autumn (Hint: Involves Fruit)

Signs of Autumn here in the Shenandoah Valley...















Warm pies, applesauce, and cake are in the works.

Why I Love Summer

Raspberries picked along a mountain roadside this morning.














A pie to keep and one to give away.

Carrot Cake for Breakfast

Doesn't the cake stand look lovely on my Anna Banana table runner? Problem is, my laptop has been parked at the dining room table this week, and therefore so have I. And I swear the cake keeps talking to me. I'm listening, too...I've gained two pounds in two days.














The recipe is fabulous. Secret ingredient: olive oil.

M-M-M-Marshmallows

The tutorial was remarkably easy to follow, and the result is fabulous. I've devoured four of these doozies so far tonight.

I read somewhere in the comments attached to the tutorial that chocolate adheres better to cornstarch than to confectioner's sugar, so I used the former to dust the marshmallows. Very pleased with the result and delighted to package them in Martha and Amy Butler packaging goodies received for Christmas. Ready to deliver to our Valentines tomorrow!

Preparing for Valentines Day

Hannah Montana cards are signed and addressed to classmates.

Valentine sachets are colored and stuffed for the teachers and Grandma.

Marshmallow recipe is printed and ready for a run tomorrow morning....