The Vanessa Contessa

2011-05-25T12:53:00.000-07:00

Dear Faithful Blog Following Friends,

The time has come, this blog is coming to and end. It will stay up, but won't be posted on any more (because, you know, there's been soooooo much posting in the last year.)

Never fear.

Anything I would post there will be post over at

www.vanessireneblog.com

Check it out. It's gonna be super rad.

{Vanessa}

The 4th

2009-07-04T09:30:00.000-07:00

Yesterday, I had a huge soap box planned for today on the blog. All about how much I love the 4th and how much I love America and how I am sick of American citizens and talking heads on TV bagging on our country all the time but not raising a finger to do a darn thing about it. I was then going to go off about how the 4th of July is not a reason to get really really drunk with all your friends and then drive or ruin the holiday for everyone. Then, I got home this morning and my daughter handed me this:

It's a birthday card she made for America.

I cried.

Now there's no soap box, just me and my family celebrating the fourth and remembering why we do. During your fun filled day today, I hope your family will take a minute to do the same. Remember why we have this holiday. Remember the men and women who have made this country remarkable. Remember all who we have lost. Remember our responsibility the the rest of the world. Then, remember to have a cupcake.

The GIANT Cupcake Cake

2009-06-18T12:40:00.000-07:00

So, for Christmas my mom got me the Wilton giant cupcake pan that pretty much everyone has seen, but I tucked it away and never made anything with it. Then Sydney was turning 6 and I thought AHA! Here's my good excuse. Of course she was thrilled because she loves anything on a giant scale, so a giant cupcake is right up her alley.

I decided to go for a pink and brown sort of scheme, but really I was just wingin' it. Sydney requested chocolate cake on the bottom and cherry chip on top. We went cake mix all the way. The only thing that was going to bug me was that I knew I wanted to layer and frost (being a frosting kinda girl) the bottom half of the cake, but I still wanted it to look smooth and neat and I didn't want to ice the whole cake. THEN I cam across these directions to make a chocolate shell for the bottom from Oh Sugar. She states she got the idea from Wilton cake decorating. Either way, go check hers out because it's awesome.

It turned out great! Probably the neatest part of the cake. Then I layered and frosted the rest of the cake and for the top in order to create jumbo sprinkles I just used the Wilton Candy melts, but turned upside down so the perfectly flat side was showing. The little white polka dots are .... yep, you guessed it, white chocolate chips turned upside down. I finished it off with Wilton's jumbo sprinkles, I just picked out the pink ones.

I had enough cake batter left over to make a dozen cupcakes so I made those up and then frosted and sprinkled. So cute and fun! This pan is a keeper for sure! My one tip is to go low and slow on the cooking time here. I baked this up at 325 for an hour. The cake is moist and did not get over done. My frosting is a bit on the messy side, but I just ran out of time to fuss with it. Sydney was thrilled when it was done, so I figured I could let my OCD go for this one day and have messy frosting.

Oh, and on a side note. Last night at 11 pm I decided to make Sydney her own birthday banner. I have seen all these awesome paper crafters making these amazing birthday banners like this one and this one.

So, I made one too. Now, I know mine looks nothing like the examples, but it was 11 at night and I'm not even a scrapbooker, so I have VERY limited paper supplies on hand. Regardless, I think it's pretty cute and Sydney LOVED IT! Not bad for some ribbon a few pieces of cardstock and then whatever embellishments I could scrounge before midnight. I wish I had thought ahead and I would have acutally made a better effort and even made it to match the cake. Oh well. So all you real scrappers, mock me if you must, but I still think it's cute.

Happy Birthday Sydney!

2009-06-17T17:34:00.000-07:00

I can't believe it. My little baby is turning 6 tomorrow. I don't know why, but it's hitting me hard this year. I can't believe how fast she's growing up. I really can't get away with calling her baby girl anymore. Right now she's completely sick of me because I've been smooching her face every chance I can get today. I keep telling her I just want to get as many 5 year old kisses as I can. I love this girl. We haven't taken birthday pictures yet, we will sometime in the next few weeks. In the meantime, here's some of my favorites of her from the last six years.

Created with Admarket's flickrSLiDR.

I'll post pictures of the festivities and the cake tomorrow night, but for now, I just wanted to wax nostalgic for a few minutes and sniffle a bit. Happy Birthday, Syd. Your mom loves you more than buttercream.

Cupcake Vivie

2009-06-12T10:42:00.000-07:00

It's no secret. I love this face...

I love it even when she's trying to be grumpy...

I love it when she's being a goofball....

I love when she's exploring and she has her "interesting" face on...

I pretty much want to smooch it completely off when she's got the big puppy eyes going..

But here's the real secret, I want to smooch her just a little bit more when she's got her cupcake dress on. It's pink and soft and cute and has cupcakes all over and and, well, have you met me?!

Don't tell her, but when she'll let me put the cupcake dress on her instead of a Dora shirt, there's is sunshine in my soul all day.

And the bow? Forget about it, it's like the frosting on top.

You might not believe me, but I'd give up cupcakes for this face. But we have begun to realize she has inherited my sweet tooth, so it's pretty unlikely she'll ask...

Manna from Heaven

2009-06-11T15:07:00.001-07:00

I'm pretty sure I could attempt to live on these chips alone. It might not be good for me, but I'm willing to try....

These aren't bad either....

Cupcake Army

2009-06-10T17:22:00.000-07:00

I made 150 mini cupcakes for Sydney's kindergarten graduation party today.

I made half lemon and half strawberry, both are topped off with vanilla buttercream and rainbow sprinkles.

I figured nothing shouted "Hooray for Kindergarten!!" better than rainbow sprinkles. After they were all done, they were so cute.

It looked like a little cupcake army sitting on my counter. It's a sacrifice, but I'm happy to command it for the greater good.

I WON!!

2009-06-06T17:11:00.000-07:00

I won! I totally FREAKING won! I'm so excited I could bake cupcakes all day then take them around to everyone I know! Umm.... maybe not. Regardless, thank you so much for all of your votes and your support. (Even the month's when I didn't win and you totally told me I got robbed-- 'cuz that made me wanna bake again the next month.) I'll show off all my neat prizes when they arrive on my doorstep!! Oh, and from now on out, I won't be eligible for the prize pack for winning, but Iron Cupcake is too much fun! Expect entries regardless. And to all my local friends, expect to eat them.

Olson Princess Round Up

2009-06-01T14:28:00.001-07:00

I'm shamefully behind in letting all friends and family know what's going on. So here you go:

We had easter and easter dresses:

Sydney made an awesome Easter bonnet with silk flowes and tissue paper:

She went on a field trip to the grocery store and got to pet a lobster and be a checker:

She even had Hawaiian day at school:

I ran a 5K the day before Mother's day and Vivie was my cheerleader. This was my first 5k since Vivie was born, so it was a pretty big deal for me. I'm signed up to run a 10k on the fourth of July, so hopefully I'll be ready:

And finally, Vivie is just being Vivie. Today she wore this all morning and pretended to trick or treat. Every time she came by my desk I gave her a marshmallow. It was pretty awesome.

Coming up this summer: Elementary school talent show (Syd will be singing), kindergarten graduation, swim lessons, days a the beach, a surprise b-day trip to Sea World for Syd (shhh... don't tell) Syd's 6th birthday, the fair (and my first real baking competition entry), girls camp, the (hopefully) 10k, and of course more Vivie being Vivie-- which let's face it, is pretty the most entertaining thing on the list.

Happy Summer Everyone! What are your plans?

VOTING IS OPEN!!!

2009-05-31T09:56:00.001-07:00

Voting has opened for the Iron Cupcake:Savory contest this month!

Go vote for me! Remember you can vote for up to three entries at a time, so make sure to vote for both of mine. Make sure to check out the other entries, there are some really great ones. The egg roll cupcake is making my brain to back flips!

Here's a review of the two I made:

The Calzone Cuppie
Cupcake Vera Cruz

To vote, click on the Iron Cupcake logo on the right -------------------------->>>>>>

Scroll down to Vanessa Contessa on the right hand side of the voting, click my entries and hit submit!

Thanks!

Multitasking Nightmares

2009-05-31T09:43:00.000-07:00

Something somewhere has gone horribly wrong.

I don't know where I made such a wrong turn. It could be that hour I spend playing word drop and mafia wars on facebook. Maybe it's that cumulative 30 minutes I just spend staring at Vivie's dimples and chasing her down for a kiss. Either way, I have officially lost track of using my time wisely throughout the day. This finally occurred to me when by the end of it, we had simply run out. And like a bat to the head, I knew we had entered the multitasking twilight zone when my kids were eating popcicles and taking their evening baths at the same time.

We've hit a new all time low here.

Iron Cupcake Round Two: The Calzone Cuppie

2009-05-20T21:43:00.000-07:00

After I made the first entry for this month's Iron Cupcake:Savory, I just couldn't stop brainstorming ideas. I wanted to come up with some kind of cupcake you really could eat for dinner and get away with it. Then, one morning I woke up from a dream with this cupcake idea. (Yes, that's right, I'm dreaming of cupcakes now. It has become that much of a problem.) The idea was a calzone cupcake. Really it all started when my hubby made cinnamon rolls from scratch (yes you read that right, too.) and let them rise and baked them in my muffin/cupcake tins. We started thinking about all the yeast dough possibilites and finally the calzone cupcake was mentioned. I didn't think any more about it until I had the dream, and then I became a crazy woman obsessed until I made them. So, here it is. Truly a cupcake for dinner:

The Calzone Cuppie
(makes 12 )

Ingredients:

1 batch pizza dough***
2 cups tomato sauce (prepared or homemade)
2 cups mozzerella cheese or italian cheese blend
fresh basil (about 12 sprigs)
pepperoni

12 oz ricotta cheese
8 oz cream cheese
1/2 tsp salt
1/2 tsp minced garlic
1/2 cup parmesan cheese

***About the pizza dough. Let me digress for a minute. If you can make this from scratch, GREAT! We make ours from scratch and love this recipe. Pizza dough is very simple to make, but is very time consuming. If you are not up to making your own, here are my two favorite suggestions.
1. Trader Joes ready made pizza dough. If you have a Trader Joe's in your area. GO GET THIS DOUGH! It's yummy, good, fresh, and a great price. Here it runs $1.29 a package. For this recipe I'd get two packages.
2. Find an independent family owned pizzeria in your area and purchase some of their dough. Most of them will let you do this. I was terrified the first time I tried this out and was sure they would laugh me out the door and I would have to leave with the shame and humility of being known as the crazy lady who can't make her own pizza dough. So, when I went, I made sure to get there first thing after they opened hoping to eliminate as many witnesses as possible to my upcoming moment of embarassement. To my shock and amazement, after I asked to purchase some dough, they just ran back to the kitchen, brought me back a bag and asked for five bucks. I was giddy! In fact, I pretty much threw the money at them and ran out before they could change their minds. I've gone countless times since and never once have I been told no or laughed at. So, my suggestion to you is, if you want to make pizza, but not the dough, try this.

Okay, back to the recipe.

Preheat oven to 450 degrees.
Grease or spray muffin tin and set aside.

Now for the tricky part, the dough. At first I took my dough and rolled it out onto a well floured surface, planning to cut out perfect circles. For some reason, I just couldn't get it to work. In fact, I was so engrossed in my pizza dough I stopped shooting altogether. Finally, I figured out the best way to do this is to break off handful size pieces of the dough and then roll or stretch these out to the size you need to fill your muffin tin. It doesn't need to be perfect, you will be folding them over onto themselves later to seal them.

When you have stretched your dough, lay them into the muffin tin and place a tablespoon of sauce into the cupped dough. Top with a tablespoon of cheese, a fresh leaf of basil and a pepperoni. Layer with another teaspoon of sauce and then fold the dough over onto itself and seal as best as you can. Repeat with until you have filled the muffin tins.

Bake in a 450 degree oven for 10-12 minutes. Cups will become golden brown and some sauce and cheese will escape. Let cool for about 10 minutes.
While baking, prepare the topping. In your mixer, combine ricotta cheese, cream cheese, salt, parmesan and garlic. Beat with paddle mixer for about 2 minutes until well combined and creamy. Place in a pastry bag and pipe onto calzone cups. Garnish with chopped black olives, grape tomatoes and drizzle with more tomato sauce. Serve and enjoy!

Let me just tell you. These are beyond fantastic. In fact they are be-tastic! These were so delicious and yes, I actually served them for dinner! In fact, all the final pictures I shot while we were about to dig in! Jon said they were the best cupcakes I have ever made! I thought that was pretty funny, considering they are truly streching the definition. Hey, I'll take the compliments anywhere I can get them!!

They got two thumbs up from my girls. Well make that two fingers and two thumbs up. We will make these again and again and I'm actually planning a party now where these are the main course and THEN just to keep everyone even more confused, I'll end the night with a dessert pizza!

Again, the voting will open soon for this month's cupcakes and I'll let you know when to go vote. The winners of Iron Cupcake this month will be awarded with these prizes:

A sweet cupcake ID bracelet by INSANEJELLYFISH, http://www.etsy.com/shop.php?user_id=5021935
something sweet and dangly from CHERRYCREEKCHARMS at http://www.etsy.com/shop.php?user_id=6686445.
a sweet surprise from Sweet Cuppin' Cakes Cupcakery, http://www.acupcakery.com/
PLUS, IronCupcake:Earth can not forget our good friend, CAKESPY, http://www.etsy.com/shop.php?user_id=5243382, who is now going to be doing a piece for our winner each month until further notice - sweet!

Last and certainly not least, don’t forget our corporate prize providers: HEAD CHEFS by FIESTA PRODUCTS, http://www.fiestaproducts.com, HELLO CUPCAKE by Karen Tack and Alan Richardson, http://blog.hellocupcakebook.com, JESSIE STEELE APRONS http://www.jessiesteele.com; TASTE OF HOME books, http://www.tasteofhome.com; a t-shirt from UPWITHCUPCAKES.COM http://www.upwithcupcakes.com/. Iron Cupcake:Earth is sponsored in part by 1-800-Flowers, http://www.1800flowers.com .

I hope you like them and don't forget to vote!

Mother's Day Fairy Tale

2009-05-10T17:23:00.001-07:00

For mother's day this year, Sydney (with the help of her daddy) wrote me my very own book. It's so awesome. She made the story up herself and Jon helped her with creating the images and writing some of the longer parts. She even let Vivie help with all the coloring (so if you see crayon anywhere, it's the evil genius contribution.) So read the story of me. Oh yeah, I'm the princess dressed in ALL BLACK in every single picture. See, I told you, awesome.

(That's me, sleeping in a bed made for a giant)

(And that's me about to be trampled by wish granting unicorn)

(Um, yeah I do!)

(hmm...)

(Nice book choice. And once again, I totally love my goth dress.)

(Look how hot I look in this car!)

(I totally belong with the Cullens, don't you think?)

(I look pretty bad-A as a wizard, too. So it's a hard call...)

(My chef hat rocks.)

(That's actually about the proportional size of my camera)

(Yeah, long story...)

(Awww... and I really like how my goth look is catching.)

It's totally true. They are the best treasure I could ever have.
Happy Mother's Day!

Iron Cupcake Savory Round 1

2009-05-05T11:36:00.000-07:00

I must be a glutton for punishment. The last two months I have had either the most votes or the second most votes in the competition, only to not win the prize pack due to random number generation. It makes me further believe that machines are really out to get me. Terminator, anyone? Just kidding! What would you all do without my Iron Cupcake entries? Besides, I need an obsession or I just get snarky.

No, seriously, even before I knew the outcome I had started working on this cupcake and I knew I would enter it regardless. Iron Cupcake is too much fun! I'm not the only Iron Cupcake baker that was bit by the Cinco de Mayo bug, there's something so satisfying about these type of flavors so I'm not surprised. I wanted sweet and smokey and herby all at the same time, but I also wanted something that would bite back a bit. One thing I knew I ABSOLUTELY had to try was Alton Brown's avocado buttercream recipe (have I ever mentioned my slight obsession with Good Eats?) Anyway, moving on, here's my take on a sweet and savory treat with south of the border flavors.

Cupcake Vera Cruz

A sweet corn and cilantro cupcake with a hot pepper mousse and an avocado buttercream, garnished with a lime wedge red salt crystals.

Cake

2 cups flour
1 cup maseca
1/2 cup cornmeal
1/2 cup corn kernels fresh or frozen (thawed and dried)
2 tsp salt
2 TBS plus on Tsp baking powder
1 cup sugar
1/4 cup honey
2 eggs
2 cups milk
2/3 cup vegetable oil
2 TBS chopped fresh cilantro
1 tsp vanilla

Combine flour, maseca, cornmeal, sugar, salt and baking powder. Mix well. Add eggs, corn, honey, milk, oil and vanilla and mix to combine. Chop cilantro very fine and mix in gently. Line muffin cups with liners and fill 2/3 full with batter. Bake at 350 for 20-25 minutes. Allow to cool completely.

Hot Pepper Filling
1 cup room temperature cream cheese
1 tsp cumin
1/2 cup hot pepper jelly ( I used jalapeno jelly)

Combine all three and whip until fluffy.
Core out top of cupcakes and pipe filling into the center, replacing the top.

Avocado buttercream
(Inspired by Alton Brown and tweaked just a bit)

3/4 cup mashed avocado
1/4 cup butter
2 tsp lime juice
zest of one lime
1 1/2 pounds powdered sugar
1 -2 TBS heavy cream

Place the avocado and butter into the bowl of a stand mixer fitted with the whisk attachment along with the lime juice and beat until lightened in color, approximately 2 to 3 minutes. Add the powdered sugar a little at a time and beat until smooth. Add the lime zest and mix to combine. If not using right away, store in the refrigerator.

Pipe onto cupcakes. Garnish with a lime wedge and a sprinkle of margarita salt or red salt. Makes 24.

Overall these are VERY YUMMY! I don't know if I would serve them necessarily as a dessert, but I would have no hesitation serving them along side a grilled main meat dish with the same flavors, like a Salmon Vera Cruz or a grilled Chipotle Chicken. However, a good friend of mine tasted one and said it's totally dessert worthy (but she also happens to not like overly sweet things.) Either way, I will definitely make these again.

This is the first entry for this month, I have ideas for one or two more savory cupcakes, so keep your eyes peeled. I'll let you know when the voting opens. The winner of this month gets these great prizes:

A sweet cupcake ID bracelet by INSANEJELLYFISH, http://www.etsy.com/shop.php?user_id=5021935
something sweet and dangly from CHERRYCREEKCHARMS at http://www.etsy.com/shop.php?user_id=6686445.
a sweet surprise from Sweet Cuppin' Cakes Cupcakery, http://www.acupcakery.com/
PLUS, IronCupcake:Earth can not forget our good friend, CAKESPY, http://www.etsy.com/shop.php?user_id=5243382, who is now going to be doing a piece for our winner each month until further notice - sweet!

Results

2009-05-05T11:31:00.000-07:00

Congrats to Coco Bean for their winning entry in Iron Cupcake: Soda Pop!

and thanks to everyone who voted for me! I'm working on my first savory entry for this month and hope to post it later today. Here's your hint: Cinco de Mayo anyone?

LET THE VOTE BEGIN!

2009-04-27T18:00:00.000-07:00

Hey Everyone!

Voting is open for the Iron Cupcake Competition this month! You can vote for up to three entries and it just so happens I made three cupcakes for this month's theme! So vote for one, two, or if you really love me, all three!
Click on the iron cupcake icon to the right ------------------------------>>>>>

Scroll down and I'm the last three entries on the right. Click them, hit vote and sit back!
Thanks so much for your support!

Oh yeah, and next month's theme is a SAVORY (think salty and spicy and not so sweet) cupcake, so if you have any requests, leave them here!

Iron Cupcake April: Soda POP!

2009-04-23T18:13:00.000-07:00

Okay, I'm warning you now. I went a little nuts this month. There's just something about soda pop in a cupcake that gets me all giddy. I think I finally figured out that fizzy soda pop drinks remind me of how much fun I had as a kid and cupcakes do that same thing for me now, so put together, it's a very deadly combination. I had about seven different flavor combinations in mind, but finally settled on three. In fact, they were the first three I thought of when the ingredient was announced and so I went with my gut. I know they aren't super original flavors, but to me, they are the epitome of soda pop as a kid.

The very first one I thought of was a Shirley Temple cupcake. I KNEW I had to do this one.

For those of you who don't know what a Shirley Temple is (and I can't imagine there are very many of you) it's a virgin cocktail made with Seven Up, grenadine and maraschino cherries. I loved them as a child and always felt so special when I got to order one when we went out to eat. The fizzy pink drink and cherries with stems seriously just makes me happy. I've passed on my love of this drink to Sydney. She couldn't wait to taste these cupcakes! I give you fair warning: much like the kiddie cocktail it's fashioned after, these cupcakes are SWEET! However, I think its just right. When I bit into one, a wave of childhood memories came flooding back.

Shirley Temple Cupcake
1 c. butter
2 c. sugar
4 eggs
About 4 c. sifted all-purpose flour
1 tsp. vanilla
1/2 tsp. baking soda
1 c. lemon lime soda (left out so it will get flat)
1/4 c. grenadine
30 maraschino cherries

Cream butter and sugar until well blended. Add eggs one at a time and beat well. Sift flour and baking soda. Add to mixture alternately with lemon lime soda and grenadine. Add vanilla. Pour into cupcake liners. Place one maraschino cherry in the middle of each cupcake on top of the batter. and bake at 350 degrees for 22-25 minutes. Cherry will sink down during baking and be a nice little surprise at the bottom of each cupcake.

I topped the cupcake off with a maraschino cherry buttercream.

1 cup butter
4 cups powdered sugar
1/4 cup pureed maraschino cherries
2 TBS maraschino cherry juice

Whip butter. Add powdered sugar and cherry juice alternately. Mix in pureed cherries. Whip for 3 minutes and pipe onto cupcakes. Garnish with a maraschino cherry with stem.

Next to make it's soda cupcake debut in the Contessa kitchen was the Orange Creme Cupcake. I didn't really plan to do this one, but I just couldn't let it go. Finally, I just decided to go for it. Oh man, I'm so glad I did. These cupcakes are smooth and refreshing and light and taste just like a bottle of orange creme soda. These were by far the favorite of the Evil Genius.

Orange Creme Soda Cupcakes

1 c. butter
2 c. sugar
4 eggs
About 4 c. sifted all-purpose flour
1 tsp. vanilla
1/2 tsp. baking soda
1 bottle of Boylan's Orange soda (my favorite)
1 TBS fresh orange zest

Cream butter and sugar until well blended. Add eggs one at a time and beat well. Sift flour and baking soda. Add to mixture alternately with orange soda. Add vanilla. Pour into cupcake liners. and bake at 350 degrees for 22-25 minutes. Cool completely.

Now, at this point I was going to fill the cupcake with whipped cream and make a fancy glaze and all kinds of super neat-o cupcake magic. But, after tasting the cupcake at this point, I knew it would be a shame. It tasted so close to the soda, I wanted to keep it simple, so I made a very simple orange buttercream and topped the little masterpiece off with an orange candy slice.

1 cup butter
4 cups powdered sugar
1/4 cup fresh orange juice
1 TBS orange zest
1 tsp vanilla

Whip butter. Add powdered sugar and orange juice alternately. Add zest and vanilla. Whip for 3 minutes and pipe onto cupcakes. Garnish with an orange candy.

These were by far, Vivie's favorite, particuarly the frosting....

Whatcha doin' there Vivie?

Finally, to round out this Soda Pop trifecta of awesomeness, I absolutely had to do a root beer float cupcake. My husband would never have forgiven me if i hadn't. I had a really hard time with this one. Mainly because I couldn't find root beer extract anywhere to save my life! Of course I waited too long to order in online and I had to come up with a new way to concentrate the root beer flavor down. I ended up deciding to just reduce a root beer down on the stove in a saucepan. This worked surprisingly well HOWEVER you need to use a root beer made with pure cane sugar, not high fructose corn syrup. I made that mistake buying my favorite root beer flavor, only to realize it just wasn't going to reduce down well. I ended up finding a terrific tasting and inexpensive root beer that's perfect for the recipe. Check out Hansen's Natural Creamy Root Beer. Next, I didn't want the topping to be heavy, I wanted it to be light and foamy like the top of a real float. I finally decided that the best way to achieve this for what I wanted was to make a whipped cream topping. I wanted it to have a nice smooth flavor, so I added a scraped vanilla bean to it. To give the cupcake an extra gooey root beer punch, I concocted a root beer pudding for the middle. I think this recipe will be even better if you add a tsp of root beer concentrate to the batter.

So, here's my take on the root beer float.

Root Beer Float Cupcake

1 c. butter
2 c. sugar
4 eggs
About 4 c. sifted all-purpose flour
1/2 tsp. baking soda
1 cup of reduced root beer**

**To make the reduced root beer, empty about 5 or 6 cans of a cane juice based root beer into a sauce pan and slowly bring to a boil. Simmer root beer for about 30 minutes, stirring frequently until the liquid is reduced by about 3/4.

Cream butter and sugar until well blended. Add eggs one at a time and beat well. Sift flour and baking soda. Add to mixture alternately with reduced root beer. Pour into cupcake liners and bake at 350 degrees for 22-25 minutes. Cool completely.

At this point, time to make the filling. This is a very jelly like pudding and can easily be skipped. I just wanted to give it another texture and add a bit more root beer flavor.

Root Beer Pudding (I know it sounds weird, just go with it..)

2 cans root beer
3 TBS sugar
4 TBS cornstarch
2 TBS butter
1/2 cup cream

Empty one can of root beer into small saucepan. Add sugar and boil together for about 10 minutes until liquid is reduced in half. Open other can of root beer. Use about 1/4 of it to mix with cornstarch in separate bowl. Reduce heat on saucepan and add butter. When butter is melted, pour in cornstarch/root beer mixture while wisking at the same time. Continue whisking. It will become very thick like taffy. Alternate adding cream and remaning root beer while whisking until a good piping consisitency is reached. Cool. Using a filler tip, pipe INTO cupcakes. In case you are wondering, THIS is what a filling tip looks like.

Now, I just want to stop really quick here and point something out. You may have noticed that every single one of my cupcakes for this month start with the same batter basics. It's a very simple vanilla cupcake recipe. They have just each been tweaked to accomodate the flavors I am trying to create. I just wanted to point this out because I have had a lot of friends ask how I come up with recipes. I usually just explain that it's all give and take. If you have a basic set of parameters, then you can experiment within those. For example, every cake needs to have certain properties, flour, sugar, eggs, butter, liquid, a rising agent... but within those I can try something new. In this instance, because we are dealing with soda pop, I have mainly substituted the liquids. Now, this doesn't work every time, but a lot of times it will. So, when you look at a recipe, start dicsecting it and figuring out what could possibly be exchanged. That's an easy way to start experimenting with baking and trying something new!

I digress... On to my topping.

Whipped Cream Vanilla Bean Frosting

1 c. Heavy Cream (the good stuff!)
2 tbsp. cornstarch
1 vanilla bean, scraped
1/2 c. butter
1 c. confectioners sugar
1 tsp. vanilla

Blend cream, vanilla bean and cornstarch in small saucepan. Cook and stir over low heat until thickened. Remove vanilla bean. Chill thoroughly. Cream butterand sugar in a chilled bowl. Beat in chilled paste and vanilla. Beat at high speed until mixture resembles whipped cream.

Top the cupcakes with a big dollop of whipped cream and you're set!

There you go, my three takes on the soda pop cupcake. I hope you like them. Once again, I would love if you voted for me. You can vote for up to three entries at a time, so vote for all three of mine, or if you're not a fan of all of them, vote for the one you like the best and then check out the other entries and share the love. The voting opens on April 29th and runs through May 4th. I'll make sure to remind you all when the voting opens!

Just a reminder, here's the awesome list of prizes I'm competing for:

Our April ETSY PRIZE-PACK is from artists:
A creation by FRUITFLYPIE, http://www.etsy.com/shop.php?user_id=16748
a pair of cupcake earrings from LOTS OF SPRINKLES at http://www.etsy.com/shop.php?user_id=6057281.
a sweet surprise from Sweet Cuppin' Cakes Cupcakery, http://www.acupcakery.com/
PLUS, IronCupcake:Earth can not forget our good friend, CAKESPY, http://www.etsy.com/shop.php?user_id=5243382, who is now going to be doing a piece for our winner each month until further notice - sweet!
Last and certainly not least, don’t forget our corporate prize providers: HEAD CHEFS by FIESTA PRODUCTS, http://www.fiestaproducts.com, HELLO CUPCAKE by Karen Tack and Alan Richardson, http://blog.hellocupcakebook.com, JESSIE STEELE APRONS http://www.jessiesteele.com; TASTE OF HOME books, http://www.tasteofhome.com; a t-shirt from UPWITHCUPCAKES.COM http://www.upwithcupcakes.com/. Iron Cupcake:Earth is sponsored in part by 1-800-Flowers, http://www.1800flowers.com .

Don't forget, she REALLY wants mommy to win...

More signs of an Evil Genius

2009-04-23T00:52:00.000-07:00

For those of you who do not know, my daughter is an evil genius. No, she really is. We call her the Evil Genius. My friends call her the Evil Genius. People who aren't even really my friends but know her for some reason call her the Evil Genius. If you are still not convinced, refer to my original Evil Genius post. Recently a few more personality characteristics have come to light only showing how much evilish geniusing is really going on.

Apparently at nursery, her favorite game to play is "hide behind the play kitchen and wait patiently for another child to come up to it and then push it over on them and laugh really hard." This game is only made worse by the fact that she is quite literally the size of a large peanut and can easily fool other children because they can't even see her behind the large toy.

She loves to hide things from her loved ones. Once she hid a very small key to a music box I had given my mother and after we searched the entire house for it and said "Where's the key Vivie?" she immediately laughed, ran away and then magically appeared back in the kitchen again with they key in hand 30 seconds later. We still have zero clue as to where she stashed the key for an hour.

This child is freakishly good at hide and seek. Particularly the hiding part. She finds places in this house I never knew someone could hide she can hold still and be silent while hiding like no normal two year old should be able to. I am convinced she is training herself now for all the times she will need to go on the lamb doing all of her evil genius deeds.

I am currently in a conundrum as to what to do this Friday night. You see, I'm SUPPOSED to go out with all of my girlfriends to this great Italian restaurant down the street, but I'm terrified of showing my face there because two nights ago we were at the very same restaurant and Vivie (knowing full well I was wearing my wedge sandals and could not chase her like a gazelle) RAN STRAIGHT INTO THE KITCHEN and of course LAUGHED REALLY LOUD and of course WOULDN'T COME OUT. They told me if she did it again they'd put her to work, but I'm pretty sure they meant if she did it again, we'd be asked to leave. Hence you see my problem. Evil geniuses love to put people in uncomfortable situations.

Finally, this evening while saying her goodnight prayers, she mentioned her big sister. Now this may seem non evil geniusy and very sweet but NOT IF YOU ARE PRAYING THAT YOUR BIG SISTER GETS IN BIG TROUBLE. Yes, you read that right. In the middle of prayer (in between asking for world domination and secret lairs of course) my darling sweet two year old asked "please bless Sydney get big trouble."

Seriously people, we have a problem.

A letter of apology

2009-04-16T12:00:00.000-07:00

Dear Coconut,

I'm sorry for all of the horrible things I've said about you over the years. When I said I didn't like you, I was young and naive and didn't understand your complexities and sophistication. I have seen the error of my ways. I have renounced my childish ways and vow to never slander your good name from here on out. I now see that I can no longer deny you attention in my kitchen, especially because you are such dear friends with my long time love, dark chocolate. Can you ever forgive me, coconut? Is here hope for us, yet?

DARK CHOCOLATE CHIP COCONUT CUPCAKES

This Dark Chocolate cupcake batter OR the following:

1 box of dark chocolate fudge cake mix (and ingredients to make it)
1 cup mini chocolate chips
1 tsp vanilla
2 TBS cocoa

Either make the batter I have linked or mix the cake mix, ingredients listed on the box, chocolate chips, vanilla and cocoa. Mix for 2 minutes. Line muffin cups with cupcake liners. Fill liners 2/3 full and bake at 350 for 20-22 minutes. Cool completely.

1 cup butter
4 cups powdered sugar
1/2 cup coconut milk
1/2 tsp vanilla
3 cups shredded sweetened coconut

In a small saucepan, heat coconut milk to a simmer and stir constantly. Reduce coconut milk by half. Set aside and let cool. With your whipping attachment, whip butter. Add vanilla. Add powdered sugar one cup at a time, alternating with cooled coconut milk. When combined, whip for 3-4 minutes on high. If frosting is too soft to pipe, add powdered sugar 1/4 cup at at time until right consistency is reached. If too stiff, add 1 TBS milk until reached.

Pipe onto cupcakes and take handfuls of coconut and press into still wet, soft frosting. Allow a few minutes for frosting to set, serve, and take back everything you ever said about coconut.

Suck it, Simon Cowell!

2009-04-15T16:14:00.000-07:00

Have you see this yet? Have you?! Watch it now, and watch the whole thing. It's 7 minutes long, so get cozy, but seriously, you will NOT be expecting THIS! I can't put it up here, so just click on the link and follow to YouTube.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=9lp0IWv8QZY

The singer's name is Susan Boyle and her story is something amazing as well. Here's also an article about her, read the bottom as to why she hasn't been able to follow her dream of singing until now, it will melt your heart. Congratulations, Susan for never giving up on a dream. You are inspiring! I'll buy your album the day it comes out.

Time to Stock Up

2009-04-13T19:03:00.001-07:00

For the last month, these little babies have been my reason for living....

Yes, I'm talking about the Orange Creme Cadbury Egg. Not just the regular Cadbury Egg, the Orange Creme ones. They are the awesome creamy milk chocolate of the traditional egg, but the inside is not the fondant from before. Instead it's a sweet and tangy orange flavored filling that I'm pretty sure must be made out of crack cocaine because they are probably the most addicting candy I've come across yet (and let's face it, I know my chocolate.)

Needless to say I'm a little distressed by the fact that Easter is now over and I won't see them again for another 11 months. So, if you see any on candy closeout, you better tell me. And you better give them all to me, too, because I don't like to share.

Career choices.

2009-04-07T14:21:00.000-07:00

Today Sydney informed me of this:

"I've decided that when I grow up, I want to be a mom. And.... if I can't be a mom, then I want to be a movie star."

Nice.

The winner is....

2009-04-06T09:26:00.000-07:00

..not me.

That's okay. I'm thrilled to say the the winner is my new blogging friend Snooky Doodle!

She made a fantastic cupcake and I voted for it a few times, so I'm so glad she won!

Now, I'm sure a few of you who have voted for me in the past and are always supportive of my Iron Cupcake entries are probably a bit confused. I know most of you followed it pretty closely this time and I had the largest surge of support ever this round! For most of the voting period, the cupcake with the most votes seemed to be jumping between me and another competitor. Now, as of the beginning of 2009, there is a new way they pick the winner and I was unaware of this because I did not compete in January and February. From now on out, for every vote you receive, your name gets put into a number pool and at the end of the week, they pick a number using a random integer generator. That number picked is the person who wins the prize pack.
So, the more votes you have, the better chance you have of winning the prize pack, but there's no guarantee.

Now, of course there's good and bad things about this new voting rules, but overall I think it's good. I'm happy. As some of you know, I wasn't thrilled with the way it was before because unless you were a heavy hitter in the blogosphere, you had no chance whatsoever. I think this is a good way to do it. The other great thing is that you can vote for up to 3 cupcakes and the more entries you have the better your chances! Perfect, because I'm already working on several ideas for this month.

Finally, I just want to say thank you to everyone who went to vote, got their friends to vote, made their husbands vote, made their husbands to tell their friends to vote, went to work and bribed and threatened votes out of coworkers, peddled votes on facebook.... it could go on and on. You guys are awesome!

Once again, congrats to Snooky Doodle and her Almond Lemon Anise Seed Cupcake!!

Thanks so much and if you have any special requests for this month's theme of Soda Pop, let them be heard!

Carwash

2009-04-04T18:52:00.000-07:00

So, this morning I left my husband in charge of the girls while I went to do a portrait shoot. I was gone for an hour and a half. When I came back, this is what greeted me outside on our corner lot on a very high traffic Saturday morning...

Yes, that's my two year old daughter (in nothing but her diaper) helping wash the car. Not a stitch of clothes in sight. Two feet away was her Daddy, completely aware that his daughter was now the official redneck mascot of the block. Here's the conversation that immediately occured:

"REALLY?!"

"What?"

"You couldn't put any clothes on her?"

"Why?"

"Did you really just ask me why?"

"What's the big deal?"

"Have you looked at your daughter?"

"Yeah? She's fine."

"Whatever, I'll do it myself... VIVIE! Come put clothes on!"

{Vivie} "NO! I washing!"

"Fine."

What's a mom to do except just get out the camera and let her finish?

That's good Viv, a little to the left.

Move on to Mom's car now.. Oh, you're going to use the brush? Okay, good job!

Yes, your a very big girl, are you ready for some clothes now? Yes, I see you have a big brush, that's awesome! Can we go put some clothes on? How about a dress?

Good Viv, don't forget the back. Yes, move closer to the end of the driveway where more people can see you, that would be great. Oh, don't mind that car, it was just our HOA president. Wave hello to the nice man who's probably calling Child Services right now! Okay are you done? Are you ready for some clothes? Fine, I'll just go get a dress, and bring it out here....

Rock the Vote!!!

2009-04-02T10:40:00.000-07:00

24 more hours to vote for my cupcake. I'm in the lead right now, but it keeps jumping between me and another contestant! If you haven't yet, vote for me or spread the word on your blog! For a little extra incentive:

If you are one of my local friends and I win, I'm going to celebrate with a cupcake party!! So spread the word, link it, post it on your blog! Rock the vote!

Thanks!

Cheese Sandwich

2009-04-01T11:38:00.001-07:00

I think this is the most cutest most sweetest picture of a little girl in advertising EVER!

APRIL FOOLS!! I bet I fooled you for at least a second there, right? No seriously, why is this little girl so uber creepy and why is she staring at that grilled cheese sandwich like a homicidal maniac about to go postal? Honestly, her face reminds me of Jack Nicholson in The Shining.

Actually the best April Fools joke played on me was by my parents in elementary school. When I was in like the 3rd and 4th grade I was completely obsessed with cheese sandwiches, I took them to school almost everyday. On April 1st, my mom sent me to school with a sandwich made out of fake rubber cheese. I remember biting into and trying to figure out what the heck was wrong with my sandwich! I was so confused. There was a note in my lunchbox from my parents that said "April Fools!!" I'm 30 years old and I still think it's funny....

Oh and don't worry, she sent me with a dollar hidden in my lunch box to buy school lunch so I didn't go hungry...

Last night, we got into the parents tricks by switching our girls in their beds while they were sleeping. In the morning Vivie woke up in Sydney's room and Syd woke up in Viv's toddler bed. Sydney thought it was so hilarious, she laughed for like 30 straight minutes. It was so awesome. I'm racking my brain for some more, there's gotta be another trick I can play on Sydney by dinnertime.

So, the question is, has anyone ever played a good trick on you?

Coke Zero

2009-03-31T14:40:00.000-07:00

You know when you have an entire refrigerator drawer dedicated only to your coke zero, you might have a problem. I'm thinking I might need to cut back....

All Dressed Up

2009-03-30T15:33:00.000-07:00

I needed to make a treat today for Family Night and also for a gift to give to someone. I didn't feel like cupcakes (I know- shocker) and I tossed around the idea of banana bread, but then the box of brownie mix seemed to be calling me.

Now, normally I do like to make brownies from scratch. It's really not that hard and if more than likely you have all the ingredients you need already in your pantry. For convenience (and also because I like the outcome) I like to use this recipe that is made with cocoa powder. The brownie mix, however, is always in the pantry because it's so darn easy and the kids love to help and it's there when you need to take something in a flash. I didn't feel like plain ol' brownies today, so I decided to see what I had in my pantry and jazz them up a bit.

After a quick look, I decided to incorporate the leftover white chocolate I had from my iron cupcake this month and my chocolate jimmy sprinkles. I was tempted to add in to the mix of ingredients the fantastic pecans my neighbor brought me back from Texas, but crushing and shelling pecans was just not in the time table today.

I went ahead and preheated the oven, whipped up the brownie mix, added some mini chocolate chips for a guaranteed chocolate overload and then, PANIC! I realized my 9x13 baking pan was sitting in the fridge with premade enchiladas in it for tonight's dinner. Problem was I had already made the batter.

What's a cupcake loving girl to do? Turn them into brownie cups, of course! Now, I know this is far from rocket science and no, this isn't the first time anyone has ever done this. In fact, you probably already have. But I just thought I'd share. I lined the cupcake pan with regular liners and filled them about 3/4 full. They were baked at 350 for 25 minutes and were perfect when they came out. I think that you could probably leave them at this point and sprinkle with a little powdered sugar and they would be very sweet little cakes. I wanted a little more decadent of a topping, so I melted the white chocolate in a double boiler and then drizzled HEAVILY over the cooling cups. A little sprinkle of chocolate jimmies and you are set!!

I think I'll call them my little tuxedo cups since they are black and white. I had a little batter left over and wend ahead and tried this out in a mini cupcake pan as well. They were adorable and bite sized little morsels of chocolate delight! There are tons and tons of variations you could do. This ones a keeper.

Here's your recipe!

1 brownie mix for a 9x13 pan
2 eggs
1/4 cup oil
1/2 cup water
1 cup mini semisweet chocolate chips
1 cup white chocolate
chocolate jimmies

Preheat oven to 350. Mix together mix, eggs, oil, water and chips until well combined. Line muffin cups with liners. Fill liners about 2/3 full and bake for about 25 minutes. Toothpick should come out with moist crumbs. Let cool. While cooling, melt white chocolate in double boiler. Transfer to a ziploc bag and snip end. Drizzle white chocolate on top of brownie cups and sprinkle with jimmies. Enjoy!!

VOTE FOR ME!!!

2009-03-29T20:37:00.000-07:00

Hey Everyone!

The voting for the Iron Cupcake is now open and will stay open until Friday. Vote for me! To vote, click on the Iron Cupcake icon to the right --------------------------------->>>>>

On the right hand side of that blog, just scroll down to The Vanessa Contessa, select me, scroll down some more and hit submit. It'll take you less than 10 seconds.

Spread the word!

Thanks!!

Iron Cupcake March: Nuts and Seeds

2009-03-23T15:22:00.000-07:00

I haven't been entering the Iron Cupcake for the last few months due to time constraints and being completely uninspired from the secret ingredient. However I knew no matter what I would do this month. When the ingredient Nuts and Seeds was announced my first inclination was to go with peanut butter since it happens to be one of the most delicious substances on the face of the earth, but after thinking about it for a while I decided to take on a new challenge for myself. That challenge being coconut. You see, aside from the very exceptional coconut curry, I just don't really like it very much. I like the IDEA of it, and the different flavor combinations that can arise from mixing it with other things I like, but coconut alone just doesn't get me all a twitter. So, there was my own personal challenge. Next, I was a little worried that the Coconut wouldn't really be considered a nut or seed (even though it totally and completely is) and I thought what better to go with my coconut craze than my favorite of all nuts, the macadamia (manna from heaven, sweet nectar of life!) Finally, I had a huge crop of meyer lemons to utilize and then it hit me; like Dr. Frankenstein, I have given birth to a monster....

Macadamia Coconut Cupcakes with Meyer Lemon Filling and White Chocolate Buttercream

I first started by making a crust for the bottom of my cupcake with macadmia nuts. This year, it's all about the cupcake with a crust at my house. I wasn't going to waste this opportunity to make one with the most perfect nut on earth.

Macadamia nut crust

1 cup (4 ounces) macadamias
1/2 cup vanilla cookies
2 tablespoons sugar
2 tablespoons butter or margarine, melted

For starters grind your macadamias very fine with a food processor.

Next, you'll want to grind your vanilla cookies. Now, when I go to this point I realized I didn't have any regular old 'nilla wafers in the house and I didn't want to use graham crackers because, well, they woul just be too grahamy (yes, totally word.) The next best substitutes I had was these... WARNING... piglet and 100 acre wood lovers beware, these little cuties are going in the food processor... sorry Pooh Bear.

Finally, add 2 TBS of melted butter and mix all together. Spoon about 1 TBS of the mixture into the bottom of each paper liner and press down using the bottom of a thin glass. Bake in the oven at 350 for 10 minutes. Remove and cool.

Next, make your Lemon Filling, this needs time to chill, so make it now and it can be cooling off while your making the batter and buttercream.

Meyer Lemon Filling

1 cup granulated sugar
4 tablespoons cornstarch
1/2 teaspoon salt
1 cup water
2 tablespoons grated lemon rind
1/2 cup lemon juice
2 tablespoons butter

Mix all ingredients in saucepan. Bring to boil; boil 1 minute, stirring constantly. Remove from heat and chill before using. I chill it in the fridge.

Now it's time for the cupcakes. Now, for these bad boys you need coconut milk and DESCICATED coconut. This took me for FOREVER to find. I finally found it at a little natural foods shop here under the name of macaroon coconut. Basically you are looking for coconut that is unsweetened and very dry and ground very fine. Now, since my real issue with coconut is it's texture, I ground it even finer and it eliminated any feeling of the coconut in the cupcake and just left the mellow sweet taste. Perfect.

Coconut cupcake

3/4 cup of unsalted butter, room temperature
1 1/4 cup of sugar
3 eggs, room temperature
1 cup of canned coconut milk
1 teaspoon of vanilla extract
2 1/4 cups of flour
1 teaspoon of salt
1 teaspoon of baking powder
1/2 cup of desiccated coconut, ground to a powder

Combine butter and sugar together. Add eggs, milk and vanilla. Sift together flour, salt, baking powder and add to the wet mixture. Add coconut and stir just enough to combine. Fill the crust filled paper liners about 2/3 full and bake at 350 for an additional 20-22 minutes. Cool completely.

Now it's the time to make the frosting.

Now, I need to digress here just a moment and express my love and devotion for the one true cupcake topping: Buttercream. Sure, there are a lot of other toppings out there. Some are lame and gross and have no business topping a treat with the word 'cake' in the title (like anything made with yogurt, soy or jam, sorry people, this ain't no muffin!) Some are extra delicious and fancy and use cool culinary words like ganache or meringue, and I have tried these out and used them myself. But I'm hear to tell you now I'm a buttercream girl through and through and, with the very slim execption of cream cheese frosting (that's totally better when it's also made with butter) I just really think it's buttercream or bust. One of my absolute favorite buttercream's is below:

White Chocolate Buttercream

1 cup butter, softened (no subs)
4 cups confectioners' sugar
6 ounces white chocolate or white baking bar, melted and cooled
3-5 tablespoons milk

Whip butter til very smooth. Add the white chocolate. Slowly start adding powdered sugar and milk alternating. Once all incorporated, turn mixer on high and whip for about 5 minutes. Set aside for piping.

We're ready for assembly. In order to fill these cupcakes I used a highly sophisticated and very very exclusive kitchen tool. The ownership of said tool requires a bit of a price, that being the proper care of feeding of another human being for the next 18 years. You might have seen one of these before, in fact you might own one...

Yep, it's a baby spoon. Now, use the baby spoon to cut a small round piece out of the top of the cupcake and hollow out. Use ANOTHER baby spoon (yeah, I know your impressed that I've got not one, but TWO of these puppies) to fill the hollow space with your lemon filling. Use the piece you've hollowed out to retop the cupcakes and create a surface to frost, like the picture below:

Now, frost your cupcakes with the white chocolate buttercream and top with shredded coconut and salted chopped macadamia nuts (salted is the key here-- YUMMY!)

Overall, these cupcakes turned out better than I expected. Like I said before, I'm not really a coconut girl and I still found these very yummy. I think the key is the ground coconut and the coconut milk. They add the flavor without any of the awkward texture. My hubby referred to them as culinary dynamite and I have a few friends who love coconut and couldn't get enough. I also think the lemon filling creates a really nice refreshing bite to the other mellow flavors. And I mean, come on, there's a crust made out of freakin' macadamia nuts... seriously how could it be bad?

Here's the final shot and an inside look:

Now, what I really need are your votes!!! The voting will open March 29th and I will post the link here!!! Tell everyone you know to vote for me! My cupcake this moth really does rock and if I win, here's all the super cool stuff I'll get (not to mention the most awesomest bragging rights EVER.)

Exclusively for the month of March, the prized selected are:

A Bunnycake Easter Plushie by DOGBONEART, http://www.etsy.com/view_listing.php?listing_id=21636297 .
A whimsical piece by CAKEASAURUS, http://www.etsy.com/shop.php?user_id=5729584 .
as well as a pair of cupcake earrings from LOTS OF SPRINKLES at http://www.etsy.com/shop.php?user_id=5729584 .
a collection of all new printed cupcake liners, 200 in all from Sweet Cuppin' Cakes Cupcakery, http://www.acupcakery.com/
PLUS, IronCupcake:Earth can not forget our good friend, CAKESPY, http://www.etsy.com/shop.php?user_id=5243382, who is now going to be doing a piece for our winner each month until further notice - sweet!

Plus every month, the winner receives:

HEAD CHEFS by FIESTA PRODUCTS, http://www.fiestaproducts.com,
HELLO CUPCAKE by Karen Tack and Alan Richardson, http://blog.hellocupcakebook.com , JESSIE STEELE APRONS http://www.jessiesteele.com ; (I want one of these SO BAD!!)
TASTE OF HOME books, http://www.tasteofhome.com;
a t-shirt from UPWITHCUPCAKES.COM http://www.upwithcupcakes.com/.
Iron Cupcake:Earth is sponsored in part by 1-800-Flowers, http://www.1800flowers.com .

I'm BaAck!

2009-03-23T15:15:00.000-07:00

That's right people. Let the awesome blogginess flow. I never finished my two projects, in fact I think I might have started two extra, but hey, I needed a place to put my Iron cupcake entry for this month, so we begin again.

Tomorrow, Iron Cupcake.

Hiatus

2009-01-25T20:21:00.001-08:00

Alright,

That's it. Life has officially broken me and I have to cry "Uncle" somewhere. The blog is going on a little vacation while I finish two other hugemongous (yes, it's totally a word) projects. I promise an Iron Cupcake Entry at the end of February and something else that I hope you'll be as excited about as I am. For now, that's it. But, I'll leave you with this....

Yes, you read it right. Canned vegetable jello pie with a TARTAR SAUCE garnish...

You totally have permission to go throw up now.

Who knew JELLO was priceless?

2009-01-08T17:57:00.000-08:00

So, apparently you can't buy desserts like these, and admittedly, I'm a little relieved (with the exception of the Chocolate Cream Pie, of course.) Peppermint Souffle?! It's killing me.... I mean with ad even promising that it tastes as good as it looks, I can't help myself, it's too funny.

A battle of epic proportions

2008-12-31T17:13:00.000-08:00

VS.

Lately there has been some debate among a few select people in my life of who would be left standing in an epic battle between Jason Bourne and Batman. Now, I love Batman as much as the next girl, but if it comes right down to it, I'm pretty sure Bourne would come out victorious. Now, in order to prove this, I have gathered some neutral and very extensive research for you to consider.

(click chart to enlarge)

Here is how I envision it going down: Batman and Jason Bourne meet in a dark alley. While Batman is waiting for Bourne to monologue, Bourne uses a trash can lid and a discarded turkey-leg to pummel Batman and take his utility belt. When Batman goes for his Batarang to finish off Bourne, Bourne delivers a swift kick to Batman's neck-bone. Bourne then takes Batman's wallet and looks in it. Bourne discovers that Batman is, in fact, Bruce Wayne. He tells Wayne that he knows where he lives; and if he tries to follow him he will "bring the fight to Wayne Manor." Bourne then mounts the bat-pod motorcyle (to go finish off the joker) and rides a wheelie down the street while this plays in the background.

Now, you may agree and you may not. Either way, go vote for the ultimate winner here.

Temecula with the Becula (I'm practically Emily Dickinson)

2008-12-27T15:07:00.000-08:00

Okay, should be working out RIGHT NOW, but I'm not, I'm blogging my trip to Old Town Temecula with Becca and my mom yesterday. Old Town is just a quaint little main street of shops, botiques, foodie stores with all kinds of yummies and doodads that make you want to splurge on everything just so you can have complete buyers remorse when you get home. The theme is pretty much of an old western town. We started off our little excursion with (of course) a Salted Caramel Hot Chocolate from Starbucks (manna from heaven sweet nectar of life!!)

We popped in and out of shops and I found out that Rebbecca has an almost unhealthy obsession with Train sets. Here she is in her FAVORITE shop of the street. It's a train shop.

That's okay, because here's my favorite shop.

Yes, that's right, The Bank of Mexican Food. I think I would like to open an account there in the near future.

After browsing for while, Becca lead us down a side street to go here:

and apparently this was really the main reason we came. Yes, we drove 45 minutes for Nuts. But hey- like the sign says They're the hottest nuts in town.

Here are some more eye candy from trip. I have to say my favorite find of the day is the Loch Nessa Monster Topiary. I think he belongs in my yard (considering I spent the majority of my adolescense being called "Nessie.")

Becca left today and we are bummed. We miss her already. Come back soon, Bec!!

Peace on Earth

2008-12-24T09:09:00.000-08:00

I heard the bells on Christmas Day
Their old, familiar carols play,
And wild and sweet
The words repeat
Of peace on earth, good-will to men!

And thought how, as the day had come,
The belfries of all Christendom
Had rolled along
The unbroken song
Of peace on earth, good-will to men!

Till ringing, singing on its way,
The world revolved from night to day,
A voice, a chime,
A chant sublime
Of peace on earth, good-will to men!

Then from each black, accursed mouth
The cannon thundered in the South,
And with the sound
The carols drowned
Of peace on earth, good-will to men!

It was as if an earthquake rent
The hearth-stones of a continent,
And made forlorn
The households born
Of peace on earth, good-will to men!

And in despair I bowed my head;
“There is no peace on earth,” I said;
“For hate is strong,
And mocks the song
Of peace on earth, good-will to men!”

Then pealed the bells more loud and deep:
“God is not dead, nor doth He sleep;
The Wrong shall fail,
The Right prevail,
With peace on earth, good-will to men.”

-Henry Wadsworth Longfellow

Merry Christmas Everyone! I hope peace and happiness find you today where ever you may be as we celebrate the birth of our Savior.

-Vanessa

It's beginning to look a lot like cupcakes...

2008-12-22T16:31:00.001-08:00

Every year I try to make a new set of handmade ornaments and this year I knew I couldn't let the season slip by without attempting to make a cupcake look alike. I think they turned out pretty good. What do you think? They look perfect on my candy themed tree and Sydney had a great time helping me and hanging them. I also gave a few away as gifts to a few friends who I knew would appreciate a little cupcake in their holidays. I think I'll try to make some more next year in different colors. I thought they would be so sweet given away as a set of 6 in a little truffle box.

Here's what I did in case you'd like to make some for yourself.

Ingredients (supplies)

12 1 1/4 diameter styrofoam balls
1 packet of silver or gold bon bon liners
hot glue (lots and lots of hot glue)
1 tube of white latex caulking
caulking gun
sparkles in your choice of colors
plastic pony beads in matching colors to sparkles
ribbon, coil or fishing line to thread and hang ornament

1. First cut the styrofoam balls in half so you have 25 semi-spheres.

2. Heat up glue gun.

3. Fill bottom of foil bon bon wrapper with hot glue and press one of them semi-spheres down into it. Set asid and allow to cool and harden.

4. Using the caulking gun, pipe latex caulking onto styrofoam bon bons. In order to get it to "pipe" nicely, make sure you cut a fairly large hole for the caulking and cut it at more than a 45 degree angle.

5. Immediately decorate with glitter (or your 'sprinkles')

6. Top with a pony bead. VERY gently press the pony bead into the caulking, do not press too hard or it will sink. Also, make sure to place the bead so the holes of the bead are running sideways so you will be able to thread hanging wire through it.

7. Warm oven to 175 degrees. Place ornaments in oven and let them "bake" for about 2 to 3 hours. Let them cool, thread your hanging line or ribbon and your are set!

I chose to do traditional Christmas red and green, but you could do any color combo here. Wouldn't pink and silver glitter with pink beads look cute? I was afraid they wouldn't look realistic enough, but my fears have been eliminated since I just received a call from a dear friend informing me their three year old attempted to take a bite! Enjoy!

9

2008-12-17T00:42:00.000-08:00

Nine years ago today I married the most amazing man in the world. I still can't believe I got so lucky. Seriously people! He is my best friend and I'm also completely nuts about him. He puts up with all my crap and also doesn't let me get away with anything. He's handsome and smart and funny and strong and a good man. AND knows how to fix things and will, no matter the cost, always try to make me the happiest I can be. Seriously, could a girl like me ask for anything more? I really can't.

We met in college and I must tell you that he was completely head over heels for me the moment he even laid eyes on me, and I mean bad... (or at least I'd like to think so.)
All I know is that it only took one date for me to realize I was officially tainted from all other guys. No one could ever compare again and no one ever has.

We're not a mucho romantic couple who make big grandiose statements of love and affection. Today there will be no roses or candlelight dinners or endless claims of endearment, probably more like some In and Out Burger, sarcasm and a quick trip down memory lane. You know what? I wouldn't have it any other way. You are the best thing that ever happened to me and I shudder to think of my life without you. I love you, Jon. Everyday. Forever. You make me so happy. Thank you for 9 amazing years and hopefully 99 more.

Santa Bribes...

2008-12-10T21:58:00.000-08:00

Chocolate Cupcakes with Candy Cane Buttercream Icing

Trust me, put these bad boys out for the big man and he'll make sure your on the nice list! So fast, so easy and SO YUMMY! Enjoy!

1 box chocolate cake mix
1/2 cup butter-softened
1 1/3 cup water
3 eggs

Mix together at medium speed for 2 minutes, fill cupcake liners 2/3 full and bake at 350 for 22 minutes. Cool completely.

1 cup butter room temperature
1/2 teaspoon vanilla
2 cups powdered sugar
3 tablespoons of milk
3 candy canes

Remove candy canes from wrapper and place in heavy duty ziploc bag. With rolling pin or hammer, completely crush candy canes, I mean seriously pulverize them into dust. Set aside.

Whip butter and vanilla. Alternately add powdered sugar and milk. If too thin add more sugar, if too thick add more milk until you get a nice spreadable consistency. Add crushed candy cane and whip for 2 minutes. Pipe onto cooled cupcakes and decorate with sprinkles or crushed candy cane dust. YUM!

Giveaway

2008-12-03T07:14:00.000-08:00

My friend Amy is having a giveaway and she's the awesomest of awesome. Seriously go check it out and enter. She is the nicest girl and makes the absolute cutest stuff. She's giving away four unique and different prizes. My favorite has to be the black and white zipper pouch.

Why are you still reading? Click the link already!

Oh Christmas Tree

2008-12-02T14:56:00.001-08:00

Well, I spent the majority of my weekend dragging the 12 GIANT tupperware containers out of the attic that are dedicated to all things Christmas. We've got everything in there...stuff for trees, stuff for the outside, stuff for the kitchen, stuff I plan to put up one day but because it doesn't match anything else it doesn't go up, books, Christmas hats, stuffed animals. My husband calls them the Christmas bombs. He leaves the house and when he gets back it looks like a devious decorating warhead has mushroom clouded over our home and brought with it all things chochkie. Nevertheless, he puts up with it because hey, it's Christmas! So, I thought I'd share with you some of my favorite items from the 12 deadly tupperwares and my favorite Tree Ornaments.

These two books make it out at Christmastime. I love them both.

Next, my angel collection always makes an appearance. I have always been drawn to Christmas angels. I think because in the nativity story, I try to imagine how Mary and Joseph must have felt after they were visited by angels and how the shepards felt to be told of Christ's birth. I have quite a diverse collection, some are quite old, but I look for a new one every year.

This JOY train was in my home growing up, so it's my little piece of nostalgia. It always reminds me of my own Christmases as a little girl. You are supposed to put little candles in the top, but I have hunted for over 5 years for candles to fit and can't find them anywhere.

Even though I live in southern CA, I can't have Christmas without pine cones! These sit in my garden window. The red sled my friend Adri made me several years back when I was still in VA, I bet she doesn't even know I still own it and put it out every year. It reminds me of when I lived there.

This is what the girls stockings look like. I am completely in love with them! They look like little elf feet! My stocking says the work PEACE across the top. That one is specifically for me. It's my little reminder to slow down and really FEEL the season.

Now on to my tree. When I first got married, my mother gave me all the ornaments from what we called the "candy tree." Growing up we always had two trees in my home. The front room tree and the candy tree. The front room tree was always the most exquisite thing you had ever seen. It looked like it belonged in the windows of Bergdorff's or Nordstrom's. My mom would spend day's putting it together and the theme changed every couple years or so. It was beautiful. She still to this day always has the most beautifully decorated tree I have ever seen each year. Then in our back room, we had the candy tree. It was always nicely done, but just much more whimsical. The theme was completley and totally candyland and everything looked as though you could just pick it right off the tree and eat it. I loved it. As part of my trousseau, my mother passed the candy tree onto me. Over the last 9 years, it's taken on a bit of a life of its own. It's not so much all candy (though that is a pretty prevalent theme) it's just more all things nostalgic Christmas. Every year I try to update the candy pieces since many of them have begun to fall apart, but now there are are some very different ornaments. Here are some of my favorite:

These aren't favorites yet, but they are the newest. Each year I get my daughters ornaments that remind me of them. Genevieve this year recieved a golden carousel pony (she's obsessed with all things pony) and Sydney recieved a princess slipper--for obvious reasons.

We also have little bells all over our tree. These are my wedding bells. At my wedding, we gave these ornaments as favors and whenever anyone would ring a bell, we would have to kiss. They make me smile because I remember that amazing day. Needless to say we did a lot of kissing.

We have Santas and pictures and presents and candy trains

And Candy Garland

And all things peppermint striped

And Sydney's very favorite, handblown glass figurines of all the Nutcracker Ballet characters

AND my tree is MAGIC. Did you know that? Yep, it's full of Christmas Elf magic. See, we have a special portal to Santa. This little letter tube is a direct line to the toy man himself. My daughter writes her Christmas letter to Santa and slips it inside and in the morning, IT'S GONE! Magically transported straight to the North Pole mail room. It's pretty amazing, I know...

Probably my most favorite thing we have on the tree is my Christmas book ornaments. These little books ar a reading advent calendar. Everynight we sit down together as a family and read one of the little Christmas books and then hang it on the tree. It could have poems. little stories; some well known (like rudolf) and some not. On December 24th, the little book contains 'Twas the Night Before Christmas and on Christmas day we read the last and biggest ornament which contains the nativity story. This has turned into such a wonderful family tradition and is becoming more and more exciting each year as my girls get older.

And it's all topped off with a big giant bow!

So, now I ask you, what are your traditions? Blog your tree and decorations and let me know!

Stumble Upon

2008-11-24T15:14:00.000-08:00

I usually browse with FireFox and they have a fun little app called "stumble upon." Basically you put in a bunch of your likes, hobbies, interests and hit stumble and it will bring you to the most random things on the web. I'm completely addicted to it. Particularly when I really should be doing work or pulling my kids off each other. It's just another arsenal in my war with procrastination. Anyway, here a few great gems I cam across today... you can come across almost anything, but here's what caught my eye this time around.

1. www.xkcd.com-- Hilarious sarcastic comics like the ones below, some are not PG shall we say, so be prepared:

2. http://heritage.stsci.edu/gallery/gallery.html
This a gallery of images from the Hubble telescope. They are so beautiful. I can't stop looking at them. Our universe is amazing. I feel so small and at the same to so completely significant when I look at images like this.

3. http://www.philosopher.org.uk/
Ever wonder what idealism is or who on earth Kierkegaard was? Here's a little cliff notes on philosophy. It's pretty interesting.

The Agony and the Ectasy

2008-11-22T18:36:00.001-08:00

Agony being our horrible loss to that lame excuse for a university in the north... Why on earth were they even allowed to come into contact with the ball that much! Ridiculous! I can't talk about it, my heart hurts too much!

Ecstasy being the terrific time I had this weekend with my friends and my cousin Rhonda. My cousin and I didn't see much of each other growing up and now we have the opportunity to reconnect. Believe it or not, I am so grateful to Facebook for being the major facilitator in this whole thing and on a whim, Rhonda came down to see the movie Twilight with me and my book club. We had the best time. We saw the movie twice in less than 24 hours, had a great lunch date with my mom, she was able to meet all of my dear friends and I sincerely hope she had as much fun as I did. I know all my book club buddies thought she was teriffic and figure if she can handle all of us for a night she can handle anything! Come back soon, girl! We need to have some more fun!

Now, as promised, here's my little Twilight review (admit it, you've been checking this blog with anticipation for DAYS!)

After seeing the movie at the midnight release, I didn't exactly know what to think of the whole thing. There were things I loved and things I loathed, but after seeing it for a second time (in less that 24 hours mind you) I have finally made up my mind. I {mostly} liked it!

After the midnight showing, I left the theater feeling a little underwhelmed. There were certainly things I liked. The scenery was beautiful and gorgeous and just how green I imagined it would be. The people were all for the most part beautiful, too. And as far as following the book, I have to say it did that pretty well, too. However, so much of the scenes did not live up to their potential. In fact, after a completely botched meadow scene and some horribly laughable special effects I kinda checked out for a little while. There was enough interest and tension to draw me back in, but I ultimately came out slightly dissapointed due a few things. First, (at first glance) lack of humor. These books are funny. So much of that was gone and what seemed all to be left was a poorly developed teen angst movie. Gone is the witty banter between Edward and Bella and the few but terrific playful interaction between the Cullen's as a family. Second, due to all the teen angst, low budget effects and some cringingly unfortunate over acting, the movie tends lean more towards an after school special in a few moments. I came out really just thinking that although it wasn't awful and I had been entertained, I couldn't help but wonder about what could've been.
The second time was another story. I went in knowing what I was getting myself into. No unrealistic expectations this time lead me to relax a bit more and enjoy a lot of what I had missed the first go around. There were very subtle jokes and small character ticks I hadn't picked up on the first time that seemed more natural and fitting to the characters in the book. I also knew just when to grit my teeth and hold my breath for the next few moments and try my best to completely ignore the certain parts that sent me cringing. I came out the second time through really REALLY liking it. So, my advice to you is be prepard. Be prepard for some cheese, be prepared for some angst and be prepared for some fun, because in the end, that's really what it was, just fun. To me, it's not the most perfect representation of the book, but it certainly was neat to see a few parts of it come to life.

SPOILER ALERT!!
Now, in the spirit of the boy scouts, here is my list of the 10 most important things to be prepared for when you go to this movie:
10. Be prepared for giggling and sighing teenage girls. They are everywhere. They're even IN the movie, not just surrounding you!
9. Be prepared for Charlie Swan (Bella's father) to completely steal the movie. He was hilarious and very well played.
8. Be prepared for Jessica Stanley. She is perfect.
7. Be prepared to not know where Jasper is, but wonder what on earth that strange blond boy who's trying to act like Edward Scissor Hands is doing with Alice and what he even has to to with this movie.
6. Be prepared for Jacob Black's smile to be the cutest thing you've ever seen
5. Be prepared to witness everything we hoped for in the awesomeness of Vampire Baseball
4. Be prepared for a lot of unnecessary tree climbing on the part of Edward--WHAT is up with that?!
3. Be prepared for tension. Kristen Stewart and Rob Pattinson deliver on the tension (just not all the time on the acting.)
2. Be prepared for some very messed up key book moments-- like as in they totally ruined it. But also be prepared for some great ones and even some new elements I even wish had been in the book in the first place.
1. Be prepared for New Moon! The screen writer has been contracted and the leads have signed back on! You know I'll be there-- probably twice.

Busy little baby...

2008-11-20T12:15:00.000-08:00

Okay, I totally get that this little gem of blogging amusement has stayed dormant for too many weeks. All of a sudden things exploded here with 10 bazillion (yes, I said bazillion) things to do and I was completely overwhelmed with election (and then after) that I didn't get anything done. HOWEVER, I did have a really cute witch show up at my house on Halloween, wanna see?

And it just so happened that Snow White stopped by too (and for some reason she insisted on walking around with a white pumpkin all night... what can I say, it's awesome to be 5)

In case your wondering what else is going on, it's a big weekend. First there's this...

And at exactly 11:59 pm this evening I'll be sitting in theater waiting for Edward and Bella awesomeness to wash over me (AND I'll be with my cousin Rhonda who's flying in too see this with me--which totally ups the awesomness to epic proportions.)

And then Saturday there is this...

You're goin' down Big Red! The hype is over... we all know you're riding a sham of superiority. Go Blue!

and, I promise something EXCITING next week.

Cupcake Hero: Squash

2008-10-30T14:30:00.000-07:00

If you look over to the right, you'll see a new little cute cupcake icon. That's because, as of this month, I have decided to become a cupcake hero baker! Similar to the Iron Cupcake, I'll be assigned an ingredient each month and then bake a cupcake around that ingredient. They are all posted on the website and a winner will be announced each month. I figure if I have yet another reason to make cupcakes I should probably do it. I am SO exciteed for cupcake hero. The past ingredients have been so fun and the caliber of the entries are amazing. I can't wait for the months to come!

This month's ingredient is squash. I thought I'd try to find some insane crazy squash to use, but then I have been having dreams of a dark chocolate pumpkin cupcake even before the ingredient was announced (more on that later.) When I got to the market, the variety was so exciting I decided I couldn't just settle for plain ol' pumpkin. After perusing the winter vegetable aisle for a bit, I finally decided on a Castilla Squash.

I'm going to be honest, I think these are pretty much the same thing as a "cinderella" or "fairytale" pumpkins. They look something like this. In fact, the Castilla Squash not only looks just like a fairytale pumpkin, but the flesh is identical as well as the taste. So if any of you out there know defnitely if they are the same or not, let me know, but as of now, I'm going with yes.

(Here's a fairytale pumpkin)

(Here's my Castilla Squash--see what I mean?)

Now, back to my dream. About 6 weeks ago, I quite literally started dreaming about a pumpking cupcake with a whipped dark chocolate ganache. I woke up the next morning and told my husband all about it, thinking he'd be thrilled for me. He wasn't. He was pretty much terrified that I am now dreaming of cupcakes as well as spending the majority of my days planning them, baking them and searching the web for them at all times.

This cake has evolved since the dream a bit, mainly because I have a friend who has requested that all my future cupcakes come with a cookie crust of some kind ever since my Key Lime Cupcake. (See, Michael-- that's how much I care.) I have to say, the cookie crust really makes this one for me. The texture is what is so fantastic.

As I was baking up this recipe and contemplating my castilla squash/fairytale pumpkin debate, I couldn't help but think that if I had been Cinderella and had this pumpkin, there wouldn't have been a way to get me to the ball because my coach would have already been roasted down and pureed for this little cupcake o' heaven right here. I am now entirely convinced the only reason Cinderella went to that ball is because there wasn't any dark chocolate in the house and she needed to find a dessert buffet to drown her sorrows. Sorry, Princie, you were just a close second. Who REALLY wants to dance around all night in glass shoes anyway? Hello...can you say blisters?!

So, for all you fairytale lovers out there, I give you my cupcake squash creation in which I call:

The "Better than the Ball" Fairytale Cupcake:

Cookie Crust
1/2 package chocolate sandwich cookies
1/3 cup melted butter

Cake
2 cups all-purpose flour
2 teaspoons baking powder
1 teaspoon cinnamon
1/4 teaspoon nutmeg
1/4 teaspoon ginger
1/4 teaspoon salt
1/2 cup softened butter
1 1/4 cups sugar
2 eggs
1 teaspoon vanilla extract
1 cup pumpkin or squash puree**

Ganache
1/2 cup half and half (or heavy cream)
6 ounces of bittersweet or semi sweet chocolate-chopped ( I say either here, because not everyone is a fan of bittersweet)
1/4 cup powdered sugar

For cookie crust: Take apart and scoop cream out of sandwich cookies. Process in a food processor until fine crumbs. Melt butter. Stir butter into crumbs until thoroughly combined. Place about a tablespoon into each cupcake liner and press down. Set aside.

Heat the oven to 350º and line a 12-cup muffin tin with bake cups. In a large mixing bowl, stir together the flour, baking powder, cinnamon, nutmeg, ginger, and salt. Set the mixture aside.

In a separate mixing bowl, stir together the butter and sugar. Whisk in the eggs and stir in the vanilla extract.

Pour the wet ingredients over the dry ingredients and gently stir the mixture until well combined.

Stir the pumpkin into the batter until it is thoroughly combined. Spoon the batter into the cookie pressed liners. Bake for 20 minutes Let the cupcakes sit in the tin for 10 minutes and then remove to a rack to cool thoroughly.

For Ganache: In a small saucepan combine cream and chocolate. Cook and stir over low until melted and combined. Transfer to a small glass bowl, let cool until thickened. Add powdered sugar and whip until thick and spreadable. Spread/pipe onto cooled cupcakes.

**To make pumpkin puree: Roast or steam squash until very soft. Scrape out of skin. Place in food processor and pulse until very smooth.

This is so delicious, I promise you'll love it. It's the perfect flavor and texture combination of pumpkin and chocolate. The cookie crust is crumbly and crunchy, the cake is dense and moist and the whipped ganache is rich and creamy. One bite and you'll never be able to look at Cinderella's coach the same way again.

2

2008-10-26T20:43:00.000-07:00

Vivie is two today. Her birthday gets to me in a way Sydney's never does. I think some of it has to do with her being my last baby. I also think a lot of it has to do with the circumstances in which she was born.

Two years ago I was diagnosed with severe pre-eclampsia and put on complete bedrest at the 29th week of my pregnancy. I mean complete. I wasn't even allowed to shower or go to the bathroom unaccompanied for fear of my blood pressure spiking and going into seizure. The bed rest didn't really work and soon I was so swollen I had feet that looked like this.

(Yes, those are flip flop impressions)

One day, at week 32 I couldn't feel my daughter moving anymore, so I went down to the doctor's for a check. They immediately admitted me into the hospital for what I thought was observation only to find out I wouldn't be leaving. I delivered my daughter 24 hours later.

About 20 hours after delivery, I went into liver failure. More specifically I went into a rare and serious condition called HELLP. My husband was told not to expect his wife to live out the day. HELLP has no cure. There is no way to prevent it. For most women, it comes on before the baby is born and the only remedy is to deliver the baby and hope that stops the onset. For some of us very lucky few, it happens post delivery, there is nothing to do but wait. Luckily, my body responded and healed itself (albiet VERY slowly) and luckily my baby received the care she needed and spent only 2 weeks in the NICU before I brought her home.

Believe it or not, I do feel like the luckiest girl in the world. Many of my close friends know the entire ordeal I went through to get Genevieve here. In fact, we joke about it quite often in a way that only I can do. However, what I don't really talk about is just how scary the whole thing really was. I think it's too much to actually talk about sometimes, but I have also realized that I never really did. I spent most of those terrifying hours sedated and medicated due to the severe pain, but when I was lucid, I knew deep down just how grave the situation had become. I remember on several occasions just praying to God to let me hold my baby or let me see my Sydney.

Vivie taught me something before she was even born. I learned that no one on this earth should ever take having a child or having an easy pregnancy for granted. (So for those of you who have easy pregnancies and easily conceive-- count your lucky stars every day!) I also learned that you can love someone else so much that you can quite literally fight death off knowing that that person is waiting for you and needs you. I also learned that my capacity for loving my children is larger than I ever thought possible, that if my husband, my girls and I could make it through that horrible ordeal, we can figure out how to make it through anything. I remember this when she's tested my limits to the very end on any given day. I remember this when Sydney begs for one more round of princess tea party. I TRY to remember it when my "sweet little angels" are screaming and fighting over each other's my little ponies.

Today, I just want to say how happy I am so have my Vivie. She makes me smile every day. I love when she wakes up in the morning and I love when she gives me snuggles and kisses at night. I even love her during the day when she is secretly plotting world domination (seeing as how she is such an evil genius.)

I love you Genevieve. Happy Birthday.

Voting is Open!!

2008-10-26T07:38:00.000-07:00

The voting is now open for this month Iron Cupcake. My entry, The Honey Jack, turned out pretty well. Take a minute to vote for me!

http://www.mkecupcakequeen.blogspot.com/

Tag.

2008-10-20T17:19:00.000-07:00

Well, it's happened. I've finally been tagged. I've considered myself lucky up until this point at avoiding all tag related blogging, but my dear friend Erin has finally done it. (She is my dear friend because if it was anyone else I'd probably ignore the whole thing!) I've come away still pretty lucky, though because this certain one doesn't ask 137 excruciatingly self absorbed and mundane questions, it just asks for 7 quirks no one knows about you.

I have to say I can't think of too many things, which scares me because I might be living a little too open book for my own taste (and probably for the taste everyone around me.)

Here they are, my crazy quirks:

1. My hands get really hot when I'm tired or sleeping. Not just a little warm; REALLY HOT. The joke in my family is that I might spontaneously combust if I don't get to bed soon. They get so hot, Jon can't even stand it when I touch him with them because he is afraid I'll burn right through his clothes. He even begged for us to buy a king size bed so when we're sleeping my hands won't accidentally come into his space and sweat him out. (Yes, I know, the thrill is gone.)
I have been approached by several clandestine governments about my powerful hands, but I feel as if my gift could never be used for evil.

2. I went through a few years where I told everyone I hated Jane Austen and all of her works. This was a flat out lie. I never hated Austen. In fact, I secretly read Pride and Prejudice in my room when no one else was around. I just didn't want to be ONE MORE girl in love with Austen's characters and particularly Mr. Darcy. I have, however, repented of my Austen denial. I am currently in more in love with Mr. Darcy than ever.

3. In high school, my friend Chris Gonzales gave me the nickname "squirrel toes." This is on account of the fact that I have some of the shortest, stubbiest toes known to mankind. Sometimes I'M not even sure if they have the right amount of joints in them they are so short. Many people had a grand time calling me the rodent related pedial nickname. Once I told Jon about it, thinking I had found a confidant, but he only proceeded to call me 'squirrel toes' everyday for the next year and a half.

4. I love to eat low carb cheeseburgers. No, I am not on any kind of low carb diet. Basically, I have decided that the bread is completely superfluous to the meat, cheese, lettuce and tomato goodness and I don't want it anywhere near my cardiac nightmare of nirvana. In fact, I'd inject In 'n Out Burger's double double animal style straight into my veins if possible, but since it is not, I prefer to eat it 'protein style' (a.k.a without the bun) in order to get all the full effect of all the yummy goodness.

5. I actually think I look kinda cute when I wear really heavy eye make up and dark lipstick. I know that I give off a Morticia Adams vibe (and in fact my father calls me the daughter of darkness) when I do so, but there's something about out that I think looks cute on me. I have decided that this means there is a little goth girl who never got the chance to come out during the awkward teen years so once in a while she reminds me she's still there.

6. I get REALLY carsick. It hasn't been too bad the last few years, but it used to be so extreme that when I was in college I would actually cancel or turn down dates if I found out my date was not driving and we would be riding in the back seat and we were going farther than 15 miles. I would just tell them I hadn't finished a paper I needed to get done or whatever. All I knew was that I WASN'T getting in that car. (I also had such bad allergies in college that I cancelled dates if I found out we were going to one of those uber-popular corn or hay bale mazes all over Happy Valley.)

7. I religiously watched the show Dawson's Creek AND all of it's reruns until I was 29 years old and then they finally took it off the air. I am still in love with Pacey Witter. (Joey didn't deserve him.) He will always be my TV boyfriend (sigh...)

Okay, now for avid readers, I tried to think of people who I never seen partake of any type of tagging before, I figure I'd spread the wealth. Here is who I tag:

Allyn (because I miss her like crazy)

Amy Webb (because when she left I didn't know her well enough to miss her like crazy, but now I know her better and strangely I now miss her.)

Abi -- because I never get sick of Abi's crabby blabbing

and, my cousin, Celia-- because hey! Why not? and also because she lives in Montana, which is cool, because not everyone does...

Iron Cupcake: The Honey Jack

2008-10-16T17:07:00.000-07:00

I'll give you one guess what this month's ingredient is and here is your clue...

No, it's not awesomeness. It's CHEEEEEEESE!! Yes, cheese. Cheese in a cupcake had me a bit perplexed. I wanted to steer clear of the obvious easy ones and I wanted the cheese in the cake and I didn't want it to be cheesecake. (Am I losing you here?) Anyway, after some experimentation I finally came up with this delectable square little morsel of yummy.

The Honey Jack Cupcake with Toasted Pear Meringue Frosting

Have you ever gone to a fancy shmancy restaurant and saw on the menu and pear walnut salad of somekind? That's basically the flavors I was going for, but not nearly as strong an of course in cupcake form. I started with a very basic honey cake and added VERY finely shredded monterrey jack cheese. I mean fine. I used a microplane and grated for an hour. Ugh. I will never get that hour back as long as a live. Next, I created a candied walnut filling that baked into the cupcake and then topped it all off with a pear flavored fluffy meringue frosting and toased the whole thing up with my handy little torch I stole from hubby's tool chest. Overall, I think the flavors are very nice together. It doesn't scream cheese, but there is a moist saltiness in the cake you definitely taste. It's not too sweet, so my husband loves it and the flavors are very subtle. And of course I had to use my square cupcake pan because right now I am completely in love with it. The whole recipe is below.

Start with Walnut mixture:

• 1 cup finely chopped black walnuts
• 1 tsp olive oil
• 2 TBS brown sugar
• 1 TBS real maple syrup

In a small fry pan, mix all ingredients together and let simmer until the sugar is dissolved and everything is well coated. Set aside.

Cake Ingredients:

* 2 cups flour, sifted
* ½ tsp each baking powder and baking soda
* 1/4 teaspoon salt
* 1/2 cup unsalted butter
* 1/2 cup honey
* 2 large eggs
* 1/2 teaspoon vanilla
* 8 ounces sweetened condensed milk
* 1 cup monterey jack cheese, super finely shredded

Directions

1. In a large bowl, combine flour, baking powder and salt.
2. In a medium bowl, beat butter, sugar, eggs and extract.
3. Pour in flour mixture in thirds adding 1/2 can of sweetened condensed milk in between (beginning and ending with flour mixture.).
4. Add in grated cheese and blend well for two minutes.
5. Put in muffin cups 3/4 cup full only.
6. Top with walnut mixture.
7. Bake in 350 oven for 20-25 minutes.

For Frosting

2 tsp meringue powder
2 TBS water
1 egg white
3/4 cup sugar
1/3 cup pear nectar

Beat first three ingredients until soft peaks form. While beating combine sugar and nectar in a small saucepan and simmer until sugar completely dissolves. SLOWLY drizzle the syrup into the beating meringue and then whip on high until stiff glossy peaks form. Pipe onto cakes and toast under broiler or with a kitchen blow torch.

There you have it! It's very different from anything I usually make. I, mean, I'm really a buttercream girl at heart. But this is a nice change. The voting will open for this cupcake on October 26th and I'll post a reminder to go and vote for me. I am determined to win one this year! As a reminder, here's all the great prized I get if I come in first.

Art on the Menu Cupcake Creation

Cute little Cupcake earrings by Lots of Sprinkles

Sassy Sweet Tee from BakeLove Bakewear

Hello Cupcake Cookbook

Taste of Home Cookbook

Fiestaware Head Chefs Utensils

Cupcake Courier Caddy

a Jessie Steele Apron

and 1-800-Flowers

See, you totally need to vote for me so I can spoil myself rotten with all these goodies.

In the Land of Sydney

2008-10-14T17:36:00.000-07:00

I'm sure a lot of you could care less about the things my daughter does, but some of the are SO FUNNY, I can't help but share with the world. The last few days she has been ON FIRE!

On Sunday afternoon, Sydney informed us that she has a husband. He is very nice. We would like him a lot, she says. He has root beer brown colored hair and dark blue eyes and is very handsome and he likes to sing and he loves her very much. His name is Derrick Edward Cullen Olson and he picks flowers for her and tells her he loves her and sometimes they smooch, but that's okay because he is her husband. Naturally, we needed to know more about this 'husband.' I mean, he is family after all. We asked if he looked like one of the boys in her class, to which she emphatically said NO! Then we listed off the boys at church. NO, NO, NO... he doesn't look like any of them. A little while later a commercial came on for the new High School Musical Movie.

"Hey Syd, does your husband look like that boy?"
"I don't want to talk about it!!"
And then she ran out of the room....

This morning, we were walking to school and Sydney was telling me about how she has all kinds of friends in her kindergarten class. We started naming them off. Then I got to one name, let's just say the name was "Kelly."

Me: "...and your friends with Ruth and Keelyn and 'Kelly'
Sydney: "--hold on mom, 'Kelly' doesn't raise her hand in class and she shouts out the answers, and I don't know if I can be friends with someone who doesn't raise their hand in class..."

We've decided to have an anti-discrimination intervention with her this evening.

MUST HAVE DVD's...

2008-10-05T11:29:00.000-07:00

While perusing the Costco website (and listening to conference at the same time) I found the holy grail of all gifts for any true child of the 80's. The entire Fraggle Rock series collection on DVD.

I think I might be in love with it. For any of you needing a Fraggle Rock fix, here you go.

(courtesy of YouTube member anarthalle)

And if you weren't a Fraggle Rock fan, I KNOW you watched these a time or two on PBS.

Admit it, you totally crushed on Gilbert Blythe. (Well, actually, I didn't, but I did crush on that incredibly handsome rich older guy who wanted to marry Anne the schoolmarm. Hmmm...)

I had no idea how many Anne/Gilbert montages even existed out there! This one is most definitely my fav. I mean, you get Anne, Gil, AND awesome Brian Adams music. Seriously, it doesn't get any better. This one is made by YouTube member AmyofGreenGables.

So, if any of you out there are lookin' to cross of people on your Christmas list, look no further.

Funniest. Blog. Ever.

2008-10-04T18:56:00.000-07:00

I found this little gem courtesy of my friend Emilie. It is probably the most hilarious blog I have ever read. I was seriously crying with joy and laughter. I will certainly be stalking this one.

www.myregisblog.blogspot.com

p.s. You will in no way find this funny if:

a.) You are not a mormon
b.) You are not at all familiar with Utah culture
c.) You are not able to laugh at the strangeness and awesomeness of a and b above

Define 'utensil'....

2008-10-04T18:45:00.001-07:00

No, Vivie. Use the spoon.

The spoon, Vivie, use the spoon. SPOON SPOON SPOON!!!
That's not a spoon, that's a princess wand.

NO NO NO! Vivie, don't put that...

...in your mouth.

Whatever, at least your actually eating something.

Yeah. I know. You're awesome.

The "Goodie" Bucket List

2008-10-01T08:33:00.000-07:00

I came across this list of the 100 sweets to eat in your lifetime on the awesome blog of Cakespy.
I was intrigued and figured this is right up my alley. I was actually surprised at how many I had eaten. Here is my list. If it's in bold, I've eaten it. If it's red, I still need to try it and if it's gray, I probably wouldn't ever try it due to it's ingredients containing something on my WoW taboo list. I ended up with 53 out of 100 and 3 I won't be partaking of. Not too bad! Of course I'll be reporting on any of these I try from now on. I do have a 101th suggestion, though. Everyone sometime must try a Berger Cookie. They can only be found in Baltimore, but can be mail ordered. They truly are heaven on earth.

1. Red Velvet Cake
2. Princess Torte
3. Whoopie Pie
4. Apple Pie either topped or baked with sharp cheddar
5. Beignet
6. Baklava
7. Black and white cookie
8. Seven Layer Bar (also known as the Magic Bar or Hello Dolly bars)
9. Fried Fruit pie (sometimes called hand pies)
10. Kringle
11. Just-fried (still hot) doughnut
12. Scone with clotted cream
13. Betty, Grunt, Slump, Buckle or Pandowdy
14. Halvah
15. Macarons
16. Banana pudding with nilla wafers
17. Bubble tea (with tapioca "pearls")
18. Dixie Cup
19. Rice Krispie treats
20. Alfajores
21. Blondies
22. Croquembouche
23. Girl Scout cookies
24. Moon cake
25. Candy Apple
26. Baked Alaska
27. Brooklyn Egg Cream
28. Nanaimo bar
29. Baba au rhum
30. King Cake
31. Sachertorte
32. Pavlova
33. Tres Leches Cake
34. Trifle
35. Shoofly Pie
36. Key Lime Pie (made with real key lime)
37. Panna Cotta
38. New York Cheesecake
39. Napoleon / mille-fueille
40. Russian Tea Cake / Mexican Wedding Cake
41. Anzac biscuits
42. Pizzelle
43. Kolache
44. Buckeyes
45. Malasadas
46. Moon Pie
47. Dutch baby
48. Boston Cream Pie
49. Homemade chocolate chip cookies
50. Pralines
51. Gooey butter cake
52. Rusks
53. Daifuku
54. Green tea cake or cookies
55. Cupcakes from a cupcake shop
56. Crème brûlée
57. Some sort of deep fried fair food (twinkie, candy bar, cupcake)
58. Yellow cake with chocolate frosting
59. Jelly Roll
60. Pop Tarts
61. Charlotte Russe
62. An "upside down" dessert (Pineapple upside down cake or Tarte Tatin)
63. Hummingbird Cake
64. Jell-O from a mold
65. Black forest cake
66. Mock Apple Pie (Ritz Cracker Pie)
67. Kulfi
68. Linzer torte
69. Churro
70. Stollen
71. Angel Food Cake
72. Mincemeat pie
73. Concha
74. Opera Cake
75. Sfogliatelle / Lobster tail
76. Pain au chocolat
77. A piece of Gingerbread House
78. Cassata
79. Cannoli
80. Rainbow cookies
81. Religieuse
82. Petits fours
83. Chocolate Souffle
84. Bienenstich (Bee Sting Cake)
85. Rugelach
86. Hamenstashen
87. Homemade marshmallows
88. Rigo Janci
89. Pie or cake made with candy bar flavors (Snickers pie, Reeses pie, etc)
90. Divinity
91. Coke or Cola cake
92. Gateau Basque
93. S'mores
94. Figgy Pudding
95. Bananas foster or other flaming dessert
96. Joe Froggers
97. Sables
98. Millionaire's Shortbread
99. Animal crackers
100. Basbousa

Try it for yourself! Here is the link for the original cakespy post and below are the instructions...

1) Copy this list into your site, including the instructions!
2) Bold all of the sweets you've eaten--or make them a different type color.
3) ~~Cross out~~ any of them that you'd never ever eat.

4) Consider anything that is not bold or crossed out your "To Do" List.
5) Optional: Post a comment here linking to your results--or just post a comment letting us know how many you've tried, or what you're going to try next!

It's Hip to be Square (and a bit Tart)

2008-09-30T16:59:00.000-07:00

I owed a friend of mine some yummy lemon cupcakes and so I decided to put a little twist on them and make 'em square. I am now completely in love with my square cupcake pan. I think it's technically for muffins and such, but I don't care! Little tiny cakes in square form just warm my heart they are so cute this way, and dare I say it, look even more delicious.
This was a lemon buttermilk cupcake with tangy lemon buttercream icing. It's probably one of my favorite little cakes ever because it's tangy and sweet at the same time and doesn't leave you feeling like you just ate the brooklyn bridge. Of course, that can also be a bad thing, because these little babies are so tangy and refreshing you find yourself always reaching for another! The best part of all is that it starts with a cake mix. I know I know, there are many of you out there who have already turned your nose up, but this is one of the few cake mix concoctions that I highly recommend--it's FANTASTIC. I, however, NEVER recommend prepackaged frosting... If you don't believe me, try it. You'll be pleasantly surprised and it's an easy one to fall back on if you need a quick batch of cupcakes. My guess is, though, you'll make in not for convenience, but for it's awesomeness. Here's the recipe.

Cake:
1 box lemon cake mix WITHOUT pudding
3 eggs
1/2 cup softened butter
1 1/4 cup buttermilk
1/2 tsp. baking soda
4 TBS freshly squeezed lemon juice

Combine all ingredients. Mix on low until combined, then mix at medium speed for two minutes until creamy. Fill cupcake liners 2/3 full and bake for 22-24 minutes at 350 degrees.

Frosting:
1 cup butter
2 cups powdered sugar
2 TBS freshly squeezed lemon juice
1 tsp vanilla
milk if needed

Soften butter by whipping. Slowly add powdered sugar alternating with lemon juice. If frosting seems too dry, add milk 1 tsp. at a time until right consistency is reached. Add vanilla and whip frosting for about 3-4 minutes. Pipe or spread onto cooled cupcakes (or graham crackers or sugar cookies or fresh fruit, whatever, just get some of this frosting into your mouth somehow!)

And the Winner is...

2008-09-29T15:53:00.000-07:00

Okay, so my first giveaway didn't get as many entries as I had hoped. However, almost all who entered are friends, so I was excited to give it away knowing I'd be giving to someone I probably knew. In any event, the winner is...

Random Integer Generator

Here are your random numbers:

Timestamp: 2008-09-29 22:56:57 UTC

So that means, Miss AmyLouWho with your comment number 3, are the winner of the necklace. You are on some serious winning streak, girl! I'll send it out to you this week sometime!

The Land of Princess Sydney

2008-09-29T13:37:00.000-07:00

Sydney brought home her very first kindergarten journal on Friday. It was for the month of September. For those of you unfamiliar with the awesomeness of the kindergarten journal, it's exactly what it sounds like. Everyday the kids draw a picture and write in their journal about things they want to talk about. Sydney's consisted of A LOT of princesses and mermaids and ballerinas, but here are my three favorites:

Here we have Sydney's choice in dogs. She's desperate for a dog and wants either a Boston Terrier (compliments of daddy's opinion) or a teacup poodle (compliments of the neighbor down the street with brand new puppy the size of my hand.) Notice the hot pink fluffiness of the poodle. I'm sure in her mind, the teacup poodle of her dreams would have naturally hot pink fur.

What else is there to say? This one just warms my little bookwormed nerdy heart.

Finally, if you haven't guessed, this is a family portrait. I'll give you one guess which one Sydney is... I know it's very difficult considering the one on the right is wearing hotpink shoes and a purple princess skirt. Jon's likeness is on the left and side and yes people, that's me in the middle. Now, I'm sure I could psychoanalyze why exactly I look like a combination of Morticia Adams and a Dementor, the guardians of Azkaban prison, but I'd rather just revel in how skinny Sydney drew me. I have definitely conceded, however, that maybe I do wear too much black. (Oh yes, and for those of you wondering where the heck Vivie is, Sydney told me that this is when Vivie was a "baby" baby and she is holding her in her arms in a green blanket. )

I can't wait for October's journal.

Voting is OPEN!!

2008-09-28T15:07:00.000-07:00

Hey Everyone!

Here's a little reminder to go vote for my cupcake in the Iron Cupcake Competition! It's easy, click on the iron cupcake link to the right and find "Vanessa Contessa" on the voting poll on the right of the blog. Pick me and hit vote. Easy squeezy!

Thanks!!

Handprints

2008-09-23T13:36:00.001-07:00

Seriously. Nowhere is safe from the Evil Genius. Today she climbed up on the kitchen counter, behind the sink and into the sun window in order to leave greasy little hand prints on my kitchen window. She then just climbed down and went on her merry way... What is that?

Iron Cupcake: BASIL

2008-09-22T17:19:00.000-07:00

Yes, that's right. Basil. "What" you say? "Basil in a cupcake?!" Yes my friends, it's true and without further ado, here is my cupcake submission for this month's Iron Cupcake competition:

I have to admit, I was a bit stumped when I first heard basil. It's not that I didn't think you could successfully put basil in a cupcake, it's more that I could only think of three possible basil/sweet combinations:

1. Anything with citrus
2. Anything with berries
3. Chocolate

So, I spent most of the month trying to figure out a unique way to make basil blend with something in an unexpected way. I finally gave up trying to be a culinary pioneer in basil taste pairings and just went with my gut instinct; citrus. After that, it all just seemed to flow and I finally came up with this. It tastes like one big bite of summertime. There's a lot of steps, but it's worth it!

KEY LIME BASIL CUPCAKE WITH WHITE CHOCOLATE BASIL BUTTERCREAM

Cake
2 1/4 C. flour
1 1/2 C. sugar
3/4 C. butter
1/2 tsp. baking powder
1/2 tsp baking soda
3 eggs
1/2 C. fresh squeezed key lime juice
1 TBS zest
3/4 C. buttermilk

Crust
1/2 cup butter
1/4 cup basil leaves
1/3 cup sugar
1/2 cups graham cracker crumbs

Filling
1/2 cup sugar
2 TBS cornstarch
1/2 cup water
1 TBS zest
1/4 cup fresh key lime juice
1/4 cup fresh basil leaves
1 TBS butter
pinch salt

White Chocolate Basil Buttercream
1 cup butter
2 cups powdered sugar
6 oz melted white chocolate
1 TBS minced basil
3 TBS milk or cream

I knew I wanted to to have a bit of a nod to a key lime pie, and for that I needed a graham cracker bottom and tart pucker filling. I got to work on those first. I knew they needed to have the basil taste in them, but I didn't want anyone to be overwhelmed by the basil at all. So I came up with infusing basil in both of these by way of heating it up with the ingredients and then straining out the basil leaves before incorporating into the cupcake.

For the crust, melt the butter slowly on the stovetop with the basil and then strain out before you add to the graham cracker and sugar. Mix all together and spoon a small amount into each cupcake liner. Take a small cup and press down
the crumb mixture down into the bottom so it's firmly packed down.

Next, I made the filling. In a small saucepan, combine all ingredients on the filling list and slowly bring to a boil stirring constantly. Let boil for one minute and remove from heat. While it is still hot and liquidy, strain into a small bowl in order to remove basil leave and large zest pieces.
It will be a translucent color and almost seem like half set jello. Place in fridge to chill, it will become a nice creamy consistency, but will retain it's translucence.

Now it was on to the actual cake. I didn't want basil in the cake proper, I thought it would be too much. I did, however want a really good and distinct lime flavor and pucker. For this, I dug out an old standby lemon cake recipe and modified it a bit for my needs this time. First I changed the lemon to lime and then I decided I wanted buttermilk instead of regular milk for that extra richness and tang. Because of this, I needed to modify the baking powder and soda ratios.
For the cake, mix all the dry ingredients together, then add all the wet and mix for about 2 minutes until creamy. Place about an 1/8 of a cup into the cupcake liners on top of the pressed graham mixture and bake in a 350 degree oven for approximately 20-24 minutes. The tops should be just barely risen and spring back to the touch. Don't expect a rising explosion, these are a very dense cupcake.

My trusty kitchen helper seemed to have a blast with this one. From helping stir the batter to squeezing the limes for me. (Okay-- at this point I have a confession-- these aren't key limes I'm using. Some of you probably figured it out by now. This recipe is made for key limes, but if you can't get them where you are or, like me, missed the last crop at the market by two weeks, you can use a Persian lime. It still turned out FABULOUS, but keep in mind, what I really wanted was that true key lime pucker.) And yes, once again I am exploiting the cuteness of my kitchen helper to win your votes... She really wants mommy to win...

Finally on to the finishing touches. When the cupcakes are cool. Fill each one with about a tablespoon of filling using a filling piping tip and a pastry bag. The cupcake is pretty dense, so you'll need to use the tip to make room for the filling by inserting it and pushing the cake around a little. When filled, they should look like this. Making the buttercream is simple. It's your standard white chocolate, but with added basil for some extra interest. I melted the chocolate and then pulsed the basil in a food processor until I got the finest mince I could. Next just incorporate the butter and white chocolate together and then start adding the powdered sugar one half cup at a time until you get the right consistency. Last, add your minced basil and whip the frosting for about 3 minutes. I always let my white chocolate frosting set for about 10 minutes just to let the white chocolate completely cool before I frost my cupcakes.

I garnished these cupcakes with a small sugared basil piece and a little slice of lime. Even the sugared basil is delicious! Here's an inside look at all the layers.
The cupcakes turned out great. There is a definite basil taste, but it's not overwhelming. It's almost more of an aroma around the cupcakes. They are sweet and rich, but not cloying and taste like a big refreshing bite of summer. I think they would the be perfect ending to a backyard barbeque or summertime crab boil.

Now for the nitty gritty. The voting for this (and all the other) iron cupcake will open on Sunday, September 28th. And I'm begging for your vote. This will go on every month this year, but I want it BAD this month. For one, I think this cupcake is a real contender and for second, look what I can win!
On top of the prize package that will stay the same month to month, this month's awesome extra prize is this phenomenal cupcake ring by the artist Metal Sugar.

Here's a list of all the other great prizes up for grabs each month:
* A super cute Jessica Steele Apron
* Taste of Home Cookbook
* The Bestselling book Hello Cupcake
* A Cupcake Courier cupcake caddy
* Fiesta Products awesome line of silicone utensils

I'll post a reminder on the blog to make sure you all go and vote (and tell all your friends to go vote, too!) Lastly, any ladies from recipe club out there, I hope you come hungry tomorrow, because I bringing these bad boys with me. You can't expect me to eat 2 dozen basil cupcakes by myself do you?

Don't forget to vote!!

Microscope Necklace Mania (oh yeah--and a GIVEAWAY!)

2008-09-12T16:47:00.000-07:00

Things have been a tad crazy here. Syd started school and choir again (so now I'm back to being regulated by my 5 year old's schedule) and I have been working like crazy to try to get my photography website up and running so I can be officially "re-open" for business after the whole Genevieve saga.

In the meantime I've been entertaining my busy little hands with variations of a basil cupcake for the iron cupcake competition (which I'll post next week) and making my newest favorite jewelry, the microscope slide necklace. Most of you probably remember the one I made for the Breaking Dawn release, if not, check it out here. Since then, the floodgates have opened. I have made three more pendants in the last few weeks. Now, these are not made with one of those kits or premade metal frames. My own two little hands printed the images, cut the glass, wrapped them in copper and soldered them... okay I didn't solder them myself, my super husband did because he loves me and wants me to keep my fingers... but still they are one of a kind, and they are awesome. Of these three, one is for me, one is for my mother in law, and one of them is for YOU!

Here they all are in their soldered glory. The first one I made is for me. I made a square pendant set on an angle so it hangs down like a diamond. The image inside is a picture of an old vintage camera and on the back is my favorite quote from Ansel Adams, "When words become unclear I shall focus with photographs. When images become inadequate, I shall be content with silence."

The second one is for my sweet mother in law, it is a picture of the LDS Salt Lake Temple and on the back there is a scriptural passage. I hope she'll love it since it's for her birthday (and she should receive it before I post, so no spoiler...)

The third might just be my favorite and I made it for someone out there in blogland. I have this idea floating in my head for a while. I took a photograph of some gorgeous gerber daisies I picked up at the farmers market a while ago and I have never found the right purpose for it. Finally when tossing and turning the other night I thought of an idea...

On the front of this necklace is a the picture of the yellow daisies and on the back just one simple word; SIMPLIFY.
I thought it would be a perfect giveaway piece. Sometimes it seems like all us mommy bloggers are trying to do everything all at once and it never seems to work out. I know I repeatedly tell my daughter that I only have two arms and two legs, but sometimes I have to remind myself of that fact as well. So here it is ladies, your own little personal token to wear and remember to keep it simple. In a way it's a bit of thank you to all your great blogs and the entertainment they give me when I'm stressed.
I love it, it's pretty and sunny and unexpected. I hope you like it as much as I do.

Now let's give it away! I've never done one of these before and I'm a little out of my league, but it totally want to sit at the giveaway blogger lunchtable so here we go. To enter follow these two steps:

1.Post a link to me on your blog (or facebook or myspace, whatever your little 'net space is) to let everyone know about the giveaway.

2. Leave a comment here. The comment must contain either the word cupcake or the word awesome (it's my blog so I can do whatever I want.) Get creative people, these are two of my most favorite words ever, so let's see what you can do with them.

3. Only comment once and all anonymous will be deleted.

The entries will be open for two weeks. On September 28th I'll announce the winner. (Oh yeah, and I'm picking the winner by random generator, not by how awesome your cupcake and awesome comments are.) One final note, the pendant come alone-- so you can add whatever chain you like.

Good Luck!

Empty Posts, Evil Geniuses and Fashion Divas

2008-09-11T14:56:00.000-07:00

Sorry for the lack of posting, I'm swamped with other stuff, but I promise something AWESOME this weekend (can you spell giveaway? YES!! My very first attempt at one ever!)
Sydney had a friend over after school today and they wanted to play "fashion model." Basically it consists of me taking out all my camera stuff and them hamming it up. Fine by me since my new camera arrived two days ago and I'm still having fun playing around with it. They had a great time...

Here's the very last picture I snapped....

Tell me this is not the face of an Evil Genius.... I know she's got to be plotting world domination.

Come back on Sunday to see all the goodies I've been working on and see what I'm going to give away!

The Contessa Apple Pear Pie

2008-09-01T17:19:00.000-07:00

Growing up, my mom used to make the most amazing pies (and still does.) My favorite of all time had to be her pear pie. I never realized a pear pie was a bit unusual until I got to be an adult and would tell people that it was my favorite. Most of the time their response was something like "I never even thought of putting pears in a pie!" Really, it's not that strange, just think of the best apple pie you've ever had -- and times it by 3 and then you have a pear pie. They are GREAT!

So, my brother in law Dave came in town today and I wanted to make something for dessert tonight, but nothing sounded fun. Then, at the store I noticed pears were 3 pounds for a buck. Whoohoo!! Pear pie it was. I loaded up the pears, but when I got home I felt a bit guilty when I unloaded the groceries and realized I had a half a drawer of apples in my fridge. Most of them were past the Princess Sydney approved crispiness, so I figured they needed to be put into the pie, too. So here you go, my recipe for Apple-Pear Pie. This isn't some earth shattering recipe and you won't find any super huge secrets. Just a good recipe the way I like to make it:
The Vanessa Contessa Apple Pear Pie

3 good baking apples
5 bartlett pears
1/4 cup flour
1/4 cup brown sugar
1/2 cup granulated sugar
1 TBS cinnamon
1/4 tsp freshly ground nutmeg
1/4 tsp salt
1 tsp vanilla
1 TBS lemon juice
3 TBS butter

pie crust
1 egg for egg wash
sugar for crust

Preheat oven to 425 degrees.

Peel and slice apples and pears however you so desire. In a large bowl, combine apples, pears, lemon juice, salt and vanilla. Mix well until all the apples are coated. Next add the sugars, flour, cinnamon and nutmeg and mix well again until everything is evenly coated.

Next, your going to want to spread out your pie crust into a pie pan. Now, for this (and for most of my pies) I use store bought pie crust. I know, I hear the shrieks of anger now. Yes, I am well aware that homemade pie crust is WAY better, but frankly I just don't have the patience--and I have very HOT hands, so I can't ever work with it for very long. (Plus, it's sad, but very often I can get a ready made pie crust on sale at $2 but the butter is up to 4 freakin' bucks a box!!) Phew... I'm done.

Pour the apple/pear mixture into the pie crust and then cube up 3 TBS of butter and strategically place them throughout in order to achieve maximum butter goodness.

Next, place the second pie crust on top and then crimp sides. You can make sure to crimp them super nice and neat, or if your like me, you can just crimp them however which way they'll go 'cuz this point you'll just want to get the dang thing in the oven already. Make a few slices on top of the pie to let out steam.

Finally, you'll want to make a wash for the crust. I use and egg wash. I egg beaten up with a bit of water and then brush it onto the top. Very last, I always sprinkle some sugar on top of the just brushed crust. Now, here's my super secret. For the last two years, my mom has picked up some fancy shmancy Maui gold sugar in the raw for me on her Hawaiian vacation. I LOVE the stuff. I ration it out for as long as possible and only use it for very special purposes. One of those purposes is to sprinkle on my apple pie. It's awesome. It gives is a very nice flavor and a nice crunch on the crust. I love it. You can use regular sugar or you can also substitute sugar in the raw.

I usually bake it for about 45 minutes. The other trick I do is to put on little foil tents on the edge of the crust BEFORE it goes in the oven and then I take them off exactly half way through the baking time. This has always yielded a perfectly browned crust.

Let it cool for and hour!! This is uber-important. I think it probably has to do with the fact that the juices of the fruit and the flour need time to thicken, but if I ever cut into it too soon, I always end up with a watery mess.

Serve it with whipped cream or, for the extra adventurous, a thin slice of cheddar cheese melted on top (trust me--it's awesome.)

Enjoy!!!

VOTING IS OPEN!

2008-08-30T15:39:00.000-07:00

Okay Everyone, just a reminder...

Voting is now open for the Iron Cupcake Competition! Click in the Iron cupcake logo on the right (under my literachick) and cast your vote for the best! Spread the word!!

Iron Cupcake Mania

2008-08-29T10:25:00.000-07:00

Well, all the entries are in and there are some FANTASTIC ones. I feel pretty honored to be put into the favorites of fellow cupcake competitor Rachel over at One Pretty Thing. Here blog is amazing, go check it out.

Here are my top 8 favorites:

Left to Right and Top to Bottom:

1. Grilled corn cupcake by xcountry baking
2. "Hot" Chocolate cupcake by I Heart Cuppycakes

3. Chocolate Chipotle del Muertos by Cupcake Atlanta
4. The Twisted Thai Cupcake by My Sweet Cupcakes

5. Peaches and Steam by Lisa Michele
6. Cincinnati Chili Cupcake by Dog Hill Kitchen

7. Lemon Ginger Chili Pepper Cupcakes with Honey Lemon Frosting by Tofu and Cupcakes
8. Black Sesame Chili Cupcake by Delightful Delicacies

Go check them out and don't forget the voting opens on Sunday--so go vote for me--and for Vivie, she REALLY worked hard on these and wants to win (that's right, I'm shamelessly using my utterly adorable kitchen assistant to win your vote!)

Iron Cupcake: Chili

2008-08-28T14:49:00.001-07:00

A few weeks ago, my friend Amy emailed me to let me know about a new cupcake competition she came across in blogland. She figured it was right up my alley and she couldn't have been more right. I entered the group immediately and went to work on the first round. The way the competition works is each month we'll receive a key ingredient and have a month to create a cupcake recipe using it (much like the Iron Chef competition.) So far there are over 100 competitors from all over the world and there are all kinds of great prizes up for grabs including the following:

This absolutely adorable apron from Jessica Steele -- so cute!

The awesome cupcake caddy from the Cupcake Courier (I need one of these really bad)

Jewelry from Cakespy art (check her Etsy Store and her blog -- one of my very favorites out there)

A Taste of Home Books cookbook (who doesn't love their books)

A copy of the bestseller book, Hello Cupcake by Karen Tack and Alan Richardson. This book is great, it has the best ideas for decorating.

Fiesta Products Head Chefs line of funny silly kitchen utensils. I love these things!

Lastly, I just want to give a shout to the Milwaukee Cupcake Queen who started this all. What a fun idea and a great way to get to know some fellow cupcake lovers! Thanks so much for all your hard work on this, it's going to be great!

Now, the way this works is we will have a deadline for each entry and starting a few days after, the voting will open. YOU get to vote for the winner! I'm hoping, of course, that you'll vote for me (and tell all of your friends and family members to vote for me too.) The voting will begin this round on August 31st at noon (central time) and will be open for 5 days. You can get to the voting by clicking on the iron cupcake badge to the right. I'll post on Sunday to remind you!

I might be completely out of my league here, but I figure it's worth the shot and it'll be fun to get a bit creative with my cupcakes and push the envelope a bit. This first month's ingredient is chili. I started brainstorming several different ways, but in the end finally went with my favorite combination of dark chocolate and spicy chili together. (For a yummy brownie treat inspired by the same flavors check out my Spicy Maya Brownie)

I was pretty bummed earlier in the week when my daughter Vivie broke my camera (don't ask it's too painful to talk about) so please excuse the poor photos. Next month I promise great shots. For this month's consideration I present:
The Triple Chili Chocolate Truffle Cupcake with Cinnamon and Pasilla Chili Buttercream

I'm not even going to lie, this turned out better than I thought. It's a cinnamon and chocolate cupcake with a rich truffle center that's a combination of dark chocolate, thai chilies, pasilla chili, and red chili pepper. It's topped off with a sweet and spicy cinnamon and pasilla chili buttercream and garnished with a thai chili pepper (I don't really recommend eating this one) and a dark chocolate whirlygig thingy (totally eat this one, though.)

Here's how I did it:

I started with a basic devil's food cake recipe. For this one I used the good ol' Betty Crocker
but I made some changes. I omitted the brown sugar and used only regular sugar. Instead of buttermilk and shortening, I used regular milk and butter. I also used 1/2 cup of high quality powdered cocoa instead of melted bakers chocolate. I also made the addition of 1 teaspoon of cinnamon. My recipe turned out as follows:

Cake

1 2/3 cups all-purpose flour
1 1/2 cups granulated sugar
1/2 cup butter
1 1/2 cups milk
1 1/2 teaspoons baking soda
1/2 cup cocoa
1 teaspoon cinnamon
1 teaspoon salt
1 teaspoon vanilla
2 eggs

Preheat oven to 350 degrees. Beat all ingredients together for 2-3 minutes. Fill cupcake liner about 1/2 full and bake for 22-25 minutes. Let cool completely before filling.

Next came the filling. Here's what I did for that, I made a basic truffle filling using the following:

8 oz of semi sweet chocolate
1/3 cup heavy cream
1 TBS pasilla chili powder
1 TBS of ground red pepper (or cayenne)
1 Thai chili--left whole

On the stove top, combine heavy cream and the chili powder, cayenne and thai pepper in small saucepan. Heat until almost boiling. Remove thai pepper and pour heated cream over broken up chocolate in another bowl. Stir until chocolate is melted and all ingredients are completely incorporated. Allow to cool, stirring once in a while, until right consistency is reached. You want it to be pipe-able, but not runny.

Once the cupcakes were cool, I filled each one using a fill tip with a bit of the truffle filling.

Next came the buttercream. For this I used:

1 cup butter, softened
1 tsp vanilla
4 tsp cinnamon
2 tsp pasilla chili powder
2 cups powdered sugar
2 TBS. sour cream

Whip butter. combine powdered sugar, cinnamon, and chili powder and sift. Add to butter, alternating with sour cream until right consistency is reached. Add vanilla and whip for 3-4 minutes.

I frosted the cupcakes generously and then garnished with dark chocolate decoration I made by melting dark chocolate and then spreading it onto my silicone mat with a knife and letting it cool and harden.

The final product turned out GREAT! I loved the taste. Rich and spicy, but not overwhelming. I hope you enjoy it and don't forget to vote!

Even if you don't like my cupcake combo, you can't help but fall in love with my kitchen assistant...she's a VERY big helper, especially in the tasting arena...

Blue Skirts and White Shirts

2008-08-21T11:28:00.001-07:00

Sydney started kindergarten today. I pretty much kept myself together (unless of course you count the blubbering at midnight the night before.) I must say, I was very proud of her. She didn't know a single person in her class, all of her little playmates were in another class and she rose to the occasion! She was on a first name basis with all the little girls by the time I picked her up and over dinner told me everything she could remember about them (which turned out to be a lot!) She's excited to be a big girl and I'm excited for her.
I think I'm like most moms when their first goes to kindergarten. A few days ago I was pretty overwhelmed. I remember last week sometime looking at the neat little rows of crisp white shirts and navy blue skirts for her uniforms hanging up in her closet and having a bit of a panic attack. It's not so much that I didn't want her to grow up or that I didn't think she was ready, it's more like wondering if I have done enough. I wonder if I've taught her enough to keep up or stay ahead of the game. I wonder if I've done enough to make sure she knows how special she is and to not let anyone tell her otherwise. I try to remember if I've taught her enough about being respectful and how to make new friends.
Late last night when I was tossing and turning and trying to shut my brain down from thinking all of these thoughts, it finally occurred to me that I've only hit the tip of the iceberg. Her first day of kindergarten was not an ending to our time, but a new one. A time where I will get to see her grow and learn even more than before and I will have new opportunities to help her realize her amazing potential. Sure, I know it's not going to be all sunshine and roses. I'm sure we'll deal with school yard woes and bullies and bad test grades and hard subjects, but I'm excited for it. Bring it on, Elementary Ed! I (think) I'm ready for ya!!

DIY Vanilla

2008-08-19T16:12:00.000-07:00

So for my birthday this year my mom surprised me with the most amazing gift basket filled with all sorts of yummy and gourmet kitchen gadgets and delights. Among them were some nice measuring cups and spoons, a few specialty cupcake mixes, a square cupcake pan (LOVE IT), a few sweet treats and hard to find ingredients, and lastly a package of CHOCOLATE pasta and a do-it-yourself Vanilla Extract kit.

I had never seen anything like the last two listed, so for an adventure I thought I'd share what I make of them. I figured I'd tackle the vanilla first and then do something with the pasta next week.

This little bottle threw me for a loop. I don't know why it never occurred to me before to make my own vanilla extract, but it just didn't. I'm a little surprised I was so slow on the uptake on this one because I am a major vanilla snot. It needs to be good and it needs to be pure and it better be fresh and not sitting around in the cupboard since 1980 or just forget it. After I got over being completely ashamed of my own vanilla ignorance I turned to google. There are lots of great instructions on how to make your own homemade vanilla out there, but for now, I'm going to try out this gift.

The instructions on the bottle are as follows: Split beans lengthwise. Fill bottle with premium vodka. Seal tightly and store in a cool, dark place for 4-6 months. Use as you would any premium vanilla extract. Replenish extract with premium vodka as used for up to seven years.

I did do one thing different. I added a 1/2 a teaspoon of corn syrup since it seems online most people have success doing that. Also, most online recipes don't call for such a long "brewing" time. It seems the general consensus is 30 days and make sure to shake it vigorously once a day.

The most exciting part of the process so far was obtaining the vodka. First off, I was terrified to just pop down to my neighborhood grocery store because just my luck the Relief Society President would show up in line behind me as I'm plunking down my giant bottle of Absolut. I was planning many a trip out of the area until I finally just bit the bullet this morning and went into the store at 8:00 a.m. I'm pretty sure the checker thought I was startin' out the day a wee bit early, but I looked past that considering she quelled another one of my small fears-- and that was to NOT be carded for the stuff. (Hey, I may be silly but a girl has to keep some small hope!) I figured at that point I was home free and quite proud of my clandestine errand, but unfortunately when I got home my visiting teachers were at my house--I had completely forgotten they were coming over early. Grrr... I'm sure it's karma. So instead of having to explain the bottle of hooch in my hot little hand, I left it in the car to retrieve after their visit.

Second, do you have any idea how many vodkas there are? I didn't know if I really needed to use premium or not, but I certainly knew I wasn't going to be shelling out 25 bucks for a bottle of Grey Goose when I didn't even know if this was going to work. In the end I called Jon and made him hop online for me to get some suggestions. I left the store with small bottle of Smirnoff-- just the right size to fill up my Vanilla bottle exactly.

After that it was a piece of cake. Now all I have to do is sit around and wait for the final product. I'm already planning my next batch and what I'll do different, but first I'll wait to see if I did at least this one right. If it does turn out, I warn all my friends in the immediate area now, Vanilla bottles are comin' your way for Christmas-- I'm on a personal quest to rid all kitchens in San Diego of chemical knockoff vanilla.

Somebody Likes Me!!

2008-08-19T15:31:00.000-07:00

I can't believe it. Apparently people actually read this blog--and enjoy it once in a while! My sweet friend Amy--check out her blog here-- (who, ironically, I have gotten to know better since she move ACROSS the country) has nominated me for a fantabulous award! Here it is!

I have to say, I'm pretty humbled. I checked out all the other blogs that she nominated and I don't even come near them, but it's so nice to think that someone out there can laugh at my life, and that's pretty much why I started the whole thing. So here is my acceptance speech (ahem:)

I'd like to thank the 10 people who actually come here and a regular basis and I'd like to thank all my friends who know I started this to help me control all my randomness and still love me anyway.

Now, onto my nominations:

The Daily Cool -- I've mentioned this one before. My friend from college is one of the hippest people I know and her blog is no exception. There is always something cool there, especially from the Utah Valley area.

Overlooked -- By far one of the coolest blogs I've seen. It's a online photo/scrapping assignment group that makes you look at the little things in your life you might often miss. Very cool concept. The whole project is on hold right now, but still check it out. I hope she restarts.

JPH3-- This is my brother in law's blog. By far one of the funniest guys I know and his commentary on the things going on are hilarious.

Bakerella -- You might have seen this blog already. It's a pretty famous one out there. I LOVE IT!! Such good ideas and such amazing projects. It makes my mouth water. Awesome!

LDS Blogs -- Okay, so this one might be a bit of a cop out, but its a bloglist of a bunch of LDS women blogs. It's fun to go see what others are doing.

Twilight Guy -- The online blog of a guy reading the Twilight series (come on-- you knew there was going to be a Twilght one in here somewhere!) He comments chapter by chapter and is currently half way through New Moon. It's SO funny and very entertaining.

The Flickr Blog -- Once again, already pretty well known, but I love it. It's an online blog of the flickr website (and online photo sharing community.) Everyday you get a new awesome image or two and a story. Great. I never get tired of looking at photographs and I hope I never do.

Now, I do have to say that I actually feel kinda awkward getting this nod. Go check out Amy's blog and see the people she linked to-- it's making me feel a little inadequate. However, I have decided to rise to challenge and not shrink away! Expect some new fun things here in the next couple months (and I actually might try my hand a a giveaway!)

Enjoy!

Evil Genius

2008-08-18T21:59:00.000-07:00

I haven't posted in a while. I'd like to say it was because I was waiting for all the Breaking Dawn craze to be over and so I wanted to keep that up for a while longer, but no. The truth is I couldn't because my computer had to take a trip to the Apple store for a week because of the work of an Evil Genius.
Here she is...

Don't let this face fool you, check out the sinister eyes and the You-know-I'm-up-to-no-good grin. This is my evil genius. I have come to realize she is an evil genius because she fills all of the following requirements.

1. She has an evil sinister belly laugh (I will try to record this for you and put it up, but trust me, it strikes fear in the hearts of grown men)

2. She is constantly searching the house for any and all kinds of "secret" lairs. I often find her hidden in the pantry, trying to squeeze under her crib, sitting in a dry tub for no apparent reason. She hides behind doors and jumps out at you squealing and "evil-genius" laughing as she runs away.

3. (and this one tips me off the most) She answers to no man, leaving a wake of catastrophic destruction in her path.

4. She tends to monologue. We have no idea what she's saying, but it's a monologue nonetheless. Trust me, it's scarier to NOT know what she's plotting...

I can already tell you are thinking I'm crazy. I'm not. Beware of the hypnotizing effect of that crooked smile and uneven dimples for those are her greatest weapons!

Two weeks ago Vivie decided to "help" me clean the house. Unfortunately she thought cleaning meant taking a bottle of resolve carpet cleaner and a steel wool sponge to my leather sofa. Not the best of combinations. I'm trying to figure out how to fix it, but I think I might just let her go crazy on the whole thing just to even up the damage.

Now, for all of you who are about to send me and email about the dangers of babies handling chemicals and how I'm the worst mom ever and should be reported to the department of blah-blah-blah, let me explain something. First, she is almost two. I know she doesn't look it, but she is--and she's hitting those terrible two's a bit early. Second, she is the most curious ankle-biter ever born and is very physically advanced in what she can do. Third, she is crazy small, like doesn't even hit the charts small. So, here I have this ridiculously curious almost two year old who has already figured out a way to open all cupboard latches because HER ENTIRE ARM fits into the small space that opens and she also has the dexterity to then use her arm and hand to open them. Child proof locks are useless. Of course I still use them, but in the meantime, we have duct taped the cupboards shut, bungee chorded, you name it--she's figured it out. I did not know she had the resolve spray, I had given her a benign spray bottle filled with water, she decided it wasn't good enough, went back to the cupboard, and exactly five minutes later my leather couch was ruined.

About a week after that, she decided to move onto her next venture, and that was thwarting Mom's computer time. It's no secret her biggest competition for attention in the house (aside from her sister) is this computer. I work here, I play here-- it's a time sucker. Last Saturday, I came downstairs only to find my purse (which had been shut away in a cabinet) completely emptied out and the entire contents of my wallet strewn about. Not surprised, since it's happened numerous times before, I gathered everything up and realized I was missing all my credit cards. I scoured the house for an hour and then finally concluded that they must have been stolen the night before when my purse had been left unattended for a little while. I went to the computer to look up the card numbers to report them lost only to notice something strange sticking out of the DVD drive. A pair of min tweezers helped me remove two bank cards and a grocery member card from the slot, but it was obvious there was some thing still in there.

At this point I had to leave the house in a rage in order just to calm down and I left Jon to the task of trying to retrieve whatever else was stuck. No success. Two days later I took a trip to the Apple store and was told the repair and replacement would be costing me $500. The evil genius strikes again!

Little did I know, she was more genius then evil. The next day I received a call from Apple repair. When they took apart my DVD drive, despite being completely munched up from the cards, they could tell there was a manufacturer's default in it and my repair and replacement was done completely for free. Here's the kicker; in another week the warranty would have been expired and would have never been covered after that. See folks, she was doing me a favor! Maybe an evil genius in the house isn't so bad. Now if she'd only stop drawing her world domination plans all over my walls with a permanent Sharpie...

Bewildering Dawn...

2008-08-05T20:40:00.001-07:00

I finished Breaking Dawn about 14 hours after picking it up at exactly 12:01 am. I have waited this long to post how I feel about it for two reasons... 1. Because I didn't want to ruin anything for anyone (so if you haven't read the book and are planning on it, stop reading this now-- I’m going to spoil) and 2. I really didn't know HOW I felt about it.
To a point I still don't. It's all very confusing...

I really wanted to love this book. Guess what, I didn't. Plain and simple. I didn't HATE it, but I certainly didn't fall in love with it either. I just only (kinda sorta) liked it, and that makes me a little bummed. I figure I can keep trying to talk myself in to loving it, or I can just face the facts. To me, it felt like Meyer was more worried about finishing up and trying to please everyone that it reads like one big cop out. It seemed to be so untrue to the two main characters and felt forced in so many areas but, left us lacking in loads of others. Compared the other three books, this one had a completely different feel (and not just because of the switch in narrators.) I felt like this book took on too much too fast from too far out of left field, then never bothered to explore the characters reactions to what was happening only to try to write a happy ending for EVERYONE involved.

The more I go back and read the more I'm convinced this needed to be two books. Book 4 being the entire first section of the wedding, honeymoon and mutant spawn pregnancy culminating in the cliffhanger of Jacob's new little imprint (I refuse from here on out to call her by that ridiculous atrocity of a name, although I give mad props to the most awesomest nickname that ever was) and Bella's changing heart. That could have been followed by a book 5 of Bella's change, a reaction and exploration of her new role as a mother and then a REAL Volturi showdown.

I think part II (Jacob) was written very well, but there was still so much incomplete in there. We never get to hear the internal struggle of Bella on carrying this child (I don't care how much you love your vampire husband, I'm sorry--if your pregnant with mutant spawn that's causing your ribs to break and making you crave human blood--your going to be freaked out.) We also catch only the smallest of glimpses of how much this is tearing Edward apart. Pre-mutant birth, we only get to see through Jacob's eyes what's going on and post-baby vampire trauma, both Edward and Bella are too wrapped up in her transformation (and newly discovered sexual stamina) to ever once give us a reading on how they both feel about this new family of theirs. I found it SO out of character that Edward was not expressing to Bella his love and wonder and devotion for either her or the baby after all of it went down. He's never had any issue with expressing himself in the past, why so clammed up now? Vice Versa for our dear little Bells, she spent a month dying a slow and awful death just to get the Loch Ness Monster here, yet we get NO internal dialogue expressing her complete joy and wonder, nor any verbal expression of love to Edward about their child. To me, it almost seemed as if the child was an afterthought at all times for both of them.

Apart from our main characters complete lack of paternal love and inability to express themselves on a non-physical level, I had some major issues with the entire Bella section all together. Where were all our beloved vampires? Meyer seemed to sidestep all the Cullens (even Bella herself) to introduce us to all these new vampires. Was she bored with her characters and ready to move on? The third section culmination of the book was like watching the Lego towers my kids build tip over. It kept building higher and higher and higher until all of a sudden, CRASH, no showdown, no fight, no annihilation of Jane or Aro or Demetri,

Here's how I felt it went down:

Volturi: "Oops, your stronger than we thought. Sorry about that, we'll see you next year and the reunion!!"
Team Cullen: "No biggie! We don't care that you came here to destroy us and everything we hold dear--catch ya'll later!"
Team Wolf: "By the way, were not really werewolves, we're shape shifters! Hope that doesn't confuse anyone!"

Unbelievable. To be honest, I felt a little ripped off. Meyer built up this confrontation for what felt like ages only have it ripped out from under us. No great fight scene, no loss of supernatural immortal life, not even some deep wounding (I mean--they can put them selves back together again, couldn't SOMEONE at least lose a limb or two?)

I'm sure at this point you're thinking 'I thought she said she didn't hate it?' It's true, I didn't. I just didn't love it. But there were lots of little things that I loved. I loved Seth. I loved Leah. I loved the fact that, despite the fact that she was acting on complete and totally self-absorbed reasons, Bella found an unlikely ally in Rosalie. As I said before, I (being a die hard Jacob fan) loved every minute of his narration and it felt nice to leave Bella's love struck, overly-Edward-adjectived head for a little while. And, after quite literally crying and throwing things around my kitchen, I even loved the fact that Jacob imprinted with Nessie.

I'm not going to lie, that one through me for a loop. I wasn't prepared for some sort of blood craving, pelvis cracking half-Bella, so I certainly wasn't prepared for my Jacob to imprint on the cast off Bella 2.0. After finishing part II (and before moving on to part III) I was pretty sure that I was going to hate Meyer forever for doing that to my most loved character. But soon, after it began to develop in part III, I wasn't mad anymore. I really believe that Meyer set us up for that for a LONG time. That Jacob's emotions and life NEEDED to be intertwined with Bella's up until that point so he would feel enough for her in order to spare her life (and that life of the baby's) when he made the stand against Sam. Think about it, Jacob has known since New Moon that Bella never felt the same for him, he knew through Eclipse he was fighting a losing battle, but he kept coming back for more. The universe had something else in store for him, and it really had nothing to do with Bella at all, she was just the vessel.

I loved the fact that I totally called Bella not having 'newborn vampire' issues and (although it was horribly explored) I love that her ability to be as strong and powerful as she was stemmed from the fact that she CHOSE to be this- and I love the idea of exploring empowerment through agency and choices. I also love the ultimate message I believe that Meyer was trying to get at; that there is a universal unseen force at work leading you to where you belong. It's the ultimate for any romantic (closet or die-hard.) If you look at all the back stories of each of the couples; Carlisle and Esme, Jasper and Alice, Sam and Emily, even Rosalie and Emmet, the story of Bella finding Edward and Jacob finding Ness are really quite beautiful and lend another level to each other. It seems to me, that despite bizarre cross breeding of species and semi-creepy age differences, Meyer is ultimately sending us the statement that love and fate cross all kinds of lines. It makes me think of other well loved classic romantic stories such as the ones she herself reveres so much. As far as the ending, the girly-girl deep down in me loves the happy ending. Why shouldn't everyone be happy? What's so wrong with a happy ending? The biggest "wrong" I see is that there is no sacrifice. Without that, I don't quite see the reason for all the previously angst-filled installments.

See what I mean, she's just left me confused...

I'm still a big fan of Stephenie Meyer. In no way am I anywhere close to the legions of fans who are either returning or burning their books this week and washing their hands of her and her series forever (and it appears as though there's a lot of them.) I still love the series as a whole and will pick up whatever she writes in the future because I do believe she is a talented writer with an almost genius knack for telling a story. I just think this one didn't quite live up to its potential but, it was never my story to write, so I hope Meyer proves us wrong somehow in the future.

I've decided that, although this book is unfulfilling and confusing as a final installment of the series, it is right on the money for a preview of a continuation. By the end of it, we have no resolution with the Volturi, only a stand off due to the Cullen's new found powers of the Super-Bella, Edward and his vampire bride have become a boring (albeit lusty) married couple and everyone (including Charlie) seems to skip, or at least limp, into the sunset. However, there are enough unanswered questions to make us wonder where it will go next... like, what about Leah? What will happen to Jacob and Ness? Why is it all of a sudden important that the wolves are NOT werewolves but actually shape shifters? If imprinting is for breeding purposes then what in the underworld is going to happen when Jacob and Ness settle down to have some human/vamp pups? And finally, there is still the Volturi--NONE of that was affected. Edward and Bella's story might have been tied with a big blood-red bow, but Jacob and Nessie's futures remain far from over. It just makes me wonder if what we were REALLY reading was part one of series two...

SSHHHHH.... I'm reading

2008-08-02T07:18:00.000-07:00

Seriously, why are you checking my blog?! Go read Breaking Dawn!

D-Day

2008-08-01T12:28:00.000-07:00

I can hardly think straight. I'm totally excited for tonight and I (once again) know I'm completely ridiculous and don't even care.

I love it. I also love the fact that me and 7 other members of my book club are the FIRST people to get our books tonight at 12:01. That is the fact I am choosing to dwell on, not the fact that we are officially the dorkiest people in Oceanside for being camped out in front of the store by 7 am and being the ONLY people camped out until about and hour and a half later. We're nerds, I love it. So, I've pretty much spent all morning taking stock of my current state of mind and have decided to create a list of 10 signs you are completely and totally addicted to Twilight.

10. You stand in line HOURS before anyone else with several of your dear friends to ensure a guaranteed 12:01 purchase of Breaking Dawn.

9. Whenever the names "Edward" or "Jacob" are used in conversations around you, your automatic reaction is to stop and listen to said conversation in order to make sure you are not being left out of a conversation involving your two favorite male characters.

8. You attempted to pre-order Breaking Dawn before the bookstore even had a pre-order list created.

7. Your morning routine includes one or more of the following: reading the quote of the day on Stephenie Meyer's website, googling articles on Twilight and Stephenie Meyer, reading parts one of the first three installments of the series in order to be prepared for Breaking Dawn.

6. You find yourself contemplating Bella's fate and her relationship with Edward in inappropriate places, such as church, in the temple, swim lessons, exercise class, in meetings, and during meal time with your family.

5. You have had to explain to at least one family member that, Yes, you are completely aware that the characters in the book are a.)fictional, b.) will always be fictional c.) completely out of the scope of actual reality.

4. You are right now, or will be within the next 48 hours, wearing and article of clothing and/or accessory that refers to any and all of the following: vampires, werewolves, twilight, moons, eclipses, imprints, cullens, sparkles, forks, and Quileutes.

3. You have informed all business associates, friends, and loved ones that you will be completely and totally unreachable and unavailable on the day of and the night before August 2nd.

2. You have begun to reach out and surround yourself with others who feel your same addiction in order to further your break from reality. These other have been found in various places including (but not limited to) church, your children's school, the library, other distant family members, through friends of friends, and the bookstore.

1. You are still reading this list.

If you have answered yes to 3 or more of these questions, please, do not despair. You are not alone. There are many people who are willing to support you and not judge. Here is a place you can go to be supported as you work through your addiction. Please click here

The Bella

2008-07-31T18:03:00.001-07:00

So, here it is, the third and final installment in my dessert trilogy. I have to say this one gave me the biggest trouble. I agonized over it and tried out a few combinations in my head, but in the end, this one seemed to fit. Can I just tell you this is one of the most delicious cupcakes ever?!! --And that's coming from me! I had originally planned to make it in a mini cupcake size (seeing as how everyone always refers to Bella as being so small) but I ran out of mini cupcake liners and baked regular sized ones. On a sheer greedy piggy level, I'm totally glad they are!

I was joking around saying that for the Bella all I was going to do was cut an Edward cupcake and a Jacob cupcake in half and smush them together, and I played on that idea here a little bit. There is a little bit of the Jacob, a little bit of the Edward, but a lot of something that could only be just Bella. It also had to be topped with a bit of neutrality (she is Switzerland, you know.)

I wanted it to be a combination of the two forces plus something extra that made them meet on on even territory. (I also wanted the cake to be white because I think the white queen on the book cover probably represents Bella.) They also have a white chocolate center, since I think Bella is good right to the core and a bit more nuts on top, because just like Jacob, Bella is a little nutty (come on, admit it!)

So here it is....

White Chocolate Cupcake with Chocolate Cinnamon Buttercream garnished with chopped pistachios and a Swiss Chocolate Truffle

Cake

2 cups flour
1 cup sugar
3 tsp. baking powder
1 tsp. salt
1/2 butter or shortening
1/2 cup milk
1/2 cup sour cream
1 tsp vanilla
3 eggs
3 oz melted white chocolate

Frosting

1/2 cup butter, softened
1/2 cup shortening
1 teaspoon vanilla
1/3 cup cocoa (or about 5 ounces of melted baking chocolate)
4 teaspoons cinnamon
2-3 cup powdered sugar
4 tablespoons sour cream

Lindt Swiss Dark Chocolate Truffle Bar (comes with 18 squares)
finely chopped pistachios
White chocolate appeals

Preheat oven to 350. In a large bowl, combine dry ingredients for cake and mix together. Add remaining wet ingredients and beat at medium speed for 2-3 minutes. Spoon into cupcake liners until about half full. Bake for 12 minutes. Open oven and drop one appeal into each cupcake. Bake for another 12 minutes or until tops spring back. COOL COMPLETELY

In another bowl, whip together shortening and butter. Add cocoa, cinnamon and vanilla, whip. Add powdered sugar and sour cream alternating until the right consistency. Whip for about 5 minutes. Pipe onto cupcakes and garnish with chopped pistachios and a Swiss Truffle. YUM!!

Oh yeah P.S. I'm totally going to a midnight release party tomorrow and I'm totally geekin' out about it!!

Links

2008-07-30T23:09:00.000-07:00

I don't know what's going on. I'm having blog issues the last two days and nothing was showing up (hence no post yesterday-sorry.) I took out my background from cutestblogontheblock until I can figure it out.

Anyway, today all I really wanted to do was to link you to all my favorite Twilight sight on the web right now (in case you are crazy and can sleep like me and need to surf.) Most of the fan sites and forum are down since they don't want spoilers posted, but I stumbled across this one the other day. It is beyond entertaining.

Twilight Guy -- It's basically an online blog of a guy (and aspiring author) who is reading the series and gives his take chapter by chapter. He's currently in New Moon right now, but I finally went back to the very beginning and starting reading his entries. Twilight and the male mind together--my head wants to explode.

Also, check out www.etsy.com and just search Twilight. (particularly in the jewelry) So funny to see what everyone else is making too.

So, sorry, short post, but still good stuff. I'm pretty much geeking out about Friday and am also a little swamped and preoccupied with some other unexpected stuff. HOWEVER-- "The Bella" should be making it's debut (hopefully) tomorrow evening.

2 more days!!

Shirts and Spoilers

2008-07-28T18:19:00.001-07:00

I'm pretty sure I shared all of them I made mock ups for except for this one. It's a two sided shirt. On the front it says...

And on the back...

I don't really have too much today. You MIGHT want to check out EW.com for the big spoiler Stephenie Meyer released today (but then again, you might not.) It's actually not too bad, something I had already assumed, but if you don't want to know ANYTHING, then steer clear.

Here are the top 5 things I'm itching to know from Breaking Dawn...

5. Will Bella get changed?
4. Will Jacob imprint?
3. What in the heck is Alec's power?
2. Will Charlie (or anyone else) find out about the Cullens?
and the number one thing I want to know is...

1. Is anyone going to die? (In particular, is a certain werewolf who I totally love and who's name rhymes with Wacob Rack going to die?) I'm warning you all now, I will seriously burn my books in protest and wear black for a year if he does! (FYI--that last part's not really a sacrifice considering I pretty much wear black about 6 days a week.)

Also, for your bossy-bessy pleasure... I can't pick a shirt to make, so I've put it to a vote. Make sure to cast it by Friday so I can make whatever you say!

The JACOB Cupcake

2008-07-27T15:14:00.001-07:00

Here it is...

This cupcake is dedicated to our favorite sweet, dense, and selfless werewolf. You all know how much I love Jacob. I just think he's greatly misunderstood in this whole thing! So here is my culinary ode to him.

I wanted to make a cupcake that was warm an earthy and a total comfort food. The kind of thing that would smell like Grandma baked it and you make you want to snuggle up and take a bite. I wanted to have distinct earthy and spicy flavors, but still be very sweet overall. It needed to remind me of the woods in a way, and also needed a little element of nutty and fun.
It doesn't disappoint. This cupcake is delicious.

Cinnamon Spice Cupcake with Maple Cream Cheese Frosting
and a Pistachio Burnt Sugar Garnish (or THE JACOB)

Cake
1 box spice cake mix
1/2 cup melted butter
3 eggs
1 1/2 cup milk
1 tsp nutmeg
1/2 tsp ground cloves
1 TBS cinnamon

Frosting
8 oz cream cheese
4 TBS maple syrup
2 TBS brown sugar
2 cups powdered sugar

Finely chopped pistachios and white sugar

Preheat oven to 350. Mix all cake ingredients together and beat on medium for two minutes. Bake in cupcake liners for about 22 minutes. COOL COMPLETELY

In a small saucepan combine maple syrup and brown sugar, on LOW heat, allow sugar to dissolve and then cool syrup down. In a large bowl whip cream cheese until softened. Add powdered sugar and and syrup mixture a little at a time alternating between them until right consistency is reached. If too thick, add a bit of milk, if too thin, add some more powdered sugar. Pipe onto cool cupcakes and top with chopped pistachios. On a silicone baking mat, spoon small amounts of sugar into little circles. With a kitchen blowtorch, heat sugar until it bubbles and carmelizes into solid shapes. Let cool and garnish top of cupcake. ENJOY!

Are you sick of me, yet? We have one more character to go in our cupcake trilogy. She'll make her debut sometime next week. I have to say--Bella's has been the most challenging and I'm not sure I've really got it right, so we'll have to see...

Werewolf Weekend

2008-07-26T08:44:00.000-07:00

In honor of the wolves, I'm dubbing this Werewolf weekend.

I know not everyone likes the werewolves in this series, and I'm just going to lay it out there right now, I think you're completely insane not to. I am NOT saying that you have to love the wolves over the Cullens. I am also NOT saying you have to love Jacob over Edward and I am IN NO WAY saying you have to want Jacob to be with Bella more than with Edward. I am just stating that if you do not realize the awesomeness of the werewolves, you are not actually reading the books. I like them more and more every time I pick this series up. I just want you to realize that the Cullens and The Quileutes are not mutually exclusive in coolness. O.K. fine, maybe I'll never convince you, but I'll leave you with this. Not all vampires are vegetarians, and I'm pretty sure that after Edward and Bella ride off into the sunset, I'd sure like to know those La Push boys are watching out for us anyway (something, I'm sorry to say, I don't really think the Cullens would ever do.)

I don't really know how else to put it. In honor of my affinity for the La Push Boys, here's my latest logos...

Seriously, how can you not love them? I don't get it. Tune in tomorrow for my (quite literal) sweet homage to my favorite wolf, Jacob.

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