Daily Icing

2012... The year of The Turn Around

2012-01-01T00:00:00.000-08:00

Dec. 31st, 2011

   I spent today soaking in inspiration... I blog surfed a bit, spent time with family, and chatted with friends... and of course I spent a very good part of the day in reflection, as I'm sure most of you did...

   2011 brought many things here in Daily Icing land, a career change... financial struggles and triumphs... the dissolvement of friendships, others have been made so very much stronger, and new ones have blossomed... the loss of a loved one and in that loss I found what family really means.
   I guess what I'm saying is, 2011 was not at all what I had planned... and with each hurt came healing, with each disappointment triumph followed. I am so very thankful for each moment.
This time last year I had a list of achievements and resolutions for the new year... some I accomplished... others, well you know how that goes...

So in my contemplation of the up coming new year, I have decided to dub 2012 as the year Tawny gets selfish. Ive heard it said that 2012 is the "Year of The Turn Around"... I kinda liked that.
   I plan on spending 2012 turning around... spending time on ME from getting my self in shape, both mentally and physically... to braving new adventures in my career and taking the time to stop and smell the roses, enjoying every moment with my friends and family. To find the truest me and embrace her.

   I pray that 2012 brings you all much love, and happiness, and a chance to see all your dreams come true!

Be Good to Each Other!

Chocolate Crinkles... nom.

2011-12-11T20:45:00.001-08:00

Today's recipe has no big story... no funny anecdote, just simply a recipe...
Because nothing is better than chocolate, and these sweet little darlins are not only beautiful, but yumtastic... here ya go!

Ingredients

4 oz of melted dark chocolate
2 cups white sugar
1/2 cup vegetable oil
4 eggs
2 teaspoons vanilla extract
2 cups all-purpose flour
2 teaspoons baking powder
1/2 teaspoon salt
1/2 cup confectioners' sugar

Directions

In a medium bowl, mix together cocoa, white sugar, and vegetable oil. Beat in eggs one at a time, then stir in the vanilla. Combine the flour, baking powder, and salt; stir into the cocoa mixture. Cover dough, and chill for at least 4 hours.
Preheat oven to 350 degrees F (175 degrees C). Line cookie sheets with parchment paper. Roll dough into one inch balls. I like to use a number 50 size scoop. Coat each ball in confectioners' sugar before placing onto prepared cookie sheets.
Bake in preheated oven for 10 to 12 minutes. Let stand on the cookie sheet for a minute before transferring to wire racks to cool.

Momma Tips:
1. add white chocolate to replace the dark and mix a bit of cocoa powder into your powder sugar {a reverse crinkle!}
2. add a little surprize flavor... peppermint, raspberry... you name it! YUM!

Be Good to Each Other!

What Works for me Wednesday

2011-12-07T06:58:00.001-08:00

I know this is not a new concept... but I cant tell you how many times this little trick my grandma taught me has helped sooth my sweet tooth!

So, for today's What Works for me Wednesday tip:

Pre scoop and freeze your favorite cookie dough!

When making a batch of cookies... drop cookies, cut outs you name it, I ALWAYS double the recipe... #1 because I have 2 teenage boys that will easily eat a batch of cookies all on their own, {baked or not}
and B... because you never know when ~~the munchies will hit and you want cookies at 2am~~ AHEM...

So I just drop them/or cut them out pop them on a cookie sheet and freeze... annnnd...

SHAZAM!

You have cookies at your beckon call!

I store them in Ziploc Freezer Bags with the baking info written on the front...

Be Good to Each Other!

Oh SNAP!

2011-12-06T19:02:00.001-08:00

Ginger Snap that is!

I found this recipe a couple of years ago after a friend of mine brought over the most amazing pumpkin dip { which we will discuss later} and a batch of ginger snaps...

These are a favorite every year... I hope you enjoy!

Ingredients

1 cup packed brown sugar
3/4 cup vegetable oil
1/4 cup molasses
1 egg
2 cups all-purpose flour
2 teaspoons baking soda
1/4 teaspoon salt
1/2 teaspoon ground cloves
1 teaspoon ground cinnamon
1 teaspoon ground ginger
1/3 cup white sugar for decoration

Directions

Preheat oven to 375 degrees F (190 degrees C).
In a large bowl, mix together the brown sugar, oil, molasses, and egg. Combine the flour, baking soda, salt, cloves, cinnamon, and ginger; stir into the molasses mixture. Roll dough into 1 1/4 inch balls. Roll each ball in white sugar before placing 2 inches apart on ungreased cookie sheets.
Bake for 10 to 12 minutes in preheated oven, or until center is firm. Cool on wire racks.

And dont forget... CookiePalooza is going on for 2 weeks! So run and tell your friends... if you win cookies maybe you can share! :) Or not.... its up to you!

And Grab this...

Oh... and if you are in the OKC area this Saturday, and looking to get your Christmas Shopping all finished up, you need to do THIS and come visit some amazing artists and crafters! And maybe I will give you treats! Or at least pretty little things that look like sweet treats!

right click and save for your printable recipe card!

Be Good to Each Other!

#1 Marshmallow Kisses...

2011-12-04T16:42:00.001-08:00

So one of my favorite cookies ever is simply shortbread. Flour, Butter, Sugar... VOLIA! Whats not to love about that! I cover sweet bits of short bread in caramel, chocolate, jam... crumble it on ice cream, dunk it in my coffee... you name it!

Then add some marshmallow fluffy type stuff AND chocolate... & wowza! Its good Ya'll.

Shortbread:

1 1/4 C flour
3 Tablespoons
Pinch of Salt
1/2 Unsalted Butter

Preheat your oven to 350 degrees F.
Combine the flour, sugar and salt in a mixing bowl. Work in the butter with a fork or pastry cutter until the dough has the consistency of pie crust. Sprinkle a board or your counter top lightly with flour. Turn the dough onto the board and knead until it's smooth. Press till aprox. 1/4 inch thick and cut into rounds. Place on a parchment paper lined baking sheet. Prick with a fork. Bake at 350 degrees F. for 20 to 30 minutes, until the cookies begin to brown slightly. Allow the cookies to cool on the baking sheet.

Marshmallow:

3 envelopes unflavored gelatin
1 Cup cold water
2 C granulated Sugar
1/2 C light corn syrup
1/4 teaspoon salt
1 teaspoon vanilla
Dissolve gelatin in water in stand mixer for 10 minutes. In heavy bottomed sauce pan combine sugar & corn syrup, bring to a rapid boil for 1 minute. slowly pour into mixer bowl. Whip together till fluffly (about 10 minutes) then add salt and vanilla mix for another 6 minutes.

**Using a pastry bag fitted with tip (and sprayed with pan spray Apply warm marshmallow to the top of shortbread cookie. Chill in fridge for 15 minutes or till marshmallow is cool and firm. Melt 16 oz chocolate in double boiler. dip marshmallow covered cookies into chocolate and allow to set.

Just right click to save image for printable recipe card!

Dont forget to join me for all kinds of cookie fun! Get the Cookie Palooza details HERE

Be Good to Each Other!

12 days of Cookies... plus a giveaway!

2011-12-04T10:27:00.001-08:00

Join me in celebrating my 2nd Annual CookiePalooza!

Its time again for the 12 Days of Cookies recipe swap & giveaway!

One of my favorite holiday traditions is our family's Christmas Eve Cookie swap... each year on Dec 24th the {extended} family gathers at our home for the big Christmas Cookie Swap and Stocking exchange... its a fantastic way to see everyone for the holidays and leaves Christmas Day for just us to lay around and play with all of our new toys! {A win; win situation in my opinion ;) }

Its such an awesome time, I thought I would share it with all of you!

This year I will be offering 12 cookie recipes, with printable cards here on the blog... so make sure you are checking back everyday for each new treat!

And to add just a bit of Christmas Cheer... On Dec. 18th I will giveaway a printed version of the whole collection of recipes {plus a few more} PLUS a lovely box of each cookie baked up just for you!

Here is how it works!

#1 grab a button... and put it in your side bar

#2 Follow Lollipops Sugar Shoppe on Facebook & Twitter {cuz there will be even more fun stuff posted through out the "palooza" and mini giveaways as well!}
#3 Tell your friends! Tis the season for sharing!
#4 Leave a comment... and let me know about your all time favorite Christmas Sweets!
{each Cookie Palooza post comment you leave will enter you in the big giveaway on Dec 18th!}

Easy Peasy!

Now adjust your waist bands and lets get to baking!

Happy Holidays Friends!

Be Good to Each Other!

Things I ♥ right now...

2011-10-04T19:35:00.000-07:00

I kinda have a thing for hedgehogs... I hope you enjoy!

Hedgehogie type things...

emandsprout $24.00	idea2lifestyle $63.00	ayarina $8.25	vsc83 $39.00
marianagaby $229.00	RKEMdesigns $19.60	kimberlylayton $5.00	purplepetunia $20.00
seabreezestudi... $20.00	AnneSolfud $15.00	rainbowswirlz $40.00	sugarandflour $33.00
KeepCalmArsena... $8.99	ThreeLeafDesig... $50.00	ennashop $6.80	SweetbodySoaps $9.50

Treasury tool by Red Row Studio.

Be good to each other,

We paused for a station identification break...

2011-10-01T08:52:00.000-07:00

But things are back to normal... I hope!

I feel just terrible that I missed the Practical Magic Blog Party! I had such fun planned, but oh well... I plan on spending the weekend visiting all the magical postings...

And now on with the show!!!

Dinner with a Gypsy...

2011-09-11T12:02:00.000-07:00

This post was ment for yesterday... I totally forgot! We have had our fair share of connection issues around here lately and in dealing with that I totally missed the wagon train... but here we are anyway, pulling up the rear, baubles adorned and skirts flowing!

So come sit with me by the campfire... and listen as the old ones tell their tales.

Have your fortune told and let me fill your belly...

Here is our offering...

GYPSY STEW

{photo credit: Traveling Gypsy Cravan}

Ingredients:

2 tablespoons olive oil

2 large chopped onions (2 cups)
2 cloves garlic, minced

1/2 cup chopped celery (1 large stalk)

2 cups peeled chopped sweet potato

3 cups vegetable broth

1 bay leaf

2 teaspoons paprika

1 teaspoon turmeric
1 teaspoon basil
1 dash cinnamon
cayenne pepper, to taste
1 cup chopped tomato
3/4 cup chopped green pepper
1 1/2 cups cooked chickpeas
1 tablespoon tamari

Directions:

Heat oil in large pot, and saute onion, garlic, celery and potato for about 5 minutes.

Add broth, bay leaf, and spices, bring to a boil, reduce heat and simmer (covered) 15 minutes. Add tomatoes, peppers and chick peas, simmer at least 10 minutes more.

Stir in tamari and serve.

recipe courtesy of food.com

Momma Tips...

1} The longer you simmer this the yummier it is... and its one of those dishes that the leftovers taste even more amazing than the first night!

2} Add a little fresh pumpkin... you will thank me.

3} Best if served on a sweet autumn evening... fireside, with a side of this...

GYPSY BREAD

1 loaf French bread
1 c. grated sharp Cheddar cheese
1 sm. onion, chopped
1/3 to 1/2 c. mayonnaise
2 tbsp. minced green pepper (optional)
2 tsp. white wine vinegar
1/2 tsp. curry powder
1/2 c. chopped ripe olives

Slice the loaf of bread lengthwise. Combine the rest of the ingredients into a smooth spreadable consistency. Spread on the bread and broil at least 6 inches from the heating unit until cheese melts.

Momma tips...

I like to make a lovely soda bread but really thats up to you
You can grill this and its amazing... perfect for the campfire!

Enjoy your Gypsy Dreams~

Be good to each other!

PS... join the caravan! Pop on over to Gypsy Dreams Blog to see what adventures may await you!

guilt and shame....

2011-09-06T07:24:00.000-07:00

I am really the single most self centered and cry babyish person I know.

seriously.

Today's story begins like this:

I snuggled up early Sunday morning with a few cakes in the oven and a cup of coffee in my hand, ready to enjoy my day. That was the plan... supreme relaxation I felt I DESERVED for my Labor Day weekend {because you know; my freaking life of playing with babies and managing the bills and arguing with the chef is so damn hard.} whatever.
All was going as planned and from my many facebook updates it would seem as though all was well, and for the most part it was... I made pie filling and frosting while dancing along to Beauty School Dropout{Grease was playing on cable...} I was getting only slightly annoyed at the idea that "Sandy" would change everything about herself for freakin "Danny Zuko" who lets be honest, is probably just gonna get her knocked up after highschool, and run off to join a band leaving her alone with 2 babies and rent due...
It was there that I should have known something had changed in my day... was it hormones? maybe. Stress... probably. The wind can blow wrong and my mood shifts to something ugly these days so who knows what made the switch inside me all I know is that it was there all of a sudden and I grabbed onto it with both hands.
The rest of the story is really short, the cake was out to get me. The icing was crap... serious crap {Thank you VERY much Better Homes and Gardens!} The cake cracked... and shortly after so did I as I found my self screaming with fists full of chocolate and cussing like a drunk sailor as I slung {is that a real word? I think so...} an entire cake... frosting, filling and all around my kitchen.
I still have no idea why I did it, other than that dessert was gonna get it and I needed to be the one giving it.
As I sat covered in frosting and sweet cherry filling and bits of fudgie cake I began to cry... not a "well poop I'm a nitwit all this work for nothing and now to top it all off I have an INSANE mess to clean up... " kind of cry...{have you ever seen what a double layer 8 inch round cake that serves 12 will do to a kitchen when it gets brutally murdered? Its a mess.} it was more of a release... this crazy persons way of "getting out" all the crap that has been building up in my head.
And here is where the guilt and shame part sets in... I have NO REASON to feel overwhelmed or irritated about my life. I have a home... no matter how old and falling apart it is its mine. I have a husband, no matter how irritated we are at each other right now we have someone to hold at night and through all the crap life throws at us we are still a team. I have food in my belly, hell I have so much food I can throw it and still have more. I have a job; one that I am in control of not someone sweatshop puppet.

I have healthy kids. I'm not dealing with chemo and uncertainty.
I feel nothing this morning but shame as I read though the struggles and small victories this family has gone through... I threw a cake around my kitchen because my bills are out of control and I was irritated by God only knows.

Cancer Sucks. and that is all.

Be good to each other,

Can I finally get that rewind button.... please?

2011-08-17T06:33:00.000-07:00

On his first day of kindergarten I packed his sweet little Power Ranger backpack with crayons and markers, and giant pencils... today he grabbed a couple of pens and a spiral notebook.

On his first day of kindergarten he cried when I left him... and so did I as I sat in the parking lot for 4 hours till school was out... today I was holding back tears as I drove him to school {he gets his car in a few weeks} and he leisurely hopped out and said "Cya Mom."

London Senior 2011-1012

I wonder if he realizes how important today is... his first day of his Senior year. I wonder if he knows how proud I am of him? Or how much I wish I could get back that first day of kindergarten...

Be good to each other...

There's a party goin on...

2011-08-16T06:30:00.000-07:00

And you wont want to miss it!

The Twinery is celebrating their 1st Bday! And in a big way!
You can join them all week long for lots of really awesome ideas and and giveaways!

So hop on over there and join in on all the fun!

Be good to each other!

Back to School Things I ♥ Right Now...

2011-08-15T07:02:00.000-07:00

So its that time again. The time of year when you have to shake yourself {and 4 very reluctant children} out of lazy summer days and back into... dare I even say it... SCHOOL! Back to mornings rushing around for shoes, and lunches and headbands that match tights, and homework assignments, and permission slips, and.... *sigh*.

Here are some really awesome back to schoolish things I ♥ right now!

1. Eco Friendly sandwich bags from my good friend Elaine of Fig Tree Boutique on etsy

2. Who doesn't love pencils made from recycled newspapers! These from TreeSmart are really cool!

3. Water bottles from Lifefactory are not only BPA free... but helloooo.... they are super cute!

4. You can add sweet little kawaii faces to ANYTHING and I'm in love, but these sweet little flash cards just about sent me over the moon!

You can purchase the PDF from Typewink ;) on etsy and then get lost in the adorableness of her shop!

5. AubreyPlays {on etsy} is totally right! These lunch bags ARE way cuter than a brown paper bag! And she will even personalize them for you!

6. And who doesn't need this! Made from recycled soda bottles and waterproof! You will never get to class and find your iPad dead again! why? Cuz your backpack + the SUN totally charged it for you! duh.

From Voltaic

Add a bit of extra cuteness to your daily read...

Grab this sweet cover for your NOOK/Kindle made by Downstairs Designs

So who else is dreading that 6am alarm and complaining kids this week?

Be good to each other!

You say SAUsage I say SOYsage...

2011-08-14T11:01:00.000-07:00

I made dinner! A "real food" dinner!
Normally I leave that up to The Chef.
Dinner takes alot of planning. It requires many different pans and cooking times, temps, seasonings and other.... stuff.
And honestly I just prefer to bake.
But I thought I would give the guy a break for once and take the opportunity to let him step away from the kitchen but to also bring you a new Apron Strings recipe!

So with that said... lets talk sausage!

Smoked Sausage and Rice to be exact.

Now to be honest, I'm not a big smoked sausage fan. We had it at times when I was kid, but there is something about the idea of what is IN store packaged summer sausage that gets to me... {add in the fact that I am a newly converted veg head and you have a bit of trouble} BUT that is the magic of marrying my chef... he makes all our sausagie products by hand with REAL bits of meat! So I no longer worry about the icky stuff that "they" put in the food that I'm serving to my family!
{here is where I would normally get on my farm to table, food tracking soap box but I will spare you... today at least, we will chat about this soon tho!}

So when I was searching for today's recipe and sausage was involved I thought "hey, what the heck!"
Now I made 2 versions of this... one with yummy meat for the familia, and one {very small batch} with soysage for me. It wasn't half bad! I also tweaked a few other things... but I will let you know along the way!

{serves 6}

Ingredients:

4 cups cooked rice *I used brown rice
12oz of country style linked sausage {or soysage if you want a meatless version}
1 large onion diced
1 green bell pepper diced
1 cup diced celery
1 can tomatoes quartered {I used real tomatoes about 3 romas and I diced them}
1 cup of beef broth {on the familias version of this I added the broth, on mine I just used some juice from the tomatoes and a little h2o... just as good!}
1 can sliced pineapple in unsweetened juice {I just grabbed a whole pineapple, cut into pieces, about 2 cups worth and juiced the rest, using a cup and a half of the juice for the latter part of the recipe}
1/4Tsp both garlic and pepper
1 Tbsp brown sugar
2 Tbsp cornstarch

Directions:
While the rice is cooking cover and cook the sausage in 1/2cup of water for about 5 minutes {if you are using homemade sausage and not the precooked store bought kind you will need to cook longer more like 30 minutes}
Remove sausages from the water and thinly slice.
Combine sausage, onion, bell pepper, and celery in large skillet, cook till veggies are tender crisp.
Add tomatoes, broth {or tomato juice for meatless}, pineapple chunks (drain and reserve juice if your using canned) add brown sugar and seasonings. Cover and simmer for 5 minutes.
Blend cornstarch and pineapple juice pour over meat and veggie mixture and stir till clear and thick about 2 minutes. Serve over beds of fluffy rice.

recipe submitted by June Brannon to the 1974 Sunnylane UMW cookbook

This was actually really good, and easy! A little sweet, a little sour and everyones bellies were full!

Do you have a recipe you want to see featured in Apron Strings? Just email it {along with why it is so special to you} to tawny76@cox.net

Be good to each other!

I ♥ You... now and forever.

2011-08-13T12:16:00.000-07:00

I am late posting this.

I have tried to type this through tears as I can only imagine what our fellow blogger Jennie Perillo and her precious girls are going through right now.

I have never met Jennie, never spoken with her, never even commented on her blog {though I have followed it faithfully for awhile now}

And per her request, here is Mikeys Pie...

For Mikey... For Jennie & her girls... For Today.

Enjoy it in bed... in your pjs just as Sweetapolita and her 2 sweet little munchkins did. Or in the quiet of the night snuggled up and telling each other how special you are... the way The Chef and I did... either way, never forget to tell the people you love just how much you love them...

Be good to each other,

One spoon or Two??

2011-08-10T07:14:00.000-07:00

My favorite time of the day is early in the morning... Like 5:30 - 6am~ish... before the kids wake up.
Its quiet, and calm... and The chef and I get to enjoy some awesome chat/snuggle time over a cup o joe!

If you have been reading this blog for long you will find a few common denominators in almost all my posts... I ♥ mornings and snuggle times with The Chef... I ♥ Coffee {like, with all my little heart} ... and I believe that Vanilla Bean ranks right up there with Fairy Dust {and I ♥ fairy dust!}

So here is my secret to enjoy all three things at once... and its a great way to "re purpose" those pesky empty vanilla bean pods!

There is nothing yummier than Vanilla Bean Sugar!

Okay, there are probably other things equally yummy, but would I have reeled you in with... "there are somethings that are yummier than vanilla sugar, sorry I'm not sharing those?" No.

So here is what you Need...

2 Vanilla Beans

at least 3 cups of granulated sugar...

& an air tight container

bend and twist the vanilla bean with your hands...{ this gets the beans inside all loosey goosey}

open the vanilla bean with a knife by splitting down the middle...

then scrape out some of the seeds by running the back of the knife down the inside of the vanilla bean.

put the vanilla bean pod and the seeds into the container with the sugar.

I like to roughly cut my vanilla bean pod into smaller pieces and toss those in there as well... more Vanilla the better in my book!

Then you just pop the lid on the jar, ~~turn on a Bieber tune and shake it baby~~! Er, um... I mean turn on some totally adult music like Celine Dion and... dear god who am I kidding!

In about a week {if you have the self control I lack} your sugar will be ready!

Just shake it up every now and again to get all that vanilla goodness incorporated throughout the sugar!

Momma Tip:

*if you use the seeds for a recipe then just chop the pods up and place them in your container!

*tired of buying vanilla extract? {I would tell you what that stuff is really made of but it wouldnt make you happy so I will refrain.} One tablespoon of finished vanilla sugar has the flavor of 1/4 teaspoon of vanilla extract!

Be good to each other!

Coffee + Cake = YUM

2011-08-07T15:15:00.000-07:00

The morning began like any other... a lovely cup o joe, some silly convo with The Chef and the rumbling in our tummies.

   We haven't been cooking at. all. around these parts these days. Its been a 109 on a good day, and 115 others, so warming up the house for any type of treat has been totally out of the question.

   But today Mother Nature took it easy on us and with temps in the 70s this morning we jumped on the chance to make the first recipe in the Apron Strings series!

We hope you enjoy!

Ingredients

2 tablespoons canola oil, plus more for pan
4 cups all-purpose flour, plus more for pan
1/2 cup granulated sugar
2 1/2 teaspoons baking powder
1/2 teaspoon salt
1 large egg
1/2 cup milk
2 teaspoons pure vanilla extract
1 cup packed light-brown sugar
1 1/2 teaspoons ground cinnamon
1 cup (2 sticks) unsalted butter, melted and cooled
Confectioners' sugar, for dusting

Directions

Place rack in center of oven, and heat oven to 325 degrees. Lightly brush a 9-by-12 1/2-inch baking pan with canola oil, dust with flour, and tap to remove excess. Set aside. In a medium bowl, sift together 1 1/2 cups flour, granulated sugar, baking powder, and salt; set aside. In a second bowl, whisk together egg, milk, canola oil, and vanilla. Using a rubber spatula, fold dry ingredients into egg mixture.
Spread batter evenly into prepared pan, and set aside. In a medium bowl, combine remaining 2 1/2 cups flour, brown sugar, and cinnamon. Pour melted butter over flour mixture, and toss with a rubber spatula until large crumbs form. Sprinkle crumbs over batter.
Transfer pan to oven, and bake, rotating pan after 10 minutes. Continue baking until a cake tester comes out clean, about 10 minutes more.
Transfer baking pan to a wire rack to cool. Dust with confectioners' sugar. Using a serrated knife or bench scraper, cut into 3-inch squares. Store in an airtight container for up to 3 days.

Do you have a recipe you want to see featured in Apron Strings? Just email it {along with why it is so special to you} to tawny76@cox.net

Be good to each other!

Magical Apron Strings...

2011-08-06T13:04:00.000-07:00

Thanks to a break in this heat wave... {its a crisp 95 degrees out today with a lovely cloud cover AND rain!} I was actually able to get in my kitchen and tinker around with some new recipes! I feel almost normal again!

And so with the weather behaving like it should {for a minute or two} I felt like there is no time like the present to share my new blog series with you...

"Apron Strings" Tales from Our Grandmothers Kitchens

Inspiration for this came a few weeks ago when going through some old family "stuff" at my uncles home, we came across a certain cookbook of my Grannys. I have been looking for this silly old thing for years and to find it tucked away in a nook of my uncles kitchen made my day!

Its not just any regular old cookbook... this one is THE magical cookbook, the one that I remember flipping through as a little girl. The recipes tucked inside are all gathered from the UMW ladies that make up my childhood memories. {that's United Methodist Women to those of you not in the know!}

It looks pretty unexecptional doesnt it...

The UMW would host a craft bazzar twice a year, and this cookbook would be for sale at the front table, along with a few sweet treats, made from the recipes contained within!

Inside its yellowing pages you will find recipes for things like "Crazy Crust Pizza" and "Old Fashioned Chocolate Cookie Sheet Cake" you will even come across a few wonderful recipes for life...

Seriously is this not the sweetest thing ever!

Each entry was lovingly typed on the church typewriter by Mrs. Melba Minshall the church secretary, there is even a dedication to her in the front of the book!

So let this begin my very first blog series EVER!

Each week I plan on making a dish from the cookbook... either sweet, or savory and I will post the end result here! Kind of like my own okie version of The Julie/Julia Project!

And I would LOVE to hear from you loyal readers! If you have a recipe you would like to see featured here on the blog just shoot it my way! tawny76@cox.net And I would even love a little back story if you have one! Lets honor those women {or men...} that taught us at their Apron Strings!

Be good to each other!

A winner... a quiet 4th... and a heavy heart...

2011-07-04T21:18:00.000-07:00

Well, I know I am way behind on my Mad Tea Party Thank You and Giveaway winner post...
sorry about that.

SO... without futher ado...

Thank You ALL for stopped by my Tea Party! It was so awesome to get to share my own little wonderland with you! Mr Bumble and I had such a fantastic time buzzing from one party to the next!
Thank You sweet Vanessa for yet another fabulous adventure!

And now.... drum roll please....
through random number generator the winner of the Eat Me ~ Drink Me tags is....
Comment number 13...
KathrynAntyr said...

what a treat to swing by your blog today. Loved hearing Michael Buble singing in the background. I saw him in concert just last week! swoon.

I have a little party of my own and gifts for all of my guests. I do hope you can stop by.

Follow this direct link: http://collagediva.typepad.com/collagediva/2011/06/tea-party.html

Have a sweet day!
Kathryn, Collage Diva

June 25, 2011 6:43 PM

Congrats Kathrynn!

Be looking for a message from me! ;)

So today is the 4th of July... and Im sure most of you are out celebrating it with hamburgers and hot dogs, potato salad and cold beer... am I right?

That is usually what would be going on over here at The Daily Icing Casa, but this year we are a bit more somber... and just taking the kids to see the fireworks and grabbing a snowcone. Im not feeling very yippee lately.

As a matter of fact my heart is just down right heavy, like a rock in my chest.

You see I lost someone so very dear to me this past week that I can hardly put into words just how heavy my little heart is. And celebrations no matter how deserved they are just dont seem right.

So I pray that your celebrations were safe, and joyful. And that you take a minute to tell the people you love how much you love them.

And to my darling Uncle Dano...

I will never forget you.

Dana Richard Dodson
November 10th 1963 to June 28th 2011

"But I don't want to go among mad people," Alice remarked...

2011-06-25T12:44:00.000-07:00

"Oh, you can't help that," said the Cat: "we're all mad here. I'm mad. You're mad."
"How do you know I'm mad?" said Alice.
"You must be," said the Cat, "or you wouldn't have come here."

Welcome all you Mad Tea Partiers!
Are you all partied out? Do you have at least one last little dance left for me and Sir Bumble...

... He got his wings shined just for occasion!

Come on! Follow me! Its just about time for tea!
The Hatter is there already... Im sure he has made quite a mess! Here... have a sip... I think I spy Mr Rabbit... Do you see him?
Look he has everything ready!
There are sweet tea cakes and cookies gallore!
Grab a cup! The Hatter made it just how you like it! Oh look! It seems someone is celebrating an unbirthday! Is it you? I know you have more parties to attend so I will bid you adieu... but first

Monsieur Frog has brought you one last treat... Just take a nibble... and be on your way!
And Thank You so much for stoping by and frolicing in the flowers with me!
It seems the silly Hatter has dropped his hat...

I guess I will have to return it before my tea gets cold!

Dont forget as you travel through Wonderland to stop by A Fanciful Twist and see all the magic Miss Vanessa has cooked up for you there!

P.S.

Leave a comment here and be entered in a perfectly mad giveaway!

{a set of sweet little Eat Me & Drink Me tags! as well as a few other surprises!}

P.P.S. Thanks to my sweet mommy for letting me spend the morning sipping coffee and snaping away in her very own Wonderland garden!

Its good to see you again....

2011-06-24T06:41:00.000-07:00

Hey Guys!!

How the heck are you?
Sorry I have been gone for so darn long! Things have been pretty crazy around my little part of the universe lately!
Those of you that have been checking on me are just the sweetest... its always good to know I am loved!

So where have I been hiding your wondering?? Well I have been lost in wonderful clay and sweet little creatures! {Life threw me another curve ball you see...}

Its funny how you believe the universe is telling you one thing and so you listen and follow... you learn your lessons and BAM! right back to the beginning you go!

Oh! Lolli Studios {formerly Bada Blingg}

What was only intended to be a little side project has blosssomed once again! And its like rekindling a love affair, Im so happy to be squishing away again!

So if you were a fan of the old Bada Blingg Line... your going to go NUTS over Oh! Lolli! I cant wait to share some really awesome new stuff with you guys!

Oh... and I didnt tell you did I... I cant believe I forgot! Where are my manners!... Will you join me for tea tomorrow?

I cant believe its already here! Miss V. and her perfectly magical Tea Party!!
So join me all weekend for a trip down the rabbit hole! We have tea and sweets and run in the tortoise race! You will join me... wont you?

There will be free things and sparkly things and magic all the way around!

Well, Im off to talk to the flowers... they promised me a dress for the weekend!

See you in Wonderland!

"The knee bone's connected to the thigh bone...."

2011-06-18T19:38:00.000-07:00

My Dad...

   My first memory of my father is sitting in the front seat of his blue Ford Mustang, wrapped in this jean jacket that smelled soooo good and singing "Dem Bones."
   That was one of my favorite things about my dad, his songs... we would ride around and sing things like "Three-six-nine the goose drank wine The monkey chewed tobacco on the street car line..." and "theres a hole!! theres a hole!! theres a hole at the bottom of the sea!!!" We would listen to Learn to Speak German tapes on our way to daycare... and count "eins... zwei... drei... vier..." {okay, I didnt really like that part very much... but I do remember playing along!}

   My dad & I havent had the typical "daddys little girl" relationship. I came along like a lightening bolt, a great big shock at first and then rumbling and noise for years later. He was just starting off his life, ready to go out and take over the world and Im sure single father wasnt in his plans... but he did it.

I regret the years I missed with him...being stupid and stubborn... {like father like daughter} and have cherished every moment we have spent rebuilding our relationship. I have his sense of humor and slight flair for the dramatic {though he will NEVER admit to the latter}

I am honored to have him in my life.
Thank you Dad... for teaching me how to be tough and roll with the punches... and pushing me to be the best I can be. Even though most of the time you didnt think I was listening. ;)

So, its Fathers Day ...the day where Dads everywhere are celebrated with neckties and handmade ash trays... days of golfing without complaints that the gutters need a good cleaning and in my dads case where he would get a giant cookie cake, or bag of chips ahoy {or both} all to himself.

Happy Fathers Day Dad!

And to all the dads who are, and to all that didnt have to be... thank you. I love you.

Be good to each other,

I will gladly pay you Tuesday for a Hamburger today... a memorial day Sunday Dinner

2011-05-29T11:49:00.000-07:00

The beginning of Summer... Memorial Day Weekend!

Flags are flying, pools are open, parade routes are set, the smell of sunscreen is in the air!

Its Memorial Day Weekend folks

BBQ grills around the country are firing up, some I'm sure for the first time this season!

And the quest for the perfect burger is underway! We have a new tradition in the familia... the 1st annual Memorial Day Burger Off!

We have separated into 3 teams, Myself and the Tiny Diva... Chef and one teenager... and The biggest teen and Critter... the winner will receive... the ultimate burger trophy! {or a photo of a burger trophy}

Supplies have been purchased and the kitchen is set... its every team for itself!

And while I'm awaiting my turn at the grill... here is a fantastic burger recipe I found while searching for my winning recipe! I hope you enjoy!

LAMB BURGERS

courtesy of marthastewart.com

Ingredients

1 large eggplant, cut into 3/4-inch wedges

2 tablespoons olive oil

Coarse salt and ground pepper

3 tablespoons chopped fresh mint leaves

Zest of 1 lemon, plus 2 teaspoons lemon juice

1 1/2 pounds ground lamb

1/4 teaspoon ground cumin

1/4 teaspoon ground coriander

4 plain or whole-wheat buns

Fresh goat or feta cheese, crumbled

Directions

Heat a grill to medium-high. Clean and lightly oil hot grill. Brush eggplant with olive oil and season with salt and pepper. Grill eggplant, turning occasionally, until browned and cooked through, 10 to 12 minutes. Transfer to a cutting board and coarsely chop. In a medium bowl, toss eggplant with mint and lemon zest and juice.

In another medium bowl, mix lamb, cumin, and coriander. Form into 4 patties. Season with salt and pepper. Grill 4 minutes per side for medium-rare. Serve burgers on buns with eggplant mixture and crumbled goat cheese.

Tips from Momma...

*a great side with this would be a cous cous salad... or A medley of yucca, beet, and sweet potato chips YUM!
*if you don't want to grill these... they will be just as good inside on the stove, and Martha even suggests you can use one skillet if you cook your eggplant first!

Happy Memorial Day Friends!
Hug a Vet today, and say thank you...

Be good to each other!
♥ Tawny

"Out on the road today, I saw a BLACK FLAG sticker on a Cadillac"

2011-05-28T08:33:00.000-07:00

Remember when summer was all about sleeping in, and laying out? When the tape deck blasted tunes from your car stereo or your boom box while you splashed around in that carefully picked out bikini at the lake...

Those fantastic days filled with sun and friends, and the nights that you never wanted to end.

{Oh and that time that Christine and I tried to lighten our hair with lemon juice and hers just turned orange... mine did nothing at all.}

Summer camps where you always united in song with people you swore you would never forget and someday see again...

Summer romances that swept you off your feet and made your head dizzy...

Sneaking your first smoke, and beer... {shhhhhhhhhh don't tell my mom.}

Fast cars and cute boys... sleep overs and sunburns.

Some of the most influential moments of my life happened in those 3 precious months...

I guess all I'm trying to say is whether your 16 or 36... heck 66 for that matter, make the summer of 2011 one that you will never forget!

Happy Summer Friends!
Be good to each other!

♥ Tawny

Three Red Apples.... new artist feature!

2011-05-21T08:51:00.000-07:00

I know I told you guys a long time ago that I would start doing more artist features here on the blog... and well, that kinda got ~~forgotten~~ put on the back burner for awhile...
until I came across one of the sweetest little shops ever!

I would like you to meet Annabelle from

Three Red Apples

Annabelle's work makes me think of clothes lines full of summer dresses and peony gardens along cobblestone paths... and tea time with gypsies. I simply love it can you tell?? ;)

Anyhooo.... I hope you enjoy learning about Annabelle and her little cottagie life in the UK

{I know, cottagie is not really a word but it seems appropriate here..}

Enjoy!
1} Tell us a little about yourself, your family, and your life outside of the studio...
My name is Annabelle Ozanne. I'm a 32 years old French girl who, 15 years ago (eeek!!) crossed the Channel from Brittany to the UK to go to uni, met a boy, fell in love and never left. I live in a small cottage in Devon, England, with said boy (he will love being referred to as a boy, being an eternal kid at heart) and Jack-the-dog.

2} How long have you been creating/selling?
A couple of years ago, I lost my job as a web designer (a little blessing in disguise) which prompted some serious re-thinking. Unsure of what to do next, it took a good 6 months for the light bulb moment to come. It finally dawned on me that I could put my sewing machine and piles of fabric to good use. Until then I had done very little sewing. I stumbled upon some freehand machine embroidery and got hooked. My Etsy shop and blog soon followed.

3} What inspires your designs?
It can be anything, an object, a place, some fabric, a feeling, a memory, an aspiration, humour, people... Whatever it is, I have to be in a positive mood to feel creative - or is it that creating puts me in a positive mood? I think the two take it in turn like two old chums.

4} Out of curiosity, what are the tools/materials of your trade?
My (very basic) trusty sewing machine (a present from my man many Christmas’ ago), an embroidery foot, thread and as much fabric, mostly vintage, as I can get my hands on! I have also recently started throwing paint into the mix.

5} What is the one thing in the craft/art world you wish you could do? (ie. paper crafting, sculpting, etc.)
I would love to have a go at screen-printing. It looks so much fun! It ‘s certainly one I am saving for later, when I get a little spare time. I am currently dipping my toe into crocheting.

6} Any Advice to artist/designers just starting out...
Make what you love and make it your own. It’s easy to get distracted with so many talented folk online. Etsy is such a gold mine! When you are starting out it can be a little overwhelming, but if you make only what you would be proud to have in your own home, you’ve got to be on the right track.

7} Where can we find your work?
I have an Etsy shop (etsy.com/shop/threeredapples), and my own little online shop Three Red Apples
I also like to share my various experiments (as well and other ramblings) on my Blog, and on Flickr.

{You can also follow sweet Annabelle on Facebook and Twitter}

So get to clickin folks and go spend a minute in the world of Three Red Apples... your eyes will thank you for it!

Be good to each other!

♥Tawny

Baby Baby Baby Ohhhhhh!!!!

2011-05-20T06:49:00.000-07:00

I've been kidnapped... taken hostage... held against my will!
Send reinforcments, because in 24hours...

This happens.

Eight, count them... EIGHT... 7 year old girls will ascend upon OKC in a whirlwind of cupcakes and cotton candy... spending the evening in the citys oldest and most premier hotel... sipping soda and undoubtedly squealing uncontrollably at random.

Yes, I have lost my mind. {who are we kidding... that went ALONG time ago}
But there is NOTHING I wont do to put a smile on that little Divas face!

So tomorrow the festvities will finally get under way!
Its going to be a BieberTASTICLY great time!
There will be tons of pics to share... so stay tuned!

And with this madness over I might have a chance to take a breath and share with you some surprises I have up my sleeve! ;)

Have a fantastic friday! See you on the other side!

Be good to each other!
♥ Tawny

in the blink of an eye...

2011-05-14T09:22:00.000-07:00

This happened...

He is the same age as I was when he came into my life... and it blows my mind how much stonger, and smarter he is than I was then... heck maybe even now.
I probably rely on him way more than I should, and the thought of only one more year with him tears at my heart more than I can ever explain, but I am so proud of the person he has become.

I love you London O...

♥ Mom

Tiny Bubbles in the wine make me happy make me feel fine...

2011-05-04T07:34:00.000-07:00

Oh sweet Mothers Day Bubble bath!

Nostagia Soaps

♥ Tawny

My trip down the rabbit hole...

2011-05-03T07:34:00.000-07:00

I hate when people tell me I cant do something... "Dont be silly Tawnya, that will just be a disater..."
It makes me angry, and it hurts my feelings.
It also ~~pisses me off~~ spurs me on just enough to prove them wrong.

I have a very silly dream... and everyday I peel back another layer of pure awesomeness.

Someday Lollipops Sugar Shoppe will be no more... LSS will crawl into its chrysalis and emerge a new... fresh ... fullfilling, something different.

And the whole unknown of that makes me nervous and thrilled all at the same time.

But now, while Im still in this fuzzy caterpillar phase, I will do what I have always done, I will jump in feet first... and learn while Im falling.

To those around me, get ready... your tummys will be full... your waistbands will expand... and as always I will be a basket case! But in the end... its going to be magical.

so here we go!

♥ Tawny

I would send you a bouquet of newly sharpened pencils ...

2011-05-01T17:15:00.000-07:00

I dont think there is anyway that I could express just how thankful I am for the teachers that have been in my life...
My 3rd grade teacher Mrs. Greenshields taught me the love of reading through the works of Laura Ingalls Wilder... going as far at times to dress the part...

My 8th grade art teacher, Mr. Price taught me to be confident in myself... and my art.

There are so many more, that naming them here would take awhile... and now as I watch my children make their way through school I see the twinkle that each teacher has left on their little lives.
And for that I am eternally grateful!

So this week I am honoring all the teachers in our life... and asking you to do the same!

Here are some really cool ideas to help you show your teacher just how much She or He means to you!

Ok... seriously this is ADORABLE! You can find this and SO many other sweet pieces in
LoopLoft shop on etsy!

I found these really cute DYI ideas over at the idea room...

There are some cool tutorials there as well!

And there is always my favorite "go to" teachers gift... The Crayon Wreath... {spoiler alert DCS teachers... Sorry! LOL!}

This is one I made for Hobby Lobby... We did a whole inspiration sheet that you can find HERE filled with some other fun ideas!

This is What you need:

12" embroidery hoop, or basketry hoop
8" embroidery hoop, or basketry hoop
box of 64 crayons
Wire or ribbon for hanging
hot glue
Embellishments

Directions: Place the 8" hoop in side the 12" hoop with equal distance between all edges. Arrange the crayons along the 2 hoops. Hot glue the crayons to the hoops.
Momma Tip: Keep the unglued crayons arranged on the hoops. It will keep the spacing.

Tie the ribbon or wire around the 12" loop creating a hanging loop. Place as many (or as little) embellishments/stickers/found objects as you like. Personalize with the teacher's name, if you'd like. Super easy :)!

Make sure to say thank you to your teachers this week... its a crazy hard job they have... and where would we be without them?

Be good to each other!

♥TAWNY

I like a teacher who gives you something to take home to think about besides homework. ~Lily Tomlin as "Edith Ann"

Dancing with Caterpillars on top of Bundt Cake...

2011-04-24T21:15:00.000-07:00

Happy Easter friends!

I hope that no matter how you celebrated today you have enjoyed every last bit of it... with a side of pie and icecream! ;)

Unfortunatly my day was spent in the dark... literally.
Storms knocked out the power here in my corner of the 405 and so our Easter plans where put on pause just a bit.
Which is probably for the best... this weekend has been the upside down the rabbit hole kind of weekends. And sometimes those are better off letting go of, ya know what I mean?

I dropped a 10lb bag of sugar all over my kitchen floor...
ruined a bundt cake, burned the sugar for marshmallows...
had to settle the tiny diva who is petrified of The Easter Bunny... {that is a whole other story you will soon find here}, was told by the 9 year old critter that he knows the truth of said Easter Bunny and will no longer be fooled by my pranks leaving me crying that my babies are growing up too fast...
had to intercept a teenage boy with dog poop in an easter egg... {long story... sigh}
and the power was out for 12 hours...

Sometimes The Chef says I try and do too much, like while mixing the glaze for the bundt cake with one hand I was washing the dishes with the other... things dont always turn out right when you do that.

And he also has to remind me that nothing has to be perfect... the kids dont have to have homemade "peeps" and the chocolate bunnies I made them dont HAVE to be decorated to the nines... its chocolate... chocolate = happy kids.
And holidays dont have to be running around like crazy people... its time to take a step back from the crazy and take count of the things we are all gathered for. {He's not only cute... but smart to boot!}

And in the end I took his advice... {dont you DARE tell him he was right!}

So the bright side of things...
We had ice cream for lunch...
Easter dinner clean up was a snap...
we played a rousing game of "Phase10"...
have 2 chapters left in reading "Little House In The Big Woods"...
AND I made another bundt cake once the power was back on... and even though it didnt make it in time for our Chinese take out Easter dinner... it has made a great late night snack!

I thought while I was taking advantage of all this electricity and magical WiFi I have been missing and complaining about all day, I would at least share with you my Grandma Maggies Strawberry Cake recipe... Easter just isnt Easter with out it... not that its all that special, Im sure the same recipe is in every homemakers cookbook and foodie website around... but alas, its tradition... and I hope you enjoy!

MAGGIES STRAWBERRY CAKE

Ingredients

2 cups white sugar
1 (3 ounce) package strawberry flavored gelatin
1 cup butter, softened
4 eggs (room temperature)
2 3/4 cups sifted cake flour
2 1/2 teaspoons baking powder
1 cup whole milk, room temperature
1 tablespoon vanilla extract
1/2 cup strawberry puree made from frozen sweetened strawberries

Directions

1.Preheat the oven to 350 degrees F (175 degrees C). Grease and flour two 9 inch round cake pans.
2.In a large bowl, cream together the butter, sugar and dry strawberry gelatin until light and fluffy. Beat in eggs one at a time, mixing well after each. Combine the flour and baking powder; stir into the batter alternately with the milk. Blend in vanilla and strawberry puree. Divide the batter evenly between the prepared pans.
3.Bake for 25 to 30 minutes in the preheated oven, or until a small knife inserted into the center of the cake comes out clean. Allow cakes to cool in their pans over a wire rack for at least 10 minutes, before tapping out to cool completely.

Tips from momma...
*I have this thing for bundt cakes... so I put mine in my new bundt pan, just fyi
... if you would rather it be in a square pan, a round pan, or a pan shaped like Justin Bieber... more power to ya! ;)

* I dont know how you feel about a glaze icing or a cream cheese icing... but both are simply yummy on this cake... or just plain ol whipped cream will do the trick

*As with all my cakes I take them out of the oven when the tester comes out pretty wet... I dont know if any of you guys do this, but I have found if i let the cake sit in the pan for about 10 minutes before I turn it out... its perfectly moist!

Again I hope no matter how you spent your holiday it was fantastic, and as always...

Be good to each other!
See ya soon...

♥TAWNY

The art of doing nothing but a cream puff...

2011-04-17T10:08:00.000-07:00

Really this post should be called the week of no blogging...
or The art of being entirely disengaged...

I just haven't been "feeling it" the past few days. Its all the tree pollen floating around, its cryptonite... all I can seem to accomplish is a simple click of the mouse to blog surf and minimal facebook updates... but enough about me.

How have YOU been?

Anything new in your corner of this little interweb?

The one thing that I have been doing, besides whining to the chef and swallowing antihistamines, is playing around with some sweet new recipes...

From new RI techniques {that's Royal Icing to you novices} that have seriously changed my life...

To the single BEST Swiss Meringue Butter cream in the universe...
It has been decided that all my birthday cakes from now on will be covered in sweet ruffles...

Ruffle Cake How To Here

Oh and a very tall, very yummy, Cookies and Cream Cake for a couple of my favorite people...

yummy right? ;)

And for this Sunday Dinner, I decided we should keep the "sweet" vibe we had going all week and I had the chef make my all time favorite treat! Hope you like!

ITALIAN CREAM PUFFS

Pate a Choux...

Ingredients:
1 cup water
3/4 stick butter (6 tablespoons)
1 tablespoon sugar plus 1/8 teaspoon salt (for sweet)
1 teaspoon salt (for savory)
5 3/4 ounces flour
1 cup eggs, about 4 large eggs and 2 whites

Directions
Preheat oven to 425 degrees F.

Boil water, butter, and salt or sugar. Add flour and remove from heat. Work mixture together and return to heat. Continue working the mixture until all flour is incorporated and dough forms a ball. Transfer mixture into bowl of a standing mixer and let cool for 3 or 4 minutes. With mixer on stir or lowest speed add eggs, 1 at a time, making sure the first egg is completely incorporated before continuing. Once all eggs have been added and the mixture is smooth put dough into piping bag fitted with a round tip. Pipe immediately into golfball-size shapes, 2 inches apart onto parchment lined sheet pans. Cook for 10 minutes, then turn the oven down to 350 degrees F and bake for 10 more minutes or until golden brown. Once they are removed from the oven pierce with a paring knife immediately to release steam...

Pastry Cream

Ingredients

1 tablespoon almond paste {you can also use any other flavorings you want... I really like Vanilla Orange myself! ;)}
1 1/4 cups half-and-half
1/2 cup sugar
Pinch salt
2 egg yolks
2 tablespoons cornstarch
1 tablespoon butter

Directions

In a nonreactive saucepan {AKA Stainless Steel}, combine the almond paste, 1 cup half-and-half and sugar. Whisk to dissolve. Place over medium heat and bring to a simmer. In a small bowl, combine the egg yolks, cornstarch and remaining 1/4 cup half-and-half. Whisk well. Remove the milk from the heat and add some of the hot liquid to the egg mixture and mix well. Add the egg mixture back to the simmering milk and place over the heat. Bring to a boil, and cook for 2 to 3 minutes, whisking constantly. Remove from the heat and stir in the butter. Pour into a bowl and place a piece of plastic wrap directly on top of the pastry cream. Cool completely. Can be used either at room temperature or chilled.

Chocolate Ganache:

Ingredients

2 cups heavy cream
1 1/2 pounds bittersweet chocolate, chopped into small pieces

Directions

Heat the cream until it just comes to a simmer. Remove from the heat. Place the chocolate in a heat-proof bowl. Pour the cream over the chocolate. Allow to sit for about 10 to 15 seconds. Then, whisk until the chocolate is melted and the mixture is smooth. Allow to cool slightly, stirring occasionally. Mixture should be a little thick, but still pourable.

We normally make them as single cream puffs, but it was decided last night as we were both getting ready to snuggle into bed that we would skip the time consuming filling of each puff and topping with the ganache we would layer everything and make a cake instead! Just as yummy with less the mess! :)

Have a SWEET week!

Be Good to each other!
♥TAWNY

Tickled Pink....

2011-04-06T06:35:00.000-07:00

Everywhere I go Im looking through rose colored glasses! or at least thats the way it seems... and so is everyone else!

Pugly PixelHas stolen my heart this morning!

That is all.

Be good to each other!
♥ tawny

Sunday Dinner... picnic style!

2011-04-03T10:32:00.000-07:00

The Chef and I have taken to spending friday afternoons at the lake with a blanket, good book, and a picnic basket... {weather permitting}

And that means we get to try out fun new "picnic~y" type recipes.
This is one we recently tried, and Im a bit in l♥ve with!

TOMATO, CORN AND AVOCADO SALAD

For the dressing:
1 1/2 C Packed fresh cilantro
1/2 C Good-quality extra-virgin olive oil
2 T Fresh lime juice
1 T Finely grated lime zest
Kosher salt and freshly ground pepper

For the salad:
4 ears Corn, kernels removed (about 3 cups)
1 1/2 pounds Grape tomatoes, halved (about 3 cups)
1 pound Fresh mozzarella, diced
2 medium Avocados, diced

Combine the dressing ingredients in a blender, using two teaspoons salt and pepper to taste; process until smooth. Combine the salad ingredients in a large bowl and toss with the dressing. Let sit at least 15 minutes before serving, or cover and refrigerate for up to four hours.

We enjoyed this with a crusty baguette, a bottle of Fisher Vineyards Moutain Estates chardonnay {2006} and some pretty yummy brownie style whoopie pies for dessert! YUM.Tastic.

I hope you enjoy!

Be good to each other!
♥ Tawny

Etsy things I ♥ right now...

2011-03-29T07:27:00.000-07:00

The past few weekends have found me getting in the "spring spirit" around the house. We have cleaned out the closets, rearranged the studio, and added a fresh coat of paint to almost anything that will stand still... children and animals excluded.

And with the new look I have of course fallen head over heals for a few new things, such as...

These must be mine!

MyMiMi's etsy shop is a feast for my eyes! I reeeally think my living room needs a few of these pillows!

This wall decal is currently the inspiration for my bathroom wall... I cant wait for it to be finished!

There are so many cute decals in beepart's store! I think I could cover ALOT of very random things in fun pop art!

And who wouldnt love these!

Stacking nun dolls from MooShoo Pork? YES PLEASE!!

I cant wait to show you the new look Im giving the casa!
Have you caught spring fever yet?
I hope so!

Be good to each other!
♥ Tawny

Sunday Dinner... Itsa Pizza Pie!

2011-03-27T02:45:00.000-07:00

Its spring!
{I know you knew this already... I just wanted to shout it out loud!}

Spring!

And that means trips to the farmers market, watching the little bursts of color appearing all around the yard, and outdoor cooking!

So its time to fire up the grill and enjoy!

GRILLED PIZZA MARGARITA

Ingredients

6 ounces Pizza Dough... {recipe following}
1/4 cup virgin olive oil, for brushing and drizzling
1/2 teaspoon minced fresh garlic
1/2 cup loosely packed shredded fontina
2 tablespoons freshly grated Pecorino Romano
6 tablespoons chopped canned tomatoes, in heavy puree
8 basil leaves
Directions
Prepare a hot charcoal fire, setting the grill rack 3 to 4 inches above the coals.

Pizza Dough:

1 tablespoon active dry yeast
6 cups high-gluten flour
2 1/2 teaspoons kosher salt
Extra-virgin olive oil
Sprinkle the yeast over 1/2 cup warm (105 to 110 degrees F) water and allow it to dissolve and activate, about 5 minutes.

Combine the flour and salt and mound it onto a cool work surface creating a high walled well in the center. Combine the yeast mixture with 1 1/2 cups of cool water and pour into the well. Slowly begin to mix the water and flour, a little at a time, moving your fingers in short, counter clockwise circles around the border of the water. When the dough is firm enough to hold it's shape, scrape the remaining flour over it and knead until the mass is smooth and shiny, approximately 7 minutes.

Transfer the dough to a bowl that has been brushed with olive oil. Brush the top of the dough with olive oil to prevent a skin from forming, cover the bowl with plastic wrap, and let rise in a warm place away from drafts until doubled in bulk, about 2 hours. Punch down the dough and knead once more. Let the dough rise again for about 40 minutes, punch down again and form dough into 4 balls.

Directions:
On a large, oiled, inverted baking sheet, spread and flatten the pizza dough with your hands into a 10 to 12-inch free-form circle, 1/8-inch thick. Do not make a lip. You may end up with a rectangle rather than a circle; the shape is unimportant, but do take care to maintain an even thickness.

When the fire is hot {when you can hold your hand over the coals for 3 to 4 seconds at a distance of 5 inches}, use your fingertips to lift the dough gently by the 2 corners closest to you, and drape in onto the grill. Catch the loose edge on the grill first and slide the remaining dough into place over the fire. Within a minute the dough will puff slightly, the underside will stiffen, and grill marks will appear.

Using tongs, immediately flip the crust over, onto the coolest part of the grill. Quickly brush the grilled surface with olive oil. Scatter the garlic and cheeses over the dough, and spoon dollops of tomato over the cheese. Do not cover the entire surface of the pizza with tomatoes. Finally, drizzle the pizza with 1 to 2 tablespoons of olive oil.

Slide the pizza back toward the hot coals, but not right over them. Using tongs, rotate the pizza so that different sections receive heat; check the underside often to see that it is not burning. The pizza is done when the top is bubbly and the cheese melted, {about 6 to 8 minutes.} Serve at once, topped with the basil leaves and additional olive oil, if desired.

And just a few tips from momma...

#1. Keep an eye on the crust... cuz it WILL burn easy!
#2. Keep the dough well oiled {that will help it to crisp and NOT burn}
#3. Have your toppings ready and near by... so there is no leaving your crust unattended on the grill!

Be good to each other...
and Buon appetito!

♥ Tawny

Are we losing the magic or is it just me?

2011-03-26T00:36:00.000-07:00

When I was a little girl I remember the ladies in my grandmothers neighborhood always stopping by in the middle of the day... sometimes just to gossip, or to peddle their Avon and Tupperware... and sometimes with some sort of wonderfully homebaked treat.

used slyly to lure you into the aforementioned gossip!

I can recall countless hours of them chatting over sweet tea and lemonade, hair up in scarves, perfume wafting across the room... just the normal day to day happenings of a housewife of that era.

And always there was that sharing of, "whats for dinner, did you try the such and such Marjorie brought to the ladies luncheon", and "I must HAVE that recipe!"
And to this very day you can go into my Grannys house and on every book shelf you will find a cookbook/recipe folder of some sort. Hundreds of carefully penned family dinners, desserts perfect for your next garden club luncheon and even kid friendly snacks!

But it seems that today all of that is changing...

Where as cookbooks USED to be passed down from generation to generation, and recipes shared between friends, I find myself sending a text or email for that amazing hot cheese dip I brought to your party last week, or linking a recipe online to my facebook page... are we now going totally digital?

I went to have coffee with a friend of mine the other day, and found that instead of all those treasured, stained, and lets face it, musty smelling books,
that ~~clutter~~ grace my kitchen shelves, she proudly displayed her new "digital right arm" {AKA: Ipad2} on the front of her frigidaire...

its funny cuz all I have on my fridge are school papers, notes, grocery lists and coloring pages! Oh and inapproperiate magnets... but thats another post.

Im going to admit... I was slightly jealous!
With a flick of the finger she could pull up not only foodie websites, and blogs... {this one included, thank~ya~very~much}
But magicly, poof! there was Julia! Right. In. Her kitchen.
Okay, not really JULIA, but Mastering the Art of French Cooking... right there on the screen!

As we sat and chatted about her new kitchen love I asked her... "but what about all your cookbooks?" She simply smiled and said, "those are things of the past lady!"
And as she was explaining how she boxed some of them up and took them to goodwill I was watching her daughters painting made in class the week before, and other fun photos of family and friends drift lazily across the screen.

I really dont know how I feel about this, on one hand the shiny digital screen that holds the world on her fridge calls to me... "look at me..." its says "How clean and convenient" it purrs... and I fell for it, sort of.
I love that technology makes it possible for me to take my favorite recipes and culinary tips with me into every kitchen I enter... But there is nothing more magical than opening up a cookbook stained with drops of tomato and smelling like garlic and onions, to find that magical recipe that traveled through so many loving hands to remind you of where you come from.

So the next time you see me and we share our favorite oatmeal cookie recipes, if you post it to my twitter feed... thats cool. And if you choose to bless me with a magical handwritten something, rest assured that it will find a place nestled in my grandmas recipe box, waiting to be handed down to my daughter someday... but not before I scan it to my zip drive and upload it to my digital reader!

Be good to each other!
♥ Tawny

Are you Amish? Are you my friend??

2011-03-23T06:23:00.000-07:00

Then you MAY be lucky enough to recieve a delicious bag of fermenting, something and such, called Amish Friendship Bread!!

No Really. I'm not joking.

Its kind of like a baking chain letter, {but trust me you will be glad you kept this chain going} in the fact that it all starts with a simple ziplock bag of "starter" that is handed to you to work for 10 days and then pass a bit on.

Now Im sure your little minds are asking...
"dearest tawny, what do the Amish put in a bread starter?"
And the answer to that question is... yeast, flour, milk and sugar... at least thats what I'm told. Not knowing any Amish folks to ask... I will have to take the word of the giver of my batch of starter and google.

The starter and instructions

Now, once handed the starter bag its kind of boring... the first 5 days you just "squish, squash, and mush" the bag. So I hung mine on the side of our fridge with super magnets and every so often gave it a little squeeze and tickle! ;)
{dont be nasty! thats what the instructions said to do!}

Then on the 6th day you add a little more flour, sugar, and milk... into the bag and continue to... you guessed it, "squish, squash, and mush the bag" for the next 4 days.

Let me add here that this being my first ever batch of friendship bread I had no clue what was going to happen in that bag!
First there is a yeasty beer smell to the bag, and the starter got bubbley and bigger due to the fermenting. And the chef was a tad freaked when I told him I would be baking him yummy bread make from milk that had been hanging on the side of our fridge for 10 days.
{And lets be honest, I was a bit skeptical myself!}

Day 10 is when the magic happens!

I could give you the step by step process and all of the ingredients you add to the starter... but what fun would that be! :: insert evil chuckle here ::

okay, okay... dont cry! I will tell you in a sec! promise.

What I will tell you is this a simple quick bread style recipe... and wow, its GOOD!

This recipe makes 2 loaves of bread and 4 extra bags of starter {for you to give to friends}

The 1st loaf I left as is and didnt stray from the original recipe at all...

soooo good!

The second loaf I added a few berries I had in the fridge and some orange zest...

seriously, you can add ANYTHING to this stuff! Walnuts, cranberries and white chocolate chips would be divine! Someone make that for me okay?!

And let me just tell you, When the kids arrived home after school both loaves where diminished to crumbs within minutes!

SO... make a list of 4 of your favorite friends... make your own starter batch & start a friendship chain!

Or have a bread party and see who can add the yummiest ingredients to their bread!

No matter what you do... have fun and party like the Amish!

And if Im NOT invited to your fermenting party... at least drop me a line and let me know all about it!

Be good to each other!
♥ tawny

and the winner is!.....

2011-02-20T17:34:00.000-08:00

Hey guys!

Have you been waiting on the edge of your seats?
Have you been up nights hoping and praying that it will be you?

Will you one day tell your grandchilden where you were the day you won the Cupcake L♥Ve giveaway from Oh! Lolli Studios?

I know I have been all a TWITTER about it! {See what I did there? LOL! ;)}

Okay so drum roll please....

{through random generator...} Comment number 12...

Mommydoll13! Congrats!

Be looking for my email so I can get your address to send you all your fun goodies!
Have fun making yummy cupcakes!

A HUGE thanks to everyone who participated!

And dont cry... there is still a chance to win something extra yummy from Lollipops Sugar Shoppe! GO HERE! My sweet blue faerie is hosting a simply chocolatey giveaway!

Have a sweet week and be good to each other!

♥ Tawny

Sunday Dinner!

2011-02-20T10:35:00.000-08:00

The menu tonight is simple... but insanely good!

And after a day of thrifting and antiquing its the perfect ending to a perfect day!

We hope you enjoy!

Garlic Roasted Chicken
{Ina Garten's recipe is AMAZING!}

Ingredients

1 (5 to 6-pound) roasting chicken
Kosher salt and freshly ground black pepper
2 heads garlic, cut in 1/2 crosswise
1 lemon, halved
1/2 large Spanish onion, thickly sliced
4 carrots cut diagonally into 2-inch chunks
2 large Yukon gold potatoes, cut into 6 pieces
4 tablespoons butter, melted

Directions

As soon as you get the chicken home, salt it inside and out, wrap it and keep it in the refrigerator for up to 2 days.

When you are ready to cook the chicken, first preheat the oven to 425 degrees F.

Pat the outside of the chicken dry with paper towels. Liberally salt and pepper the inside of the chicken and stuff the cavity with the all the garlic and lemon. Tie the legs together with kitchen string and tuck the wing tips under the body of the chicken. Place it in a roasting pan just large enough to hold it and the vegetables. Scatter the onion slices, carrots and potatoes around the chicken. Brush the outside of the chicken with the butter and sprinkle with salt and pepper.

Roast the chicken for 1 1/2 hours, or until the juices run clear when you cut between a leg and thigh. Remove the chicken to a platter and cover with aluminum foil. Place the vegetables back in the oven and continue cooking for an additional 15 minutes.

When the vegetables are cooked, carve the chicken and place the slices on the platter surrounded by the vegetables. Drizzle some pan juices over the chicken and vegetables.

Happy Sunday!
♥ Tawny

Cupcake L♥Ve giveaway!

2011-02-11T06:34:00.000-08:00

TGIF friends!

its been awhile since I have hosted a giveaway, and seeing as how Friday is THE best day of the week... I thought why the heck not!

So with out further adieu... New from Oh! Lolli Studios {but not on the site yet... gotta get more pics and stuff}

CuPcAkE L♥Ve

YOUR kit will include:

♥ 12 pink polkadot cupcake papers
♥ 12 pink mini cupcake papers
♥ 12 "Enjoy!" flag toppers
♥ Jar of our very own HANDMADE sprinkles... NEW from Lollipops Sugar shoppe!
♥ Cupcake tip & decorating bag
♥ Sweet spatula and measuring cup/spoon set
♥ Fun polymer cake testing wand
♥ Vanilla Cupcake recipe card

Isn't that FUN!

So here are the rules...

1. Post a comment... any comment! Do you like the idea of cupcake kits in the shoppe? What would YOU like to see in them? any themes you would like to see?

2. Follow the blog!

3. Become a fan on Facebook

4. Join me on Twitter

5. Spread the word! Link back to this post on facebook or twitter!

ALSO... not only can you win here... but the 100th fan on my facebook page will recieve a cupcake kit!

I will draw a winner Sunday evening!

Have a wonderful weekend friends!
Be good to each other!

♥ Tawny

Its just meeee.... peeking outta my igloo!

2011-02-09T11:59:00.000-08:00

So the whole world is covered in snow... I love snow... I USED to love snow.

Now its only mildly entertaining when Im all snuggled on the couch in my jammies and comfy socks, wrapped in my grandmas quilt watching old movies and drinking hot chocolate... for MAYBE 48 hours, after that the cabin fever sets in!

But it has helped me get a few recipes tested... and I got some amazing new designs finished!

Oh! Lolli Studios

{the LaLa Loopsys still need their beads... but oh I l♥ve them so!}

Have you checked out Oh! Lolli Studios?
Its the sister "company" to Lollipops Sugar Shoppe... I have SO many plans for this new venture and be looking for some really cool couture party stuffs in the shoppe soon!

The Blizzard of 2011... or snowpocalypse as its been more commonly known has left us sipping hot cocoa and dreaming of spring {Chef and I have the raised beds and new iris garden all planned out!}
and of course there were snow angels...

Stay warm friends!
& be good to each other!

♥always... Tawny

If you havent tried it... you really should!

2011-01-26T07:56:00.000-08:00

In my etsy explorations I find so many amazing and wondrous things... and I love to share them here with you...

So a few weeks ago after The things I ♥ right now, I thought how fun would it be to get to know a few of these amazing artists that inspire my everyday and hopefully yours as well! I know its not a new concept, but hey... it's fun! ;0)

So I would like to share with you my very first artist feature!

I found For Strange Women just randomly in one of my late night etsy~a~thon adventures! Her shop intrigued me, and we all know Im a sucker for some smell goods!
Jill's products are well, simply intriguing... from natural oils, and perfume enhancing base to lip balm and massage oils with names like Decadence & Debauchery , Poison Ivy, and Sweet Androgyny Jill truly does create a magical, strange, victorianesque world!

I recently purchased her Mini Mix & Match Natural Oils

The package arrived and I was giddy! Not only was shipping amazingly fast, but then I was greeted with sweet dried roses and the most magical fragrance when I opened the mailer! I'm a sucker for patchouli but these tiny vials take this scent into another realm! I wasn't sure of them at first... Im just going to be honest... I sat and looked at that tiny box for hours sniffing and reading the little cards that explain each scent. So I took the plunge and dabbed a bit of Sweet Androgyny behind my ears and set out to take on the world... Needless to say Im in love! These fragrances remind me of my dearest friend in the world and make me want to dance around in my long flowy skirts listening to ♥ THIS ♥
{ I am mildly in love with Jolie Holland right now}

But enough about me... here's what Jill has to say about her life & her art!

Tell us a little about yourself, your family, and your life outside of the studio...
I live in Kansas City, MO with my boyfriend. He has a son, Simon, who is 10, and I have a cat, Jaqk who keeps me company when the other boys are away. All 3 of them are geminis~ you can imagine the chaos! Luckily we live in the upstairs part of a duplex and I have the downstairs apartment to myself (my studio).

How long have you been creating/selling...
I have been creating forever and I joined Etsy 2 years ago.

What inspires your designs?...
My design draws a lot from the Victorian era, but with a rustic twist on the forest items, and a modern Rococo feel to some of my newer pieces. I am always inspired by nature, yesteryear, and good music.

Out of curiosity, what are the tools of your trade?...
Tools of the perfumers trade would be precise measuring instruments, a double boiler, pyrex beakers, and my nose

What is the one thing in the craft/art world you wish you could do? (ie. sew)
I've tried my hand at leatherworking and wasn't very good at it. I also thought stained glass art would be easy for me but I am so nervous to cut the glass so that never worked out. I have tried just about everything I have wanted to try except ceramics- I hope to take a class soon for this. There are so many things I want to make.

Any Advice to artist/designers just starting out...
In general, I would say learn and practice your skill for a while before "putting yourself out there," if you are easily discouraged. If I opened my etsy shop when I had first started making perfume it would look and be a disaster. Trust yourself and form your ideas and take the time and effort to make your shop/brand/product an expression of yourself. Don't be impatient.

Where can we find you?
www.forstrangewomen.com studio- Kansas City, of 39th st restaurant row products- in boutiques across country

{she also has a beautiful Blog...}

Cameo Noir Valentines Gift Set

Thank you Jill for participating in my very first artists feature!

And to all you Strange Women out there... I HIGHLY recommend you flutter by For Strange Women... because as Bella puts it... "mommy you smell magical" and who doesnt want THAT!

Be good to each other!
Adieu~ ♥ ~Tawny

My not so secret L♥VE Affair....

2011-01-21T20:21:00.000-08:00

I dont really write much about my city here, I guess I have always figured that most of you that read this are familiar with Oklahoma and all the magic it has to offer, however when I look at my list of followers and lurkers I realize... that just maybe a few of you are not only my personal friends and/or family members, that maybe just a few of you really tune in to see what zanny thing might pop out of my brain next! {Which makes me giddy beyond words!} But I digress... Oklahoma City is truely an amazing place... and I promise to start sharing more about all my adventures in the land of the cowboys and indians! ;)

now back to my love affair...

Her Name is THE Skirvin Hotel... {miss skirvin if your nasty!}

And I have been madly in love with her for as long as I can remember! When I was a little girl it was a magical sparkley place that was always like a dream...

I remember the way the carpet felt under my little patent leather shoes and the laughter and music that came from the bar...
As a teenager I tried to find ways to sneak in to her empty grand halls...

I watched that beautiful hotel fall to almost ruin throughout my childhood and it still never lost that magic, about the time Chris and I were planning our wedding it was starting to be rumored that the beautiful lady was going to be resurrected, but we had to wait till 2007 to finally walk through her doors again, and trust me it was as magical as I remembered.

There is something about this grand hotel... I dont know what it is, I find myself driving 20 minutes out of my way just so I can get caught in traffic and stare at that beautiful building!

And who can resist the legend.

Yea, Im a little obsessed.

we spend our valentines and anniversary in the grand style of the Skirvin, and I am planning a fantastic 7th birthday blowout for the Diva that will end with a fabulous slumber party at the hotel...

My heart belongs to her.

I am simply in love!

Adieu
♥

Armed with Aetaminophen and Guaifenesin I am taking over the world...

2011-01-16T15:01:00.001-08:00

Guess what I have been doing the last 4 days...

you guessed it! Fighting the flu bug!

Wednesday night 2 littles came home with a fever and within 24 hours only myself and one of the teenagers still stood. The flu bug hit the Corrente house full force! {guess we should have gotten those dang shots!}

So needless to say, the only things in my kitchen right now are crackers, 7up and every cold and fever reducer known to man! And Sunday Dinner will consist of Pizza Hut and Dr Pepper.

But no worries dear friends, this coming week I will be back with a great things I ♥, along with a new feature... and some funny anecdotes!

So now I will curl up on the couch with my grandmas quilt and this hot tea, because surely this tickle in my throat and aches in my muscles are only due to exhaustion, right????

Be good to each other... and stay healthy!

♥ Tawny

Sunday Dinner...

2011-01-09T16:08:00.000-08:00

Happy Sunday friends!

Its been awhile since I have posted a Sunday Dinner recipe for you guys... sorry.
And since I have spent the weekend thrifting {yesterday... simply divine!} and curled up by the fire watching movies and eskimo kissing the chef {today... again purrrrfection} I thought I would share a perfect warm fuzzy by the fire recipe...

Julia Child's Boeuf Bourguignon

Ingredients:
6 ounces bacon
1 Tbsp. olive oil or cooking oil
3 pounds lean stewing beef , cut into 2-inch cubes
1 sliced carrot
1 sliced onion
1 tsp. salt
1/4 tsp. pepper
2 Tbsp. flour
3 cups full-bodied, young red wine , such as a Chianti
2 to 3 cups brown beef stock or canned beef bouillon
1 Tbsp. tomato paste
2 cloves mashed garlic
1/2 tsp. thyme
Crumbled bay leaf
Blanched bacon rind
18 to 24 small white onions , brown-braised in stock
1 pound quartered fresh mushrooms , sautéed in butter
Parsley sprigs

Directions
Remove rind from bacon, and cut bacon into lardons (sticks, 1/4 inch thick and 1 1/2 inches long). Simmer rind and bacon for 10 minutes in 1 1/2 quarts of water. Drain and dry.

Preheat oven to 450 degrees.

Sauté the bacon in the oil over moderate heat for 2 to 3 minutes to brown lightly. Remove to a side dish with a slotted spoon. Set casserole aside. Reheat until fat is almost smoking before you sauté the beef.

Dry the stewing beef in paper towels; it will not brown if it is damp. Sauté it, a few pieces at a time, in the hot oil and bacon fat until nicely browned on all sides. Add it to the bacon.

In the same fat, brown the sliced vegetables. Pour out the sautéing fat.

Return the beef and bacon to the casserole and toss with the salt and pepper. Then sprinkle on the flour and toss again to coat the beef lightly with the flour. Set casserole uncovered in middle position of preheated oven for 4 minutes. Toss the meat and return to oven for 4 minutes more. (This browns the flour and covers the meat with a light crust.) Remove casserole, and turn oven down to 325 degrees.

Stir in the wine, and enough stock or bouillon so that the meat is barely covered. Add the tomato paste, garlic, herbs, and bacon rind. Bring to simmer on top of the stove. Then cover the casserole and set in lower third of preheated oven. Regulate heat so liquid simmers
very slowly for 2 1/2 to 3 hours. The meat is done when a fork pierces it easily.

While the beef is cooking, prepare the onions and mushrooms. Set them aside until needed.

When the melt is tender, pour the contents of the casserole into a sieve set over a saucepan. Wash out the casserole and return the beef and bacon to it. Distribute the cooked onions and mushrooms over the meat.

Skim fat off the sauce. Simmer sauce for a minute or two, skimming off additional fat as it rises. You should have about 2 1/2 cups of sauce thick enough to coat a spoon lightly. If too thin, boil it down rapidly. If too thick, mix in a few tablespoons of stock or canned bouillon. Taste carefully for seasoning. Pour the sauce over the meat and vegetables. Recipe may be completed in advance to this point.

For immediate serving: Covet the casserole and simmer for 2 to 3 minutes, basting the meat and vegetables with the sauce several times. Serve in its casserole, or arrange the stew on a platter surrounded with potatoes, noodles, or rice, and decorated with parsley.

For later serving: When cold, cover and refrigerate. About 15 to 20 minutes before serving, bring to the simmer, cover, and simmer very slowly for 10 minutes, occasionally basting the meat and vegetables with the sauce.

Copyright © 1961, 1983, 2001 by Alfred A. Knopf. Reprinted by arrangement with the Knopf Doubleday Publishing Group, a division of Random House, Inc.

We also had big chunks of homemade bread and a bottle of 2004 Chateau Franc la Rose {Im not really a wine chic... just thought the label was pretty... it was deeeelish!}
And the bowl in the photo was one of my sweet thrift store finds! Along with a 1983 Mastering the Art of French Cooking!

So I hope you enjoy... & in the words of the immortal Julia Child...

BON APPETIT!

Be good to each other!
♥ Tawny

Things I ♥ right now...

2011-01-08T07:56:00.000-08:00

Its that time again!

Here are few of the things I ♥ right now!

This collection of frames is breath taking! They remind me of gypsies and summer and make my eyes happy!

FuNkY BOHO Farmhouse Chic - Vintage Picture Frame Collection Timeless N Chic on etsy

I have had a very secret love affair with Creme De La Gems for awhile now... I have coveted a few different designs over the past few months, and still cant decide! LOL! But I do know that a Creme de la Gems piece is in my very near future!

chalcedony gemstone briolette heart charm necklace
Creme de la Gems on etsy

As the new year progresses I realize just how much I need this...
{anyone want to buy me a late christmas present?}
Not only are each of these planners customizable for your specific needs, but how cute are they!
And let me suggest that you also purchase her Whole Shebang package... because who doesnt love matching accessories?

DELANIE Design - Large Personalized Planner
from Much Ado About You on etsy.

And last but not least in anyway...
are you suffering from dry, itchy, uncomfortable wintery skin?? I know I am... and its driving me crazy!
If these work and smell as good as they look, I will be one happy girl! *wink*

Pink Sugar Scrub Cubes from
Wicked Soaps on etsy.

I hope you find a little something you l♥ve from these fabulous sellers!
And have a spectacular Saturday!

Be good to each other!
;0)Tawny

I awoke and it was 2011... weird.

2011-01-06T11:06:00.000-08:00

Can it be possible that I have not posted since THE EVENT?? Reeeaaalllyyyy?

Wow.

So Christmas has come, and gone, along with New Years... were your holidays wonderful? I hope they were!!

Ours were dreamily perfect; Magical in fact!

Thousands of cookies were baked, traditions were shared, and everyone got exactly what they wanted for Christmas!
And the best part of it all was I was there!
I was there to bake cookies with my daughter all day Christmas Eve... {something that I havent done in 2 years.}
I was there to enjoy a weekend of shopping and coffee and lunches with my amzing husband and had no timeline holding us.
I was given the biggest gift on Dec. 10th
wrapped in the strangest of packages and Im sure not ment to be precious at all, but good golly I am spilling with joy because of!
I have enjoyed every final minute of 2010, and its shocking that becomeing generally unemployed is what it took to make me look at the world around me in such a different way!

I feel like Dorthy returning from OZ, and you were there... and you... AND you!

But enough about that... this post really is about out with the old and in with the new!
2011 is here, and its gonna be a big one folks! I promise!!

{Chris New Years Eve... it was quite the party!}

I have so many new announcements I am bursting at the seams to share them all!
But sweeties you will have to keep checking back often for all the new little tids and bits!!

So my first VERY BIG announcement...

Oh Lolli Boutique is coming soon!
I cant wait to share all the amazing new designs that I have been working on!

Oh! Lolli is a new spin on my business combining my old Bada Blingg line and Lollipops Sugar Shoppe! So many amazing new designs will be debuting in Feburary! Along with tons of new stuff coming to Lollipops... including a big move, to bigcartel.com and the addition of a sweet little, dare I tell... vintage trailer!

But Im spilling the beans a bit too much...

So from my cottage to yours... Happy 2011!
May it bring you happiness, luck, and much wealth... no matter how you measure it! ;)

Be good to each other!
♥ Tawny

Times they are a changin...

2010-12-10T09:22:00.001-08:00

Come gather 'round people
Wherever you roam
And admit that the waters
Around you have grown
And accept it that soon
You'll be drenched to the bone.
If your time to you
Is worth savin'
Then you better start swimmin'
Or you'll sink like a stone
For the times they are a-changin'.

Come writers and critics
Who prophesize with your pen
And keep your eyes wide
The chance won't come again
And don't speak too soon
For the wheel's still in spin
And there's no tellin' who
That it's namin'.
For the loser now
Will be later to win
For the times they are a-changin'.

Come senators, congressmen
Please heed the call
Don't stand in the doorway
Don't block up the hall
For he that gets hurt
Will be he who has stalled
There's a battle outside ragin'.
It'll soon shake your windows
And rattle your walls
For the times they are a-changin'.

Come mothers and fathers
Throughout the land
And don't criticize
What you can't understand
Your sons and your daughters
Are beyond your command
Your old road is
Rapidly agin'.
Please get out of the new one
If you can't lend your hand
For the times they are a-changin'.

The line it is drawn
The curse it is cast
The slow one now
Will later be fast
As the present now
Will later be past
The order is
Rapidly fadin'.
And the first one now
Will later be last

For the times they are a-changin'.

Yeah... this sums it up!

Be good to each other!

How big are your plans this weekend?

2010-12-09T06:31:00.000-08:00

Because mine are DELUXE!

"Deluxe is an indie craft fair and community event with free admission in Oklahoma City..." Held in the Centennial Building at the fairgrounds, Deluxe features unique artists selling handmade only items, with fun and entertainment for everyone!

I hope you stop by to see me, and check out all the other amazing booths!
Get that Christmas shopping done all in one place!

I will have a few fun little things for sale... I will be taking orders for Christmas treats {free local delivery} And LOTS of gift cards!

The fun starts at 11am!

See you there!

♥ Tawny

Did someone say Egg Nog?

2010-12-08T19:50:00.001-08:00

Here is a yummy one for you!

Ingredients

1 chai tea bag
1 (17.5-oz.) package sugar cookie mix
1/2 cup melted butter
1 large egg
4 tablespoons eggnog, divided
Parchment paper
Cinnamon sugar
1 cup powdered sugar
1/2 teaspoon freshly grated nutmeg

Directions
1. Preheat oven to 350°. Remove tea leaves from tea bag; discard bag.

2. Stir together tea leaves, cookie mix, butter, egg, and 2 Tbsp. eggnog until well blended.

3. Drop dough by tablespoonfuls onto parchment paper-lined baking sheets. Flatten dough slightly with bottom of a glass dipped in cinnamon sugar.

4. Bake at 350° for 8 to 10 minutes or until lightly browned. Remove from baking sheet to a wire rack, and cool completely (about 10 minutes).

5. Whisk together powdered sugar, nutmeg, and remaining 2 Tbsp. eggnog until smooth. Spoon over cooled cookies.

Be good to each other!
♥ tawny

Fa~La~La~La~LAAAAAA!

2010-12-05T17:44:00.000-08:00

♫ On the first day of Cookie~Palooza ... Tawny gave toooo Yooooouuuuu!!! ♫

Photo and Recipe found at Recipe Rhapsody

Cinnabon Cookies!!

I found this recipe a few weeks ago while doing a bit of blog surfing and thought to my self... YUM!

Boy was I right!
I made these this afternoon with the tiny diva and oh-my-gosh.
They are sweet, yummy bits of cinnamony {is that a word?} heaven!

Here is my tip to you... unless you have a restaurant sized kitchen aid, DO NOT double the recipe!! LOL! We had a bit of dough explosion teehee!

So here you go! Enjoy!

Cinnamon Roll Sugar Cookies
recipe by Jenny at Picky Palate

2 Cups sugar
1 Cup butter, softened
3 eggs
1 teaspoon vanilla
(I added 1/2 teaspoon almond extract)
1 Cup sour cream
6 Cups flour
2 teaspoons baking soda
2 teaspoons baking powder
1/4 teaspoon salt
12 tablespoons softened butter, (slice 2 Tablespoons 6 times totaling 12 tablespoons)
1 1/2 Cups packed light brown sugar, divided into 1/4 Cups
1 1/2 Tablespoons ground cinnamon, divided

Frosting
8 oz softened cream cheese
1/2 Cup powdered sugar
2-4 Tablespoons milk, to thin icing

1. In an electric or stand mixer, cream the sugar and butter. Add eggs, vanilla and sour cream until well combined. Slowly add in the flour, baking soda, baking powder and salt until well combined.
2. In 2 batches, place in plastic wrap in a disc shape and chill for at least 2 hours for best results.
3. Once chilled, cut each disc into thirds and roll into a 1/8 inch thick oval, about 12 inches X 5 inches on a floured surface. Spread each rolled pieces of dough with 2 Tablespoons softened butter, 1/4 Cup packed brown sugar and 1/4 teaspoon cinnamon. (I forgot to soften my butter beforehand so I just slightly melted it in the microwave and mixed in the brown sugar and cinnamon, then spread it over the dough in a thin layer.) Start rolling from the long end closest to you, rolling into a log shape. (I wrapped the logs in wax paper and refrigerated for another 2 hours at this point because they were too soft to cut and got all smooshed.) Using a sharp knife, cut 1/2 inch pieces of dough then placing onto a silpat or parchment lined baking sheet. Bake at 350 degrees for 9-11 minutes. Remove and let cool for 5 minutes before removing from baking sheet.
4. To prepare frosting, beat the cream cheese until softened and smooth, slowly add powdered sugar and milk until desired consistency. Frost cookies then place in refrigerator until ready to serve. These are 100 times better chilled, trust me!!
Makes at least 6 dozen

I would LOVE for you to share your favorite holiday cookie recipes with me!
And who knows... I might pick your recipe to make, photograph and put on the blog!
Just email them to me at... tawny76@cox.net !

Enjoy the cinnabon sugar cookies!
Be good to each other!
And Happy Holidays!

♥ Tawny

1st annual Cookie~palooza!

2010-12-01T08:00:00.000-08:00

Okay... here are the rules:
1. Place the button for this party on your sidebar {you can find the button below!}
2. Spread the word! The more the merrier I always say!
3. Please plan on participating!!
4. Sign up by Dec. 17th
5. Have lots of Holiday fun!!

Here are a few ideas for you...

*Share a favorite holiday sweets recipe, be it cookies or fudge or one of a kind treat!

* Cookie inspired crafts, photography, or tablescapes

* Fun packaging ideas

* Other fun holiday traditions!

Please join me in celebrating my 4 year blog~a~versary grab the button and lets get baking!

Happy Holidays!
♥ Tawny

I was lost... but now I am found... { and the 1st annual cookiepalooza!}

2010-11-27T15:29:00.001-08:00

and no, not in the I found Jesus... talking in tounges... pass the collection plate kind of way... But in more of the; Im drowning in Etsy orders... family issues are abounding... and just the general holiday blues...

But enough whining... there is no time for all that!

Things are getting pretty crazy here in Daily Icing land!

Gingerbread house orders are really starting to stack up!

There is still plenty of time to place an ORDER!
All orders will be shipped no later than December 18th to insure your gift arrives in time for Christmas!

And if your local, and want to avoid all that crazy shipping stuff... come find Lollipops at Deluxe Indie Craft Bazaar December 11th!

Doors open at 11am... free admission.. and lots of really awesome LOCAL artisits! The perfect way to start your handmade holiday!
We will have decorative gingerbread houses, ornaments, and other fun non~edible holiday stuff... and will be taking orders for Bodachious Apples and EDIBLE Gingerbread houses!

And now for some blog party info!

My 4 year Blog~a~versary is in December!

And so to celebrate... I am hosting the 1st annual Daily Icing Christmas Cookiepalooza!

Starting Decemember 1st... I will be sharing my 12 days of cookies... 3 new cookie recipes a week... and a drawing each Saturday for a cookie tin filled with that weeks cookies {from our kitchen to yours} and other sweet holiday surprises!

You wanna party with me?
On Dec 18th we will have one giant cookie swap!
Link your blog with mine and we can fill the blogsphere with the sweet smells of the holidays! More info to come! So get out those cookbooks and get ready!

I hope your Thanksgiving was wonderful!

Be good to each other!
♥ Tawny

Is it wrong to be thankful for gingerbread??

2010-11-16T18:42:00.000-08:00

Cuz if it is... I DONT WANNA BE RIGHT!!!!

Day 16...

Thankful for Lollipops Sugar Shoppe!!

Now taking orders for Christmas!

Custom gingerbread houses... Bodachious Apple Stocking stuffers... fudge galore!
Perfect gifts for teachers, co workers, family and friends!

{yes this post is a shameless plug}

But really... I am thankful for my little shoppe.

Be good to each other!
♥ Tawny

15 days into thankful...

2010-11-15T17:03:00.000-08:00

I came home today to find 2 packages waiting for me... mysterious.
"I have not ordered anything recently"... I think as I kick off my shoes.
Then I see that all to familiar handwriting... my daddy. It cant be a birthday present... he already sent that. So what oh what is in those boxes!

I got everyone settled and sat myself on the couch to tear into those mystery packages!

The minute the seal was broken and I peared inside those boxes the tears began to fall. Tears of joy? yes. Of sadness? yes. Gratefulness? YES.

My grandmas photo albums...

Pages and pages of history... from her days as a girl on the farm.

To her life in the big city!

And so many more!
Just through the pics I see so much of me.
And boy was my dad a looker! ;)

So, today... I am thankful for my history. ALL of it, on both sides. The good, the bad, and the ugly.

Thank you Daddy for the best gift ever and for my history.

I love you all...
Be good to each other.
♥ Tawny

Day 14.... for him I am thankful.

2010-11-14T16:26:00.000-08:00

He is 9 years old today.

He changed my life, in his own special way.
He makes me laugh... his sweet spirit amazes me... and the brain on this kid is stunning!

He is a ninja in the kitchen... just like his daddy!
{my Mothers Day brunch presented to me in my dirty craft room}

He loves, soccer, art & his XBOX... and can read The Diary of a Whimpy Kid book in a WHOLE DAY! Thats a big deal folks!!!

He loves his little sister... {well most of the time!}

I cant wait to see the man he will become!

{Birthday waffles... its a tradition}

Happy Birthday Critter!!

I ♥ You!

What I am thankful for...

2010-11-13T09:28:00.000-08:00

okay... sooooo I need to catch up!
LOL! But once you read what I am thankful for you will understand the reason for the delay!

Day 11...

I am SO thankful for my friends!

{its a bad pic, I know...}

I dont think I could have made through the rest of this week with out thier support, love and laughter.

Day 12...

Im thankful my knee is NOT broken!

I have to be the single most ungraceful person in the world!
I would love to tell you I hurt my knee while saving a group of old people and a litter of puppies from a burning building while fighting ninjas... but its nothing that cool... long stoy short, I got tangled up in my own pjs and BAM! knee all askew!
But thankfully it is on the mend today and only a sprain!

Day 13...

Today I am thankful for...
Relaxing Saturdays!!

No where to go... and nothing really to do. Ahhhhhhhhh! I LOVE IT!

I hope you all are enjoying the same!
And I hope you are finding a few things to be thankful for!

Be good to each other!
♥ Tawny

What am I thankful for??? Today this was hard...

2010-11-09T18:26:00.000-08:00

I really wanted to just blow this off today... just to be honest.

But I made a promise to myself that I would find something, no matter how small, to be thankful for each and everyday this month and put it into words.

So, today my friends I am thankful for situations that push me towards my dream... Im sure that the person who put the events of today into motion had other more sinister plans... but I hate to inform you {just in case she reads this} all you did was push me in the direction that I needed to go! So thank you.

So thats it folks, sort and sweet.

What are you thankful for??

be good to each other...
♥ Tawny

Thankful day 8... furbabies

2010-11-08T17:04:00.000-08:00

I came home today from work... tired, ready for the comfort of my pjs and a nice glass of wine... and was greeted by one of my favorite sounds, my furkids telling me about thier day! LOL! Its so cute how those 2 furry girls will sit at the foot of my bed just chatting it up with me about whatever they have one thier minds! I wish I knew what they were saying!

I am so thankful for those sweet puppy kisses and furry snuggles!

Be good to each other!
♥ Tawny

Im in love with BUNTING!... and a yummy sunday dessert!

2010-11-07T12:34:00.000-08:00

Okay... all I have to say is ...

BUNTING!! I ♥ BUNTING!!!

I could have sweet bits of bunting in every room of my house... and I now want it atop each and every cake I make...

Ive been addicted to bunting for awhile now... but I spent the day today catching up on my blog surfing and it was everywhere!!

In my blog hopping adventures today I came across a feature of esty seller

KiKiLaRu

These sweet buntings stole my heart! And she sells a DIY kit!! so cool!

And this is a really cool idea as well... and very cute!

And in honor of cake bunting and the chill in the air, your sunday dinner recipe is...

Caramel Apple Spice Cake

Ingredients{Serves 12 to 14}

2 1/2 sticks unsalted butter, room temperature, {plus more for pans}
1 vanilla bean, halved lengthwise
2 pounds Granny Smith apples, peeled, cored, and grated {4 cups}
1/2 cup apple cider
2 1/2 cups granulated sugar
3 3/4 cups all-purpose flour, plus more for dusting
2 1/2 teaspoons baking powder
2 1/2 teaspoons baking soda
1 teaspoon salt
1 1/2 teaspoons ground cinnamon
1/2 teaspoon ground nutmeg
1/4 teaspoon ground ginger
1/4 cup packed dark-brown sugar
4 large eggs, room temperature
1/2 cup sour cream
1 1/4 cups pecan halves (5 ounces), toasted dark and finely ground in a food processor
Brown Sugar Swiss Meringue Buttercream {directions following}

Directions
1.Put 1/2 stick butter into a large nonstick skillet. Using the tip of a paring knife, scrape seeds from vanilla bean into skillet, and toss in pod. Cook over medium heat until butter is lightly browned, about 2 minutes. Stir in apples, cider, and 1 cup granulated sugar. Raise heat to medium-high, and cook, stirring occasionally, for 8 minutes. Reduce heat to low, and cook until apples are golden and translucent and liquid has evaporated, about 10 minutes. Discard vanilla pod. Let cool.

2.Preheat oven to 350 degrees. Butter two 8-by-2-inch round cake pans. Dust with flour, and tap out excess. Whisk together flour, baking powder, baking soda, salt, and spices. Reserve 1/4 cup flour mixture.

3.Beat remaining 2 sticks butter, remaining 1 1/2 cups granulated sugar, and the brown sugar with a mixer on medium-high speed until pale and fluffy, about 5 minutes. Reduce speed to medium, and add eggs, 1 at a time, beating well after each addition. Reduce speed to low. Beat in flour mixture in 2 batches, alternating with the sour cream and scraping bowl as needed. Add remaining 1/4 cup flour mixture to apple mixture, and toss. Fold in apple mixture and pecans.

4.Divide batter between prepared pans. Bake until tops are dark golden brown and a toothpick inserted into centers comes out clean, 55 to 65 minutes. Let cool for 30 minutes on a wire rack. Run a knife around edges of cakes to loosen. Unmold cakes, and let cool, right side up, on rack. (Cakes can be wrapped in plastic and refrigerated for up to 3 days.)

5.Assemble cake: Trim each cake so it's 1 3/4 inches high. Place 1 cake, cut side up, on a cake stand. Spread 1 1/2 cups buttercream over top. Place remaining cake, cut side down, on top. Spread 1 cup buttercream over entire cake. Refrigerate until firm, about 45 minutes. Spread remaining frosting over cake. (Cake can be refrigerated, uncovered, overnight.)

Brown Sugar Swiss Meringue Buttercream

Ingredients
Makes about 5 cups

5 large egg whites
1 2/3 cups packed dark-brown sugar
1/4 teaspoon salt
4 sticks (2 cups) unsalted butter, room temperature
Directions
1.Put egg whites, sugar, and salt into a heatproof bowl set over a pan of simmering water. Whisk until mixture registers 160 degrees, about 4 minutes.
2.Beat on high speed until stiff, glossy peaks form, about 6 minutes. Reduce speed to medium-low. Add butter, 2 tablespoons at a time, beating after each addition (meringue will deflate slightly as butter is added). Beat until frosting is smooth and glossy, 3 to 5 minutes. Buttercream can be refrigerated airtight for up to 3 days; bring to room temperature, and beat before using.

Enjoy!

Be Blessed and be good to each other!
♥ Tawny

A month of thankfuls...

2010-11-07T10:00:00.000-08:00

So alot of my facebook pals are posting one thing they are thankful for each day of November... at first I was all eye rolling and scoffing... {my mood hasnt been what you would call "happy" lately} Then I remembered something someone told me once... "forced joy is better than genuine depression." and so I decided that it was high time I snapped out of it!

So I'm joining in the Thankfulness... here on the blog!

Im 6 days behind... so I better get started!

Welcome to MY month of thankfuls!

#1 My Home...
We live in a teeny tiny house... but its OURS... and I love it, I grew up in this house... have raised my family here, so many memories. I love it.

#2 My kids...

Who wouldn't love these scallywags!

#3 Im thankful for my hubby... things have been kinda hard lately, but I know we will make it through... we always do!!

#4 Im thankful for my job... I have the coolest job around! YES at times I fall into the feel sorry for myself state that we all fall into... but really if you think about it... I have the coolest job!!

#5 Im thankful for Nyquil... I have been drugged for the last 24 hours trying to get over the death... and I think Im finally on the mend.

#6 I'm thankful for pumpkin spiced pecan ice cream... YUM.

#7 I'm thankful for my blog... and my readers... its an awesome venue for my rants and randomness!

I hope you check in daily for a thankful update... and let me know what YOUR thankful for in your daily life!

Be blessed, and be good to each other!
♥ Tawny

stay tuned for Sunday Dinner!!

I want to run and hide...

2010-10-27T17:27:00.000-07:00

Here looks like the perfect place dont you think?

Its been one of those months.

The kind of month that makes you want a do over... to jump in bed and pull the covers over your head till it all goes away.
And that makes me really sad because October is so magical... but I cant find the magic anywhere... it must be hiding.

Be good to each other will you... please? For me?
♥ Tawny

A Sunday Dinner Dedication...

2010-10-24T12:46:00.000-07:00

The tiny Diva and I spent a bit of our afternoon with our Granny today... I always love watching Bella interact with her, and find it amazing that she explores that house the exact same way I did as a child... why is underneath my grannys dinning room table so exciting?

My granny, 86 years young... forgets who I am sometimes. But she ALWAYS remembers that tiny diva!

This is my granny... at 18. You can read a bit more about her HERE

I found a few treasures while we were visiting... my granny and grandpas Marriage licence {astoundingly beautiful!} and a trove of old cookbooks!

I imagined her in the kitchen, apron on, searching for the perfect recipe to make my grandpa for dinner... and wished Chris and I could take a time machine back to 1951.

After a bit of begging, granny let me take this beauty home...

Yeah... that's a Sears and Roebuck cookbook!!!

Its more than amazing! Filled with all kinds of helpful tips for the American housewife! Today I learned how to pack an attractive and healthful lunch for my husband and children... {"The men in the family will prefer spicy condiments and sauces on their sandwiches, while the school child will like a mild more delicate flavor."} I am so in love!

As I was reading bits and pieces to my chef I came across a marked page and knew exactly what today's feature would be...

My Granny cooked most of my meals as a child, and out of thousands of dishes... there are 2 that will always remind me of her... Pink Stuff {which we will get to closer to Thanksgiving} And her waffles!

There was nothing in this universe better than my Granny's waffles! One of the best gifts she ever gave me was her waffle iron so I could make Sunday morning waffles for the kiddos!

I hope you enjoy...

JoAnna Dodson's Waffles

Ingredients
2 cups All Purpose Flour
1/2 teaspoon baking soda
1 teaspoon baking powder
1 teaspoon salt
3 tablespoons sugar
1 teaspoon cinnamon
1 tablespoon vanilla
3 whole eggs, beaten
2 ounces unsalted butter, melted
16 ounces buttermilk, room temperature

In a medium bowl whisk together the flour, soda, baking powder, salt,cinnamon and sugar. In another bowl beat together eggs, vanilla and melted butter, and then add the buttermilk. Add the wet ingredients to the dry and stir until combined. Allow to rest for 5 minutes.

Ladle the recommended amount of waffle batter onto the iron cook until the waffle is golden on both sides and is easily removed from iron. Serve immediately or keep warm in a 200 degree F oven until ready to serve.

I know its simple... ridiculously so... but I sware you can taste the love and the magic in every bite.

Be good to each other!
♥ Tawny

PS...
she also gave me a 1936 copyright Pride and Prejudice... my all time favorite book!

The witching hour is almost gone....

2010-10-17T14:55:00.000-07:00

Am I late??

My broom broke down on the I95 and I had to hitch a ride home... there is nothing like a hitchin witch!

But that wont make the party stop!

The table is set...

The guests have arrived... they dont mind my tardiness {the undead rarely do}

and even the coven came to the soiree...

The best friends a witch could have!

Are you ready to eat?
The menu is set...

and the butler is ready to serve...

Its such a special occasion that I had to break out my special cook books... from my dear love Edgar, he was a wiz in the kitchen!

And to quinch your hallow~thirst fill your cauldron with our Sunday Dinner Recipe...

Butter Beer:

The Traditional Hogsmeade-Style Butterbeer recipe was originally from the Hogwarts Celebrations,
now appearing annually for Halloween by popular demand!

Makes 2 quarts.

Ingredients
1 cup butterscotch schnapps
7 cups cream soda (almost one 2 liter bottle)

Directions
Carefully mix just before serving, adding the schnapps to the soda then stirring gently to mix well, or the fizz will dissipate too soon. To keep butterbeer on hand, pour 1 cup cream soda out of the 2-liter bottle, quickly add 1 cup butterscotch schnapps, and recap the bottle. I did make a refill batch using 1 cup schnapps to a whole 2 liter bottle of cream soda, which was ratio of 1 to 8, but people tasted the difference and complained, so fair warning!

There is not much alcohol content in the butterbeer mixture, just enough to make a house-elf tipsy and to give it the warm, buttery aftertaste to the fizzy cream soda. Yum!

All your wizard friends will love it!

Be Blessed, Have a fantastic Halloweek...
Be good to each other!

☠ Tawny

PS Its not to late to join the other parties around the interwebs... Check out A Fanciful Twist ms Vanessa has put on quite a shindig of her own!

Did you hear that??

2010-10-12T17:33:00.000-07:00

Can it really be only 4 days till my very most favorite Party of the year?

It was the faint sound of cackles in the distance that reminded me!

The moon seems just... about... right.

Im gathering such wonderful things for our bewitching event... I cant wait to share them all!

Look.... it seems as if one of my sisters has missed her landing!

And in doing so, to much chagrin... THIS happened...

That EVIL sister of mine fell and crushed my sweet friend... and coworker... and fellow blogger... Bobbie's hand! What a horribly horrible witch! {and yet such a snappy dresser...}
Hope your hand is okay BOBster!

And as for all of you.... the time draws near... what fun we shall have!

Be good to each other!
♥ Tawny

What a fantastic beard you have!

2010-10-10T15:06:00.000-07:00

Every year around this time 100 men from all over the world gather in Europe with the hopes to be crowned Worlds Beard and Mustache Champion...

The rules??
Grow and style the most outragious beard and or mustache the world has ever seen!

Im pretty much in love!!

This mister is my fave...

I wonder if I could get The Chef to do this with his fantastic beard?

What would you do if you saw this walking down the street?

And this cheerful fellow was a freestyle champion... I should say so!

I will dream tonight of bearded peoples and circus folk! How marvelous!!

Be good to each other!
♥ Tawny

Sunday Dinner... fall desserts!

2010-10-10T09:01:00.000-07:00

Have you heard? The canned pumpkin shortage is OVER! Kitchens and pumpkin lovers across the country are doing a jig!

"That means an end to the hoarding, rationing and even pumpkin profiteering that have been going on since heavy rain ruined last year's harvest and caused a shortfall. " -USA Today

THIS artical reports that last year around the holidays, canned pumpkin was being sold on ebay for $6-$7 a can!

I for one LOVE pumpkin... and mostly use fresh... {but we do like to keep a few cans around the house just in case we need it!}

And I thought to celebrate the return of canned pumpkin to american kitchens I would give you my all time favorite cheesecake recipe!

Pumpkin Cheesecake

Ingredients
Crust:
1 3/4 cups ginger snap crumbs
3 tablespoons light brown sugar
1/2 teaspoon ground cinnamon
1 stick melted salted butter

Filling:
3 (8-ounce) packages cream cheese, at room temperature
1 (15-ounce) can pureed pumpkin
3 eggs plus 1 egg yolk
1/4 cup sour cream
1 1/2 cups sugar
1/2 teaspoon ground cinnamon
1/8 teaspoon fresh ground nutmeg
1/8 teaspoon ground cloves
2 tablespoon all-purpose flour
1 teaspoon vanilla extract
Directions
Preheat oven to 350 degrees F.

For crust:
In medium bowl, combine crumbs, sugar and cinnamon. Add melted butter. Press down flat into a 9-inch springform pan. Set aside.

For filling:
Beat cream cheese until smooth. Add pumpkin puree, eggs, egg yolk, sour cream, sugar and the spices. Add flour and vanilla. Beat together until well combined.

Pour into crust. Spread out evenly and place oven for 1 hour. Remove from the oven and let sit for 15 minutes. Cover with plastic wrap and refrigerate for 4 hours.

Your gonna LOVE it!!

Well, Im off to finish spookify~ing! {I will post pics here in a few!}

Have a spooktastic Sunday morning!

♥Tawny

Things I ♥ right now...

2010-10-07T17:57:00.000-07:00

From sweet sweater handbags to Halloween decor that will give you cavities; my eyes have had a feast of beautiful things lately & I thought I should share them with you!

Etsy seller Laura Bucci has created the perfect saturday morning coffee accessory! Wont all the moms on the soccer field be jealous of not only my stunning good looks, but also my totally cool & eco friendly coffee jewlery!

Laura has many different cozie designs and colors, and the vintage inspired ones are simply darling! Your saturday morning coffee needs these!

Okay... I was trying to drop a hint to the chef about this bag... I said "oh this would be perfect with my new fall boots!"... I said "honey, look at this adorable bag... isnt it perfect for fall?" and even got a bit more specific when I told him "THIS IS WHAT I WANT YOU TO GET ME FOR MY BIRTHDAY!!"... his response was "its white... you will kill it the first night you take it to Edna's" UGH. He doesnt understand. So Im gonna treat myself! {insert super big grin here}

Located in Europe NZL Bags on Etsy has soooo many delicious bags! I cant decide.. do I want the cream or the orange?? ..OH or maybe the moss green!! OH LORD the decisions! Get your orders in with her now... because I have a feeling this girl is gonna be BUSY when Christmas rolls around!

Next, I came across this next seller a few days ago... these sweet arm warmers are too freakin cute! And she has soooo many different styles to choose from!

I love to keep my hands all snugglie in my shirts when it gets cold out, and these arm warmers look like they will do the trick! And the sweet button thumb straps are super cute!
These are my favorites from MiloCreative... I may need more than one pair... L♥L!

And now for my paper addiction... OMG. I have been looking for cool, one of a kind, handmade Halloween decorations to add to our Haunted House, and when I came across
Joosy Card Co. I was THRILLED. You see, I have developed a small obession for Marie Antoinette recently and when I saw this banner I was in L♥VE...

No, not for Halloween... but my studio walls are calling for this pink sparkley treat! THIS is what I now have in my etsy basket... and I may grab a few of her uber cute mustaches on sticks {you know I love a good mustache!} or maybe that adorable monster crown!

Hey... do you want Daily Icing AND Lollipops Sugar Shoppe updates to come right to your email??
Join my mailing list!{top right corner} For deals on sweets and all the up to date Lollipops info!

Be good to each other & enjoy your week!

♥Tawny

Sunday Dinner... All cozied up with the things I love most!

2010-10-03T10:36:00.001-07:00

This weekend has been all about recharging... I spent Friday puttering around in the kitchen with my favorite chef making some amazing treats for Destiny Christians' Fall Festival

{Blueberry gingerbread cake with lemon glaze... looks yummy huh??}
Saturday was all about me time... shopping with some of my girlfriends that I had not seen in FOREVER and then home for movie night with the familia... and now today, all snuggled in with whoopie pies in the oven, a lovely blend of honey chamomille tea, and puppies snuggled between us on the couch... maybe some Halloween decorating later... ahhhhhh I do love weekends in the fall!

And as always, there is Sunday Dinner...
today on the menu is one of MY personal faves... {thought I would give the chef the day off}

Pot Roast
Its simple... its familiar... its hearty... its home. Perfect Sunday Dinner.

Ingredients

2 tablespoons vegetable oil
1 5-pound beef chuck roast
Salt and pepper
2 cups beef stock or reduced sodium canned beef broth
1/2 cup red wine (optional)
3 onions, cut into large wedges
4 cloves garlic , chopped
2 dried bay leaves
1 teaspoon dried thyme
2 tablespoons tomato paste
2 pounds carrots, cut into 1 1/2-inch chunks
2 pounds potatoes, cut into 1 1/2-inch chunks

Directions

1.Preheat oven to 350 degrees. In a Dutch oven, heat oil over medium-high heat. Sprinkle roast all over with 1 teaspoon salt and 1/2 teaspoon pepper. Place in pan, and brown on all sides, about 10 minutes.
2.Turn meat fat side up. Add stock, wine, {if using} onions, garlic, bay leaves, and thyme. Stir in tomato paste. Bring to a simmer, cover; put in the oven, and roast for 3 hours. Add carrots and potatoes, and cook until vegetables are tender, about 1 hour more.
3.Transfer the roast, carrots, and potatoes to a platter. With a spoon, skim the fat off the surface of the cooking liquid. Cut the roast into thick slices, and serve with the vegetables. Pass the pan juices separately.

I hope you enjoy it as much as we do!

Now Im off to sneak a sweet snack... that gingerbread cake is calling my name!

Be good to each other and have a wonderful Sunday!
♥Tawny

And the winners are.....

2010-10-03T09:14:00.001-07:00

Well, so I am a day late getting the winners announced... sorry.

I know you all have been on the edge of your seats waiting!!

So without futher ado...

The winners are:

♥♥ For the amazing Chocolate Body Scrub From Sea Shore Paradise...

Thanks to Random Generator...
WENDY!!
Congrats!!
I hope you enjoy your body scrub!!

♥♥ For the $10 Gift Certificate from Wish Fox...

Thanks to Random Generator...
SUSAN!
Congrats!!

And Finally...

Our beautiful Good Witch Bad Witch tags from my dear friend Rowena of Crafty Pagen...

And the winner is...
KELLI!

Congrats!
I hope you enjoy your tags!

Thanks again to everyone who entered & shared in our awesome party fun!

Be Blessed & Love one another!
♥ Tawny

If Im Willie Wonka.... where the heck are my Umpa-lumpas!

2010-09-28T19:18:00.000-07:00

Hey there, Hi there, & hello there friends!
Did everyone have a bewitching time at the Practical Magic Blog Party this weekend?

I know I did!!
It was so awesome to see all the talent that just covers the interwebs!
So, with one party under my belt... and the lovely Miss V's party in a few weeks... I had hoped to be able to take a bit of a breather... but alas instead I am up to my wee bitty nose in chocolate orders!!

Im so excited that Lollipops has been received so well! & its online success is just the first step to getting my dream traveling sweet shoppe!!

So can I take a second to brag??
I know its unbecoming... but Im so the proud Momma!!

My little Sugar Shoppe hit the front page today!

Im kvelling!!
I can not believe how fast we are growing! Its like i need a river of chocolate and hundreds of tiny singing men to get it all done!

New Holiday Flavors and Specials are coming next week!
And if you havent gotten your holiday orders in with me yet please do so as soon as you can! I am booking up like crazy!!
oh!! & join my new mailing list for all kinds of Daily Icing AND Lollipops info!

Well Im off to chocolate land!

Be blessed & love one another!
♥Tawny

PS
Dont forget you have till friday night at midnight to enter the giveawys!! I cant wait to see who wins!

He will hear my call a mile away. He will whistle my favorite song. He can ride a pony backwards...

2010-09-26T12:00:00.000-07:00

Welcome back friends!

You know... there really is a little witch in all of us... it just takes an open mind, and a pure love to hear her...or at least thats what I believe...

I wanted to share my own very magical, very Sally moment with you...

I was 19 years old... it was 1996, so before the movie even came out... years later when I saw the movie in theaters I was floored by the scene with Sally casting her love spell... you see those few years before I had done almost the same thing, but not with hopes of dodging the heartbreak of love, but with the hopes of recovering from loves heartbreak...

Like I said, I was 19, alone... and a mother of two precious little boys. People ask me all the time if I could change the decisions I made back then would I... and the answer is no, my boys have made me who I am today... but thats another story.

One summer night in July of 96, I was at my lowest... my face was finally healing from the rage that had been inflicted upon it, but my heart was another story.

I sat into the wee hours of the night in tears, swearing I would never let another man hurt me... would never again let another man into my heart, & this certain night had found me face down crying out to whatever God would listen...

I knew that for the sake of my children I needed a male role model that would teach them to be the man of my dreams... the man I had always been searching for... the man that would never leave another little girl in the state I was currently in.

So I told the universe that IF I was to ever fall in love again, these were my requirements...
1. that he loves my boys from the moment he lays eyes on them
2. that he treats me like a princess
3. he must bring me flowers for no reason
4. he needs to understand that sometimes I go a little crazy & love me through it
5. he MUST cook, cuz I burn toast
6. he has to make me laugh

I know these were very selfish wishes... I knew how selfish they were at the time, thats why I said them... I thought if the universe wanted me to be happy then damnit, I was going to get prince charming!

I left this place of mourning and continued on my life... with really no thought of that late night "break down".

Then it happened... my best friend came to my door one night, holding a note... and a single rose. I was perplexed needless to say. Then she began to explain... a friend of hers had sent me the rose... he knew a little about what was going on in my life, and really only knew who I was from a picture he had of me that was taken at a dinner party I had attended at his home... {where he had made the whole meal} He said he was drawn to my photo, & asked my friend to send me the flower and the note, which read: "I know your going through some things right now, Im here if you need to go a little crazy, you can call me anytime."

I was floored... & a little freaked out. With no thought of my earlier prayer I thought I would simply stop by his house, & tell him thanks for the flower but I was not in a healthy place to start even a friendship let alone start dating.
The next evening, with the boys in tow, I knocked on his door preparing to do just that... needless to say, from the moment he picked up my 5 month old baby into his arms & spun him around we were not seprate a day... till the night before our wedding. That was 15 years ago.

And though it hasnt been all rainbows and lollipops, he does make me laugh... and he does treat me like a princess... and from the moment he laid eyes on my boys he fell in love.

And now for the give away....

Rowena of Crafty Pagan offered to donate a set of her simply delicious tags.

If you are familiar with Rowenas work you will know how magical everything in her shop is!!

Now... How to enter:
1. be a follower here on my blog
2. leave me a comment on this post about a time when you realized there was a little witch in you.

Dont forget you have till Oct 2nd to enter all 3 giveawys!

Be Blessed
♥ Tawny

Can love really travel back in time and heal a broken heart? Was it our joined hands that finally lifted Maria's curse? I'd like to think so. But there are some things I know for certain: always throw spilt salt over your left shoulder, keep rosemary by your garden gate, plant lavender for luck, and fall in love whenever you can.

{sorry this post was so late, I had a family emergency that kept me away from the computer most of the day}

And this is what comes from dabbling....

2010-09-25T15:41:00.000-07:00

Another quick giveaway!!!

Etsy Seller Wish Fox has graciously offered one lucky Daily Icing Follower a $10 gift certificate to her shop!!

Her goatmilk oatmeal vanilla soaps sound fantastic!! & I LOVE how she packages them!!

The rules to enter are...

1. Comment on this post
2. follow this blog
3. visit Wish Fox on etsy

Thats it!

And dont forget to check the other giveaway post HERE

♥ Tawny
...thats what love is like. It makes
your heart race. It turns the world upside down. But if youre not
careful, if you dont keep your eyes on something still, you can
lose your balance....

"...He really loved my mint-oatmeal shaving cream. He couldn't stop eating it..."

2010-09-25T11:56:00.000-07:00

Well hello my friends!!

Hows the party going??

I ment to pop on here much much earlier, but motherhood responsiblities called!!
But now I am all snuggled in, fresh batch of brownies in the oven... the little one cuddled up by my side... and Practical Magic on the screen... {of course!!}

And I thought this would be the perfect time for our first giveaway!!!
Your excited arent you???... I knew you would be!

One of my favorite parts of the movie is Sally's botanical shop! It was always a dream of mine to have a sweet little boutique, in a quaint little town... preferably one where people dont shout at me or think Im going to curse them with chicken pox!! LOL!

So honor of Sally & her wonderful little shop Verbena here is our first giveaway!!

Etsy seller Toki of Sea Shore Paradise has been kind enough to offer up to you my sweet friends a batch of her yummy chocolate sugar body scrub!!!
I can only imagine how delicious this smells... and feels on your skin!

So here are the rules...

{1} To enter once... comment on this post

{2} To Enter twice... become a follower of my little blog!

{3} To enter three times... {are you noticing a trend here?}... go to Toki's shop & tell me what other yummy bath products you find!

{4} Fourth entry... Become a fan on my facebook page

{5} Fifth entry... put one of my buttons on your blog!! {{You can choose which one}}

Thats 5 chances to win!!
{I know... im totally awesome!}

Be sure to let me know in the comments how many times you entered!

Winners will be announced Oct.2nd!!

More giveaways coming throughout the whole weekend! So keep coming back!

♥ Tawny

Of course you're going to see me again. We'll grow old together. It's going to be you and me living in a big house... these two old biddies with all these cats. I bet we even die on the same day.

Eye of newt, toe of frog, wing of bat, tongue of dog.....

2010-09-24T18:12:00.000-07:00

Welcome my wonderful witchy friends!
Come in and sit a spell... I am so happy you stopped by!

I have to start off this post by sending out blessings to our wonderful party hostesses La Boheme & Frosted Petunias {click on thier names to go to thier delicious blogs!} Be sure to click on the party invite in my side bar to go the main party page & have a ball blog hopping!

So, I guess its time to get the party started...
I thought I would start this off the right way with some... MIDNIGHT MARGARITAS!!!
this is my all time favorite margarita recipe...

Ingredients

1 lime, juiced, plus 2 lime slices, for garnish
2 scoops lemon sorbet
4 scoops lime sherbet
4 shots tequila
1/2 shot Triple Sec or other orange liqueur

Directions
Place all ingredients in blender and process on high. Pour into glasses and garnish with a round slice of lime.

its magical... truly!

Keep visiting the blog throughout the weekend! I have some amazing giveaways coming... I will even give you a quick sneak peek... Sea Shore Paradise ... Crafty Pagan... Wish Fox... and a few more!
It all starts tomorrow!

♥ Tawny

My darling girl, when are you going to realize that being normal is not necessarily a virtue? It rather denotes a lack of courage!

Peek ~A~ Boo!!!

2010-09-21T18:59:00.000-07:00

Have you been wondering?? Worried perhaps??
Where oh where has the Tawnykins gone!!!!

Well.... here is the deal... I have been SWAMPED!
Lollipops Sugar Shoppe has been crazy insane!

Its been nonstop!... not that Im complaining!
And of course Im getting everything together for our magical gathering on Saturday... I cant wait to reveal the amazing giveaways & all the other fun stuff I have up my sleeve!

But for now...

I have to go get the party hats ready & grab some limes cuz the next time you see me it will be time for... MIDNIGHT MARGARITAS!!!

♥ Tawny

Oh.... & Im being featured on the Green Eyed Monster blog tomorrow! Head on over there for a chance to win a Lollipops Sugar Shoppe Bodachious Apple.

Sunday Dinner... Are you ready for some football?

2010-09-12T12:54:00.000-07:00

When September rolls around, this house turns from quite family refuge... to insane man cave! And I have 2 words that explain it all.... FOOT-BALL Ok, so its really one word, but that wouldnt have had the cool super suspenceful effect now would it?

The benifits of football season are as follows...
1. My house now contains quadruple the daily allowence of testosterone, therefore if the trash needs to be taken out or a light bulb needs changing you can throw & stick & hit a man to do it for you!!

2. With the men folks minds on touchdowns & fumbles the ladies can head into the craft room for our own drinks & fun!! {oh, & it helps when your hubby surprises you with lots of new crafty things that you've had your little eyes on for awhile... but thats another post!}

3. THE FOOD! Being married to the chef means lots of yummy football snacks!! He spent the day yesterday cooking like crazy for the game & then started back in this morning... my house smells sweet & spicy {just like me!}

So in honor of the fine tradition {at least in this house} of Football grub; I give you.....

Hot Wings and Blue Cheese Yogurt Dip

Ingredients
For the Sauce:

1 cup Greek yogurt
1/4 cup crumbled blue cheese {Gorganzola is our fave}
2 tablespoons finely grated red onion
2 tablespoons finely chopped fresh cilantro
Kosher salt and freshly ground pepper

For the Wings:

Peanut oil, for frying
1 1/2 cups all-purpose flour
Kosher salt and freshly ground pepper
3 tablespoons ancho chili powder
1 1/2 teaspoons garlic powder
3 pounds chicken wings, split at the joint, tips removed
1/2 cup red wine vinegar
1 to 2 tablespoons pureed chipotle chiles in adobo sauce
1 tablespoon Mexican chili powder
1 tablespoon dijon mustard
1 to 2 tablespoons honey
1 stick unsalted butter, quartered
Chopped fresh cilantro, for garnish (optional)
Jicama sticks, for serving

Directions
Make the sauce... Combine the yogurt, blue cheese, red onion, cilantro, and salt and pepper to taste in a small bowl. Refrigerate at least 30 minutes before serving to allow the flavors to get all friendly with each other.

Make the wings: Heat 2 inches of peanut oil in a large high-sided pan until a deep-fry thermometer registers 375 degrees F.

Stir together the flour, salt and pepper to taste, 1 tablespoon ancho chili powder and the garlic powder in a shallow bowl. Season the wings with salt and pepper and add in batches to the flour mixture to lightly coat. Tap off the excess flour, add the wings to the oil in batches and fry until golden brown and cooked through, 8 to 10 minutes. Transfer with a slotted spoon to a paper-towel-lined plate.

Bring the vinegar, chipotle puree, the remaining 2 tablespoons ancho chili powder and the Mexican chili powder to a simmer in a large high-sided saute pan over medium heat. Remove from the heat and whisk in the mustard, 1 teaspoon salt, the honey and butter until smooth. Add the wings and toss to coat. Garnish with cilantro, if desired, and serve with the jicama sticks and blue cheese sauce.

Enjoy your snacks & your games... no matter who you cheer for!

♥ Tawny

Puddle jumping...

2010-09-12T11:54:00.000-07:00

Fall is coming... I feel it. I smell it.
I. Cant. Wait.
Its been rainy here today... not monsoon or anything, but just the right amount of sprinkle to thunder ratio. The kind of rain that is still warm enough to play in... the kind of rain that is perfect for puddle jumping!!
So I grabbed Bella & we went for a splash!

Its amazing how wonderfully relaxing a play in the rain is... you should try it!

♥ Tawny

A new look, sweet news & a cordial invitation...

2010-09-08T17:32:00.000-07:00

Sooooo.... you like my new look??
I am simply nuts about Halloween... crazy about it!!! So I couldnt wait to get my blogsphere all spooked out!!
And I figured since I will be casting spells in The Practical Magic blog party in a couple of weeks it was fitting!!

wait... you havent heard??

I havent told you?? Where have my manners gone!!

You are cordially invited to join me & many other great bloggers... in celebrating one of MY favorite movies of all time {is it one of yours as well??}

Its going to be a bewitching... midnight margaritia kind of party!
& I have so many magical giveaways planned! So make sure your a follower here {hit the google follow button ---> } And on Facebook for at least 2 chances to enter ... I have a few other spells up my sleeve & a witchy recipe or two!

I hope you join me!!

And now....
drum roll please......

Now open for {online} business!!
Lollipops Sugar Shoppe

Im still on the search for the perfect sweet little mobile shop...
{I found this one but Im sure the owners wont want to give it up...}
*sigh*
So I had to settle for on line right now! There are only a few things in the shop currently... I hope to post a few new sweeties everyday!
But for only being open for 24 hours I was bubbly when I came home to find I had been featured in 7 different treasuries today! Simply giddy I tell you!
So stop on by & check out the treats!

I for one am going to dust off my book of spells...

♥ Tawny

Sunday Dinner...

2010-09-05T13:01:00.000-07:00

Labor Day Weekend!!!

The last true weekend of summer! Its the last trip to the lake... to the beach... to the where ever your summer house/activities are, the last chance for a mini vacation... & in our house the chef & I like to take the last weekend of summer to sit pool side with family & friends... enjoying a nice meal, good wine & lots of laughs!

So in celebration of our relaxing labor day weekend... here is a super simple & totally yummy side dish for your next cook out!

Ratatouille Pasta Salad

Ingredients
2 cups diced peeled eggplant
2 cups sliced zucchini
1/2 teaspoon salt
1 1/3 cups uncooked spiral pasta
1 cup sliced onion
1 tablespoon olive oil
1 (14.5 ounce) can diced tomatoes, undrained
2 tablespoons tomato paste
1 teaspoon dried oregano
1/2 teaspoon garlic powder
1/2 teaspoon dried basil
Dash pepper
1 cup shredded part-skim mozzarella cheese
1/4 cup fresh basil leaves

Directions
1.Place eggplant and zucchini in a colander over a plate; sprinkle with salt and toss. Let stand for 30 minutes; rinse and drain well.
2.Cook pasta according to package directions. Meanwhile, in a large nonstick skillet, saute the eggplant, zucchini and onion in oil until tender. Add the tomatoes, tomato paste, oregano, garlic powder, basil and pepper. Bring to a boil. Reduce heat; cook, uncovered, over medium-low heat for 3 minutes, stirring occasionally.
3.Drain pasta; place on a platter. Top with vegetable mixture. Mix in basil leaves Sprinkle with mozzarella cheese.

I hope everyone has a wonderful weekend... & be sure to check back tomorrow... I will have some really exciting news & updates on the Practical Magic Blog party!

♥ Tawny

Wordless Wednesday

2010-09-01T06:30:00.000-07:00

♥ Tawny

Well smack my butt & dip me in chocolate!

2010-08-30T17:34:00.000-07:00

So, we all know my love of all things CHOCOLATE... hot chocolate, mocha coffee, chocolate ice cream, chocolate covered pretzels & potato chips & truffles & bacon &.... well you get the picture!

Thats why when I found THIS

I HAD to have it!!! {And yes I got the coffee flavored also} Its chocolate air! "all chocolate flavor none of the guilt!"

But I dont think I could go this far... actually I KNOW I couldnt go this far, chocolate or not, I have my limits!

ONIONS

Nothing screams "crazy combo" more than a chocolate-covered onion. The taste is obviously comparable to taking a chunk of a raw onion and following up with a bite of Hershey's chocolate. Photo courtesy of Jean-Paul de Guzman via Flickr ... this just makes me think of Shrek!

ANTS

Made by the insect candy company HOTLIX, which also produces chocolate-covered worms and sugar-encased scorpions, these wafers of white chocolate contain swirls of milk chocolate mixed with a creepy-crawly insect in every bite. Photo courtesy of CandyWarehouse.com. ...eeewwww!

SQUID

Yes, this is real: chocolate-covered squid. While Noah Weinstein was cooking squid in his Oakland, California, home, he was intrigued with the thought of covering it with chocolate. First he boiled the squid, then coated them in a spicy chocolate mix. Photo courtesy of Noah Weinstein..... thanks but no thanks Noah!!

However... my birthday is right around the corner {and by that I mean November 20th} & if any of you were just perplexed as what to get me... I must have some of this!!

Holy Monkey Butts!!!!! Vodka??? YES PLEASE!! Bacon?? YOU KNOW IT!! Chocolate??? SOLD AMERICAN!!!

As for tonight... I have a pint of Baskin Robins World Class Chocolate calling my name! Have a sweet night!!

♥ Tawny

Sunday Dinner... Welcome to the Familia!

2010-08-29T10:55:00.001-07:00

And welcome once again to our dinner table!
"Entrare, Sedersi e Godere!"... Come in, sit down and enjoy!

This week The Chef & I wanted to share one of our favorite sunday dinner recipes!
Its always a bit magical when we pull out the family cookbook, all tattered, held together by years of tape... pages all yellowed & stained with sauce splatter... little notes scribbled in the margins faded but still beautiful. The smell of it makes me think of history & love that have been in the family for generations... I am honored to be apart of it all.

We sincerly hope you try this amazing recipe! It feeds your stomach as well as your soul!

Gnocchi Puttanesca

Ingredients {Gnocchi}
1/2 cup unsalted butter
1 tablespoon fresh thyme leaves
1 (1-pound) russet potato
1/2 teaspoon salt
1/4 teaspoon freshly ground black pepper
1 large egg, beaten to blend
1/4 cup all-purpose flour

Directions
Cook the butter in a heavy medium skillet over medium heat until it begins to brown, about 2 minutes. Remove from the heat. Add the thyme leaves. Set aside.

Pierce the potato all over with a fork. Microwave the potato until tender, turning once, about 12 minutes. Cut the potato in half and scoop the flesh into a large bowl; discard the skin. Using a fork, mash the potato well. Mash in the salt and pepper. Mix in 3 tablespoons of the egg; discard the remaining egg. Sift the flour over the potato mixture and knead just until blended.

Divide the dough into 4 equal pieces. Roll each piece between your palms and the work surface into a 1/2-inch-diameter rope (about 20 inches long). Cut the dough into 1-inch pieces. Roll each piece of dough over a wooden paddle with ridges or over the tines of a fork to form grooves in the dough.

Cook the gnocchi in a large pot of boiling salted water until the gnocchi rise to the surface, about 1 minute. Continue cooking until the gnocchi are tender, about 4 minutes longer. Using a slotted spoon, transfer the gnocchi to the hot thyme-butter in the skillet. Toss to coat.

Ingredients{Puttanesca}

1 pound gnocchi
1 (2-ounce) can anchovies, drained, oil reserved, chopped
6 garlic cloves, chopped
1 (28-ounce) can crushed tomatoes with added puree
1 cup pitted kalamata olives, halved
1/4 cup capers, drained
1/2 teaspoon dried crushed red pepper
1/3 cup chopped fresh parsley leaves, for garnish
1/4 cup shaved Pecorino Romano
Salt and freshly ground black pepper

Directions

In a large skillet, heat the reserved oil from anchovies over medium-high heat. Add chopped anchovies; saute until aroma is released. Add garlic and saute 1 minute. Add tomatoes, olives, capers, and dried crushed red pepper. Simmer over medium heat until slightly thickened, stirring occasionally, about 5 minutes. To the skillet add gnocchi and toss in anchovy mixture to coat. Season with salt and pepper, to taste.Spoon into shallow bowls. Top with the Pecorino and parsley...serve.

A tavola non si invecchia.
At the table with good friends and family you do not become old.

♥ Tawny

I'm Kvelling!!!!!

2010-08-26T19:15:00.000-07:00

Im so excited that i have been nominated for a blog award!
{its my first, thank you very much!}

And now for the rules!!!
{I take my award responsibility very seriously... just like Miss America}

#1. Thank and link back to the person who gave you the Versatile Blogger Award:
Thank you!!!! Thank you!!! Thank you!!! to The Blue Fairie of Dancing with a Spatula Wand Im so honored you like my recipes & my music *blush* okay and... first, you had me at Blue Fairie ♥... also, your blog name makes my heart smile... SO CUTE... and now I want to be a belly dancer!!

#2. Share 7 things about yourself.
1. I am addicted to laffy taffy & kettle corn ice cream... {not at the same time}
2. I am a professional crafter for... well, I dont know if Im allowed to say.. but its NOT Michaels or JoAnns {hint}
3. I have been in the top secret storage warehouse of ELVIS PRESLEY & read his personal script from Blue Hawaii
4. If I dont have caffine in the morning... RUN
5. My hubby the chef feeds me icecream in bed every night.
6. I HATE spiders & traffic
7. When I wear dresses... I spin.

#3. Pass the Versatile Blogger Award along to 10 bloggers who you have recently discovered and who you think are fantastic for whatever reason!
1. Lindsay of Crochet D Lane
2. Melissa of Organized Chaos
3. Theresa of My MiNuTia ummm... have you heard of Silver Bella???
4. Sherry of Pashnada
5. Lolliblog = eye candy
6. Because I said so... a mom blog.
7. A Beautiful Mess = Inspiration
8. A Faniful Twist = magical.
9. Emmy from Confessions of a Paper Freak
10. Fawn she makes me jealous... in a good way!

#4. Contact the bloggers you’ve picked and let them know about the Versatile Blogger Award.
Okay... off I go!!! Miss Americas job is never done!!! :)

♥ Tawny

Its almost Fall Ya'll!

2010-08-23T17:04:00.000-07:00

Who has two thumbs & is ready for Fall??

THIS CHIC!
Its been so hot here in the 405! & with a "cold front" coming tonight the temps MIGHT drop from 106 to a balmy 85 degrees! And that has me doing a happy dance!

And with all this talk of Fall, I realized it was time to get crackin on my Halloween costumes!

Unfortunatly... all my original pics were lost with the old computer!!! ARG! that is not helpfull when you've revamped your business... & with that came a name change!!
{did I say ARG!}

Soooo... I guess this means LOTS of new designs!! YIPPEEE!!!! I have been sketching my little tushy off! This Halloween we will be visited by a car hop... a cuppie cake... Alice... AND the Mad Hattress!! and if we are lucky a few more!!

But for now... how about an oldie but a goodie?...

Isnt she sweet!
{That darling little witch is Xiera... her mom is Lindsay of Crochet D Lane} You can find her adorable blog HERE.

So I guess its time to click my heels together & get busy making some Halloween wishes come true!

♥ Tawny

Sunday Dinner.... drinks anyone?

2010-08-22T16:32:00.000-07:00

I will have to admit that I concidered the following as your Sunday Dinner feature...

1. turn on computer
2. find favorite pizza delivery
3. order

thats how tired I am right now.... HaHa! But I couldnt do that to you, so I thought we would keep it simple, cool & Thirst quinching!

This is one of our favorite things to whip up when we have guests...

Rosemary Lemonade

Ingredients

20 fresh lemons
2 cups of simple syrup
* 1 cup water
* 1 cup sugar
5 sprigs of fresh rosemary (reserved 2 for garnish)
1 quart of water (spring water)
1 whole lemon sliced for garnish

Directions

Cut the lemons in half and juice it through a cheesecloth or
strainer.

In a medium saucepan, combine the rosemary sprigs, sugar, and water, and bring to a simmer. Let cook for about 10 minutes until slightly thickened and well-infused.

In a pitcher, add the fresh squeezed lemon juice and water, then pour in the infused syrup. Do not pour all the syrup in at once.

add 2 fresh sprigs of rosemary, sliced lemon for garnish, and crushed ice.

Want a limeyer {I know thats NOT a word!} version... well then add Limes!!

I like to give this as hostess gifts as well, by putting the fresh herbs in pretty bottles with the lemons then pouring in the lemonade.

Also, you can of course make this a fabulous adult beverage & add a peach vodka! YUM!

So if this week hands you lemons...

♥ Tawny

Things I ♥ today...

2010-08-19T19:01:00.000-07:00

One of my favorite things to do to unwind after a long day is to browse a little eye candy on the interwebs!!!

I love flickr! These images have made my eyes happy! Enjoy!!

1. Savoy camera... it will be mine... oh yes, it will be mine!
2. This sweet little Shasta is my dream
3. I want these sweet little cones all around my house!
4. If this little bouquet was on my desk at work it would make everything happier!!

oh & if I had this stationary set I would write love notes & fairy tales all day long!

It is from Etsy seller Quirky and Cute Art by Stephanie Fizer her store is spectacular!

Have a great week blog friends!
♥ Tawny