I have a love affair with Valentine’s Day. It’s when I received my first kiss from a boy named Kenny Watkins. In second grade, while we were passing out Valentine’s among the decorated shoe boxes adorned with paper doilies and hearts, Kenny puckered up and planted one on my right cheek. Totally surprised but secretly pleased due to my reciprocal crush, I did what any self–respecting seven year-old girl would have done – I promptly walked up to my teacher,… [Read More]
That’s been me this past week. I confess to falling in love with Kate Spade’s “Bow Valley” bag when we first locked eyes this past Sunday in Fashion Island in Newport. Nordstrom’s being my first stop, I obsessed the rest of the day over this soft, buttery leather bag with a shiny patent half bow. The one thing I was obsessing about was the cost. Ugh. This is when I became a stalker. I saw the black version was on… [Read More]
Congratulations to Krista Trentham who was chosen by random.org to be the lucky cupcake goodies give-away winner. Krista, please email me with your info. Thank you to everyone who participated in the fun! I’ll be hosting another Sur la Table give-away before Valentine’s Day with a French theme. “Ooh la la!” SHARE THIS POST:
Three words… Begin with the cutest mini cupcakes wrappers ever by Meri Meri. They are part of the give-away I’m hosting that ends on Friday. Fill them with your favorite vanilla cupcake batter. My recipe is at the end of this post, hot stuff. While the cupcakes baked I made Julia Child’s recipe for pastry cream. And just like Julia, I made it thicker and added a little cream after it completely cooled to thin it out. As Julia said,… [Read More]
Recently, I took a cupcake class at Sur la Table in Newport Beach. One can always learn something new. For example, did you know there is a higher level of whipping cream other than heavy whipping cream? It’s called manufacturer’s cream. Restaurants use it. It’s 48% butter fat compared to heavy whipping cream’s 38%. When I saw the nice helper pour some into my coffee I didn’t stop her. I actually told her to keep on going! That one cup… [Read More]
Whew! Made it to the end of the week! Because you have been absolutely loves … this weekend I’ll be hosting a cupcake goodies give-away with pretty pink and red lovelies from Sur la Table so make sure you check back on Saturday! In some fun news, my “Tushie Cookies” were featured yesterday in an article on Bridal Guide. com as one of 5 Fun Bachelorette Party Ideas. These little risque cookies always seem to give a giggle. The magazine… [Read More]
I wanted to check in to say thank you so much for your well wish comments for Mr. PM’s surgery. I had good intentions to comment in return to each of your kind thoughts but to tell the truth, I didn’t have it in me this week to be at the computer. To give you a quick update, the surgery wasn’t as successful as we had wished and expected. I think one of the hardest things I’ve ever had to… [Read More]
Basking. Recovering. Recharging. Putting away the silver, crystal and china. A MacFamily breakfast tradition. I can’t believe I forgot the Christmas crackers! So much fun to have received photos on Christmas morning of reader’s cinnamon rolls they made from The Best Giant Make-Ahead Cinnamon Roll Ever. Thank you so much for sharing! I’d love to see more so please send me your photos and I’ll post them. Here are two – from Lauren in Pasadena and Nancy in Seattle. And… [Read More]
‘Tis the season for making a flurry of snowflake cookies. Sugar cookie recipe and tutorial. Roll, cut and bake. Royal Icing Recipe and Tutorial. Outline. #2 tip. Fill in. Lightly sprinkle with rainbow Disco Dust. Sunlight refracted through the chandelier. Individuality. Shiny silver dragees. Finishing touches. Snow drift. Flurries. Mini Snowflake Tutorial. Bearing gifts. To all my readers, new friends I have made along the way, and to the loves of my life, all unique and beautiful … … Wishing… [Read More]
This spectacular cinnamon roll is the centerpiece of our Christmas morning breakfast and is greeted with the same anticipation at our holiday table as the Cratchit’s plum pudding is at theirs. The recipe relies on using store-bought frozen bread dough, thawed, and an overnight rise in the fridge while Santa makes his rounds. Pop it in the oven while opening presents and the scent of warm cinnamon throughout the house is what a holiday morning is all about. Of course,… [Read More]
The Bookshelf
Baby Boomers Unite!
Carlo’s Bakery Cannolis and Lobster Tail Pastries
Make-Ahead Frozen Buttercream Cake Decorations
Colonial Williamsburg Sweet Potato Muffins
Pretty Pink Petal Cake – A Wilton Cake Decorating Technique
A Holiday Cocktail ~ Carrot Cake Martinis
Gift Basket Ideas For A Silent Auction
