Are you ready for some fall baking? I know I am.This is my favorite time of year. I love the anticipation of the holidays in the air and the Santa Ana winds that blow.I’ve decided to write the posts in parts so it’s more organized. One post will be recipes, another on techniques and so on. You might think I’m working backwards but this post will give you some ideas on packaging. I’m always inspired to begin my cookie projects… [Read More]
Did I ring your door bell tonight with a Back-to-School Mom’s Basket? I just thought it would be fun to surprise you! I hope you’ll think it’s fun too! I saw a few things and they reminded me of you. It all started when I saw this cute bushel basket at Michael’s for 40% off! How could I resist? When I saw this… “Just Say No To The Sign Up Sheet” pad and clipboard from Preppy Paper Girl I knew… [Read More]
Say hello to my little friends… …and to 125 of their closest friends. Ta-da! Fini! … and a HUGE Thank you to my wonderful friend and expert cello bag stuffer, Suzi who single handedly assembled the cookie favors for me over 2 nights with many, many hours devoted to this while I glued together the rosettes. This took us much longer than we had expected even with the ribbon already cut and most of the bags pre-stuffed with paper. I… [Read More]
The bride has a distinct vision of what she doesn’t want ~ ‘no bows, hearts or bells.’ ‘Nothing wedding-y.’ She envisions a party atmosphere casually and comfortably celebrating with those she loves. Her vivid colors of orange and yellow will be paired with round and square shapes that will be echoed in the cakes that will grace everyone’s table. Her highly talented aunt on the other side of the family has offered her gifts with icing and fondant. They will… [Read More]
It took me two days to recover from the wedding this past week. I slept all the way on the drive home until we hit LA and stopped at Philippe’s for dinner then continued sleeping off and on all day Sunday. One thing I have learned and I have been sharing this advice with family and friends so they know next time ~ friends do not let friends do ‘the lawnmower’ dance under any circumstances. Anyway, with my nephew’s wedding,… [Read More]
How cute is this? There is also an apron for mother and daughter.Mommy’s could have a different meaning to Daddy.😉 Oh my! And speaking of Peeps… love ’em? Now you can craft with your Peeps and eat them too.A 96-page book on everything Peeps.There are instructions how to make a wreath for your door!“Welcome and grab a Peep on your way in”. If you go around humming –“Pansies and pine tree and pearls – oh my!”,then these are a must… [Read More]
Base Royal Icing:1 lb. Powdered Sugar (does not need to be sifted)3 Tbl. Meringue Powder6 Tbl. Hot Water (from tap is fine) Adding 1/2 teaspoon of light corn syrup per batch is optional. It does give your dried icing a nice sheen but it will also yield a slight softer icing which sometimes I prefer when I’m not needing a really stiff icing for making additional decorations such as flowers. The corn syrup also gives any string work or outline… [Read More]
It’s been a busy baking week. Today I finished my hearts and gave them to my son’s high school jazz band. I also made extras for my dinner party this weekend. The middle of the white cookies is crushed cherry lollipops that melt as the cookie bakes producing a hard candy. It’s so pretty held up to the light. They just glow. The red hearts have red sanding sugar sprinkled on and the pinks hearts have pearlized dragees. All… [Read More]
A pod of dolphins Once in awhile I will bake and decorate special cookies upon request. This week I was happy to make them for the Dana Hills High School girls’ varsity soccer team in celebration of the end of their season. This is the third year I have made them special cookies. This year I was wracking my brain of what I could create that would be different than a standard soccer ball cookie so I decided to… [Read More]
Last summer I made these cookies for my friend who had just returned from a vacation on the east coast. I love the east coast, Nantucket in particular, so making them also was a fond remembrance of one of my happiest places on earth.
Make-Ahead Frozen Buttercream Cake Decorations
Colonial Williamsburg Sweet Potato Muffins
The Best Pecan Pie and Painted Dough Cut-Outs
Decorated Ghost Cookies With Fondant
Cocktail Napkin Swap!
Staircase Decorations – Two Holidays In One
Pumpkin Spice Mini Cupcakes with Cream Cheese Frosting
Pretty Pink Petal Cake – A Wilton Cake Decorating Technique
