Halloween cupcakes (with fondant!)

I know Halloween has long been forgotten by now, as I peruse through the stores and see nothing but Christmas decorations and gift items.

But I still wanted to share my creations from Halloween night, as it was my very first experience with fondant!

I've wanted to work with fondant for a while now, as I've seen beautiful things done with it. I've just heard it tastes gross. But I did hear that there was a fondant out there that didn't taste so bad...

State Fair Cake Pops

A good friend of mine was helping plan a bridal shower this late summer with a MN state fair theme (how fun!!). She asked if I could help her make some cake pops (aka food on a stick!). Of course I said "yes"... can't say no to cake pop making!

Bake Club - Milkshake Cupcakes

When I saw these on Bakerella's website I thought of one word: FUN. We could all use a little more fun in our lives, right? Ok, maybe I should just speak for myself.

Where I've been this summer

I usually try to get a few posts in per month, but these last few months have escaped me!

So where did this summer go??

Well guess what I started the first week of August? Call me crazy: I am now officially a homeschooling mom! It has taken me for a spin. Time for myself? lacking. Baking opportunities? only if it is in the curriculum! Ability to eat yummy baked goods? gone down since being diagnosed with gestational diabetes. :(

BUT.... I DID do a lot of baking in July, before homeschooling started, (and before the diagnosis) and here is what I did:

Blueberry Muffins

Mad Science Birthday Party

My oldest child loved the Mad Science after-school program at his school this year. When I heard they did birthday parties, I jumped at the opportunity.

Bake Club - Pretzels

Although I usually think of sweet items when I think of baking, I'm glad my friend Amy introduced a savory item to focus on at this month's bake club: PRETZELS.

Airplane Birthday Party

I have 3 boys. My third son is the first to show any interest in "typical" boy things: balls, trucks, cars, planes...

So I was looking forward to doing something a little different for this birthday party (no Lego's and no Star Wars... yeah!)

We kept things pretty simple and chose ONE thing to focus on: airplanes! (or as my 2-year-old says, "apane!")

Bake Club - Poppy-seed Danishes

We have Martha Stewart to thank for this special spring treat: Poppy-seed Danishes with Cherry-Cream Cheese Filling.

Ok, they look like they'd be difficult to make. But it was actually pretty easy and fun! (that also might have something to do with the good company I was in!).

Egg Cake Pops

I was a little embarrassed to title this post "Easter Egg Cake Pops" since Easter is long gone, but I really wanted to share my latest cake pop creation...

So you've probably seen my cake pops before.

These are different... there's a little surprise inside! First I must say I was a little inspired by Amanda over at I Am Baker, since she is the master at putting surprises inside her cakes! My surprise was on a much smaller (and predictable!) scale.

Bake Club - Pie

I hosted our second Bake Club meeting and decided to go with something "basic" - good pie!

I know I am a bit biased, but my mom makes the BEST pies and pie crust! I found out that she got her pie crust recipe from my Great Aunt Mildred who was known for her pies.

April Fools Day Snack

Do you celebrate April Fools Day?

We used to play tricks on each other and on my parents when we were little. However, we were definitely NOT very creative! I remember one April Fools Day we decided to serve a lunch of hot dogs to my parents in the other room and sneakily left out the hot dog. Funny, huh? Not really.

Last year on April Fools Day, I served my boys blue milk with their breakfast cereal. They refused to eat breakfast that morning. So you can see the creative juices haven't grown since my younger days!

BUT... this year I came across a snack that would make a great April Fools snack without even trying. Completely accidental. Honest. That's why it might just work for you!

Salsa, anyone?

Snow Cones

When Minnesota continues to give you snow in March....

Make snow cones! (...or our version of snow cones - in a bowl!)

First Bake Club Meeting!

A few months ago my girlfriend and I decided to start a bake club.

A place where women who LOVE to bake could get together to try new recipes, perfect old recipes, and enjoy some good old-fashioned girl time.

Our first meeting was a SUCCESS!

Lego Birthday Party

When my 4-year-old said he wanted a Lego birthday party, I went straight to my computer for inspiration. I found Amy over at Living Locurto. She had a great Lego party invitation printable that I quickly bought and downloaded onto my computer. It couldn't have been easier!!

another [girly] silhouette

I have 3 boys in case you didn't know.

It is for this reason why I had SO much fun doing my niece's silhouette for my sister-in-law's birthday present. I got to draw a little ponytail... how fun!

Last Minute Valentines

Valentine's Day is TOMORROW. Do you have your kids' valentines yet? If you're a procrastinator like myself, you may not.

But here's an idea for you:

Conversation Heart Cookies

Are you a magazine hoarder?

I have piles of magazines at home, usually filled with pages that have been marked by myself. I fold down the edges of articles or pictures that I like: recipes I want to try, table decorations I like, a trip I want to take, etc.

Can't throw cookies away?

Christmas has been over for a while and I just can't seem to throw some of my decorated cookies away.

So I decided my stovetop hood cover needed a little something...

Don't worry, Mr. Snowman, you've got at LEAST 2 more months before spring comes!

Making Whoopie.... pies!

Until a few days ago, the word "whoopie" made my kiddos immediately think of the amazingly cool whoopie cushion they got in their stockings last Christmas.

For me, the song, "Making Whoopie" would always come to mind. I will not share any more.

Real Scones!

It was our turn to bring treats to the local MOPS (Mothers of Preschoolers) group, and someone in our group decided she had had enough egg bakes (me, too!) and suggested we pick a theme and bring items that were a little different. We decided to do an English tea. This was right up my alley, as you can see here.

Silhouettes

Do you know who this is?

That's right! Jane Austen! You know there are self-help groups out there for us nuts, right? For those of you who didn't know who this was, you'll be juuuust fine!

There's something elegant and sophisticated about a silhouette. They are so personal, individual, artistic, timeless...