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cupcakes.

7 Jan
Check this out.

Seriously.

Go there now.

And drool.

If you ever need a fancy cupcake while hosting friends or to take to a fancy occasion, look no further.

I’m going to refrain from baking them.  Tony Horton – with whom I spend at least an hour of each evening – would disagree with their beauty.  (That’s right.  Week four of P90X.  Bring it.  I got lazy about walking to the gym.  So now I get my butt kicked in my living room.  literally.  butt.  kicked.)
But if I had to pick one?  24.  or 23.  or 19.

the cooking pastor.

7 Dec
Here it is, friends.  Get your frozen cake balls from the freezer and melt that coating chocolate.  Enjoy!
Fun fact: This was actually the first time I’ve worn a cleric – the pastor collar.  I’ve avoided it to this point but – of all reasons – I put one on for the artistic purposes of this video.  But don’t worry – I just borrowed the shirt.  I still don’t own one …

[ The background story?  I made turkey cake pops for Thanksgiving.  I happened to sit at a lunch table, they became the subject of conversation, one of my Children, Youth, and Family professors was present and saw the pictures that were shared.  An activity was needed for the CYF Christmas Tea this coming Friday.  I can’t be there in person so this video will be the substitute as it leads them in their own creation of winter cakepops. ]

fifth annual bake-off.

2 Dec
Oh my goodness.  I’m just realizing that I never wrote about the fifth annual Thanksgiving Day Bake-Off!  How could I forget?  No worries.  I’m here now with pictures and the whole story …
The fifth annual Thanksgiving Day Bake-Off was planned by my cousin, Connor, and I.  We hold all power in the bake-off as the ones born on December 8th.  We decided on the rules for this year’s bake-off and let the baking begin.  (Please find the official rules at the bottom of this post.)

The day approached.  Tensions grew high.  Who would win and earn the honor of wearing the apron?  


Eh.  We don’t really know.  We never really voted. 


But my grandma said I won.  And who’s to challenge Grandma Julie?



I think Connor was disqualified.  His version of a bird was clever – humor points given – but he did not follow rule number five.  His pie was grabbed from the freezer.  His mom had bought it.  I call his entry not valid.  


What will happen next year for the sixth annual bake-off no one knows.  But I can pretty much guarantee Connor will enter with the hopes of finding another clever way out of actually putting forth any culinary effort. 










The fifth annual Thanksgiving Day Bake-Off participants hitherto agree that they will —

1. Bring their entry to Thanksgiving (Location: TBD.)  Entries should be carried/packed in any type of container.  (Previous years prove that the ‘undisclosed’ container and paper bag rules are not followed – let the chaos ensue.)
2.  The entry, brought by the participating cousin, must be a dessert.
3.  The dessert must bear some resemblance to a bird.  (Bonus points if it’s a good-looking turkey.)  In other words, make it into a bird.
4.  The dessert-that-looks-like-a-bird may not actually include any poultry.
5.  Participant must bake/create said bird dessert by oneself.  
6.  Though the theme of this year’s bake-off is presentation-heavy, the taste of the dessert will still be judged.
7.  The winner, in both presentation and taste, will win the honor of having his/her name written on the very official bake-off apron. 
As always, participation, rules, and any day-of clarifications are governed and decided by those born on December 8.

three ladies. two cakes. one goal.

30 Nov
We tried.  We attempted.  And we succeeded.
Two of Krissy’s boys had birthdays this past week and I convinced Krissy that we could make cakes that would look and taste just as great as the ones bought in stores.  Plus, it made for a fun Wednesday night of laughs and cursing at marshmallows.
We melted marshmallows.  Added food dye and lots of powdered sugar.  Mixed, kneaded, and dominated the sticky substance.
Sponge Bob and Batman were the finished product, along with a hefty dose of accomplishment, a big powdered sugar mess, and high fives.

{ sew a baby quilt } & { pizza }

5 Nov
We’ve been wonderfully blessed with an extended beautiful autumn in Minnesota.  The first week in November is nearly over and I’m still without a heavy winter coat, hats, and boots.  It’s grand that the season is continuing because my fall list is still not complete!  (And will it be completed?  We’ll see.  It may carry over into a winter list.  I like this whole list thing …)
I finally finished this baby quilt, made and sent to my college friend, Deb.  Deb and her husband, Scott, welcomed daughter, Isabelle, into the world last week.  I’m eager for more photos on facebook but understand the new parents are most likely otherwise engaged.  Perhaps even a trip to Arizona to visit the family is in works for February.  I just want to hold her.  I hope they have received and enjoy the warmth of the cozy flannel.

The pizza stone is called just that – and I finally can say that I baked a pizza on the said stone.  Check.  Pepperoni with a string cheese stuffed crust.  Lots of cheese as pizza is meant to be.


{ get lost in a corn maze }
{ bake a pie }
{ prepare a pot of chili, beer bread, invite friends over to enjoy }
{ step on the crunchy leaves }
{ sew a baby quilt }
{ homemade pizza on the pizza stone }
{ attend a wine tasting }
{ make and share these }
{ 10k training – the hiatus is over – it’s back on }
{ find a fall festival }
{ cabin weekend. a hike to the fire tower }
{ scarves.  puffy vests.  boots. }
{ read a for-fun book }
{ cheer on the twins from target field }
{ take a stroll around a lake } 
{ pick my own pumpkin.  carve.  light. }

cookies again.

29 Jul
Here I am, talking about my message cookie cutters again. (Are you rolling your eyes? Hey now.) I’m still not bored with them and I’m hoping you’re not either. Remember – the possibilities are endless!
I sent some cookies off to the Reilly’s in Edgerton at the beginning of the week. I had told Aunt Kari that I owed them treats months ago and these seemed perfect. They arrived to the Reilly household and then they shared some of their cookie joy with me —

Aunt Kari and Molly. For cute. I’m excited to have a Hairspray sleepover with these ladies again soon, not to mention Hairspray dinner theater when I’m home in September!

Sam and Molly say, “Hi Mike.”

Sam follows directions.

cookie success.

28 Jul

Remember how I shared a link to these? They arrived in the mail last Thursday and were a part of my past wkend haiku goal. Success. (I would like to note that the entire haiku was a success. Haiku accomplished … though I think it was only one pot of coffee, not multiple as the plural ‘pots’ suggests. Oh well. Something to work on next weekend.)
To every single person with whom I talk about these cookie cutters, I say this line in awe commingled with indescribable joy : The possibilities are endless!
Seriously. Think of all of the phrases with which to stamp different colored cookies!
I’ll admit, they’re a fair bit of work. They came with a very specific recipe to use and it takes quite the effort to roll it out with the right consistency. But I will also admit the work is worth it. I mailed off a few boxes of the cookies (stamped with names and inside jokes alike), delivered a pair of “Happy Monday” cookies to each of my coworkers, and hope to have more cookie surprises for others soon.
All in all, a delicious buy. More fun is yet to be had.
18 Jul

Oh my goodness. Lindsay is going to have so much fun with these.

today’s list.

29 Jun
Wear a gray t-shirt that I fashioned in this style under a favorite yellow cardigan? Check.
Converse via email multiple times with a friend who always makes me feel good about myself? Check. (As friends should … and even if she does live in Texas.)
Watch New Moon in anticipation of Eclipse tomorrow with Emily and her daughter, Hannah? Check. (That’s right. We’re going to wait in line. It will be an adventure.)
Do a little bit of (fun) grunt work for Kendall to earn my time off and my way out of Wednesday night services in order to see Eclipse? Check.
Bake a strawberry rhubarb pie for our staff planning retreat on Thursday? Check.
Three mile run? Check. (5k, Cassie!)
Visit and do more socializing than actual work today at church? Check. (It’s hard to not be social when Harry, the man who calls me Sweet Pea, is working the food shelf across from my office for the afternoon.)
Have an overall pretty awesome day? Check.

jam.

27 Jun

I try to make strawberry jam each year as a throw-back and in honor of my daddy, with whom I made jam many-a-summer. Actually, correction: I would pick the strawberries and make the jam. My dad was always in charge of clean up and quality control.
I honestly don’t even eat jam but every once in great while. I make it and share it. With the 11 pounds of strawberries and two handfuls of rhubarb I picked, it was jam time. This afternoon I walked in the Riverfest parade with the Grace Lutheran float and afterwards, the stove, potato masher, and massive amounts of sugar were my friends.
I made three batches of strawberry and rhubarb jam. That’s 24 half-pint jars. Sixteen and a half cups of sugar. Mmm.
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