Monthly Archives: October 2011

Boo… Guess who?

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I love holidays! I think I get it from my mother. I love to bake for them and I love all the decorations. This week I have attempted two recipes so far for Halloween. My Halloween Funfetti Cake came out GREAT(of course it’s from a box) and my white chocolate pumpkin fudge (from scratch)was a flop. I am trying another new recipe this afternoon and I am crossing my fingers that it works.

I went to a Halloween party last night with a bunch of friends. We had a blast dancing in a very dark room with a ton of people we didn’t know. ( random guy dressed up in a workout leotard)

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Here is a snap of Leo’s costume. It didn’t really fit him perfectly.

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Cookbook Love

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Do you know what makes Tuesdays more bearable? The release of a new cookbook!

I can’t wait to test out some new recipes. Now I just need to decide what I want to make and who I would like to give it to.

Any cookbook suggestions? I find that I like to read them like novels :)

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A little bit of this and that

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After a crazy week… I knew that the weekend was going to be perfect for relaxing, going out to dinner with the girls, and maybe a winter pedicure too!

I feel a gazillion times better!!!

Now one thing I have been meaning to share with you: Peanut Butter Cup Blondies… I only ate one and then sent the pan to work with Justin.

Peanut Butter Cup Blondies (Cooking Light September 2011 issue)
Ingredients
1 1/4 cup all-purpose flour
1 cup granulated sugar
1/2 teaspoon baking powder
1/4 teaspoon salt
1/3 cup creamy peanut butter
1/4 cup butter, melted and cooled slightly
2 tablespoons 2% reduced-fat milk
1 teaspoon vanilla extract
2 large eggs, lightly beaten
1/4 cup semisweet chocolate chips
Cooking spray
1 cup mini peanut butter cups
Preparation
1. Preheat oven to 350°

2. Lightly spoon flour into dry measuring cups; level with a knife. Combine flour and next 3 ingredients (through salt), stirring well with a whisk. Combine peanut butter and next 4 ingredients (through eggs), stirring well. Add peanut butter mixture to flour mixture; stir until combined. Stir in chocolate chips and peanut butter cups.

3. Scrape the batter into a 8inch square metal baking pan lightly coated with cooking spray. Bake at 350° for 19 minutes or until a wooden pick inserted in center comes out with moist crumbs clinging. Cool in pan on a wire rack.

Maureen Callahan, Cooking Light
SEPTEMBER 2011

Last night after some yummy tapas at Barrio I figured out my Halloween costume for next weekend.

Can you guess who I am going as based on this picture?

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Holding on

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It’s conference week… I am hanging on till Thursday afternoon. I am working 8 additional hours so I do not have to work Friday. I promise y’all a great post at the end of this week… For now I am going to lay in front of the tv and not move for a while. I think I’ve earned it after being at school today for 12 hours.


My apple tree= still a work in progress

Lots of Love,

Erica

Break the fast

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I can’t believe the weekend is over. There were so many things that went on that I completely forgot to share… How we broke the fast. (sorry if I made you think it was something else :) )

This is the second year that Justin and I have hosted break fast. We went with a similar menu to last year but a couple added twists.

I took a couple pictures of the table and of a plate.


(bagel, fried chicken, fruit, cucumber and tomato salad, roadside potatoes, and carrot soufflé)

I did not get a picture of the dessert. Alli made a really yummy chocolate chip coffee cake. The whole thing was gone at the end of the night. I can’t wait to get the recipe because I will be making it soon!

Lots of Love,

Erica

Bakerella comes to Minne!

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I could not be more excited to share these snapshots with y’all from this weekend. I met Bakerella, Angie Dudley!!! She signed her Cake Pops book and did a Q & A at the Williams Sonoma at the Galleria in Edina.
I even got up the courage to ask her a question during the Q & A.


I must tell y’all that now I regard her as not only a pure genuius but, also one of the nicest gals. I found out while talking with her that she is a southern girl! She is from Atlanta, Georgia. Now after learning this I of course got super excited and replied…  “well, you must love CHICK-FIL-A .”Oh dear…


Let’s get back to what I learned.

When decorating the best markers are AMERICOLOR.


One of her favorite candy coatings is MERCKENS. ( I love this too!) I have not been able to find this candy coating in Minneapolis so I have had to order mine on Amazon through the website Confectionery House.


A great tool for cleaning up and attaching decorations… Toothpicks

How has your weekend been?

Lots of Love,

Erica

Apple Orchard Time

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Summer may be my favorite season but fall certainly comes in second. It has been quite warm in Minnesota lately but I am definitely not complaining. This weekend with the sun shining I new that another day of apple picking would be a great way to spend the day. Justin and I went with our friends Molly and Eric to Apple Jack Orchards. Since moving to Minnesota (2 years ago) I have been to Apple Jacks a total of 3 times. I love how you can pick your own apples, sample a variety of apple dishes (apple pull apart, apple pie, apple danish, apple butter, apple spice doughnuts, apple sauce, apple cider, and so many more), and shop for fall decorations.  

Look what we found on the apple tree

 

Now…. What should I make with all these apples?