Something Good to Look At... And Eat Too!!!

I have been working on this cake for 3 days. This is for John's [the husband's] drumline kids... Sorry other folks who are close by. I am planning to make this again some time but not today. I am too pooped from stirring the chocolate stuff that went in that cake my arms are spent. lol I doubt that I'll get any of this cake, but I don't care for what I make anyway so what does it matter?!

Random Thought

Since I am still in the process of thinking up something crafty to share, here's an insane truth I want to share with you:

Enough said.

Have a great weekend all!!!

DIY Roman/Roller Shades

Hello all! :) I have had the most interesting few days... but everything kindda worked themselves out so I am happy that they are part of history now. Amidst the weirdness of it all, I have had a couple of things done and a few other projects planned [for my house, that is]. I have not done any paper crafting in the past two weeks because I have been so obsessed with my living room. Check out the pics in John and I's blog. 

I have a really long living room, 25.5 feet to be exact. Aside from the big window that I have been constantly taking pictures of lately, I do have 2 other big long ones that overlooks the front porch [which isn't a very pretty site as of the moment because it has become our catch-all room], and two little ones on each side of the fireplace. I could probably get away with hanging just a valance on the small windows, it's the two big ones that need addressing. :) 

Let's look at some inspiration, to give you an idea how I want this whole project to end up looking:

Emily Clark

A Well-Dressed Home

The Decorated Cookie

This very last photo reminds me of how our living room walls used to look like. It reminds me how sick I used to feel every time I looked at my living room with those dark walls. ;) I'm so glad it's all gone. :)

Now, all I have to do is decide on a pattern and a color [fabric] and I will be on my way to DIY-ing my own shades. :) 

My Favorite Things

I love kitchen tools. The easier they make my life, the more I love them. I also love kitchen electrics... I have quite an addiction to them, even the things I already have and don't need I keep track of their prices in my favorite web stores.

Here is a list of my favorite tools... :)

I don't even have to tell you why I think every cook should have one of these things in their kitchen. This baby has served me for five years and I have been thinking about getting a second one, but this time I want the Viking stand mixer. It is a tad higher in price, but I want to try a different brand this time around. :)

This little guy is one irreplaceable tool. They have come up with a ton of hand crank versions of the food processor that are supposed to be better but what can be better than being able to push a button and get pesto in like 3 seconds? I use this at least twice a week. :) This was a gift from my Mom and Dad-in-Law one Christmas. I love this thing.

I retired all my traditional measuring spoon sets after I found this all-in-one measuring spoon. I bought three of them--one for dry ingredients, one for wet ingredients and one more just in case I lose one of them. :) This is an all-in-one measuring spoon. It is the best thing to have in hand if you are like me, I am notorious for losing stuff ALL THE TIME! i got this from Bed Bath and Beyond.

This is the plunger. It is a measuring cup set all in one. :) I watch too much Good Eats. I love that show.  That is where I found this little gadget. Alton Brown uses this a whole lot. John and I got this from an outlet store in Branson, MO. This is perfect when you are measuring honey, corn syrup, peanut butter or anything sticky. You will have less scraping to do... I promise.

If you have a stand mixer, you don't have to have this. I only have a hand mixer because I am crazy about kitchen electrics and I do bake and cook a lot. It is handy to have when I have something going on in my KitchenAid and I need to whip up something else. :)

Coffe Cupcakes

Hi all! I have been hard at it all day in my kitchen since yesterday evening. I have ventured into divinity-making, sugar cookies and currently in the process of decorating them, and coffee cupcakes. :) There is nothing as good as the smell of stuff baking in the oven. It has been really cool today so I've had my windows open all day and the warmth from the oven has made my kitchen really cozy.

So here it is folks, the recipe to my all-time favorite cupcakes! I have adapted the recipe from Ina Garten. 

Coffee Cupcakes

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For Cupcakes

• 1 3/4 cups all-purpose flour
• 2 cups sugar
• 3/4 cups dutch process cocoa
• 2 tsp baking soda
• 1 tsp baking powder
• 1 tsp kosher salt
• 1 cup sour milk or you can also use buttercream
• 1/2 cup vegetable oil
• 2 eggs, room temperature
• a few drops LorAnn Oil in Keoke Coffee flavor or you can use 1 tsp vanilla extract
• 1 cup freshly brewed Newman's Own Dark Roast Variety K-cup
• 2 tsp instant espresso granules

Preheat the oven at 350˚ F. Line your muffin pan with paper liners or spray with nonstick cooking spray. 

Mix all dry ingredients into a bowl of an electric mixer using the paddle attachment on low until well blended. 

In a separate bowl, combine all your wet ingredients/liquids. Then with your mixer on low, slowly pour your wet ingredients into the flour mixture.

Add the espresso granules into the freshly brewed coffee and pour into the rest of the batter. Scrape the side of your bowl and beat with your mixer for a few more seconds until everything is well-combined.

Fill your molds two-thirds of the way and bake for 19 minutes or until springy to the touch.  Let cool.

For frosting

1 batch of your favorite chocolate buttercream recipe

1 whole tub of hazelnut spread

3 Tbsp heavy cream

a few drops of LorAnn Oil in Keoke Coffee flavor

Whisk all of the ingredients up with an electric mixer until it is all combined. Fill your piping bag with the frosting and decorate your cupcake. Top each cupcake with a chocolate-covered espresso bean to finish!

Enjoy!!!