angry chicken

spooky stuff

These are the .68 cent cupcakes I mentioned last week. 2 kinds here--a pound cake with marionberry swiss buttercream and an espresso cake with mocha swiss buttercream. Mariko and I did the testing. I'm not a huge frosting fan, a little goes a long way for me, so I knocked off more than half. The marionberry was the winner-just a tiny bit of tart, very lovely. The Halloween sprinkles were added by the baker, which the girls loved, but they still wouldn't eat a bite of these. I plan to order more for a upcoming baby shower and will report further. They are from holiday essence, and it's run out of a house and you have to order in advance. It's old school, and there's something very reassuring to me about patronizing a non-hip bakery. I also ordered a Swedish princess cake for Mariko for a belated b-day, she will have to show photos of that one. They didn't even flinch when I told them to write "you suck" on it. It was perfect.

With all this cake love I should announce that the bend the rules flickr group is well over 1000 photos now, and I did eat way too much cake, coincidently, so thanks for helping me get a sugar headache you all!

Sally. This is who the girls want to be this year for Halloween. I plan to sew some muslin dresses, but I am also trying to be reasonable after my hardcore burnout last week. For instance, I am ordering the cupcakes for the upcoming baby shower, not making them from scratch. And, when grammie and I were out last week, we picked up some 50% off fairy costumes for the girls (complete with wings) to have in my back pocket if I just can't sew costumes this year. I feel sort of sick at the idea of not making the Halloween costumes, and I probably will, but come on, man! Plus, if I actually do, I can save the purchased ones for Christmas, they will be prefect in the dress-up box. I actually have felt a ton of relief knowing I have a back up plan.

Sally is from e-bay and the girls actually get the play with my Nightmare Before Christmas toys, although I sort of have to look away so I don't get all mean and controlling. I started collecting these before I had kids. They love them, good girls!!

autumn!

I was going through old blog photos while setting up our new mac (!!) and found this Halloween display from last year. . .I am getting excited to bust all this stuff out soon. I actually am wearing slippers today. I love it when the weather really turns.

We had our first apple cider of the season yesterday to celebrate the beginning of autumn. The girls were excited, but didn't even sniff at the cider. No marshmallows, you know. Next we are going to make these pumpkin chocolate chip muffins with some substitutions, like applesauce instead of most of the oil and less sugar--I will report back. I need to try some woodland crafts like these outstanding ones from Country Living but my velvet ribbon stash is terribly low. I need to remedy this very soon.

In a random search for a decent non-creepy eye makeup remover I found using grapeseed oil works just fine and I picked up a $4 bottle last will last a looooong time. I haven't done a ton of research on this, so if anyone knows if this causes blindness, give me a shout-out.

Easter part deux.

Both cakes fit in the pie carrier basket. It was such a satisfying experience, plopping them in and toting them all cozy to the belated Easter Family event Sunday. It was actually thrilling. I realized I could fit 2 pies or 1 double layer or a cake and a pie, or 2 single layer cakes. So awesome.

I used this recipe for the upside down pineapple cake but added of 1/4 tsp of ground cardamom and a bit of almond extract and it was lovely. The chocolate ganache cake was a shocking success. It's from Ina's Parties book,(the exact recipe is here) and I was doubtful because it looked WAY too easy and it's main ingredient was an entire can of Hersey's syrup. It seemed too weird, so I had to try it. The cake itself was not all that chocolate-y, Hersey's syrup not being the pinnacle of chocolate flavor in my book, but the super easy chocolate ganache on top made it unreal. The whole cake seems so 1980s to me, (it even has gold leaf as a garnish in the book) and it was so gooooooooood, I will definately make it again.

Okay, I know these look a bit messy and perhaps even unappetizing, but it's only because I couldn't stop messing them up as I ate them. Made not by me, but by my aunt, they are a Henniger family tradition, (as is the fiercely competitive Easter egg contest that has been going since 1970 and deserves its own book, I'd say, full of family lore and craziness) never in my life has an Easter come without these deviled eggs garnished with the olive bunnies. The way Grandma (Grammie's mom) did it was with olives with the pits still in them, sliced long-wise, and the ears stuck on some how, but these did the trick and were easier to eat without the pit. I need to document these here because I can't stress enough the importance they have to me.

Grandma was big on garnishing and having fun with food. In an odd ironic, sly, way. Not in a goofy way. Hard to explain really. . .and my family does their best to carry on the tradition. I don't know if we will ever make a rat shaped meatloaf however, I don't know if we are that cool. Perhaps one day. Grandma's holiday was Easter, and we miss her so, it warms my heart that the craziness continues.

And good god, I just read about the tragedy at Virginia Tech. Ugh. my heart goes out to all those families.

getting ready for easter-

Thank you all for the mailorder love! Madly stuffing red envelopes now. . .

And in doing some research for Easter fun, here are some natural easter egg dyeing recipes I found:

-Martha kids (Great Easter crafts)
-Wild Oats
-All Fiber Arts

Has anyone done this before? I'm not a huge direction follower when it comes to dyeing, I usually just wing it. But I would like these to not be all murky brown, or so light you can't even tell we dyed them when they are dry. . .

Oh, and I meant to mention regarding the No Knead Bread I made. I thought it had too much salt. So did Pete and my Mom. I still ate the heck out of it (I think all the jam covered the saltiness a bit, so I didn't notice so much) but when I make it again I will probably reduce the salt by half.

weekend goodies.

The sun was out on Saturday and we spent the whole day was spent basking in it. It was amazing. Luckily, I had made this bag and these clothespin dolls earlier in the week, so I could spend Saturday doing nothing but being outside. We had a 3 & 5 year old b-day party to go to this morning, and these were for the sister. The clothespin dolls were not finished, like these were, but more in a DIY kit form, which Stephanie had mentioned she had done before, which I thought was brilliant. Although Sadie was bummed to not actually make them up all pretty for the young recipient. The amazing ducky canvas is from atelier JADE, unless it was from Superbuzzy, now I don't know which and can't find it on either site. Sorry for the lameness.

Saturday also brought me a box from Bayberry Cove with these weird /cool Easter ornaments I fell in love with for the feather tree. These go under the heading of; I could have probably made them but feel just fine buying them instead. There are some painted wood eggs in back and then these bunny and chick freaky things. I love weird Easter stuff especially when it involves large heads. And the boxes they came in were so cute with the clear lids. . .  a very pleasing package to get.

baking and coloring

Sadie decorated the windows. I realize we need new window screens. This is quite obvious now that I see this photo, please ignore the holes and move on. . .

She also learned how to use the tape dispenser all by herself last week. I loved tape sooooo much when I was little. I didn't know that what I really loved was the idea of laminating everything. I'd just use tape as my personal laminator and would get in trouble (just a little) for wasting it. I actually thought about buying a laminator at Paper Zone last week, but held off. I'm not saying I still won't get one. Most of me is thinking "ick, more plastic." but then the 4 year old in me is all about the shiny badges, membership cards, and plasticy homemade stickers.

Chocolate chip banana bread. I'd give up the recipe but it's from a mailorder (#3 I think) so I can't without violating mailorder code. But it's what we made yesterday and what I am eating right now. But now I'm obsessing over the cake/berry/jam combo. I was going to make cupcakes, like these ones here from Sarah actually, or bake cakes like these here, (I think Alicia is trying to kill me.) but um, I need to get a handle on this pregnancy weight (she said while eating chocolate chip banana bread) and I know I'm eating chocolate tomorrow, so I am trying, trying, to be reasonable.

And speaking of mailorder, if you are stuck on the word scramble from #5, let me know and I can send you a hint. The prize is a Valentine, so you still have time to crack it and get your PDF prize for the big day tomorrow. I think you will find it worthy of your efforts.

what can I say but thank you.

Wow. I am stunned. Your comments have meant so much to me. The personal stories, the well wishes, the empathy, it's all so amazing. Thank you all so much. I can't tell you have much differently I have felt since Monday. I have slept so much better. I don't think I realized, until I wrote about it, just how much I was holding in. So, I thank you so very very much.

Okay, I got out the Kleenex, and I will now compose myself and move on to crafty stuff. Sniff. Sniff.

I have been reluctant to put away this feather tree since Christmas. I made this tree about 5 years ago and it was so hard and took so long, I have decided this year to milk it for all it's worth. So, we made Valentine's Day felt heart ornaments and then will hang eggs on it for Easter. This great fabric on top of the felt is from Superbuzzy.

A few things I have been meaning to link to:

-Sister Diane of Craftypod has this new amazing site listing local Portland classes and events called The DIY Alert. The amount of stuff going on here is mind blowing, as is this site she has set up. I had no idea so much was happening in this town! I need to get out more, obviously.
-Another local link, in Portland this Saturday Feb 3rd only, is the Wurst Gallery Wurstminster Dog Show at the very very new Ace Hotel. I hope to be cool enough and (motivated enough) to get out of the house and go.
-Queenthings has a wonderful new site up for her jewelry. This piece is my favorite. The collection is all very dreamy and the theme is so imaginative. I think everything is sold out now, but please visit anyway, the site is just lovely.

rehash of valentine's day stuff

I was looking for this image and realized my categories are a complete mess. I need to get a search feature on this blog. These are from last year and aren't even listed in the archives because that list only shows so many months at a time (can I change this?) anyhow-I am gearing up for some Valentine's day crafts around here and forgot I need to bust out this garland and hang it. Then start sweeping up glitter again.

and these are from last year too and I think I will do this again, it made normal candy bars so special.

I am feeling behind. I have the mini-swap to get together and. . I guess that's it, but still, for a family with 4 kids, most of whom are boys, so I'm gonna have to do some research. .also, Pete's b-day is coming up and I need to work some magic in 48 hours. hmmm.

Don't forget about the Tie One On theme for Jan/ Feb, the Valentine's Day apron. I need to get on this too. I think it will be a dolly apron this time, and I will use some of that cute fabric for it. oh, the coffee is kicking in now!

happy holidays!

We are super excited for the next few days of parties, a real tea at a fancy hotel, cookie swaps, and general silliness. My mom and brother have some time off and my plan is to not craft, but chill out and have a lot of hot chocolate while they entertain the girls.

These goodies that the girls are holding are super tasty, and I am thrilled to show you how to make them over at the always wonderful Kiddley. Hope you have time to try them out. And thanks so much for all the cheesecake recipes, I will report back. I bought 5 bricks of cream cheese today. (Is that gross? Maybe.)

Okay, we are outie until the New Year. Don't get in trouble, be safe, and relax!

doin' good.

We had a very productive weekend so I think I can relax and enjoy this next week. I got the cookie bags done, Pete bottled his amazing mustard, and then with Sadie's help, we actually made these little gifty crackers for our small friends, which I wasn't sure was actually going to happen. They have chocolate coins and either a stretchy frog or a paratrooper inside. Not too shabby. Pete choose the gifts. I heat Cost Plus.

Here are the bags all ready for the freezer. I think the ginger cookie flavor in there might be leaching into the butter cookies, but what can you do.

Okay, things are good. We dressed up on Saturday night and went to Pete's office holiday party which was so fun. Too much fun, perhaps? I wonder if I need to get out more. I had a really good time. I think I need to get out more.

And wow, kiddley has been rockin my world-there are so many cool ideas over there right now, I can't believe it! I think my project will be up this week, and keeping in the theme of my sugar obsession, it's cooking related.