The Cupcake Carousel

Hi ya'll! I haven't had the time to post the big party photos yet. Plus I halfway forgot to take good photos because who has the perfect spread ready to photograph before the guests arrive?? NOT ME!

But this is a cute little find that I wanted to share: The Cupcake Carousel. I bought 2 of these (one pink, one brown!) last week. I thought they'd be perfect to store the 48 party cupcakes in overnight. I have another cupcake carrier that only holds 12 regular cupcakes which is not very practical considering most mixes make 24. Well I learned a few things. A) the Cupcake Carousel does not hold cupcakes baked in a wide cupcake pan (you know the ones where the cup kinda triangulates out?) B) the Cupcake Carousel does not hold an overfilled cupcake next to another overfilled cupcake (ie. no major muffin top) and it seems like there was a C) but it escapes me.

Tonight though, I perfected the Cupcake Carousel equation: 1/4 cup per cupcake and they all fit nice and comfy. 3 tiers of 8 each in these cute holders which stack inside.

And it could even accommodate the dinosaurs. Another cute kit by Meri Meri. So alas, tomorrow will be this birthday finale with cupcakes at preschool summer camp. Behavior didn't merit the treat last week. More on that later (maybe).

Happy Friday (nearly if you are reading this late tonight!)

Elle :)

Serene Sunday

It doesn't get much better!

:) Elle

Meet Max.

The bane of my existence! This puppy journey started in February. Well I guess in December really, when he was born. My husband wanted us to get a dog for security, I insisted on a family friendly version. Though, I being the dog lover in the relationship, was completely against getting a dog period. Alas the opportunity to add a English Lab to the family arose and here we are 5 loooong months later. I am truly living Marley & Me. This dog is bananas. Full out spastic, unruly, bananas!!!! (That should be in all caps) And strong as an ox.

This morning I had him out in the front of the house, on a leash, to do his business. A neighbor walks by with his 7 lb well behaved fluff ball. I should mention that I had slipped on a t-shirt dress with no bra and hadn't brushed my hair. Serves me right, I guess. I really shouldn't go out of the house like that. But I thought -it's Friday morning at 6:20am, who will I see? Well, Tom & fluffy were the unexpected answer to that question... Anyways said puppy of ox strength just about tore my arm off and drug me across the driveway. He's about 50-60 lbs now. Grrrrr.... And ok, I could forgive him for that. He was excited to see a "friend" but bring him inside, he steals shoes, catalogs, my kids art from the walls, you name it. And yes, we have bought him a gazillion toys and bones, kongs with hidden treats and he has a crate.

Well writing this post has taken a little longer than expected. I've had to stop at least 10 times for this unruly animal. Now it's time to get in the shower. I pray that one day he will be the good family dog I didn't agree to.

Not sure how the photos got positioned in the collage fashion, but I've no time to investigate or amend. Photos: All taken when I still found him marginally "cute". Max getting himself stuck in the shower, Max relaxing under the bed (we've removed all rugs) Max looking deceitfully peaceful and adorable, a better representation.

:\ Help!! Elle

Gratitude & a fresh new look

Whew! I know - I was sooooo ready for a new look too. You see, I made this deal with myself a while back that my blog budget would be, in dollars, the number of followers I have. That was back when I was new and ambitious and hopeful and full of comments, etc.. Then I took a break, then another and another and I never really got a budget for much more than a customized signature.

Well earrrly this morning I was visiting Sugarbelle, who makes the MOST ah-mazing decorated cookies I have come across. And well, as blogs do, that led me to Knitty Bitties, which led me to Michelle, which led me to Shabby Blogs. Thanks to all of you for leading me down the road to a fresh new look for FREE! And I'm sure if you are (which you most likely are) more tech savvy than I - you could do some major stuff with these free design elements. As for me, this is what I've come up with and I've learned a few things (which is ALWAYS good!) and I think it looks so.much.better. Not that I didn't appreciate my last free background, but it was time to change!

So here we are, I'm soooo excited and hoping to play around with some other bits and make this space even more pretty. Maybe one day I will have a budget big enough for a custom blog makeover. Until then, I'm pretty darn happy.

I need to take creative blogging 101 - anyone offer that??

Elle :)

Elle's Scrumptious Blackberry Cobbler

You REALLY should try this, I mean REALLY.

Elle's Scrumptious Blackberry Cobbler

4 c blackberries, frozen or fresh

1/2 c white sugar

2 t corn starch

1/4 c lemon juice (approx 1 nice lemon is fine)

Put blackberries in a bowl, sprinkle on sugar & corn starch. Pour on lemon juice and let sit while you do everything else.

1 stick (8T) butter

1.5 c self rising flour

1.5 c milk (I use 2%)

1/2 c white sugar

1/2 c turbinado sugar

Put your stick of butter in a 3 qt baking dish (13x9x2 is fine and I used Hefty Easy Ovenware since I'm taking these to a dinner). Preheat oven to 350. While your oven is preheating, stick the baking dish of butter in the oven. Let the butter melt while you mix the cakey part. BE CAREFUL to not let your butter burn (yes, I've done this!).

Meanwhile put your flour, milk & sugars into a mixing bowl and mix it all together (I use a whisk). It's quite soupy.

**Tip - baking this is even more fun with a cute helper!**

When your butter has melted, take our your dish, and pour this on top. Don't stir it in the dish. Toss your berries in the bowl and break up any sugar or starchy chunks. Spoon the berries and juice into the pan.

Bake for 30-45 mins.

I serve it warm with a scoop of Haagen-Dazs vanilla. YUM!

**Peach variation:

instead of the blackberry mixture, use 2 cans of peaches in lite syrup. Strain one can and leave one with the syrup. Super yummy and easy too!

If you make it, let me know what you think. We love it around here.

Happy 4th!

:) Elle