March has arrived!

I don't know what it is, but this year is just flying by. 

Spring time is almost here, although, it did snow this morning. 

I made a scrumptious, tart, key lime pie this weekend. 

I also made the most delightful  

Dark Chocolate and Almond cupcakes with Raspberries!

I love almond with anything. I also love dark chocolate with raspberries. It is one of those perfect combinations to me. It is tart, sweet, and rich... perfect!  These cupcakes are a take on my Vanilla Almond cupcakes. The cake is light and fluffy, I love it! 

One of my favorites, ever!

These cupcakes will steal your heart, for sure. 

I will be doing another take on these cupcakes later on this week. 

Be on the lookout for the results!

Until next time...

Eat lots of sweet things. :]

Out with the old,

In with the new...

I start orientation for my new job, tomorrow! I am excited for something new and for all the benefits and experiences that I will get with this job. Stop by and I will help you find whatever you need and give you ideas for meals!

Fresh Ideas:

Take your favorite cookies, pie, cake, or whatever else it may be and make something new.

More often than not people want to have new things or things that they can call their own. 

What I do a lot of is modifying recipes to make something new.

Cookies:

Take normal chocolate chip cookies (your favorite recipe) and add something to it:

pecans and caramel, macadamia nuts and coconut, banana, cinnamon & cayenne, orange and almond, your favorite liquor, etc.  

* Come up with fun little names for your creations!

Pies and Crust:

Take your favorite crust for pie and add something to that:

cinnamon, nuts, nutmeg, coconut, zest, etc. 

And for the filling the options are endless. 

I like to do seasonal things mostly, but with a twist:

blueberry & lemon with almonds, peach & blackberry with pecans, apple & cranberry with walnuts,  key lime with macadamia nut & coconut, or chocolate & orange with hazelnuts.

Until next time..

Try some of these ideas or come up with your own. 

Either way it's something new and fun!

Go here for the best ingredients around town. 

Eat lots of sweet things. :]

Links and things:

It's a brand new day, slightly cloudy but pleasant. 

I had a delicious cup of tea, this morning with some cereal. 

I got a call back today about a job!

I am extremely excited about this place that I shall reveal once things are a little more official. 

The new Damnwells came out, today! It's all that I have been listening to. 

Here are a few things that I have not been able to get enough of, lately:

1. Anything on this great little site for handmade things: Etsy

2. This delicious recipe database that I have gotten really into (via cakespy): WetLeather

3. This great chocolate, the Barcelona Bar is my favorite: Vosges

4. My crazy, cute cat: Beeb

5. Chicken Burritos: Chipotle, Qdoba, & (and newly introduced) Baja Burrito

6. Being crafty: Thanks Hobby Lobby, Joann, and Micheal's

7. Baking with and for amazing people

8. The short-lived show: Kitchen Confidential

9. Anything from the amazing: Jamie Oliver

Until next time...

Enjoy the links and eat sweet things!

A day in the park

I had the loveliest day in the beautiful Centennial Park, today.

I had a picnic lunch with my amazing friend Alyssa (pronounced ah-lee-sha). 

She is always dressed and accessorized so perfectly, I love it. 

We enjoyed sandwiches and sodas from my workplace!

Afterwards, I went to this terribly cute place looking to make some business cards. 

I am super excited to have them designed and made. 

Be on the look out for those, soon. 

I am going to give them out to people wanting a cake, pie, cookies, cupcakes, or other sweets. 

So, if you ever want any of my sweets or treats let me know! 

I would be thrilled to bake something for you. 

I am currently on the hunt for a second job. 

The bakery has slowed down a lot, now. 

I am three weeks away from finishing my externship (fingers-crossed that everything goes swimmingly). 

Other than all of that.. spring is near!

I am anxious to see what Nashville looks like in the spring time. 

I miss seeing flowers and green. Spring rain is always nice, too. 

Until next time..

Eat sweet things and dream about spring! :]

L.O.V.E.

I am surrounded by red, pink, roses, and hearts...

Valentine's Day is Saturday!

As I mentioned in the previous blog, all things are heart-shaped at work. Here are a couple things that I have been doing at work:

The common misconception about Valentine's Day is that you have to be in a relationship to enjoy this "holiday." I say "holiday," because some people will argue that it is just a day for the candy and greeting card companies. I think, why not? Why not have a holiday devoted to love?  It does not have to mean romantic love.  After all, I love to bake, cook, friends, family, and I love people (you)! 

Let this be the day where you celebrate love, in all forms. Exchange a smile with someone, give a hug or kiss, wish someone well.  Do anything! Celebrate love, embrace it, and enjoy it. And know, if no one else tells you... You are loved! Now, go eat something sweet. 

Until, next time...

Happy Love Day! :]

Au Revoir, Janvier

So long, January!

My apologies for having been absent for almost all of this month.

Work this past month has been pretty slow but...

Valentine's Day is approaching quickly and we have heart-shaped everything at work (cookies, cakes, tarts, chocolates). Stop by and pick up something delicious for February 14th! I must say it is so nice getting to bake things shaped like hearts, it brightens my day. I will have pictures up soon of all those treats. 

I have been baking and cooking a lot more at home, lately.  

Here is some of what I have been making:

Banana chocolate chip cookies:

They were scrumptious!

Strawberry & Chantilly Cream filled Vanilla Almond Cupcakes:

They were fabulous, fluffy, and addictive!

Peanut Butter Blossom Cookies:

Classic!

Until next time...

Enjoy! :]

Oh fudge, it's 2009!

There is nothing like starting out the new year with swoops of luscious, ganache-covered, fudge cakes! 

Lots of them:

That is (above) the eight-inch version of this amazing fudge cake. It's moist, light, rich, and irresistible. They are filled with a chocolate buttercream and then the sides are covered in chocolate almond cookie crumbles. There is also a beautiful six-inch version (below), complete with chocolate shavings (tempered and scraped by yours truly).

I find myself discussing work ethic with people a lot, lately. Maybe it is because the majority of my co-workers are from Mexico.  I love being able to say that I work with them, they are  notoriously known for their good work ethic.  Seeing how hard they work, reminds and pushes me to do better.  I think no matter what profession, career, or life you want for yourself requires hard work.  I have so much respect for people that are doing what they love. Even though they may never "make it,"they still do it because they have such a passion for it.  I realized a long time ago that I may never make a name for myself and I am okay with that.  I was never in it, to do that.  It's just nice to be reminded why you got into what you love.  I had that experience, today: it was a simple smile, followed by and an "Mmmmm," then later by a compliment.  

You have got to love how there is no prejudice when it comes to food. EVERYONE has got to eat and most people love ethnic food.  Have you ever noticed that? Food, like music or art, connects people in ways you would not expect. It is a way to let someone in and see something, hear something, or taste something the way that you do. And maybe, just maybe... you might open their eyes or knock them of their feet with what you have done.  

I am writing a cook book.  A lot of my friends "cannot cook," and then when I tell them how easy things can be they are like "Oh, I didn't know you could do it that way."  I think people just get easily overwhelmed when you see a standard recipe.  I know, I used to!  But, I want to lay things out really casual and make it a thing for my friends and family.  It is really all just about having fun.  Nothing has to be perfect and word-for-word, you have to swap things out and make it your own!

Happy 2009! 

P.S. Now, you can publicly comment my page (you don't have to be a member). I had it set wrong.