Flour Mayhem

Not Hoarding: More Salt & Pepper Shakers!

2013-05-14T09:30:00.000-04:00

Keeping Busy: Lemon and Coconut Cupcakes

2013-05-01T09:00:00.000-04:00

The summer months are upon us, and what's so great about that you ask? Well, certainly not the super hot heat, nor the bugs. But what is great is summer bbqs with your friends and family, all the beautiful flowers, and everything lemon! Oh my, I do love lemon. I also happen to like coconut. I know some people don't, so with this cupcakes I only put coconut on a few of them. They were a huge hit and I am glad they were enjoyed by everyone.

Not Hoarding: Witchy Woman

2013-04-30T12:30:00.000-04:00

People like what they like. I happy to love Pyrex and baking, as you all know. But I also enjoy the darker side of things. Here are a few fun things I've picked up recently. All within the same week! It has really been great on the antique/thrift front for me lately. I love it!

PB and J with Banana Smoothie

2013-04-24T08:00:00.000-04:00

If you know me, you know I am a peanut butter freak. I can't help it, I really can't. I like it in a lot of combos with chocolate, pumpkin, apples, bananas, almost any fruit really, crackers. The list goes on and on. I had a late lunch this past week and wasn't too hungry so I didn't make dinner, but I also was hungry enough to want something. So this glorious smoothie was born. Ladies and gentleman I present to you Pb&J with banana smoothie! Mmmmmm

What you'll need:

1 medium ripe banana
3 fresh strawberries (washed, I leave the stems on for smoothies, they are edible and good for you!)
2-3 TB PB2 (peanut butter powder, ya'll)
1 C ice cubes
1/2 - 1 C non dairy milk or water (I used water)

Toss all in your handy dandy blender and blend away. Pour into a cute glass with or without hearts on it, throw in a straw and go to town!

Enjoy :)

Try This: Brianna's Poppyseed Dressing

2013-04-22T16:11:00.000-04:00

Have you guys ever had one of those moments when you bite into something and it's instant love? Well, this is certainly one of those products that I fell in love with right away. I am always hesitant about poppy seed dressing, mainly because out of all the ones I've tried nothing is ever consistent and I could have one bottle of a brand and love it, get a second bottle and there is a difference in taste. I hate it! I am pleased that I have been through multiple bottles of Brianna's poppy seed dressing and it has gotten better and better every time. I love it on some organic spring mix, with fresh peaches, and sliced avocado. I've also had it with baked tofu and some caramelized onions. Yum! For all my Vegan friends out here, this is one of those products that is "accidentally Vegan". Can it get any better?? Oh yes, it can. It's also so so good for an after dinner snack drizzled on some fresh strawberries. Do yourself a favor and go get a bottle (or two) of this right now!

Cheezy Sauce

2013-04-17T07:00:00.000-04:00

This is a really easy sauce that I've adapted through the years to get to my liking. That means that it's also a good starter recipe for you to tweak and play with. When I was Vegan I really did miss cheese, and I am truly grateful for my Mom on her suggestions when I was a crazy 18 year old tearing her kitchen apart and taste testing throughout the night. She really is a champ, and without her I wouldn't have this to share. So, thanks Mom (and Dad) for that, not doubting my life choices, always being supportive, and of course for always footing the bill ;) Okay, now onto the deliciousness.

Once you make this, you can use it for anything you want. On top of veggies, in pasta salad, in a casserole. Anything! I used mine in some pasta with steamed veggies and soy crumbles, a "hamburger helper" of sorts I guess you could say. The next night I used some in a pita pocket with sliced avocado, tomato, and spinach. The possibilities are endless!

Cheezy Sauce

1 C nutritional yeast flakes

1/2 C flour

1/2 ts chili powder

1/8 ts paprika

1/2 ts garlic powder

1/2 ts onion powder

1/2 ts mustard powder (or 1-2 ts prepared yellow mustard)

pinch o' salt

All the pepper you want (I use a shit ton, just saying)

1/4 ts ground turmeric powder

2 1/4 C veggie broth

Toss all dry ingredients into a saucepan, whisk it all together, and then add the broth and mix until it's smooth. Cook on medium heat until it starts to boil, cook for 5-7 min, stirring constantly until it starts to thicken. Taste, and add more salt, pepper, or whatever you want until you're satisfied! It's that easy. A little sidenote, if you're using prepared mustard you can mix that in at the end, and you may not even want to use it at all. Whenever I run out of mustard powder I always go for the mustard, since I am a freak and eat mustard it on a lot of things. I've made this a few times, and have passed on the mustard. So, just play with it and see what happens. Happy cheezy cooking adventures!

Not Hoarding: Fun Finds & Gifts

2013-04-16T10:30:00.000-04:00

Lovely 2 Q. butterprint Pyrex sent to me by my amazing Mom. Also some super cute salt and pepper shakers.

When on a little thrift day with some friends. It was really a great day. I picked up some Pyrex,as well as a few other treasures. Totally excited about that barcode casserole I found for $4.00!! What a total score.

Keeping Busy: Little Monsters

2013-04-12T10:00:00.000-04:00

Cupcakes down for Katie and her sister. Thanks Katie!

Not Hoarding: Finnel Enamelware & More Pyrex

2013-04-02T10:00:00.000-04:00

More Pyrex.. Yep, you guys saw that coming now didn't you? I truly have been limiting myself to the lovely pieces of cookware, but if I see something I like, I grab it up! Don't you? There's been a few more additions since I purchased these, but I have yet to take photos, so you get what you get.

I have had a love/hate relationship with Dansk and Finnel enamelware for a while now. When I thrift or go to antique shops I try to limit what I spend on pieces, 8 is my limit at antique stores, and at thrift stores, if its over 5$, boy do I get pissy. I have become quite the haggler and always get prices lowered (woo hoo!) So, back to the enamelware, it is absolutely beautiful and I have always seen pieces for 20-200$, am I paying that? H.E.DOUBLE HOCKEY STICKS NO! I walked over to my favorite antique store and guess what I found? This cute little mushroom Finnel bowl for 1$ You weren't there, so I will tell you that I just picked it up, did not hold it close to my chest, and certainly did not call my Mom to tell her about this great find. Anyways, here is the little beauty. I love it!

I also have a lovely Dansk pot and some other enamelware I'll have to blog about soon. I guess I have another collection on my hands? Who knows!

Keeping Busy: Cupcakes for Dina

2013-03-29T14:34:00.001-04:00

My lovely friend Dina asked me to bake up some tasty treats for her husband Dave's birthday. I guess the title should be "cupcakes for Dave", but you get the idea. She is the sweetest, and I am so happy she asked me to bake these for her family and their special occasion.

Turtles, caramel and chocolate.

Keeping it classy, red velvet!

Sweet angel babes.. Angel food cake with a light vanilla whipped buttercream and fresh strawberries.

Keeping Busy: Gluten Free Cupcakes

2013-03-01T09:30:00.000-05:00

I was asked to do some gluten free cupcakes for a couples baby shower. They are repeat clients, which makes me feel great that they come back, and it even makes me feel better when they ask me to do baked goods for such a special and important event for them.

Key Lime Pie

Coconut

Double Vanilla

Chocolate Peanut Butter

Congrats to The Elliot's on the upcoming arrival of their baby girl.

Vanilla bean Coconut Milk Rice Pudding

2013-02-27T11:00:00.000-05:00

They say breakfast is the most important meal of the day, why not start your day out with this delicious rice pudding? I had some leftover rice and wasn't sure what to do with it, I also had some coconut milk. Well I put two and two together and came up with this yummy (and super easy) breakfast treat.

What you'll need:

1 C cooked rice (I just used minute rice that I had leftover)

1 TB sweetener or to taste (I used raw sugar)

1 C Coconut milk (I used Silk Coconut Vanilla )

1/2 Vanilla bean pod, scraped

Heat coconut milk in a small saucepan until gently boiling. Add the sugar (or sweetener of choice) and dissolve. Add the rice and heat until it starts to boil. Immediately remove from heat and let cool a little bit before adding the vanilla bean. Stir the vanilla bean in and if you're like me, go ahead and try some before putting it in a container until morning. If you can wait that long ;) Enjoy!

Not Hoarding: More Pyrex!

2013-02-26T14:37:00.000-05:00

Oh Pyrex, I just can't get enough.. Here are some more pieces I have added to my collection. A collection that is not only pretty, affordable (I limit myself to more no than $8 for one piece), and durable. These dishes have stood the test of time and the quality is way better than stuff being made today. So, when people ask if if I need more Pyrex, the answer is always "Of course I do" ;)

Try This: Silk Coconut Milk (Vanilla)

2013-02-25T16:00:00.000-05:00

I love all sorts of non dairy milk; soy, almond, rice, hemp, oat, etc. One that I haven't tried however is coconut milk. Why? Well, I don't really have answer for that. I've had it in can form, and used it to make savory dishes or in a cake, but never something that I could just pick up and drink and what not. While browsing coupons I found one for 75 cents off of any Silk product. I grabbed it, and went to my local grocery. Low and behold, the Silk products were on sale for 2.50! Along with the coupon, I was only going to be paying 1.75. I figured what was there to lose, haha! I picked up the vanilla flavor, which I thought was a good choice since vanilla anything is pretty yummy. I had plans on using it in smoothies, and maybe dunking some cookies in it. So far all I've done was drink some (to taste test!) and made coconut rice pudding with it which was amazing! I'll be posting the recipe on Wednesday, so come back for that.

I know there are a lot of brands of coconut milk, I just haven't tried them yet but I am looking forward to it. I really liked this particular brand, I thought that the flavor was just right, and it wasn't too sweet either. Some almond milks I have tried (even the unsweetened vanilla) have been way too sweet for my tastes.

I also liked that it wasn't too thick, and it didn't have any weird after tastes (again, like some other non dairy milks I have tried) It does have a bit of a coconut flavor, but what do you expect? It is coconut milk after all!

As far as nutritional value, I don't think the calories for an 8 oz serving is too bad, nor do I think the fat per serving is. There's also 45% of your daily calcium in a serving, and 25% of your vitamin D. If you have been curious about coconut milk, I would say that the Silk is a good choice to try out.

Not Hoarding: Salt and Pepper Shakers

2013-02-19T14:30:00.000-05:00

I never intended to start "collecting" old and extremely adorable salt and pepper shakers. It was just one of those collections that kind of happened all on it's own. Can you blame me? These things are just too cute! Whenever I'm out and see some that are not only darling but at a fair price, I pick them up. First it was just a few here and there, now I've got a nice little collection and I find myself browsing online for more if I haven't found any around here. Oh well, it happens... Right?

Staying Busy!

2013-02-17T14:10:00.000-05:00

I'm not sure when I decided I was going to neglect my blog. This poor thing hasn't seen any action in about a month, and to be honest the action it has seen hasn't been that awesome either. I need to fix that, I keep saying that. But it is so hard to actually find time on top of all the things I have going on. Here's a little peek at some things that have been keeping me busy.

Birthday cupcakes and Raspberry Lemon Tiramisu cupcakes for Lesley's husband.

Six dozen cupcakes for a baby shower. Strawberries and Cream, Chocolate espresso, and Vanilla bean.

This cupcake is an orange cake with vanilal buttercream. Just testing out recipes, this one was a hit among the men in the house, but I didn't like it too much. Looking forward to the next test day.

Pyrex: Gifted & Found.

2013-01-17T13:50:00.000-05:00

The Pyrex gods have certainly been good to me since moving back to the east coast. Thank goodness, since giving it all away broke my little heart. I have been lucky to find great friends since moving back also. I am so grateful for all the wonderful people in my life. I'm also grateful that they know me so well and for my birthday and Xmas they gifted me some of the best things, such as Pyrex! I don't ever expect things, so when I do get sweet prezzies, I always get a little teary that they think of me, and that(as I said before) know me well enough to get things I'd actually get myself. Yay for amazing friends. Now to the Pyrex..

Picked this little pretty up at a local antique store before work Love the black flowers!

Gifts from my lovely friends.

Fun finds while out with Molly

Another amazing find from Molly

Found at Goodwill.. Score!

Also found this at Goodwill with the black snowflakes, double score!

The majority of my Pyrex. Not pictures are mugs I have boxes up, and my store n see's.. Some bowls I use for food storage too.

Happy Pyrex hunting friends.

Blasts from the Past.

2013-01-15T13:34:00.000-05:00

It's nice to actually have time to update this thing! Holy smokes, have I been busy. Between traveling and starting a new job things have been bananas, but in the best possible way. I know it's a few weeks since xmas, but now that I have time to sit down and tell you about my after xmas, xmas dinner I'm going to! We had some friends visit from Austin, Texas and since we really didn't have a big meal this year I thought I would make a nice dinner for us all. Jeff is Vegan, so this year I made an entire Vegan meal all by myself. Everything turned out lovely, and I was so proud.

All the usual suspects in our meal, plus a roast from Trader Joe's. I really liked the gravy that came with it, but I wasn't too crazy about the actual roast. I'd buy it again since everyone else loved it and it is totally doable, just not my favorite.

For dessert I made a pumpkin spice with apple cider glaze. The cake reminded me of a pound cake, and wasn't too sweet. The glaze was the perfect topping and I will totally be making this again. It's a keeper!

Apple Cider Glaze

1/3 C organic powdered sugar

1/2 C Apple cider

Mix the two together in a bowl and pour it on top of anything you want!

I also made some cookies for friends that are out of state. They were ginger and lemon cookies and cream, peppermint cookies and ream, and cookie butter. I'll post recipes of those soon!

Cupcakes!

2013-01-14T09:00:00.000-05:00

I know I've been quiet lately, lots of things going on and really no time for anything. But here's a little photo dump. Enjoy!

Road Food

2012-12-17T10:30:00.000-05:00

Sometimes on the road you have very little options when it comes to what you eat. Mainly just gas station food and the occasion Subway that just so happens to be inside said gas station. This trip we did get lucky and we found some good diners. Luckily all the excellent food in Austin made all the not so good food getting there totally worth it. Here are a few photos of my favorite eats while on the road.

First time at Mellow Mushroom, I went all out apparently. haha

This was my most favorite thing of all favorite things that I enjoyed while in Austin, hands down! It is a vegan s'mores sundae from Sweet Ritual. The lady was so super sweet, and next time I'm in town you better believe I'm going back to see her (and get some more of this bad boy)

Ah yes, more ice cream. This time it was at Lick which was way closer to where we were staying so it was super convenient. This was a vegan coconut and avocado curd ice cream. Sounds strange but it was really good. They have a lot of "strange" flavors on the menu. I like strange, so I'm into it.

Last breakfast in Austin at Kerbey Lane. We ate there a few times during our stay. All good choices on our part. It was amazing.

Pizza from Austin's Pizza. Vegan cheese with garlic and mushrooms. Probably the best pizza I've had, vegan or not.

On The Road

2012-12-16T16:36:00.000-05:00

Some photos from my recent road trip to Austin, TX :)

Pumpkin Pie Three Ways

2012-11-18T13:15:00.000-05:00

With Thanksgiving fast approaching (Can you believe that it'll be here in just a few days?!) I thought I'd post some fun takes on pumpkin pie/pumpkin desserts.

Pumpkin cupcakes with pies inside and on top

This pumpkin cupcake is a pumpkin cake, with little mini pumpkin pies added to the batter before baking. Once cooled I frosted them with a cream cheese frosting and topped with additional pies and more frosting.

Pumpkin pie with streusel topping

Traditional pumpkin pie with a brown sugar streusel topping, you can also do an oat streusel, or even nuts if you'd like.

Pumpkin pie coffee cake

This is probably my most favorite take on a pumpkin pie. It has the nice coffee cake bottom layer, and then the custard pumpkin filling, and the crumbly topping your use to on coffee cake. If only I had a bigger pan so I could have made more, haha!

I have been super busy lately, and am leaving for Austin, TX Thanksgiving night and will be gone a whole 10 days! I'll be back with lots of fun photos, and some recipes too! I know I have been slacking, but like I said I haven't had time for much lately. I hope you all have a happy and safe Thanksgiving!

Bunny Butt Cake

2012-11-18T13:05:00.002-05:00

I was asked to make this cute little cake for a sweet little ladies 2nd birthday. Annie had found the cake on the Betty Crocker website, and asked me to make my version. So, I did! I I also did the cupcakes for her first birthday, so it means a lot that they had me make the sweet treats again this year. Thanks Annie, hope you all enjoyed. Happy birthday Julie!!

Monster Cereals!

2012-10-28T13:37:00.000-04:00

Count Chocula, Booberry, and ol' Frankenberry. Surely those ring some bells for you, and if not well I guess it's safe to say are totally missing out on all the fun stuff life has to offer. Who doesn't love monster cereal, really?! Every year around Halloween tim,e (usually late September) you'll find these guys being put on the shelf. Usually we grab a few boxes (maybe 10 this year, but who's counting?) so we don't miss out. Not only is the cereal tasty, they are also so festive. I wish they were still out year round, but since Halloween is my favorite, I'll settle for the once a year treat. I came across this article from Betty Crocker and thought it was really neat. It's about the history of their monster cereals.

Last year I made cupcakes using the cereals, and they were a huge hit. So if you're into the history of things (again, who isn't?) then go read the article HERE and if not, then go make some captain crunch cupcakes and leave all the monster cereal to me. Thanks!

Cupcakes!

2012-10-17T09:00:00.000-04:00

Here's whats been keeping me busy lately. Thanks to everyone for having me be a part of their special days, whether its a birthday, wedding, or a just because day for cupcakes, your support means a lot!