Thanksgiving Pies

Happy Thanksgiving!

What a great day!  I spent the day baking Thanksgiving pies and getting ready for Girls' Night with my cousins, aunts, mom and sister-in-law.  The pies ended up turning out pretty good, and we had a fabulous time tonight catching up.  I have a wonderful family, and all of the lovely women I spent time with tonight reminded me of that fact.  This thanksgiving, I am thankful for all of the women in my life who helped me become the woman I am today, and all of the young women in my life who constantly awe me in their beauty, poise, elegance and love.   Thanks for a great night, Hilary, Rachel, Laura, Aunt Ruth, Aunt Maria, Mom and Carol!  I love you all. 

Peanut Butter Pie from the Newlywed Cookbook. 

Apple Cranberry Pie with Almond Crumb Crust

Good Old Pumpkin Pie

Traditional Apple Pie.  I tried to be cute with the crust and cut leaves out, but it didn't turn out as cute as I had hoped.  Hopefully, it tastes good!

HAPPY THANKSGIVING!

Brownie Cupcakes with Rose Tinted Icing

Girls' Night

Over the summer, I was lucky to be able to spend so much time with some of my favorite women in my family, and since fall began, three of them are in different states for school.  I  have been going through withdrawal!  Therefore, I invited my three cousins, my two aunts, and my mom over for Girls' Night.  I can't wait to see them, and I thought I'd make pretty girl cupcakes.  Inspiration for these came from the Martha Stewart Cupcake Cookbook; however, Martha had lavender infused icing with edible flowers.  I am certainly no Martha and have NO idea where to find edible flowers and lavender.  I stumbled upon rose extract and made the flowers out of fondant.

Milk Chocolate Brownie Cupcakes with Rose Infused Royal Icing

I want one now.

Ice Cream Cupcakes

Apparently, I look like a thief

We spent the evening with my cousin and her family for a dinner of delicious appetizers and salad, some playing with her adorable children, and the beginning of the Eagles game.  I brought dessert.  However, on the way home during half time, we got pulled over by a police officer who said that I matched the description of a girl who just ripped off someone's house.  He wasn't too rude or anything, but Matt was upset that he messed up our timing of being home before half time was over.  Anyway, I made Martha Stewart's Flourless Chocolate Cupcakes and we topped them with ice cream.  Yum. 

I've been trying to cut down on sugar, so I used Splenda in place of the sugar.  My cousin-in-law said he couldn't tell the difference...good to know.

Book Club

Our First Book Club Meeting

A few of my best girlfriends and I end up talking about books every time we get together, so we decided to make it official and start a book club.  Our first book was The Shack by William P. Young.  Mandy and Jen were the first hosts and provided us with delicious cheeses, veggie pizzas, and fruit.  I brought dessert.  Next book up...Veil of Roses by Laura Fitzgerald.

Mini Brownie Cupcakes with Royal Icing

The Beach in November

Jesa's Wedding Reception

A friend of mine since childhood, (we went to elementary school, high school, and college together, and now we work together!), got married on November 4, 2009 in Mexico.  Despite postponing because of Swine Flu,  lost luggage, rain, and assorted other small disasters, she had a beautiful wedding and is now having a reception back home in Philly. 150 cupcakes in all...this is my biggest order to date.  No major disasters besides spilling an entire bottle of vanilla extract on myself.  Did I mention I HATE the smell of vanilla?   Anyway, CONGRATULATIONS, JESA & BRANDON!   

Vanilla and  Chocolate Cupcakes with Buttercream Icing

A beach themed wedding, I topped the cupcakes with white chocolate shells.  I also dusted the shells with edible shimmer powder. 

Lined up and ready to go.

Doesn't look like as many on the stand.  They didn't last long at the reception.

My biggest fan, enjoying her favorite thing...SUGAR!

Jack's Circus Birthday

Jack turns 2!

Our godson turned two years old in June, and his party was a hit.  The boy is adorable...there is no use arguing.  Thank goodness for my mom, or I would have never figured out how to put this all together.  Jack now tells me that he wants blue cupcakes with robots for his 3rd birthday...

Vanilla cupcakes with chocolate icing. 

Karen enjoyed the circus peanuts.  I thnk she was the only one.

We also made chocolate covered oreos with circus animals on them. 

Cheech's Birthday :)

Pink, Pink, and more Pink

Patricia's Birthday is one of the most anticipated (and advertised) days of the year.  She loves all things pink and all things sugary.  I figured, why not combine them?  I don't believe this is my best work in terms of decorating, but Matt, as he devoured one, said that they were the best tasting ones he has had yet.

Strawberry Cupcakes with Buttercream Icing

Happy Halloween!

Halloween rocks

It is one of my favorite days of the year.  Lots of trick-or-treaters and family over to enjoy.  One thing I hate about this time of year, though, is Candy Corn.   What a disgusting candy!  Yet, my friends at work insist on their yumminess.  I somewhat conceded and made "Candy Corn" Cupcakes for our party at work.  

Chocolate Cupcakes with Buttercream Icing.

Sarah's Bridal Shower

Sarah's Bridal Shower

Matt's cousin is getting married two days after Christmas, and Matt's Aunts threw a wonderful bridal shower.  Again, I offered to bring desserts.  Cookies and cupcakes...can you ask for more? 

Chocolate Cupcakes with Chocolate Raspberry Icing Topped with Sugar cookies with Raspberry Royal Icing

My wiseass college roommate quickly pointed out to me that the bride and groom's initials are B.S.  Oops...should have put them in a different order.

Welcome Home, Hilary!

Welcome Home, Hilary!

My "little" cousin, Hilary, came home for Fall Break from college, and my aunt and uncle invited us over for dinner.  My aunt and uncle are my "Party Hosts" idols.  They have an incredible way of feeding a truckload of people, while always keeping our wine glasses full!  I offered to bring dessert (of course), and I thought "Oreo Cheesecake Cupcakes" might fit the bill. 

Oreo Cheesecake with an Oreo "crust"

Happy Birthday, Mom!

Happy Birthday, Mom!

Per our new tradition, Mom's birthday came right along with a flood in our house.  Two years ago, the kitchen sink leaked right as dinner was ending.  This year, our hot water heater broke just as dinner was about to start.  Thank goodness for an awesome (and very handy) uncle and brothers, the mess was quickly cleaned up, and the celebration continued. 

Chocolate Cake with Chocolate Peanut Butter Icing

Oreo "flowers" and M&M "ladybugs"

Irish Carbomb Cupcakes

Katie's Hen Night

These are probably my most popular cupcakes...particularly with my Irish and fond-of-the-drink friends!  Katie's Hen Night was no exception.  They were very delish and added to the fun night of debauchery. 

Guiness Chocolate Cake, Whiskey Ganache Filling with Bailey's Irish Creme Icing.

Jimmy's 30th Birthday

Jimmy's 30th Birthday

For my brother's 30th birthday, my sister-in-law, Abby, threw him an awesome "Pub Party" complete with delicious food, fabulous decorations, party games, the Phillies game projected outside, and all the beers to taste that you could want.  I thought this idea for cupcakes would work well. 

Vanilla cupcakes with vanilla icing and sanding sugars.

The "chalk" was made from chewy jolly ranchers.

Everything Matt Likes

The "Everything Matt Likes" Birthday

For Matt's 29th birthday, he wanted everything the way he likes it, which includes take out food, sweatpants, beer, and, of course, The Mets.  Therefore, the good wife that I am, I donned a Mets Jersey and sweat pants, agreed to serve our guests Taco Bell and Pizza, and made a Mr. Met cake.  He was a happy man.

Vanilla Cake with Vanilla Icing

A TastyCake Chocolate Cupcake covered in fondant.