I love to bake. Cake, cookies, brownies, muffins, bread, and cupcakes. I love, especially, to create pretty and fun cupcakes (that, hopefully, are also good to eat).
I've been coming up with some ideas for our annual "Creepy Cafe" Halloween family dinner. (We create a Halloween-themed menu--you know, gross looking food that actually tastes good.) Although this week is incredibly busy, I think we're gonna be able to fit our dinner in on Thursday evening after Delaney's hitting practice (tomorrow we're having a Trunk or Treat at church, and on Friday we will do the good ole fashioned trick-or-treating with the girls).
After consulting with Delaney (who really gets the biggest kick out of our dinner), we think we're gonna try:
these Finger Sandwiches,
and these Bread Bones,
and these Witches Brooms,
and maybe this Putrid Punch.
The question remaining is: what sort of dessert will I make?
Last year, I made these cupcakes...
This year, I think I'm going to make something like these Spidery Cupcakes...
Aren't those cute?
In the last couple of days, I've happened upon several cupcake-themed websites and blogs that have the best ideas. If you like to bake and create, you might want to check these out...
No One Puts Cupcake in a Corner (worth going to just for that awesome blog name!)
I {heart} Cuppycakes. She's doing a Halloween Cupcake Contest, and I'm determined to enter it with whatever creation I come up with!
And Bakerella, which is my personal favorite right now! I am seriously going to make her Cupcake Balls (like maybe tonight!!!); and the Cupcake Bites are seriously like the cutest things ever!)
And then this site, Cakespy, is awesomely fun. It's not just about cupcakes...it's also got cakes and cookies (and all sorts of awesome interviews with bakers and photos of yummy goodness!)
And look what I've already added to my Christmas list for Gary...
It's a cupcake-shaped cookie jar. How cute is that? (hint, hint)
So, I'm seriously going to be baking soon. There is something about cooler weather that makes me want to get in the kitchen and make comfort foods, and try new creations that I've never tried before (and, apparently, make food that looks like guts and brains!).
Last night, I actually went into the kitchen and did something for The Very First Time. I made coffee all by myself!
I know, I'm 40-years-old and never made coffee before. Something is probably wrong with that picture. But, I've only recently discovered an affinity for coffee filled with all sorts of creamy godness...if it's got enough milk, or creamer, or hazelnut flavored anything I'm happy. Add ice to it, and I'm even happier. Gary is really the coffee afficionado in our house--he likes it black and black alone--so he can pretty much handle any coffee-making duties.
Last night, though, it was cold and the vanilla flavored creamer was calling my name. And I was watching football, which seemed just right for a coffee treat. And Gary is HERE on business, so I couldn't get him to make it for me. So, I fiddled with the coffee grinder and guessed how to put the filter into the coffee maker and, lo and behold, just a short time later I had a small pot waiting for me.
And then, creative spirit that I am, I made a Coffee a la Cheryl. I added the vanilla creamer (to where it tasted more vanilla than coffee), then poured in a spoonful of sweetened condensed milk (it was either that or eat it straight from the can!) and topped it off with a few dollops of whipped cream and a dash of cinnamon on top. Sheesh...it was good!
I'm thinking the only thing that could have made it better would have been a plate on the side with some of those cupcake balls on it. (Don't you think?)
Well...that was some totally random rambling...which I guess is sorta appropriate for this "Random Tuesday" post. Which brings me to some random questions for today for all of you...
* Do you have any Halloween traditions (like our creepy dinner)?
* What are you dressing up as? (The girls are Sleeping Beauty, a Hippie, and Little Red Riding Hood. I am doing the traditional "wait until the day before to find the perfect Gary and Cheryl costume" activity.)
* On that note...what should Gary and I dress up as (we like to match)?
* What cupcakes should I make for Halloween? Any other fun ideas?
* And, hmm, any other fun ways you make coffee treats? (I'm kinda in the mood for one now. Maybe I'm gonna get "with it" and become a coffee lover after all.)
11 comments:
Those spider cupcakes are the cutest! I just finished icing pumpkin shaped sugar cookies. Not as fun as cupcakes, but the end result is nice.
Also, the coffee...yum. Now I want some. I don't have any condensed milk tho, or whipped cream.
:)
Oh Baby, I love coffee treats. I have a good iced coffee mocha that's easy to make. I'll dig up the recipe and post it.
If you have any websites with good coffee treats, please share.
As for the cupcakes and cookies (Chrissy), I need to stay away from those.
Jim has a horrible ogre mask for Friday. I'm still shopping. I'll keep you posted.
BTW, I'd rather be in Disneyworld.
~hippo hugs~
P.
I just love that cupcake cookie jar. Now I am seriously hungry. (Thanks a lot. Ha ha.)
Those spider cupcakes are too cute!
I wish I had time to make some of these yummy treats for our mini party on Friday. Enjoy!
Cheryl! Join me on the dark side of the roast! LOL.
THank you for your visits and sweet encouragement on my blog.
* Do you have any Halloween traditions: We have a fantastic neighborhood for trick or treating, so we usually do that. The last 5 years we've been going with some girls who live near us, but we don't see them except on Halloween. They were preschool friends and the friendship didn't fully cross into elem and jhs, but we love to do this yearly experience together.
I also usually make toasted pumpkin seeds and/or pumpkin muffins.
* What are you dressing up as? My dd is going as a vampire, and ds is dressing as Mr. Spock from Star Trek. My husband n.e.v.e.r dresses up. I usually do, but I never know what I'm doing until the last minute. Cute that you like to dress up with GAry!
* On that note...what should Gary and I dress up as (we like to match)? Well, with your blonde hair, you could do Barbie and Ken. Or maybe Salt and Pepper? I don't know.
* What cupcakes should I make for Halloween? I love those spider cupcakes! Or cupcakes with a surprise (either toy or cream filling) in the center) Any other fun ideas? Sounds like you have more than I do!
* And, hmm, any other fun ways you make coffee treats? (I'm kinda in the mood for one now. Maybe I'm gonna get "with it" and become a coffee lover after all.). Honey, if all else fails, go get you a Starbucks pumpkin spice latte. Pure goodness from the earth.
Very fun post. As usual. :)
cool cupcakes i love the spider ones they would be fun to do have to tuck that in my hat lol!!
Camport---Mmmm, the cookies sound wonderful. Those ARE almost as good as cupcakes!
Pam--I'd rather be in Disneyworld too. :-)
Gin--You're welcome. :-)
Adrienne--Aren't they cute? But I already think I've changed my mind again on the ones I'm going to make. lol
Laura--I love making party treats!
Gretchen--Can you believe it? I've never had a pumpkin latte from Starbucks. That's on my list now! :-) I actually had thought of Barbie and Ken, but Ihave no idea how you'd actually dress up a guy as "Ken." I have now thought of a costume for us...updates later! LOL
Stacy--I thought they were cute too!
Oooo! I lost all conscious thought when I saw that coffee!! YUMMO!!! It looks delish! (And I LOVE sweetened condensed milk in my coffee - or on my spoon. I'm not picky).
I love your menu and those cupcakes are the cutest! Wish I could join you in eating one with that delicious coffee...
Halloween is so fun.
OMG! How fun your dinner is going to be! You are the coolest Mom I know! LOL!
I think you should make the spider cupcakes. They are too cute!
I am not a coffee drinker, but yours looks delicious! Change it to hot chocolate, and I am THERE! LOL!
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