Cupcakes!

I have become quite the cupcake addict over the past few months. Don't know why, it just happened. People ask me all the time, "what's with you and the cupcake thing?" I have no answer and sadly can't explain it, but am smitten with these delightful little treats.

Here are a few pictures of some I made for my Dads birthday on Halloween. I played with a few new techniques and they turned out ok. The plain frosted ones with simple sprinkles ended up being my favorites after all of them. Here are some spice cupcakes with lemon frosting for the birthday boy...

Extras that stayed home for my sweetie pie and I



My ingredients. The Color Mist gave the icing the
orange tint and the sprinkles were a gift from hubby

Now, I have been a fan for a very long time and dabbled in it on an off over the past 5 years or so but this spring and early summer it really took off. I took my first decorating class at a local bakery and was so impressed! Thankfully I got the eating addiction out of the way about a month or two into it and can feel satisfied with a bite of the cake to test the flavor and moisture but have to practice a bit more self control with icing (don't we all?!?!).  I've started a beautiful little library of books about baking and decorating cupcakes but this one is my favorite. Several of the creations we made in class came out of this book and it's follow up. They are all pretty easy and not nearly as hard as they look in the book, don't worry!

The green icing spread a bit after spending some time in the fridge...

Will be making these little guys in bulk for Thanksgiving!



Spaghetti anyone??



Or Chinese take out? Guess what the veggies are???

There will definately be more cupcakes to come!!

Fall Fun

I'm so excited about November being here now but before I start those stories I wanted to close the door on sweet October.There were a few trips to the downtown farmers to get the orange sunflowers (!!) and my beloved velvet pumpkins...

And then of course Halloween celebrated with my Dads annual birthday tradition of spice cupcakes with lemon frosting (in a post to come...) and decorated dogs!

Her first Halloween as a Meister!

Squirrel Simon, Banana Sophie and cutie pie Whoopie

The birthday boy!

This is an awesome dog!!

See you next year October!!

If I could go anywhere right now... Part 1

I have really become quite the traveler in my mind...

I get excited when I see planes taking off from the airport and coming back in for landing. My father-in-law showed me his prime spot for seeing in coming planes fly right over your head at LAX (there is even an In-n-Out burger there to sweeten the deal!) and if I time it so I can get planes to fly over my car as I drive by Ontario International. Just the thought of what excitement is in store for the passengers makes me happy and a bit enviouss I must admit.

Once a month I'm required to be at work at 6 am to do an inventory of materials to close the books. Part of this inventory involves counting lumber in the yard behind the warehouse. For a majority of the year the sun is beginning to come up about the time we get outside and its such a pretty color in the sky.  There are usually about 3 planes that I get to see fly over when we are out there and I like to imagine where they are going. Every time I see an Alaska flight I automatically assign it's route to Seattle, my most beloved city. So that is this weeks "If I could go anywhere right now" destination!

I have been through Seattle a couple times en route to Art Fest, but 2 summers ago mom and I went there for one glorious week in June. The residents there said that they wait all year for the beautiful weather we were so lucky to get on our trip! We stayed at the Inn at Queen Anne while in the city and then at The James House in amazing Port Townsend on Bainbridge Island. Both would get a high recommendation from us for any future visitors!

We found a beautiful spot in a park on Queen Annes Hill neighborhood that overlooks the entire city. You can see the Space Needle, the ferries and the different sports arenas across town. Pure bliss! Another must do destination is Pikes Place Market. Now some people would think "how touristy?!" but oh no! It is not. There are Seattle residents stopping to get their dinner ingredients or much needed coffee (original Starbucks in in the Market) everywhere. Although Tullys was our caffeine joint of choice (hot chocolate for me thank you very much), that shop was very busy! We came across booths of stunning flowers that we don't ever get the pleasure of seeing in California. Sweet Peas are a long time favorite of mine so we bout a few bunches for out room. I can remember sitting at the table journaling with my mom breathing in that amazing scent of the flowers. Love it!

So today, I leave you with a stunning picture thanks to the Markets facebook page of Seattle on a beautiful, sunny November day to enjoy with a cup of your favorite caffeinated beverage and a little love from the Emerald City. xo!

A new way...

I'm going to start practicing living imperfectly with great delight today!

Williams Sonoma

I love love love fall food, especially desserts. Simply just can't get enough of them! So imagine my delight after a beautiful morning at the annual Claremont Fall Street Fair strolling in Williams Sonoma last Saturday and seeing this:

PUMPKIN PECAN BUTTER!!!!!!

Then to top it all off the were whipping up some Pumpkin Pecan Butter Dessert Squares. I thought I'd just died they smelled soooo good! I could definitely smell the pumpkin but there was also a hint of cinnamon that reminded me of that amazing cinnamon crumble bread my mom makes sometimes. Needless to say I walked, ok ran, to this beautiful display and snatched myself a jar. The lady said that when I bought the butter I would get a recipe for the squares so I was happy as a clam. They had just pulled out a tray of them so I took my warm sample and enjoyed each bite while I wandered the store. Here is the counter where the squares were and some other ladies that were no doubt in love with my new obsession also.

Even their window displays are amazing!...

I also made a stop at Crate and Barrel. There was no way that I could resist the pumpkin cookie cutters (two sizes thank you very much!) and the smaller trio of fall themed shapes too. Then a small glass seasoning spoon in a beautiful pumpkin color caught my eye so I purchased one of those too. I really can not explain how much delight I get out of these fall baking treats. Gives me something to enjoy spending my afternoons doing and sharing with people.

My pumpkin pecan butter plus my Crate and Barrel finds...

I haven't had the chance to make the squares yet but will be doing a test this weekend most likely before the big Thanksgiving batch for the families. If you're interested Bakerella has the recipe in one of her posts here. 

Enjoy and Happy November!

Morning rituals

As I drive to work each morning I go along a very historic street in town. Victoria Avenue has always been a favorite of mine and lately the city has done some very nice improvements on it. They have always kept up on the landscaping which is a definite plus but in the last couple months I have seen some new little additions which make me smile. There are benches that go along the side of the walking road and they are surrounded by pretty little trees and beautiful, young, rose bushes. I am very envious of the people I see who get to take their morning walk along the pretty trails of Victoria Avenue. They get to enjoy the bright morning light coming through the old trees and breathe in the hint of the orange blossoms. Someday I will become one of the lucky Victoria walkers, just as soon as I can muster up the strength to get out of bed and avoid the much craved soda every morning...someday...

Now for the fun stuff!

After getting all that serious life "business" out of the way it is time to post what this blog is really all about... lifes good stuff! I have taken a serious liking to the new shabby chic-modern twist-layer obsessed look to clothes, styles and decorating. I am trying to get out of the frump girl style I fallen into (hubby objects but I think he is just being sweet, haha!) and evolve into this whimsical look.

A couple months ago my mom and dear friend (one in the same) went shopping in beautiful downtown Claremont and discovered a new, to us anyways, shop called Barbara Cheatley Antiques (not a antique shop though!). We were entranced by the beautiful window display and decided we must go in. I was floored! There were little treasures everywhere. Things you could decorate your home with, gifts, cards, etc.! I came across this beautiful little sky blue glass jar and decided I must have it immediately and followed it up with a pretty petite pink and white striped bowl that you could use for seasoning, earrings or little things to be kept safe. Mom bought a yellow and white one and a polka dot plate to go along with it. Who says stripes and polka dots don't go together??  I told her that I had recently read that one should surround themselves with things that make you happy. This applies to objects in this instance and I was instantly sold on these two little finds that made me happy.

Since our discovery of Barbara Cheatley I have been on a quest to capture this look. Not only for my self but for our home also. I have come across a mirror that was to die for (bought of course) and these amazing velvet pumpkins (bought 2 of them and going back for more this weekend) and a scarf that really isn't typical me but just loved.

I took this idea into mind when I decorated for fall and Halloween too. I'm just waiting for my husband and dog to turn into pumpkins at this point with all the orange I've brought into the house! Hopefully Christmas will bring the same feel I am getting now. I think a change like this is good. It feels like the excitement when you get to wear a new outfit for the first time or get a great new haircut. Refreshing and fun!

Lastly, here is a blog that I have fallen in love with! http://curlygirldesign.com/blog/ I think I want to be like her when I "grow up". Enjoy!