The Sweet Cupcakery Duo

 Elizabeth and I,

The Sweet Cupcakery Duo,

wanted to make our final cupcake treat,

molto bueno

fantastico

superbo

*****

In other words,

we wanted to end our baking relationship

 with a cupcake

that would cause the co-workers

begging for more.

We decided that the rich

flavors of both chocolate and salted caramel

would be the ideal combo.
It's like a marriage made in heaven.

We used the basic chocolate cake recipe

from Your Cup of Cake

Enhancing a basic cake mix is a 

perfectly acceptable alternative to scratch baking

especially with our busy days.

Being a mile high in elevation,

the high altitude adjustments just become part of

the baking experience so

the cupcakes turned out perfect.

Once the chocolate cupcakes were slightly cooled,

we poked numerous holes in the tops

and poured about a tablespoon 

of caramel sauce over each one.

We let that caramel goodness soak into the cake.

Instead of making our own caramel

we took the easy route and used a jar

of caramel sundae sauce.

The frosting was a Salted Caramel Buttercream.

Using a basic American Buttercream recipe

we added some caramel  sauce and 

a generous pinch of sea salt.

The frosting was sweet, creamy and buttery

with just a hint of salt.

With an extra drizzle of caramel,

a few sprinkles of Fleur de Sel

and a Dove Milk Chocolate Caramel 

perched on top, it was

Perfecto

Too Much?

We don't think so!

And neither did the co- workers.
The cupcakes were gone in minutes.

Until Next Time-

New Skills for My Resume

The first thing a person needs 

to when changing careers is to

update their resume.

With my current employment 

coming to a close this week,

I needed to think about what new or

 refreshed skills I had acquired.

Here's what I'm thinking about adding:

1.  Being able to do repetitve activities

with a continual smile and enthusisam.

2. Being able to stay up with a body in continual motion.

3. Being able to motivate or distract or redirect

a body that's in continual motion.

4. My increased ablitiy for problem

and puzzle solving.

5. Being able to keep all the balls

bouncing at the same time.

6.  Being able to wipe away a tear and add a  kiss

 

to make it all better again.

With these added skills,

I'm sure there's a new opportunity

just waiting for me.

Until Next Time-

A Bag of Tricks

 A good cook always has a well

stocked pantry.

A magician always has an extra

card up their sleeve.

A quilter always has a great "go to"

quick and easy baby quilt

stashed in the closet.

When a new member of the family 

arrives on the scene, a Great Auntie,

needs to be prepared.

I know most long time quilters,

generally,  have a couple of quick

"go to" designs that make wonderful gifts

for new babies.

Over the years fabric designers have

created some wonderful fun fabric panels

that can easily be bordered and bound.

I keep my eyes open for cute ones and

their coordinating fabrics and keep a small stockpile

for those special occasions. 

I loved this ABC flannel panel.

The coordinating fabrics were bright and fun.

Even if a quilt is simple doesn't mean

that construction techniques can be neglected.

 Adding the narrow inner border, 1 ", and 

the wider outer border, 5", 

still requires measuring carefully and  sewing

a close to 1/4" seam.

Even a simple quilt needs to end up a 

rectangle without wobbly edges.

A design like this also gives me a

 perfect venue to practice some simple

machine quilting designs.
These spirals aren't hard, but technique is still important.

We all know quality fabric isn't inexpensive.

Even this simple quilt will end up with a price tag of

about $60.

Keeping the width under 40 inches

is one economical thought.

So the idea of taking a preprinted panel

and surrounding it with a couple of borders is:

simple - yes

fun - yes

a place to practice skills - yes

inexpensive - not really

full of love to wrap the newest baby in - yes

 Until Next Time-

My Days Are Numbered

 May, 2013 

seemed a long way off
a year and a half ago.

With Running Man's blessings

and his total support

I agreed to become 

 the Nana nanny,
  watching and nurturing and loving 

these two little grand babies.
while their mamas returned to 

their careers.

I was committed for 18 months,
living in Denver during the week and
returning home on the weekends.

We wanted 

 these little ones to be able

 to stay at home as long as they could

before having to adjust to a different situation.

With the flip of the calendar,

my days are now numbered and

in just a few short weeks, my life will

change once again.

We've developed a pretty special relationship,

these two special little people and me,

and even without our daily play dates

I know we'll always have a special bond.

Until Next Time-