Cupcakes!!!

My mom taught me everything I know about marketing, networking, and business...and what this all boils down to it a nice smile, a friendly hello, and baked goods. You can't go wrong with cupcakes, brownies, or food in general when you meet someone new or if someone is having a bad day...

For Valentine's day she had me put together some boxes of cupcakes and - 200 cupcakes later - here they are in all of their cupcake-y glory!! 

I'm all about the basics here and making them the best I can so there aren't any fancy flavors or tricks- just cupcakes...

-Chocolate on chocolate with chocolate candies

- Vanilla with strawberry cream cheese filling and frosting

- Carrot with cream cheese

-Red velvet with fluffy white butter cream

I love naked cake.

Tada!

How a Month Goes By!

Yesterday I realized that a month had gone by since my last post! I realized a few other things as well....1) Winter Sucks! - I have been sick may more than I prefer to be and I am actually getting sick of snow days..I know - everyone is- Let's just be glad that spring is coming soon! Keep wearing your bright colors folks! Here is an update on what's been going on over hear in the last month!

I was sick...on a weekend...useless! 

THEN...we celebrated my nephews christening! This is baby number 4- Jacob Allen...you should all know some things about Jacob Allen (aka Jake the Snake):

                           1. He is as cuddly as a teddy bear

                           2. He so sweet that he just smiles and laughs at you when you talk to him it's SO cute

                           3. He's huge! 

So my assignment for the christening was to make a fruit tree...not really my forte but I was in for the challenge...my naturally inquisitive and daring boyfriend wanted to do one too...his was made of meat, cheese, and whisky....he called it a "man tree"....I don't know 

After the christening I figured out how to make these guys.....

These are Cherry Walnut Muffins that my mom used to make for Christmas. After 3 failed tries I made a gluten-free version and was totally stoked! They were gone quickly!

NEXT!

I had the awesome opportunity to make a birthday cake for my sister's friend who has a little boy allergic to soy...I used beet powder for the first time to dye the Power Ranger red! 

THEN
My good friends Chrissy and Geoff celebrated their first wedding anniversary! Chrissy's mom asked me to bring over to treats for them to celebrate with. She also asked me to bring them some gluten/dairy free chicken pot pies- they JUST had a baby at Christmas time...Cadence is a peanut...the exact opposite of Jacob. She looks just like her dad and is sweet as pie!

Congratulations Chrissy and Geoff!!!

Since Chrissy and Geoff both are gluten and dairy free everything I sent to them was too...

 Chocolate Cupcakes with Fluffy White Frosting

Gluten/Dairy Free Chicken Pot Pies...I've been making these in mass quantities lately for my niece and mom who both have allergies.

Phil thought it would be hilarious if we made the crust on one of them look like Yoda...

 We ate this little peanut one for dinner...

Cinnamon Sugar Donuts....these things are actually gram's recipe. She made them and gave some to Phil.. They smelled so good that I just needed some for myself so I tweaked it and made a batch of gluten/dairy free ones...they were a hit! Even Gram liked them!!

And Finally...

Valentine's Day is and has always been one of my favorite days. Honestly, what could be bad about a day dedicated to eating chocolate, making paper hearts, and telling people how much they rock! This day has extra special meaning for my now because it is the day Phil and I had our first date. We didn't mean to plan it for Valentine's Day...we actually had planned on the 7th but when he showed up I got a phone call and had to leave! haha...I stood him up! Anyways, we rescheduled for the 14th. I brought him Hershey's Hugs because it was Valentine's Day- but I ate them before he had the chance...classy right? 

He's been talking a lot about cookie cakes lately so I took the hint and made him one...

The pink frosting is dyed with beet powder...that was only a little too! It looks incredible with a lot in it!

Whew! That was a long one! More to come in the next few days! Happy Winter! 

Congratulations Laura and John!!

I grew up in a very small town called Belchertown. A great name for a relatively inconspicuous little place, Belchertown was named for a political family in Massachusetts. It was originally called "Cold Spring." In addition  to its unusual name, Belchertown is pretty neat. When I was growing up we graduated high school with the same kids we went to preschool with. We all knew probably more about each other than we wanted to and we bounced around who we were friends with by the year. It was in this sleepy little town in the Pioneer Valley that I made some very close friends. Yesterday, one of my closest friends became the first of us to have a little munchkin! This post and baking is for Laura, John, and their new little girl Amelia Noel...Congratulations!!

Dear new little girly,

I am so happy to hear that you have finally arrived! Since we heard about you we have been talking about what  kind of fruit you resemble- I am so glad that you now resemble a little bitty person instead. You should know that your parents are amazing people. I have known your mommy for a very long time and have always been impressed with how incredibly caring and able she is. If you ever need anything- even a way to get to the moon- I am sure that she will find a way to get you there. I can't wait to meet you in person! Even more, I can't wait to see what you are like when you are an old lady like your mom. You should know a few things about this woman you have been spending so much time with for the last 9 months...For instance, she once saran wrapped someone's car in the middle of the night. She is not afraid to be seen in public wearing a chicken hat. She also is not afraid to be seen (or not seen) helping anyone who needs it and she doesn't shy away from a challenge (that means she's ready for whatever you have to offer). And, if she is anything like she was in college, she doesn't need to sleep a lot so don't worry about keeping her up- she's ready for it! Welcome to the world!!

                                           Love, Sarah

         

           

Amelia Noel's pink cherry walnut muffins...