I LoVE Cupcakes - Part 1

I LoVE Cupcakes... I just can't get enough of them! I love baking them, creating new ideas using them and most of all... eating them!!

I think they are the perfect dessert & just perfect for any/all occasions.

Better Homes & Gardens has a truly mouth-watering recipe gallery out called

“Our Best Cupcake Recipes”!

Some favorites from the gallery (with recipe links) are pictured above…what looks good to you?

1. Cherry Baby Cupcakes {so cute!! see recipe below, after the jump…}

2. Red Velvet Sweetheart Cupcakes {romantic red velvet mini cupcakes with chocolate heart toppers}

3. Easy Topped Cupcakes {butter pecan ice cream + caramel sauce + chocolate cupcakes = YUM!}

4. Sweet Potato Cupcakes {cinnamon-spiced cupcakes topped with luscious cream cheese frosting & orange peel}

Check back for Parts 2 & 3!!

Swiss Chocolate Mousse Cake

Swiss Chocolate Mousse Cake

INGREDIENTS:
12 chocolate Swiss roll cakes
1 brick (8 oz) cream cheese, softened
2 boxes (2.8 oz each) European Style Milk Chocolate Mousse Mix

PREPARATION:
1. Lightly coat an 8 x 3-in. springform pan with nonstick spray. Slice each cake into seven 1⁄4-in.-thick rounds. Arrange 2 rows around side of pan. Fit remaining slices to cover bottom of pan.

2. Beat cream cheese and 1⁄4 cup sugar in a large bowl with mixer on medium speed until smooth and fluffy. Prepare both boxes of mousse mix as label directs, using only 1 cup cold water total instead of the milk.

3. Fold 1⁄4 the mousse into the cream cheese mixture until no white streaks remain. Fold in remaining mousse until blended. Spoon into lined pan. Cover and refrigerate 8 hours, or overnight. To serve, remove pan sides.

Different Takes:
Add 1⁄4 tsp mint extract to the mousse.

Nestlé mousse mix also comes in Milk Chocolate Irish Creme, Dark Chocolate and Mocha, any of which could be substituted.Garnish with dollops of whipped cream or additional slices of cake.

Enjoy!

Blocks of Love

Blocks of Love

I just had to share this SUPER cute idea that I found while visiting a fellow blogger! I would LOVE to do this as part of my Valentines Day decor this year!!

I found this great project HERE.

They were even wonderful enough to include instructions. What NICE gals!

MATERIALS

{4} 6"x 6" wood blocks

{2} wood X's

{2} wood O's

{2} pink coordinating papers

{14} eye hooks

{2 fl. oz.} white paint

{3} colors of coordinating ribbon

DIRECTIONS

Step 1} Paint X's, O's & wood blocksStep

2} Cut paper to size, leaving edges exposedStep

3} Decoupage papers onto woodStep

4} Glue X's & O's onto decoupage-d paper blocksStep

5} Screw eye hooks into tops & bottoms of woodStep

6} Embellish with ribbon

Super Simple, Super ADORABLE!!

Sweet, Simple Card

I want to get back to crafting, I really do!! I have been so busy that I just haven't had the time to sit down and get creative. However, the craziness has not stopped me from being inspired and wanting to share some of the ideas that I've stumbled across while visiting blogs.

Since the stores are getting ready for Valentines, I thought I'd share a few Valentines ideas over the next few weeks.

Hope you enjoy!!

I just thought this was a SWEET, SIMPLE and oh-so-CUTE card.



Found over at Capture the Moment

If you enjoy making your own cards, you will find all sorts of inspiration at Capture the Moment.

Check back often for fun ideas and new recipes! Enjoy!!

*tpj

3 Words... To Die For!

Check out this centerpiece... it is BEAUTIFUL!!

I just love the colors of the peacock feather and have one of my Christmas trees dedicated to these colors.

I was looking through the book Chambord Holiday Gift Set: “Have a Ball This Holiday Season" and saw this centerpiece and knew that I had to recreate it.

Looks like this will be my next project!!

AND... One last thing...

I can't mention Chambord and just leave you hanging...

Enjoy this recipe for a White Chocolate Raspberry Martini



1 part vanilla vodka
1/2 part Chambord
1/2 part white chocolate liqueur
Splash heavy cream
Swirl in a chocolate lined martini glass

& Enjoy!!

Perfect Pico de Gallo... Mango Pico

I could eat this pico ALL day, EVERY day... It's THAT good!!

It is perfect with grilled chicken, pork or fish.



Mango Pico de Gallo:

1 ripe mango, peeled, pitted, and cut into very small dice
1/2 red onion, peeled and cut into very small dice
1 small jalapeno, cut into very small dice
1 lime, juiced
2 tablespoons extra-virgin olive oil
2 teaspoons honey
2 tablespoons chopped fresh cilantro leaves **I LOVE Cilantro!**
Salt and freshly ground pepper

Directions
Mix together the mango, onion, jalapeno, lime juice, oil, honey, and recao or cilantro in a medium bowl.
Season with salt and pepper, to taste, and stir to combine.

Let sit at room temperature for 30 minutes before using.

Enjoy!

Happy, Happy New Year!

I just wanted to pop in and wish everyone a VERY Happy New Year!!

Although nothing about 2009 was dull, I have these obstacles to thank for making me more confident, my marriage stronger, and my Ashton a little more aware of how much God loves us all.

I can't think of a better way to begin a brand new decade!!



Cheers to 2010!!

Simply Spicy Santa Fe Soup

Santa Fe Soup

Ingredients:
1 lb. ground beef or turkey browned and drained
1 can kidney beans (drained)
2 cans Ro-tel
1 can stewed Mexican style tomatoes
1 can corn (drained)
2 Tbs. taco seasoning (I used spicy)
16 0z. Velveeta cubed

**Dump everything in your handy dandy crock pot. **

Stir.

Cook on high for three hours.

Stir once halfway.

Done.

**I cooked mine on the stove top for about 45 minutes, instead of in the crockpot.**

We served ours with tortilla chips... the perfect pair to this soup!



My boys absolutely LOVED this simple, spicy soup!! It's definitely worth trying....

Enjoy!

I'm spending the evening with...

a well deserved glass of Sangria Wine!!

*Relaxing Sigh*

I WILL be back to blogging regulary after the holidays! I have lots of ideas in the works and cannot wait to share them with you.

Have a wonderful holiday season!

Sending many blessings your way!!

Let is SNOW, Let it SNOW, Let it SNOW!!

Can you believe it?! We can't either!!

We received snow on 12-04-09 in Houston, Texas!! The earliest Houston has received snow in 100 years!!

Since 1985, it has only snowed in Houston 33 times and yesterday marked the first time EVER that it has snowed 2 years in a row. Most areas received around 2 inches of snow, which isn't much, but it was quite beautiful!!

Two quick phone pics of me outside my office.

Frosty's back in town!

Slowly....

the Christmas decorations are popping up all around the house.

The first tree is done and it is one of my faves every year... I call it my peacock tree. You can't really tell from the photos, but the tree skirt has peacock feathers and the bow at the top has peacocks. I just LOVE it!! The colors are fun, non-traditional, but VERY fun!!



Just a fun shot of the "Peacock Tree"

A photo of our fireplace, with the picture of Santa that I bought at Kirklands a few years ago.

I think it's the perfect touch!!

We have had a rough week. My husband's grandfather died tragically and we have been grieving and making arrangements. Today was his Memorial and it was such a special reminder of what a kind man he was. I am praying for a better week and for the healing of the hearts of our family and friends that have been broken because of our loss.

Many blessings!

~Tiffany

Life is doing it again!!

Doing what, you ask??

Getting in the way of my blogging... AGAIN!!!

*Sigh*

I promise to have a few fun projects posted this week, so keep checking back.

I am off to see Blind Side right now and I have my Kleenex in hand.

Have an SPECTACULAR weekend!!

*tpj

How Cool is This?

My sweet hubby spent the weekend cleaning out Nanny's (his 86 year old great-grandmother) garage and brought home all kinds of goodies.

You RARELY see me without a camera in front of my face and he knew that no one would appreciate this treasure more than me!! And he was right!!

The Polaroid 95a Land camera was manufactured from 1954-1957.

It even came with the case (not pictured)

I cannot wait to display this camera within our home... it truly is a treasure!

Drum Roll Please...

We FINALLY had updated family pictures taken & I will be the first to say... it's about dang time!!

Many Thanks to Sabrina with Southern Grace Photography, she was sweet enough to capture these moments for us. My husband & I went to High School with Sabrina and connected through Facebook (Gotta love Facebook!). Sabrina was so patient, creative and a ton of fun!

Here's a quick sneak peek from our recent session...

Thank you, Thank you Sabrina!!

I'm BACK and Feeling Bow-Tastic!

Life keeps getting in the way of my blogging & didn't even ask my permission. ;-) I am getting some craft ideas together and should be updating soon. For now, here's one that I LOVE...

I betcha didn't know... You can make your own gift bows!!

How cool is this?!



I FINALLY found a tutorial for making paper bows!!

I will be decorating with some of THESE in the very near future!

What fun!!

Enjoy!