Lemon Thyme Lollipops!

Ooooo so much is going I and I can't wait to share it all with you! The two biggies are that I'm back in the design business officially with my own company, hooray! If you'd like to check out Tiny Bungalow Design, please look HERE.

And the next tidbit of happiness is that I'm opening a thrift & vintage store in The Camphouse called Mission Exchange. All proceeds will benefit The Mission Chattanooga, so I'm super excited! Plus it's a really tiny space so I've had a blast designing the shop interior. Think lots of white on white with layers of texture from found objects as well as modern elements - Anthropologie meets CB2. It's going to feel like shopping in an insanely hip closet without the awkwardness of feeling like you're robbing a friend of their best goodies. Finally stages are happening... I'll have photos up soon.

As for the yummy lollipops, well MG and I made them today while McB napped. They were yummy! Here's a quick lollipop tutorial if you're interested. I added lemon oil and fresh lemon thyme from my garden. If I were getting married again (which I'm definitely not!), I would totally make these as fun, cheap, easy wedding favors. Wouldn't you love to get a gourmet lollipop as a wedding favor? So happy making!

- HAPPY NEXT STEPS -

Yo happy TWO!

I can hardly believe it but McB turned two yesterday! It seems like not very long ago that I was blogging about going to the hospital to have him and thinking he was a girl... whoa was I wrong!! So we celebrated my little man with his one and only favorite show of all time - Yo Gabba Gabba (Buzie, you're probably cracking up right now at the irony!). For those of you who don't know about "having a party in your tummy", let me introduce you.

I baked my buns off so that we'd have 75 Yo Gabba Gabba brilliantly colored cupcakes with Muno, Brobee, Plex and Toodee toppers along with a very green Brobee cake for the celebration. Once again, Betty Crocker Gel Food Coloring saved the day, thanks Betty! And I tried a new type of fondant for the cake - homemade marshmallow fondant. It was really cheap to make and tasted way better than proper fondant. Definitely give it a try if you're making a cake any time soon.

A huge thanks to everyone that helped us celebrate and especially to Satoya and Jason for singing really, really loud. You guys are the bestest!! McB was a very happy birthday boy!!

Super Cereal Muffins!

My kids don't like eating breakfast. Try as I might, it's always a battle. So when I tasted some the the yummiest muffins ever at my friend Micah's house, I had to give them a try. They were tasty, healthy, easy and moist. So good! Surely MG and McB would love them?!

Only problem was, when I finally went to make them, a bunch of the ingredients were missing from the pantry... hmm mmm, thanks daddy! So here's my version of a classic bran muffin recipe - it's great cause you throw in all the random little bits of cereal that you have lingering. You know, the end of the box that no one wants to eat? And the kids thought it was funny to eat "super cereal muffins" - they both had 2! Shocking and healthy, yay for kid friendly breakfasts! Plus this recipe makes about 4 dozen, so they're great for brunch parties. You could even bake a dozen and keep the batter in your fridge for up to 3 days for fresh muffins every morning. Yum!

INGREDIENTS:
• 2 cups bran cereal (like ALL BRAN)
• 4 cups cereal mix - I used raisin bran, grape nuts, cheerios, brown rice puffs
• 1 quart buttermilk
• 5 cups flour
• 2 1/2 cups sugar - I mixed brown & white cause I was short
• 1 cup oil
• 1 tsp salt
• 4 eggs
• 3 tsp baking soda
• 2 cups boiling water
• Optional - 1 cup raisins

WHAT TO DO:
1. In a large bowl, soak bran in boiling water for a couple minutes. Add oil, eggs, sugar.
2. In a medium bowl, mix baking soda, salt, flour, raisins. Add cereal mix.
3. Alternate adding dry ingredients and buttermilk into large bowl.
4. Let sit in the fridge for 12 hours or overnight.
5. Bake in regular muffin pan for 25 minutes at 350 degrees.
ENJOY!!

-HAPPY HEALTHY BREAKFAST-

Cupcakes & a Tornado!

WHOA we had a super serious storm yesterday!! I love a good bit of thunder and lightening but this was a Wizard of Oz-like tornado. Trust me when I say, I was a tad freaked out! It left our neighborhood all jumbled up with power lines, fallen trees and very sadly a bunch of crushed homes (both of the bungalows behind us are a mess). So today we are feeling very grateful to have a home in one piece and no one hurt. And thank you to Miss Annie for the insanely yummy dark chocolate with pistachio buttercream cupcakes! Did you ever think of opening a bakery? Well, yes you did indeed!

-THANKFULLY HAPPY-

Snow Week - Part Uno!

I love snow! Seriously, it gives me a totally valid excuse to stay home in my pj's with tons of time to make things. What's not to love?!

So here's Snow Week Part 1 ... how we spent the first day of four stuck at home:
1. Building the ultimate couch fort
2. Playing find Briar in the deep snow
3. Demolishing the fort by playing super hero
4. Baking amazing beer bread, yum!
5. Designing a new tutorial... those of you with Mac Airs are going to be psyched!
6. Lots of coffee consumption
7. Making snow angels
8. Building a new fort to rival the first

More to come from days 2 through 4 over the weekend. Including a brand new sewing tutorial, a fun kid's craft and a link to my favorite app of the moment (if you're a designer or color nerd, you're going to LOVE it!).

Hope you're all staying cozy!
-HAPPY EXCUSE TO SPEND TIME TOGETHER-

Sugar Plum Mermaid Princess Cake

My little girl is 4! I can't believe it, really and truly! Now that she's a bit older, the whole birthday right before Christmas deal is getting much tougher. It doesn't matter what you do, the two seem to muddle together a bit. But I was determined to give her a special moment of her own this year...

Anyway, here's what happens when you ask a four year old what the ultimate birthday cake would be (keep in mind she's obsessed with the Little Mermaid and had just seen the Nutcracker for the first time). "Momma, I'd really love a Sugar Plum Mermaid Princess cake". Ok now what, especially since I've never made one of those cakes with a barbie stuck in it?

So, here's how to make a cheap version of a barbie princess cake... I baked up two 9 inch layer cakes (berry/vanilla swirl). The third layer was a little experiment. Instead of buying a cake pan that I'd use once, I figured out a cheap way to fake it. I used a 6" pyrex bowl, sprayed the inside with Bakers Joy, then placed a tall glass (also greased) in the middle of the bowl. Here's the hot tip - I poured a bunch of dried lentils in the glass to keep it from shifting. Then I poured the batter in the "o" space and baked it until a skewer came out clean. After it had cooled, I flipped the "dress" part of the cake onto a small plate (leaving the glass in place, so that it didn't cave in). I wrapped all the layers in press & seal and let them cool in the fridge for a couple hours.

Now comes the fun part! I stacked the lower 2 layers together with a filling. Then I placed the "skirt" on top and crumb-coated all three layers. There was no need to secure them because the frosting acted like glue. After decorating all the layers I stuck the doll in the hole on top, being sure to push her feet into the middle layer. Then I used mini marshmallows to pad around her. Ta-da princess cake extravaganza! And when we cut the cake the marshmallow middle was a fun surprise for the kids.

I was pretty psyched cause I'm not a fancy decorated cake expert by any means and it still looked like a real-deal cake. AKA, all of you guys can definitely do this! And most importantly, MG was thrilled. Birthday specialness achieved!

-HAPPY SUGAR PLUM BIRTHDAY-

2 Words...

"Aretha Frankenstein's"!!! Whoa, seriously good food! We went for lunch yesterday and thank goodness we didn't have breakfast. Do me a favor - make a fist with both hands. Now put them together. That's the size of the homemade biscuits! And the "waffle of insane greatness" really is insanely good (you'll notice the pic is blurry cause I was so excited to try it). I wondered how they could possibly make a belgian waffle better, but they really do. Maybe it's magical powers?!
So anyone who's willing to make the trip southward, is in for a treat. I'm buying, it's that good!

Oh and one more thing - the trim is painted gold. Not cause it's fancy, just cause it's cool. Buzie, made me think happy thoughts of you!

- HAPPY, SCARY WAFFLES -

My Baby's in College!

Well, kind of ... MG started school yesterday at one of the nearby college preschool programs. I still can't believe they had a spot open for her. She'd been begging to go to school and was so excited to make new friends. After a quick "see you later momma" she walked into the classroom and didn't even look back. Sob! And when I picked her up she talked non-stop the whole way home about her teacher, the slide, her 4 new friends and "Macaroni" the guinea pig. And would you believe she actually took a nap?? Where was that teacher for the past 2 years?! Just to make myself feel better, I'm going to say it was her newly finished strawberry quilt that made the nap happen. Yeah right, that and a little peer pressure! Anyway, I can't tell you how happy it makes me to see her sparkle again. It's amazing what having friends can do for the soul!

Oh and we've officially made Thursdays "Breakfast for Dinner" night - mostly cause I was craving pancakes. They're just so yummy!

- FRIENDS MAKE FRIENDS HAPPY -

South African Fudge Recipe

It's been a while since I've posted a recipe, so when my mom made fudge the other day I decided it's time to share another good ol' South African treat. Wish I could say I actually made the fudge in the pic, but alas I can't. I did manage to eat all of it though!
Now for the non-South-Africans (or those not married to one) I need to explain a little about this fudge - it's not "fudge" like American fudge. It's a bit harder and sweeter thanks to the blissful yumminess of condensed milk. So good!
Anyway, here's my granny's recipe. It's an oldie, but goodie and reminds me of sitting on the kitchen counter in our beach house in Little Brak. Ahh good times!

Ingredients:
4 cups of sugar
1 can of condensed milk
2 ounces butter
2 tablespoons golden syrup
Pinch of salt
7/8 cup of milk
Put all ingredients into a pot (except condensed milk). Boil 5 minutes from boiling point. Take off stovetop and add condensed milk. Put back on heat and boil for 10-15 minutes until it reaches "soft ball" stage (234-240 degrees). Test at 10 minutes. Put aside for 10 minutes, then beat and pour into a greased pan. Allow to set, cut in squares, enjoy!
- SWEET HAPPY CHILDHOOD MEMORIES -

Feeling a Bit Tingly

Ooo, I have a new candy find ... and it'll make you feel a bit tingly inside. For those of you that are a product of the eighties like me, you probably can't help but have happy memories of Pop Rocks. Well my friends, prepare to be amazed. The Pop Rock has been upgraded! Wonka has covered then in chocolate (no, that's not a typo) and marketed them as "Tinglerz". YES! Seriously, I'm never one to turn down anything chocolate coated and these delivered bigtime. MG and I had a blast eating them, though I didn't have the science background to answer her "how'd they do that question". What can I say? I'm simply in it for the chocolate!

- TINGLY CHOCOLATE HAPPINESS -

A Friendly Jam Tart

Sorry folks, there'll be no Crafty Kids this weekend ... I ran out of time because I was lucky enough to spend some time with old friends. Thanks Bettina for coming to town and getting us all together. It was a pleasure!

So to make up for the lack of craftiness, I'm posting my Granny's jam tart recipe. It's a family classic that she served to her tea party ladies and I remember my mom always doing the same. It's yummy, easy, pretty and sure to please.

Ingredients:
1/4 lb butter (softened)
1 cup sugar
1 egg
1 tsp vanilla
2 cups all purpose flour
2 tsp baking powder
a jar of good jam (any flavor though raspberry, strawberry or apricot are best)

- With a mixer, cream together the butter and sugar
- Add 1 well beaten egg and vanilla, mix well
- Add sifted together flour and baking powder, mix well
- Spread 1/2 dough in pie plate
- Spread jam on dough
- Press remaining dough into a ball and grate over the jam
- Bake at 350 degrees for 25 to 30 minutes
- Cool and dust with powdered sugar, enjoy!

PS - MG met her twin Madeleine today ... in looks and personality it was amazing to see! They were very cute together - though I think MG wanted to make sure that Sam is still her man (notice her clinging to him in the group shot)

- HAPPY TIMES WITH OLD FRIENDS -

Ooo Rainbow Cake

Thanks to Aleta Meadowlark at Omnomicon for the most fun, colorful cake ever!!!

I saw this rainbow cake recipe a little while ago and couldn't resist. Let's be honest, I'm not a kitchen guru so I fully appreciate and love folks that are able to make delicious goodies. This cake is about my speed...it's easy and mostly involves mixing colors (aka. arts and crafts class). MG and I had a blast squeezing gel food color and mixing insane batter colors. It was messy, delicious and the perfect creation for my friend Karly's birthday. Shh...she's only getting it tomorrow...I'll post another photo once it's sliced.

So if you're looking for a little unhealthy, but tasty fun or a great time with your kids, bake a rainbow cake. Trust me, it's sure to bring a smile to all.

PS - if you're nervous about the sugar free pudding and diet soda, no worries I skipped them both. I baked this cake with regular Sprite and it came out just fine.

-BAKING HAPPINESS ONE CAKE AT A TIME-

South African Crunchies Recipe

Okay folks, I'm sharing something near and dear to my heart and tummy...my granny's crunchies recipe. They are SO good!! In South Africa everyone grows up on crunchies. They're at most get togethers and could easily be called our equivalent of chocolate chip cookies. Everyone has their own recipe (probably from their mom) and they all have the same basic ingredients...which, I might add, are way healthy and extra delicious! These are great for snacks, play-dates, traveling and even as a "better-for-you" granola bar. Try a batch & enjoy!

2 cups oats
1 cup flour
1 cup sugar
1 cup coconut
1 teaspoon baking soda

Mix all of the above ingredients together. In a separate bowl, melt 1 stick of butter and 1 stick of margarine with 1 tablespoon golden syrup (this is a british thing and can often be found in international aisles in the grocery store). Mix well with dry ingredients. Press into a medium baking tray. Bake at 325 degrees for 25 minutes. Cut into squares while warm.
* If you're feeling a little naughty, a layer of good chocolate on top is always excellent...

-BAKE A LITTLE HAPPINESS FOR YOUR TUMMY-