November 13, 2009
I finally did it. I baked some delicious sugar cookies using the recipe from Bake at 350. I even made my own royal icing and tried my hands at flooding.
Now, I should tell you that daily savings time sucks and that by the time I was finished it was too dark out for good photos. But they’re impressive. Next time I’ll document it better.
1st Attempt
So, there you have them folks. I’m honestly really excited about them!! I’m ready for custom orders 
So, you’d think that’s the tip top of my cookie excitement, right? Well, you are so wrong!!
When shopping at Michaels for cookie stuff, I was unable to find any good cookie cutters. A fact I complained about to my loving boyfriend for at least 30 minutes. That’s a tip for you: Don’t go to Michaels looking for cookie cutters.
But now it’s Friday. And Friday the 13th no less. But something AMAZING happened. I received a package. This is huge. I never receive packages. Ever. What could it be?
What could it be?
Oh man. Who’s it from? Why is it here? What is it? Oh man, oh man!
Did you guess yet?
Is that a LOBSTER???
Oh man. SOMEBODY loves me. I say somebody like that to emphasize that I’m not entirely sure who this anonymous gift is from. I say that…but I’m certain it’s a certain awesome lady.
But how amazingly sweet is it to receive an anonymous gift and have it be cookie cutters? Just when I’m all mopey about things I get this nice gift. I love you mystery gift giver. You made my day. Now, I’ll make you cookies. 
November 4, 2009
I need more.
My recent bout with unemployment has taught me a lot about the importance of hobbies. And a lot about the way my mind works.
Here I am, sitting on the couch with some huge headphones on, watching the mister play video games. All of a sudden my boredom bursts out of me and I decide that if I ever want to get anywhere in the baking world, I need to take inventory of what I have to use.
That apparently means that I needed to go through the apartment and find all of my cookie cutters and take a photo of them. Now, I somehow lost all of my halloween cookie cutters but that’s besides the point.
The point is this: I need more non Christmas specific cookie cutters. I need moustache cookie cutters. And cake shaped ones. And cupcake shaped ones. And acorn shaped ones. And so on. But I’m unemployed. So I have no idea what to do with that.
Anyway, I blame this on my recent reobsession with baking blogs. Particularly Bake @ 350. It’s fantastic for inspiration. And time wasting. And teaching me how to do royal icing.
You just wait. I’m going to bake something gorgeous soon. I might buy one cookie cutter for this endeavor. Eventually you’ll be able to pay me for my efforts. Yep. Special orders for my goodies.
If you have any baking requests, let me know. I’m bored and want to bake tasty goodies.
October 14, 2009
As with most of my stories, this one has a familiar beginning:
When I was a kid….
We used to have pizza every single Saturday. Saturday was Pizza Night. Clearly we were healthy kids.
Well, on Sundays, my mom used to go all out and cook a really well rounded meal. Some sort of meat. Pork chops. Meatloaf. Or the most common, pot roast. Then we’d have some starches. Mashed potatoes. Scalloped potatoes. Basically lots of potatoes. There would be rolls. And sliced cucumbers (though she doesn’t eat anything green – ever). And corn. And a glass of milk.
It’s possible I’m forgetting something but you get the gist of it – there was some serious home cooking going down. And it was fantastic. Pretty much the only time my family ate together at the table.
So, when I remembered this fond memory last week I set out to recreate it for John and I. Let’s see. There were super tasty, well seasoned steaks (courtesy of John). Seasoned redskin potatoes baked in my snazzy vintage Pyrex (though next time we’ll cook them longer). And a new favorite of mine – asparagus tips.
Enjoy our Sunday dinner.
I really missed out on some tasty green foods as a kid.
Smokin steaks anyone?
Really, potatoes? Do you have to be so tasty?
October 9, 2009
If you haven’t heard of The Scribble Project, but you love to doodle, you should definitely check it out. They provide you with a blank “scribble sheet” for you to interpret however you’d like. Good for wasting time.
Now, I don’t dare call myself talented in the art department. I just love to doodle. I have decided to keep a folder of my doodles lately. Which is funny since they’re mostly post it notes with robots and bikes on them.
It’s been getting cooler out as of late and that has me really contemplating the best way to enjoy Autumn.
Step 1.) Hard Cider – Check. This delicious concoction is really a great part about fall.
Step 2.) Tights with dresses – Check. Is it wrong that I look forward to my ensembles that involve this combination? Nope.
Step 3.) Pumpkins. Tentative plan for pumpkin carving and seed eating is in the works. I’m super pumped.
Step 4.) Apple orchard/Cider Mill. Well, I may just join the family tomorrow for a bike ride to a Cider Mill for my Dad’s birthday. Let’s pause for a second to point out how awesome it is that my dad wants to go for a bike ride for his 50 somethingth birthday. Very cool, Dad. Very cool.
Step 5.) Costumes, Candy, Cadavers (i.e. Halloween). Okay, so cadavers sounds disgusting….I just wanted a good alliteration.
Step 6.) Scawy Movies. Yes, Scawy. Throw on a good gore fest or foreign horror movie and I’m thrilled. Give me a little Kiki’s Delivery Service on the side and I’m smitten.
Step 7.) You tell me.
October 5, 2009
The Grand Rapids Tweed Ride was this past weekend. And despite the weather, it was a rousing success.
At about 3:30, during a terrential downpour (or so it seemed), we set out from our apartment for The Winchester. I must say that receiving compliments while in our nice duds riding in the rain made me feel a lot better.
Once there, we met the rest of our nine person band of merry men (and ladies). Including two strapping lads from the Windy City. But what am I babbling on about. The photos speak for them selves.
There are more photos, but these are the best of the lot. I had a blast! I hope everyone else did too!
Grand Rapids was not prepared. Many on lookers and photo takers. Next time will be even better!
Btw…vote for my shirt design! The contest ends tomorrow!!
September 28, 2009
It’s time! It’s time! It’s time!
All of a sudden, it’s Sunday. And the good folks at ShirtPrize are letting me know that the voting for the finals is open for one week starting today!
Oh my gosh! I wasn’t prepared!
I need your help! And your friend’s help! And your dog’s help! Anything!
It only takes a minute. Just go here (that’s shirtprize.com/vote.html) and vote for The Cupcakerator! That’s it! That, and tell anyone you know to vote for me
I promise to give you a fantastic post soon. I’m working on a few lovely things to share with my much loved readers. And the tweed ride’s in a week! Gah! Where has the time gone?
Help!
September 17, 2009
Heads up, I won my round for ShirtPrize! Now we just need to show up en masse the first week of October and vote the poo out of my design.
Moving on. This past weekend was my dear friend Jessica’s birthday! And boy do I love when my friends come to visit. We had a lovely fancy dinner on our own followed by fireworks and many drinks downtown.
Fancy dinner? Oui!
I finally got the chance to wear my own birthday present from a month ago. It’s an adorable dress from Modcloth. Man, I love their stuff. I just have no monies with which to purchase it. Therefore, I really treasure this gift.
Birthday girl!
The birthday girl looked equally impressive. And I must say it was strange to get shouts from people telling us we were ‘workin it’. But I like it. I haven’t seen many people in GR riding in dresses. I still get excited when I see classy bikes around town.
Cupcakes with Whale
Btw, I also made some delectable treats (modesty is not my strong suit). These little guys are cookies and cream cupcakes. They were surprisingly light. And quite tasty. And they had a whale candle. I mean, come on.
PS – I’m quite excited for the Grand Rapids Tweed Ride. And you should be too!
September 8, 2009
Well, fall is fast approaching. And what better way to celebrate the cooler weather and lack of sweating than with a slow paced bike ride about this beautiful city.
So, grab your wool skirts and herringbone and bow ties and head on out here to have a grand time!
The ride will begin at The Winchester and saunter onward throughout this fair city, ending (eventually) at The Hopcat for drinks and general merriment. All of this takes place on Saturday, October 3rd at 4:00 PM.
Invite your friends! Invite yourself! It’s going to be awesome!
In other, less bikey news, The Cupcakerator is currently in contention to become a T Shirt! And we need your help!! If you would be so kind as to venture over to Shirtprize and cast your vote for my design, I would be eternally thankful. And if you could convince some friends to do the same….I just may have to prepare something special.
I’ve never won anything like this before so it would be phenomenal to do well at all. I’m working on my doodles to incorporate a nice old fashioned bike for my boy Cuppie. Cross your fingers for me! And don’t forget to come out for the Tweed Ride!
