Saturday, December 31, 2011

Date Night Cupcakes ~ Happy New Year





These cupcakes have a particular significance for me
and it seems only appropriate that I saved them for the 
last post of 2012 on Sweetology.




I made these cupcakes the beginning of last year, before I started blogging. These were the first "major" set of "fancy" cupcakes I tackled with my new found skills and confidence 
from My Cake School.  I was so stinkin proud of these! 

At the time, I wasn't blogging and I hadn't upgraded to my 
fancy Nikon...all I had was a LOT of pride and my little
point and shoot camera with some bad lighting. 

As I look back over 2011, I get kind of emotional. Last year at this time I was just discovering myself again and coming out of a tough spot dealing with my brain tumor and its impact in my life. 
I have definitely found the sweetness in life again. 

I hadn't planned to post anything for New Years 
but last night after I put Sophia to bed, I sat down and
started to go through some old photos and happened 
upon these cupcakes.

So, I share with you my "Date Night Cupcakes"
for New Years and I also share with you this....
Those of us who blog, do so for a reason. We want to be noticed.
We want to feel like we make an impact on our world. 
We want to carve out meaning, to find our bliss.
In Joseph Campbell's more eloquent words:

“If you do follow your bliss you put yourself on a kind 
of track that has been there all the while, waiting for you, 
and the life that you ought to be living is the one you are living. 

Follow your bliss and don’t be afraid, and doors will 
open where you didn’t know they were going to be.”
 
“People say that what we’re all seeking is a meaning for life. 
I don’t think that’s what we’re really seeking. I think 
that what we’re seeking is an experience of being alive, 
so that our life experiences on the purely physical 
plane will have resonances without own innermost 
being and reality, so that we actually feel the 
rapture of being alive.”

HAPPY NEW YEAR!


And the journey continues......... 

Sharing with Tidy Mom

Wednesday, December 28, 2011

DIY CUPCAKE PRINTABLES FOR NEW YEARS - PAPER SCISSORS CAKE!



Shhhhhhhhh, want to know
one of my BEST KEPT SECRETS?

You all are going to just
LOVE me for showing you this
FANTASTIC site on ETSY.

It is called PAPER SCISSORS CAKE
and their products are whimsical and amazing!

Pressed for time but want a FABULOUS
New Years Eve Cupcake Design??

ME TOO!!
Photo from Paper Scissors Cake Etsy
NO PROBLEMO!

We just got back from Nebraska on Tuesday 
night and I am back to work for the rest of the week
which means....I will not be getting to most of my
fun ideas for New Years Eve inspired sweets. 

BOOO HOOO

However, all is NOT lost...oh NO.....I will be saved
by the awesome printables from PAPER SCISSORS CAKE!
YOU CAN BE SAVED TOO!! CLICK HERE!!!!!

Oh yaaaaa...you can thank me in cookies.
I like peanut butter!

Looking forward to getting back a little baking and 
blogging soon, but I must say, I have LOVED the
extra time playing Barbies and watching
some SPONGEBOB with my favorite sweetie pie!


Monday, December 26, 2011

Thanks and Giving Campaign Winner


  
Hope everyone had a wonderful Christmas!!!


I am still taking a bit of a blogging break
until after the New Year but I did
promise to announce the winner
of my St Jude Thanks and Giving 
Campaign Giveaway!!




True Random Number Generator Min: 1  Max: 39  13 Powered by RANDOM.ORG


Lucky Number 13!!!!!!!!
 
 
"WEBEE" 
 
 

 
Email me (trshamp@gmail.com) within the next 48 hours!!
 
THANKS!!!! 
 
See you all back again here for Tea Party Tuesday
on January 3rd 2012 

Saturday, December 24, 2011

MERRY CHRISTMAS TO ALL!!

MERRY CHRISTMAS





THE BEST PART OF
BLOGGING IS YOU!

THANKS TO ALL THE PEOPLE
WHO HAVE SHOWN SUPPORT OVER
THE LAST YEAR, BLESSINGS TO ALL!

Friday, December 23, 2011

Some AWESOME Goodies For YOU While I am Gone...........



Sophia helped me put this post together.

We went through my Pinterest Christmas Board
and she picked out what she liked.

These are all things I would love to make but
I am happily too busy loving on my child for the holiday.

Plus we are heading to Nebraska and time with my parents
and family is priceless and the blog is on the back burner 
for awhile. I will still announce the winner on 12/26/2011 
to my special St Jude Tea Party Tuesday Giveaway. 

Ok so let's start the viewing FUN..
 




How about these fun PITA TREES
that you can find HERE 






If you have never seen the amazing
talent over at Little Food Junction - it is a
fun little site - find this TREE HERE 
 




Sophia just thought these were the best ever, 
actually all things at Hungry Happenings are fantastic. 
To find the how to click HERE 

 

I would love to make this tortilla spiral tree
for a holiday tea party - see the simple how to HERE 




Elf donuts!!!  Ummm ok, I just might
have to make time to do these...Sophia agrees!
So cute, simple and all you need are some cheerios!
For the easy tutorial on this tiny treat click HERE 




Sweet Simple Stuff is the best blog ever.
She is like my twin from anotha' motha'
Look at these...I just might make these in January
What the heck right!!! Cute is always in season!
Find the sweet simple steps HERE



How about a fun CRAFT?

Hand print SANTA!!!
Photo Credit and how to: HERE

This is super cool...it is a virtual 
Gingerbread House 
that you can decorate...and NO MESS!


To decorate this house click HERE.  


Hope you enjoyed this fun collection!

I try to party at these great blogs you can find HERE!!!

Thursday, December 22, 2011

Frosty the Donut Hole Snowman




This is almost the last holiday post I have.

I leave to go to Nebraska and I am so excited 
to get my fat pants on and chow down and relax.


But before I go, let me introduce you quick to
Frosty the Donut Hole Snowman


I must apologize for the pictures 
I have for this little cutie snack. 
iphone 4s...not so bad......


I made these for that holiday school
fundraiser you all have heard me mention
oh, like 1000 times.......
In all the craziness of preparing and setting up, I 
forgot to snap a better shot of these sweeties.



I had to share them because they really are super cute and
easy to assemble. I was inspired by the idea

I made it easy for a craft DUNCE like me by just cutting out the black hat from construction paper and taping it onto the bag. 

I did draw the eyes and smile face with a Sharpie 
onto the bag but cut out an orange 
carrot nose from construction paper
and glued it on for his face.  

Then I used some ribbon for his scarf. 
Frankly, I think this is one of the cutest darn things, EVER!

When time allows, I LOVE to link up to the
GREAT BLOG PARTIES found HERE


Nutmeg Stick Cookies ~ A Guest Post for This Heart of Mine!!



 NUTMEG STICKS



Hi there baking and tea time buddies..
today I am guest posting at
This Heart of Mine





I am so excited to be contributing
to Amy's "25 days of COOKIES".

Come on over, say HELLO to Amy and 
find an amazing new recipe for delightful, 
easy and TASTY cookie!! WIN WIN!!


~ MERRY CHRISTMAS ~

Wednesday, December 21, 2011

Mini Cupcakes in their Christmas Best



I just wanted to quick share these
Mini Chocolate Cupcakes I 
made for Sophia's piano recital. 





And gloat as a proud parent......

 
My sweetie pie, Sophia, getting ready to leave for her recital!

Sophia played her songs so beautiful.
 

The recital was hosted at the local nursing home in our town - how neat!


 She has such grace, poise and confidence!!

Sophia's teacher, Sharla is awesome. 
She makes playing fun and Sophia is
always excited to go to practice and play
her piano lessons at home. Sharla did a great
job putting this together for the nursing home
residents, they really enjoyed listening to the kids play! 

We are so proud of you SOPHIA ROSE!!!!


For fun the video...it starts out on it's side but gets flipped in a few seconds!

Tuesday, December 20, 2011

North Pole Snickerdoodles with a visit from Mr. Sugar Cone Santa



North Pole Snickerdoodles



Sooooo......I made some snickerdoodles
the other day and they kinda looked funny.

I used the recipe I found on all recipes
that you can find by clicking HERE.

They ended up sorta FLAT, but tasted super good.
Truth be told, I am a box baker. 
Not a scratch baker, per se. 

So...I was looking at these flat doodles and said 
to myself, "Self, you need to FANCY these
FLAT doodles up, they look pathetic." 

oh that poor poor pathetic snickerdoodle


So self took the challenge and used some left
over royal icing (because I am cool like the cookie
ladies now and have that stuff just laying around) and 
piped on some cloud puffs with my #18 tip and 
slapped on a nice mini candy cane stick with a mini
M&M on top. Then, I cut out that north pole label from a
FREE DOWNLOAD found Here at One Charming Party.



Then I sat back and said, "YOU DA BOMB!"



Then, with all my NEW confidence and being inspired by 
this felt cone Santa I saw on Pinterest...
  
felt craft santa how to found by clicking here


I turned this 
pathetic little sugar cone......



into this.....






I just dipped the cone into melted red chocolate candy
coating from Wilton and when dry added the fondant details.


HO HO HO!!!


For those interested, I generally use
Sweet Sugarbelle's Royal Icing 
(the reduced size one)
Recipe Found HERE.

Linking up to TIDY MOM  and some GREAT 
PARTIES found HERE
 

Monday, December 19, 2011

Tea Party Tuesday ~ Vintage Pastel Snowflake and Snowmen Cookies for Tea!



Happy Tea Party Tuesday!

Today, I am bringing something 
I feel is pretty special to tea.

Vintage Pastel Snowflake & Snowmen Cookies!!!






Inspiration for the designs come from




These are special because I am normally
petrified of sugar cookies and royal icing. 
Flood this...pipe that....EEEEEEEEKKKK!





This set is the best I have done so far, so 
 why not share them on the last 
Tea Party Tuesday before CHRISTMAS!!!!! 

It is also my pleasure to share this stunning holiday
teapot that was gifted to me by my dear neighbor and 
tea room loving buddy, Kim. 




Here is how Websters Dictionary defines sweetheart:
Sweetheart: Trisha's neighbor with beautiful milky white skin, 
who is the best mother on the planet, not to mention loyal friend and caring, 
intelligent woman who often goes by the eponym, Kimmie.

Recently, while shopping and tea rooming with
Kim, I purchased this regal gold laced teacup!




Isn't it stunning?  I think so too!



So dear tea friends, I just want to wish everyone a 
very Merry Christmas or whatever holiday or not 
you chose to celebrate. I thank each and every one of you
for your visits, comments, posts and inspirations all year long. 




Sharing tea on Tuesday has become such a source of joy and
excitement for me. I find it very enriching!
~ Thank you ~  

If you haven't already, don't forget to enter my
Christmas Giveaway for St Jude's Hospital - click HERE!

I can't wait to see what you are bringing for tea this week!

Sharing with some of these great blog parties: 



TEA, INSPIRATION & TABLESCAPES:
OTHER FUN SWEETS/FOOD and CRAFT LINK PARTIES YOU MIGHT LIKE:
Mouth Watering Mondays, Melt in Your Mouth Mondays, Mingle Monday, Made it on Monday Sumo's Sweet Stuff Made by You Mondays Making the World Cuter Mondays Motivate Me Monday Joy of Desserts Dittle Dattle Amaze Me Monday Jam Hands Recipe Share Monday Mangia MondaysTUESDAY Crazy for Crust Confessions of a SAHM Delicious Dishes Cupcake Tuesday Let's Do Brunch Tempt my Tummy Tuesday Mandi's Tasty Tuesday Topsy Turvy Tuesday Handmade Tuesday Tasty Tuesday Tip Me Tuesday Time Out Tuesday Get Your Craft On WEDNESDAY Cast Party Wednesday Lil' Luna Ginger Snap Crafts Wonka Wednesday Whatever Goes Wednesday Wow Us Wednesday Look What I Made Wednesday What I Whipped Up Wednesday Let's Do Brunch Whatever You Want Wednesday Wow Me Wednesday This Chick Cooks Gooseberry PatchTHURSDAYArtsy Girl Sweet Treats Thursday Sweets This Week Thursday Show Your Stuff House of Hepworths Brambleberry Cottage FRIDAY: Tidy Mom Inspiration Friday Feathered Nest Friday Bacon Time Friday Party Sweet Tooth Friday Show and Tell Friday It's a Hodgepodge Friday Weekend Wrap Up Flaunt it Friday Sassy Sites Friday Fun Fridays Unfolded Food on Fridays Friday Flair Foodie FridayWEEKEND Sweets for a Saturday So Sweet Sundays The Girl Creative Sundae Scoop





Sunday, December 18, 2011

More Christmas Cupcakes Toppers



Fun Christmas Cupcake Toppers!!


Inspiration for these designs came from 
etsy shop owners here  and here.

I SOOOO hope I get that photo box and 
Lowel Ego Light from Santa, my pictures seem
to be getting darker and darker the busier I get!!

HO HO HO!


Saturday, December 17, 2011

A Special Thank You




 A special note to my sister, Paula

Dear Paula,

Paula, I just had to let you know in an extra special way, how grateful I was for all those cupcake picks you made and sent me for the holiday fundraiser at St Andrew. You knew how busy I was and how much I wanted to make the table special to raise money for this wonderful school. I will never forget waking up to all those pictures you sent me from your phone and how completely speechless I was at what you and Jocelyn did for me. 
Between studying and taking my boards, working and and all the other things life has to offer me these days, I was a TAD overdrawn. But also, like you, I can never turn down a chance to help others. Thank you for stepping in and helping me....I really, really needed it. 

You know this is my favorite saying and you have heard this before; but it bears repeating. The truest meaning in life is to plant a tree under whose shade you do not expect to sit. 

Thank YOU for planting a tree for me when I needed the shade.

I love you from the bottom of my heart.



Trisha


Now you see them, now you don't...cuz they all sold OUT!

Friday, December 16, 2011

Melted Snowman Graham Treat - Easy!I'




Easy Melted Snowman Graham Treat



I am cute.



Credit and instructions for these
cutie graham treats comes from
Cute food for kids

The only thing, I did different was to put him
into my microwave to do the melty part.

If you have never seen the melted snowman
themed creation for cupcakes and cookies 
you must be living under a rock.

The original, original idea goes to one cool
chic and the source of a lot of my fun
edible inspirations, Meaghan at the  
The Decorated Cookie Blog


Go tell her what a GENIUS she is! 
Cuz, she really is. And nice.



Linking up to the GREAT parties found HERE


Wednesday, December 14, 2011

Easiest Reindeer Cookie EVER! (NO BAKE)



The Easiest Reindeer Cookie Ever.





Graham Cracker
Cinnamon Candy Disc
Canned Chocolate Frosting
Mini Marshie cut in Half
Edible Food Writer to draw eyeballs onto marshie
Pretzels
P. S. If you don't have any edible writers, just use some frosting or food coloring
and paint on your own eyeballs with a food safe paintbrush
or even a toothpick would work just fine! Use what you have!!

I sold "kits" with all the goodies to make these
at my daughter's school holiday fundraiser and they
were a huge hit as well, so easy, fun and tasty!  


Baking and treat making does not have to be
about the most FANCY PANCY treats all the time.


Sometimes it boils down to the memories you are baking.

You can find me linking to some of these fun parties found HERE!
Tidy Mom 

Monday, December 12, 2011

Happy Tea Party Tuesday ~ Gingerbread Waffles with Earl Grey Syrup


Happy Tea Party Tuesday!



photo credit

This week I am joining the 
Gingerbread Christmas Tea
hosted by the LOVELY, 
Wanda Lee!!
and Pam!! 



I had the most amazing experience a few weeks ago.
My husband and I joined our dear friends
and neighbors on a weekend retreat to
Stillwater, MN where we escaped for
a few days into Victorian bliss. 



We stayed the historic Ann Bean Mansion and were
treated like royalty by the amazing Innkeepers,
Erin and Jeremy. They were beyond wonderful. 

photo from their website - see link 


I can not say enough about our experience there, it was truly a magical time. The rooms were so beautiful & well appropriated and the food along with presentation was
*****5 GOLD STARS*****







To visit a link to their website click HERE.




The weekend was extra special because the
Bed & Breakfast's of Stillwater were hosting 
their annual Progressive Christmas Tea and Tour 
of each establishment. It was quite a feast for the senses!



It certainly got both my sweetie and I into the
Christmas spirit and we enjoyed the weekend very much. 
We both needed to escape the hustle and bustle!














One of the B&B's we toured was the 
Lady Goodwood, and while there, we were
treated to a wonderful Raspberry Punch that was 
delicious! My good friend Kim was able to 
score the recipe for us, THANKS KIM!!!


Good friends, Good memories!! Thanks Guys!!


Lady Goodwood's  
Raspberry Punch




Ingredients
1 10oz package of frozen raspberries
1 28 oz bottle of ginger ale
2 cups raspberry juice
2 cups apple juice
1 cup lemon juice
2 cups water
1 pint raspberry sherbet


Preparation
Spoon sherbet into punch bowl. 
Combine apple juice, water, sugar and lemon juice, stir until 
sugar dissolves.  Add raspberries, still until raspberries separate. Slowly add carbonated beverage. 
(makes about 25 4oz servings)


YUM!


How about a delicious Gingerbread Waffle
with Earl Grey Syrup to go with these yummy drinks?


I made these especially for our hostess, Wanda Lee!!











For a printable recipe for the waffles click HERE.
For a printable recipe for the Earl Grey Syrup click HERE.



 

Remember to check out the St Jude's Children's
Research Hospital Thanks and Giving Campaign
and Giveaway I am hosting - click HERE!!

 I love to see what everyone is bringing for 
the Tea Party this week, so make sure to link up below.


Thank you to Wanda Lee and Pam for a 
special party this week!


Sharing with:
TEA, INSPIRATION & TABLESCAPES:
OTHER FUN SWEETS/FOOD and CRAFT LINK PARTIES YOU MIGHT LIKE:
Mouth Watering Mondays, Melt in Your Mouth Mondays, Mingle Monday, Made it on Monday Sumo's Sweet Stuff Made by You Mondays Making the World Cuter Mondays Motivate Me Monday Joy of Desserts Dittle Dattle Amaze Me Monday Jam Hands Recipe Share Monday Mangia MondaysTUESDAY Crazy for Crust Confessions of a SAHM Delicious Dishes Cupcake Tuesday Let's Do Brunch Tempt my Tummy Tuesday Mandi's Tasty Tuesday Topsy Turvy Tuesday Handmade Tuesday Tasty Tuesday Tip Me Tuesday Time Out Tuesday Get Your Craft On WEDNESDAY Cast Party Wednesday Lil' Luna Ginger Snap Crafts Wonka Wednesday Whatever Goes Wednesday Wow Us Wednesday Look What I Made Wednesday What I Whipped Up Wednesday Let's Do Brunch Whatever You Want Wednesday Wow Me Wednesday This Chick Cooks Gooseberry PatchTHURSDAYArtsy Girl Sweet Treats Thursday Sweets This Week Thursday Show Your Stuff House of Hepworths Brambleberry Cottage FRIDAY: Tidy Mom Inspiration Friday Feathered Nest Friday Bacon Time Friday Party Sweet Tooth Friday Show and Tell Friday It's a Hodgepodge Friday Weekend Wrap Up Flaunt it Friday Sassy Sites Friday Fun Fridays Unfolded Food on Fridays Friday Flair Foodie FridayWEEKEND Sweets for a Saturday So Sweet Sundays The Girl Creative Sundae Scoop










 


 
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