Oh Bother.

No photos to go with this post. We are down to one too few computers in my house, and my son had homework that took precedent. I can't download to the laptop I am using to write this, as it may just be older then me.

Let me start my saying that my heart goes out to Haiti in this time of need. I am hoping to get together with some people to do a bake sale to get donations to the Red Cross. 

I am overwhelmed, it would seem. Either that, or totally unmotivated. I have several things that I really need to post and get into my etsy shop. But I just can't seem to get it done. Call it the winter blahs, or possibly even a fear of failure. Whatever it is, I am trying to banish it to the wastelands.
I made the template for the valentines card that will be going out to little bits friends. I also have been working on a hodge-podge set of 10 cards. And book marks. And marketing. And packaging. And baking. And cleaning. Well, you can see how this is going. 

I also have been working on a mission statement of sorts. In my future, I would love to have a space to help people gain access to art. In a tangible, make it way. I want to provide studio space, and materials, within reason. I also want to provide the opportunity for people to sell their art on a very local level. I have been working on the business model for this for awhile now. Part of me is telling me it is getting closer to that time. We shall see. 

For now, peace.

K

New year, new ideas

The girls and I went out walking all over, taking in the sights and photographing everything we could. That included the weird little seed pods above.

I spent this first weekend of the new year in the studio making cards, finishing up projects and dreaming of the future garden. Below are two of the cards I finished.

I have some great news. There is a new scrapbook store not far from my house. I have had to schedule trips across town to even by plaind card stock. This will save lots of time, but probably not money.

And in the bad news dept., my car died. Her brakes went out and we decided that it was not worth the money to fix them this time. We will save up and get something more reliable. In the mean time, I will use this as my opportunity to get into shape.

Blessings in the new year

K

No Cookies for You!

Come back next year!

I had attempted to make a veganized version of some delish looking Mocha Meringues. These, of course, would have required a substitute for egg whites. I did some research and found... Apricots. That's right, apricots, dried. 

We bought dried apricots, I soaked them over night, per the instructions. I blended them, I attempted to whip them. In the end, what I ended up with, after I added all the other ingredients, was a chocolaty  bowl of goo, that would not have baked. It was just too runny and messy.

I will head back to the egg white board this weekend.

Wish me luck.
P.S. This stunning tea set was one of my holiday presents. My hubby rocks!

A new project

I have this amazing old cookie cookbook that has been around my house so long I don't even remember where i got it. It was written in '66 (it is the Better Homes and Gardens Cookies and Candies). I have decided to try and veganize as many of the recipes as I can. This could get interesting as many of the recipes call for evaporated milk and pudding mixes and so on and so on. I think this will be a fun adventure and I started today.

Coconut Diamonds: (I will present my notes and changes at the end)
6 tablespoons Earth Balance Margarine
1/4 cup granulated sugar
1/4 teaspoon salt
1 cup sifted all-purpose flour

2 tablespoons ground flax seed mixed with 4 tablespoons water
1 teaspoon vanilla
1 cup brown sugar
2 tablespoons all-purpose flour
1/2 teaspoon salt
1 cup flaked coconut

Grease an 8x8 pan ( at the least grease the sides!)
Cream together butter, sugar, and salt. Stir in flour(1 cup amount). Pat onto bottom of 8x8 pan. Bake at 350degress for 15 minutes or till lightly browned.

Meanwhile, beat flax seed and water, add vanilla. Gradually add brown sugar, beating until just blended. Add flour and salt. Stir in coconut. Spread over baked layer. Bake about 20 minutes longer or until toothpick comes out clean. Sprinkle more coconut over the top, reduce oven to 200 degrees and bake another 5 minutes, until the top coconut is lightly browned. Cool, cut into diamonds (although really squares are pretty cool too).

Notes: The flax seed replaces 2 eggs. The original recipe called for 1/2 cup of walnuts, but my family hates walnuts. And the recipe doesn't need them. It would be lovely with some orange zest and extract. I mean lovely!

Gifts and treats

It was Christmas office parties for both Vyapti and I this week. He made some delicious eggnog bread for his employees. I wrapped up the loaves and attached ornaments from the weekend. The darling little packets were a big hit. The bread is to die for.

I made some very tasty little gingerbread cupcakes (Vegan Cupcakes Take Over the World, of course!). Shown here dressed and undressed (lemon butter cream frosting. 


Peace
K

Ornaments

Both the hubby and I have work parties tomorrow. I volunteered to bring some yummy foods (more about that later in the week). But I just wanted to do something a little more. It was a bit last minute. And I did have a heck of a time figuring out what I was going to do on such short notice. 

I love what I decided on though. Heart ornaments that will be adapted over the holidays for Valentines day. 

Have a great week.

K

Better Late...

As you know we did not have a traditional Thanksgiving. I was ready to launch right into the holiday season. The day after, the tree was up and there are Santa's everywhere. 
But I did make charming cupcakes for Thanksgiving munchies. They are from my favorite cookbook "Vegan Cupcakes Take Over The World". These were Margarita Cupcakes that were rich and limey. Take a moment to drool.

Also, just a note. I did open a new facebook account. It is under the same name as the old one, but has a pic of me laughing as the profile pick. Just in case you care!

I have lots and lots of great pics to sort through and some projects to post. I hope to get to them very soon.

K