Friday, November 30, 2012

Chocolate Peppermint Cupcakes

It's the most wonderful time of the year....

Seriously.

It's when my calorie intake does not exist {never mind that I may pay for it later}.

It's when the baking bug has taken hold of me in full-gear.

It's when divine smells fill the house from freshly baked cookies, snack mixes.... and......

CUPCAKES!

So, without further ado... let me share with you the recipe to these Chocolate Peppermint Cupcakes!


CHOCOLATE PEPPERMINT CUPCAKES
Prep Time: 25 minutes | Bake Time: 22-25 minutes
Yield: 20-24 cupcakes
Chocolate Cupcakes:
1 3/4 cups cake flour
2 cups sugar
3/4 cup unsweetened cocoa {I used Ghirardelli}
1 teaspoon salt
1 1/2 teaspoon baking powder
1 1/2 teaspoon baking soda
2 eggs at room temperature
1 cup milk {I used non-fat and they still turned out great}
1/2 cup vegetable oil
2 teaspoons vanilla extract
1 cup boiling water

Peppermint Cream Cheese Frosting:
~7 ounces cream cheese softned
1/2 cup butter {1 stick}
1 1/2 teaspoon pure peppermint extract
1/2 teaspoon vanilla extract
4 cups confectioner sugar
1-3 Tablespoons milk 

CUPCAKES
1. Preheat oven to 350 degrees and line cupcake pan.

2. In mixing bowl, stir together flour, sugar, cocoa, baking powder, baking soda and salt.

3. Add eggs, oil, milk and vanilla and beat on medium speed for 1 minute.

4. Add boiling water and blend together. 
NOTE: the mixture will be VERY thin. I am thankful I was warned about this because it really is the consistency of buttermilk or so. But, don't worry. They turn out fabulous! But, instead of using an ice cream scoop to fill my liners, I just used a bowl with a pouring spout.

5. Fill liners 2/3 full with batter.

6. Bake at 350 degree for 22 - 25 minutes.

7. Cool cupcakes completely on wire rack prior to frosting.




FROSTING
1. Beat cream cheese and butter for about 30 seconds until smooth.

2. Add confectioner sugar a little at a time. Once combined increase speed to medium and beat until fluffy.

3. Add peppermint and vanilla extract and mix until combined.

4. Slowly add in the milk until you reach the desired consistency. 

5. Beat until fluffy {about 1 minute}.

Makes approximately 3 - 4 cups.
Utilize frosting immediately or it can be stored in the refrigerator for several days.

Frost cupcakes and ENJOY!



See, it really is...
It's the most wonderful time of the year!


I added Hershey Peppermint Kisses to the top for an added festive punch.


And then I had fun breaking up a whole bunch of candy canes to sprinkle around the serving platter. I just spread the fine dust left from the candy canes across the top of the cupcakes.


I took these to a Christmas Party and they were devoured!
A hit I must say.


I even let kiddo eat one for breakfast the next day!
See?!?! It really is...

the most wonderful time of the year!



I plan to link up at the following:

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Tuesday, November 27, 2012

Wreath it Up!

Christmas decorating is in full-swing in our Double-Wide.

I LOVE this time of year. 

It's just sooooo festive!

We are going a little bit "nontraditional" in traditional ways this year with our decor. Kiddo is not so much a fan of it. But, we like how not so overwhelming it is. It's more soothing. But, I still have to have my red pops of color.... that is a MUST! I'll share with you some pics throughout the upcoming weeks of our Christmas tree {which is a silver tinsel slim tree!} and other Christmas decor and crafts.

Here is a VERY simple way to add a festive touch to an otherwise empty canvas....

WREATHS!


This was taken from last year's decor. I love how shiny ornament wreaths are.....

You know I'm a fan of SHINY.

Therefore, I am a fan of ornament wreaths!

This year, I went with silver ornaments only for the wreaths.



If you add a wreath to a mirror.... you get more SHINY SPARKLY AWESOMENESS!


Or you can just place a wreath in an unexpected place to add some festive pizazz!

Like I did with this wreath on the refrigerator!




We just finished our Christmas decorating. Now, it is wrapping the gifts... making sweets.... decorating a gingerbread house.... listening to music and being with friends and family.

It really IS.... THE MOST
WONDERFUL TIME OF THE YEAR!
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Thursday, November 22, 2012

Happy Thanksgiving


It's here!

I have been prepping for several days.... and now is the time to kick it in high-gear and dance around like Snoopy.

The Happy Snoopy Dance!

I am grateful for SO much, but I came across these words that sums it up pretty simply:

I am thankful for:

Food in a world where many walk in hunger.
Friends in a world where many walk alone.
Faith in a world where many walk in fear.
We give thanks, O Lord.

Now, off to the kitchen as I finish all that still lies ahead --- while --- doing The Happy Snoopy Dance!

Have an enjoyable day.... eat LOTS of turkey {or desserts --- or both!}... smile a lot.... hug those you are close to.... pick up the phone to call those that are far away... watch football.... sleep... eat some more... sleep some more.... count your blessings.... and have a.....

Happy Thanksgiving!

Now, do a little Happy Snoopy Dance with me!

Thank you. See, that's why I am also thankful for YOU, my readers!
Much love,
--Joanne
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Monday, November 12, 2012

To the BATCAVE...

For a BATMAN Party!

This was a F-U-N party to plan.

A Birthday Bash to celebrate kiddo's 8th b-day.

It was a GRAND time.
It was a BATTY time!

Even though I was really far behind on planning because of a nasty virus that knocked me out for several days and the kiddo.... I was able to get things together and pull-off a fun party. Here is how it played out:

First off, because of said nasty virus, I was not able to hand-make or mail out invitations. Instead I went for the Evite invite. Not so creative, yes. Simple..... YES! And that is what I needed at that point in time. But, the wording got across what I wanted to express. You know, to set the stage for what the party was going to involve:


Calling all SUPERHEROS:

Batman is great.
And, kiddo will be turning eight.

Get to the BatCave in a flash.
To celebrate with a Birthday Bash!

The Joker has made an escape.
So be on the lookout as you make your way...

To Gotham City where we will all unite....
and GOOD always defeats evil -- in The Fight!


Cake and Ice Cream will be served to all SuperHeros!


In the location portion of the invite, I listed it as "Wayne Manor". I'm telling you, a fun invite is always the start of a great party! It was hard for me to let go of the fact that I did not "make" the invites.... but I needed to move on to bigger and better things --- THE PARTY!

I always like having the entrance to our home express the theme of any party. Not only does it add an element of surprise, but it is letting everyone know.... THIS IS GOING TO BE F-U-N!

And this party was no exception!

My awesome hubby went out early the morning of the party and picked up 2 dozen black and yellow balloons to flank the door. Nothing says "Birthday Bash" like balloons.


I cut out glitter bats for the doorway and I made black and yellow banners {one set had already fallen off the door when this picture was taken}. I printed off little bat signals and placed them on the banners and a few other items throughout the decorations. The "Keep Calm and Call Batman" I pinned here. You can also see some of my other Batman Inspirations on that board.


Once the guests walked through the door, they were greeted by two constant things that we do in the Double-Wide in the Sky for a party.

#1: Dress according to the THEME!

My hubby is always a trooper when it comes to this, but this year we all got these pretty cool Bat Signal  shirts. Each of ours was a different style, but the same logo. Here is my handsome {and trooper} hubby.


#2: We always have a Playlist going according to the THEME!


Although the party was in the afternoon, I always find it nice to have items of substance {i.e. protein to balance out all the sugar we will eat later on....}. Plus, it provides as a nice gathering place as we await all the guests to arrive. This party included adults. We kept it small on the kid front with a few close friends and family. We had a table for the kiddos to color {Batman coloring sheets --- of course} while us adults munched on some goodies and chatted.


I had the main dining room table set up with the cake and some extra party favor bling. Kiddo had a fun time handing out all the Batman Bling. We were quite a stylish bunch!



I picked up these little Batman, Batgirl, Robin and The Joker figures on Amazon. The Batman made for an AWESOME cake topper. Plus, we were able to do something really special with The Joker {keep reading for that fun surprise!}.


Robin is so cute....


My color scheme was simple and elegant. Black, Yellow and White.

I used my white milk glass and porcelain serving ware.... Like I always do {I'm telling you, it is SO versatile}! This was "Wayne Manor", so I added the vintage brass candlesticks I found at a flea market. I also used the tableskirt {that is also SO versatile} that I use for my other parties. This time I added bat cut-outs all over the skirt. Just for fun!


The cupcakes were made from a recipe I picked up awhile ago. I should create a post with the recipe because they are always a hit. I just change up the color when I need to, but the taste is the same: a rich velvety white cake with a yummy cream cheese frosting.

I had found some Batman confetti at Party City. I thought these Bat Signals would be perfect for the water bottles.... and THEY WERE!


I made a simple punch that turned out to be quite refreshing!

1 2L Bottle of Diet 7up
1 Can of Pineapple Juice
3 cups of cold water
1.5 cups of Country Time Lemonade Mix
Mix ingredients together and add a bucket of ice.

A great "Lemonade Punch" for the kiddos and to make an adult version.... just add Vodka. And that's EXACTLY what we did, we kept a chilled Vodka bottle out for the adult guests to add at their pleasure.


I created a document with different size Bat Signals which I used in the decorations, gift bags, wrapping gifts, our fun game and thank you cards.

Here are the pages if you want to use them as printables:



I used the smaller image on the hanging decorations.


After we had a chance for all the guests to arrive, munch on some goodies, drink some good drinks and mingle a bit..... we had a call come in from Commissioner Gordon!


The Joker had escaped from Arkam Asylum! And his friend, The Riddler had also escaped and was leaving clues throughout Gotham City of where The Joker might be hiding!

So, Batman enlisted other people to help him out. Bat Capes and Bat Masks were handed out to the kiddos. They dressed up, the teams were set {Girls vs Boys}, we were handed our first clue and off we went to find THE JOKER!

How fun is that.... right?! A scavenger hunt for The Joker. The phone I had picked up for a cheap price and I painted it with some red acrylic paint {notice the paint drip marks}.The clues were all the same for both teams, just placed in different order throughout the hunt. I wrote the clues on the Bat Signal postcards I created with the above print out.

Since we live in a high-rise, it is always quite a challenge to come up with clues and hiding places.... but, it is also quite fun. So, these were some of the clues and hiding places:

Clue: "Fear would hit me like a wave. If I was ever found near the car in the Bat Cave"
Hiding Place: On the back of our SUV in our parking spot in the parking garage.

Clue: "You open me up and some times it can be a thrill. Other times, all I may have are bills."
Hiding Place: Taped to our mailbox in the lobby area.

Clue: "Mr. Freeze seems to have a very cold soul, but even he might be warmed by some of the cute dogs who drink from this dog bowl."
Hiding Place: Underneath a dog bowl at one of our building entrances.

Clue: Can he really be at Wayne Manor? Check under the bat covered table and make that criminal sadder!
The Joker's Hiding Place: Underneath the cake table!

The Joker was captured!


And who won.... you may ask?

Well, this year.... it was The Boys.

After the scavenger hunt we had cake and ice cream and then opened gifts. Kiddo was thrilled with all the wonderful things our friends and family showered him with.... he really was appreciative of their kindness {and so am I}.


I didn't have the time to make bat shaped sugar cookies, so instead I did some quick chocolate chip cookies and I packaged them up in wax paper and these gift bags as a little good-bye gift for our guests to take home.



What a FUN party. What a sweet memory.
We only have the one kiddo.... so, I figure I better live up these birthday celebrations.
They grow up so quickly.



I plan to link up at the following:


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Thursday, November 8, 2012

Campaign Crush


No, I'm not talking about the presidential campaign....

that's over.

I'm talking about my obsession with CAMPAIGN DRESSERS.

I have been looking and looking for one.

I wanted to do something elegant like this:


Or something stunning like this:

Source - unknown
And then, one day while I was on the hunt for marvelous finds to increase inventory....
I happened across this:

BEFORE


I found this piece at a garage sale. It was quite roughed up. Not all the hardware was present and what was present was really spotted. But, it was in great solid condition. It had the "Campaigner" marking in the drawer, so it was authentic.... and.... well, I could see past the rough exterior and I was looking at the true beauty of this piece.


So.... I hauled it back home.

I obtained a few new hardware pieces and paint. Then, I went to work!

I filled in the rough areas with wood filler and sanded the entire piece. I used about 4 coats of paint + primer Valspar paint and I polished up the original hardware with silver polish {worked PERFECTLY - they look brand new!}

AFTER


Unfortunately, for my Floor 24 Designs customers..... I think I have decided to keep this piece.


Pretty gorgeous.... isn't it? See what true beauty was really under that rough exterior.


Kind of a life lesson in there, isn't it?

Never judge a book by it's cover.

Always find the best in people.

Beauty is on the inside.


I always search for pieces that have true beauty.

True beauty is a powerful addition to any decor! It is what can make a house a HOME.

Here is to many many more beautiful finds!

Like my page on FACEBOOK for Floor 24 Designs!


Linking this to Thrifty Decor Chick's Before and After Party!
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Thursday, November 1, 2012

November Already?!

I'm not dead....

Just been out fighting the evil of Gotham City... as of late.


I kind of wish that was the case.

Instead, I have been knocked out with a nasty virus. I guess it was all the running around and projects I have been doing lately. My body just took a little beating and wasn't able to fight it off that easily. But, poor hubby and kiddo got sick too. And....my mom, who was visiting for a few days. No bueno!

But, everyone is getting over everything. Still dealing with secondary infections {boo!}. Although, the cold and flu season is what we are now entering into.... it's still not fun when it hits your home.

I hope all of you will be spared from this dark invasion.
We still have Thanksgiving and Christmas to conquer!
{And in my household a Batman Birthday Party!}


Here's to HEALTH!
And maybe... I need to lay off of that Halloween Candy for breakfast. I think that's "no bueno".
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