I want to Bake It Pretty, too!

That's right... I too have fallen in love with Bake It Pretty. I just HAD to order myself a few things, which I rarely do online with stuff like this, because I don't want to allow myself to go crazy!

But I've been wanting some for so long, I DID IT! Some big piping tips and colorful, solid cupcake liners: my favorite!

Plus, I haven't had the time to bake anything lately, so I am pretty excited to have these coming my way :)

Go see their stuff for yourself, they have so much to choose from!

Have a good one,
Ash

SPOTLIGHT: Marj at "The Icing on the Cake"

I am going to start randomly spotlighting people I come across who I find to be amazingly talented and creative! I'm excited to share my finds with you as they come, and I hope you will enjoy it and look forward to checking them out!


First and foremost, a lady that I admire for her AWESOME cake decorating skills: Marj Jenkins! I found her blog, The Icing on the Cake, a while back and was immediately taken with her work (let me just tell you, I search and look at TONS of cakes on a regular basis to get ideas, and not many strike me as her's did... many cakes you see seem to be ALL fondant-covered and decorated these days, which I do not care for. Accents with fondant, and sometimes covered in it are okay, but it gets old seeing fondant-covered cakes!)

Anyway, Miss Marj ices almost all of her cakes smooth in a layer of fresh buttercream- just wait till you see them all, they are SMOOTH! And then she does either intricate gumpaste/fondant decorations or pipes on them beautifully, OR both. After my realization of how much work and time goes into making a cake, I have come to appreciate any cake decorator. But Marj isn't just any cake decorator, she has got this DOWN!

Trust me, go see why I have spotlighted her... you have to look through her galleries, clicking on the pictures until they enlarge so you can check out the smoothness and detail of her work! (Look closely, her buttercream looks like it could be fondant, IT IS NOT!)

Pure talent.


One last thing that makes her great: She is so kind and will respond if you have any questions or comments. And she puts up new posts frequently! (Which is something I think we can all appreciate :)

Great job Marj! Thanks for letting me show off your wonderful work!!

Giveaway: PaPaYa Art!

So I was checking out a blog update (of one of my favorite blogs: The TomKat Studio) and GUESS what I found! Kim has handpicked a selection of items from PaPaYa Art for a giveaway! (One is the wall hanging pictured above! See Kim's blog to view more of the items selected- You can check out her amazing work while you're there :)
She was contacted by them and asked to host a giveaway for her readers... I am pretty excited, their work is beautiful!
There are several ways to enter to win, FIVE to be exact. Good Luck!!!

Here are the 5 ways to enter! (Enter up to 5 times by doing the following):
1. Hop over to the PAPAYA WEBSITE. Afterward, go to the TomKat Studio's blog & leave a comment with your favorite item!
2. Visit PaPaYa's NEW BLOG and leave them a comment on a post that grabs your attention. Comment on Kim's blog to let her know you did!
3. Post about this giveaway on Facebook, comment with the link!
4. Tweet about this giveaway, comment with the link!
5. Post about this giveaway on your own Blog, and comment with the link! (Basically just let Kim know what you did to enter)

Winner will be chosen on Wednesday, September 30th at 11:00pm (MST). Any entries received after this time, will not be considered. Open to US residents. Retail Value of prize: $75.00.
Winner will be chosen using random.org

Here's another picture from PaPaYa Art that Kim posted to show off the cool stuff they have:

Every girl needs a man...

The kind that will treat you right. The kind that searches for you with all his heart. The kind that respects you and adores you.

Every girl needs a man who won’t cheat on her. One who can be trusted in a room full of beautiful girls. Because he’s smart enough to know that he already has a girl who has everything that he wants, needs and more.

The right guy will never leave you lonely and wondering. You will always know where you stand with him. He will be your best friend and lover. He’ll call you early in the morning just to say good morning or late at night to say good night and maybe even tell you a bedtime story to make you laugh or talk to you until you fall asleep.

This guy will be the kind that’ll do anything for you, even if it’s just to go to the store to buy you your favorite ice cream. He’ll buy you flowers just because it’s a Wednesday and will notice your hair when you’ve gotten it cut or have gotten all gussied up specifically for him.

You deserve a guy who will cherish you. He’d never be afraid to smile to his friends when you’re around and tell them, “She’s the one”. He’d appreciate you for the things you do for him, even if they’re little… like the little love notes you leave him.

He’ll be chivalrous. He’ll wait for you when you’re falling behind, open doors for you and will walk you to the door to make sure you get in safely. He would defend and fight for you and never bail on you when you needed him most.

The right guy will call you beautiful instead of hot, he’ll kiss your forehead when you’re down and he’ll be the one who will love you for everything you are.

He will be "the one."


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Chicken Vino Bianco

This is my favorite thing to get at Olive Garden! Actually, in order to get it, I have to ask the waiter to ask the cook if he will make it for me, haha. They took it off the menu for some reason, but every time I have asked, they have made it! (My boyfriend just loves when I am "difficult" like this :)

But it is so worth it, the white wine sauce is delicious. I found the recipe online and I've made it twice so far. You have to try it! (Or you could just go to Olive Garden and ask them to do it for you! :)


Chicken Vino Bianco
Recipezaar.com

Ingredients

4 pieces boneless skinless chicken breasts
2 ounces olive oil
2 tablespoons chopped green onions
1/2 cup small diced tomato
1/2 cup red onion, sliced
1 cup sliced mushrooms
1 tablespoon chopped fresh garlic
2 tablespoons chopped parsley
1/4 teaspoon crushed red pepper flakes
1/4 teaspoon black pepper
1/2 teaspoon salt
1/2 cup butter, divided
1/4 cup fresh lemon juice
1/2 cup dry white wine (I used Bella Sera Pino Grigio)
1 lb uncooked linguine
seasoned flour (for dusting)

FOR SEASONED FLOUR
1 cup flour
1/4 teaspoon pepper
1/4 teaspoon salt

Directions

1 Heat oil in large saute' pan.
2 Dust chicken in seasoned flour.
3 Cook chicken on both sides until golden brown and internal temperature reaches 165 degrees.
4 Remove chicken from pan and set aside.
5 Add 2 Tbsp butter to pan.
6 Add green onion, diced tomato, red onion, mushrooms, garlic, chopped parsley, crushed red pepper, black pepper and salt to pan.
7 Let saute' for three minutes, stirring constantly.
8 Add chicken back to pan.
9 Add white wine, lemon juice and the remainder of the butter. (Not too much lemon! And I put about 3/4 cup more wine to make more of the sauce- it will thicken eventually)
10 Allow to come to a boil.
11 Cook pasta according to directions.
12 Add drained cook pasta to the pan and toss together and serve.

*Note: The 2nd time I made this, I cut the chicken into pieces before flouring and it tasted WAY too much like flour. It was much better when I butterflied the chicken breasts and cooked them. (Just cut each breast in half so it's thinner, or you could pound them)

Let me know if you try it! Or if you've had this before and like it... It's excellent!

Chi Omega Cake

This cake was made for a friend who wanted to show her support during Chi O recruitment.
It's a 3 layer butter recipe cake filled and iced with vanilla buttercream. The letters are thinly rolled fondant and the cake was finished off with fun red & yellow sprinkles around the edges (although they're a little hard to see here :)

Thank ya Nicole for taking a picture for me! (Do you see the trend here lately..? I keep forgetting to take pictures myself)

Anyway, hope they loved it!

xox Ash

It's true

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Pretty in Pink

This weekend had me busy making cake, mini cupcakes and tons of cake bites for a shower honoring mommy-to-be and her baby girl!


The vanilla cake was filled with fresh raspberry buttercream and frosted in vanilla buttercream.

(Below is the guest of honor :)

I was disappointed when the icing "puckered" a little on the side, but it wasn't too bad I guess... (see the bottom tier)


Thank you Becky for taking pictures for me! (In my mad rush to get things dropped off, I decided to forget trying to get any good ones myself)
Anyway, from what I hear, the shower was a success and the Mama-to-be was very pleased :)

Now... back to my "puckered" icing problem. Is there some recipe for buttercream that goes on more smoothly?
How do you get your icing smooth? I am open to suggestions if anyone's got any! I am getting better at it with time, but I know there has got to be someone who has a little trick up their sleeve!!!

Thanks!

Delicious {and Easy} Beer Bread

You will not be disappointed with this quick and easy bread, it is soo good! And there are so many things you can add to the mix (that you probably already have on hand) to make it exactly what you want.

Beer Bread
Recipe from Foodiefarmgirl.blogspot.com

Makes One Loaf

Basic Beer Bread Mix:

3 cups all-purpose flour
1 Tablespoons granulated sugar
1 Tablespoon fresh baking powder
1 tsp salt
14 ounces beer (or add 2 oz water to 12 oz beer)

Optional glaze: 1 egg & 2 teaspoons water, beaten (I omitted this and brushed melted butter on top after 35 minutes of baking, it softens the crust a little)

Heat oven to 375 degrees. Combine flour, sugar, baking powder and salt in a large mixing bowl (mix thoroughly). Slowly stir in beer and mix just until combined. Batter will be thick! Spread in a greased 8-inch loaf pan , brush with egg glaze if desired, and bake until golden brown and a toothpick stuck in the center comes out clean, about 45 minutes.

Cool in the pan on a rack for 10 minutes. Remove from pan and cool 10 more minutes. Serve warm or at room temperature.

Flavor Variations: (Add any additions to the mix before the beer)

Garlic & Herb: Add 1 teaspoon dried rosemary, 1 teaspoon dried oregano, 1 teaspoon dried thyme, and 2 minced garlic cloves (or 1 teaspoon garlic flakes) to the basic mix. For fresh herbs, use 1 chopped Tablespoon of each.

Dill & Chive: Add 2 Tablespoons fresh dill (or 2 teaspoons dried dill) and 1/4 cup chopped fresh chives to the basic mix.

Italian: Add 1 teaspoon each dried basil and oregano (or 1 Tablespoon each chopped fresh basil and oregano), 2 minced cloves of garlic, and 1/2 cup finely grated parmesan or romano cheese to the basic mix.

Other Additions: Any dried or fresh herbs; 1/2 cup freshly grated asiago (or other hard cheese); 1/2 cup finely chopped onion, 1/2 cup chopped scallions; 1/2 cup chopped fresh parsley, 1/2 whole wheat flour or 1/2 oats in place of 1/2 of the all-purpose flour. Or practically anything else you can think of--use your imagination.

Hope you will give this one a try! Have a good weekend,

Ash

A little inspiration

image via SheWhoEats.blogspot.com


image via Amy Butler Design.com


image via Chris Stott.com


image via Target.com


image via SheWhoEats.blogspot.com

Just some pretty pictures to share with you today. When I find photos/artwork that I love (for whatever reason), it helps to motivate me and seems to spark up some creativity!
Anyway, I am needing inspiration to get me going on some paintings that need finishing up. I'm ready to start a new series I'm excited about, but it would probably be a good idea to finish what I have started, huh?

Is anyone else out there like this... Starting projects and then having a hard time getting them completed...?

Well off I go, wish me luck!

-Ashley

Black Bean & Corn Salsa

Oh yum! You have to try this delicious salsa; it's SO good and easy to make! I found the recipe on Lynda's Recipe Box. The big pieces of avocado are what drew me in :) She has lots of great recipes so you should stop by her blog for sure.

I brought this dip to my boyfriend's parent's house for a cookout and they all had seconds, even thirds! (I thought you didn't want to eat black beans and corn, Christopher??)

Anyway, give this one a try, you'll love it!

1 can black beans, rinsed and drained well
1 1/2 cups fresh, frozen, grilled, or canned corn (drained)
4-5 Roma tomatoes, diced small
1 bunch green onions (scallions) sliced
some diced red onion, or vidallia onion
1-2 jalapeno peppers, seeded and minced, or other pepper of choice
1 clove garlic, minced or pressed
1 diced avocado (I used 2)
1 small can sliced, black olives, optional
about 1/4 cup fresh lime juice
1Tbs. canola or olive oil (I omitted this)
1/2 cup diced cilantro, if desired

Dice up vegetables and combine in a large bowl. (I folded the avocado in last to keep it from getting too mushed). Add minced garlic, lime juice and oil and mix well. Cover and refrigerate for a couple of hours before serving. (Although I served mine right away!) You can make this salsa as hot or mild as you like. Serve with lots of tortilla or pita chips (bagel crisps would be good too)

Hope you like it as much as I did!

xox Ash

Cake Mix Cookies

I wanted to bake cookies yesterday but I had no flour or sugar on hand, (I know I know... who runs out of flour or sugar?) so anyway, I tried a recipe I had come across a while back: Betty Crocker's Cake Mix Cookies.
They are definitely different from your standard chocolate chip cookie, but they are really good! They have a soft, cakey texture and a buttery flavor. The idea on BettyCrocker.com was to use these cookies for ice-cream sandwiches because they are soft and won't freeze rock solid. I'll have to try that next time!

Cake Mix Cookies:

1 yellow cake mix (I used Betty Crocker's Super Moist)
1/2 cup butter or margarine, softened
1 teaspoon vanilla
2 eggs
1/2 cup chopped nuts
1 cup semisweet chocolate chips

1. Heat oven to 350°F (325°F for dark or nonstick cookie sheets). In large bowl, beat cake mix, butter, vanilla and eggs with electric mixer on medium speed until smooth, or mix with spoon. Stir in nuts and chocolate chips.
2. Onto ungreased cookie sheet, drop dough by slightly less than tablespoonfuls 2 inches apart.
3. Bake cookies 10 to 12 minutes or until edges are set (centers will be soft). Cool 1 minute; remove from cookie sheet to cooling rack.

*You can substitute 1/2 cup of vegetable oil in place of the butter (if you happen to be running low on the basics like me :)

Cookie Update

I want to share with you the wedding photos taken by DeEdra at Something New that include the cookies I made! She made them look so good and the happy bride and groom look so cute holding them :)
It definitely made it worth all the hard work when the bride's mom left me the nicest comment on the original post! You can view it here: UT and A&M Cookies.

Dog Portraits

Gizmo

Boomer

Molly

Nala

Hank

These portraits I drew last month are simply graphite sketches. Even so, they would be adorable as is after matting and framing! But for these dogs, my plan is to lightly draw them onto watercolor paper and add vibrant colors. (I'll show them finished in another post)

My goal is to capture the dog's character and enhance the most prominent features. There's nothing like a sweet reminder of your pet :)

Anyway, this is what I've got so far. I would love to know what you think!

-Ashley

Friday Flowers...

image via Nathiya on flickr


Unknown source

...and radishes too! I found this picture of radishes some time ago and fell in love with it. I've been thinking of painting it actually. I can't remember where I found it, but isn't it lovely?

Hope all is well!
xoxo Ashley

Why I need (want) a new camera:

image via Chockylit on Flickr


Howard Shooter Photography


image via Chockylit on Flickr


image via Chockylit on Flickr


Howard Shooter Photography


Image via Smitten Kitchen

These mouthwatering photos make me dream of the day when I will have a nice camera of my own!
Aren't these pictures just great???
I do the best I can with my little Kodak digital camera, but I NEEEEED one that will help me take close-ups like these!!!! Any suggestions or do you have a camera you love? Let me know!

Friday Flowers

Image - Sharnel Dollar 2009 My Life-My Loves

I have found that some of my favorite blogs post Friday Flowers: simple and pretty blooms to wish everyone a good weekend. I always look forward to these posts so I thought, why not do it myself & post the little things of beauty I come across?

Happy 4th of July!

I made cupcake pops for the first time, aren't they cute!? A little cupcake on a stick. . . of course it's cute :)
I got the idea from Bakerella, the only difference is, I used the peanut butter cup mold (like she uses for her cupcake bites) instead of molding the cake with little cookie cutters. I just put a hole in each candy cavity for the lollipop stick, filled it half way with chocolate, then secured my cake bite on top. Once dry, I pushed the stick with the cupcake bite on top out of the mold, and then dipped the top in candy melts. Finally, just top them off with sprinkles and your done!



And here they are all packaged up in cellophane bags and satin ribbon. They are off to a fourth of July BBQ!
Hope everyone has a good weekend :)

Cookie Monster Cupcakes!

I found a picture of cookie monster cupcakes online a few months back and saved it immediately! I knew the idea would be perfect for my sweet nephew Jake at his 2nd birthday party. He loves his "Cookie"...(that's what he calls his little cookie monster stuffed animal that he sleeps with :)


These are chocolate chip cupcakes with buttercream frosting. I used the piping tip # 233 (usually used to create "grass") and piped cookie monster's fur onto the cupcake. Then I used vanilla candy melts for the eyes, piping a little milk chocolate onto them for the center. And finally, I just crammed in a little cookie where his mouth goes!


And here's a candid shot of the birthday boy at his party! He was so excited to finally see his "blue cake" that he kept asking for. When I held him up to see them on the table he yelled, "COOKIE!" haha :)
I love you so much Jake, Happy 2nd Birthday!
love Aunt Ashy