Sunday, February 16, 2014

Modern Medicine Cabinet


Eric built this cool, little wall cabinet for his bathroom a few weeks ago. I love it because it's so simple, but still sophisticated. The wood on the outside is cherry and the inside is built out of maple. The doors are artistically asymmetrical, with some unique wood graining in the larger door. I also love the tiny metal door pulls he made. They match perfectly with the bottom cabinetry. 





Truth be told, I think the reason I love this cabinet the most, is because now his "stuff" won't be sprawled all over the bathroom countertop. (Not that it ever bothered him. Me? Perhaps.) It's just nice to have a home for everything.





Hard to believe it's been 8 years since we remodeled this bathroom. It still looks fresh and modern to me.

Monday, February 10, 2014

Romantic Rollups

This Valentine's Day, let the tortilla do the talking. 



You can serve up a heartfelt message or a plate of silly puns, with the help of some mini cookie cutters. 

Check out my fun & easy Valentine's Day Tortilla Rollup recipe at Handmade Charlotte.

Saturday, February 8, 2014

Eat Your Heart Out Cooking Class


I stepped out of my comfort zone of "desserts" and ventured into creative meal planning this weekend. My friend and kitchen-cohort at Social, Adriene Rathbun, invited me to teach a Valentine's Day-themed class in her lovely home this morning. I normally keep things pretty sweet when I teach classes for Social, but this time I tried to make it a full-meal-deal.

On the menu today:
Romantic Rollups 
I Heart Meatloaf
Passionate Potatoes
Spicy Sweetheart Shrimp
For-the-love-of-Fudge
Love Potion #9

Seven wonderful women watched and chatted as I showed them a few easy tricks they could do in the kitchen to create fun & fabulous food for their loved ones. Here are a few pics from the morning. Thanks to all who attended. You were full of great stories and lots of laughs - not a bad way to spend a Saturday. It was a pleasure to share a plate with you! (Hope you had fun too.)


I look like I'm gonna pound someone with that rolling pin. :-)
Stir that fudge, Sharri!
Who wouldn't love this ombre-striped fudge?


Rhonda - president and social media goddess for the Sandra Denneler Fan Club.
I think we all enjoyed making Love Potion #9.

Kay and Jo Anne show of their bartender skills.
These ladies know how to stir up a good time.

Passionate Potatoes
Delightfully delicious-looking drink, Diane.
Spicy Sweetheart Shrimp
Cheers & Happy Valentine's Day, ladies!

My sweet, cotton-candy-cloud Valentine for all who attended today's class.


Wednesday, February 5, 2014

Valentine Time

Wait... Is Valentine's Day really next week? (I work so far ahead on most of my recipe tutorials that by the time the holiday actually arrives, I've almost forgotten about it.)

The lovely folks at The Chic Site featured Gus' Bubblegum Valentines from last year in their roundup of 10 Crafty Valentines for Kids. There are some very clever ideas, check them out!



And here are some other Valentines I've created over the years:

Cotton Candy Valentines


Mailable Fortune Cookies


Bea on a Balloon Valentine 


Lego Love Valentines


Guess this means I'd better get to work on something for Bea to hand out to her classmates. I'm kinda sad that Gus is in middle school now, and won't need them this year. Those elementary years go by fast. << sigh >>

Tuesday, February 4, 2014

Fluorescent Fudge


Let your love shine brightly this Valentine's Day with some fluorescent NEON fudge. 

I've had all kinds of fun playing around with colorful fudge lately. (Who says fudge has to be brown, right?) 


If you know me at all, I have a habit of adding stripes into anything I design (Like here, here, here, oh.. and here.) So this striped-fudge idea was bound to happen sooner or later.


And as an added bonus, I've always wanted to make a dessert inspired by Robert Indiana's iconic, pop-art LOVE sculpture. (I'm lucky enough to have one of these statues right outside my office on the campus of Wichita State!)


You can find my tutorial for both of these ideas at SheKnows.

Peace, love & fudge.

Sunday, February 2, 2014

Sweet Tweets



Look what flew in, just in time for Valentine's Day - Love Bird Cookies.

Display them in perfect pairs or bake up a big, delicious, colorful flock. 

You can find my tutorial for these bite-sized birdies at SheKnows.