Autumn Sack Lunch

*

Here’s the thing.

We woke up and it was Sunday morning.

Rightfully so.

{After all, the day before had been Saturday.}

Like most Sunday mornings, this one began with Andrew tap-tapping on my door.

“Mom? I don’t have an ironed white shirt in my closet. Or, a pair of clean church pants. I don’t even think there are any socks in the sock bin, either.”

Here’s the thing.

I’ve heard tell of mother’s so devoted to well-pressed children they’ll stand well past the midnight toll, toiling away at an ironing board for tight creases in cuffs and collars and crotches. I adore the idea of this sort of mother.

But, last night, my good John had rented a movie on his own accord—a chick flick, nonetheless—and asked me join him for a snuggle. However does one refuse such an offer? I, for one, do not and so traded in a lonesome night with the hot iron for that warm nook near his bicep where my head fits so nicely.

*

Here’s the thing.

I’ve heard tell of women so dedicated to their children’s cleanliness that they use bedtime moments to gently lay outfits out for the next day. Crisp-folded shirts. Well-tucked pair of pants. Matching hair bows, combs and cans of hairspray to keep wispies away. I happen to think this would be a glorious way to end the day, seeing as how it would make the beginning of the next day so very, very simple.

But, at bedtime, my two boys were browsing the pages of Ripley’s Believe It Or Not! And, by golly, did they ever needed a mom to wade through the maze of toys and clothing they’d earlier tossed upon the floor, arriving bedside to ooooh and ahhhh at the book and attempt to explain why a gal named Satanica may be interested in contorting her body to fit into a glass bottle. How can one attend to such an earnest task while laying out a pile of clean pants for the next days grind? I, for one, can not. So spent the evening being amazed {and aghast} at the wonders of our world, upon the unmade beds of two of the wonders of my world.

*

Here’s the thing.

I’ve heard tell of lady-folk so devoutly committed to their children’s appearances they won’t allow them to leave home without a pair of matching socks tucked upon clean-clipped toenails. I think, once, I imagined I’d be like that. With pressed, primped, perfect children skipping neatly behind me as we ventured into the world.

But, when a Saturday dons bright

and sunny, and your nose fills with the chill of autumn, and your girls arrive at the breakfast table on a non-Halloween day donning a Gone With the Wind dress and Wizard of Oz skirt, however do you not throw your head back with a laughter that consumes, usher them into minivan, and seize the day? I, for one, can not. So spent a day beneath blue sky, watching costumed children run up and down the dirty aisles of a neighborly farm, wearing sickled-moon smiles that ran up one cheek and right to the other.

Because, here’s the thing.

Those smiles, those wonders, that warm nook.

Such things have a way of washing away my yearnings for well-stacked laundry.

Succotash-Bacon Salad
Looking to capture the final days of Autumn flavor, before winter lays it's bed of white upon the golden-browned canvas of our world? This succotash salad makes for a quick, simple, and easily packed & ported lunch. Simply spoon it into plastic deli containers and get on your merry way. The salad can be served warm or cold and makes an ideal treat for a ladies lunch, or a lazy afternoon spent with your favoritest of children.
3 Tbsp. butter
1/3 c. diced zucchini
1/3 c. diced corn (sweet or baby)
1/3 c. diced onion
1/2 Tbsp. brown sugar
Salt & Pepper to taste
Fresh chopped basil
4-6 strips slab bacon, cooked & crumbled
1 Tomato, diced
Fresh shredded parmesan (optional)
In a large saucepan, melt butter just until sizzling over medium-high heat. Quickly add zucchini, corn, onion, brown sugar, salt and pepper. Saute until softened (about 5-7 minutes.) Transfer to a medium bowl. Add remaining ingredients and stir to combine. Salt & pepper as needed. Enjoy!

Pumpkin Seed Trail Mix
A good lot of us western gals have been gifted with a Sunflower Famers Market within our hoods. Similar to the setup at Whole Foods, Sunflower offers a vast assortment of bulk foods. For make a quick, healthful addition to our lunch, I created a trail mix using giant roasted pumpkin seeks, round pretzels & fried corn kernels.

Sweet & Happy Endings
When heading out the door for a spontaneous day as Scarlett O'Hara, you may discover you don't have time to bake up a batch of showstopping treats. We toted a family delicacy, Sweets Chocolate-Covered Cinnamon Bears, and didn't for a second feel bad about the shortcut. Those things are a.ddict.ive. (Addictive, I say!)
*
Though, let it be said that KwanYong, our Korean exchange student, tried them within a week of arriving in the States and couldn't run to the garbage can fast enough to rid his tastebuds of their cinnamon deliciousness. Perhaps it's an acquired taste? I know not. I find them simply succulent. How 'bout you?!

Apple Spiced Cupcakes

*
Hear Ye! Hear Ye!
'Tis time to fire up thy ovens, Dust off thy beaters and bowls.
And prepare thy kitchen for the makings of something magnificent!
*
THURSDAY, NOVEMBER 19th
is the day when the
Mrs. Kringles CAKE 'N CRUMBS Cookie Bakeoff
will be officially kicked off, right here at Tongue-N-Cheeky.com
*
There will be prizes.
Oodles and doodles of prizes.
One GRAND PRIZE winner will recieve
$100 CASH,
a featured spot on the Cake 'N Crumbs webpage
and an incredible package of
BAKEWARE valued at more than $100
all generously donated by sponsor
*

To get your wonder wheels a 'turnin
(and because, quite frankly, you readers are the apple of my eye and I'd do just about anything for you)
here are a few hints and tidbits that will help you prepare your brains and blogs for bakeoff:
*
(1)
This Years Bakeoff THEME is...
SANTA'S FAVORITE COOKIES
*
(2)
To be eligible to win the GRAND PRIZE,
your recipe must be posted on your blog sometime between November 19th and December 7th. All bakeoff details will be posted here, at Tongue-N-Cheeky, on Thursday, November 19th.
*
(3)
The recipe does not have to be original, but originality in your presentation of the recipe, and on your accompanying blog post, will get you major kudos. Major.Kudos. Interpret this as you shall, my sweets.
*
(4)
Don't feel like baking and blogging? Don't worry! Mrs. Claus has conjured up a boatload of prizes for the lacksadaisical, too! You most especially won't want to miss the beautiful gift package from Beehive Kitchenware, valued at over $75!
*
I'm so excited to see your cookie creations, I feel like a cat at Christmas.
Aren't we just going to have the appliest, dappliest time baking together?
I most certainly think we shall. However could pretty kitties like ourselves not have a red-hot time getting ready for Christmas in the kitch?!

Apple Spiced Cuppies

Oh, happy apple. These little cupcakes are a sure fire way to win o'er your heart. Unless, of course, you're heart doth not carry a propensity for four sticks of butter and a stick of margarine (which is how much you'll use between the cake batter and icing. Yipes!). Then again, that's probably just your arterial valves talking. They can be such sticklers when it comes to butter and the like. In that case, forget your arteries, and make your heart happy. Won't the addition of applesauce cancel out the fat? Yeah, I think it will.

1 stick butter

1 stick margarine

1 1/3 c. sugar

3 eggs

1 c. apple sauce

2 T. caramel ice cream topping

(or 2 T. brown sugar)

1 T. ground cinnamon

¼ tsp. cloves

Pinch allspice

½ tsp. salt

¾ tsp. baking powder

3 drops candy apple oil (optional)

½ c. milk

2 ¼ c. flour

In a large bowl, beat together butter, margarine, sugar and eggs until light and creamy. Add remaining ingredients, beat until incorporated. LOW ALTITUTE BAKERS, add 1 TBSP. flour and ½ tsp. ADDITIONAL baking powder. Spoon into large cupcake cups. Bake at 350 degrees for 27-30 minutes, or until top of cupcakes bounce back when touched lightly. For regular sized cupcakes, bake 18-20 minutes. Remove from oven & allow to cool. Frost with cinnamon frosting.

*

Cinnamon Spiked Frosting

I mentioned a few posts back my growing penchant for cinnamon extract. It.is.glorious. I most particularly love it because it's such a surprise! Don't you just LOVE surprises? The suspense! The drama! The wild imagination. And, Christmas present? Of course, there shant be a peep or squeak as to what's inside. Nosirree. It's so much more delicious when an unsuspectingly delectable something awaits. As it does in this buttercream. Basic. Buttery. But then...the POP and WaHOOO of cinnamon. Add it to the top of an apple cupcake and any red-lipped human will go giddy with pleasure.

2 lb. powdered sugar

3 sticks butter

6-8 drops cinnamon oil or extract

¼- ½ cup whole milk

2 tsp. Wilton no-taste red food coloring

Cinnamon sticks & mint sprigs to decorate

In a large bowl, combine sugar, butter, oil, and ¼ cup of milk. Beat until smooth, slowly adding milk one tablespoon at a time until desired consistency is reached. Add food coloring. Frost. Garnish as desired.

While I sorrow that I can't gift you all
with the flirty waves of your deepest pettiskirt desires
I am tickled to announce that
STEF, authoress of GIRL.INSPIRED
is the winner of the Pettiskirt Style giveaway.
Congrats to the delightfully creative STEF!
{Do take a peeksy at her beautiful blog. She'll wow you.}
Stef, toss me an email and we'll get your pretty prize in the snail mailbox ASAP.
*
Kringley Kisses from the Missus.

A Grimm Halloween

This post brought to you by:

Welcome to Trick-Or-TrEAT! Today, nine favorite food, craft & lifestyle bloggers await behind nine haunted which have been trimmed and tricked just.for.YOU. BOO! Which of your favorite bloggers awaits behind each haunted home? Whatever have the ghosts and hostesses prepared for your visit? Do you dare discover who-whoooo is waiting for you?!

At the end of my post, you will find two of these mystery houses. To join in the howliday fun, simply click on one of the buttons and you’ll be transported to the next home on the block. You can also discover all of the Trick-Or-TrEAT contributors and find direct links to their posts at http://www.trickortreatblogparty.info/

Happy Trick-Or-Eating!

My husband and I were once invited to a Halloween Party.
Always ready to spend a Friday night with red-hot plans, we mustered up a few costumes and stopped on by.
Upon entering there was a mist of smoke weaving its way into our nostrils.
Just inside the front threshold lay a bungled mess of cobwebs, through which we crawled.
Our hostess greeted us with a verry Transylvanian accent.
All was going well. Mightily, mightily well.

Until...
I saw the food table.

Upon it lay Severed Hot-Dog Fingers and Kitty Litter Cake.
Eyeball Stew, Pickled Brain Meatballs and a punchbowl of soda suffering from the Bloody Flux.
Standing there, leaning on the supportive arm of my handsomely costumed hubby, I decided:
I'm too much a foodie to accept a gross-out Halloween.

Which is why, when it came time to host a celebration on your behalf,
I simply couldn't proffer a plate of utterly indigestible digital images.
Instead, I hoped to elevate Halloween from the typical frights and horrors and unpleasantries we've come to expect this time of year.
What better way to do it, I thunk to meself, than with a
Grimm All Hallows Festival?

As in...The Grimm Brothers Cinderella.
The original version of the story is tremendously full of frights, you know.

There's a dead mother. A solemn grave. Dirt and filth and wee amount of blood. And, birds. There are all sorts of birds. Even the kind that peck out the eyes of two certain stepsisters. Isn't that hideously halloweenie?

But, there's also enchantment. A hazelnut twig planted upon Cinderella's mothers grave which, after being watered with the tears of a heartbroken child, grows into a tree. A white pigeon attends this tree always, throwing down gold and silver, and all manner of wishes to the humble kitchen maid.

It is upon that note with which I invite you to join me. For, a very Grimm Halloween...

A rich man's wife became sick, and when she felt that her end was drawing near, she called her only daughter to her bedside and said, "Dear child, remain pious and good, and then our dear God will always protect you, and I will look down on you from heaven and be near you." With this she closed her eyes and died.

Caramel Apple Soda Sippers
Simple to make, and sweet to sip, these quick non-alcoholic mixers bring to mind all the flavors of the season in golden style.
1/2 cup caramel ice cream topping
2 packets apple cider mix
2 liters ginger-ale
Half & Half, if desired

In a large water bottle or ziploc container, add caramel, apple cider mix and 2 cups of ginger-ale. Seal tightly. Shake vigorously until cider mix is dissolved. Pour a small amount into the bottom of several large glasses. Add ice. Fill remainder of glass with ginger-ale. Top with a small amount of half-and-half, carefully poured (if you desire the flavour of an Italian Creme Soda). Sip and Enjoy.

"Why should that stupid goose sit in the parlor with us?" the step-sisters said. "If she wants to eat bread, then she will have to earn it. Out with this kitchen maid!"

Pumpkin, Prosciutto & Basil Tea Sandwiches

The only sort of finger sandwiches allowed at my fall festival are these lil' dainties. Packed with the subtle flavor of honeyed pumpkin and the salty hello of prosciutto, this here is a combination that can't be beat.
4 oz. mascarpone or cream cheese
1/4 cup pumpkin puree
1 T. honey
8-10 slices prosciutto
12-15 leaves fresh basil
1 loaf sourdough bread

In a small bowl, combine mascarpone, pumpkin, and honey. Whip together.
Spread pumpkin mixture on slices of sourdough bread. Top with prosciutto and basil. Slice crusts off of sandwiches, then cut into thin, vertical strips. Serve immediately.

After showering gifts of jewels and fine clothing upon the step-sisters, Cinderella's father gave her a hazel twig. Cinderella thanked him, went to her mother's grave, and planted the branch on it, and she wept so much that her tears fell upon it and watered it. It grew and became a beautiful tree.

Ladyfinger Sandwiches made with Nutella Spread
Oh! How the children devoured these. And, so easy to make. Just spread and serve.

The stepmother said, "It's no use. You are not coming with us, for you have no clothes, and you don't know how to dance. We would be ashamed of you...." Cinderella went to her mother's grave beneath the hazel tree, and cried out: Shake and quiver, little tree, Throw gold and silver down to me. Then the bird threw a gold and silver dress down to her, and slippers embroidered with silk and silver.
*
Golden Gnocchi with Caramelized Carrots & Onions
in a Clarified Butter SauceThis delightful recipe is so beautiful, no one will believe how simple it is, either. Fellow festival mom, Becki kept sneaking bites off of her children's party plates. You'll want to, too. I promise. This recipe is really worth a whip up.
1 stick butter + 1 Tbsp.
1 package of gnocchi
(I used mini gnocchi, available at WalMart)
1/2 c. sweet yellow onion, sliced
1/2 c. shredded carrots
1 Tbsp. brown sugar
1/4 tsp. ginger
1/4 tsp. dill
Salt to taste
*Boil gnocchi according to package directions. Place in a large bowl, set aside. Over medium heat, begin cooking stick of butter in a medium saucepan. Stir often to keep from burning. Cook until butter begins to bubble and foam. Skim off foam with a spoon, discard. Pour the clear yellow butter over gnocchi, being cautious to not pour the bottom dregs of butter in, as well. In medium saucepan, heat remaining butter and add onions, carrots, brown sugar, ginger and dill. Cook until onions are well softened. Toss into pasta. Salt to taste. Serve warm or cold.

*

*Her stepsisters and her stepmother did not recognize her. They thought she must be a foreign princess, for she looked so beautiful in the golden dress. They never once thought it was Cinderella, for they thought that she was sitting at home in the dirt, looking for lentils in the ashes.

*Fancy festival decor doesn't have to be hard to make, hard to come by, or hard on the budget. Here's a few of the tricks we used to make our feast frightfully fantastique:

*

Tables & Tuffets

Frame a full or queen sized sheet in a large picture frame, to create a simple, sophisticated and portable table for eating upon. We set ours upon giant blue rubbermaid buckets, but you'd never know because the ends of the sheet flow over to hide the supporting props underneath. Set thy heinies upon pillows for quick, comfy seating.
*The Pleasantest of Party Favors

The wedding area of your local dollar store will likely hold Grimm decor, aplenty.

For our party, a mere five dollars purchased:

$1-"Glass" slippers which sat upon sugar cookies.

$2-White doves which decorated cupcakes.$3-Golden Rings for the Lentils & Ashes Game$4 & $5-White boxes and buckets, perfect for toting home party favors *

The next day when the festival began anew, and her parents and her stepsisters had gone again, Cinderella went to the hazel tree and said:
Shake and quiver, little tree, Throw gold and silver down to me. Then the bird threw down an even more magnificent dress than on the preceding day.

Wish-Granting Wands
The dollar store also (already!) offered a plentiful Christmas supply, from which were crafted these simple centerpieces. Feathered white birds glued upon golden-glittered wooden dowels. Placed in a glass vase, filled with a bouquet of brown twigs and a bottom-full of golden-wrapped candy, they were absurdly adorable and ever so welcoming.

The children were told these wishing birds would make all their dreams come true. After which, McKay and Andrew (the preteens in our group) most cheekily spat forth a slew of their deepest desires. None of which were immediately granted by their wishing birds. "See! They don't work," the big boys called out to the teensy toddlers. Alas, if only they knew I'd already used my bird to wish for their nearly teenagers hearts to be humbled through poverty and extremely hard work. Yestereve, Andrew swept our floors and washed dishes in our home, hoping to earn a mere sixpence of allowance. See, boys?! Wishes do come true.

The stepmother said, "You may go if you are able to pick two bowls of lentils out of the ashes for me in one hour," thinking to herself, "She will never be able to do that."
The girl went through the back door into the garden, and called out, "You tame pigeons, you turtledoves, and all you birds beneath the sky, come and help me to gather:
The good ones go into the pot, The bad ones go into your crop."

Pigeons & turtledoves came in through the kitchen window, nodded their heads, and began to pick, pick, pick, pick.

*Lentils & Ashes: The Game

For our Grimm Halloween, we decided to play a single game, though the story offers inspiration for a good many others. We could have blindfolded the guests like the blinded wicked step-sisters and led them through donut-eating on a string. We could have invited guests young and old to partner up and find the pair of shoes that matched their companions feet. Instead, we celebrated simply with Lentils and Ashes. Everyone adored this miniature version of digging for candy in a Haystack.

*

In a large bowl or pot, place several bags of dry lentils. Stir in a multitude of small treasures: golden rings, small candies, and other teensy party favors will work deliciously. To play, invite guests to take a handful and sift the lentils back into the pot. Any prizes retrieved can go into their own favor bag. The catch? They must give back one prize for each lentil placed in their favor bag...so be cautious, else all thy winnings shall be lost!*

The prince insisted on it, and they had to call Cinderella. She first washed her hands and face clean, and then went and bowed down before the prince, who gave her the golden shoe. She sat down on a stool, pulled her foot out of the heavy wooden shoe, and put it into the slipper, and it fitted her perfectly.

When she stood up the prince looked into her face, and he recognized the beautiful girl who had danced with him. He cried out, "She is my true bride."

Whatever would a Grimm Celebration without the appropriate dud for donning?
Most thankfully, that glorious shoppe of all-things-frilly,
Pettiskirt Style,
has decided that one of you simply must not make it 'til midnight without a party dress of your own. CLICK HERE to choose your favorite pettiskirt, priced $69 or less. Pop back by, leave me a comment with your pick, and one lucky winner will be granted their pettiskirt wish.

And now...Whooo’s Next?
To discover other Trick-Or-TrEAT hosts have cooked up for your viewing pleasure, click on one of the haunted homes below. And, Happy Haunting!

***

Orange Marmalade Cupcakes

I've heard before that one could get lost in the world wide web. That this vast and amoral thing we call the internet is an easy hiding place. Identities are falsely created. Anyone can be someone they are not, living in a world that is not.

Such deeply sociological, hard-hitting news is why you visit my site, I know.
Which is why I shall devote this post to a segment of BREAKING NEWS.
(And, for added measure, a chatty narrative.)
Consider it a five o'clock news segment with your storytelling grandmama as the anchor...

You may recall I posted my Mitford list last week. It was just a quick sharing of likes and dislikes, as inspired by one of author Jan Karon's beloved Mitford characters, Cynthia.

That afternoon, I recieved a lovely little comment from Marti who wrote:

Brooke, it's so funny that I clicked on your blog (from Foodgawker) at this particular time. You'll have to check out mine... it's got a mention of Jan Karon's books, too. I'm so glad to see another fan. :)

Well, I was just plum tickled at the serendipity.
Whatever would inspire both she and I to post about the same book on the same week? I simply HAD to see.

I buzzed over to her site, read her beautifully crafted post, said a hello via comment and went about my merry day. Who'd have ever guessed (EVER GUESSED?!) what would happen next?

Can you?

Can you guess?!

Oh, heck. Here you are for up-to-the-minute news and I'm trying to lead you on. Allright, I'll tell.

What happened next is later that day, another comment arrived, this one from DWright...

Jan Karon enjoyed your comments about the Mitford books. Jan invited you to visit her website at www.mitfordbooks.com

Boy. I got a good chuckle out of that one. Jan Karon. Reading my blog comments about her divine little world of books. I snorted heartily, then moved about my merry way. Though it wasn't long before ANOTHER email arrived. Again, from Marti. Over on her blog, a similar comment had been left. You know, about how Jan Karon had been enjoying her post, too. Hmmmm. We pondered it. Perhaps Jan Karon had actually read our posts.

(I shall here mention that Marti is pretty much the essence of all that is cool. Living in D.C., anyone? News reporter for ABC, anyone? Sender of the worlds most fast and furiously hilarious emails, anyone? Love.her. She also keeps within her mind an incredible store of knowledge. Knowledge which, in our case, helped uncover the truth about the Jan Karon Incident. Clues left in the suspect comments led Marti to ascertain, quite certainly, that Jan Karon had indeed read over our mentions of Mitford. See how hard we work to bring pure, undiluted truth into the headlines of the blogosphere?)

I suppose the whole thing comes together in my mind as a chain of thought, which I dedicate to all of you out there, blogging away, mothering away, whiling away, wondering about the give and take in this wide world of ours. Trying to remember if what your doing matters to anyone. I hope you'll take Me & Marti's Parable of Marmalade to heart...

It was a cherished friend who, years ago, introduced me to Jan Karon's Mitford series. Through Ms. Karon's stories, I found a welcoming town, old-fashioned warmth and purity, a book full of new friends that felt, somehow, familiar.

Through Mitford, I found Cynthia. It was Cynthia's character who inspired me to keep a list of likes and don't likes. It was Cynthia's letter to Father Tim that inspired me to unzip my soul and write with words that sing from the page. Before her, I wrote horibble things like, "Dear Diary, Today was a good day."

Through Cynthia, I found Marti. I thank the happy heavens for that quirky post of mine which connected me Marti. Dear, wondrous Marti with whom a handful of emails have already passed. Who'd have guessed we'd share the same alma mater? Who'd have known she graduated in Broadcast Communications from BYU, the very same major I first declared as a freshman there? Dear, lovely Marti. A new friend, who lives a thousand-million miles away, yet who somehow, in the middle of this wildly woven web of the internet, feel like an old chum.

And then, there is the story of when Jan Karon found us.

It's marvelous--isn't it?!--how this great big place we call the world wide web can, at times, feel so much
...like Mitford.

Keep doing what you're doing. You never know who you'll find.

Or, who will find you.

Mitford Inspired Orange Marmalade Cupcakes

Esther Bolick, of the Mitford series, is known for her diabetic-coma-inducing Marmalade Layer cake, a recipe which Jan Karon has generously shared HERE. But, I have this thing for creating all my recipes from scratchity-scratch-scratch. And so, I set to work revamping this novelized classic in cupcake form. What came out of the oven (and quite promptly, went into our mouths) was a warm white cake with subtle flecks of familiar spices, a buttery whipped frosting, and a surprise dollop of marmalade at the bottom of the cupcake. My husband, who has firmly sworn off most preserves ate one of these cupcakes and asked for a second. Which is the very same thing I did after finishing Jan Karon's first novel, At Home in Mitford. Thank goodness there's a whole series (and a cookbook, AND a NEW book!) to devour.
1 egg
3 egg whites
1 1/4 c. sugar
1 1/2 stick butter
1/2 tsp. baking powder
1/4 tsp. salt
1 1/2 c. white flour
1/2 tsp. cinnamon
1/2 tsp. nutmeg
pinch of cloves
vanilla extract or the seeds scraped from a single vanilla bean
1/2 cup milk

*1 cup of additional marmalade for filling the center of each cupcakes*

Preheat oven to 350 degrees. Cream together eggs, sugar and butter. Add remaining ingredients and beat just until flour is incorporated. Spoon batter into cupcake liners, filling just the very bottom. Place a 1/2 teaspoon plop of marmalade on top, then fill remainder of cupcake cups with batter until they are about 3/4 full. Bake in preheated oven for 20-22 minutes, or just until top of cupcakes spring back to the touch. Cool then frost.
Marshmallow-Marmalade Frosting
Marshmallow-Marmalade Buttercream
1/4 c. marmalade
1/2 cup marshmallow fluff
2 sticks butter
1 Tbsp. milk
1/2 tsp. vanilla
4-5 cups powdered sugar

Read Marti's phenomenally told take on our Mitford meeting HERE.She is, after all, much more accustomed to this news reporting stuff than I. You're going to simply adore her.

New York Bagels

There was a time
Somewhere between the two o’clock and two-thirty a.m. feedings
When I would lie awake with the twins nestled in my arms teetering atop my bosom.
Round baby bottoms curled in child’s pose, warm milk breath moving in and out of cupid lips.*

Those nights were gloriously long.
But glorious.
And somewhere between waking and attempting sleep, I would find myself dreaming myself into another life.
What if I’d never birthed these pinked babes? Wherever else could I have been at this moment?
Likely induced by a month of wearing nursing bra’s and pajama pants, I pondered my life as a saavy New York business woman.

Couldn’t I just see it? Feel it?

Me, walking down the street, fiercely dressed in basic black, hair coiffed tightly.

Mornings would start early, of course. I’d grab a steamer and a bagel, eating them roadside as I flag down a taxi, my sky-high stiletto’s capturing the attention of streetcars and passerby’s alike.

Off to an appointment, I check my watch and call a dozen clients from the back of the cab. I’ll be running late when we pull in front of the skyrise, so I’ll have to run into the office—a maneuver I pull off with such sexy flair that Nora Ephron is inspired to novelize my accomplishments.

Snippets now of my day, a pink line of blush extends down my long cheekbone as I command lesser employees to do this task, run that errand, buy that stock. You know, all the things business gals say on a typical day.

Lunch is delivered by a guy on a bike. I’m too busy to eat it, but gosh it looks divine. A quick consult with my partner. A handshake from our newest account. I gather my briefcase and throw my jacket confidently over my shoulder as I nod a goodbye to the receptionist and head out to a glimmering dinner on the town.

Then. As the sun sets and evening calls, I remember. I don’t have to go home to a tiny apartment filled with sleek white furniture and a shiny laminate floor.

Instead, a warm kitchen with paint-spotted sinks and filthy fingers await my gentle washing. I don’t have time to daydream. Two teensy bundles are squirming under my exhausted arms, tiny birds chirping for their midnight meal.

It’s time to return to my real job. My day job. My night job, too.

In fact, it’s the kind of job that isn’t clocked. Doesn’t stop. Couldn’t possibly match the benefits other jobs offer.
Who needs a Christmas bonus anyway, when you get this kind of payback everyday?

Homemade in A Jiffy New York Bagels

My kids are all about bagels these days. It's what they want for breakfast, packed in lunches, and afterschool snacks, and midnight snacks, and every other snack they seek to persuade out of me and the pantry. Inspired by their recent passion for the doughy meal, I wondered if it would be possible to use frozen bread dough to create homemade bagels. Sure enough, it worked! No kneading, measuring, or waiting required. Once the roll dough in unfrozen, you'll have a batch of bagels coming out of the oven faster than you can say Brooklyn. Enjoy!

1 bag Rhodes frozen rolls

Thaw rolls according to package directions. Preheat oven to 400 degrees. Once risen, gently press thumb in center of each ball of dough to create a hole. Bring a large pot of water to a rolling boil. Gently drop bagels in water. Boil for 1 minute on each side. Remove and place on lightly greased cookie sheet. If you desire to top bagels with a topping (cinnamon/sugar, sesame seeds, poppy seeds, etc.) do so now while the bagels are moist and sticky from the water bath. Place bagels into preheated oven and bake 7-10 minutes, or until lightly browned. Flip and cook on the other side for an additional 6-8 minutes, or until nicely browned on top. Remove from oven, slather with cream cheese and lox (or what'ere you please) and eat ya heart out!

To see outtakes of our New York photoshoot,do visit the wondrously wondrous Becki Madsen Photography website by clicking HERE.She's even hosting a PHENOMENAL giveaway this week just.for.you.You'll wanna get there in a New York Minute. I promise.

Butterscotch Pecan Pie for One

*Years back{and I do mean years back...Though, oddly it feels just like yesterday}I tried three times to turn the first pages of Jan Karon's "At Home in Mitford"and for whatever reason, just couldn't sink myself into its leaves.However, being prompted by a friend to try one-more-time,I opened the book and gave it another go.I was happily hooked.*This post has very little to do with that book.Except that one of it's principal characters always asks his love interest with starry-eyes,"What don't you love?"To prove her lack of perfection,his amor could cleverly rattle off a list of things she didn't love.I adored that about her.It seemed to me anyone who can breeze through a witty list of things they don't lovewas exactly the sort of person I'd like to grow into.Inspired, I began keeping a list of things I don't love. For instance:*Brown spotted bananas.Burnt orange crayons and turtlenecks.Cleaning dried toothpaste off the living room carpet.***Of course, if one is spending anytime writing down her dislikes,she'd be wickedly ill-served to not also list her loves. So, I began writing my finest adorations. Among them:*A rank of hand-written letters, enveloped and addressed and waiting their mission to deliver glad tidings via metal mailboxes.Standing in a silvery tidepool under a glowing moon.Tigers Blood Snowcones.Fresh-folded laundry placed into empty drawers.Gloomy autumn days with a fire burning fat logs as I cradle a worn book in hand.Shakespeare read aloud.School uniforms.Pincurls.The crackle of music on a record player.Giggling into phone lines with a sisters voice my ear.Surprise deliveries set upon the doorsteps of dear friends.*Tell me of your list. What don't you love?What do you adore?Butterscotch Pecan Pie for One{baked as a three-pack}As we were walking into Walmart the other day, our Korean exchange student said, "you always say you hate Walmart, but then we always go here." I sighed, tried to explain how there is no where else in our fair city that offered perusal through a craft section and candy aisle at eleven in the p.m. on Tuesday night. On this night, in particular, KwanYong needed Pepsi (we don't drink it in our house) and I needed pink ribbon and a bag of socks. I also found the above little beauties. A 3-pack of mini pie & tart foils, with lids for $1.49. Couldn't they just inspire you a million times over? This weekend, they inspired a batch of autumn baking for our flu-stricken friends. I thought a simple pie full of protein and butterscotch might make for healthy bodies so put together three pretty pies, wrapped them up for delivery, and let sugar therapy work it's wonders. Will let you know if we've found the H1N1 cure all.2 eggs3 egg yolks1/2 cup brown sugar1 (14 oz.) can sweetened condensed milk1/2 cup pecan pieces1/2 cup butterscotch chips1 pre-made pie crustUsing a medium sized bowl, cut three circles from the pie crust. Press circles into mini-pie tins. In a large bowl, mix remaining ingredients. Pour evenly into crusts, place on a cookie sheet, and bake in an oven preheated to 400 degrees for 17-19 minutes. Top of crust will be nicely browned, and centers just set when ready to come out of oven. Allow to cook completely before covering with lids & delivering to deserving darlings (or eating all for yourself. One for breakfast. One for Lunch. One for snack before a healthy dinner.)
Whooty Whee! Our Winner is Thee.Three cheers {and a red-hot apron} forSHERRY MCthe winner of the Dear Jane apron giveaway.And, thank you to each of you for writing such nice things.Another thing I love? You, for writing such nice things.Sherry, please contact me via email to claim thy winnings.*Toodles & Pips.(that ones for you, Emma)

Hiya Cheeky.

Sometimes, the same old thing is fine.
My good husband subscribes to this philosophy most of the time,
ordering the same thing from the menu each time we eat at his favorite restaurant.
*
This dear man of mine has laid in our cold and lonely bed for four nights straight
because he happens to be married to a gal who believes quite the opposite.
I sort of adore change, always wanting to try something new, looking to add a little flair here or there, revamping the tarnation out of a perfectly lovely blog with the hopes that a bit of tinkering could make it all the more divine.
Hang in there, honey! I'm nearly finished!

So, other than my penchant for changing the perfectly acceptable,
the concept behind the ALL-NEW
ConversationsWithACupcake aka Tongue-N-Cheeky.com
grew out of a desire to expand my recipe offerings, obtain an www address,
and then there was the little matter of
this dress...

*
I found this little peach while perusing the offerings on StopStaring.com. When I glimpsed their Park Avenue dress, I fell head first into adoration.

{However can I thank the fabu L.A. clothing company for all the inspiring ideas they oozed into the Tongue-N-Cheeky blog redesign?! Founded on the idea of timeless and classic dresses, Stop Staring! clothing is inspired by silver screen glamour icons and have been featured in the world’s top fashion magazines including Vogue, Lucky, CosmoGirl,Life and Style, Allure, Seventeen, People, and more. And, it's no wonder why! Everytime I slip into my divine little number, I feel instantly glamorous. It's curve-huggy in all the right places, flatteringly slimming, and positively adorable. The only problem I have with Stop Staring? Trying to decide which dress to order next! There are too many I've fallen madly in love with...The Jewel Emrld, The BDavis, PLUS the entire line of cocktail dresses created for DaddyOs.com. I tell ya, it's a fashion conundrum. A devastatingly delicious fashion conundrum.}

Then, there was this apron...

Designed by the glorious Dear Jane company.

It's called the Mini Retro apron and I willing admit I've worn it around the house just for fun. Doesn't it make you want to wear heels while you vaccum?

Even better yet...

They want you to have one!

Just CLICK HERE to view all of the Dear Jane half-aprons, then leave a comment and let me know which is your favorite.

One commentor will win a half-apron of their own.

Of course, there is more to the blog redesign than kitchen fashion.

The right sidebar is chock full of new marvels, including:

-My NEW site, CHEEKY SECRETS, wherein I share some of my best secrets for blogging successfully. A year ago this month I started a quirky little family blog, ConversationsWithACupcake. What a pleasure it's been to watch that blog grow. I have always had a strong belief in the power of community, and feel that within the network of friends I've made via blogging. I also feel tremendously blessed to have found success through blogging, having made profit through advertising for the last six months. I hardly feel it's my obligation to hog all of the things I've learned as my site has grown. It's a pleasure to share with you some of the layout, advertising, and networking tricks that have helped my site increase viewership and gain steady site rankings. Cheeky Secrets will be updated weekly. Be sure to check the right sidebar for post updates!

-CHEEKY NOTEBOOKS, another NEW blogventure whose beginnings are detailed in the first post. You can check it out HERE.

-Weekly NOTEABLE POST links. So many of you send me links to your own amazing posts. Thank you! This is where I get to brag about you, my gifted readers. Watch for weekly updates!

-Have I ever told you what an honor it is to see my recipes being made by marvelous women around the world? It really, truly is a treat. The SHOUT OUTS link will connect you to my recipes, as seen on other sites. Updated weekly.

-A New BUTTON. Now you can be Cheeky, too!

-The LOOKING FOR COOKING archive, found at the bottom of the sidebar, will now show simplified recipe titles. If you are looking for a specific cupcake recipe, you no longer have to scroll through obscure titles with fingers crossed that you'll find the recipe you're looking for. (Please be patient on this one. I told my 11-year-old I'd pay him 5 bucks an hour to organize it. The task of sifting through 200 posts did not delight my heart. So, he's taken the job over. Though, it's coming along rather slowly. We'll get it, though! I promise!)

-Many, many thanks to my newest advertisers, whose links can be found on the right sidebar. The CHEEKY ADVERTISING website is up and running. If you're interested in advertising, I'd love to have you along! Please click HERE to see current ad rates, advertiser testimonials, and contact information.

-The original blogger address ConversationsWithACupcake.blogspot.com will still get you here safely.

-And, of course, where would we be without cheeky RECIPES?! Well, girlies. I've been working overtime to prepare some of the finest surprises and delights you've ever seen in Blogville. October is going to be absurdly delectable. Do say you'll join me. I'm ever so delighted whene're you stop in. Thank you.

- So, what can you expect from the New Tongue-N-Cheeky?! Upcoming posts that are more delicious and more fun than ever. None of which I could have pulled off by my lonesome. Throughout the last two weeks, my dearest friend & phenomenal photographer, Becki Madsen has been following me hither and yon, capturing the wildest and most whimisical desires on film. Don't miss her photography site by clicking HERE. It was Becki, and equally chic blogging friend, Shauna who took all of the pictures for the TnC blog redesign. Thank you girls! How I do love you!

-Have a suggestion for something else you'd like to see? I'd love to hear from you!

POST EDIT, Thursday, 10:44 a.m: You darlings. Thank you for the many nice things you've said in your comments. Thank you, also for your feedback. I want to assure you that the food on Tongue-N-Cheeky will still often don funny faces and witty phrases. That quirky lil' habit of mine ain't going nowhere! I promise you nothing but party & personality all the time, here on Tongue-N-Cheeky! XO

Pop-Pops
{Vanilla Caramel Popcorn Pops}
I truly love this caramel recipe for it's versatility and taste. It makes a lovely, creamy caramel which is both pliable enough to form shapes, and firm enough when dried to hold those shapes. And, doesn't a stick make everything more appetizing?!

1 stick butter

1 cup brown sugar

1/2 c. light corn syrup

1/4 c. sweetened condensed milk

1/4 tsp. pure vanilla

Combine all ingredients (except apple vanilla) in a medium saucepan. Bring to a boil over medium-high heat, stirring constantly. Once boiling, cook for 2 1/2 minutes (just until soft-ball stage). Remove from heat, add vanilla. Allow to cool slightly.

Pour caramel over 6-8 cups of fresh popped popcorn. When caramel is poured over popcorn, stir until well coated, then begin packing carameled popcorn into a 1/2 cup sized greased measuring cup. I used the cup that sits atop my Popcorn Air-Popper and it worked like a charm. Gently press a sucker stick into the center of each popcorn ball. Allow completed pops to set on parchment paper until cooled.

*

Off to snuggle with my waiting John.

{Thank you, Sweetsie, for being so patient with this redesign week. We made it! XO.XO.}

*
Toodles My Sweets.

Redecorating & Renovating

Pumpkin & Maple Gingerbread Friendship Bundt

*I hope you'll indulge me.No, not in the way I'm typically indulgent.Not in two-stick-of-butter, two-cup-of-sugar sort of indulgence.Rather, the type wherein you allow me a moment of joyful retrospection which means all the world to me.Though, I suppose, very little to you because you don't know AmosQ.*AmosQ knows this story (and is likely tired of me mentioning it)But, she'll have to be patient momentarily.For, I feel it's important that you know this story to fully understand who AmosQ is:*There was once a Tupperware Saleswoman who begged me hold a party in her name.Being a yeller-blooded-ninny-pants, I couldn't find the courage to tell her no, I didn't want to buy her eight-dollar-plastic-cups when I could get some in the gocery clearance aisles for a shilling.So, I said yes and invited only myself and AmosQ.*The two of us sat on cheap yellow chairs in my cubicle-shaped condominium kitchen,we pacified our firstborns with the occasional passing of cheerios or a gentle bounce on our kneeswhile we listened to Tupperware Saleswoman give us her microwave cooking schpill.*I suppose, as a Tupperware Saleswoman, our party was a pathetic gig.But sitting there, baby on knee, the sunny yellow aura of AmosQ at my side,I couldn't help but thoroughly enjoy myself.I find this often to be the truth.When AmosQ is at my side, or at my Tupperware parties, or joining me at my quirky shindigs, or very-random book editings, or when her voice comes through a landline some eight billion miles away, it's always perfectly enjoyable.*Because, after all, AmosQ is the type of person who:*(1) Reads all the informative plaques out loud when we visit the zoo.Once, her son even informed me that the anteaters I was excitedly pointing out were actually, techinically named Mountain Tapirs. Isn't that just the darndest thing?!(2) Likewise, AmosQ arrives at any and all public gatherings with a slew of the most fantastically clever games humankind has ever thought up.Ask me sometime about OogaBooga and The Blanket Game and Beater on a Heater....*(3) Is the personal owner of a Sugar Cookie Recipe so good people have tried to steal it.Of course, I would never, never, Never, NEVER claim the recipe to be mine, nor would I call it "Brooke's Sugar Cookie Recipe," sharing it with a crowd of sugar-cookie-adoring women. Never.

(4) Is the personal owner of a brood of children so belovedly bred that they answer the phone with proper ettiquette each time I ring them up. She has also taught them the unthinkable--to hang their backpacks in symmetrical ranks and line their shoes up likewise at the end of a schoolday. She will tell you I am exaggerating. Yet, I speak plainly. I have actually seen this with my bare eyes.

*

Perhaps I ought mention here that her wee son can also pull off the life-changing feat of tucking the top of his ear into to the little hole in his ear. Such a kid.

*

Now, back to Tupperware Saleswoman.

At some point she stopped her plastic-kitchen-goods presentation.

She may have realized we weren't listening.

I don't know, there were so many other people in the room. Who's to say?

*

"Are you two best friends?" she asked.

AmosQ and I looked at each other and giggled nervously.

Such an odd question. So oddly timed.

"Well....um....we really like hanging out with each other...."

We bumbled polite answers, placed our orders, pushed Tupperware Saleswoman out the door, then got on with bouncing our babies and burbling about the things in our heads.

*

Since that day, we've moved homes, had more babies, cooked each other meals, thrown each other parties, moved across the nation from each other, visited Amish country side-by-side, and eaten Whoopie Pies. Stayed up late talking about the most important things in the world and nothing important at all. Called each other at the exact same second. Cried over heartwrenching sadness. Thrown our heads back with full-bellied laughter. Written emails. Sent packages. Embraced upon seeing each other again for the first time.

*

I hope AmosQ doesn't mind.

I think I'll call Tupperware Saleswoman tonight and finally, after all these years, answer her question.

Yes. Yes we are.

Pumpkin & Maple Gingerbread Friendship Bundt

Sometime ago, AmosQ mentioned a pumpkin posting was much needed within the bounds of my blog.

"Pumpkin What?" I asked.

"Ooooh, anything," she replied, "Cookies or a pie or a cake. Yes, a cake sound perfect."

Yes, indeed. A cake proved the perfect platform to combine the rich tastes and smells of friendhood. Two flavors, like two friends, representing the coziest of all seasons. Warm and spicy and full of vibrantly comforting flavor. You'll need two bowls to mix it up, but will marble it together before baking. I baked mine in a bundt pan. It's a lot of batter, so the bundt rises high. If you'd rather cook it in a 9x13 pan, feel welcome. It will work just at beautifully.

In One Bowl, Mix:-----------------In Another Bowl, Mix:

3 eggs ----------------------------------3 eggs

1 c. pumpkin pie mix---------------------1 1/2 c. brown sugar

1 c. sugar----------------------------1/4 c. molasses

1/2 c. oil ------------------------------1/2 c. oil

1 T. cinnamon-----------------------------1 T. ginger

1/2 tsp. baking powder--------------------1/2 tsp. baking powder

1/2 c. milk----------------------------------1/2 c. milk

2 c. flour----------------------------------1 3/4 c. flour

1/2 tsp. salt----------------------------------1/2 tsp. salt

1 tsp. vanilla-------------------------------1 tsp. maple extract

Preheat oven to 350 degrees. Beat all ingredients together. Pour each batter in rotating layers into a well greased & floured bundt pan, or a greased 9x13 pan. Run a knife through the layers to marble the batters together. Bake bundts for 52-55 minutes. Bake 9x13 pans for 32-35 minutes, or until top of cake springs back when touched. Frost warm cake with Cream Cheese Buttercream.

*

Cream Cheese Buttercream

8 oz. cream cheese

1 lb. powdered sugar

1/4 c. milk

Beat all together with an electric mixer. Frost warm cake. Indulge.

*Biggest Congratsto {the adorable} TWO PARTS SUGARfor winning the TwinStitchers Giveaway.and biggest thanks to each of you for submitting a comment!

Perfect Party Cupcakes

*Two years back, we moved into the home we're living in now.Our old home was a teensy tri-level on a road lined with leafy trees.They simultaneously turned yellow in the autumntime,a rank of golden guards welcoming you home from an afternoon of errand running.*I loved that home. It was warm and inviting.But, it was teensy.And we had a pack of growing children who desperatley needed room to run.And friends up the street.And more space from which they could not.clean.up.their.messes.*But, I digress.This isn't about the old house.This is about the new one.The home that we have now.*When I first walked into it, I admired the roomy living room, and the fingerprint-free walls.Hubby and I imagined with excitement a clean wooden floor stretched beneath our feet and a piano tucked in the corner of the dining room, waiting to entertain dinner guests and such.It was exciting, the idea of living in a place twice the size as our old bungalow.We were thrilled and awed and inspired.But, it was the kitchen that sealed the deal.It was when I walked into the kitchen and cried that my husband said, "Let's buy it."*The ceilings were tall, the floor space ample, there was a glass door that opened to a welcoming deck.It was big enough to host a party. A big party. LOTS of big parties.I sort of live for parties.Warm bodies standing at your side as final touches are put on special treats;the lyrical music of beloved voices spinning stories of their daily happenings,clock moving itself minute-by-minute around your lives,weaving them into memories with food and laughter and friendship.*I sort of live for parties.{Don't You?!}
What a pleasure then, to virtually reunite with two old friends from high school.(Don't you just LOVE reuniting with friends from high school as much as you love parties?!)When I learned that fellow twin classmates, Coley & Crista, aka The Twin Stitcherswere oozing talent from their very pores, creating adorable patterns that amaze & delight,I begged them to create one for my CwaC readers, and promised them we'd make a party out of it.They agreed and got right to work. Sketching, illustrating, sewing, framing.*And now, the unveiling ofThe Twin Stitchers Cupcake Pattern*Aren't they lovelycute?! And, so easy too.As in, simple. As in, I might actually be able to pull them off.Well, hold onto your muffins, because you ain't seen nothing yet. Look at what you can do with their patterns...

Even better yet, you could make this...

(then send it along to me. Teehee.)

To purchase the TwinStitchers Cupcake Pattern, GO HERE.But wait! That's not all!The TwinStitchers want to giveaway one of their patterns for FREE.Just think of all the Christmas possibilities.*To win, simply visit the TwinStitchers website by clicking HERE.Peruse their plethora of patterns and pick your favorite one.(and there are a LOT of to-die-for patterns. Did you SEE the Family Tree?!) Then come on back here and leave a comment, mentioning your favorite TwinStitchers product.On Monday, the winner will be announced.
Perfect Party CupcakesCreated for my favorite new neighbor, Suzie, these cupcakes took a boatload of batch attempts before getting them just.right. Anticipating her daughters upcoming birthday, Suzie (a self-declared 'cake snob') asked if I could come up with chocolate cupcakes that were moist, soft, and wildly delicious. You'd think that would be an easy task, but chocolate cupcakes are just an egg and a splash of milk away from a cupful of brownies and too many attempts tasted too much like brownie and not enough like cake. Until this attempt. The batter is held together with ample amounts of butter and just enough flour to make the finished cake gloriously moist, yet fluffy. Because of it's carefully crafted ratio of prescision measurments, be sure to follow this recipe to a T. Low altitude bakers, don't forget to add 1/4 c. of flour and 1/4 tsp. more baking powder.*
2 sticks butter
1 ½ c. brown sugar
3 eggs
2 squares unsweetened baking chocolate
1/2 Tbsp. olive oil
1 c. milk
½ tsp. baking powder
½ c. cocoa powder
1 c. flour
1 tsp. pure vanilla
In a large bowl, cream butter, sugar and eggs until extremely fluffy (this step is CRUCIAL. Don’t skip it!). In a small bowl, microwave baking chocolate and olive oil just until melted (about 1 minute), stir, add to batter. Add remaining ingredients and whip until evenly incorporated but DO NOT MIX. Fill cupcake wrappers 2/3 full with batter, then bake in an oven preheated to 350 degrees for 18-20 minutes.

Light Chocolate Buttercream
2 sticks butter
1 pounds powdered sugar
2-3 Tbsp. cocoa powder
2-4 Tbsp. milk
1 tsp. pure vanilla
Beat all ingredients together until light and fluffy. Add an additional 1-2 cups of powdered sugar, if desired.