Sweet Sassy Studio: September 2011

macaroons

I can't stop making these delicious...

pretty......

sweet...

sometimes berry infused macaroons!

The recipe is so simple.

The result so wonderful.

I bake them on parchment paper I have cut out using a paper punch-pretty cute idea make the macaroon present so elegantly. Another recipe for the cupboard door!

teacher treat

This was a great way to start the year.

Gumballs are serious treats in our house.

The offer of a gumball puts a rush on any task Mommy desires!

macarons

If I can make these with a 3 year old with chick pox and a 3 month old non napping baby under foot anyone can!

Cousin Saucy made my mouth water so I used her recipe.

My macarons are not as pretty as hers, no "feet" but I'll work on it.

You must try making these, it was fun and simple and they are so versatile. As I practice I want to whip up a batch with chocolate ganache!

legoman

I really need another party to plan.

See more great fondant ideas here

3 months old

Baby Brother you are 3 months old today!

I can't believe that we just welcomed you into this world, it feels like you have always been a part of our family.You smile for almost everyone and give Daddy big belly laughs that make my heart sing. You are not scared of you big Uncle T. You do not like your car seat and vehicles must stay in motion or the driver hears about it from you.

You make the saddest sad faces I have ever seen.

Your Big Brother makes you smile and you love watching him do anything at all. He defends and protects you fiercely and only wants to poke you with his play foam swords "a little".

You sleep well through the night but have not started napping quite yet. You like to be held and you cuddle so well it is hard to put you down sometimes.

You are cute and everyone has something to say about your big blue eyes. Daddy's nurses think you look like him, I sure hope you are smart like him too.

cupcake box

LOVE.THIS.

found here

LOVE. THIS.

found here

choke cherry jam label

Yummy jam deserves yummy jam labels.

I feel like a squirrel storing nuts for the winter.

what we are into this September!

Cousin Saucy always lets us know her cool finds and what great adventures she is tackling each season. Here are a few things we are having fun experimenting with this September!

MMMM...Macaroons. Homemade coconut macaroons. Need I say more. I will post a fav recipe and cute presentation idea later on this month.

Backpack for school! Big Brothers first day is next week!

Cake balls! I am always looking for a reason to bake these yummy balls!

Cute bags. My fabric stash is bursting so I am ready to make a bunch just to declutter!

My new employer!

Lego men. We love our legomen. We make Lego ladies too. Yes, they have pony tail hair for Lego now, so cool.

I cannot live without this. The tint is perfect and the ginger is both refreshing and yummy. The ginger really helped me when I was prego.

Get your mousse ready! My big brother the hair care expert set me up with this super tool after my hairdresser told me to toss my old school hot rollers and join 2011. Best part-no clip marks! I have never mastered the actual curling iron and thanks to PM I will never have to now!

What about you, what are you into.....

Mama Orpan Marinara

This is one of those recipes that when you can't find it you panic. A great reason to tape it to your cupboard door. You know the place, the place you reserve for only the very best and special recipes. This recipe was passed down to me from Mama Orpan herself. Mama Orpan is a wonderful woman I had the luck to work with when teaching. She shared everything from recipes to speech therapy games and many words that helped heal worrisome hearts. She could even give a new Mom the kind of pat on the back that would help her through many sleepless nights without even realizing it. When she shared this recipe she told me her children loved it and couldn't bare to eat the store bought marinara anymore, what a nice thought. Sure enough the first time I made it for my boyfriend, now, husband (who proudly boasts that one of the reasons he married me is because of my cooking!) this recipe was a huge hit. Big brother had it just as soon as spaghetti was allowed to touch his lips-even though he called it paint for a year or two. And now as i smell the marinara simmering on the stove I think about little brother and his first taste of the rich goodness of this homemade marinara. What can I say, Thank You Mama Orpan!

cupcakes to go go go

We did many funny things this summer.

Making cupcakes to take over to a friends was easy as pie using these sweet little take out containers. Delivering cupcakes with a 3 year old has never been as low stress thanks to our handy "to go" containers!

home made popsicles

We made berry delicious Popsicles many times this summer.

We used our magic bullet to blend up many great frozen treats.

Here is our special recipe for

Berry Delicious Popsicles

1 cup mixed berries (we used blueberries, strawberries and raspberries from Uncle Derele's Farm)

1/3 cup yogurt (we are really into Greek yogurt right now!)

1/3 cup juice

Blend in magic bullet until smooth. Pour into Popsicle molds. Let sit 6-12 hours. When frozen run mold under warm water to loosen. Enjoy a healthy homemade treat!

jam

I've had a few jam making parties trying to draw out these last few days of summer.

Strawberry Rhubarb, Honeyberry and Choke Cherry are the jams we made this season. The Choke Cherry is actually a jelly, a first try for me and it is yummy! We picked gallons at the farm and I saved every drop of juice! Thanks pickers!

Choke Cherry Jam

I boiled the berries just covered in water until the flesh peeled from the stone. The I strained the juice using a cheese cloth. Dripping is best but I squeezed. Using 3 3/4 cups juice to 5 cups sugar I brought to a boil and then added the pectin, 2 pouches of liquid, and brought up to a roil boil for 1 minute. Skim foam. Pour into jars and process. Easy and delicious. A new favorite for sure!