On a Cupcake Kick: American Pie Cupcakes

I really couldn't pass up sharing these ADORABLE American Pie Cupcakes from MommyTopics! I know, I know, it's the second cupcake post this week... but I don't think you'll hold it against me...

Head on over to the post and check out how tasty - and easy! - these are to make. With a box of butter pecan cake mix and your favorite fruit toppings (raspberry, peach, apple, blueberry, strawberry, cherry), all you've got to do for the finished look is a little frosting work. Don't worry - she's got all the photos and instructions you need :)

Now THAT'S a way to celebrate - any time of year!

Sweetie Pie Deal: $1 for 250 Full Color Labels + FREE Shipping - TODAY ONLY!

While regular address labels aren't terribly exciting, I know, just think of all of the differrent ways that you can use them at home, for crafty work, etc. I absolutely LOVE them for labeling the scents of soaps before a show or market. Since I shrink wrap my bars in bags, I put the bar in the bag, fold over the opening, and tape it shut.

After a year of doing this, I finally realized that if I '"taped" it shut with a label, I save myself a step later on - and save on ink. When a sweet deal comes around for personalized address labels, I make sure to get in on it! I customize the label to say something like "Handcrafted by Pie Bird" and "Fragrance:" and then write in the scent. Throw in your web address or etsy shop URL at the bottom and you're all set!It's cheaper than buying the standard mailing labels and printing them yourself - and your labeling is more consistent. 

If you're a baker or cook that likes to share, you might make yours to say "Made in the Kitchen of..." and "Please Enjoy By:" with the name of the item. This also works well for canned items and leftovers!

Maybe you just need return address labels for your Etsy shop - or you want to attach a coupon to the back of a business card (great idea for shows to get repeat customers) - there are so many possibilities! 

(FYI: the code above is not legit... sorry!)

When you're ready, head on over to Office Depot for this Sweetie Pie Deal - for TODAY ONLY, get a roll of 250 full color address labels for $1 + tax + free shipping. Regularly $9.99 + shipping, use coupon code 854758859 to get the deal. Make sure to add your finished labels to your cart first. 

CLICK HERE TO GO TO THE PAGE.

There are hundreds of designs to choose from (you can upload a custom image once you select a label!) and you can search for something relevant or just pick something that compliments your style. Have fun!

Yum + Summer = Arnold Palmer Cupcakes!

I was searching around the net yesterday for a new, fun summer recipe when I stumbled upon Paula Dean's (you know how I adore her!) Arnold Palmer Cupcakes*! If idea alone isn't enough to win you over, just watch Paula make them in the video below:

(*Sidenote: and Arnold Palmer is a drink made from half sweet tea, half lemonade and is named after the famous golfer as it is purported to be his favorite drink!) 

Here's Paula's recipe:

• 1 cup milk
• 5 black tea bags
• 1 cups unsalted butter
• 2 cups sugar
• 4 large eggs
• 1/2 teaspoon grated lemon zest
• 1 teaspoons fresh lemon juice
• 2 1/2 cups all-purpose flour
• 3/4 tablespoons baking powder
• 3/4 teaspoons salt
• Arnold Palmer Frosting, recipe follows

Directions

In a small saucepan over medium heat, heat milk until hot to the touch. Place tea bags in hot milk, and let steep for 15 to 20 minutes. Remove and discard tea bags. Let milk cool.
Preheat oven to 350 degrees F. Line 2 (12-cup) muffin pans with paper liners.

In a large bowl, beat butter and sugar at medium speed with an electric mixer until creamy. Beat in eggs, 1 at a time, beating well after each addition. Add 1/2 cup milk and tea mixture, lemon zest and lemon juice. Mix well.

In a medium bowl, combine flour, baking powder and salt. Gradually add dry mix into the wet ingredients.

Spoon batter evenly into prepared muffin cups. Bake for 20 to 22 minutes, or until a wooden pick inserted in center comes out clean. Remove from pans, and cool completely on wire racks. Spread or pipe Arnold Palmer Frosting evenly over cupcakes.

Arnold Palmer Frosting:

• 1 cups unsalted butter, softened
• 2 cups confectioners' sugar, divided
• 1/2 cup reserved milk/tea mixture
• 1 teaspoon fresh lemon juice

In a large bowl, beat butter at medium speed with an electric mixer until creamy. Gradually beat in confectioners' sugar alternately with tea/milk mixture slowly. Beat in lemon juice until creamy.

Hot & Heavy: The Gulf Oil Spill & Local Foods

 As someone who bas born and raised on the Gulf Coast, it is incredibly hard to imagine the ever-evolving impact of the oil spill - on people, on  ecosystems, on our way of life. In addition to being a Gulf Coast native, I also have the added viewpoint of someone who has worked in the oil and gas fields of Wyoming and lives among some of the largest producing natural gas fields in North America. Oh, and I work for a conservation organization. To say that I am conflicted on the issue is an understatement!

While I have most of the coverage of the spill to be utterly irresponsible and just pain wrong in terms of the portrayal of the oil and gas industry - I mean, hello, do you dogsled to work? - I was intrigued by a recent article entitled, "Oil spill threatens to smother Gulf Coast food cultures" by Gary Nabhan over on Grist. 

According to the article, "the Renewing America's Food Traditions (RAFT) alliance will release a comprehensive checklist of over 240 place-based foods of the Gulf Coast that are now at risk -- 138 of them directly affected by the oil spill." Tragic.

The solution? "As Slow Food New Orleans activist Poppy Tooker has proclaimed, "Now more than ever before, 'Eat it to save it' should be our rallying cry!" 

I was also surprised to read that "food activists are now preparing to nominate New Orleans as a World City of Gastronomy, appealing to the United Nations Educational, Scientific and Cultural Organization (UNESCO) to recognize that the widely celebrated heritage of the Gulf Coast's food communities is in "urgent need of safeguarding." What an amazing program!

Where to go for more information:

View the Foods at Risk in the Gulf Coast Foodshed (PDF)

Slow Food's Page on "Renewing America's Food Traditions"

 

Dream a Little, Drool a Lot!

Even though I try to limit the "shop talk" on Pie Bird, I'm just too excited not to share this work news. As our big work fundraiser approaches, we've just finalized the menu - and OH MY - it is 3 times the lovely I could ever dream of!

SIGNATURE DRINKS
Jalapeño Margaritas

Limoncello Sparklers

APPETIZERS
Crab Cakes with a Roasted Red Pepper Aioli 

Caramelized Onion & Smoked Gouda Quesadillas with Cumin-Lime Sauce 

Buffalo Carpaccio on a Crispy Wonton with a Hoison Apricot Sauce 

Spicy Shrimp with a Tangy Coconut Sauce

DINNER
Heirloom Insalata Caprese
Spicy Greens Salad with Pears, Blue Cheese and Sun-Dried Cranberry Vinaigrette
Beef Tenderloin with a Wild Mushroom Jack Daniels Sauce
Grilled Salmon with a Chili-Mango Salsa
Grilled Chicken with a Raspberry Balsamic Glaze
Wild Rice and Barley with Toasted Pinenuts and Scallions
Roasted Garlic Mashed Potatoes
Large Assortment of Yummy Grilled Vegetables
French Bread and Butter

 
DESSERT
Bittersweet Chocolate Pudding Pie
Lemon Chiffon Cake with Fresh Berries
Chocolate Chip Cookies & Fresh Strawberries

Just picture the big white tent... 

mountain views...

open fields...

black tie & boots...

Can't wait!

This Just In: Pretzel Rolls?!

**Yay! Internet service has returned to NW Wyoming!**

According to The Kitchn, Pretzel Rolls are the new "it" bread - what do you think? It seems as though the possibilities would be endless when considering all the different types of soft pretzels out there ... cinnamon and sugar, cheesy, garlic, plain salt, etc.

Click here to see the article and get links to recipes!

Thanks, Dad . . . and Canada

...for giving me the perfect excuse to finally order something from Foodzie!

Being the good half-Canadian daughter that I am, I ordered a couple dozen Butter Tarts from Small Wonders with pecans and raisins. She even offers delectable variations like Blueberry Almond, Chocolate Caramel, Chocolate Peanut Butter, and Rum N' Raisin!

Even though he's sweating his Canuck rear end off in Texas, the tarts arrived in perfect condition and just in time for a house party on Saturday! Even though I'm sure that only half of them actually made it to party time (breakfast and lunch, naturally), my dad was thrilled!

 

If you check out the Small Wonders Canadian Treats website, you'll also see that Julie also whips up Nanaimo bars during cooler parts of the year - drool! Helllooo Christmas presents! For all you Canadians in the U.S. or Canadians wanting to share a little maple leaf love, head on over today...

More about Small Wonders from the website:

By using all natural ingredients, Small Wonders  is a quality small batch bakery that specializes in single serving, made from scratch desserts.Owner/baker, Julie Proios, brings the tastes of Canadian cuisine to New York's, Hudson Valley and invites you to shop our website with its extensive selection of products that are available for shipping. 

Hope all of your fathers had equally tasty weekends!

Photo Journey to the Past

Where was I yesterday, you ask? 

Better than telling you, I'll just show you!

Thank you, job, for being awesome.

Sounds for the Weekend: Damien Rice

Every once and a while I hear a musician that I kinda... forgot about. Like a long lost friend, they come back in to my life and I start to remember all sorts of things about that last time we spent time together - late nights studying for an exam, curled up in bed after a break up, driving down a long highway. 

So for this edition of Sounds for the Weekend, I'm rediscovering a long lost friend that I've had on repeat this week: Damien Rice!

An all time favorite...

and a song I know all too well...

 

Beautiful weekend to everyone :) 

Bird Feed: Skillet Apple Crumble

If you're looking for an easy, sweet bite - look no further! A skillet apple crumble is the perfect piece of deliciousness that you need to satisfy your hankering for dessert without completely blowing out your calories. If you cut it down to a couple of apples, it will be perfect for... you guessed it, one lovely couple!

You'll Need:

3 apples of your choice, peeled and cored and sliced thin

2 tsp lemon juice

1/4 cup white sugar

1/3 cup brown sugar

2 tsp cinnamon

1/4 tsp cloves

1/4 tsp nutmeg

1/2 cup all-purpose flour

3/4 cup quick oats

1/2 cup melted butter or margarine

1/3 cup of water

Using an 8 inch cast iron skillet, grease the bottom and the sides.

After peeling, coring, and slicing the apples, toss them in the lemon juice to prevent browning while you prep the rest of the dish.

Arrange the apple slices along the bottom of the skillet.

Mix the rest of the ingredients with a fork to make the topping.

Spread the topping evenly over the apples.

Bake at 375 degrees for 35 minutes 

or until the apples are tender and the top is browned.

You won't need whipped cream or ice cream - but it doesn't hurt if you need something a little special! Even a side of strawberries is lovely - or maybe a little warm maple syrup...

Curl up on the couch and enjoy the crisp of the crumble!

Etsy Episode: Glamorous Camping

I know some of you aren't convinced yet of the ever-growing "glamping" movement, but I tell ya what, I just love all of the designs that are coming out of this part retro, part nature resurgence - for some reason I also think back to the camping scenes in The Parent Trap! While I used to be more a purist when it comes to outdoor pursuits (who needs a sleeping pad?), I can know start to picture how fun it would be to have a cute little camper for weekend adventures. 

So for this edition of Etsy Episode, feast your eyes on these crafty and lovely glamorous camping finds...

Eco Cup Cozy by laurabucci

Camping in France Pink cushion by helenaharrington

Burlap Jute Place Mats by HarrietsHaven

The Campout Glass Plates by nunostudio

24 mini smores cupcakes by Cakelab

Tear Drop Camper by jcmillard

The deer and faun leather belt buckle by flightpathdesigns

CAMPER CUFF LINKS by pinktophat

Merit Badge for 'being a happy camper' by leemeszaros

Lets Go Camping pendant by silentgoddess

CAMPING art print by Susie Ghahremani from boygirlparty

Road trip leather bound mini journal by BDleatherdesigns

Find Your Way - Mini Compass Earrings by luchi

today's gonna be an ADVENTURE button by beanforest

Brass Miniature Binocular Pendant Necklace by GwenDelicious

Lantern- Gone Camping- Hand Cut Paper Silhouette by papercutsbyjoe

Stomach Savvy - Food News X

In honor of Stomach Savvy Food News' 10th edition, I'm sharing something a little more fun than normal. Don't be fooled by the name - it's actually a great resource for the food-conscious!

 

Introducing...  SF Weekly's "Don't Sound Like a Tool" series!

With the help of audio, learn how to pronounce:
- Semi-Arcane Spirits

- German Beers

- Coffee Regions

- French Cheeses

- Korean Dishes

- Common Filipino Dishes

- Italian Wines

- Common Vietnamese Dishes

- Cooking Tools

- Fancy Greens and Lettuces

- Rhone Varietals

Have fun - and maybe learn a little... or a lot!


P.S. My dad "dropped in" for a little visit last Thursday - just a short trip from TX up here to WY! We've been seeing the sights, braving 40 degree temps, and spotting lots of moose, elk, deer, pronghorn... and their babies! I'll be back for regular posting tomorrow :)

Nesting: Nyack, New York

America's #8 Coolest Small Town of 2010 from Budget Travel

 (Photo via nyackphotos.blogspot.com)

 On the west bank of the Hudson River, Nyack is a small village of about 7,000 residents that is just 25 miles north of NYC. Originally a shipbuilding hub, Nyack is now a vibrant community centered around the arts and lovely community events, including "festivals, street fairs, parades, a farmer's market, theaters, restaurants and nightclubs" (via nyack-ny.gov).  Whether you're checking out the Edward Hopper House Art Center or enjoying a show at the Elmwood Playhouse, you won't have any trouble enjoying the pace of life in Nyack!

Originally built in 1880, and renovated in 2008, this 3 bed/1.5 bath home includes a finished attic and full walkout basement! Trust me, you're gonna love all the character and history in this home...

LOCATION: Nyak, New York

LISTING PRICE: $432,500

LINK TO LISTING

From the realtor:

Victorian/Colonial with 3 bdrm 1-1/2 baths located on a no thru street is filled with character and charm.Orig. Oak moldings; inlayed hardwood flrs throughout. New roof 3/09, 2 fire places. ADT Security. Possibilities are endless from amazing attic space w/Seasonal rivers views. Steps from the nyack to piermont trail outside your back door. Beautiful paved perennial gardens with a serene water fountain. Walk to town to enjoy shops and restaurant. NYC bus close by!

Dear Porch, I've got the lemonade!

Some seriously beautiful hardwood floors

All the wood can seem a little dark - I love the tall, white ceilings and big windows since they lighten it up a little bit!

Such a serene layout - complete with a sitting area

Large kitchen with lots of counter space

Bedroom with a fire place? Yes please!

Wood, windows, white. Very calming!

A nice sun room overlooking the gardens

Finished Attic? More like a crafty workshop!

For More Information:

Ellis Sotheby's International Realty

Office Phone Number - 845-353-4250