"bub's" birthday

 

If you know my brother you know he loves three things...(well, four including girls): whisky, a good time, and all things fast.  Well, I figured for his birthday I could at least help him indulge in the first one.  I had seen a recipe for Chocolate Stout cupcakes with an Irish Whisky ganache and a Baileys Irish Cream frosting.  Ummm, if I could have personally created a dessert that would be more fitting for Josh, I am not quite sure how much closer I could have gotten.  You can find the recipe on Smitten Kitchen if you are interested in duplicating this fun dessert.  Hope they are a hit and Happy Happy Birthday Josh!

squash blossom has not been abandoned....I promise!!

Okay, okay, so I know I have been neglecting Squash Blossom a bit (both blog and bakery)...but after a fabulous week in North Carolina visiting old friends - eating - drinking - laughing - boating - and sitting in the sun, I am now back and getting on track!  I spent the whole day baking....so today fresh at The Sea Store :

~ Carrot Cake

~ Oatmeal Cream Pies

~ Ginger Molasses Cookies

~ Peanut Butter Chocolate Chip Cookies

and making it's debut appearance :

~ Blondies with toasted coconut and chocolate chips!

I am glad to be back in Spruce Head to serve up some goodies this spring!  Oh ... and a little more good news, my landlord just gave me a small garden plot and I am very excited to see what I can make grow... more to come on that!

xo

the rugelach

Rugelach cookies are best known in Eastern Europe but it's roots are Austrian.  In 1793, Austrian bakers created little crescent shaped pastries to celebrate the lifting of the Turkish siege of Vienna.  The crescent shape represented the Ottoman flag . . . the croissant shares the same origins as the Rugelach. 

 The word Rugelach means "little twists" in Yiddish which are a popular treat during Jewish holidays of Shavvot and Hanukkah. 

The dough I used was equal parts cream cheese and butter creamed together.  This made a light, crispy, delicious base for the cookie.  Then filled with cinnamon, sugar, walnuts, and currants, egg washed and rolled in sugar, it was easy to keep popping these little sweat treats into our mouths that by the time we arrived at Easter dinner Dave Mac and I had already eaten a half 

 dozen at least!

a new job!

Sooooo, I've been working on this new project and at this point it really looks like it's going to happen!  I want you all to check out the new Sweets and Meats Market at www.sweetsandmeatsmarketco.blogspot.com .  I know, it doesn't look like much, but when it's done there will be window boxes with flowers and produce for sale outside.  Coffee, yummy baked goods, high end meats, cheeses, wines, beer, and so much more!! We are looking to open early May.  It is all so exciting! 

Finn vs. The Cone

Finn has had a pretty rough week.  I left the boys alone for three days and come home to this sad situation:

He is doing much better almost a week later (excluding ALL vet visits - which he hates) and hopefully stitches will be out and bandages off by the time we pack to drive to the great state of North Caroline!

Picasa + Hot Chocolate

 

WOW! Who knows about this Picasa thing?? I can thank Karen and Clayton for introducing this to me... and now I can't stop.  I may lose a boyfriend in the process, but this is my new obsession!  How much fun!  I made hot chocolate the other day, it was rainy and foggy and Dave Mac and I decided we would stay in and have an Office marathon.  What a perfect marraige. . . hot chocolate and The Office that is.