Our Castle Turned into a Circus Tent

We normally have a grey castle in our playroom. When I was planning the party, I thought... "Wouldn't it be cool if we could turn it into a Circus Tent and use it to adorn the backyard for Milo's birthday party?" I found some wide, satin ribbon at the floral supply store and commissioned my Mom (who is beyond talented) to sew together a top for the tent. It only took her an hour or so to create this masterpiece. At first, Milo was not thrilled by the fact that we changed his tent (even if it was only temporary.) I decided to turn it into a puppet theatre/circus tent to help "sell" the idea. Thankfully, he got into it. It has been nearly a week since we converted it and he hasn't asked us to remove the "costume".

My Mom is truly incredible. She used to make all of my prom dresses and formals when was in high school. And she made all of the bedding for our babies when they were born. Even though I have a BS in Home Economics, I cannot sew. I have always relied on my Mom to it for me. Once again, she knocked it out of the park. What would I do without her?

Chocolate Zucchini Banana Mini Muffins

Recently, we found out that my daughter has outgrown her wheat allergy. Because of this, I have been looking for fun ways to celebrate. The doctor has advised her to eat small amounts, at first, building up as time goes on. Mini muffins are the perfect solution. I had a few things that I needed to use up, namely bananas and zucchini. After I little research and some tinkering, I came up with the following recipe. They are divine.

2 cups flour

2 1/2 tsp baking powder

1/2 tsp salt

1/2 tsp cinnamon

pinch of cardamom

1/2 cup good quality cocoa (I prefer Valrhona)

2 eggs

3/4 cup sugar

1/4 cup brown sugar

1/4 cup oil

1/2 cup sour cream or greek yogurt

1 tsp vanilla

2 large ripe bananas, mashed

1 cup grated zucchini, squeezed dry

Sift together dry ingredients and set aside. Whisk eggs, sugars, oil, sour cream, and vanilla till well blended. Stir in banana, and zucchini. Stir in dry ingredients just till moistened. Spoon into well greased or paper lined muffin tins. (Or if you have one, use a small scoop.) Bake at 325 for about 18 minutes.

-Makes about 5 1/2 dozen

Summertime Buzz

My husband is a comedy writer. He has lots of funny friends. This year, one of them gave him a gift for his birthday... a Cuisinart Ice Cream Maker. It was a re-gift. Meant to get lots of laughs, upon opening. My husband was a bit stunned. I was happy. Bouncing up and down, happy. You see, we recently moved into a new home and somewhere in a box that has yet to be unpacked is an ice cream maker. Having a NEW ice cream maker caters to my lazy side AND makes it easy to whip up fabulous frozen treats for family and friends. Naturally, it did not take me long to figure out what my first creation would be... Vanilla Bean Ice Cream. (Made with Neilsen-Massey Madagascar Bourbon Vanilla Paste... YUM!) It has been the perfect treat to have on hand for summer crumbles and afternoon affogatos, my all time favorite dessert.

I have also been using up unused summer fruits like peaches and raspberries. All and all, this device is helping me expand my waistline and forcing me to clock extra time at the gym. All of it, worthwhile.

Cannot wait to try new recipes...

Thinking about making this...

Hot Chocolate Meringue Cake... WOW!

This Month's Martha Stewart Living

The July 2011 cover.

Have you seen the July issue? I have to say that I think it is my favorite cover, ever. (And I like a lot of them!) Naturally, we were inspired to make our own versions of these fabulous sugar cookies. Both kids, ages 3 and 6, helped me with the marbling. Very easy and equally fabulous. The best part... they are delicious.

Ella, crafting a batch of sugar cookies... firework style!

Mini Trifle Bowls

I have fallen in love! With this new mini trifle bowl. I first saw them when I was shopping for MasterChef and I thought about them so much that I had to go buy myself a bunch of them. Trifles are desserts that are easy to compose and sure to knock your guest's socks off. (Plus, they are a GREAT way to use up a cake that might have cracked and would otherwise be unsuable.) They are three dollars each. If you are interested in getting them, they can be found at Pier One Imports or follow this link...

http://www.pier1.com/Catalog/Dining/tabid/493/List/0/CategoryID/893/level/a/ProductID/2360/ProductName/Trifle-Bowlsuu/Default.aspx

They would also be a fabulous container for yogurt and granola parfaits. Not a bad thing to invest in, as the spring and summer months approach!

Magnolia? Joan's? Magnolia? Joan's?

In case you are wondering, I am a fiend. A bakery obsessed, menace to the blogosphere. I have a job that forces me to traverse the city as I hunt for the "perfect" item to use on one of my sets. As it happens, I am currently decorating a cooking show for Fox. One of our sets is a Whole Foods styled "shoppe". It is a fun environment to dress but I have been having a bit of a block on a few finishing touches. Naturally, I need to do lots of research in high-end bakeries. (A girl's work is never done). So I hopped into my minivan and headed straight to West Hollywood's Third Street. Home of Joan's on Third and now, Magnolia Bakery's west coast outpost. Both are on the same block. Both have their own alluring, caloric temptations. Joan's is foodie's dream. Many types of cuisine, cooked perfectly, albeit quite expensive. AND they have one of the most fabulous bakeries and cappucino bars in town. If you cannot find something to eat here, I am worried about you.

Last year, the long awaited Magnolia Bakery opened across the street. If you have ever been to the original NYC location you would almost not believe that the two stores are related. One is a quaint little bakery, while the other is a mammoth cupcacke producing factory. But the cupcakes and the puddings are enough to send you to the moon (in a good way). Worth every single gut-expanding, calorie. My favorites are the caramel cupcake and the banana pudding.

As far as Joan's is concerned, I am moderately addicted to their meringue cookies. Particularly the ones with the chocolate and coconut. And in the summer, I have been known to consume a cream puff... or two.

Whenever I turn onto Third Street, I turn into a junkie. Am I hungry? Do I have time to stop? Where should I go? One day, I even followed Jeff Goldbloom and his girlfriend as they held hands, walking down the street. Would they stop at Joan's? Maybe get a little omelet and a croissant? Nope. Well they must be going to Magnolia? Who can refuse their tasty brownies?Nope. They were just walking. And I realized that maybe, I should consider a 12 step program. Especially because I seem to project my desires onto complete strangers who also happen to be celebrities.

In any case, if someone held a gun to my head and forced me to chose between the two I think that I would have to go with Joan's. But I am happy to have to luxury of being able to have two options. Because there are times for cream puffs and there are times for good old fashioned vanilla cupcakes with chocolate frosting!

And if you also like things that are sweet on the eyes, I hear that Alexander Skarsgård has been known to frequent Joan's from time to time.