Tuesday To Do Party #55

Hello my sweet bloggy friends!

Can you forgive me that I'm tardy to the party?

Life has just gotten completely in the way of blogging the week...promise I'll have a super-size To Do List next week!

If you came to the party, but got tired of waiting for the host, I'm sorry.

If you came back, I'm thrilled!

Can't wait to see all of your lovelies!



<center><a href="http://www.blackberryvine.blogspot.com"><img border="0" src=" <a href="<a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/51243403@N02/5510091012/" title="Tuesday To Do FEatured by jamianntexas, on Flickr"><img src="http://farm6.static.flickr.com/5253/5510091012_ebe78ff067_m.jpg" width="125" height="125" alt="Tuesday To Do FEatured" /></a></a></center>

Now on the the party...

Link up your creations!  Sewing, crafting, cooking, tips, photography, tablescapes, parties, scrapbooking, collectibles...it all works.  Please save your items for sell, your giveaways and your own parties for those specific blog parties.  You're the best!

Go ahead and double up your gift wrapping posts here and at the Pretty Packages Party going on now.

(Borrowed these little rules from the Shabby Nest...she's got it going on!)

1.  Become a follower of The Blackberry Vine and "LIKE" The Blackberry Vine on Facebook.

2. Link directly to your post and not just to your blog.

3. Grab the TUESDAY TO DO BUTTON from the sidebar, and link back to the Blackberry Vine.  (Yes, it can be a little time-consuming, but it's the sweet blogger thing to do!)

4.  Please visit other participants and leave them some comment love.  Comment, comment, comment!!!

I reserve the right to remove posts that are not in keeping with the spirit of Tuesday To-Do including but not limited to those that link to your shop, your giveaway or your linky party, and those that do not link back to the Blackberry Vine. Thanks for playing fair!!

Over the Top Carrot Cake Cupcakes

We LOVE Carrot Cake in this house, especially this Carrot Cake recipe.

My mom actually made this for my husband's birthday several years ago, drove 4 hours to deliver it and drove the 4 hours back home!!!  (Note, she never did that for me!)

I took her recipe and used it for these cupcakes.  The filling is the key...WOW!

Hope you enjoy it!

Over the Top Carrot Cake Cupcakes

makes about 30 cupcakes

2 cups sugar

1 1/3 cup canola oil

4 eggs, beaten

1 teaspoon vanilla bean paste

2 cups flour

1 1/2 teaspoons baking powder

1 1/2 teaspoons baking soda

1 teaspoon salt

2 teaspoons cinnamon

1/2 teaspoon freshly grated nutmeg

1 cup chopped pecans

3 cups grated carrots

Grease and flour muffin pans or line with cupcake liners.  Beat together sugar and canola oil.  Add beaten eggs and vanilla paste; beat well.  Sift together all dry ingredients.  Add dry ingredients to wet ingredients mixing just until well blended.  Carefully fold in the pecans and carrots.  Fill cupcakes liners 1/2 to 2/3 full.  Bake at 350 degrees for 20 to 30 minutes or until done.  Cool and refrigerate for several hours.

Filling:

1 cup sugar

1/4 cup flour

1 cup heavy cream

1/4 cup unsalted butter

1 teaspoon salt

1 cup chopped pecans

2 teaspoons vanilla bean paste

Combine sugar and flour in small saucepan.  Add cream, butter and salt.  Cook on low heat, stirring frequently, until it simmers (this may take up to 30 minutes.)  Remove and cool.  Add nuts and vanilla.  Can refrigerate until ready to use.

3 recipes of

Food Processor Cream Cheese Frosting

(click above to be linked to the recipe)

Lightly toasted chopped pecans.

To assemble:

Use a teaspoon or small scoop and remove about a teaspoon of the refrigerated cupcake.

Use the filling to fill the cupcake.

Frost with Food Processor Cream Cheese Frosting.

Roll edges of frosted cupcake in the lightly toasted chopped pecans.

These cupcakes are very messy and soft if not refrigerated.

It is best to begin making these at least a day before you need them.

They keep well in the refrigerator for many days.

You can also use this recipe to make an 8-inch 3 layer cake by increasing baking time by 10 minutes or so.

ENJOY!

Smiles!

Tuesday To Do #54 and #53 List Makers

Hello my friends!

How was your Spring Break?!?

We loved the family time!   I'm such a lucky gal!

Sadly, I didn't get one fun crafty thing accomplished...maybe this week.  You have shared lots of wonderful inspiration!

Let's see what's on my To Do list:

Citrasolve Dish Towels from Who Makes Up This Craft

Decorating Hemlock's kitchen door transformation

Lucky Penny Ideas from The Moody Fashionista

Keri's Samoa Brownies

(I've already eaten my box...will have to check with my crack cookie supplier, Madeleine, to see if she can score me "samoa!")

If you were on this week's To Do List, then please feel free to grab a  LIST MAKER button:

TUESDAY TO DO
FEATURED BUTTON  

<center><a href="http://www.blackberryvine.blogspot.com"><img border="0" src=" <a href="<a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/51243403@N02/5510091012/" title="Tuesday To Do FEatured by jamianntexas, on Flickr"><img src="http://farm6.static.flickr.com/5253/5510091012_ebe78ff067_m.jpg" width="125" height="125" alt="Tuesday To Do FEatured" /></a></a></center>

Now on the the party...

Link up your creations!  Sewing, crafting, cooking, tips, photography, tablescapes, parties, scrapbooking, collectibles...it all works.  Please save your items for sell, your giveaways and your own parties for those specific blog parties.  You're the best!

Go ahead and double up your gift wrapping posts here and at the Pretty Packages Party going on now.

(Borrowed these little rules from the Shabby Nest...she's got it going on!)

1.  Become a follower of The Blackberry Vine and "LIKE" The Blackberry Vine on Facebook.

2. Link directly to your post and not just to your blog.

3. Grab the TUESDAY TO DO BUTTON from the sidebar, and link back to the Blackberry Vine.  (Yes, it can be a little time-consuming, but it's the sweet blogger thing to do!)

4.  Please visit other participants and leave them some comment love.  Comment, comment, comment!!!

I reserve the right to remove posts that are not in keeping with the spirit of Tuesday To-Do including but not limited to those that link to your shop, your giveaway or your linky party, and those that do not link back to the Blackberry Vine. Thanks for playing fair!!

Longhorns - Spring 2012

 

 

Tuesday To Do #53 and #52 List Makers

Hey y'all!!!

Happy Spring Break!!!

Hope you're having a great time relaxing with friends and family!

If you need something to do, check out this week's List Makers:

The Consigner Designer's Fabulous Queen Bee Table

Adorable Ruffled Apron from The Good Life

Cool Foil Drawings from Art Club Blog

If you were on this week's To Do List, then please feel free to grab a  LIST MAKER button:

TUESDAY TO DO
FEATURED BUTTON  

<center><a href="http://www.blackberryvine.blogspot.com"><img border="0" src=" <a href="<a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/51243403@N02/5510091012/" title="Tuesday To Do FEatured by jamianntexas, on Flickr"><img src="http://farm6.static.flickr.com/5253/5510091012_ebe78ff067_m.jpg" width="125" height="125" alt="Tuesday To Do FEatured" /></a></a></center>

Now on the the party...

Link up your creations!  Sewing, crafting, cooking, tips, photography, tablescapes, parties, scrapbooking, collectibles...it all works.  Please save your items for sell, your giveaways and your own parties for those specific blog parties.  You're the best!

Go ahead and double up your gift wrapping posts here and at the Pretty Packages Party going on now.

(Borrowed these little rules from the Shabby Nest...she's got it going on!)

1.  Become a follower of The Blackberry Vine and "LIKE" The Blackberry Vine on Facebook.

2. Link directly to your post and not just to your blog.

3. Grab the TUESDAY TO DO BUTTON from the sidebar, and link back to the Blackberry Vine.  (Yes, it can be a little time-consuming, but it's the sweet blogger thing to do!)

4.  Please visit other participants and leave them some comment love.  Comment, comment, comment!!!

I reserve the right to remove posts that are not in keeping with the spirit of Tuesday To-Do including but not limited to those that link to your shop, your giveaway or your linky party, and those that do not link back to the Blackberry Vine. Thanks for playing fair!!

The Best Guacamole, EVER!

There are two places that I love to get guacamole...Boudro's in San Antonio and Tracy's house.  Tracy is one of my friends that has a recipe box full of yummy appetizers.  Seriously, we can make meals out of appetizers!

She was kind enough to share her recipe with me and now I'm going to share it with you.  If you're not a cilantro fan, just leave it out.

THE BEST GUACAMOLE

1/2 teaspoon salt

1 teaspoon garlic

2 teaspoon onion

Mix in a mortar and pestle bowl.

Add 2 avacados; mix.

Stir in 1 teaspoon cilantro, 2 heaping teaspoons tomato and 1/2 freshly squeezed lime.

(I add lemon or orange juice as well...yummy!)

Excellent served with Julio's Chips...delish!!!

Enjoy!!

To keep leftovers fresh for the next day, I top it with more lemon juice and press a sheet of plastic wrap directly to the top of the dip, leaving no spaces for air to touch it.  This works really well.  Also, you can coat a ziploc baggy with lemon juice, add the guacamole, again being sure there are not gaps for air to touch the dip.  You'll still have fresh guacamole for the next day!

Smiles!

May share this yummy guacamole recipe with some of the fun parties in the sidebar=>

Tuesday To Do #52 and #51 List Makers

Hey there!

We had a super party last week!!!

As always, y'all are amazing!

Here are this week's List Makers:

DIY Cuff Bracelet from Happy Hour Projects

Visual Eye Candy's "Old" bedroom...if this is old, can't wait to see the NEW!!!

So want to try these Ecojars by Paper Wings

Make It Give It's Baked Quinoa & Black Bean Patties

If you were on this week's To Do List, then please feel free to grab a  LIST MAKER button:

TUESDAY TO DO
FEATURED BUTTON  

<center><a href="http://www.blackberryvine.blogspot.com"><img border="0" src=" <a href="<a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/51243403@N02/5510091012/" title="Tuesday To Do FEatured by jamianntexas, on Flickr"><img src="http://farm6.static.flickr.com/5253/5510091012_ebe78ff067_m.jpg" width="125" height="125" alt="Tuesday To Do FEatured" /></a></a></center>

Now on the the party...

Link up your creations!  Sewing, crafting, cooking, tips, photography, tablescapes, parties, scrapbooking, collectibles...it all works.  Please save your items for sell, your giveaways and your own parties for those specific blog parties.  You're the best!

Go ahead and double up your gift wrapping posts here and at the Pretty Packages Party going on now.

(Borrowed these little rules from the Shabby Nest...she's got it going on!)

1.  Become a follower of The Blackberry Vine and "LIKE" The Blackberry Vine on Facebook.

2. Link directly to your post and not just to your blog.

3. Grab the TUESDAY TO DO BUTTON from the sidebar, and link back to the Blackberry Vine.  (Yes, it can be a little time-consuming, but it's the sweet blogger thing to do!)

4.  Please visit other participants and leave them some comment love.  Comment, comment, comment!!!

I reserve the right to remove posts that are not in keeping with the spirit of Tuesday To-Do including but not limited to those that link to your shop, your giveaway or your linky party, and those that do not link back to the Blackberry Vine. Thanks for playing fair!!

German Chocolate Cheesecake Bars

Do you ever go through old cookbooks and see a recipe you used to make all the time that some how slipped off of your recipe radar?

This exactly one of those recipes.

It is so yummy!  Why it's been years since I've made it I'll never know!

German Chocolate Cheesecake Bars

Crust

1 package German chocolate cake mix

1/2 cup shredded coconut

1/2 cup chopped walnuts or chopped pecans (optional in place of/or with coconut)

1/2 cup butter or margarine, softened

1 egg

Mix all ingredients for crust at low speed (or by hand) until crumbly.

Press lighly into ungreased 13" x 9" pan.

Filling

16 ounces cream cheese

2 eggs

3/4 cup sugar

2 teaspoons vanilla

Beat all ingredients until smooth and fluffy.  Spread over crust.

Bake in 350 degree oven for 25 - 30 minutes.  Cool.

Topping

2 cups reduced fat sour cream

1 teaspoon vanilla

1/4 cup sugar

Combine all ingredients and spread over top of cooled filling.

Refrigerate for several hours or days.

Sprinkle with grated chocolate or cocoa, if desired.

ENJOY!!!

Smiles!

May share this yummy German Chocolate Cheesecake recipe with some of the fun recipes in the sidebar =>

Pretty Packages Party #13

Spring is just around the corner!

Bright and colorful packaging are the order of the day...

Here are a few ideas to get those creative juices flowing!

Martha Stewart

Carolyne Roehm

Carolyne Roehm

This is a PRETTY PACKAGES PARTY so what I'm looking for is beautifully, interestingly, creatively wrapped gifts. (Link up your other crafty endeavors at the Tuesday To Do Party.)The gifts could range from individual gifts, to party favors, to food gifts to birthday presents, to any type of gift, card, or packaging! At the end of the month I'll chose my favorites to share with everyone.

1.  Add the link to your post.
2.  Be a follower of The Blackberry Vine.
3.  Like The Blackberry Vine on Facebook.
4.  Add the Pretty Packages Button or a link back to the Pretty Packages Party somewhere on your post or blog...it's just the nice, neighborly thing to do!

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Last, but certainly not least, please comment on the post in front of you and behind you (and any other post!!)...spread the comment love!  If you find something you love, pin it!  Everyone loves seeing their creations on Pinterest!

Pretty Packages Party #12 Features

Oh MY!!!

What an awesome Pretty Packages Party we had last month!

You are ALL so clever!!

Can't wait to see what you link up this month!!

(March's Pretty Packages Party will start this evening at 9:00 pm CST)

Loved seeing all of the Valentine's ideas!  Maybe we should start a page just for all of those creative Valentines!!

It was VERY hard to chose the highlights but I think you'll agree, the following are some PRETTY Packages!

Bearing Fruit's Shabby Wrapping

(it matches the gift inside!)

Pizza Boxes by Creating Home

 

KAH-UTE Valentines by Backless Shirt

These will be permenantly featured on the PRETTY PACKAGES page found HERE.

They are also featured on The Blackberry Vine's Facebook page.

Be sure to stop by this month and link up your Pretty Packages!

Smiles!