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Monday, May 28, 2012

Tuesday To Do Party #63 and #62 List Makers

Happy Memorial Day!
Thank you to all of those who have given the ultimate sacrifice in the name of freedom.
Thanks to those who have served and are serving.
Thanks to the families behind each and every service person.
God Bless You All!

Now, on to the party!
Sorry about last week.  Click HERE for the low down!
Check out these AMAZING List Makers!!!





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  

Tuesday To Do FEatured

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!!

Saturday, May 26, 2012

Little Monogrammed Cakes

These little 4" cakes were made for a teenager's birthday party/going away party.  She (and her sweet mom) hosted 3 of her friends at a hotel slumber party...doesn't that sound fun?!?

These little cakes were 6 layers of butter cake.  (3 layers split and filled with a raspberry glaze and french buttercream filling.)  They were frosted and decorated with a combination of French Buttercream and Swiss Meringue Buttercream.  "M," "M," "R," & "C" each received their own special treat.

We're sure going to miss this sweet family!!!

Smiles!!!

I may share these cakes at some of the parties found in my side bar =>

Google Chrome Hi-Jacked My Blog

Hey friends!  Just wanted to give you a heads up as to why I've been absent.  I uploaded Google Chrome and then was unable to access my blog.  Took several days for me to figure out what happened.  Hope this little tidbit might help you get back online.  All I had to do was uninstall Google Chrome and voila!  Here I am!!!  Will be catching up soon!

Smiles!!!

Wednesday, May 16, 2012

Zebra and Pink Flower Cake Balls

OK, they aren't exactly ZEBRA, but they do match the invitation pretty well.

I made the flowers separately then added them to the cake balls with a touch of melted chocolate. 

Here's a shot with the invite so you can get the gist of the inspiration.

Smiles!

May share these cake balls with some of the fun parties in the side bar>

Monday, May 14, 2012

Tuesday To Do #62 and #61 List Makers

It's almost Tuesday so that means it Tuesday To Do Party time!
Let's check out last week's List Makers:





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  

Tuesday To Do FEatured

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!!

Saturday, May 12, 2012

Apple of My Eye Cake Pops

Sweet little Apple Cake Pops for our sweet teachers!

Bakerella does a version using pretzels for the stems. I used chocolated covered slivered almonds.

A little tag finished them off!
For your free printable, CLICK HERE.

All wrapped up to be delivered!

Smiles!

May share these little pops with some of the parties in the side bar>

Thursday, May 10, 2012

Please Don't Hate Me Cookies

So, this is how it goes...I don't like people to not like me.
When you have these cookies, you aren't going to like me.
If you make them this weekend, you WILL gain weight.
I get it...I'm on Weight Watchers right now myself.  As my MIL would say, no sympathy for self-infliced wounds.  These cookies are EE-VIL! But I just couldn't help it.
Now, for how they happened.  On days that I'm home, working around the house, I either have on Fox News or Martha.  (Honestly, the Walton's have slipped in on the rotation because they come on after Martha.  I never watched them when I was little, but now I kinda love 'em.)  Any hoo...Martha had this gal on the other day promoting her newlwed cookbook and I'm listening while going up and down the stairs.  They start talking about a layered chocolate cookie or something.  Whaa?!?  I go back down stairs to watch the rest of the segment and get the gist of it all thinking I'll grab the recipe off the webite.  Uhhh, well, that would have taken time and I just wanted to go ahead and make the cookies.  (Before the end of this post, I will go to Martha's website and see if the recipe is there so I can link the REAL one here.  After all, she was my inspiration and it IS the nice BLOGGY thing to do.  Please take note girl who took my sign idea and didn't even MENTION me in it!  You know who you are.  Make it right and we can be friends again! (-:)

Here is my version of the recipe:

Double recipe of Nestle Toll House Cookies plus an additional tsp of salt and minus the chocolate chips and nuts (recipe found at end of post)
1 cup chopped pecans
1 cup milk chocolate morsels
1 4oz bittersweet chocolate bar, finely chopped
1/2 - 1 cup flaked coconut
1/2 - 1 cup Heath's Toffee Chips
one egg
Sea Salt

Tear off 4 sheets of wax paper.  Lightly flour.  Divide the cookie dough into 4 equal parts placing one part on each piece of wax paper.  Lightly flour top of dough and top each with a sheet of wax paper.  Roll dough to about a 1/3 inch thick.  Place rolled dough on cookie sheet and place in freezer for at least 1 hour or more.
When ready to make the cookies, pull back wax paper from one side, lightly flour again, replace wax paper and turn over.  Remove the wax paper that is now on top. 

Cover with chopped pecans, then milk chocolate morsels. 

 Cover with another slab of cookie dough. 

 On second slab of cookie dough, cover with chopped bittersweet chocolate. 

Cover with third layer of cookie dough.  On top of that layer add 1/2 to 1 cup of coconut and 1/2 to 1 cup of toffee bits. 

 Top with final layer of cookie dough.  Sprinkle top layer of cookie dough with flour and replace with piece of was paper.

  Lightly roll cookie dough. 

 With pastry cutter cut in half.  Wrap up second half and return to fridge or freezer.

With first half, lightly roll out until about 1/2 inch thick (I went a little too far on my first batch.  They were still tasty, but I think the layers would have been more prevalent had the cookie been a touch thicker.)

Then cut out cookies with a 4" cookie/biscuit cutter.  Place on a cookie sheet lined with parchment paper.  Make an egg wash by beating one egg.  Brush on each cookie. 

 Sprinkle each cookie with sea salt flakes.  Bake in a preheated 375 degree oven for 12 minutes, turning pan after 6 minutes.  Let cool in pan for about 10 minutes then transfer to cooling rack.

Doubled Nestle Toll House Cookie Dough Recipe
Minus chocolate chips and nuts

4 1/2 cups all-purpose flour
2 tsps baking soda
3 tsps salt (original recipe calls for 2 tsps, I added an extra)
4 sticks of unsalted butter, softened
1 1/2 cups granulated sugar
1 1/2 cups packed brown sugar
2 teaspoons vanilla extract
4 large eggs

Combine flour, soda & salt in a bowl and set aside.  Beat butter and both sugars in a large bowl until creamy.  Add vanilla and eggs, one at a time, beating until well combined.  Gradually stir in flour mixture until just combined.  (DON'T OVERMIX COOKIE DOUGH...it makes them tough!)

Do you want to know what I did with the left over dough?  (I know I have a problem...just go with me on this...)
I made the layers again and added more filling.  Seriously?!?
Yes.  With a shameful look on my face, yes.
And you know what?  They were even better than the first ones!
YUMMO!  I even added some crushed cornflakes to some of the filling.
It was so good.  I'm also thinking white chocolate, macadamia nuts and dried cranberries would make good fillings!  Oh, or semisweet chips and peanut butter chips.  What else could we do?!?  Let me know your ideas for the different layers!


Almost forgot, here's the recipe link to Martha's website...
They are called
She also has a cookbook that I'd love to check out!

Smiles!

May share these delicious cookies with some of the parties found on the side bar>

Monday, May 7, 2012

Tuesday To Do #61 and #60 List Makers







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  

Tuesday To Do FEatured

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!!

Sunday, May 6, 2012

Teacher Appreciation Week - Bagels

It's that time of year again!
Time to show the teachers in our lives how much we appreciate all they do for our kiddos. 

 I'm going to drop off some Einstein Bagels in the morning for some of our teachers with this little note.
 Of course I'll also be dropping off a couple of containers of shmear to go with them!
If you'd like to share some bagel love with your teacher, CLICK HERE for a free printable.

Have a great week!
Smiles!

May share this idea with some of the parties in the side bar>

Wednesday, May 2, 2012

More Baby Shower Cake Balls

Just another version of cake balls for a baby shower!
To see others, you can click
or

Smiles!!!

May share these cake balls with some of the the parties in the side bar>

Tuesday, May 1, 2012

Spy Cake for Grown-ups


This was a cake for a surprise spy party for a new friend's husband.
Her playing card invitations let everyone know it was a secret 007 party!
The husband loves chocolate so the bomb is a chocolate velvet cake with a chocolate fudge & chocolate buttercream filling.
The base of the cake was a chocolate velvet layer sandwiched between two butter cake layers with choclate fuge and chocolate buttercream filling.
As always, I only used real French buttercream...yummy!

***Updated***
I had a few ask about the size of the cake.  The bottom is three 8" square cake layers and the bomb is 6".
Also, I have several other posts of the SPY PARTY we did for my son as well as his cake...click
and
for more inspiration!

Smiles!

May share this cake with some of the fun parties in the side bar >