If life gives you lemons, I say pucker up sister. Skip the lemonade, and just figure out how to live with a little tartness. In my case, life gave me grapefruits and oranges from a friend’s neighbor’s tree. Yes, life in sunny (HA!) So Cal often bestows citrus-y delights. Another reason to love California.
Imagine biting into the perfect strawberry chocolate truffle from a ridiculously expensive box of chocolates but in cake form. That is what I was going for when my daughter requested a strawberry chocolate cake for her birthday celebration. I looked all over the internet and searched through my cookbooks, but did not quite find what I had in mind. So I pieced together recipes from three different sources to get exactly what I was imagining…a chocolate strawberry truffle in a lovely slice of cake.
Hi All,
Since April Fool’s Day is today, I thought I would repost this since it is a doozy, tastes YUM and will definitely fool anyone you serve them to. Make sure to stop by your local fast food joint and ask if you can take one of the little ketchup cups when you buy a soda or something, it really helps with the whole look of the fake fries. Happy fooling! —Love, Geni
I can’t do anything normally, the obvious way, the “exactly according to the recipe” way. Sometimes it works for me and sometimes it doesn’t. Today it worked; really, really worked.
If you like Girl Scout Thin Mint cookies, then you have come to the right place. Or if you are simply a fan of the deepest, richest, chocolate cupcake with creamy mint frosting, then you are also in the right place. On the other hand, if chocolate just does not rock your world, please feel free to move on. I will contemplate whether you are allowed to return. Kidding…just kidding.
Inhale. I am giving you permission unlike Bill Clinton’s little foray. You’re not running for president are you? Let’s hope not. Use some imagination…c’mon…I know you can. Close your eyes, picture standing in my kitchen. Please step over the Golden Retriever. Chances are, she is lying at your feet, or more likely has her nose in your crotch. Try to ignore that…it’s difficult, but please try for this little exercise.
I am she…the one who cried wolf. The one who has said at least ten times or so here on S&C that this is the BEST something or other EVER! But what if it is? Will you believe me this time? Have I whittled away your trust? I sure hope not because the only loser in this equation is YOU if that is so.
Thankful. I have so much…too much. My grown kids are kind, happy and healthy, productive adults. That is everything to me. And my Golden Retriever, Sadie, is a constant love and complete noodge (I love both sides of her; the angel and the devil). I am surrounded by family and friends and always have food on my table and a warm bed. All of that is huge and Thanksgiving reminds me not to take it all for granted and to do what I can to help others to have the same necessities. Food and a warm bed should not be a privilege in a wealthy country such as ours. Unfortunately, that is not the case. If you are feeling like you have more than you need, please think of homeless organizations in your area to donate to. One of my local favorites is West Hollywood Community Housing Corporation.
As to the food I’ve decided not to reinvent the wheel and just show you what Sweet and Crumby has got for the upcoming big holiday. I hope this list gives you inspiration for your Thanksgiving menu.
This Maple Roasted Pumpkin Salad would be a tantalizing and bright way to start off your holiday meal. Add some dried cranberries or make a cranberry vinaigrette to give it that extra festive flare.
A Sweet and Crumby Instant Replay because sometimes Life happens.
Have you ever fallen…
crazily in love?
down, way down, with no glimpse of the sky?
literally, into a mud puddle, or down a flight of stairs or simply between the cracks?…
This devastatingly rich, chocolate cake, too, has fallen, but it was designed to fall. Cakes are one of those few things that can be meant to fall. Unlike people, this cake falls perfectly into a rich and soulful plate of splendor. Continue reading
Think of this beautifully orange, and poppy spiked carrot cake, dripping with honey and cream cheese glaze as a life saver—those little ring thingies that you toss to someone that has gone over board so you can pull them in, not the candies. I basically threw it to myself, to slow down my life, to bring myself in the moment.
Black Cocoa Powder which was used in these dark, dark, moist and chocolatey malted cupcakes.
Calorie FREE chocolate malted cupcakes which these are NOT…one can certainly dream can’t she?
And my daughter’s smile when opening her fifteenth birthday present which was a first edition copy of her favorite book with author’s signature.
My words are few today because life is going at its usual lightning speed right now. So what’s new? But life is good and birthdays are super good. And watching your daughter open presents and having your husband make her dreams come true are all beautiful things. He was the mastermind behind finding a signed first edition of Night Circus and surprising her with it yesterday morning. Continue reading
Sweet And Crumby 