Bunny Cakes

German Pancake with Berries

For our first breakfast of the New Year I always try to make something more exciting than our standard fare.  This year I went with the easy & delicious *German Pancakes* (also called Dutch Babies & Maine Pancakes).  The recipe I used came from the July 2008 Parents magazine and can be found here.  The German Pancake batter is as easy to make as regular pancake batter, but you don't have the added fuss time of pouring and flipping the cakes so it ends up being much easier in the end.  Plus you can dump a lot of fruit on top and the kiddies will gobble it up.  If your family size is over 4, then I would make 2 German Pancakes.  One more tip...don't pass on the vanilla.  The first time I had made these I forgot the vanilla and they definitely weren't as good without it, so don't skip that ingredient.

Enjoy!
-K

This Buds for You!

This year for Father's Day I decided to get a little cheeky.  Poor Hubby had to work on his special day so while he was at work the boys and I made sure he would come home to his favorite comfort foods: Beer (he's Irish) & Brownies (he's human).   

I used my fabulous new Lotus Nesting Plates and cans of Bud Light (Hubby's fav) to create a two-tiered cake stand and loaded it up with brownies.  The mini-bundt cake brownies were crowned with chocolate frosting and sprinkles to make them extra special.  If this doesn't say "WE LOVE YOU, YOU'RE THE BEST", then I don't know what does.

In addition to the *Beer & Brownies* we made a bunch of "We Love You" signs and hid them all over the house.  The boys and I put a lot of thought into the places where we hid our *Notes of Affection*.  We wanted Hubby/Daddy to be reminded of our love when he least expected it.  Here's some of our hiding spots:

Happy Daddy's Day!

-K

P.S.  This would also make a great Valentine's Day surprise for your Main Squeeze.

Young & Hungry - Bragging Rights

If you look at the Washington City Paper you will not find Chef M's new place listed as one of the best restaurants in D.C, but there is a good reason for that.  In a confessionary article, the Young & Hungry columnist admits: "If the Best of D.C. issue would have been released next week, I would have selected another place as *Best New Restaurant*. Unfortunately, I dined at Eventide too late for deadline."  The article goes on to describe the scrumptious fare prepared by Chef M, but don't take his word for it (or mine), go there yourself!  I am headed there tomorrow for brunch and I can't wait!  Congrats to Chef M on a truly well-deserved accolade--you make us very proud!

-K

Christmas Treat Tower

My semi-new and favorite cake stand provides a nice display for some Christmas Treats: candy canes, Italian candies and chocolates and, of course, Heavenly Pecans.  Two different kinds of sherbet cups tied with ribbon hold various treats and provide extra interest to the display.

 

-K

Heavenly Munchie - Sugared Pecans

It wouldn't seem like Christmas (or New Years) without this delicious and versatile treat.  Our family (and also Crafty Friend Karen's family) have adopted *Heavenly Pecans* as a must-do holiday tradition.  The pecans are a favorite for many reasons:

• They make any salad scrumptious
• Are entirely delicious on their own (they are hard to stop eating) 
• Make great gifts 

The Heavenly Pecan recipe is a slightly modified Martha recipe.  The Martha recipe is for Pecans on Fire and calls for a peppery blend to be added to the sugared pecans.  We have found that we prefer the sweet version.  Both recipes are available here.

-K  

Birthday Brunch

Once again, I am turning 31.  To celebrate we had a wonderful *Birthday Brunch* at our home.  Chef M. was on site to prepare delicious French Toast with caramelized apples, perfect scrambled eggs (how come mine never turn out that way?) and lots of bacon.  A. was on point with the cake since Hubby was out of town and missed his once-a-year-baka-cake day.  The table was set in pink and white to go with the centerpiece of roses & crape myrtle branches.  All-in-all it was a perfect celebration (minus the Hubby). I know exactly how I want to celebrate next year when I turn 31 all over again!

So yummy...

-K