Up Late Cakes

5k & Cupcakes

2009-11-14T10:19:00.001-08:00

My girls, my mother and I ran the Girls on the Run 5k this morning! They even had a cupcake contest after. (Yes, look at all that grey hair!)

Met Martha Stewart

2009-11-01T10:16:00.000-08:00

My mom & I went to the Williams-Sonoma at the King of Prussia mall to meet Martha. She was really sweet. As she signed my book, she thanked me for waiting in such a long line.

Our 11th Anniversary

2009-09-26T08:27:00.000-07:00

September 26th, 2009

Harumi, Karen & Me!

2009-09-24T08:29:00.000-07:00

So happy to meet Harumi Kurihara and Karen Bussen at a lecture at the Japan Society.

Nothing but the best...

2009-08-07T14:58:00.000-07:00

for Mia. I made this for the opening of House's Show in Philly. Ava did NOT want a skirt, so I customized a House tote bag for her.

Margarita-Marinated Grilled Skirt Steak with Tomatillo Salsa

2009-07-25T15:05:00.000-07:00

...thank you Fine Cooking.

Japanese Sweets

2009-06-20T07:27:00.001-07:00

We took a day trip to N.Y. to browse our favorite japanese shops and the American Girl store. These little guys are from Minamoto Kitchoan, a japanese bakery. Our trip wouldn't be complete without a yummy bowl of udon noodle from Chiyoda.

Never too late for tea....

2009-06-17T07:57:00.001-07:00

I found a few lost photos from Mia's Japanese Tea Ceremony birthday party.

I ♥ Vintage Fabric

2009-05-31T11:33:00.000-07:00

Ava is my new thrifting companion. She spotted this fabric before I did!!

Pane Di Pasqua

2009-04-05T14:56:00.000-07:00

The girls and I made Italian Easter bread for family and friends.

Green Tea Cupcakes

2009-03-01T18:38:00.000-08:00

for Mia's Japanese Tea Ceremony Birthday party.

Culinary Crafts

2008-09-27T12:20:00.000-07:00

My friend Lori & I have an after-school craft class at our daughters' school. The planning was a breeze, although eight weeks of 24 girls + 3 boys, every Thursday was exhausting..but fun.

Culinary Crafts: make a snack + make a craft to go along with a "kitchen/cooking" theme.

Apple printing + apples & caramel

Origami + candy sushi

Decorate aprons + decorate cupcakes

happy anniversary, happy anniversary, happy...

2008-09-26T18:05:00.000-07:00

My favorite card...ever!

Honey Crisp

2008-09-17T20:49:00.001-07:00

We spent the afternoon picking honey crisp apples, raspberries, blackberries and grapes.

Tiki Party

2008-07-31T21:19:00.000-07:00

Used the Gocco to customize our semi-annual Tiki Party napkins & invites.

Skating Party Goodie Bags

2008-07-11T21:30:00.000-07:00

My daughter’s 9th birthday was held at the local roller rink (70s theme, natch) and I refuse to go the party store route for the goodie bag & favors.

For the girls, I made ultra-suede bags, tri-feathered roach clips (hair accessories, of course) and a custom leather ID bracelet. Try kerning that type with a hammer and tap. Ugh, I left that to my husband. That crazy Tuscan leathersmith type is pretty cool though, huh?

What is that??

2008-06-05T20:37:00.000-07:00

My package from Japan has finally arrived! I'd love to know what my postman thought it was.

Wilmington Garden Day

2008-05-02T20:14:00.000-07:00

Our home was on the Wilmington Garden Day tour this year.

Garden Day is a self-guided tour of Unique, Stylish and Distinctive Gardens and Homes from City Miniatures to Country Estates - in the greater Wilmington area.

Vintage Fabric

2008-04-06T20:34:00.000-07:00

My husband and I took a little trip to Kentuck Knob this weekend and hit a few antique/thrift shops along the way.

Thrifting always comes in themes for me. This weekend: textiles.

Spring Gifts for Teachers

2008-03-25T12:55:00.001-07:00

I made baby chick cookies for the girls' teachers.
I used Martha's Sugar Cookie recipe.

Devil Dog Cupcakes

2008-02-10T07:32:00.000-08:00

I made these for Mia's 7th birthday. I borrowed the recipe from Epicurious. They were really good. I tried to make Twinkie cupcakes too, but they didn't turn out as well.

Goody Bags

2008-02-10T06:38:00.000-08:00

These were the goody bags I made for Mia's 7th birthday party. She had an 80's theme. The drawstring bags are lined and were so easy to make thanks to happythings. I made the roller skate chocolates using the same molds my Mom used for my 9th birthday favors! The most time consuming project was the braided barrettes! The best compliment I had was when one of Mia's friends had the drawstring bag at school the next day (as her purse) and had the barrettes on!!

Green Tea & Coffee Shortbread

2008-01-28T10:19:00.002-08:00

Green tea shortbread recipe is from Martha.

For coffee shortbread recipe:
use the same Martha green tea shortbread recipe but omit the matcha, add a 1/2 tsp of vanilla, add 1 & 1/2 TBS of ground coffee, bake as directed.

House Industries Wife

2008-01-07T19:34:00.000-08:00

I guess my husband figured we would work cheap to help sell the latest House Industries rags. As if I don't already do enough for him.

Happy New Year

2008-01-01T17:51:00.000-08:00

We had our good friends, Kurt, Lisa, Caleb & Matthew over for New Year's Eve. I picked a Tex-Mex menu. We had Goat Cheese Enchiladas with Corn & Red Mole, Green Rice, New Mexican Rubbed Pork Tenderloin with Sweet Potato Tamale and Pecan Butter, Jarritos sodas, Mexican Hot Chocolate Cupcakes & cheesecake brownies.

I was so nervous about making Tamales for the first time, but they were GOOD and actually not too bad to make. You need to start a day in advance! I could have eaten the Pecan butter alone!