New Pendant Necklaces

It is tricky to work on jewlery during the summer with the kids home. We go places and I watch them swim for hours like now. We also spend as much time as we
at our house on Chautauqua Lake. So I actually have some new necklaces to show and sell very soon in my shop at etsy. They are lampwork glass pendants on cotton cord. They are very lovely and perfect for everyday.

Please check there soon.

Hope you like them.

~Michelle

Yellow Cakes with Strawberry Frosting

I found a 24 small muffin tin on clearance the other day and had to try it out. I made some yellow mix mini cupcakes for work the other day to celebrate the engagement of a co-worker. I also made a strawberry butter cream frosting.

I used some strawberry extract and also some strawberry puree in the frosting.

I used a box mix for the cakes.

Frosting

12 tbsp. unsalted butter, at room temperature
4 cups confectioners' sugar
1 tsp. vanilla
1 1/2 tsp. strawberry extract
2 tbsp. heavy cream
some strawberry puree (about 1 cup strawberries with some sugar put them in a food processor until smooth)

Beat the butter in the bowl of an electric mixer until smooth and fluffy, about 2 minutes. Mix in the confectioners' sugar until incorporated. Add the extracts and beat on medium speed until well blended. Add in some strawberry puree (try not to water down the frosting) . Add in the heavy cream and beat on medium-high speed for about 4 minutes, until light and fluffy.

~Michelle

Chocolate-Almond Cheesecake Bites part 2

I wrote a post to celebrate the first anniversary of this blog back in April. I had intentions to make the cheesecake bites to celebrate and I just never did. I find that everyone I know is watching their weight and when I show up with baked goods I get stares and a few people grab some just to be polite. Even my co-workers are 'dieting' so I feel bad bringing in goodies.

Well, I finally had an opportunity to make these. It was for one of my best friends 40th birthday party. I wanted to bring something small for dessert. She really loves the recipe I have for a checkerboard cake, but I didn't know if there was going to be cake so I decided to make the chocolate-almond cheesecake bites. Everyone just loved them.

I cut the squares small so they were really bite-size. 7x7 = 49 bites.

I melted white chocolate and drizzled over the cooled bites.

Mouthwatering!!

To check out the recipe click here or on the link above. :)

~Michelle