The Mad Men Birthday Party

A good party is all about the details.

For our Mad Men party, it was the vintage advertisements that we printed out and stuck up on the walls.

It was the special menus that we designed and printed out on thick photographic paper.

It was food and cocktails inspired by the original Margaret Fulton Cookbook, an incredibly mysogynistic 1949 edition of Esquire's Handbook for Hosts, and, of course, one of my favourite TV shows.

Esquire's Handbook for Hosts (1949)

The Margaret Fulton Cookbook

It was a music playlist that included the likes of the Rat Pack, The Beatles (pre-1965), and some solo Dean Martin. 

It was vintage bottles of crème de menthe and vermouth, actually from the 1960's and still very drinkable.

It was vintage cigarettes, bought on eBay and definitely not still smokeable.  (Although I know some of my friends tried).

Cigarettes

It was loads of cocktails, expertly mixed up all night long by superstar-cocktail-maker Sandra.  It was gin.  So much gin.

But mainly, it was the most awesome friends who got into the spirit of the party and were way too generous with gifts.  Boys who wore dashing suits and bought hats and pipes just for the occasion.  Girls who got dressed in the prettiest frocks and teased and sprayed their hair to high heaven.  Friends who ate and drank and laughed to the wee hours of the morning.

But of course, no Sarah-party is complete without a ridiculous amount of food.  And my next post will be all about the food!

A good party is all about the details.

For our Mad Men party, it was the vintage advertisements that we printed out and stuck up on the walls.

It was the special menus that we designed and printed out on thick photographic paper.

It was food and cocktails inspired by the original Margaret Fulton Cookbook, an incredibly mysogynistic 1949 edition of Esquire's Handbook for Hosts, and, of course, one of my favourite TV shows.

Esquire's Handbook for Hosts (1949)

The Margaret Fulton Cookbook

It was a music playlist that included the likes of the Rat Pack, The Beatles (pre-1965), and some solo Dean Martin. 

It was vintage bottles of crème de menthe and vermouth, actually from the 1960's and still very drinkable.

It was vintage cigarettes, bought on eBay and definitely not still smokeable.  (Although I know some of my friends tried).

Cigarettes

It was loads of cocktails, expertly mixed up all night long by superstar-cocktail-maker Sandra.  It was gin.  So much gin.

But mainly, it was the most awesome friends who got into the spirit of the party and were way too generous with gifts.  Boys who wore dashing suits and bought hats and pipes just for the occasion.  Girls who got dressed in the prettiest frocks and teased and sprayed their hair to high heaven.  Friends who ate and drank and laughed to the wee hours of the morning.

But of course, no Sarah-party is complete without a ridiculous amount of food.  And my next post will be all about the food!

reade more... Résuméabuiyad

A Bejeweled Winner!!

So sorry for the delay, ladies!!

The winner of my BambooPink giveaway is the super duper April of The Teacher's Pets.  Congrats, April!  Email me your address and I'll get your earrings ordered.  :-)

In other news...I'm contemplating a new weekly feature.  Or maybe just a short-lived series.  Any guesses?

So sorry for the delay, ladies!!

The winner of my BambooPink giveaway is the super duper April of The Teacher's Pets.  Congrats, April!  Email me your address and I'll get your earrings ordered.  :-)

In other news...I'm contemplating a new weekly feature.  Or maybe just a short-lived series.  Any guesses?

reade more... Résuméabuiyad

Daffodil Cake Pops

 
It's Teacher Appreciation Week...and Mother's Day is Sunday.  (Just so you know.)  Are you baking something special?

These daffodil cake pops would certainly be a little ray of sunshine for either mom or teacher.

But, these cake pops....these are for Bakerella.  Bakerella was one if the very first food blogs I ever read.  And I've been smitten ever since.  In case you've been living under a rock, Bakerella is the QUEEN of the Cake Pops.  She even has a fabulous book.  Bakerella's trip to "The Lodge" was actually my first introduction to The Pioneer Woman.  I remember seeing those cows and thought...I need to know more about this PW person ;).

Angie (Bakerella) has been going though a rough time lately...and she's been on my mind so much.  I wanted to let her know that all of us in blogland are thinking of her.
 
So, I decided to make some cake pops for her...and since that's the kind of person I am...I ate them for her, too.

{I mean, cake pops are hard to ship and I'm pretty sure Angie doesn't want to give her address to someone who's been stalking her for 3 years.)


For the cake, I thought lemon would be spring-y.  I used a lemon cake mix, added the zest of 2 Meyer lemons to the mix, and used the juice of 2 Meyer lemons as part of the water called for on the box.

To make the pops, I stirred in the zest of another Meyer lemon and added a bit of Egg Yellow AmeriColor Food Coloring to the cream cheese icing.

Here they are...all dipped in orange candy melts and waiting to get flower-y. (I still don't quite have the hang of getting them perfectly smooth.)

The idea for the daffodil comes from Martha...she filled hers with jelly beans.
 
Just print out the template from Martha Stewart's site....
{and seriously...I think I need to cut down on the toolbars. Anyhow...}


....trace onto yellow paper,


...cut out and with an Xacto knife cut an X in the middle.


...fold a mini cupcake liner in half and hole punch.  (We only have a heart hole punch, I don't know why, so mine looks a little strange.)

Insert the pops into the liners/flowers.  That's it!  A bouquet of sugary goodness.


You can even put them in a little basket...I put the pops in a Styrofoam block and covered that with a bit of moss.   (I really should have thought of that for May Day.)


So, here's to you, Bakerella!  We're all rooting for you and hope & pray you are feeling better soon.

(***linking to TidyMom's I'm Lovin' It party...always lots of great ideas there...come over!***)

 
It's Teacher Appreciation Week...and Mother's Day is Sunday.  (Just so you know.)  Are you baking something special?

These daffodil cake pops would certainly be a little ray of sunshine for either mom or teacher.

But, these cake pops....these are for Bakerella.  Bakerella was one if the very first food blogs I ever read.  And I've been smitten ever since.  In case you've been living under a rock, Bakerella is the QUEEN of the Cake Pops.  She even has a fabulous book.  Bakerella's trip to "The Lodge" was actually my first introduction to The Pioneer Woman.  I remember seeing those cows and thought...I need to know more about this PW person ;).

Angie (Bakerella) has been going though a rough time lately...and she's been on my mind so much.  I wanted to let her know that all of us in blogland are thinking of her.
 
So, I decided to make some cake pops for her...and since that's the kind of person I am...I ate them for her, too.

{I mean, cake pops are hard to ship and I'm pretty sure Angie doesn't want to give her address to someone who's been stalking her for 3 years.)


For the cake, I thought lemon would be spring-y.  I used a lemon cake mix, added the zest of 2 Meyer lemons to the mix, and used the juice of 2 Meyer lemons as part of the water called for on the box.

To make the pops, I stirred in the zest of another Meyer lemon and added a bit of Egg Yellow AmeriColor Food Coloring to the cream cheese icing.

Here they are...all dipped in orange candy melts and waiting to get flower-y. (I still don't quite have the hang of getting them perfectly smooth.)

The idea for the daffodil comes from Martha...she filled hers with jelly beans.
 
Just print out the template from Martha Stewart's site....
{and seriously...I think I need to cut down on the toolbars. Anyhow...}


....trace onto yellow paper,


...cut out and with an Xacto knife cut an X in the middle.


...fold a mini cupcake liner in half and hole punch.  (We only have a heart hole punch, I don't know why, so mine looks a little strange.)

Insert the pops into the liners/flowers.  That's it!  A bouquet of sugary goodness.


You can even put them in a little basket...I put the pops in a Styrofoam block and covered that with a bit of moss.   (I really should have thought of that for May Day.)


So, here's to you, Bakerella!  We're all rooting for you and hope & pray you are feeling better soon.

(***linking to TidyMom's I'm Lovin' It party...always lots of great ideas there...come over!***)

reade more... Résuméabuiyad

Magshop and the 'Ultimate Italian Experience'

This post is sponsored by Nuffnang.  Please see here for my policy on sponsored posts and advertising.

I was lucky to get some awesome gifts for my birthday last week, but Mother's Day is coming up and it's time to start thinking about what to get your mum!  Magshop are currently running a Mother's Day promotion where you could win an amazing trip for 2 to Italy!  All you have to do is subscribe to one of their many titles.  A magazine subscription could be a great gift for your mum: there are titles for every taste, and the gift lasts all year long.

For Mother's Day this year, I'd like to make my mum a delicious Italian meal featuring her favourite ingredients.  My mum loves pumpkin and feta, so maybe a pumpkin and feta risotto, with homemade basil pesto and a rocket salad.

Another option could be homemade pizza.  My mum doesn't often eat pizza at home, so it would be a special treat.  I'd make the dough from scratch, and top it with thin slices of pumpkin and decadent buffalo mozzarella.

Or maybe tagliatelle with roasted cubes of pumpkin, and sage leaves fried in burnt butter.  It's a classic combo, and with the burnt butter sauce, would be a very indulgent meal.

I bet my mum would love any one of these dishes.  I hope you've enjoyed seeing the ultimate Italian experience I'd like to give my mum this year!  What is everyone else doing for Mother's Day?

Don't forget: subscribe now to House & Garden Magazine or to a cooking magazine via Magshop and you could win a trip of a lifetime to Italy!

This post is sponsored by Nuffnang.  Please see here for my policy on sponsored posts and advertising.

I was lucky to get some awesome gifts for my birthday last week, but Mother's Day is coming up and it's time to start thinking about what to get your mum!  Magshop are currently running a Mother's Day promotion where you could win an amazing trip for 2 to Italy!  All you have to do is subscribe to one of their many titles.  A magazine subscription could be a great gift for your mum: there are titles for every taste, and the gift lasts all year long.

For Mother's Day this year, I'd like to make my mum a delicious Italian meal featuring her favourite ingredients.  My mum loves pumpkin and feta, so maybe a pumpkin and feta risotto, with homemade basil pesto and a rocket salad.

Another option could be homemade pizza.  My mum doesn't often eat pizza at home, so it would be a special treat.  I'd make the dough from scratch, and top it with thin slices of pumpkin and decadent buffalo mozzarella.

Or maybe tagliatelle with roasted cubes of pumpkin, and sage leaves fried in burnt butter.  It's a classic combo, and with the burnt butter sauce, would be a very indulgent meal.

I bet my mum would love any one of these dishes.  I hope you've enjoyed seeing the ultimate Italian experience I'd like to give my mum this year!  What is everyone else doing for Mother's Day?

Don't forget: subscribe now to House & Garden Magazine or to a cooking magazine via Magshop and you could win a trip of a lifetime to Italy!

reade more... Résuméabuiyad

Tuesdays At The Table - Strawberry Citrus Punch

Happy Tuesday, ladies!!  Did everyone have a good weekend?  More importantly - are all my girls in the South OK?!?!  Every time I hear about flood warning and tornadoes hitting - I just want to take attendance and make sure all the proverbial fingers and toes have been counted.

Next weekend, my cousin Kristin's little boy will be having his first communion.  I'm not Catholic...but I hear it's a big deal.  (Kidding, kidding!!!  I mean, truthfully - I'm not Catholic.  But I know that it's a HUGE deal.)  I think I might be making this punch, along with a plethora of baked goods.

Or maybe I'll stick to my super yummy white sangria.  The jury is still out.  :-)

Strawberry Citrus Punch

1 can (12 ounces) frozen pink lemonade concentrate
1 small can (6 ounces) frozen orange juice concentrate
1 package (10 ounces) frozen strawberries in syrup
3 cups water
1 bottle (liter size) cold ginger ale
Ice

In punch bowl, combine lemonade and orange juice concentrates, strawberries, and water. Refrigerate. At serving time, pour ginger ale into juice mixture in bowl. Add ice ring or cubes and serve.

What's cooking in your kitchen?

Happy Tuesday, ladies!!  Did everyone have a good weekend?  More importantly - are all my girls in the South OK?!?!  Every time I hear about flood warning and tornadoes hitting - I just want to take attendance and make sure all the proverbial fingers and toes have been counted.

Next weekend, my cousin Kristin's little boy will be having his first communion.  I'm not Catholic...but I hear it's a big deal.  (Kidding, kidding!!!  I mean, truthfully - I'm not Catholic.  But I know that it's a HUGE deal.)  I think I might be making this punch, along with a plethora of baked goods.

Or maybe I'll stick to my super yummy white sangria.  The jury is still out.  :-)

Strawberry Citrus Punch

1 can (12 ounces) frozen pink lemonade concentrate
1 small can (6 ounces) frozen orange juice concentrate
1 package (10 ounces) frozen strawberries in syrup
3 cups water
1 bottle (liter size) cold ginger ale
Ice

In punch bowl, combine lemonade and orange juice concentrates, strawberries, and water. Refrigerate. At serving time, pour ginger ale into juice mixture in bowl. Add ice ring or cubes and serve.

What's cooking in your kitchen?

reade more... Résuméabuiyad

Lisa Simpson, Frosting for the Cause & my Obsession with the Color Yellow

I seem to have become obsessed with the color yellow.

Case in point...

...the 100-year-old piano I picked up for $99 at Goodwill.  Had to be painted YELLOW.

{Spike will now pose for you.}


Hubby out-of-town on business, I painted our bathroom grey...and added lots (and lots) of YELLOW.


And these cookies....

{They are supposed to be floral silhouettes, but let's be honest.  They look like a cross between Lisa Simpson and a sea creature.}

The cookies are for a good cause, though...and I'm posting the tutorial over at Frosting for the Cause, sweet Paula's charity bringing bakers together to raise money for women's cancers.  Come on over.

(And if you'd like to sign up to help, you can, too!) 

I seem to have become obsessed with the color yellow.

Case in point...

...the 100-year-old piano I picked up for $99 at Goodwill.  Had to be painted YELLOW.

{Spike will now pose for you.}


Hubby out-of-town on business, I painted our bathroom grey...and added lots (and lots) of YELLOW.


And these cookies....

{They are supposed to be floral silhouettes, but let's be honest.  They look like a cross between Lisa Simpson and a sea creature.}

The cookies are for a good cause, though...and I'm posting the tutorial over at Frosting for the Cause, sweet Paula's charity bringing bakers together to raise money for women's cancers.  Come on over.

(And if you'd like to sign up to help, you can, too!) 

reade more... Résuméabuiyad

Gourmet Campers

Although I love my kitchen comforts, when we have an opportunity, we enjoy being out in the bush in our 4WD, camping in the middle of nowhere. I'm not the "walk-in" camping kind of girl, as I would need a pack horse to carry my high end camping requirements, and we're known for being "Gourmet Campers," not settling for cans of beans heated up on a fire, or dehydrated camping meals!

Our Easter camping trip was no exception and we had a menu rivalling any Easter Sunday roast! Marinated butterflied lamb on the BBQ was the main dish, accompanied by BBQed corn, stir fried veg and Tuscan potatoes. 

This camping trip, inspired by the MKR challenge, we also gave a go at making the Aussie bush tucker favourite, Damper. Damper is a bread made without yeast and baked over the campfire. We added sugar and sultanas to ours and tried cooking it two ways - the traditional: wrapped around the stick and cooked over the heat, and wrapped in foil and pushed into the embers. Both were relatively successful and we enjoyed the fun of making and eating our afternoon snack!

Sultana Damper

Ingredients

4 cups of Self Raising Flour

1 heaped spoon of Brown Sugar

A large pinch of salt

175g of sultanas

2 spoons butter

200ml milk

1 egg

Lots of foil

Method

1. Build you campfire and get some embers glowing!

2. Add the dry ingredients (including the sultanas) to a large bowl. Melt the butter over the campfire (a little foil basket works a treat!)

3. Pour the melted butter into the dry ingredients and mix in

4. Break an egg into a mug and lightly beat, add to the milk

5. Mix the egg and milk mixture into the dry ingredients till all combined

6. Knead till reaches a smooth dough consistency and it holds together without crumbling

To cook wrapped around the stick: Roll out a long sausage using 1/4 of the mixture and wrap around a long stick. Hold over the campfire turning till firm and cooked.

To cook in the embers: Wrap the dough in foil (so there are 5 or 6 layers) and place the parcel in the hot embers. Takes about 30 mins, depending on the heat!

Whilst not as comfortable not convenient as our own kitchen, there's a lot more space and it's a lot more adventurous to cook our camping meals under the stars in the vast open bush of Australia!

Although I love my kitchen comforts, when we have an opportunity, we enjoy being out in the bush in our 4WD, camping in the middle of nowhere. I'm not the "walk-in" camping kind of girl, as I would need a pack horse to carry my high end camping requirements, and we're known for being "Gourmet Campers," not settling for cans of beans heated up on a fire, or dehydrated camping meals!

Our Easter camping trip was no exception and we had a menu rivalling any Easter Sunday roast! Marinated butterflied lamb on the BBQ was the main dish, accompanied by BBQed corn, stir fried veg and Tuscan potatoes. 

This camping trip, inspired by the MKR challenge, we also gave a go at making the Aussie bush tucker favourite, Damper. Damper is a bread made without yeast and baked over the campfire. We added sugar and sultanas to ours and tried cooking it two ways - the traditional: wrapped around the stick and cooked over the heat, and wrapped in foil and pushed into the embers. Both were relatively successful and we enjoyed the fun of making and eating our afternoon snack!

Sultana Damper

Ingredients

4 cups of Self Raising Flour

1 heaped spoon of Brown Sugar

A large pinch of salt

175g of sultanas

2 spoons butter

200ml milk

1 egg

Lots of foil

Method

1. Build you campfire and get some embers glowing!

2. Add the dry ingredients (including the sultanas) to a large bowl. Melt the butter over the campfire (a little foil basket works a treat!)

3. Pour the melted butter into the dry ingredients and mix in

4. Break an egg into a mug and lightly beat, add to the milk

5. Mix the egg and milk mixture into the dry ingredients till all combined

6. Knead till reaches a smooth dough consistency and it holds together without crumbling

To cook wrapped around the stick: Roll out a long sausage using 1/4 of the mixture and wrap around a long stick. Hold over the campfire turning till firm and cooked.

To cook in the embers: Wrap the dough in foil (so there are 5 or 6 layers) and place the parcel in the hot embers. Takes about 30 mins, depending on the heat!

Whilst not as comfortable not convenient as our own kitchen, there's a lot more space and it's a lot more adventurous to cook our camping meals under the stars in the vast open bush of Australia!

reade more... Résuméabuiyad