Mystery

Have you ever read a line in book that has changed you? At least for a season of life? 


Well, I recently did, and it compelled me to be more mysterious, which is why I am taking an indefinite hiatus from this blog. I hope you understand.


"We need more true mystery in our lives, Hem," he once told me. "The completely unambitious writer and the really good unpublished poem are the things we lack most at this time."
-A Moveable Feast, Hemingway 

Planning For A Dessert Party: Bonus Blueberries and Cream Cookies Recipe

Throwing a dessert party is a lot fun, but it can also be a huge headache depending on the menu you plan and the way you execute it. I have thrown a few dessert parties in my day, some great and some not-so-great, and it is my desire here to expound on my experience. Hopefully, after reading this you will take away a few pointers on what to do, what not to do and what to expect. Keep in mind I by no means speak as an expert, just a Sassy Lady with a little experience.


1. The first thing you have to do when planning a dessert party, after picking the time day and location of course, is to plan the menu. I usually like to have somewhat of a common thread or theme running through my party, like when I did an Ice Cream Parlour here or this time around when I did a Momofuku Milk Bar theme. That way you have a frame of mind in which to think through what recipes you will use, decor, invites, etc.


After deciding on a theme, if you do at all, you will need to pick the appropriate amount of desserts to have at your party considering the guest size. When estimating the amount of dessert, I would say you always need less than you think for an adult party because most adults are more concerned with their caloric intake than how fast they shove 17 cookies into their face. I had about 3 desserts for 15-18 people and I had plenty leftover. 


You will also want to pick desserts that compliment each other in taste and structure. What I mean by complimentary tastes, for example, is that you will not want three super rich desserts and no lighter fare. Or you will not want two caramel desserts. And if you want to get really technical, you can pair the flavors like you would wine and cheese, so that they enhance one another. What I mean by complimentary structures is choosing desserts with varying forms. Like a cookie and pie, as opposed to two pies. Or having one cream based dessert instead of four. And of course those rules fly out the window if your theme is 'Pie,' 'Ice Cream' or something of the like. But you are smart boys and girls, employ your discretion. 


This time around I choose Blueberries and Cream Cookies, Cereal Milk Panna Cotta and Candy Bar Pie from my Milk Bar cookbook that I am currently obsessed with.

The Candy Bar Pie was so freaking good!

2. The next thing you will need to do after selecting your desserts is to create a plan of action. First, create a grocery list with everything you will need and then go to the store and get all those things. (Make sure you pay attention to the amounts in the recipe so you aren't standing pissed off in the kitchen when you realize you don't have enough heavy cream to get the job done.) 


You will also need to create a schedule of when you will make what. With most desserts there are things you can make ahead of time. In my case, I could make a lot of things ahead of time, so I spaced out the tasks for the days leading up to the event. See.

Made these 'Crumbs' ahead of time for the Candy Bar Pie and Blueberries and Cream Cookies.

Also, you may need to create space in your fridge to store some things you make ahead of time, because it could end up looking like this.

3. Make labels for you desserts. It is a fun way to add atmosphere to your party while avoiding a lot of questions and unnecessary avoidance. You can find some cute ones at Eat Drink Chic.

Also, don't forget to think through what paper and plasticware you might need in addition to what you need to serve things in. Things easily forgotten when you're zoned in on preparing the dessert. 


4. Display the desserts in a manner worthy of the time you put into them. Even a labor intensive stupendous tasting dessert can lack luster if displayed half-hazardly. Put thought into it, do some research on pinterest or what-have-you.

5. Lastly, be prepared to be OK if things don't turn out perfectly. You really can't put to much pressure on yourself to have things be just so. You risk meltdown and spoiling the party. And chances are most guest won't know the difference. I expect this 1/2 of the time because I like to try desserts I have never tried before for parties, which maybe should have been rule #1 to never do, but where is the fun in that? This time around the carmel was runny (next time I know to use another carmel recipe) and the Panna Cotta didn't set up quite right (I doubled the recipe, probably not smart when working with gelatin.)

(Whoops)

Hope those are some helpful tips. For sticking through a long post I reward you with the Blueberries and Cream Cookie recipe!

Blueberries & Cream Cookies



Milk Crumbs Ingredients
1/4 cup plus 1 tablespoon nonfat milk powder
2 tablespoons all-purpose flour
1 tablespoon cornstarch
1 1/2 teaspoons sugar
1/8 teaspoon salt
1 1/2 tablespoons unsalted butter, melted
1/4 cup white chocolate, melted


Milk Crumb Directions
1. Preheat oven to 225 degrees. Line a baking sheet with parchment paper; set aside.
2. In a medium bowl, whisk together 2 tablespoons plus 1 1/2 teaspoons milk powder, flour, cornstarch, sugar, and salt. Stir in melted butter until well combined. Spread mixture on prepared baking sheet and transfer to oven. Bake until dried and crumbly, 8 to 10 minutes. Remove milk crumble from oven and let cool completely.
3. Transfer milk crumble to a large bowl and fold in remaining 2 tablespoons plus 1 1/2 teaspoons milk powder and white chocolate. Use immediately or transfer to an airtight container and keep refrigerated until ready to use.


Blueberries and Cream Cookies Ingredients
2 1/2 cups all-purpose flour
1/4 teaspoon baking powder
1/8 teaspoon baking soda
2 teaspoons salt
1 cup (8 ounces) unsalted butter
1/2 cup plus 2 tablespoons granulated sugar
1/2 cup plus 2 tablespoons light-brown sugar
1/4 cup glucose (I used corn syrup and it worked great!)
1 large egg
3/4 cup dried blueberries
1/2 cup plus 1/3 cup Milk Crumbs


Blueberries and Cream Cookies Directions
1. Line two baking sheets with parchment paper; set aside. Preheat oven to 375˚F.


2. In a large bowl, mix together flour, baking powder, baking soda, and salt; set aside. Cream butter, sugars, and glucose until well combined. Add egg and mix.


3. Add flour mixture and mix then add blueberries and milk crumbs. Scoop dough into balls and place about 2 inches apart on prepared baking sheets.


4. Transfer baking sheets to oven and bake, rotating pans halfway through baking, until cookies are golden brown and tops begin to crackle, about 15 minutes. Transfer cookies to a wire rack to cool.

Singing Again

Hey faithful followers. I started up my other blog again: Sing To Me, Muse. The following is the description given on the blog. Check it out!

In Greek mythology the Muses were spirits who inspired the creation of art, literature and spoken word. Like the Greeks, I believe someone divine does inspire everything beautiful and creative in this world; He is my God, my Savior. This blog is filled with things that inspire my creative spirit as well as celebrate the Creator of all. I hope my posts sing to you as the sing to me.

This Is Monumental News! Laduree in NY!

Laduree, the Parisian patisserie and tea salon where I first fell in love with French macarons and where I spent one of the few nights I would deem magical has opened their first US store in New York! Now, if I could just take Muni cross country. 

Oh, also check out their website. It is newly redone and I would describe it as "every grown woman's little girl dream."

A Couple of Cutie Pies

I recently threw a bridal shower for my very near and dear friend Crystal in my mom's back yard. The theme was "backyard bash" complete with plenty of lemonade and pie. It was so much fun to plan (I love creating cohesive environments) and even more fun to be a part of as we got to celebrate Crystal and her future union with her fiance Sean. So without further ado, or too many words, here is the shower, here is Crystal and here are the recipes I used for the pies and lemonades.

We begin our journey the day before the shower, during my mom and I's pie baking marathon...

Love the look my mom is giving the camera.

My mom makes the best pie crusts, have I ever mentioned that?

Isn't it puurty?

On to the shower...

So I made this glitter banner just by printing out some huge letters, cutting them out, gluing and glittering them and then stringing them on some fishing wire to hang in front of the fabric.

Time for pie!

 For the pie toppers I just copied this clipart banner and typed in the words I wanted. Then I printed it onto some bone cardstock, cut and glued it to some coffee stir sticks.

Plus, all the pies had these flavor labels. 

My mom and I made a Bluebarb (blueberry + rhubarb), Cherry Almond Crumble, Ginger Peach and and Apple. The recipes are linked to the names, of course we used my mom's bomb pie crust, not the ones in the recipes, as well as her apple pie filling so you can ask her for both if you are lucky enough to know her. The cherry is a compilation of this pie filling and this topping.

Mmmmm.... even more delicious with vanilla ice cream and Fleur De Sel Caramel on top. Of course, I had to try a piece of each!


What about the Lemonade? You got it!


Watermelon Rosemary Lemonade

Vermontuckey Lemonade (Maple Bourbon)

And my favorite, Lavender Honey Lemonade

I made the lemonade labels using this clipart image.

Ok, on to the rest of the party and the beautiful bride to be.

Hair tie party favors. Get it, "tying the knot???" So cheap to make to, you can make 20 ties for $1.50 worth of fold over elastic as opposed to $1.50 for 1 at some LA boutique.

Usually, I hate doilies (I'm not 80 after all nor am I a huge fan of the whole country chic thing) but they kinda worked with whole theme, so I taped the paper kind together to make a runner.

Crystal enjoying some 'ade.

Silly bow head.

And off she goes to get married!

Love you Crystal! And love all you readers for making it to the end of a very long post!

Back At Sweet Rose W/ Some Sweet Girls

Here I am, in Fort Collins Colorado, sitting under my favorite snow leopard blanket listening to my Bridget Bardot (consequently a Bossa Nova) Pandora station with the sound of the thunder and rain roaring through my open window in the background. I finished The Sun Always Rises by Hemingway earlier today, and shared a good strong beer and a clove with my husband an hour ago; I can honestly say I am feeling pretty great right about now.


But as I reflect on greatness, I can't help but be reminded of the great summer the Lord allowed me to spend with some sweet girls in Santa Monica, CA during a month long mission trip. We learned together, laughed together, lived together and grew together under the care and guidance of our Great God.


The time has ended now, but will forever shape us thanks to the orchestrator of it all. And though I sit totally content in my bed at the moment, I can't help but think back and miss.


At the end of the summer, we ended our quality time together appropriately with some quality ice cream at Sweet Rose Creamery in Santa Monica, CA.

Yes, I have blogged about the place before, but I just wanted to highlight the sweet girls who went with me and the Bacon Bourbon Sundae :)


Here they are...

Here was our ice cream...

The Bacon Bourbon Sundae as promised. Pretty delicious and beautiful.

And there it goes.

Cue thunder.

S'more Fun

Summertime in Santa Monica. The gloom is as imminent as the beach. The memories are as thick as the tourists on 3rd St. And my idea of fun is, "Give me s'more, give me s'more."

Summertime, what sums it up better than a bonfire. What accompanies a bonfire better than friends, grahams, mallows and chocolate?

Nothing. But sometimes you have to break up what is inevitable, what is imminent. That's why I replaced the traditional Hershey Chocolate square with a Reese's Peanut Butter Cup. 

It was delicious; as sweet as a Summer sunset spent with your dearling. Though I am committed to the original s'more format out of shear tradition and track record, it was delightful to let another candy bar have a shot. I recommend it, along with a bonfire, your dearling and writing short dissonant sentences. Summertime.

Sundae Party On A Thursday

Josh and I threw a Make-Your-Own Sundae Party last Thursday night, because let's face it, a Sundae Party on a Sunday is flat out redundant and annoying.


We invited some great friends over and went all out on the ice cream and toppings.


I downloaded some cute ice cream parlor labels from EatDrinkChic and set up three stations.


Step 1: Choose your vessel/vessels


Sugar cone or waffle bowl...

chocolate chip sandwich cookies...

bananas for banana splits...

and/or a bowl (not pictured b/c bowls are pretty boring to look at).

Step 2: Choose your ice cream/ice creams (all homemade)


Fleur De Sel Valrhona (aka fancy salted chocolate)...

Four Barrel Baramundi Coffee...

and/or my personal favorite (in fact maybe my favorite ice cream I have ever made) Cereal Milk. 

Which tastes pretty much like it sounds, the ice cream form of the milk you get after you finish your cereal. You know what I am talking about right? If you don't, you need to have a bowl of Golden Grahams right now and, when all the cereal is gone, drink the milk down to the last dregs. It is quite magical.

Step 3: Choose your toppings


Homemade Marshmallow Hot Fudge...

not-homemade caramel...

candied cereal for the Cereal Milk...

and/or rainbow sprinkles of course.

Plus a cherry for on top!

People came up with some pretty creative and delicious combos, see evidence below...

My favorite combos were the Cereal Milk with the candied cereal and caramel on top in a cone and the Fleur De Sel Valrhona with fudge and sprinkles on top mounded on top of a chocolate chip cookie. You really couldn't go wrong though!

I will leave you with some recipes, but before I do, I would like to highly recommend having your own Sundae Party this summer, it was so fun and delicioso! Just make sure you invite some fabulous friends and don't have it on a Sunday, unless of course you want to become the next Sandra Lee.

Fleur De Sel Valrhona:

Use this recipe and omit the mix-ins. Use Valrhona cocoa powder and add fleur de sel to your salty desire right after you mix the costard into the cream.

Four Barrel Baramundi Coffee:

Use this recipe using Four Barrel Baramundi beans. I also added a shot of brewed coffee to the mixture this time around.

Cereal Milk:

Follow this recipe to the T. This ice cream requires a little more work than most, but it is sooo worth it.

Marshmallow Hot Fudge:

See David Lebovitz Perfect Scoop.