Cake Pops for Beth Part I

My beautiful friend Beth is doing this amazing thing.
For her birthday she's putting on an art show that combines photography and poetry and is inviting all her friends to come and share in what she's calling: 26 Secrets.
What a fantastic idea and I'm so proud of her. {It's tomorrow night!}

So when she asked me if I'd contribute to the night by bringing something - maybe, possibly cake pops - of course I said YES!

So I hunted around on the interwebs and thought about it because these could not just be any old cake pops. These needed to be classy and artsy and downright delicious.

And then I found it; an old link I had saved in my bookmarks.

Earl Grey Cupcakes with Lemon Buttercream


Perfecto!

So I whipped up the cake

And I even used my David's Tea Cream of Earl Grey loose tea. I pondered whether I should grind up the tea or not, but in the end, opted for leaving them as is.

I baked and crumbled up the cake

And then made the most amazing lemon buttercream you've ever tasted. I mean, SO GOOD.

Lemon zest and fresh lemon juice. So. Lemony. *I die*

And then probably the most time consuming part. Mixing and rolling the cake into little "pops".
And I didn't take a picture of that because it was almost midnight and I was tired and Noah had been crying on and off for about an hour.

Tonight I'll be dipping the pops into chocolate and hopefully get to bed at an earlier hour.
Here's hoping!

{And bring on the coffee!}

this winter is...

wishing you were outside playing with your brother in the snow

the wall of cheer making me smile every time i walk past it

wrapping presents all in red

welcoming keven home with a huge party; everyone crammed into my parents' living room to watch a slideshow of his tour in afghanistan

baking, baking, baking!

Busy!

I've got a lot going on in the next couple months.
I was at a store the other day and purchased items for an engagement shower (an engagement party and bridal shower combined into one glorious event), a baby shower and a bachelorette party. I felt like telling the cashier that they were for different people but then felt silly for feeling like I needed to defend my purchases.

Here is what my life will look like over the next 2 months:
January 17th - bridal shower
January 22nd - Engagement Shower
January 23rd 10am - dress fitting
January 23rd 11am - wedding (but not for the one for which I am being fitted)
January 30th - bridal shower
January 31st - baby shower
February 6th - bachelorette party
February 13th - final dress fitting
February 14th - Valentine's Day - no idea if we'll celebrate or not
February 26th - rehersal dinner
February 27th - wedding

...breathe....

But I'm excited.
My lovely friend Tamsin (for whom I am throwing said Engagement Shower) said I was doing too much. Perhaps. But at least I don't feel overwhelmed by it.
Yet.
But I think because I'm doing things that are fun for me for people I love dearly, it doesn't seem like something that puts pressure on me or weighs me down like a burden.
Plus it was an excuse to use up a few gift cards from Christmas to go shopping for new outfits!