Five Friday Pin Up and my first Blogging Conference - Blissdom Canada.

In my last post I mentioned the last week was very busy which is why I was late in it out.  Here is my run down of what happened Thursday-Sunday.

Thursday - Work in the day, met my friend downtown right after work for dinner, then crashed at her house for an early Friday morning

Friday - Went to the Marilyn Denis show, Thanks to Blissdom Canada.  The entire show was bloggers who were attending the conference.   Then in the afternoon I got a prenatal massage, (Amazing) and then made cupcakes for my baby shower on Sunday, then a family dinner in the evening. 

Saturday - Went to the Blissdom Canada Conference from about 7am-6pm,  then went out for dinner and since I am now almost 36 weeks pregnant I crashed and went to bed quite early.   Not that I slept well but I was in bed. 

Sunday - Went for a pre-baby shower manicure/pedicure, then baby shower and then had some friends hang out afterwards for some games.   

So clearly very little time for writing and posting. This Monday started conference #2 with Online BlogCon. At least with this one I don't have to read everything right away and I can come back to those posts.   I can barely keep up with the facebook posts let alone the BlogCon posts. 

Here are my thoughts on Blissdom starting with the Marilyn Denis show.  It was very cool to see how the show operates.   The timing, moving things around, getting people ready, it was all very quick.  The hour flew by,  started and then it was done, just like that.    It was exciting to get some gift cards and a book as some giveaways as well.   It was pretty fun,  although it wasn't to then see myself on TV later on when I watched it.

The conference started Friday night with a small event I didn't attend.  When I first booked the tickets to go to Blissdom Canada,  I did not know I would be 36 weeks pregnant at the same time so I had to pick and choose what I felt I could attend.   My focus was obviously the main conference day.   It started with a newcomers meet and greet, which was quick but great to meet a few new comers as well.   After that there was breakfast, which was a little disappointing as it only consisted of granola, fruit and yogurt and then a presentation by Dove which was simply their commercial on TV done in person. After the opening remarks, the morning consisted of mircosessions, which sounded promising as the topics were very relevant and interesting.  Unfortunately with only a half an hour each there wasn't really enough time it seemed to get into any great detail,  I would have loved some more in depth content. We also only had time to attend three mircosessions out of about 25 that all had the potential for great information.  The afternoon consisted of 5 speakers with Jian Gomeshi being the first and best.   Not that he talked a lot about blogging, he is just a great speaker and was very funny.   I am very interested to get his book now.
  

I did meet a lot of really great people at the conference which is obviously one of the key reasons to go.  Blissdom is full of really fun, passionate people and that was probably the best part for me as I still left thriving for some more content when I left.  The other bonus was leaving with a great amount of free products and swag from the sponsors, that is always a nice perk.

Sunday was my baby shower so I did skip out on the Blissdom excursions day.  I am not upset however as my baby shower was fantastic.  My family did an amazing job at putting it all together.  Pink and green turtles were everywhere,  with tons of games, crafts and lots of delicious food.  I got to see lots of friends and family, got some great advice and the baby got spoiled.  Hubby and I are now pretty much set for baby's upcoming arrival, now we anxiously wait for the next 4 weeks.  It was really an overwhelming day full of a lot of love.

A few of my favorite things... Sea turtle cupcakes decorated by my sister and a create your own onesie craft that my sister in law planned.

With Blissdom last weekend and Online Blogcon earlier this week I have met so many new bloggers and been exposed to tons and tons of great new blogs.   For this reason I need to get back into my Five Friday Pin Up.   Here are some great things I pinned over the last little while.

1) Tomato Basil Parmesan Soup by We pass the time of day to forget how time passes : http://pinterest.com/pin/149744756331466585/     I have been addicted to tomato soup lately. I have to make this.

2) Grandma's Lasagna by Wishes N Dishes : http://pinterest.com/pin/149744756331553426/
Seriously, just look at this.

3) Broccoli and Cheese Muffins by It all tastes Greek to Me : http://pinterest.com/pin/149744756331623841/     I want these for breakfast tomorrow.

4) Pumpkin Caramel Kiss Cookies by Something Swanky : http://pinterest.com/pin/149744756331551969/     Oh pumpkin you do us right in so many ways.

5) Peanut Butter Glazed Chocolate Chip Donuts by A Kitchen Addiction : http://pinterest.com/pin/149744756331624341/   


I am still behind on the Online Blogcon posts and catching up with all the attendees blogs/pages/twitter/pinterest so my debrief on that will be in the next couple days.

Have a SWEET weekend!

Five Friday Pin up - Mar 9

Does anyone watch the Finder?  It is my new favorite show and I highly recommend it.  Smart, funny and very entertaining.   Check it out, it was on Thursday night but I think it is moving to Fridays.  And that is all I have to say about that.

On another note : TGIF and TGTGWIS  (Thank god the good weather is coming)  We have a small dip in the temperature for the next day or so but Sunday and the days following it are promising sunshine and double digits. Hello walks outside, driving with the window down and patio season.  I think this weekend may also involve uncovering the BBQ. Yippee!  Spring also means Easter.  Which means Easter candy and my obsession with it.  Mini eggs, eggies, reese eggs they all make me very happy and now I can freely bake with them.  Time for some Easter recipe creation.

My hubby is back from work travel so this weekend will involve a dinner/movie date and a nice Sunday walk. As well as the usual baking, blogging I must must start to go over all my taxes.  I never got to those last time I said I was supposed to.  My giant envelope of receipts is haunting me.

Don't forget to turn your clocks ahead Sunday morning if you are supposed to and enjoy more sunlight at night!

It has been a while since I spread the blogging word on what I recently got hooked on, so I did my 10 favorite pins of the last few weeks.

1) Salted Caramel Macaroons by 52 Kitchen Adventures : http://pinterest.com/pin/149744756330070754/

2) Nutella Baklava by Epicurean Mom : http://pinterest.com/pin/149744756330070786/

3) Butterfinger Blondies by Six Sisters Stuff : http://pinterest.com/pin/149744756330094433/

4) Whole Wheat Baked Banana + Chocolate Doughnuts by Top with Cinnamon : http://pinterest.com/pin/149744756330130016/

5) English Muffin Bread by My Baking Addiction : http://pinterest.com/pin/149744756330073522/

6) Creamy baked rigatoni with butternut squash and goat cheese by Foodess : http://pinterest.com/pin/149744756330154864/

7) Creamy chicken avocado and goat cheese salad by The Healthy Foodie :  http://pinterest.com/pin/149744756330144507/

8) No Bake Lentil Granola Bars by Once Upon a Cutting Board : http://pinterest.com/pin/149744756330155152/

9) Gluten Free Oreos by Gluten Free Girl : http://pinterest.com/pin/149744756330094422/

10) Samoa Bundt Cake by Betsy Life : http://pinterest.com/pin/149744756330154921/


Have a SWEET Weekend!

Five Friday Pin up - Feb 17

This Friday is exceptionally better than other Friday's.  Why?   This Monday is a holiday which means a long weekend!   A well needed long weekend I might add.  Work has been exhausting the last several weeks and I am going to enjoy every minutes of my extra day off.

This also  happens to be a weekend where I have very little planned, a very refreshing thought in deed.  Saturday night will be spent baby sitting my niece (who just turned 3).   That always tends to be an adventure or at least several hours of  keeping me on my toes.   Luckily the hubby seems to have a "kids love me magnet" built into him.   They are always all over him like Winnie the Pooh on honey.   He plays hide and seek and I bake and tuck her in (she is also staying over).     I am sure the rest of the weekend plan will be to bake, clean, work out, catch a movie, maybe do a little shopping, figure out our trips for 2012, start my taxes and above all - relax.  Yikes - seems like a long list already but other than the taxes and the cleaning the rest is FUN

I love long weekends.  We need more of them.

Here's some of my favorite pins for the week - five food and one that is just adorable.

1) Butterfinger Nutter Butter Cheesecake Bars by Laurens Lately : http://pinterest.com/pin/149744756330024717/

2) Caramel Apple Cookie Bars by Picky Palate : http://pinterest.com/pin/149744756330024702/

3) Carob Covered Coconut Protein Bars/Energy Squares by Natural Noshing : http://pinterest.com/pin/149744756329989829/

4) Hot Quinoa Cereal by Mama Me Gluten Free : http://pinterest.com/pin/149744756329978567/

5) Chickpea and Cucumber Salad by Green Lite Bites :    http://pinterest.com/pin/162059286561086315/

CUTE : Baby and Bulldog -  http://pinterest.com/pin/149744756330024746/

Have a extra long  Sweet Weekend. (if you have one)

Five Friday Pin Up - Feb 3

And January is done, time to move on to the month of  love, a few birthdays and family day.   This was a busy work week. Month end (blah) and a visit to a poultry plant.   Yikes in deed, I will spare you all the details on that but I even spared myself from certain areas because I would still like to eat chicken in the future.   Certain aspects of the tour were very cool.

Outside of work I was on my own as the hubby was in Ottawa for business.    I took this opportunity to do some more baking, have dinner with a friend, skip cooking class and on Monday I went to see Lynn Crawford speak.  I added another personalized cookbook to my collection and picked up another signed book for my readers. She was great.   I recorded pretty much the entire talk (which I thought was lost on my playbook but I found it last night).    A recipe post from the book and wrap up to come in the next few weeks - with the additional cookbook giveaway.

This weekend involves dinner with friends on Saturday (which I need to make dessert for)  and the Superbowl on Sunday, also the day before my sister's b-day (which I should make a dessert for).  So as always,  busy, busy.


Pinterest was going crazy this week.    I pinned some Raw Carrot Cake balls last week and my email hasn't stopped.   It has been repinned over 400 times!   Needless to say I will have to try these.    Here are some other amazing things I pinned that deserve just as many re-pins.

1) Gluten free Peanut Butter Cookies by Oh Lady Cakes : http://pinterest.com/pin/149744756329953178/

2) Healthy Lasagna w Turkey and Pesto by Cookin' Canuck : http://pinterest.com/pin/149744756329934674/

3) Bacon guacamole grilled cheese by Closet Cooking: http://pinterest.com/pin/149744756329944665/

4) Asiago Cheese Bagels by How Sweet Eats : http://pinterest.com/pin/149744756329953101/

5) Red Velvet Crepes by Taste and Tell Blog : http://pinterest.com/pin/149744756329948040/


Have a Sweet Weekend

Five Friday Pin Up - Jan 20

This wasn't an overly busy week, it was just an unproductive week.    I had my French farmhouse cooking class on Tuesday and the braised pork in milk was wonderful.  Made a sauce with the milk afterwards and it was delish.   I will remake this and post for you all.  I forgot to take photos.   The Chef also made salted arctic char but I don't like fish so I didn't try it.

This week was also a lot  of playing with my new Galaxy Nexus - which I am in love with by the way.  (Widgets are awesome!)  This phone however led me to wasting a dreadful amount of time playing angry birds.  I will tell you why this game is addictive.  It is the inability to beat a level you know how to beat.    You know where the birds have to go and what they need to do, you just keep screwing it up or getting the trajectory wrong.  You simply keep telling yourself, one more time, one more time, one more time - over and over again.   I will stop once I beat this level and then you beat the level and keep playing.  It's ridiculously really.   I expect the novelty to wear off once I beat all the free levels I can.

I do vow this weekend to put aside my angry birds and bake.  I have a lot on the baking agenda this weekend and am hoping I can get through it all.  I also plan to do some brain storming on new recipes for some upcoming events and other than some typical house cleaning I think my weekend is fairly flexible right now.  All good signs point to productivity.   I will sit the laptop in the kitchen, put on some TV shows and bake.

This was a week of awesome savory pins ( I had to include one sweet) .  Check them out, you won't be disappointed

1)  Lentil, Grape, Feta and Walnut salad by Cheap Recipe Blog - http://pinterest.com/pin/149744756329870077/

2) Warm Chickpea Salad by Runs with Spatulas - http://pinterest.com/pin/149744756329878071/

3) White Chicken & Artichoke Lasagna by Tasty Tidbits : http://pinterest.com/pin/149744756329878816/

4)  Eggs, Kielbasa and Mushrooms in Puff Pastry by Jo Cooks : http://pinterest.com/pin/149744756329882882/

5) Snickers Cookies by Bakers Royale : http://pinterest.com/pin/149744756329878007/


Have a Sweet weekend!!

Five Friday Pin Up on a Sunday

So I know today is not Friday but I haven't done a "Friday pin up" in sometime and I have so many pins building up.  Last week was super busy at work, every body needed year end reports, reviews and summaries.  All last minute, and never ending.  I am hoping for a bit of normalcy next week so I can get back on track.

Last week I also started a cooking class with my friend Tasha and her friend Nino.   We are taking French farmhouse cooking. Classic french flavours made rustic and easy.   The first class was just a demo class and the Chef made duck, rosemary roasted potatoes, cheese puffs, tuna tapenade, blue cheese stuffed prunes and anchovies in oil ( I did not like this last one).   I also don't really have duck that much but it was good.  I think I just like the idea of using duck fat for cooking.   The remaining classes are a combination of demo and labs and there are a lot of pretty cool recipes coming up.  My husband is particularly excited as he will get some really good dinners for the next 5 weeks.   I will keep you posted on our class creations each week and try to take a few pics.

Here are some great pins from that last few weeks, I did 10 this week since I have missed so many weeks.

1) Almond Butercrunch Toffee by Luxefinds : http://pinterest.com/pin/149744756329839320/

2) Blueberry Cream Cheese Danish Cake by A Hint of Honey : http://pinterest.com/pin/149744756329839304/

3) Chocolate Chip Sandwich Bars with Cranberry by Vanilla Kitchen: http://pinterest.com/pin/149744756329851820/

4) Brazilian Cheese Bread by Give me Flour : http://pinterest.com/pin/149744756329794090/

5) Honeycomb Cannelloni by Cook Republic : http://pinterest.com/pin/149744756329793936/

6) Bacon, Pear and Raspberry Grilled Cheese by Pinch of Yum : http://pinterest.com/pin/149744756329757276/

7) Tostados by Use Real Butter : http://pinterest.com/pin/149744756329822235/

8) Bacon Wrapped Dates with Goat Cheese and Chorizo by Cook and be Merry : http://pinterest.com/pin/149744756329813118/

9) Monkey Bread with Cream Cheese and Cranberries by To Food with Love : http://pinterest.com/pin/149744756329746545/

10) Cherry Macaroon Tart by The Red Spoon : http://pinterest.com/pin/149744756329822246/


Hope you had a Sweet weekend!!

Five Friday Pin up - Nov 25

Well I am happy I got two blog posts out this week.   I am in the middle of a 150 decorated sugar cookie order.   It might not seem like a lot,  but working full time, blogging and a jammed pack weekend of Christmas events has made my stress level a little high.    My wonderful sister was kind enough to come over last night to help me ice half the cookies and I am now in good shape. Stress level down.   This will continue to be a pretty intensive baking weekend.   I have two - three desserts to bake for a dinner party on Saturday night and then Sunday my friend Heather is coming over for our annual holiday baking day.   This is what we did last year --> Heather & Meg Baking Day 2011    It is a lot of fun and a great way to try a few new recipes.  We make a good team and I think this year we are actually more organized than normal. Maybe.

This weekend I also plan to get my Christmas decorating done, both trees and lights up outside.  Always one of my favorite days.  I put on the Christmas tunes and decorate.  Brad and I will also pick up our final major furniture piece for the basement, aside from his electronics, this leather chair will be the final major piece. Very happy about this, as the basement spending is finally coming to a close.  Brad is maybe more excited as he cries a little every time he sees our savings go down. :-P

When will I fit in Christmas shopping?   I have no idea.  Anyone not started?  Anyone done?   Anyone else have no free time and happy about it because it is filled with holiday events?   I love this time of year!

Here are some wonderful recipes I pinned this week.

1) Twix Truffles by Gimme Some Oven : http://pinterest.com/pin/149744756329717864/

2) Salted Butter Caramel Ice Cream by Food Nouvea : http://pinterest.com/pin/149744756329718025/

3) Pecan Caramel Bars by Pip and Ebby : http://pinterest.com/pin/149744756329718023/

4)  Bacon and Blue Cheese Cornbread by Mmm is for Mommy : http://pinterest.com/pin/149744756329716132/

5) Acorn Squash stuffed with a Quinoa Pilaf by One Green Planet : http://pinterest.com/pin/149744756329710947/


Keep an eye on the blog next week I will be introducing a new series from now until Christmas with a giveaway at the end!


Have a SWEET weekend!  Hope everyone in the U.S had a safe and happy Thanksgiving.

Five Friday Pin up

Today is 11-11-11.   This only happens once every 100 years. Is there any important significance or luck today?  Could be if you find the number 11 has mystical powers.   In 1911 on November 11 temperatures in some parts of the US dropped by more than 60F.  A mystic event due to all the 11's or coincidence.   Who knows but maybe I will watch the news for any random events.

November 11 does have a true significance despite what year it is,  Today is Remembrance Day and Veterans Day.   A day to remember all those brave men and women that have fought for their countries, to protect us and keep us safe.  It's a day to remember what they went through and a day to remember what we have now because of them.  I hope you take a moment of silence for this special day.

Today is also my Husband's birthday.  He always complains that I am hard to shop for but I think he is.  I did have some difficulty this week but I did manage to come up with a few gifts, which I hope will do the trick. Tonight we will go out for a special dinner, hopefully pick up our new tables on Saturday and have his family over for dinner on the Sunday.  Busy, Busy!   I also have to figure out what to bake him for dessert on Sunday.    I did bake him some peanut butter cookies already but I need to figure out something for Sunday's family dinner.  Any suggestions??

It was a great week for pinning.  I found so much great stuff.  I couldn't stop one day.

Here are some of my favorites.

1) Red Velvet Cheesecake Brownies by Baking Bites : http://pinterest.com/pin/149744756329684459/

2) Chocolate Peanut Butter Torte by Annies Eats : http://pinterest.com/pin/149744756329682143/

3) Pumpkin Pecan Pudding Cake by This Can't be Vegan : http://pinterest.com/pin/149744756329682131/

4) Gluten free Egg Bagels by Free Eats Food : http://pinterest.com/pin/149744756329685534/

5) Baked Zucchini Sticks by King Arthur Flour : http://pinterest.com/pin/149744756329682137/


Have a Sweet Weekend!!

Five Friday Pin Up And The Great Food Blogger Cookie Swap

Another weekend is here, thank goodness.  This felt like such a long week so I am so glad the weekend is here. I delivered my last batch of cookies for Breast Cancer today and the sale is done.   Full wrap up to follow.   I am hoping to finally get some clean up down around my house and start to make my wish list for baking over the next two months.   I have lots of plans in my head so the trick is to get them down on paper and see what is feasible.   We have two dinner plans this weekend and I need to make some dessert for one of them.   I am really excited about this dessert so stay tuned.

I have also signed up for the:

I am really excited about this.  Julie from The Little Kitchen and Lindsay from Love and Olive Oil are organizing this massive cookie swap.   Everyone who signs up will get cookies from 3 bloggers and you will  have to mail your cookies to 3 different bloggers.   Than everyone will post their recipes and share them on their blog.    I think this is very cool.   There are over 450 people signed up.   It's exciting,  up until the day of arrival you have no idea what cookies you may receive.   I have to start thinking about what I would like to make, there are so many possibilities.

If you are interested check out this link Food Blogger Cookie Swap

Here are some quick details:

New Sign Up Deadline: Tuesday, November 15, 2011
Receive Your Matches: Monday, November 21, 2011
Shipment Deadline: Monday, December 5, 2011
Blog Post Date: Monday, December 12, 2011

Check out the awesome recipes and photos I pinned this week

1) No Bake Peanut Butter Pretzel Cheesecake by Back to the Roots : http://pinterest.com/pin/434560745/

2) Peanut Butter Banana Bundt Cake by Two Peas and their Pod: http://pinterest.com/pin/428301765/

3) Sausage Stuffed Acorn Sqush by Sunny Side up http://pinterest.com/pin/343769965/

4) North Pole Cupcakes by Karas Party Ideas : http://pinterest.com/pin/438514028/


Have a SWEET weekend.

Meg

Five Friday Pin Up

I think I am now back to a normal schedule.   I can get back to scouring through blogs and cookbooks,  I can get back to pinning and gawking through photos and recipes.  I can get back to baking!  Wouldn't ya know it,  just in time for the holidays.    You will notice my lack of Halloween recipes.  This is for two reasons, 1) It has been a busy month, 2) I am really not a big fan of Halloween.   I am sorry for all you Halloween lovers, my street included  It is just not my thing, Although I do theme my Christmas party ever year.   Is that weird?  When I was young we had a Halloween Haunted House for several years, it was quite the production.  Now I think I am on Halloween hiatus until I have kids.   But in a few more days Halloween will be over and we enter what I like to call , Meg gets giddy season. Officially, It's start November 1st.  Unofficially I have been planning my Christmas party in my head (okay and on my Iphone) for weeks.   My name is Meg and I am a Christmas Nut.  My holiday recipes for Eat In Eat Out Magazine are done and submitted,  the holiday ball is now rolling.    I will post them shortly.

For those of you who love Halloween, I hope you have a great weekend of parties, dressing up and scary movies.

Here are some of the awesome recipes and photos I have pinned over the last two weeks.

1) Almond Loaf and Pear Butter by Completely Delicious : http://pinterest.com/pin/387043244/

2) Pink Ribbon Oreos by Sweet Treats and More : http://pinterest.com/pin/382065432/

3) Homemade Butter Fingers by Une Gamine dans la Cuisine : http://pinterest.com/pin/382030499/

4) Seven Layer Dip Cornmeal Pancakes by Closet Cooking  http://pinterest.com/pin/382056176/

5) Mushroom, Sweet Potato and Smoked Gouda Choweder by Our Life in Food : http://pinterest.com/pin/382298597/


Have a SWEET weekend!

Five Friday Pin Up

I missed this the pin up last week and today's is Saturday.   I didn't stop pinning, cookies, my birthday, bingo (which I won $91) Thanksgiving and work got in the way.  This weekend doesn't seem to be letting up on the busy factor.   I have a late Thanksgiving dinner on Saturday with the in-laws and a birthday party on Sunday for my 1 yr old nephew.    Baking on tap includes some cupcakes for a baby shower, the birthday cake for my nephew, more Breast Cancer cookies and coming up with some holiday recipes for EatinEatout Magazine.   My blog and 4 others have been selected to be profiled in their November Holiday issue.   It is very exciting.

So for the next two weeks I will be busy creating and testing some holiday recipes and catching up on some delayed posts.   Hopefully life slows down a little bit.   This Monday night I will be going to see Michael Smith speak with my mom.  Should be a fun night and a great night off.  


Here are a few things I pinned the last few weeks:

1) Pumpkin Smores by Try Anything Once : http://pinterest.com/pin/315415266/

2) Toffee Crunch Cupcakes by Haute Mama's Favourites : http://pinterest.com/pin/271348077/

3) Apple Fritters by Seemingly Greek : http://pinterest.com/pin/274633324/

4) Pumpkin Squash Quiche by Closet Cooking : http://pinterest.com/pin/290125551/

5) Sweet Potato Soup by Bake Bike Blog : http://pinterest.com/pin/315408273/


Have a sweet weekend!

Five Friday Pin Up

Ah. Friday you are here.  It was touch and go weather this week, either beautiful fall weather or rain.    Tuesday night I went to my first TFC (Toronto Football Club) game with Brad, and his cousins Josh and Chris.   It wasn't a regular season game so it wasn't quite as busy as normal but still fun.   I don't think the fans in our area stopped chanting and singing the entire game, so I can only imagine the madness in a packed house.   I also started to make my Breast Cancer Cookies this week.   Every October, which is Breast Cancer Awareness Month, I sell Ribbon shaped cookies dipped in pink chocolate or pink sugar and donate half the proceeds from the cookies to a Canadian Breast Foundation.    This is actually my fifth year doing the sale.   My husband almost dreads the month of October because he knows how busy I can get.  My life becomes work, bake, sleep, work, dip, package, sleep and repeat.   It's busy, but I love it. You can see more details here -  Breast Cancer Cookie Sale


This weekend is also the Canada Baking & Sweets Show.   I would love to go every single day but sadly work gets in the way today and I have a wedding to go to on Saturday.  I am however going on Sunday with my friend Heather.   We are going to walk around, buy some new toys,  taste all sort of sweets and sit and watch the Buddy, the Cake Boss.   He will be there talking, doing demonstrations and hopefully teaching us some tricks and tips.  I am very excited.  I will try to take lots of photos and give out all the details of the show next week.


I am starting to really get addicted to pinterest and pinning more and more delicious food. Here are some of the things I pinned this week.

1) Individual Peanut Butter Pies by    http://pinterest.com/pin/249510523/

2)  Samoa Bars by All day I Dream about Food  : http://pinterest.com/pin/240740335/

3) Healthy Pumpkin Bars by Chocolate Covered Katie : http://pinterest.com/pin/249515733/

4) Caramel Apple Bars by Love Veggies and Yoga : http://pinterest.com/pin/240894879/

5) Apple Cheese Soup by Evil Shenanigans : http://pinterest.com/pin/253776364/


Have a sweet weekend,  I know I will!!!

Meg

Five Friday Pin up

Today is officially the first day of fall and my baking list is getting longer with things I am anxious to make. More apples, more pumpkin and some soup. I was super busy this week, working on some cupcakes and cake for a wedding.  Every night was busy, making flowers, hearts, baking and decorating and the rest of my baking was neglected. This weekend I plan to play catch up, after cake delivery that is.  I also plan to go apple picking on Sunday.    Although I get lots of apples from my friend Jeff on a weekly basis, I still look forward to it.  I go with my sister and my niece and it is so fun to see her run through the orchard and try to pick apples. The rest of the weekend with be low key full of resting and sleeping.

Here is what I pinned this week.

1) Brie and Pear Tart by Spicy Perspective : http://pinterest.com/pin/224262311/

2) Banana Brownie Cupcake by How Sweet Blog : http://pinterest.com/pin/222616810/

3) Pumpkin Pull Apart by Willow Bird Baking : http://pinterest.com/pin/212588553/

4) Caramel Apple Cake by Great Cake Company : http://pinterest.com/pin/226888350/

5) Banana Bread by Catalyst Cupcakes : http://pinterest.com/pin/212818577/

Have a sweet weekend!

Apple picking last year.  

Five Friday Pin Up and Baked Cookbook Winner

This was a very busy week.   The budget is just about wrapped up at work, phew.  The madness may settle.  My nights have been filled with finishing off and now enjoying our newly renovated basement.  We have it all cleaned up and the furniture that has arrived as been set up.   It is very exciting to finally be able to sit down there and watch tv.  My house is  no longer a construction zone.  YIPPEE.    I also did quite a lot of baking this week-two apple desserts, some brownies, whoopie pies and a pumpkin cake.  There was lots going on.  This coming week I have to get myself organized for a wedding cake/cupcakes to be delivered next Saturday.  I also have to get myself organized for my Breast Cancer Cookie sale which I run every October, not to mention shop for basement accessories.  Geez, where do I start?


Thanks to everyone for all your suggestions and favorites for fall baking.   They all sounded so delicious.
The winner of the cookbook is : Karen Reichman. Have fun getting "Baked" with one of these cookbooks.   I will be in touch to get your info.

I pinned quite a few things this week.  People have ramped up their fall baking and it is quite wonderful to find all their amazing recipes and photos.
http://pinterest.com/sweettwist_meg/food-worth-eating/

1) Peanut Butter Bar Ice Cream Cups by Busy Mommy : http://pinterest.com/pin/199029958/

2) Pumpkin Cinnamon Rolls by Liv Life : http://pinterest.com/pin/198370875/

3) Pumpkin Dougnuts by Food + Words : http://pinterest.com/pin/198331952/

4) Cinnamon Caramel Apple "Pumpkins" by Bakingdom : http://pinterest.com/pin/193557399/

5) Carrot Cake Truffles by Experiments of a Housewife : http://pinterest.com/pin/180908698/



Have a sweet weekend everyone!

Five Friday Pin Up

I love short work weeks!   Although this work week was very busy and frankly today will also be non stop. Anyway,  I am happy the weekend is here. I didn't get to do very much blogging this week, but I did get a few things baked so once again I am a little behind.  I also have a few items on tap this weekend for baking, thanks to the weekly donation of apples from my friend Jeff. More details on this to come with the intense apple baking  I will be doing the next two months.   It will be another weekend working on the basement, catching up on my blogging, baking and maybe a little basement shopping.   I also just found out I have 3 birthdays to bake for next week so I need to figure out some desserts.   Any suggestions??


Here is what I pinned this week.

1) Gluten Free Apple Butter Doughnuts by Gluten Free Canteen    http://pinterest.com/pin/174630706/

2) Rustic Apple Tarts by Sprinkle Bakes  http://pinterest.com/pin/174451230/

3) Marbled Cookies by Baker Girl  http://pinterest.com/pin/174449248/

4) Blackberry Cobbler Pancakes by Cherry Tea Cakes  http://pinterest.com/pin/178950834/

5) Mushroom Goat Cheese Phyllo Bites by Kitchen Confindante http://pinterest.com/pin/178967894/


Have a sweet weekend!  

Meg

The Five Friday Pin up

Happy Friday! Happy Friday of a long weekend actually.  Can you believe this is the last long weekend of summer? Where did this summer go and why does it go by so much faster than the winter?  What are your plans this weekend? Will you be going away to the cottage this weekend or staying in town and getting the kids ready for school?  Do you have lots of baking on the agenda?   I will be making a few things this weekend, something with blueberries (only because I have a lot), some ice cream for a house warming gift and some cupcakes for a friends family birthday gathering.   I also told my husband I would help him in the basement with some painting.   We are in the home stretch of a 3 year basement renovation.  A renovation he has done all on his own, so it is very impressive.  However, furniture has started to arrive and a few things need to get wrapped up so I figured I would finally jump in and help.   It's starting to get very exciting.

Here are the wonderful items I pinned this week.
http://pinterest.com/sweettwist_meg/food-worth-eating/

1) Peanut Butter Cup Donuts by Edible Perspectives : http://pinterest.com/pin/152743775/

2) Pumpkin Cornbread by Sugar Cooking : http://pinterest.com/pin/152733961/

3) Almond Joy Cheesecakes by Taste and Sea : http://pinterest.com/pin/149532015/

4) Carrot Cake with Maple Cream Cheese Icing by Life is Great : http://pinterest.com/pin/149017101/

5) Lasagna Cupcakes by The Girl who Ate Everything : http://pinterest.com/pin/137448983/

My favorite post from my blog in August.

M&M Pretzel Coated Peanut Butter Cookies    - Wish I had these now......

Have a GREAT long weekend everyone!

The Five Friday Pin up

The blog world is endless and ever expanding.  People become friends across the country and world, through their love of food, fashion, science and more. I am fairly new to the writing blogging world but not to the following blog world.  Although my reading has increased dramatically since I have started to write.  In my reading I am discovering how amazing it is. Food bloggers and the friends they have made through blogging are reaching out to help each other.  Many food bloggers are uniting together for Jennie - In Jennie's Kitchen , a food blogger who recently lost her husband.  Bloggers are helping to raise money by creating auctions on their sites for baskets, photos, prints, paintings and more, It's fantastic.   You may not know her and I don't know either, but her blog is wonderful, refreshing and real.  Check it out at the link above and the other sites helping to raise money @ Bloggers without Borders.

This out reach from so many great bloggers makes me want to help you see other great blogs on the web.  I am just starting to get into Pinterest. For those who have never heard of it, it's a site where you can bookmark or "pin" favorite photos and links to articles, blogs, recipes etc you have seen on the Internet.  You create your own boards to post pictures on to and you can follow other people and what they are pining on their boards.  It is basically another avenue to check out the delicious, beautiful and crafty items that are on the web.  I am trying to maneuver through it and get used to it as there are also so many other categories other than food.  There is gifts, travel, fashion, science, people, nature, home and more.  It is quite cool.

In efforts to get used to pinterest, explore the web, bookmark some great photos and recipes and spread the blogging for others,  I am introducing "The Five Friday Pin Up"   Every Friday I will let you know my five favorite items that I have pinned or repinned this week from other blogs and places on the web.

Check it out!  You can follow my boards, Sweettwist_Meg - just like my twitter name.

Pinned this week:
http://pinterest.com/sweettwist_meg/food-worth-eating/

1) Chocolate Banoffee Tart - Citrus & Candy : http://pinterest.com/pin/131509378/

2) Whole Wheat and Millet Banana Bread - Joy the Baker:  http://pinterest.com/pin/131534431/

3) Peanut Butter Crunch Brownies - My fiance likes it so it must be good : http://pinterest.com/pin/133756078/

4) Apple Pecan Buckwheat Cake - The Healthy Foodie http://pinterest.com/pin/133773668/

5) Mini Lasagna Cups - The Girl who Ate Everything http://pinterest.com/pin/137448983/


Enjoy and have a sweet weekend.

Meg