No milk, no cream - no problem.

I typically have what I call- "Sweet Tooth Sunday", each Sunday night I make something sweet. Cupcakes, cookies, brownies, or ice cream. Sunday because its usually a lazy day and I bring the left overs to work. Sunday is a "safer day" with minimum time to be left entirely alone with a giant plate of sugar laden goodies and no witnesses.

This Sunday was pretty warm and humid in the house, so I didn't feel like firing up the oven. Ice Cream sounded delish- I could whip up some Chocolate Peanut Butter Ice Cream, or Vanilla Bean no problem. Oh No- wait- I didn't buy milk or cream. No dairy in the house due to my sheer laziness at the grocery store (hey milk is heavy to carry home). My brain had already triggered the ice cream craving and there was no denying it- so I had to think outside of the "ice" box and after a little internet digging I settled on Sorbet- (I can't believe I didn't know there was no dairy in sorbet!)

It turned out surprisingly good- not quite as creamy as ice cream- but very rich with great flavor.
I used the Barefoot Contessa recipe and it was a snap to pull together- I highly recommend it! The cinnamon and espresso give it a gourmet twist and the flavor was outta sight, almost like a mexican hot chocolate taste. It took about 3 minutes to make and then 30 minutes in my ice cream machine (yeah for wedding presents!).

The recipe makes enough for 3 people...or enough for one "Sami" sized portion.

Ingredients

• 1 cup sugar
• 1/2 cup very good cocoa powder (recommended: Pernigotti) - I used good ol' Hershey's
  
• 1/4 teaspoon pure vanilla extract
• 1/8 teaspoon ground cinnamon
  
• 1/8 teaspoon kosher salt
• 2 cups water
• 1/4 cup brewed espresso (1 shot)
• 11/2 tablespoons coffee liqueur (recommended: Tia Maria) - I used Kahlua
  

Directions

In a large saucepan, mix the sugar, cocoa powder, vanilla, cinnamon, and salt. Stir in 2 cups water and the espresso. Cook over low heat until the ingredients are dissolved. Off the heat, stir in the coffee liqueur. Transfer to plastic containers and refrigerate until very cold.

Freeze the mixture in an ice cream freezer according to the manufacturer's directions. The sorbet will still be soft; place it in a plastic container and freeze for 1 hour or overnight, until firm enough to scoop.

(I ate it straight out of the machine- but you really should let it freeze up a little before enjoying it)

1,2,3,4

Oh this is so cute! I swear I'm not a total puppet freak, however I do have an incredible soft spot for the muppets. Plus this is really well done, Feist, Muppets, counting- what more could a girl want? Maybe some chickens just back from the shore.....

oh swoon

I so wanted to do this for our "getaway" from the wedding reception. But Kevin voiced a strong concern over having a few glasses of champagne and then having to navigate the cobblestone streets of St. Augustine in the dark. Point taken. Isn't it so super dreamy though?

While I've pretty much gotten most of the wedding bug out of my system I still sneak over to a few blogs to appreciate some unique ideas, beautiful photos and quirky party planning ideas. This charming wedding above can be seen over at Snippet & Ink.

Genius

Above is HEY CUPCAKE from Austin, Tx

Below is one located in Europe.
aren't they both tooth achingly sweet.

Cruisin'

Look at what Kevin just finished restoring. Pretty sweet ride. I'm trying to convince him to keep it- but I think he's leaning towards selling it. Don't ya think he would look flippin' sweet riding around the neighborhood in it?




Below is *hopefully* his next project. I've staked my claim in this bike. I can imagine it all shiny and sparkly again, in a fresh color with a big sturdy wicker basket attached to the front. New streamers coming out of the handles, and a beautiful new embroidered seat. Notice the skirt guard? How very lady like. While Kevin is tooling around the neighborhood sipping his coffee I can trail behind him on my girlie bike perhaps selling fresh baked goodies from the front basket....and maybe we can fit a basket on the back and I can sell puppies from the back!! Cupcakes and Puppies - its a goldmine idea. We'll be rich in now time, even if its just rich in sugary sweets and puppy kisses.

Daydreaming...at work

Today is quiet at work. The calm before the storm, the storm being when all the models start arriving. Miraculously I was able to procure a day off during our upcoming busy time, so I've been very busy today daydreaming about it. It being the Key West motorcycle adventure I get to partake in with Kevin and his best bud Ryan in December. I'm not really a rough and tumble kind of girl- a Harley bad ass I am not. I'm more likely to be seen hovering over a plate of cupcakes then hovering over the clutch of a hog. Is that even proper motorcycle terminology?
This trip will totally make up for being run out of the island a few weeks ago from the hurricane. Now here's the big question - where does your luggage go on the motorcycle? I can't very well attach a little red wagon to the back? Could I possibly have to fit everything I need for 2 days into one itty bitty back pack? Anyone know about how many pairs of shoes you can fit into a jansport? hmmm...

The Great Pumpkin

Its that time of year again....at Starbucks!!! The Pumpkin Spice Latte is back, its my most favorite beverage. As soon as I take my first sip it ushers in fall for me. Sure its 90 degrees outside, and everyone is running around lincoln road in a swimsuit. For me- fall officially begins with my first Pumpkin Spice Latte of the year. While I sip my hot cup of pure joy and gaze out of my office windows at the beach goers, in my mind I'm playing in the fall leaves- dreaming up halloween costumes and thinking about the upcoming holidays.