Wednesday, May 30, 2012

My Faithful Companion of 20+ years





The longer a companion is faithful to you through thick and thin, the more you cherish them. MY diehard faithful companion of over 20+ years is my dear KitchenAid stand mixer, affectionately known as Betty. (yes, inspired by none other than Betty Crocker) We've been through alot together. As we measure years and events and occasions for human companions, I look back with fondness and appreciation for the confections this workhorse of a mixer has helped me create. She's not the biggest of the available models, but strong like an ox, just the same. Pictured, is the exact model I own.

I started adding up just the cakes I've made that I could remember (many of which are documented by cherished photos) over the last 20+ years and here's what I came up with:

10 wedding cakes (3 tiers each ) 4 large Anniversary cakes, 5 Graduation cakes, at least 20 Holiday cakes and a minimum of 65 custom Birthday cakes. Now add in how many recipes of rich Buttercream icing it takes to cover that many cakes...approximately 165 individual icing recipes in case you're wondering. (NOTHING whips up that icing like my girl) Not to mention MANY other cakes for bake sales, school events, Girl Scout events, and don't even get me started on cookie dough!

Check out Betty's sister; bigger and stronger, from Amazon (aff) 


Another way my Betty has been faithful to me is in the making of bread dough. The dough hook
is fantastic for this..no messy hands, or strained arms. And how about a clean hands version of meatloaf? I mean, who likes to handle raw ground beef? ick, not me! I toss in the ground beef and ingredients and the mixing paddle takes care of the rest, dump into a pan and shape with a spatula, and tadah! you're done! What to do with the whisk attachment? Quiche, whipped cream and meringue, to name a few.

Now you may wonder if I'm getting a commission from KitchenAid for sharing all this, but I'm not. (THAT would be nice, if any KitchenAid people are reading) I just think that when you have experience with a fantastic product you want to share with others and steer them in the right direction if they are considering what to get. How many inferior stand mixers have you been through? How many hand held mixers are rattling around in the bottom of kitchen drawers? My Betty girl has been on my counter top at the ready, since day one. It's just so easy to have her right there and ready to go.

As we gals get on a little in years we learn alot of things. One of those things is that QUALITY matters. So for me....I prefer; MY man, true girlfriends, gold, sterling silver, diamonds, top shelf drinks and good coffee to name a few and of course, my partner in the kitchen, Betty.


Making your life a little sweeter,

Liz
The Party Hostess Diva on Facebook
Elizabeth Corbett on Pinterest

http://youtu.be/pC2nePyCcl4












High Heeled Diva Cupcakes! Zebra Purse!

What better way to celebrate a monumental birthday for a classy lady, than to create high heeled shoes in red and black/zebra! Believe it or not, they are CUPCAKES, from the book, "Cupcakes, cookies and Pie, oh, my!" Click here to get your own copy at Amazon (aff)  at a great price! ( Cupcakes, Cookies and Pie, Oh, My! ) by Karen Tack  and Alan Richardson. I was surprised at house easy they were to construct and the results were SO cute and delicious!

The zebra purse cake was constructed in a very small amount of time, but completed nonetheless with the help of a fantastic new product by Wilton called Sugar Sheets. (the zebra design) Click here to get your own at Amazon (aff)  (Wilton Sugar Sheet, Zebra Print ) I've made zebra fondant by hand, but this you just press on to a moist cake...HELLO, how simple and TIME saving is that!

Gold decorator powder moistened with a drop of vodka (yes you read that right) turns into shimmery gold paint for the hardward on the cake, in this cake it's a designer "Norma" bag.(Happy Birthday, Norma!)

Had there been more time, I would have fixed a few details, but if you can't tell, then neither will I . :)

I highly recommend the cupcake book. Something for every occasion. Cupcakes are the new rage..and why not? No need to cut and serve and you're not making a commitment to decorating a huge cake. Just do as many as you like. Warning...you'll want to make a whole bunch!

I hope this has inspired you to consider at least the shoes for any Diva's in your life..all you need is to pick the shoe color, cupcake liners, colored sugars and details and off you go!

For an up close shot of the shoes, go to my Facebook page: Party Hostess Diva.

Making your life a little sweeter,

Liz
The Party Hostess Diva on Facebook
Elizabeth Corbett on Pinterest

http://youtu.be/pC2nePyCcl4



Happy Decorating!