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) 

KitchenAid KP26M1PSL Professional 600 Series 6-Quart Stand Mixer, Silver

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!

ST. PATRICK'S DAY CUPCAKES!

Of course you must have green cupcakes! Great thing is, these are also green on the INSIDE. yum. Made with pistachio instant pudding and topped with my cream cheese frosting recipe. Garnish with green sugar and green candies to your heart's delight.

A fantastic way to display and serve your cupcakes is on a stand like the one you can find at Amazon. click link below.

Wilton 307-826 Cupcakes 'n More 23-Count 4-Tier Metal Dessert Stand (aff)

To view and print this recipe, which I've adapted from a Better Homes and Gardens recipe, click here.

and also the Cream Cheese recipe, here....

The photo is from www.bhg.com website.

making your life a little sweeter,

Liz
The Party Hostess Diva on Facebook
Elizabeth Corbett on Pinterest

http://youtu.be/pC2nePyCcl4

REAL Irish Soda Bread!

I came across this great website while searching for a traditional Irish Soda Bread recipe. I did learn alot so I thought I'd share. It seems there are many of recipes out there touting the Irish Soda Bread title, when in fact they have added ingredients that would NEVER be included in the original breads.

According to The Society For The Preservation Of Irish Soda Bread, (click on the picture and it will take you to the website) all recipes for traditional soda bread contain flour, baking soda, sour milk (buttermilk) and salt. That's IT. No raisins, no sugar or any other ingredients. Very interesting! Included on the website are the white soda bread and the brown soda bread recipes.

I LOVE the idea of baking it in a cast iron skillet, as suggested in the recipe, such as the one you'll find on Amazon in the link below.

Lodge Logic L10SK3 12-Inch Pre-Seasoned Skillet (aff)

making your life a little sweeter,

Liz
The Party Hostess Diva on Facebook
Elizabeth Corbett on Pinterest

http://youtu.be/pC2nePyCcl4

Pot of Gold Table Decor

Get creative with your St. Patty's day table! Here's
an idea for a casual table from a "host your own table" event. A purchased felt Leprechan hat is placed over a large oatmeal box to make it stand up.You can find some awesome decorations such as a felt top hat like this on Amazon. (see link below)

St. Patrick's Day - Hat - Felt Leprechaun (aff)

The top is carefully slit open and artificial green and white flowers placed inside. OR, if you want to leave the hat intact, it is surely festive enough on it's own. Once you purchase unique holiday table decor, you get years and years of use out of them. Store in clear boxes, clearly marked for holiday or season and you'll find them in a flash.

The rainbow was hand made on white card stock with markers and glitter glue.

The little black pot is borrowed from the Halloween decorations box, and filled with gold wrapped candies. Find the ones shaped like bars of gold. Gold wrapped chocolate "coins" are strewn about the table. Find a green plastic cloth from your local party store, -wipe it down afterward, and save it for next year or another party. They are pretty durable. Green plates and napkins, all from a dollar store. Paper cupcake liners hold green gumdrops and green beads are borrowed from Mardis Gras decor.

Each place setting has a fun button to wear with cute sayings such as "Kiss me ,I'm Irish" and " Irish for a Day". Re-use as much as possible for next year.

It's great to have an excuse to make a table more fun. And you don't even have to be Irish!

Making your life a little sweeter,

Liz
The Party Hostess Diva on Facebook
Elizabeth Corbett on Pinterest

see my latest project below:
http://youtu.be/pC2nePyCcl4

Would you like FRIES with that cake?

i LOVE this idea !! if you don't think you can make an awesome theme cake, think again! pre-made pound cake, cut out center, carefully cut those pieces into "fries", the hot dogs?? two twinkies, end to end. tint icing to make that gross (lol) hot dog color. The relish is cut up green gumdrops, the mustard and ketchup are pre-made icings in a tube. Present on a plastic red/white checkered folded tablecloth. what FUN !! (hint, for a big summer BBQ party, make the BIG MAC cake too !!)


Have fun!!

making your life a little sweeter,

Liz
The Party Hostess Diva on facebook
Elizabeth Corbett on Pinterest

see my latest project below:
http://youtu.be/pC2nePyCcl4

h
www.partyhostessdiva.com

Slap Your Mama Margaritas !! yummy Pitcher drink!

I tried this pitcher drink at dinner last night (tacos and burritos) with company. It was a hit! Just thought I'd share.

By the way, the funny title? A silly expression in the south, "it's so good you'll wanna slap your mamma". Sometimes heard by Paula Deen. Please don't. it's just an expression.

Slap Your Mama Margaritas

1 bottle of Corona Beer (no substitutes)
1 bottle of margarita mix
1 liter of 7Up
2-3(or more) shots of Tequila. (optional and to taste)
limes
margarita salt

Mix together in large pitcher (more than 2 qts).

Wine Party Favors

Use equal part of margarita mix and 7Up, one quart or one liter each. Slice up 2-3 limes and cut in half. Swipe rim of glass with lime and dip in margarita salt. Put ice cubes or crushed ice into glasses and pour margarita's over. Enjoy !

You're In Luck-Great St. Patrick's Day Gifts & Decor

This recipe was found on the Pampered Chef website. It was created to showcase their Quick-Stir Pitcher.

Making your life a little sweeter, 

Liz
The Party Hostess Diva on Facebook
Elizabeth Corbett on Pinterest

for my latest project, see:
http://youtu.be/pC2nePyCcl4