So I was late in making these yummy treats, pics after the jump, since I was ill this weekend. Cheap food sometimes isn't a good idea. Like 39 cents chicken wings from Miami Subs.

Other than that Ive had a pretty good weekend and I know the weekend will end quite well too. For starters, there is the birthday cake I'm making for my boss. Its a cowboy hat with a goats head on the face of the hat. He's a Satanist, let's not judge now, and hes a Cowboy. He doesn't sacrifice little babies or animals he just has a lifestyle that's carefree pretty much. I respect his beliefs and I don't judge.

Anyways, he's turning 30 so I thought it would be cool to make him a banging cake!

Then I thought I would also make all my coworkers on my floor little valentines day gifts. It'll be little treat bags with a cupcake brownie glazed over in the shape of a heart with V-Day chocolate kisses as well. I have to make 20 or so of those.

And then on Saturday I have a gun show to go to to get my gun permit so that I can carry my gun around. About 2 weeks ago I was nearly assaulted and my Blue Great Dane puppy, Sophie, was almost taken from me.

The man who was fairly large, I'm only 5'2'', asked how much was I selling the puppy for. I thought it was weird since I didn't carry any thing noting a puppy for sale. So I proceeded to tell the man that how did he get the notion that my dog was for sale.

He then asked the same question again and I got annoyed and told him to get away that he could not afford such a dog. I know, I know, I was asking for it with that response. He then called me a B**ch and told me he was going to take the dog anyways. I told him I had a gun, which I didn't at the time, and to back away or I would shoot. He ran after me. So I picked up Sophie and ran as fast as I could into a crowd.


That's Sophie Bleu

Ever since then I have no choice, but to carry my gun. So there goes money being blown on a permit to carry it around. Id rather spend it on shoes or new baking utensils. Uhg, Miami is so horrible!

Back on topic! Sorry about that, Didnt want anyone to think I was a crazy woman for carrying a gun.

So I have to admit, I LOVE these floating islands. Yummy and fun to make. Mine are still cooling in the fridge seeing as I made them like 3 hours ago. The only difference with My Floating Islands and Dories are that mine are made with Carnations Dry Milk or "magic crystals" as Carnations likes to put it. Saves me a lot of money on milk and tastes just like 2% milk. Much healthier since Im dieting. again.



The Custard




My fav, the Merengue.

Oh what a month. Its been nonstop at work, I now work Monday through Friday from 11 to 8pm. So that means I get to get up early and bake...YAY! Ok so there was a bit of sarcasm there, but not too much because I do love to bake. For TWD I baked the gingerbread last week. I know Im behind but House, work and family first.

I also was going to take pictures of my husband and my coworkers eating the bread but I was too involved in conversation with them to remember to take pictures so all I have is the pic of when I poured it into the bundt pan. Heh.

I also forgot to do my first assignment for Daring Bakers. I know shame on me, but I swear its not my fault. I was really excited about making Tuiles. I had this whole idea about make a starry night theme with some blueberries and dark chocolate swirls on them. Fail I guess.

The Fresh ginger and Chocolate Gingerbread was amazing. I never eat any of my baking, but this smelled so amazing I had too just have a bite. One bite turned into 3 slices.

I took the bundt cake to work the next day and everyone tore into it like crazy. So I ill definitely be making that one again pretty soon.

Here is the only picture of the Gingerbread bundt cake I made.



Next time Ill definitely take pictures.

So I know I'm suppose to post on Tuesdays for my TWD cooking posts, but yesterday I was sick and just felt blah! I really wanted to do this recipe though. I love baking cakes and I love turning them into yummy breads. Although I do love the way bundt pans look at the same time I also dont like them for the same reason.

I thought this would be better put to use in a bread pan. Eaten like bread and not cake. I waited for today to have a bite of it with some butter and caramel flavored coffee. The raisans were so yummy in this Kugelhopf. Oh man, I almost died of delight when I had that first bite.

Although it was really tasty I just have to say to Dorie, Why...Why must you pick the most craziest recipies that require an insane amount of prep time and not even WARN me about it! Jeez Louise! I wanted to kill myself making this cake. That and I had a husband asking me when it would be ready. Its like having a child in the back seat asking if you are already there yet. You just want to drop it of on the side of the road, but know that you would end up seeing some jailtime for it.

Also I've been sick for the past few days and have been traveling from west coast to east coast. It's been pretty non-stop for me the last 3 weeks or so. I went to Las Vegas for a dear friends wedding. It was completely beautiful. I got to see our friends cry and of course my husband made fun of the groom sniffling the entire time. I won 500 big ones at a Texas Hold'em table on my first try. Im sure it wont happen again, but it was fun as hell. I spent 4 days in Vegas and had so much fun this time around even though last time I went I got married. Too many things to do the last time I guess.

I then came back and was only home for 2 days when I had to drive 9 hours to Georgia to my little nephews birthday party. Conan, the dog that I had mentioned before, didnt get adopted by my coworker and my mom got him anyways. Now she has 2 mini-pinches. I was in Georgia for 2 days, hung out with family, went to a 65 mile yard sale and found a working Commodore 64 for a dollar, and finally when to a bon-fire. I loved the weather up there. I wish it would get cold here in Miami.

Im going to be making some cupcakes tomorrow and experimenting with fondant decorations as well. I know Ill be tired as hell seeing as I'll be at Best Buy tonight waiting in line like a reatrd for the release of Wrath of The Lich King. Bleh.

I love fall so much. It has to be my favorite season with winter coming in second. The breeze is the right temperature, the smell of the fireplaces burning wood, the stews being made and lots of hot cocoa. Everything. I just love Fall.

Unfortunately, I live in Miami, so I don't get to enjoy those things until I see my mom in Georgia for the holidays. That's when I fall in love all over again with this time of year.

So, for my TWD post I messed up in remembering to add some ingredients. I forgot to add the raisins, walnuts, and sunflower seeds after I had placed my mini muffin pan in the oven. I was so excited to bake these that I completely ignored them, trying to have them baked already so that I can eat one.

I really don't have more than these pictures since my iPhone is dead from no charge, but at least I was able to take two images.



On another note, Today was my final day with Conan, a mini-pinscher I rescued from a horrible animal abuser at Pet Smart. He went to a great home where someone can provide him with lots of love and proper health care. I miss him terribly.

It's amazing how someone can learn to love a wonderful pet so much in 5 days. He seemed so grateful too that I took him in. I will always love him as I do my 2 Great Danes.

The best part about him going to this new home is that the adoptive parent is a co-worker of mine and we bring our pets to work all the time. So I get to see him on the days I work. It's a win-win situation!

Oh man, I've had so much to do these past few days. I had to work 7 days straight. I had to hold a BBQ, I went vegetarian, I cleaned my house from top to bottom in 2 hours only to have it messed up after that. So during a break today I was able to FINALLY make my Lenox Almond Biscotti's.

I'm not really allowed to give out the recipe, but I'm gonna go ahead and give out the ingredients.
This was super easy to make and really quick which is what I needed in order to relax.

You're going to need all purpose flour, baking powder, salt, corn meal, butter, sugar, eggs, almond extract, sliced almonds, cinnamon, ground ginger and allspice.

I've been craving that Fall-Winter feeling so bad that I added the cinnamon, allspice and ground ginger. In Dorie Greenspan's book, Baking: From my home to yours, it also gives you variations like the one I used.

I really miss the cool weather with the color change as well. I really wish Fall-Winter did happen to Miami. Ah, well on with the pictorial.


He didn't care that I wanted a picture of him, he just wanted to know why I hadn't started baking yet!



The baking instructions with my trusty bowl!



Most of the dry ingredients. My husband gave me that funny look you give when looking at a crazy person who is taking pictures of a bowl full of powder.



Whisking dry goods. Yay! No, Not really.




Oh I absolutely loved this part, sugary butter and spices! They were yummy! Before the eggs of course! Don't want to risk salmonella, do we?


(Insert whirling noises from hand mixer and Voila!)

Ready to pour onto a baking sheet. I was going to buy a silicon baking mat, but I got out of work at 8 PM tonight and It's my wedding anniversary. Which I forgot about. Yes I'm that person. So on my way home my husband reminds me what day it is and that he has dinner plans.

I knew exactly what day it was when he told me and I knew exactly what he ordered, Sushi. My absolute fav! So I really shouldn't have baked at all tonight, but this is my first submission to TWD and I wanted to do it. It was only an hour really.




I know, I left it in for 5 minutes extra while I had to answer a phone call and thats what happened! I was a bit discouraged it was going to blow up on me.



Saw, Saw, Saw those burnt edges off and cut them into long strips.



Lined them up like a marching band and BAM! cam out yummy. I know I'm going to have some of these for breakfast tomorrow with my coffee! Till next Tuesday with my next TWD post.

This Friday I'll be experimenting with cupcakes and fondant. We'll see how it goes and I'll keep you updated!