They Have Arrived

I had a big grin this morning. My much awaited package from Karen's Cookies has arrived. True to their word, my order was shipped the next day I placed it online. It arrived at my local post office approximately two weeks after (just as it was stated on Karen's website for international shipping). And my "ever-reliable" local post office just sent it to me today (one week after the package arrived to them!). But all is well that ends well. Now all my apprehension has disappeared! :)

I may need to explain my "little apprehension"...

I used to work for the fraud department of a credit card company. We receive calls from people who either lost their credit cards, had it stolen, or were victims of counterfeit cards, online hackers, and the like. And believe me, criminals really have ways. So I was a little apprehensive placing online orders using credit cards. In fact, I NEVER do. At least until I saw Karen's website. I've been reading good words about her store from the blogs I love to read like Sweet Sugarbelle and Cookie Crazie, and I was compelled to check it. The first time I saw it, I felt like a kid in a candy store! I just have to have everything she sells! :) I think I browsed for hours! But with a little bit of self control and a handy dandy calculator in front of me (to check dollar conversion rates), I finally settled for this purchase. I couldn't be happier with it. I especially like the handwritten "thank you" note from Mike on the order slip, and the complimentary "extra". They really have good customer service, and I highly recommend them. I will definitely make another purchase soon, I've got a long list to go!


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Early V-day Cookies

I wasn't planning to make Valentine cookies until next month... but the love of my life had been gone for almost two weeks for a work assignment, and I've missed him so much...hence, the early V-day cookies. =)

It's interesting how I got to decorate these cookies. I've been waiting for the cookie decorating supplies that I ordered online, but they're still MIA. I don't have any more disposable piping bags..and I don't really want to go out of the house and travel far and wide just to get one. (Have I mentioned I live in a rural jungle?) ;) Fortunately, I've been visiting Haniela's blog, and saw a video tutorial where she uses sandwich bags to pipe icing. Very timely for me. It was a little tricky, probably because I'm just starting out with this cookie craft (and still has a lot to learn). But I love the easy clean up! =)

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P.S.
I still cannot pipe a perfect circle. :(

Thanks Bridget!

One of my cookie idols, Bridget of Bake at 350, featured my Christmas cookies on her Smart Cookies page for January. I can't describe how ecstatic I was when I saw her email! The first decorated cookies I made were only made possible because of cookiers like her who are generous enough to share their knowledge, tips and tutorials to aspiring and clueless cookie-decorator-wannabes like me. =)  Bridget, and my other cookie idols, Marian, Callye and Glory inspires me to no end. So from the bottom of my heart, I thank you Bridget, for such as sweet gesture!

Lots of hugs! ♥




Photo Note:
Smart Cookies Logo is property of Bake at 350 website. =)

Another Good Find!

I think it's true what they say, you never really know what you're looking for until you find it. And sometimes, you find it in the most unexpected places.

On my way home this evening, I decided to browse some magazines at Book Sale. I think I've professed countless times how much I love that store for its bargain books and magazines. And just when you think you've seen all they have to offer, they surprise you with something totally unexpected.

I noticed this little box because of the familiarity of the title. And I say "little" because as seen on the photo above, it's really very tiny! I got curious how a a large volume of Joy of Cooking could fit in such a tiny box. Only when I got closer did I realize that it was cookie kit. The label at the back indicated that it contains recipes and four miniature cookie cutters. And the best part about it is the price (of course!) -- only Php35 (approximately less than US$1). It couldn't get any cheaper than that! (Have I already mentioned I love bargains?)

Since I've started taking interest in cookie decorating, I've made it my goal to collect as much cookie cutters as I could find (well, most likely, as much cookie cutters as I could afford). I realized that good quality cookie cutters are not as prevalent here than it probably is overseas. You have to look for it in specialty shops because the ones sold inside groceries and supermarkets are usually the plastic ones that look more like toys. And by specialty shops, I mean the high-end stores in the big city, two hours away from where I live. So you could probably imagine my joy when I saw this kit and realized I'll get four cute cookie cutters for such a small price. (Yeah... I'm really easy to please just like that.)

I was so happy, I didn't care if the booklet that came with it was so tiny, I could barely read the recipes. =) Truly, it's another good find!

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Birthday Cupcakes

The love of my life just celebrated his birthday a couple of days ago. When I asked him what he wants for me to bake for his big day, he simply said: "pure and heavy chocolate cake." I opted for cupcakes (with his permission), because I'm not very confident making 9 inch cakes. Something's always not right every time I make them, usually the frosting. Cupcakes are more forgiving when it comes to frosting so cupcake it was.

I used a new recipe I got here...which may be a bad thing because the cupcake was not as chocolatey as I wanted it to be. The chocolate frosting I used was from Hershey's Kitchen recipe, which I've been using for several years now.

I must say, it's really not my favorite cupcake... I've had better. But it was a heavy cupcake, alright! Heavy because of too much frosting! I have to remember to put a little less of it next time. =)

♥
Hershey's Chocolate Frosting


1/2 cup (1 stick) butter or margarine
2/3 cup HERSHEY'S Cocoa
3 cups powdered sugar
1/3 cup milk
1 teaspoon vanilla extract

Melt butter. Stir in cocoa. Alternately add powdered sugar and milk, beating to spreading consistency. Add small amount additional milk, if needed. Stir in vanilla. About 2 cups frosting.

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