Changed Name

Hey everyone,  Just had to let you kow that we have decided to change our name and add many new baked goods to our list of specialties. 

So to kick this off right I thought I would show you some pictures of our Halloween party and some of the very cool sweets we made for our guests.

We named these of all things "Goblin Booger Bars".  They are very similar to rice crispy treats.

Love to get silly and creative.
These vanilla cupcakes have little black and orange witch hats on the tops.  So the kids loved the food at the party and my daughter was happy.  I guess that is what counts right.

It has been a long time!

Life sometimes has a way of side tracking us. Fear not, I have not been idle and that is an understatement for sure.
The baking is still happening, painting, jewelry making and mixed media art work is still happening occasionally, skin care business is still happening, but throw into the mix another part-time job, a bakers cyst and what gets lost in the mix was the blog posts! 

 I know pretty ironic that the baker gets a bakers cyst right.  F.Y.I. a bakers cyst is not from baking....actually it is a fluid filled sack that you can get from tearing mucsles in your knee area.  Which is apparently what I did when trying to keep off all of the extra pounds I did not want to gain while indulging in too many of my wicked good goodies!

Well, I am here to tell you that I am making every effort to get back on track with the blogging! 

Since fall has made its entrance I have been experimenting with all things pumpkin.  Yesterday, I made pumpkin gingerbread waffles and a week before that I made Pumpkin Walnut White Chocolate Muffins with some butterscotch on top.  Who knows what I will come up with next!

Anyways here is a snap shot of those delectable muffins.  If I have inspired you to dust off your apron and pull out the mixing bowls I will leave you with this recipe.  Feel free to tweak it to your taste! By the way the white stuff you see on top of one of the muffins is some of the white chocolate that has melted. Yummy!

Ingredients:
4 oz.  Butterscotch chips  (optional for top)
1/2 c. walnuts coarsley chopped
1 2/3 c. all purpose flour
1 c. sugar
1/2 tsp. vanilla
1 tsp. ground cinnamon
1/2 tsp. ground ginger
1/2 tsp. ground cloves
1 tsp. ground nutmeg
1 tsp. baking soda
1/4 tsp. baking powder
1/4 tsp. salt
2 eggs
1 c. pureed pumpkin
1 stick of butter room temperature
5 oz. white chocolate chips

Directions:
1. pre-heat oven to 350 F
2. In a large bowl mix the flour, sugar, spices, baking soda, baking powder and salt.
3. In another bowl mix together the eggs, pureed pumpkin, and butter.  Mix until blended, but lumpy.  Then add in white chocolate chips and nuts.
4. Combine the wet with the dry ingredients making sure to only mix until everything is moistened.  Do not over mix!
5. scoop batter into greased or paper lined muffin cups.  Bake for about 20 mins. or until puffed and springy to the touch. Cool completely then remove from the pan.

If you are using the extra large muffin tin bake for 32 to 34 minutes.  Again cool completely in the muffin pan then remove.
From my kitchen to your kitchen.....Happy Baking!

Cold Oven

We are really into the summer swing!  Things have not really been heating up in our oven.  We did try out the rainbow cookies that I mentioned in my post, but was not too enthralled with the results....hence the lack of posting on the subject.  We did get an order for a wedding that will be taking place in July and we are very excited about that!

On the creavity front:  I am still in my groove to create and have been very sucessfull at setting aside a couple of days a week to be able to do just that...CREATE!  I have been so happy to have been able to break through my partial creative block and get the juices flowing!

I have been invited to do an Art Show/Side Walk Sale in Rhinebeck this August and know that if my current rate of production continues it should make for a large amount of inventory.

On the other hand, because I have had the time to set aside for studio days, it means that I haven't been as busy with my Skin Therapy Business.  I think in this economy people look at taking care of the largest organ of their body as a luxury.  I do want to thank my loyal clients who have stuck it out and have been very good about making it a point to keep me on their list of necessities!

Here is a picture of a new painting that I have recently completed.

Hope you take advantage of the great weather we have been having!

It's been awhile

I have been very busy with lots of art projects....but I have had enough time to bake and cook a little!  My daughter and I found a new cookie recipe to make rainbow cookies.  It sounds pretty cool and they look delicious....so as soon as we fire up the oven I will post the recipe.... some pictures to go with and of course a quick review of how well they baked up!

In the meantime let me tell you what has been going on.  I have all of a sudden hit a streak of creativity and I have been painting non-stop for the past 2 weeks.  I am so excited about the new style I have adopted.

Take a look for yourself!

I apologize for the glare....I had my camera set on museum, but apparently it didn't do what I had expected it to do...go figure.  Anyways go forth and create...that has been my mantra lately and that is exactly what I plan to do right now!

Artefactory Exchange

Artefactory Exchange is now accepting students for their various art classes.  Classes begin as early as June 8, 2010.  If you sign up before June 7th you will get a 5% discount on any class you pay for.  I am excited to announce the addition of 2 movement/exercise classes.  These classes will be put into the summer session asap.  The one exercise class is based on interval training, yoga and belly dancing.  Interesting combo....I am up for that!  The creator has named it "Dervish". Dervish will be taught on tuesdays in the afternoon. The second class is a dancercise class that will be taught by a woman who has a Masters Degree in Modern Dance.  This class will be held in the evenings and is a low impact exercise class.

Please keep checking out our ever changing website for our updates in the schedule!

http://www.artefactoryexchange.webs.com/

I also want to mention that the 5th and 6th grader's art work is now on display in our downtown windows through the "Windows of Opportunity" program.  You should go and check it out!  We have some really talented artists in our community.

Oneida's FLea MArket

Tomorrow will mark the first Flea Market here in Oneida, NY.  We will have great events that are free to everyone that will include story book hour for the kids...kids crafts... Karate Demonstations.....a rock climbing wall......plus of course all types of great things for sale at the Flea Market!

 Now of course Footie's Goodies will be there to sell their fabulous cookies!  You know we wouldn't miss it.  This may be the beginning of a beautiful thing!

You will find the Flea Market set up between the hours of 10am to 5pm and it is located in the parking lot behind the Kallet Theatre.  If you are not sure where that is.... it is in the parking lot that runs along Lenox ave and Cedar St.,  Across from the Market @Oneida Commons.  You can't miss the huge Flea Market Banner that will be flying!

So if you want something to do that is family friendly, fun and is budget friendly....Come on down to our First Flea Market that will kick off our 16 week season!Can't you just taste it!

Well tomorrow you literally can. See you there and don't be shy...bring a friend or two or three!

We want to see you there...so don't disappoint us.

Chocolate Croissants

I watched "Its Complicated" last night.....and I know I am behind on my movie viewing.  Of course I saw the wonderful chocolate croissants and my mouth was watering, so my daughter and I had to make some today.

This is the easiest way to make chocolate croissants and I know that we cheated a little bit, but who cares these are wonderful with out the long wait!

All you need is a package of frozen puff pastry that you defrost for about 2 to 3 hours in the refridgerator.  A 1/4 cup of dark chocolate that is at least 60% Cocoa, an egg that is beaten and a pinch of sea salt if you like salt with your chocolate.

Take your pastry dough and roll it out on a floured surface.  Once you have rolled it out to about a 1/2 inch thickness you will cut it into 4 squares.  You then cut the squares diagonally to make 8 triangles. 

Chop your chocolate into slivers and place a small amount on each large end ot the triangles.  Then roll the dough up and over the chocolate.  Make sure you pinch the ends shut so that the chocolate doesn't ooze out while baking.  Roll until they look somewhat like cresent rolls.

This is the dark belgian chocolate I  used for mine.  You can use milk chocolate if you don't like dark chocolate.....I like the dark just because it has less calories and more antioxidants.

When you are done rolling each croissant carefully place them on a baking sheet lined with parchment paper.

You should pre-heat your oven to 425 F. 

Your next step is to beat 1 egg and brush it on the tops of your chocolate croissants.  When you are ready to bake them turn the oven down to 400 F.  Bake them for about 12 to 15 minutes or until they are slightly browned on top.

You can let them cool for about 8 minutes and then what are you waiting for.....open mouth and insert!  They won't last too long!  If you don't finish them while they are still warm you can microwave them for a few seconds to warm them up later.