It's The Most Decorative Time Of The Year

Here is what I have been up to..........

I had an idea of what I wanted to do for a centerpiece on the coffee table in the living room.
It all came together in the last two days!  One my first trip to the craft store, I got the plain wreath, candle and glass.  The second trip was for the ribbons and other decorations.
I can't wait to see how it looks when the candle is lit!

On that same second trip to the craft store, I found the pink glass ornaments, then the ribbon and silver beads, and finally the Charlie Brown looking Christmas tree.  When I first spotted the pink ornaments, I just HAD to make a tree for our daughter's bedroom!  She was surprised and loves it!

Lots to do in the next few days for party decorations and desserts!
I am so excited about the ideas I have and will post photos of my creations.
I am off to buy ingredients, and I fear a third trip to the craft store!

Pretty Pumpkin Pie

Pumpkin Pie and Banana Bread......Yum!

I tried the banana bread and it is quite tasty!

The pumpkin pie is for tomorrow, of course.   I used the classic Libby's recipe for the pie.
It looks pretty, and I assume the flavor will be good too.  I did not make my own pie crust, just to save on time.  (I hate to use anything pre-made, but in this case I made the exception.)
I will make a homemade sweet whipped cream to serve it with.
Happy Thanksgiving!

Ho Ho Cherry-O

In the Test Kitchen today.....White-Chocolate Cherry Shortbread!

I found this recipe last week and had to try it out.
The shortbread dough was a great consistency without any modifications, however, I would add a little more almond extract next time so that you can taste the flavor.  This is a sweet shortbread with cherries and white chocolate in the cookie.  (A big change from the Cayenne Cheese Wafer shortbread I usually make.)
The full recipe calls for dipping the cookies in white chocolate; I followed the recipe and did not like how the white chocolate turned out.  It was not dip-able at all.  I spread some white chocolate on a few of the cookies, but did not care for how it looked.  I will do plain melted white chocolate and dip the remaining cookies.  

I am very pleased with the cookie part and I think with a few changes, I will like them dipped in white chocolate.  I am definitely adding this to my Christmas cookie list!

Tomorrow is Pumpkin Pie, Banana Bread and whatever else I decide to whip up!
I haven't forgotten about the marshmallows, I just haven't gotten there yet! :)

White-Chocolate Cherry Shortbread

Pumpkin Spice and Everything Nice

I have made two pumpkin spice cakes this week. 

I doubled the recipe for the cream cheese icing, so that every piece had plenty of coverage.

I haven't had anyone try this cake and not love it!

The cake is so light and moist, and of course when you add cream cheese frosting to something like this, it's amazing!  

Test Kitchen lesson for the week - don't treat this type of icing like regular cake icing!  It should really only be on the top; when the sides are iced, it doesn't go as smoothly as regular icing.  And I don't mean texture; I am talking about the icing not cooperating and the ensuing stress!  But like my wise mother pointed out, I am a Test Kitchen and have to try new things to see if they work or not!    

Here are a few responses from an office that enjoyed the one cake:

"Great Cake! Thanks"

"Mmmmmmmm, mmmmmmm good!"

"I broke my no-carb for it -- it's great"

I haven't made it to the homemade marshmallows yet this week, but there is still time!

If not, I will try it out on Monday!

Happy Weekend!

Pumpkin Spice Cake with Cream Cheese Icing

Boxed Pumpkin Spice Cake

Deck The Cookies With Boughs Of Holly

Today is the "official" launch of my business, Treva's Test Kitchen & Creative Design!!!!!

Below are the Eggnog Tea Cookies that I wanted to try out for this years Christmas parties. The cookies have the nutmeg and the icing has a splash of rum.  And yes, this is the icing that I had modified for the pumpkin sugar cookies.  I made it thinner than the recipe called for and will thin it a little more next time.  The decorations take awhile, but the result is a pretty and festive looking little cookie.  I think that this is a winner and will stay on the Test Kitchen menu.

I am finishing up my Thanksgiving/Fall cards, and can't wait to start on the Christmas cards!
I have photos on the way for my sample albums (pet and balloon festival), and an album I am doing for a hair salon.  I am looking forward to putting all those together!

Next up in the Test Kitchen are pumpkin spice cake and homemade marshmallows.

Eggnog Tea Cookies

It's Just Around The Corner

Thanksgiving Cards

Page One of a New Chapter

Wedding Album First Page

The numbers are from a set of dies that I just got. 
I cut out the numbers and then had to do this page!
I was very pleased with how it turned out!

How Do I Love Thee, Let Me Taste The Ways

I love this frosting!  I made this based on a new recipe and my favorite recipe.
It's great and is my new favorite!

The cupcakes are the chocolate cake that I always make, with this new fluffy white icing.
I made them for my small group, for a birthday, and everyone seemed to enjoy them.

I was so excited when I almost accidentally discovered this frosting!  I set out to make my usual icing and this came about.  The texture, flavor and color are perfect!

Last evening I was in the Test Kitchen, and today I am working on the Creative Design side of things.

Happy Brownie To You......

Brownies in the shape of Cupcakes!
I made these for a friend's birthday.  These are the plain brownies with a touch of sea salt on top.  If I were to do this again, I think I would use large sugar crystals on top.  It was not easy to cut out the cupcakes, but they turned out well and made a fun birthday dessert.  I could only get four cupcake shaped brownies from one pan, which left lots of odd shaped brownie bites.   That is not a problem with my taste testers - the brownies taste great no matter the shape!

Today I am making a cake, not sure which kind yet.  Over the next few days I will be working on albums and cards.  I would like to test one Christmas cookie possibility by the weekend.  I am looking forward to having some time to focus on creating things!

Pink Cookies And The Three Little Girls

Pink sugar cookies were the perfect pre-concert dinner party dessert for 7 and 8 year old little girls!

The cookies are pink and then I covered them with sprinkles to make them extra fun!

A Cupcake By Any Other Name.......

Today is the unveiling of my new logo!!!

It's 6:30AM and I am making brownies.  My mother is coming to visit and has never had my brownies!
Amazing!

I would eventually like to name my desserts something other than their traditional name.  Last week as we were eating the chocolate cupcakes for dessert, I asked our 7 year old, whose face was covered in chocolate frosting, how she would describe the frosting.  First she said delicious and when I asked for another description, I got "so not disgusting"!  I don't think that one will make the menu board, but it's a thought!

Today I am off to show some scrapbook/album examples and then pick up mom at the airport.
Next week will begin the testing of the Christmas dessert recipes!