An Autumn Weekend
Monday, November 05, 2007 at 09:56am
This weekend I made some chocolate stout cupcakes (with Guinness, of course). I also had pumpkin cookies in the freezer and pulled those out and made a brown sugar drizzle. Delicious. We brought some over to Shannon and Matt’s house on Saturday night, where we visited with Liz and Jill and also got to meet little Echo for the first time! She is a chubby-cheeked little angel, full of snorts and smiles and coos. Big sister Sophie was delighted to have so much company and sang and danced for all of us as well. A very nice night!
Yesterday we hung with the family, as my cousin and aunt are visiting from England. The geekboy and I also got some household things done, including an organization of all the crap on and in our bathroom vanity. It looks much nicer now. The kittens are still here, getting bigger every day. They really should have been out for adoption this past weekend, but Ashley needs another surgery for an ever-growing hernia. I hate that she is going to be cut open again so soon after getting spayed (the vet actually MISSED the hernia during her spay), but the bulging hernia is freaking me out and I can’t wait until it’s fixed. And soon, hopefully, they’ll be adopted together into a home where they’re allowed to run around like the little lunatics they are.
Rona on Monday, November 05, 2007 at 11:19 am
Any pictures of the little babycakes??
I cooked and baked a whole bunch on Saturday, trying out new recipes. I made a pumpkin pecan bread that came out pretty yummy. That was the first time I ever used pumpkin, so I wasn’t sure how I’d like the final product. It was good!
freakgirl on Monday, November 05, 2007 at 11:24 am
Canned pumpkin or fresh? It sounds delicious.
I didn’t take any pictures of Echo…I was too taken with smelling her head and pinching her cheeks. Maybe Shannon will send me some recent ones.
Rona on Monday, November 05, 2007 at 11:47 am
Canned - i wouldn’t know how to start with fresh. Is that what you used in your cookies??
How To Eat A Cupcake on Monday, November 05, 2007 at 11:55 am
Hey! About the SMBC… In my experience, 4 cups has been enough to frost 24 cupcakes lightly. However if you want to pipe the frosting in, I suggest making 6 cups! If you don’t feel like doing a recipe conversion, just search marthastewart.com for Swiss meringue buttercream. There are like 12 recipes for it, but I know one is for 6 cups!
How To Eat A Cupcake on Monday, November 05, 2007 at 11:56 am
Ohhh yeah…… to answer your other question, no it does not crust when it sits.
freakgirl on Monday, November 05, 2007 at 12:04 pm
Rona, I used canned. I wouldn’t know where to begin with fresh, either.
HTEAC, I have tried the meringue buttercream twice so far. First time it was way too soupy (I didn’t know to try and refrigerate it). The second time, it tasted exactly like butter. Totally disgusting. I just don’t know what I’m doing wrong and I’m sick of trying
Michael on Monday, November 05, 2007 at 2:37 pm
What does the stout do? Can you really taste it?
My mom makes those pumpkin cookies. Hers are good, but not quite as pretty. They’re tasty right out of the freezer!
freakgirl on Monday, November 05, 2007 at 2:44 pm
You can’t really taste the stout. I think it enriches the chocolate flavor.
Hugh on Monday, November 05, 2007 at 5:25 pm
Chocolate…AND Guinness? Have I mentioned how chubby-cheeked and adorable I am?
freakgirl on Monday, November 05, 2007 at 5:29 pm
Hugh, if I could figure out how to ship cupcakes without spending a small fortune, I would send your chubby cheeks some right away.