the traveling cupcake: holidays

Showing posts with label holidays. Show all posts

Saturday, July 13, 2013

Jackson Hole, Wyoming

Last week we were on vacation in Jackson Hole, Wyoming with a bunch of friends. I have one suggestion if you live far away from your friends - go on vacation with them. Pretty much guaranteed to have the best time ever. We love going home to visit with friends and family, but most of the time we are rushing around from place to place, trying to see as many people as possible. This vacation was a great way to see and catch up with good friends, and have a chance to make new memories! Not to mention Kaitlin had a blast watching all the other kids run around and play. She's a little slow to warm up to a lot of new people so she hung back a little bit at first. But by the end of the week she was right in there playing with everyone.

Since there were so many of us (six adults and four kids under the age of five) we decided to rent a house in Kelly, just outside of Jackson. A house way definitely the way to go - we had TONS of room and lots of space for everyone to spread out. Kaitlin even got her own room! We were a little far from town but it was really quiet and we didn't have to worry about disturbing anyone. I can't recommend this house enough, so if you are heading to Jackson with a big group of people I highly suggest you check it out.

our view from the back deck

The day after we all arrived we decided to check out the neighborhood. As I mentioned before the house is in Kelly and it borders the National Elk Refuge. The road creates a loop around the area so we decided to take the whole gang for a walk. We had primo views of the Teton Mountains, the Gros Ventre River and even some wildlife! The walk proved to be a little longer than we planned, but it was beautiful and enjoyable none the less. And a great way to catch up with friends that you haven't seen in over six months!

view from the front yard

"Hiiii everybody!!"

I loved the contrast of plains and mountains

I'll be sharing our adventures in Jackson Hole (and beyond!) over the next couple of weeks. Check back soon for the next update!

Monday, January 02, 2012

Christmas for Two - Munich

We had a great time in Prague but were excited to get to our next destination on our Christmas vacation - Munich. We decided to take the train, which was easier than driving and less stressful than flying. The train worked out perfectly. We splurged for first class seats (they were only a few Euro more) and ended up being two out of five people in the whole train car. The trip was a little long (six hours give or take) but we went through some beautiful countryside and it even started to snow the closer we got to Munich.

*read more*

Friday, December 30, 2011

2011 - A Year in Review

I can't believe it's that time again. Time to say good-bye to one year and hello to another. Is it just me or do the years go by faster and faster the older we get? No? Just me? Thanksgiving is usually the time when most people reflect upon all the things they are thankful for. For me New Years is also that time. It's a chance to look back at your life during the last 365 days - the good, the bad, the sunny and the rainy - relive the memories one last time before looking ahead to the next 365 days of your life.

And although I am VERY excited for everything that 2012 is going to bring, I'm not quite ready to shut the door on 2011 just yet. Anyone want to take a trip down memory lane with me?

*read more*

Thursday, December 15, 2011

Christmas Vacation

"Peace and joy and love are everywhere

You can feel the magic in the air

Let the spirit of the season carry us away

Hip, Hip Hooray for Christmas Vacation

Christmas vacation....

Christmas vacation...."

~Mavis Staples "Christmas Vacation

As you might have gathered by now - it's Christmas vacation time! By the time you read this I will be done (hopefully) with work for the week and getting ready for our Christmas vacation. We are doing it right this year and celebrating Christmas to the max. And who knows how to do Christmas the best??

Zee Germans!

And the Czech...

And the Italians...

That's right, we're going on a full Christmas market tour and we're hitting up the big guys - Prague and Munich. We are starting off our super Christmas vacation with a few days in Prague to hit up the Christmas markets and have a few potato dumplings while we're at it. Prague was the first European trip that Brian and I went on together over FIVE YEARS AGO!

Good god, did I just type that correctly??

Since we have been there already it will be nice to revisit our favorite places, check out the Christmas markets and tuck in to some goulash and potato dumplings (and a pint or two of Pilsner for Brian). I can't think of anything better to keep me warm!

Prague Christmas market

Next up we are off to Munich! The last time I went to Munich was *gulp* eight years ago when I was studying abroad. Pretty much all I remember is spending a lot of time at the Hofbrauhaus and spending the night in the hallway of our hostel due to a very LOUD, snoring guy in one of the bunks in our room. Worst.Guy.EVER.

So, needless to say, I am excited to go back and see some more of the city. And check out their many Christmas markets of course! I might even pick up a cuckoo clock or seven.

Munich Christmas market

When we were thinking about where we wanted to spend Christmas Eve and Christmas day we didn't have to think long. We tried to convince ourselves to go somewhere new and see another city. But in the end, Italy pulled at our heart strings and won (as usual).

What? It's been two months since we were last there...clearly it's time to go back! So, we are headed back to our favorite spot in the Dolomites - Castelrotto. We first visited this cute town in October, 2010 during our two week trip around Italy. We fell in love with Hotel Mayr and their delicious dinners that we decided to go back last Christmas. This year we decided to do it once again - maybe this will be a new tradition?! What we love about staying at Hotel Mayr is that you really feel like you are at home and with family (even though really, you are with a bunch of strangers). The family that owns and runs the restaurant are so warm and welcoming and really make you feel like part of the family. There are very few things that I look back at with such fondness as I do when I think of sitting with my husband in the hotel living room by the roaring fire, with a glass of red wine in my hand and a plate of homemade Italian Christmas cookies in front of me.

Pure heaven.

Wednesday, December 14, 2011

Sugar Cookie Christmas Tree

To be honest, I haven't really don't that much baking this year for Christmas. Usually I do loads of baking to give away as gifts, to bring to work and to serve at our holiday party. But this year I haven't really had the chance to do any of that. Things have been so crazy around here with my new job, my weekend "job" taking children's photos, being pregnant (oh yeah, that little thing) and a slew of other things going on that I'm not quite ready to tell you about (check back after the New Year though!).

We are leaving this weekend for an extended Christmas vacation (more on that later this week), so my holiday baking time is being cut even shorter. A few weeks ago I ordered a few things from Lakeland.com - including a brand new cupcake carrying case (SO excited!! Seriously, what a huge nerd I am). I was getting ready to check out when what to my wandering eyes should appear?

THIS

photo from Wilton.com

Well, something similar to this, just not Wilton brand (Lakeland must have sold out of their version because I can't find a photo on their website!)

A Christmas tree made out of stacked star cookies?!?! SOLD! In my basket it went.

Over the weekend I finally had a chance to try this puppy out. I have my moms sugar cookie recipe that I usually use for the holidays, but since I didn't know exactly how much dough I would need I decided to go with the recipe on the box. It made just the perfect amount of dough to make two of each stars. I made an extra one for me to snack on and it tasted great!

After all of the stars were baked I took a day off (well, not really, I was taking more children's photos, but more on that later!) and spent all afternoon on Sunday frosting these guys up. It was my first time using Royal Icing and I have to say, I was a little intimidated. I didn't have any quick access to meringue powder, so I found a recipe that used powdered egg whites (can't use raw egg whites now that I'm prego!) and it worked like a charm! I even had a bunch left over thanks to the majority of my frosting being one solid color.

Even though the royal icing process was relatively painless, it did take a while! First you have to outline each cookie with slightly thicker royal icing to create a border. Once that dries (I found that by the time I was done with the last cookie the first few were already dry) you have to thin down the rest of your icing and flood the cookies. And then you have to wait for them to dry before you can stack them. And then...ok never mind, that was the last step.

I put a circle of icing in the middle of each cookie before stacking the next smallest one on top. The only thing that I would change is that next time I will add the lights on after all the layers are stacked. Some of the lights got in the way, especially on the smaller ones towards the top, and the cookies didn't want to lay quite flat. But all in all it was a success! I can't wait to make a gingerbread version with all white icing, how pretty will that look?! Brian took the cookie tree to work today, fingers crossed his coworkers liked my tree as much as I did!

Monday, November 28, 2011

Around the World Christmas Tree

The first "big" trip that Brian and I took together while dating was to St. Croix in the Caribbean for a little winter sun. We had been dating for six or seven months and although it wasn't our first weekend away with each other, it was the first trip that required a plane ride. It was exciting and a little nerve-wracking. Happily, the trip went off without a hitch (apart from that one time when we were driving down the wrong side of the road - who knew they drove on the left hand side in St. Croix??).

While we were there we bought the funniest Christmas ornament to commemorate the trip, somehow we knew we would be spending lots of Christmas' together.

St. Croix, 2007

*read more*

Monday, July 04, 2011

Happy 4th of July!

Happy 4th of July!

I hope you all have a fun, safe and YUMMY holiday!

When you're done celebrating with family and friends, check out this awesome list of America's BEST Adventures published by National Geographic. Who says you need to travel abroad to see some amazing sites - there are so many beautiful places to see in your own country! These are going to the top of my list of places to see in the USA - can't wait to start checking them off when we (eventually) move back.

What's the most AMAZING trip you've taken in the US? Tell me about it in the comments section!

Sunday, February 13, 2011

Guinness Cupcakes with Whiskey Ganache and Baileys Frosting

Yes my friend, you read that correctly.

This little gem came to me by way of Miss Maggie Stumpf. She found it on SmittenKitchen.com.

I decided to make them as an early Valentines Day gift for Brian. He cleaned the bathroom for my Valentines Day gift. I think thats a pretty good deal for both of us.

These are a little more labor intensive than regular cupcakes, but they are so worth the extra effort.

First, chocolate and Guinness cupcakes are baked. The Guinness makes the cupcakes so light and fluffy, I was amazed. MMmmm foamy beer goodness.

While the cupcakes are baking you can make and cool the Whiskey ganache. This was actually my first time making ganache, and now its my favorite word. I didn't have an apple corer or a round cookie cutter, so I used a liquid injector. Not as easy as it sounds since ganache is not actually a liquid. But thats what I have a big, strong husband for.

And yes, he did help make his own cupcakes. Shush.

Once the cupcakes are filled its time to make the frosting!

Butter. Powdered Sugar. Baileys.

Heaven.

I tried to get a little fancy with a plastic baggy (next on my "to buy" list is a piping kit, by the way), but I'm not sure it came out as sophisticated as I hoped...tastes just as good though!

Go ahead - try them for yourself!
Adopted from Smitten Kitchen

Guinness Chocolate Cupcakes

1 cup Guinness (or other stout beer)
1 cup unsalted butter
3/4 cup unsweetened cocoa powder
2 cups all purpose flour
2 cups sugar
1 1/2 teaspoons baking soda
3/4 teaspoon salt
2 large eggs, room temperature
2/3 cup sour cream

Ganache Filling

8 ounces dark chocolate (I used a mix of milk and dark chocolate)
2/3 cup heavy cream
2 tablespoons butter, room temperature
2 teaspoons Irish whiskey

Baileys Frosting

3-4 cups confections sugar (I used 3 cups)
4 oz (1 stick) unsalted butter, room temperatue
3 to 4 tablespoons Baileys

Extras

1-inch round cookie cutter, an apple corer or liquid injector (not recommended, but it gets the job done)

To make the cupcakes:

Preheat oven to 350°F.
Line 24 cupcake cups with liners.
Bring 1 cup Guinness and 1 cup butter to a simmer in a heavy large saucepan over medium heat.
Add cocoa powder and whisk until mixture is smooth, cool slightly.
Stir together flour, sugar, baking soda, and 3/4 teaspoon salt in large bowl.
Using an electric mixer, beat the eggs and sour cream in another large bowl to blend.
Add Guinness-chocolate mixture to the egg mixture and beat just to combine.
Add flour mixture to the wet ingredients and beat briefly on a slow speed.
Using a rubber spatula, fold in batter until completely combined.
Divide batter among cupcake liners, filling them 2/3 to 3/4 of the way.
Bake cupcakes until a tester inserted into center comes out clean, rotating them once front to back if your oven bakes unevenly, about 17 minutes.
Cool cupcakes on a rack completely.

Make the ganache

Chop up the chocolate and transfer it to a heatproof bowl.
Heat the cream until simmering and pour it over the chocolate.
Let it sit for one minute and then stir until smooth (you can melt it further in the microwave for 15-20 seconds at a time if the chocolate isn't completely melted).
Add the butter and whiskey and stir until combined.

Fill the cupcakes:

Let the ganache cool until it is thick but still soft enough to be piped
Meanwhile, cut out the centers of the cooled cupcakes with your 1-inch round cookie cutter or apple corer. Make sure you don't cut all the way down to the bottom of the cupcake.
Put the cooled ganache into a piping bag with a wide tip and fill the holes in each cupcake to the top.
If you are using a liquid injector, fill the cupcakes until you can see the top pop up a bit, trying not to burst open the cupcake.

Make the frosting:

Whip the butter in the bowl of an electric mixer, or with a hand mixer, for several minutes. You want it to be very light and fluffy.
Slowly add the powdered sugar, a quarter cup at a time.
When the frosting looks thick enough to spread, drizzle in the Baileys and whip it until combined.
Frost and decorate the cupcakes until your little heart is content

Happy Valentine's Day!

Saturday, January 08, 2011

HIKE! Eassyyy...WHOA!

HIKE!!

Eeassyyy....

WHOAAA!!

Those my friend, are the three key words to know when a musher is driving a dogsled.

While we were in Canada over the new year, one of our planned activities was dogsledding outside of Banff. It was incredible. And incredibly cold. I seriously thought I was getting frost bite in my toes at one point. But despite the frigid cold this was an amazing experience.

When we finally got to the sledding site, we got a quick lesson on how to drive the sled and control the dogs. Yessir, we were going to be the ones driving the sled. I would have though that in order to drive your own dogsled you would need more than a 20 minute crash course, but apparently I was wrong.

After the instructions were given we went to our sled and got settled in. Gavin had actually driven a dog sled before, so he was going to drive our sled during the first half of the trip, while Brian and I got to relax in the sled.

Two of the dogs on our sled - Megatron and Optimus Prime

And we're off!

Huskies are feisty and full of energy, they would fight with each other while running

Bears!!

Taking a quick break

Passing another sled

Taking a break - the half way point of our trip

Good boy!

Such pretty eyes

After we took a break at the half way point, it was my and Brians turn to drive the sled. Big mistake. First, we barely fit on the back of the sled at the same time. Whenever we had to lean into a turn, one of us felt like we were going to fall off. During a slight up hill part, I offered to hop off and run next to the sled, as you are supposed to in order to help the dogs. Second big mistake. I'm not sure what I was thinking as I haven't gone running in at least 6 months (ok, ok, more like 9 mos) and those dogs were going a lot faster than I thought. I ran 10 steps and promptly tripped over the sled and fell on my face.

Dogsled fail.

So, I hoped back in the sled, and enjoyed the ride while Brian did the driving.