Black & White Wednesdays

This is my first week following Lisa's Black & White Wednesdays and I can hardly wait to check out all the other blogs

Here is my photo....if titled it would be CHEESE ! This is my Great Grandson JJ and he is a ham. It is amazing to me as I watch him, exactly how much he is like his Dad. And just like dad he is a grammas boy.  Secretly I would'nt have it any other way. JJ is also my cupcake buddy, we bake and he always comes running when he hears the mixer.

A great giveaway

Bloggy Blog Designz is having a Giveaway!!! They are giving away blog designs and all kinds of goodies. Plus ALL entrants will receive 20%off their purchase through the end of the month! Be sure to check out their website for more information, or to enter yourself. Take a look at their portfolio and packages to see what's right for you.


The first 5 entrants will receive a $15 giftcard. The giveaway will close on June 19th, so be sure to have your posts done and comments left by midnight! Good Luck to everyone!

(Our Design List is open after July 1. Discounts from this giveaway do not apply to designz in progress)

It smells like summer

Even though it has rained for what seems like the last week, you can smell summer and family fun.  Campers have started to fill the two campgrounds near our house and the smell of bacon on the old coleman cookstove in the morning brings back fond memories of my DAD out there making us five kids breakfast early in the morning after he returned from those 5 am fishing trips.My Dad taught us all a very important lesson. You see he died when he was just 38. We took a family vacation every year, even if we really could'nt afford to. He gave us all memories that we can carry over to our own kids and grandkids. I took my first grandson Joey fishing and taught him to bait a hook. Now he is showing JJ how. Thanks Dad. I guess with Fathers Day fast approaching I think more of him, but every day I find one of those things that seemed to come so easy to him in my everyday life. He loved us , and all of us not one more than the other . Maybe just differently, but not more. I was adopted and he never once made me feel like I wasn't his. Thanks Dad. He set a good example for my brothers to follow, and they did. It is not how much you spend on your kids, it is how much time . Yesterday I colored with JJ, my great grandson and showed him a trick my Dad taught us when we would all color on the kitchen table on a rainy Saturday. Take a peice of paper towel and rub the area you colored and it looks soft .  Dad , thanks again.  I remember him coming to pick me up from a friends on Friday night in his work pants and tshirt with his boots not laced. "Please don't get out I thought" and he would send me in to pick up the pizza from Genoe's. My love for Wisconsin, came from him. We used to drive up to the Dells and then up to Phillips for summer vacations. Candy ( licorice) hidden in his glove compartment, rainbow cones on the way to pick  Mom up from work on Saturday afternoon. Being the one who got to sit in the third seat in the station wagon. Saturday morning trips to his Grandmas, she would call him and two Uncles in like they were still boys.   Being able to be the one who went with at 5am to fish, I never caught anything, but I would'nt trade that time we spent just talking for anything. I can remember just going with for the ride, didn't matter where he was going. How many times did I go with to pick up car parts or maybe to Walgreens for party supplies. It didnt matter as long as we were with him. He was what Dads are supposed to be and I just hope he knew just how I felt even through my teenage years when things were bumpy. Dad you were the greatest and I LOVE you !

Wow, how the memories flood back when evening sets in and you can smell the campfires and smores!

 Families enjoying time together and back to basics. It is great. I just hop, my kids and grandkids will have as much to think back on years from now.  If so, I did it right!

 In the shop I am busy painting signs for those very campers to hang at their sites or attach to those movable homes on wheels.  I love that each piece sort of tells me what it will turn out to be and no two bears or raccoons are ever alike. In fact I just sold one that looked a little grumpy, it must have been painted on one of those days  LOL. I was asked where did I learn to paint the other day and Dad popped up again. When we first started camping we had a tent and went to Savannah, Illinois to an Army Corp of Engineers campground and there , I met Jack and Jean, a couple who ran the small store. Jack would sit behind the cabin and paint on mirrors. I could have sat there all day, every day. To me it was like magic watching the scenes unfold. That is how I feel when a piece of old wood becomes a bear or sign for someone.  Again Thanks DAD.

Dairy Daze ......cupcakes, cows and kids oh my

Today is the beginning of Dairy Daze in Montell. But, for me it started early yesterday as I began the baking for the Cupcake sale.

These are the rootbeer floats cupcake, first recipe wasnt what I wanted so these came out great!  18 of these jumbo cupcakes. oh, did my kitchen smell delicious!  here is the link for the recipe http://www.gourmetmomonthego.com/2010/05/mini-root-beer-float-cupcakes.html

These are banana split cipcakes. The centers are filled with banan, pineapple and strawberry.  Here is the link for the recipe http://www.beantownbaker.com/2009/09/banana-split-cupcake.html

the cupcakes on the left are Funge Mint Sundaes topped with Andes mint pieces.

The cups have malted Milk caupcakes topped with a malted milk ball. Here is the recipe link http://cupcakestakethecake.blogspot.com/2010/01/malted-milk-cupcakes-plus-recipe.html

 Those are fudge mint cupcakes in the middle.

I also make strawberry sundae cupcakes. the centers are filled with stawberry and topped with whipped frosting and a cherry.

7:30 this morning I came to the shop to put out my decorated COW, open the doors and get ready for the other members of our group to drop off cupcakes.  Shirley from Rustic came and dropped off some cheesecake brownies. Then before 9 Jean from the Gardne Center came with some brownies and muffins. My shop smells wonderful.

The weather is funny today, cool but very humid so campers are out and about checking out the shops. No kids participated in the sidewalk art contest HUH, maybe the cloudy skies kept them away.

It has been a long day and the smell of these cupcakes has been driving me crazy, but it was good practice for when we open the diner. I can see it now CUPCAKE of the DAY!  How much fun is that.

Thankful Thursday at Pattibears

First off, I was thinking back to 1 year ago when we were waiting for little Carsen to be born. Not sure if he would have Down's Syndrome, what other problems he might have.  Well as I watched him try and walk this morning I feel very blessed that he was perfect . Happy, outgoing baby that at times never seems to sit still. A blessing.  He was pictured in an ETSY treasury today http://www.etsy.com/treasury/4c11246378348eef6df8b842/whats-that-smell?show_panel=true

The adorable little sticker will be 1 tommorrow.  Last fall he sold many hats with that photo.

Thankful that school is out and the kids no longer need a ride back and forth each day and can help out at the shop.  My lawn can get mowed and no more 6th grade Math homework to help with. Mikey is going to Jr. High.  Now that makes me feel really old and a little scared, but this is thankful Thursday so I won't dwell on it.

Liz is off Sunday to St. Norberts for a summer college program, a great kid, smart and funny .  This time next year she will be gradyuated and off to college.  How time flies.

Matt and Chrissy are home and working hard at the resort nearby, I am thankful they have their jobs as jobs are hard to come by and this one is within walking distance.

Thankful that at home all seems well, for the time being. It takes so much energy to be stressed and I can really use the break. Having MG stress can knock me out and I have a full house, 3 teenagers, 1 eleven year old, 4 days a week a 1 yr old and a 2 yr old then 2 grown daughters ( here is where the stress comes in ) 3 dogs and a hubby ( can be major stress) LOL so thankful right now all is good!

BIG SUMMER Sale

Summer is here and time for our Big Summer Sale. The 6 car wooden train set is our first big sale item. This beautifully handcrafted set is made to be played with. Each car can be arranged in any order. Engine,12 inches, coal car, 9 inches, log hauler with logs,11 inches, open car with barrels,11 inches, a dumper car that really dumps , 11 inches, and a caboose, 10 inches. A must for the train lover in your family this season! Perfect toy to bring out imagination, no batteries required, runs on imagination!

Each set is on sale for $25.00 shipping is $22.50    total $47.50
http://www.pattibear.etsy.com/  to order
 

Personalized Gingerbread Family is a cute way to decorate for the holidays. A great gift idea for Grandma, the sitter or Yourself!  Add the family name and names of each member . The Big gingerbreadman measures about 16 inches high and is handpainted and ready to hang. Please specify how many small cookies up to 6.  More upon request. Special requests or wording available.  $15.00 and 9.80 shipping total $24.80 to order http://www.pattibear.etsy.com/

Think ahead to your holiday shopping and order early!!!

Time to Ponder......so many

recipes and so little time.  Beofre the rain came today the shop was fairly busy. It is very nice to see visitors walking the sidealks and checking out the shops. Past visitors coming back to visit is also a very good sign that things are picking up in the area. Sales were good, not amazing but good. The painted door from the other day SOLD !!!!  Now I can paint more, I hate to paint more big pieces if those I have are not selling, silly maybe but that is my thought process these days,
  With next Saturday our dairy Daze, a big deal in Wisconsin and the theme for our bake sale being ice cream I have been hunting high and low on blogs to find just the right cupcakes, having not heard back from the other bakers in our group . I am going off on my own and baking what I want.
Root Beer Float Cupcakes'
Servings: 12
Prep time: 20
Cook time: 20
Total time: 40
Ingredients:

1 cup rootbeer soda
1 tsp apple cider vinegar
1 cup rootbeer soda, reduced to 3 teaspoons
3/4 cup sugar
1/3 cup vegetable oil
2 tsp root beer extract
1 1/3 cup flour
1/2 tsp baking powder
3/4 tsp baking soda
pinch salt

Vanilla Bean Frosting
2 cups powdered sugar
1 cup shortening
1 tablespoon milk
2 teaspoons vanilla extract
1 teaspoon vanilla bean pods or paste
Directions:
Preheat oven to 350
Cupcakes:
Combine rootbeer soda and apple cider vinegar, and reduced rootbeer soda,allow to sit for a few minutes. Add sugar, vegetable oil, vanilla, and root beer extract.

Sift together flour, baking soda and baking powder. Slowly add the dry ingredients into the wet ingredients being careful not to over mix.

Pour batter into cupcake molds, 2/3 the way full. Bake for 18-22 minutes until toothpick inserted comes out clean. Allow to cool completely.

Frosting:
Combine all ingredients and beat with a mixer until fluffy.
Top cupcakes with the vanilla bean frosting, and enjoy!

Arent these just adorable? I am going to make Big cupcake and mini cupcakes!

CREAMSICLE (ORANGE-VANILLA) CUPCAKES

Ingredients:
•½ cup unsalted butter, softened

•2/3 cup sugar

•3 large eggs

•1 tsp. vanilla extract

•1 tsp. orange extract

•1 ½ cups all purpose flour

•1 ½ tsp. baking powder

•¼ tsp. salt

•¼ cup milk

Directions:
1.Preheat oven to 350 degrees F (177 degrees C) and lightly butter or line 12 muffin cups with paper liners.

2.For the Cupcakes: Cream the butter and sugar until light and fluffy. Add the eggs, one at a time, beating well after each addition. Beat in the vanilla extract and orange extract.
3.In a separate bowl whisk together the flour, baking powder, and salt.
4.With the mixer on low speed, alternately add the flour mixture and milk, in three additions, beginning and ending with the flour. Scrape down the sides of the bowl.
5.Evenly fill the muffin cups with the batter and bake for about 18-20 minutes or until a toothpick inserted into a cupcake comes out clean. Remove from oven and place on a wire rack to cool. Once the cupcakes have completely cooled, frost.
The batter was thick,
Frost them with vanilla buttercream if you want to go for the Creamsicle effect,

Well, I am off to find just the right icing for a hot fudge sundae cupcake and then home to try out a batch or two. There is time enough to get back on the diet, and kids are home to taste test. Tomorrow I will be at the Garden center cutting out the end of our cows for dairy daze and then getting mine painted and decorated, I will get photos up as soon as it is done. This is just one of many events we do to get people back into town and visiting us, After the floods 2 yearsa go and the loss of some of our tourists we try anything to get people back in town,  NOW if ice cream themed cupcakes don't do it maybe nothing will LOL

Saturday Morning in the Shop

While I was dusting and running the vaccuum I thought I would take a video to show some of what is in the shop. I say this like I know what I was doing....NOT the case. In fact this is the first time I have used the video setting on my camera so I am hoping it works.  There are so many things in the shop that don't get listed on Etsy or on my website and so I thought I would share them this morning.

We have a saying at my house...if it stands still long enough Grandma will paint on it. That is probably true, I love to paint on old furniture, window, logs, rocks, pots and just about anything. I have tried my hand at watercolor, oils and acrylic. I find I am too rigid for watercolor I go crazy as the paint flows where ever and oils , I am in too big of a hurry to see a finished project so acrylics is my maine medium. I also do almost all my work freehand because I am a lazy painter. I do not like to take the time to trace a pattern do the basics then trace somemore. At classes I took when I worked at Michaels in Chicgo Ridge it made the instructor nuts that I would'nt trace. 

People always ask , were you trained, how did you learn to do this?  Well , I see images in wood patterns, clouds etc. crazy as it may seem that is how it started. I grew up in a house built back in 1959, our bathroom was covered in pink 6 inch plastic tiles with a sort of wavy pattern and if while taking a bubble bath you looked at them just right you could see faces, and so much more. If only you could sketch while in the tub. Gram would certainly not have allowed that LOL. The we began our camping vacations and at our stays in Savannah, Illinois, I met Jack & Jean they ran the little camp store and everyday Jack would sit behind the store and paint beautiful wildlife scenes on mirrors. Oh how I wished I had bought one back then. He made it seem so easy, the trees and deer seemed to just flow from his brush. I have yet to try that but now know that  feeling now as I turn an old ironing board ( hubby said I never knew what they were for ) into a charming Santa or a log slab into a friendly black bear.

Then in the evening I turn into my Gram, after dinner is done and we settle down I crochet the little sweaters and blankets that fill the shop. Our last 3 little ones were boys so all those cute girly sets are just for the shop. but I have a chance as my daughter is due in November and my fingers are crossed for a little girl.

Well enough for now, the shop is now open and hopefully the rain holds off and we have a busy day

Photos from the shop

This is the little girls MOOSE hat. I came up with these for Moosefest the beginning of May. I am thinking..... change the bow and it could be a reindeer for Christmas

Little boys sweater and earflap cap, also a matching blanket as well as a hooded sweater in the same color

I charged the batteries and with a rainy day outside it seemed the perfect time to get the photos taken and share them , here on the blog. So many of the pieces I paint are too big or too heavy to sell online, but they are here in my shop in Montello.

The green window was an old storm off a house in town, reuse/recycle less waste... this is from the same house but being so small I can't imagine what it was a door to!

Finally Friday

this has been a long week. Although I woke up to the sound of rain this morning, ( and I have a leak in the new section of roof ) it should be a nice day to finish projects and get ready for the weekend. I don't seem to have enough hours anymore, with trying to get the diner funding and all the work done, the shop and keeping it filled, 3 teenagers, a hubby, 3 dogs and 4 days a week the little guys stay over. I am ususally too tired to even enjoy all the planting I did and to just RELAX. But, rain helps downtown, It is funny how many people come out in the rain to visit the shops. With memorial Day behind us each weekend gets a little busier. I am picking up six more windows tomorrow and will hopefully have some time to work on them, if I can get one of the teenagers in my house to come and help watch the shop. There used to be no problem but now they all work at the resort near us and have STUFF of their own to do. They are great kids, just very busy! LOL I need to make sure we get all our plywood cows cut out so the local businesses can get them decorated for Dairy Daze , June 12th. It should be alot of fun , with visitors voting on their favorite COW and with the cupcake sale, we hope to be very busy. The money from our sales goes to help premote the downtown area and pay for advertising and such. This months theme is ice cream named cupcakes like rootbeer float, hot fudge sundae etc. I can't wait not only to bake them but to samle a couple. I am making some mini ones for tasting! I started the South Beach diet and this is killing it, how can you bake and not taste these cupcakes, oh well I can start again after the bake sale.

I am going to try and take start to finish photos on my next garden window I paint, many people are afraid to try things like this and I hope they realize YOU CAN do it. Then maybe one of the rock painting. I do classes for kids and adults during the summer. Kids are so much easier because they are not afraid to try and adults are fearful they will make a mistake. No mistake is so bad, if you don't like it ...paint it black and start again. I have more than a few times. I think more people need to know there is no right or wrong way to paint, paint because you enjoy it. If you like it , it is GOOD. I paint not just to make money at the shop or on Etsy but it is my main stress reliever.......teen, hubby =stress and painting makes it all better!

I hope you have a great Friday and enjoy your weekend I am hoping to but as with all families anything can happen and things change in a flash so ROLL with the changes and don't sweat the small stuff ( the wisest thing a friend ever told me ) and it is all small stuff!

Thankful THURSDAY

somewhere I saw this on a blog and thought , "what a great idea, how many of us get so busy we forget to just stop and be thankful". It doesnt have to be something huge, maybe the fact that it rained just enough to water the garden yesterday, or that the project you started finally finished. Thats where I am this morning, after weeks of second guessing the other businesses in town, last night at our meeting the majority ruled to not bring The Great American moose Fest back next year. That is not something to be thankful for , but the unknown, the guessing and worrying what will happen. That I am thankful for is now over. In order to enjoy this, I will not ponder what is next and how our event will come together for next year. Not today, it is Thankful Thursday. I am also Thankful that I got a few orders finished and felt so good I painted to large windows and they are ready for the weekend. Of course when I went to take a photo the camera was dead, this I am NOT thankful for. I came home to find two little ones still at my house, thankful they are healthy and safe, also that daddy is on his way for them. LOL
I am one more day living with a functioning with MG, it is a good day

50's style meatloaf

Part of my plan with this diner is to make it a family place where everyone can come enjoy some comfort food and reconnect. From the seniors in town to the kids who need a place to get a basket of fries and a couple cokes and talka bout boys or girls and just have a place to BE. That spot where you can stop in the morning for a cup of coffee and a muffin on the run or grab breakfast and read the paper. No dress code just good simple food, at reasonable prces with some friendly conversation and maybe if you saved room a cupcake for desert!






Enjoy moist, delicious meatloaf slathered in Heinz Ketchup with this free meatloaf recipe from H. J. Heinz. Equally great for family dinner or Monday Night Meatloaf at the Diner.

Prep Time: 15 minutes
Cook Time: 1 hour
Total Time: 1 hour, 15 minutesIngredients:
•1 slightly beaten egg
•1 cup Heinz Ketchup ®
•1 tablespoon vegetable or olive oil
•1-1 ½ pounds lean ground beef
•½ cup dry bread crumbs
•½ cup chopped celery
•½ cup chopped green bell pepper
•½ cup chopped onion
•½ teaspoon salt
•¼ teaspoon pepper
Preparation:
In saucepan, cook onion, celery and bell pepper in oil until tender-crisp; stir in ketchup. Combine ½ cup ketchup mixture with ground beef, bread crumbs, egg, salt and pepper. Shape into a loaf (8” x 4”) in shallow baking pan. Bake in 350°F oven for 1 hour. Let stand 5 minutes before slicing. Pour remaining ketchup sauce, cold or heated, over meat loaf. Makes 6 servings.

Ballet

While I had time on my hands today, I came across a photo of a handmade tutu on Etsy. Adorable little pink tutu, but what came to mind next brought tears and lots of happy memories. When I was about four my Grandmother took me to balet lessons every week. We practiced doing somersaults in the grass( I never did go straight) and she taught me to skip. Both of us right down the middle of the street. I never became a ballerina but she didn't care. Many years later I walked a little grandaughter to ballet and watched as she twirled and pointed her toes to Snow Whites Whistle While You Work. She also did not become a ballerina but those walks to the park district and alone time we had would in later years be very important. Sam like many teens hit some rough patches andseemed so far away. I spent many night crying and worried for her. Yet, on Mothers Day she left me a small red box with a bracelet she had made, but best of all was a small note she left saying how she remembers all I tried to teach her and loves me for it. That is what I hope my Gram got back from me all those years, becuase she not only made bad Ballet ok she made everything OK.

Wednesday 's

Wednesdays are almost always not very productive. We have a downtown business owners group meeting at 8:30 to discuss the upcoming events in town and how we can best promote our town and businesses. A very friendly group of four or five of us , planning to "SAVE the WORLD" one event at a time. About 10 am we return back to our businesses and get the day started. MOST of us,

I am a first thing in the morning person. I have myastenia gravis and am at my best early in the day. Somedays I come in at 7:45 with an idea and get right to painting and g all day each piece coming so easy. Other days like today I am thrown off by a change in plans. Today our meeting is at 6:00 in the evening! I have accomplished little all day.
Montello where I live has a population, at the time of the 2000 census, was 1,043. A toursit area that two years ago was hit by floods and last year had a drop in tourists due to the closing of our boat launch. With fewer tourists of course our shops make less money, the locals have a harder time finding jobs and we are forgotten. I have decide this just can't happen. Montello is a great small town for kids to grow up in, friendly people and loads of natural resources . So I am working to get us back on the map, all the while still filling the shop and trying to keep home life good for all of us. By all of us, I mean I am never quite sure how many will be there. Some days there are us ( my husband and I ) Kathy my daughter and her son Mike, Liz, Chris and Matt ( three teenage grandkids) 3 dogs and 4 fish. Other days my oldest grandson Joe is there with his two little guys and even my daughter Cheryl and a stray friend or two. I can't tell you the last time I was home alone!

My son has backed me along the way with my shop and website. Without him , I dont even want to think how things would have been. I use my painting as a stress reliever, stress is my #1 trigger for my MG. A Profitable shop would be nice, right now after two slow summers we are tredding water and I may have to make a decision to close the shop....but for right now I am painting to fill orders and keep my sanity.With the help of my son I am going to revamp the old diner in the photo and give out downtown the anchor it needs and a central visitng location for the locals and toursits alike. It will be alot of work and I am knee deep in paperwork right now , but if you want it, and focus anything is possible. This is how I see the next chapter in my life!!!

but until that chapter starts I will be painting because painting takes the stress away and the customers visitng makes each day enjoyable. But, today I was interrupted and didnt get an early start so I have finished almost nothing and now that I am typing this....IT IS OK tomorrow will come soon enough and I will get everything done! I had a good friend who worked with me at Michaels about 13 years ago and when I would worry about what seemed like everything she would say "Don't sweat the small stuff... and it's all small stuff" and she was right. So I will get stuff ready for the meeting tonight, reada few more blogs, finalize my cupcake recipe choices and call it a good day.

Memorial day Weekend....great fun

The weather was perfect for visitors to come up to Montello and visit the shops and see all the great stuff we have to offer. Campers were seen pulling in on Thursday and the sites were filling up fast. Downtown where we are located the sidewalks had shoppers strolling, many with ice cream cones and doing some shopping. The windows I painted earlier this week are gone! In fact we had two ladies wanting the same one. How fun. I will get a few more done this weekend and get some more of the cutre camping , cabin signs done. Then I am off to paint and decorate my COW for Montello's dairy dfaze on June 12th. Local businesses are painting and decorating wooden cows and we will have visitors vote on their favorite cow. I will also be hosting this months CUPCAKE SALE at my shop. I ahve been baking and finding new ice cream themed cupcakes and have a few that are a gourmet delight. When we hold these bake sales the money goes to help pay for advertising for other events throughout the season and purchase decorations and such that we need for the downtown. Our last money helped pay for the Moose fest appreciation dinner, gas for the shuttle busses and we still have a little left. So come on down and get your self a cupocake or two and enjoy Montello and my shop.

Window washing

In the shop window washing takes on a whole new meaning.....if I was them it is to PAINT on them. During city wide clean up I was able to pick up a few really nice windows and today I was in the mood to paint them. The new enamel paints make it so easy . Hopefully these fly out of the shop over the weekend to give me more incentive to paint a couple more.

More to life than cupcakes

I have been so busy over the past few months with The Great American Moose Fest and the shop that I finally decided the weathre was nice and it was a good time for ma Grandma and me day. In this case I am the Great grandma and my daughter Patrice is the Grandma. So, I called her up and explained or project.......The three of us , her, me and JJ her grandson were going to build a green bean teepee. We picked the day collected the sticks and set out to get it built. At two JJ is more of a supervisor it seems, alot like his Dad. But he loved the digging in the dirt and the carrying sticks, sometimes away from the project. Her you see him and his Grandma finishing up the tying of the sticks.

Here all tired out from the hard work he tried it out to see if it was big ewnough to sleep in ( he was pretending to snore). After school Chrissy my grnadaughter helped hom plant pole beans, scarlet runner beans and some black eyed susan vines. We have been watering ever day and watching for something to sprout. JJ is at my house four days a week so he is very hands on with this project. This morning we had sprouts.

Now with my day off complete and feeling recharged I am back at the shop painting and adding photos to Etsy and my site of some of my new work. If only every day could be a play date. Wouldn't that be great. The moral of this is we should never get to busy to stop and enjoy the simple things like a little boy ,some dirt and green bean seeds........ PRICELESS

cupcakes...cupcakes...cupcakes

Here I am again, looking for yet another great cupcake recipe, The I came across this one and thought this could be it!

Cookies and cream make anything taste great! These cupcakes go so fast after they're baked, be sure to hide a few for yourself."



Supplies:
1 box chocolate cake mix
1 cup sour cream
3 eggs
1 tsp. vanilla extract
18-24 whole chocolate sandwich cookies, crumbles
1 recipe vanilla buttercream frosting

Mix together cake mix, sour cream, eggs, and vanilla. Place a spoonful of batter on the bottom of each paper liner. Place a whole cookie on the bottom lying flat. Cove with remaining batter until 3/4 full.

Bake at 350 degrees for 15-18 minutes. Allow cupcakes to cool completely.

Add crumbled cookies to buttercream frosting. Be generous and frost cupcakes nice and high.

Frosting:
8 Tbsp. (1 Stick) butter, room temperature
3 3/4 cups powdered sugar, sifted
3-4 Tbsp. milk or cream
2 tsp. vanilla extract

Place butter in large mixing bowl. Beat until light and fluffy, about 30 seconds. Stop beating before adding sugar to avoid a large mess.

Add sugar, 3 tablespoons milk or cream, and vanilla extract. Beat frosting starting on slow, increasing your speed until frosting is nice and creamy. Add up to 1 more tablespoon milk or cream if frosting is too thick.

This recipe was taken directly from "101 Cupcakes in 10 minutes". I have got to buy this book, Walmart does carry it and I am off to order one for myself. I should be off painting and I find myself on the computer drooling over cupcakes.

Great information...shared

Yesterday morning I attended a meeting given by Fred Clarks office in Portage. There he had gathered people from SBA, Dept. of Commerce , Small Business Developement Center and more. They described just what they could do for small businesses in Wisconsin and there was a question and answer session after . Alot of very good info was exchanged. Now I have come in to the shop early to get more work done today so tommorrow morning I can go to Madison and attend a breakfast sessiion with Kathryn Jeffers. From what was said yesterday she is a wonderful speaker and can help you turn things around in your business. I don't know of any business who would'nt like to be better. So there I paln to be from 7-9 and then back to the shop until it is time for the Montello NOW meeting at 5:30. That is another heavy meeting, we should be able to find out from the answers given what Steve Krueger will do with The Great American Moose Fest next year. Enough heavy stuff, I am off to paint fun things, not sure just what as each piece of wood is so different. The weekend had been busy at the shop and with Memorial Day right around the corner I do need to get some pieces done. So, I came ready to paint and enjoy myself, that reallly matters or the painting just doesnt work.
Still pondering my cupcake recipes, my grandson Mike 11, thinks we should try them all out ahead of time and then decide. Taste testing seems to be the answer so I will let you know what we come up with. Also if one seems to be great I could enter it in IRON CUPCAKE MILWAUKEE I am leaning towards all of them myself. A huge bake sale would be wonderful!

Cupcakes on the Brain

I have an 11 year old grandson MIKE who not only loves when I make cupcakes but loves to watch Iron Chef with me. Last night I told him about Iron Cupcake and he thought that was the best thing he ever heard of. Now, today after the shop I told him I had a comment from Iron Cupcake and he almost fainted. How did they know about his Granma and could I print it off. Well, I was thrilled also to see the comment and if you, like me are a baker or just loved baked goods check out their site and this

become an Iron Cupcaker.

To join, all they have to do is email me IronCupcakeEarth@wi.rr.com ( IronCupcakeEarth.com) with the following information to join. All Iron Cupcake participants must register via email.

Name

City, State, Country
Blog Address
Flickr Name
Referral: MY BLOG NAME

Any questions you or your readers may have can be found at the Iron Cupcake Earth Central Hub.

IRON CUPCAKE is getting bigger everyday. In addition to our ETSY artists, the makers of the CUPCAKE COURIER have donated one of their awesome carriers to every challenge winner for the next 12 months! I am also in talks with the folks at an incredibly hip, uber-desired kitchen accessory company - who must remain nameless for the moment. They are in for a similar offer. So the pot gets bigger … and cupcake lovers all over the world will reap the benefits!

IronCupcakeEarth
Bringing the World together one Cupcake at a time!

what could be more fun, ever age group enjoys a good cupcake, they make people smile, and it doesnt take much to exercise of one little cupcake!

So you heard it here, go spread the word and check out their site!

Cupcake Quest

Last night after I left the shop I went home to look through cookbooks and scour the internet for Ice cream themed cupcakes.....here is what I came up with.

creamsicle cupcakes

rootbeer float cupcakes

hot fudge sundae cupcakes

banana split cupcakes

malted milk cupcakes

Now, how do I decide which to bake, one kind, maybe two or do I jump in and make some of each. I tossed and turned half the night, I think after two cups of coffee and more thinking , I will make some of each. I will then take photos to share.

While looking for these recipes I found Iron cupcake milwaukee and think that is my goal.... to get good enough to enter!

I am off now to finish painting and work on a few new projects, I just picked up some old windows and my creative juices are flowing....so off to the paint brush for now.

Sunny Saturday

It is just beautiful outside today. The sun is shining and the wind has finally died down a bit. I am determined today to paint outfits for the Dress-Me Friends, finish a coupl orders and then if their time, work on a few slab wood pieces. I am never quite sure how those will turn out. The wood does it's own thing. With all the black bear sightings in the area, maybe I should do a couple more pieces with bears on......maybe the Don't feed the bears !

I am still looking for cupcake recipes for Dairy Days, so many choices. My grandson J.J. is my baking buddy he comes running when he hears the mixer to help lick the beaters. He makes even the grey rainy days bright.

Dairy Days is fast approaching and with that come another Bake Sale. This time I thought why not find Icecream themed cupcakes and desserts. Here is one I am going to make for sure. Another easy and fun idea is cupcakes bakes right in the icecream cones. So many more that I am off to find them. We have 4 or 5 bakers in the group so I can share my finds with them.


Root Beer Cupcake Recipe from http://www.cupcakeproject.com

The cake part of the recipe was a root beer cake. I found the recipe at the Bittersweet Blog. The cake was moist and had a strong root beer smell and flavor. Definitely a winner.

makes 12 cupcakes


•1 C rootbeer soda
•1 t apple cider vinegar
•3/4 C sugar
•1/3 C canola oil
•1/2 t vanilla extract
•2 t rootbeer extract
•1 1/3 C flour
•3/4 t baking soda
•1/2 t baking powder
•Pinch of Salt
1.Combine the soda and vinegar and let stand for a few minutes.
2.Add in the sugar and oil, whisking vigorously until slightly frothy.

3.Integrate your extracts, and gently introduce the flour, along with the baking powder / soda, and salt, being careful not to over mix.

4.Fill cupcake liners approximately 3/4 of the way to the top.

5.Bake at 350 F for about 18 - 22 minutes.
The Cream Soda Frosting Recipe


The frosting that was used on Bittersweet might be great, but it just didn't seem like it would be what I was looking for. I wanted a rich vanilla and creamy frosting and the taste of vanilla soy just didn't seem like it would do. Instead, I opted for a cream soda frosting. I used the cream cheese frosting recipe from my maple frosting as base, but made some changes.


•1 (8 ounce) package cream cheese
•1/4 C butter
•4 C powdered sugar
•1.5 t cream soda extract (Cream soda extract isn't exactly a common household item. However, I was able to order some at a soda home brewing company, HopTec. This is also where I ordered my root beer extract from. The service at HopTec was fantastic! They shipped my stuff the same day and even called me to let me know they had found a cheaper shipping rate for me. I'd definitely recommend them, if you want to try making some cream soda frosting. I'd also highly recommend the frosting. It was a perfect match for the root beer cupcake.)

1.Beat cream cheese and butter.
2.Add powdered sugar until the consistency is right.
3.Add extract.

The Topping


I topped the whole thing with a chocolate malt ball just to complete the soda fountain experience.

Shop filling up

Hand painted windows, no waste here I paint on just about everything I can find. One man's trash is another mans treasure!
Dress_me Welcome Friends and outfits are always a must in the shop and online!

Some of my favorite things to paint are BEARS and the rustic wood is so much fun, each one is different!

New Project

Today I decided to have a little fun while I worked on stocking the shop.

Rock Painting is a great form of therapy for me. A stress releiver and inexpensive way to let some of the creative juices flow.

First step is to FIND or buy a rock.....for a bunny I always tell students to find a baked potato shaped rock that is as smooth as possible. Wash it and let it dry.

Next step is to base coat the whole rock black. Let that dry completely. Right about here the students start to look a little skeptical.

Now using a piece of chalk, draw out the basic shapes of the bunny. Place the ears, eyes and back legs. Still not too sure of themselves we go on.

Thin white paint to an inky consistancy, out line the eyes, nose and ears. Then make short fur strokes up from the nose for the head and out to the sides. Always stoke in the direction hair grows or he could end up looking more like a porcupine. LOL

The back legs have hair in the direction of wheel spokes, hair runs down the back, just like his sides. Let these lines dry completely.

Now for some color, thin brown paint till in is but a tint and brush in the direction of your strokes covering all the fur lines. Add some white fur around the eye area, add a touch of flesh paint to the inner ears and the nose. Give the eyes a brown circle with black pupil and some black lashes. A touch of white paint for a reflection, then 4 white feet and that fluffy tail and you are done.

After your rock is all dry, coat it with a spray of clear acrylic and watch the colors pop. This rock can now sit on your porch or in the garden.

Moose Fest is over.....

Moose Fest brought an estimated 7,000 people to Montello and the surrounding area. The attendance was estimated at between 10 and 20 thousand but for a first year event it went very well. Of course like every event things need to be tweeaked and this will be rehashed before next years event. The Pro fisherman and the kids were a great hit. People are still talking about how nice it was to get some life back into the area. local motels and campgrounds saw increased business and the downtown shops had alot of traffic throughout the weekend also. We are hping those vendors who came this year will be back as we are looking for ways to relocate vendors so everyone is in the same area, and hopefully all get increased traffic.

That over I have put aside the moose hats and am busy painting for orders and getting those rustic camping and fishing signs done for in the shop. I will also be starting the rock painting clases and hope to see alot of new painters this season.

Memorial Day Weekend is always busy and after that we will be onto Dairy dayze with some cute cow ideas coming up so stay tuned.....

Don't forget the Moose Hunt is still on until the end of July so come on out to Montello and grab a dozen or so tickets from the surrounding shops and businesses!

Moose Fest....count down

I am putting the final touches on things in the shop, contacting news media and getting all our MOOOSE in a roww for next weekends event. The proclamation by the Governor was icing on the cake, all the hard work has been worth it. Signs are drying, Moose hats are in the works and we are drawing and cutting out the lifesize cartoon characters from Moose Lake to display around town. Helipcopters are coming as well as the hot air balloons, WIST team from Etsy has members here also. Miller is finishing the last of the banners and we have spread the word as far as possible. Bring the family and come see all the new items in the shop as well as some of the old stand bys and enjoy the fest weekend.

Final prep for Moose Fest

I am busy getting alll thoase last minute items finished , the shop spruced up and making sure there are tags on everyhting. We are still waiting on the banner I ordered for the Ladies from Wist team on Etsy who are coming to the fest.

A helicopter company just called about coming and giving helicopter rides, this should be alot of fun and if everyone who comes would bring just one person , this will be amazing. So help spread the word and come on out and do some shopping, eat at any of the amazing food booths, let the kids fish FREE and enjoy the carnival. Tickets are $2.00 and each ride is 1 ticket. We have tickets in the shop now, and advance tickets are $1.00. Juggler, cartoon auction, pancake eating contest, Come on out and stop in and say hello.

another MOOSE type recipe

“Antler Munch” Popcorn

22.5 oz Crunch and Munch® or Fiddle Faddle® Popcorn (your favorite flavor) (3 7.5 oz bozes)
1 cup Nuts (pecans, almonds, cashews), optional
12 oz Semi-sweet chocolate chips
12 oz White chocolate chips
2 tsp Crisco, divided

Line 2 cookie sheets with parchment paper or Silpat. Set aside.

Place semi-sweet chocolate chips and 1 tsp of Crisco in a large microwave safe bowl. Microwave for about 30 seconds. Stir. Continue until chips look shiny. Remove from microwave and stir until all chips are melted.

Quickly stir in 1 box of popcorn and ? cup of nuts, if using. Note that popcorn does not have to be perfectly covered with chocolate. Spread onto the prepared cookie sheet, separating kernels as much as possible. Cool completely and break into pieces.

Repeat the process with the white chocolate chips and remaining Crisco. Stir in a second box of popcorn with another ? cup of nuts, if using. Add the white chocolate chips and put on the 2nd cookie sheet as described above.

When both pans of chocolate covered popcorn have dried, combine the white chocolate, semi-sweet chocolate and the remaining box of popcorn. Combine the nuts with the popcorn. Store in airtight container out of the heat.

In the shop I am busy finishing up painting for the fest, it is fast approaching May 1 & 2 . This has been a great opportunity for Montello and the surrounding area.FREE Icecream for the visitors, hot air ballons, carnival and 10 Pro fisherman to take kids 9-14 fishing for FREE, Bring the family out to see the natural resources we have as well as all the vendors and attractions brought here this day. Our group is busy trying to finalize plans and make this event a huge success. think FUN . The shop will be getting updated as soon as I find some spare time,

Apathy?????

This morning as I sit and work on things for the Moose Fest, I find it hard to come up with ways to jolt the people in and around town into coming out to the downton are to see all it has to offer. Don't get me wrong they are all very nice people but, they tend to drive 20 minutes to shop in Portage or maybe and hour to Madison,,,,, when right here they can find those very same things, save gas, time and build their community. The New Montello Group has been working for 3 years to get locals involved in their downtown through events like the Easter Bunny Parade and more. Well enough whining on my part. My project this morning was to create a coloring contest page to be handed out at the local school and a couple surrounding towns. I did find a MOOSE for them to color and will get this off to the printer. With that behind me and no emergency calls yet I can sit down and get some painting done. I am hoping to get the shop full to the brim before the fest. A nice weekend in May would put the season off to a good start. So today, I will stay away from the computer and paint black bears and a moose of two on some camping and cabin signs.

Living in a small town

    I grew up in a suburb of Chicago, married, raised kids then moved to a small town in Wisconsin.  Life is good, but very different.  People move at a slower pace...a good thing most of the time.  Everyone knows everyone and their whole family....ususally a good thing. There is a sense of belonging to your town.....but, over time people take for granted all they have and need to go visit a big city where they are a little fish in a big pond to appreciate what they have back home.  I belong to the local downtown business group and we put together events in the town, not just to attract shoppers and tourists but for the families who live here. Just last Saturday we had the 3rd annual easter Bunny Parade, a huge hit with the kids. Yet, the turnout could have been much better if more businesses had joined in and the school had helped spread the word.

My next pet project for during the summer is kids rock painting classes. This is a great rainy day project for kids and a great way to let them express themselves. I always like to see their faces when from that little rock they found, out comes a bunny or turtle or for the boys a snake!

We have alot of cabin and campers in the area and this is a great project for them too. Have the kids collect rocks, ( I tell them a perfect bunny rock is shaped like a baked potato) a few bottles of inexpensive acrylic paint and 2 sizes of brushes and they are off. I always draw on the areas in chalk so they are just covered up by the paint!  I really enjoy watching as these kids paint. They are fearless, unlike the adults I teach the very same class to.

But, for right now I am painting like crazy by day and crocheting all evening to have the shop full to overflowing for Moose Fest coming up May 1 & 2 , right here in downtown Montello. What a huge boost this could give our town in a time when we badly need it after the flood of 2008 and closing of our one and only boat launch downtown in 2009. So off I go now to paint and get ready.

Easter Bunny Parade

was a HUGE success. Here is a picture from the Waterfall..
to see more phots and a list of the sponsoring businesses vist the New Montello Groups Blog

Happy Easter

Much Painting Going On

With Moose Fest just 1 month away I am busy painting to get everthing done in time. From the log signs and rocks to those Dress-Me Friends and outfits. There just dont seem to be enough hours in a day anymore.
I do have some helpers, when they are not at school or their part time jobs.

This is Chris and J.J. our little leprechaun. His hair is the color of his beard!

We are adding new camping signs and some really cute painted windows to the shop. I added some of the crocheted sweaters to Etsy

Remember mark your calendars for May 1 & 2 and come out and enjoy Moose Fest and visit us at the shop.  I better get off the computer and paint, soooooo  much to do and so little time left!

Things are changing quickly here

The shop feels like spring now, bunnies and ducks and tulips galore!

We are seeing new Moose Hunters every day which is wonderful, spring has sprung up here.  People are also buzzing about The Great American Moose fest and beginning to come in and ask questions. Great bring your friends and family and join us May 1 & 2.  Maybe win a scooter finding Moose tags, alot of fun for the whoe family.'

The Easter Bunny was spotted down at The Garden Center and Teapot Quilt Cottage. WOW are they decorated. We see people up opening their places early this year, a very good sign.

My favorite new item this spring is the duck hat

this littel guy is a favorite model of mine and loves to help unlike

this litttle guy who really asked to try it on, but what a face!  Just like his Dad

Moose on the mind in Montello

Well, we have wiped the winter off the windows and are well into spring.  So, with Moose on everyones mind here in Montello, we are finding new ways to bring MOOSE into the shop.

Starting Saturdays we will have MOOSE POOP cookies, and other treats.

Something for the Moose Hunt followers and those gearing up for Moose Fest.

Hopefully I can get some Mooose Welcome Friends donae along with some Moose on cabin signs and logs.

Here is the first MOOSE POOP Cookie recipe we will try !

Ingredients

•2 sticks of butter (1 cup)

•3/4 cup brown sugar

•3/4 cup white sugar

•2 eggs

•1 tsp vanilla

•2 cups flour

•1/2 tsp salt

•1 tsp baking soda

•3 cups oatmeal

•1 cup chopped walnuts

•2 cups chocolate chips

Directions

.Mix all together, drop by 1/4 cup portions on a

.greased cookie sheet. Bake at 325 degrees for 20

minutes.
Sounds easy enough , I'll let you know

great cupcake recipe

Box-Mix Cupcakes


1 box (18.25 oz) cake mix (vanilla, devil’s food, or yellow)

1 cup buttermilk (in place of water called for on the box)

Vegetable oil (the amount on the box)

4 eggs (in place of the number called for on the box)



Preheat oven to 350F. Line muffin cups with paper liners.


I think I will try these at our nexy bake sale on April 3rd


Follow the box instructions, putting all the ingredients in a large bowl and using the buttermilk in place of the water specified on the box, using the amount of vegetable oil that is called for, and adding the eggs. Beet with an electric mixer until moistened, about 30 seconds. Increase the speed to high and beat until thick, 2 minutes longer



Fill paper liners two-thirds full. Bake 12 to 20 minutes or until toothpick inserted in middle comes out clean. Cool completely before icing.

philadelphia chocolate cheesecakes for two recipe at kraftfoods.com

philadelphia chocolate cheesecakes for two recipe at kraftfoods.com

Do you know any......

Craft Fair vendors or Festival goers.  If so tell them about this great upcoming event !

Hot Air balloons rides have just been added and the advertising is nationwide!

There is something for everyone from kids fishing ( Dad's can meet the Pros) and carnival, food vendors, shopping and an incentive for visitors to stop at every booth.  They are looking to collect 2 matching tickets to earn FREE Ice cream. Music, cartoon auction and much more.

Not a vendor.....then grab the family and come on out, campgrounds and Montells in the area for a weekend stay. See all the great natural resources we have also,

http://www.greatmoosefestival.com/

Please share this event with friends and family

SEE YOU THERE

stop in at Pattibears Place and let me know you made it !

With St. Patrick's Day Tommorrow

I thought it would be nice to share a recipe that goes great with your coffee as you read the blogs ,

Cinnamon Bun Scones
Servings: 12 Scones

Cook time: 11 to 13 minutes

Ingredients:

2 cups all-purpose flour

1 cup quick oatmeal (uncooked)

1/4 cup + 2 tablespoons granulated sugar, divided

1 tablespoon baking powder

1/4 teaspoon salt

8 tablespoons (1 stick) butter chilled and cut into pieces

3/4 cup whole or 2% milk

1 egg, lightly beaten

1 teaspoon vanilla

1/2 cup toasted chopped pecans, or walnuts

2 teaspoons ground cinnamon

Glaze

3/4 cup powdered sugar

3 to 4 teaspoons Tropicana Pure Premium orange juice or milk

Directions:

Heat oven to 425 F. Spray cookie sheet with cooking spray.

In large bowl, combine flour, oats, 1/4 cup granulated sugar, baking powder and salt; mix well.

Cut in butter with pastry blender or two knives until mixture resembles coarse crumbs.

In small bowl, combine milk, egg and vanilla; blend well.

Add to dry ingredients all at once; stir with fork or rubber spatula just until dry ingredients are moistened.

In small bowl, combine remaining 2 tablespoons granulated sugar with the pecans and cinnamon; mix well.

Sprinkle evenly over dough in bowl; gently stir batter to swirl in cinnamon mixture.

(Do not blend completely.)

Drop dough by 1/4 cupfuls 2 inches apart on cookie sheet.

Bake 11 to 13 minutes or until golden brown. Remove to wire rack; cool 5 minutes.

In small bowl, combine powdered sugar and enough orange juice for desired consistency; mix until smooth.

Drizzle over tops of warm scones.

Serve warm.

Recipe - Shamrock Cupcake Pops - MixingBowl.com

Recipe - Shamrock Cupcake Pops - MixingBowl.com

New items for Spring

This is not to the face I was going for.  J.J. ASKED to model but this face looks more like"Grandma made me wear this "

I have just added a Duck hat, hooded duck sweater, hooded frog sweater and a duck sweater and hat to the Etsy shop. Hopefully today when my little helpers go home I will have time to add them to my site as well. They are on hand in the shop in Montello and the first duck hat sold yesterday. That LITTLE GUY DID'NT LOOK NEARLY AS UPSET.

I am still between ducks busy contacting crafters for our upcoming Great American Moose Fest, space is still available and it is a huge family fun event.

Spring is starting early here!

    Our windows have daffoldils and spring sweaters to brighten these last few grey weeks of winter. Adorable little duck and lamb hats and sweaters are appearing in the shop daily. Of course those little frogs are back with sweaters and a new hooded frog sweater. From the littlest baby to 4 toddler these are a must this spring. Our log signs are filling the shop for thos cabina nd camper visitor who will be stopping in trying to break up the cabin fever blues.
   And will all this to do we are still very busy helping to get The Great American Moose Fest all settled in here in Montello. What a fun family event this will be, with Pro Fisherman taking the kids out for a fishing lesson to carnival rides food and tons of great shopping.