Friday Things
1. Dominic is in the high chair and we’re starting solids! He pretty much just wants to stare at Joseph the entire time (and Joseph was SO excited to have him in the high chair next to him), but when I can get him to look at the spoon, he takes eager bites :) We’re just starting avocado this week, but I’m sure I’ll be busting out the steamer, food processor and ice cube trays soon!
These two loving staring and smiling at each other and it makes my heart so happy. When Dominic is in his activity chair/bouncer, Joseph stands over him and waves and they both giggle and Dominic goes crazy bouncing!
2. Happy St. Patrick’s Day! Are you doing anything special today to celebrate? What are you eating?!
3. Were you in the blizzard path this week? They were calling for us to get 4-8″ of snow and when we woke up Tuesday morning, we had… nothing. As in, not even a dusting. Like, ZERO snow fell. I was so looking forward to a big snowstorm and taking Joseph outside to play, womp womp. (Then it snowed off and on all morning on Wednesday, which left us with no much snow, but crappy roads.)
4. Do you remember my “My 100“? It was my big baking bucket list that I started yearssssss ago not long after I began the site. I crossed off quite a few of those, but I’m thinking of reviving the list and expanding it to a new one. Maybe tackling items could be a project we do together? What do you think?
5. Speaking of special projects, I’m loving the current series on Pinch of Yum, “Feeding a Broken Heart“. Not only is it a wonderful reminder to think of those that might need a shoulder to lean on, but the recipes so far have sounded amazing – true comfort food.
6. So, there’s an MLB pitcher that’s mad because cupcakes have too much frosting. What the what?! You know I love a high frosting to cupcake ratio, but what do you think? Agree or disagree?
7. For no reason whatsoever, I’m totally craving brownies. I think I see a pan in my future.
8. It’s March Madness! Did you fill out a bracket this year? I did again, but as always, I have no idea what I’m doing since basketball is one sport I don’t actually follow. Just cross my fingers!
9. I am so thrilled that Homeland is back to its fantastic ways; after another slow start to the season, it’s pulled me the whole way back in. And The Americans? Loving it. If you haven’t watched it, definitely catch it on Netflix – I think it’s one of the most underrated shows on TV.
10. TGIF! I hope you have a comfy weekend! (Duke got a new dog bed for downstairs!)
You were looking at activities for Joseph the other week. Plastic easter eggs are super fun to play with. Hide them, put stuff in them and shake, stack them.
You should check out Flour Water Salt Yeast by Ken Forkish when you get to no knead bread and sourdough on your list :) His instructions are detailed but easy to follow. I’ve been baking from his book for a few months now with only one major failure and have a successful starter in my fridge made from his instructions.
Thanks for the suggestion, Laurel!
I agree with Brandon – there is too much frosting on cupcakes – which is why I don’t buy cupcakes. Bakeries should consider selling their frosting separately and consumers can eat it like ice cream or now the newest fad – cookie dough in a cup.
I’ve seen the cookie dough in a cup thing, but it kind of gives me a stomach ache to think about! Have you tried it?
Oh my gosh, I just watched a segment on The Chew this week about a  shop in NYC …www.cookiedonyc.com…that only sells cookie dough confections. The woman who owns the shop developed recipes using pasteurized eggs and a specially treated flour that eliminates bacteria. The shop sells something like 1200 lbs of cookie dough per week!!! I can’t imagine eating a whole cup of raw dough but clearly many shop customers can.Â
Sorry, I’m on the low ratio of frosting to cupcake. Â Your boys are so stinking cute. Happy Friday.
I’m with the pitcher on frosting. Â While I like the appearance of lots of frosting (and maybe sprinkles) on a cupcake, I find them difficult to eat and way too sweet with all that frosting. Â In my opinion, the whole purpose of a cupcake is that it’s cake, but easier to eat. Â No utensils required. Â All that frosting often requires utensils and they’re messy. Â
I have to agree about the frosting on store-bought cupcakes. It’s way too much and it seems like they keep adding more. Maybe it’s because it’s excessively sweet, but I usually end up scraping off most of the icing. I do it with store bought cakes too, especially if i get a edge or a corner piece. Homemade is a different story. I pile the frosting on and go to town.
I did get snow this week. At home it amounted to around 4 inches. but at work because of the lake effect snow it ended up being more like 9 inches.
I did not fill out a bracket this year for the tournament, but I do find a couple of teams that i root for and end up disappointed when they lose. As a cinderella team I’m following Middle Tennessee State because of their successes last year.
Happy Saint Patrick’s Day!!!
In his honor, I made your Guinness Whiskey Irish Cream Cupcakes this week…wow…what an amazing taste combination! Maybe the best thing I have ever eaten! When I pulled them out of the oven they smelled really funky…yeasty and unappetizing…but the next day when I filled and frosted them the smell was gone and well, let’s just say the pieces cut out for the filling disappeared instantly! Love the frosting…it’s fluffy texture is more like a cooked frosting than plain ole buttercream. I used a big round tip instead of the star tip cuz that’s what I had. I decorated with green sprinkles, packaged them individually in clear cellophane bags tied with green ribbon and delivered most of them to friends and family last night…couldn’t be trusted in the house alone with them until they were wrapped up! Can’t wait for an excuse to make the cake version :)
One question: I hate how my cupcake always ‘soak’ thru the liners. Any suggestions?
That sounds like such a nice presentation and so sweet of you to deliver cupcakes to your people! I’ve never had a “soaking” issue with cupcake liners, but I know some folks have. I buy my cupcake liners from Bake It Pretty, maybe give them a try?
The picture of you and the boys at the table is so cute! I’m sure Dominic will enjoy solids once he gets a real taste of things …lol…glad to hear that they get along so well. I’m behind on watching Homeland – watched part of the first episode but haven’t been able to get back to it yet – will watch it on demand. I do like the new “series” on Pinch of Yum. Our team is out in March Madness – Mizzou really stunk this year…lol….. I like plenty of icing on my cupcakes…lol…Have a good weekend!
I think resurrecting your baking list is a great idea also. I really want to try to make Spanakopita but it sounds very difficult. Your whole list sounds good.
I love all your recipes!
Sorry you did not get the snow you wanted. It has been a few years since my part of Texas has had snow that counted. Your bucket list was before me and was surprised it was food.
Your sons are so cute and sweet. Enjoy them. They grow up so quickly. Not a fan of college basketball. The San Antonio Spurs would be my team. We have one dog and two visiting. My plans for the day are to keep the digs happy. Not a big fan of high frosting on cupcakes. Just put a little on.
I had been debating about buying Chrissy Teigen’s cookbook and you convinced me! It’s being delivered today, I’m excited to read it :)
I hope you enjoy it as much as we have so far!
That’s funny, whenever I made brownies my husband said “Uh oh!” because he knew the reason was a bad time of the month. haha As for the cupcake/frosting… I’m all about the cake. If there’s a lot of frosting, I usually break the bottom off the cupcake and put it on top and smush it down a little, and make a little sandwich out of it. In fact, that’s the way I usually eat them! That way there is frosting in every bite and you don’t get it on your nose. :)
I ALWAYS get frosting on my nose, ha!
I have wanted to reach out for a really long time. I just love your blog! I LOVE to bake, and have enjoyed and been inspired by many of your recipes. I also love your Friday Things post. I live in Seattle, having moved 9 years ago from Princeton, NJ. I also have two little boys, almost 4 and almost 2. About 2 1/2 years ago, I started a personal chef business. I just love seeing the things we have in common and enjoy your sweet treat recipes so much! Thank you for sharing your recipes, your passion, and pieces of your life!
Have a great day!
Aww thank you so much for the sweet comment! Enjoy your boys! :)
Sorry, typo, I meant “lots.”
While I think it’s odd that a professional sports figure would care so much about frosting on cupcakes, I have to agree with him. Minimal frosting and lot’s of cake for me!
Your boys are adorable….Joseph clearly likes posing for a picture and knows all about “the smile”.
I made a batch of the chocolate chip cookie recipe you posted a few weeks back…soft and chewy.
I substituted 3/4 of the chocolate chips with green M&M’s for a festive St. Pat’s twist. I had a left over bag of Christmas M&M’s and in early February, I separated the two colors, used the red ones for  a Valentine monster cookie bar recipe and put the green ones aside for a St. Pat’s treat.Â
The cookies are out the door with me this morning to take to an appointment I have.Â
Have a great weekend…Spring is one the way!
Oh my gosh, so smart to divide the M&M’s for future holidays! I love this!
I am making slow cooker corned beef and haluski for dinner! I’ve also been in a brownie mood, so Irish car bomb brownies it is (Guiness in the brownies along with a Bailey’s cream cheese swirl). As for the pitcher with frosting issues, to each his own. It’s easier to take some off than put more on (if you bought them). Personally, I like a 70/30 cake to icing ratio myself, but I alwys rip the bottom of a cupcake off, put it on top to make a sandwich. That way, I taste cake before icing anyway.
The cupcake sandwich is a GENIUS idea!
Frosting is the best part of anything!! Â I worked at a bakery when I was in high school and we could eat one free thing per day – my go to was the chocolate fudge frosted cupcakes where I mainly ate the frosting.
Your boys are getting so big. Â I am sure they are so cute together.
You have knocked off a lot on your 100 list.   I see stuffed cabbage is still on the list – it really is not hard to make.  The biggest variable is what people use for  the tomato flavor.  I make it like my mom did and use tomato soup.
No plans related to St Patrick’s day but I am road tripping to see the Wilkes-Barre Scranton Penguins play tonight and then a farmer’s market and craft show tomorrow.
Have a great weekend Michelle.
Enjoy the game, Terri, that sounds like a lot of fun! And that chocolate fudge cupcake sounds amazing :)
Happy St Patrick’s Day! To celebrate I made your guinness beef stew, it was so good! We had it last night since we have plans tonight. Even my kids devoured it!!! Thanks for another great recipe!! I think your baking bucket list revitalization sounds like a great idea!!
I’m so glad you enjoyed the stew – it’s our favorite!
No, no, no. You CANNOT have too much frosting! Have you ever had a Gigi’s cupcake? They have loads of the BEST buttercream on top and are simply divine. At the shop in Madison, Wisconsin, they sell FROSTING SHOTS, which are just about as yummy as the cupcakes themselves, and a whole lot cheaper!! :) Who wants a muffin anyway?!
They just opened one near here, but I haven’t tried it yet… You just put it at the top of my to-do list for next week! :)
You can never have too much frosting on a cupcake…if they don’t have enough, I don’t bother. Â You can rarely go wrong with brownies…unless they are dry and cakey…again, give me a high frosting ratio or ice cream and hot fudge sauce. Â I am converted to yours. Â Yum! Â The boys are so cute together and Duke is adorable. Â I’m too busy with tidying up 25 years of stuff to sell my house to watch Homeland but I hope to get back to it at some point. Â Hope you get the snowfall you are looking for.
Who gets made over too much frosting?!? That’s best case scenario in my eyes! I hate when cupcakes are skimped on frosting!! We haven’t started homeland this season but I’ve heard so many great things the last few weeks I think we’ll have to try!