Magpies and taste tests

I might have mentioned that my friendship with Elaine grew out of a mutual love of baked goods. So it really should have come as no surprise when she told me we’d be taste testing cakes for her munchkin’s 1st birthday party.

Now, I’m all for eating my face off. I love cakes. I love cupcakes. I love cookies. Hell, I love food in general, but a girl like me cannot afford to go blindly into a cake taste off. Elaine, and her skinny self, on the other hand, can. While she’s got guns from carrying around a baby all day, I don’t. So, while one of us can afford to indulge, the other one really just shouldn’t.

But I did.

Oh, I did alright.

And I loved every sugar filled second of it.

From the mini cupcakes from Magpies*

to the slices of cake from (insert bakery name here).

And then I walked back to Atlanta ate more. Chinese for dinner to be exact.  BBQ the next day. And I haven’t even talked about the fantastic brunch I had before the cake off extravaganza happened.  I’ll leave that for Thursday, when I’ve finally come down from my sugar high.

*And on a different note I wanted to highlight some of the cakes from Magpies.  Unlike one little bakery that shall remain nameless, Magpies was perfectly happy to let me take pictures of their goodies.  The sweet lady working even cleaned the cases that housed the cupcakes before I took pictures! And for that, I thank you Magpies.

If you’re ever in Knoxville and are in need of a sugar fix, go to Magpies.  In all sincerity, they have some of the best icing I have ever tasted. (And I have tasted a lot in my day.)

Lis(z)tomania – what I’m loving…at the moment

Seems that lists are all the rage nowadays. Everyone’s doing them. And because even though I’m in my mid 30s, I still want to be like all the cool kids. So here I am, on a Friday, writing out a list of what I’m loving…at the moment.

food blogs.
{photo courtesy of the boogie blog}
At last count I think there are about 4 gazillion of them currently being maintained on-line. And yes, I am one of those 4 gazillions. But unlike mine, these food bloggers can cook…and bake. Two tasks that I pretend to do on a daily basis.
My afternoon recommendations are:
three baking sheets to the wind
the boogie blog

double ovens.

Because I need them,and don’t have them.
Instead, I’m working with an oven that’s almost as old as I am and a microwave that was used (by the previous home owners) as a bread box.

photos of kids and dogs.

It’s something my alter ego has thoroughly enjoyed doing lately. That is, taking pictures of kids and dogs.

The Elastic Waistband Club.

It’s a bit of a running joke here at yawyeor that due to the nature of this blog, I’m going to have to resort to wearing only elastic waistband pants. Kinda funny, but unfortunately true. Becki D, a faithful commenter, created this little number the other day and I had to incorporate it into this blog.
It. Is. Brilliant.

Long holiday weekends.
It’s Friday. Monday is a holiday. That means I have a 3 day weekend.
I’m happy.

Lisztomania.

See what I did there?

Now it’s your turn. What are you dying over these days?

a comment

The other day I received one of the funniest comments this blog has ever seen with a recipe request for Red Velvet cupcakes.

It was too funny not to share. And don’t worry, I asked for permission first.  I swear.

I have to make cupcakes for a family picnic this Saturday and while I love anything related to any kind of cake in a cup, my baking skills are, shall we say, someone get me a Tums awful. Last family function I ruined those pre-made cookies that you just unroll and bake. Yeah, ruined them. I was thinking of trying your black bottom cupcakes because they look fantastic. I had promised though to do a red velvet. Why when I can barely make plain old vanilla, who knows. It probably has something to do with my wanting to live in a house made of red velvet that I eat myself out of. Anyhoo, by any chance, is there a red velvet cupcake recipe that you dig? I figured it couldn’t hurt to ask. Thanks!

So I of course I went on the search for an easy red velvet recipe and a good cream cheese frosting recipe for good measure and sent it onto her.

The other day I received this response: 

Katie, the red velvet cupcakes with the cream cheese frosting were a hit. The family was going in for seconds and you should have seen the looks on their faces when they heard who made them I am officially off the blacklist. Well, for now. I am supposed to make macaroni and cheese next. You don’t know how much wrong you can do to a comfort food until you have had a seat at my dinner table. Ok, gotta run. Just whipped myself up a batch of the cream cheese frosting. Dinner time! Many thanks again for the recipe. If I had your address, my family would be sending you thank you notes and gift cards. I’m pretty sure they are already discussing how they can kick me out and adopt you. If I can’t find my place card at the next family wedding but see one for Katie, I’ll know…

All I know is that not only did this email make me laugh, it made me REALLY, INCREDIBLY happy.  I know there are quite a few of us (you know who you are people) who shy away from picking up the flour and the baking pans, but guess what, you can do it.

It all begins with that first step…and a cute apron.

(For more funnies from Mary, head on over to her blog.)

Miss Mamie’s Cupcakes {marietta, ga}

This past weekend I ventured out to the Marietta’s Farmer’s Market , but didn’t buy anything but dog treats. However, my friend Lindsey and I made it a point of hitting up the local cupcakery. And kids, Miss Mamie’s did not disappoint.

Sadly, I wasted no time jumping at the S’mores cupcake.

I’m sorry, but speaking of desserts, this is where it’s at.

Lindsey opted for the Guinness cupcake.

And although neither of us had a clue (Guinness?) what was involved in the making of this cupcake, we both agreed that it was one of the tastiest cupcakes we’d ever tried. Oh yeah, I totally stole a bite of it. I’m nice like that. {Thanks Lindsey!}

And because I’m a nutjob for photographing pretty dessert treats, Miss Mamie herself was kind enough to let me stick my camera in her cupcakes’ faces. And I’m so glad she did.

Because not only are these some of the most incredible cupcakes I’ve ever eaten, they are some of the most beautiful. There is no denying that Miss Mamie has a way with sweets.

So if you’re ever hanging out in the quaint little Marietta Square, make it a point of stopping here. You’ll feel like you’ve died and gone to cupcake heaven. After all, you can’t go wrong with a place where the slogan is “Happiness Baked Daily”.

{Reason #392 why I love the burbs.}

Sugar Coma

Or what I like to call “I’ll use any excuse to eat sweets at 730 in the morning”.

This weekend I took part in one of the most decadent events I’ve ever had the privilege of experiencing….Sugar Coma (Redux) courtesy of the incredibly talented Shameeka Ayers of The Broke Socialite.  As I was unable to join in the festivities of the inaugural Sugar Coma tour back in January, I chomped at the bit to partake in the Redux.

For those of you not lucky enough to live in driving distance of Atlanta, I’ll just sum the event up like this…

Okay, just kidding…

In a nutshell, Sugar Coma is a chauffered tour of local bakeries, sweeteries, cupcakeries, and all around really tasty restaurants. Basically, it really is an excuse to pig out on sweets. (Bet you’re interested now.)

So we started off the day at No Mas Cantina where we tasted Mexican Hot Chocolate and a divine breakfast spread (that unfortunately, my friend and I gorged ourselves on…)

Then we boarded our shuttle and headed straight to Highland Bakery.

Now, as someone who has lived in Atlanta for over a decade, I’m embarrassed to admit that I have never ventured into this bakery. Let’s just say that I won’t make that mistake again.

Then it was down the street to Cacoa Atlanta

where we were greeted by the most adorable business owner ever, Kristen Hard. A beyond talented chef whose creations take her from “bean to chocolate bar”. Seriously…this is something you must check out for yourselves.

Next we hit up Bakeshop where we were treated to these delicious pastries.

And we rounded out the event at Noon Midtown. Again, more insane treats. This time doughnuts were involved.

Not just any doughnuts though…Sumblime Doughnuts. And let’s just say that’s a story for another day.

All in all the event was truly sinful in one of those sugar rush straight to the brain kind of ways. After it was all said and done, I realized that I am one lucky girl to live in a city with such incredible culinary talent.

So- if you’re game, there will be two more Sugar Coma events happening in June in Atlanta. The really good news? Shameeka will be taking her event on the road so you too can experience the thrill of full on sugar shock.

I’ve heard rumblings of a Sugar Coma Charleston.
Charleston people!!
Who’s with me?

ps. I’m happy to report that I did in fact pace myself. So I only gained 2 lbs instead of 15.

sunny weather and cupcakes

Even though yesterday was 60 degrees and glorious, I chose to watch Signs . Because who doesn’t love a good old fashioned aliens attack the world by way of crop circles and poisonous gas kind of movie? And Joaquin Phoenix?

So I did manage to get outside for a bit and take Libby and Justice for a walk. But really, I spent the vast majority of the day holed up inside.

Sometimes it just needs to happen.

Kind of like making these cupcakes.
Cupcakes with sprinkles.

Yeap, I love spring weather.

a cupcake or two

After yesterday’s big food extravaganza over at West Egg, my friend and I thought it would be a good idea to pick up cupcakes.

Yes, cupcakes.
Because my jeans aren’t already tight enough.

So we stopped at a cute little cupcake shop called CamiCakes. It’s pink and involves cupcakes, what’s not to love?

Especially when they look like this.

And just in case anyone is keeping track, I used the word “cupcakes” 5x in this post.

Okay, make that six.

while i try to figure out my route home…

Because if you haven’t heard, it’s black outside in Atlanta and just about every road is officially closed. I live 6 miles from my office and it took me almost an hour to get into work today. Might have been smart not to take back roads considering the fact that this city has more trees than you can count and more creeks than you can imagine. So yes, trees were down and creeks were flooded.

Smart Katie, real smart.

So while I’m looking up ways to get home that won’t take me 4 hours, I thought I’d leave you with this….
The best cupcakes of Atlanta…
(disclaimer: i did not take that photo up above…it’s far too pretty)

farmer’s market pt 2

I realized that my post yesterday about the Marietta Farmer’s Market didn’t do much in the way of actually describing the farmer’s market. So today, I’ll do that with pictures…and because this is me, with words. Lots and lots of words.

That absolutely precious woman up above is called “The Rose Lady” and boy is she ever. Aside from the obvious fact that she’s just about the cutest thing I’ve seen, she grows the most amazing roses. From the brief conversation I had with both her and her daughter, I kind of get the feeling she’s a big deal. And so are her roses…


And if you ever get to meet the Rose Lady, just ask her who’s got the greener thumb… Her or her daughter…?…
She’s quick to tell you that she most definitely does. I’d have to agree.

Beyond my obvious love for the roses, which by the way, all smelled amazing, we enjoyed loads of fruits and veggies. (Did I mention that I didn’t actually buy anything yesterday? Aside from buying dog treats and a cupcake, I pretty much left empty-handed. Sad, I know. I mean just look. Did I mention I’m not very bright either?)

So the market went beyond fruits and vegetables. This place had anything and everything…

Umm, yes please. Isn’t it all about the packaging anyway?

And then I found something that I never expected to see at the Farmer’s Market….

These little guys….Greyhounds. Or rather, rescued greyhounds.

I didn’t think I would fall in love at the farmer’s market, but I did.
And I couldn’t be happier about it.

the farmer’s market

I just got home from the most fun-filled day ever. Oh did I mention it’s only 215p? I joined some old friends and a new one, at the Marietta Farmer’s Market. Since I’ve never been to one before I couldn’t wait to check this one out. My real goal wasn’t so much to buy fresh produce as it was to take pictures.

Unfortunately…if you’ll remember, I don’t actually own a DSLR so I really don’t have anything to show you today. I’m still working with film which these days is probably not considered to be all that cool. Personally, I still love my old Canon EOS Rebel, but I think it’s officially time to upgrade. Now…what makes this whole thing worse is that because film is a dying breed, all of the Camera shops are closing down. Yes, you can imagine my frustration. I’m hoping to take the film in to Target or some big box chain to have the photos uploaded to a disc. Not sure how soon that will come back to me, but I’m dying to see the pictures, but more importantly, I’m just praying some of them actually turned out. (Have I mentioned that I’m not a very savvy photographer? I stayed up late reading not only my camera manual, but also photo tutorials on how to understand aperture, iso, and shutter speed. If you can explain it to me to the point I actually grasp it, then we’ll be best friends for life.)

I digress.

I did happen to take at least ONE photo with my little digital point and shoot. So friends, I’ll leave you with this: