I had a party on Saturday, and one of my guests brought me a beautiful loaf of bread as a gift. I have to admit, I thought of you,

swingangel , and your loaf of bread when I saw this.
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Anyways... I thought all the other foodies and kitchen enthusiasts who read this would enjoy this video equally.

-A.

P.S. I'm looking for a great bread recipe, Anyone have a perfect one to share? leave it in the comments!

The cookie thief.

I hate it when this happens.
-A.

 P.S. New photo posts coming tomorrow and Saturday! I've got a bunch of baking projects coming up!

So today I figured I would introduce to all of you one of my guilty pleasures.

Cakey, The cake from outerspace.

All of the production information is included in the credits on the videos. Obviously, I did not make them myself.
There are four episodes in the series, and some of you might not think they're funny. Infact, I don't even find them funny. I just think that cakey is so dang cute (plus, there are cupcakes in the final episode!).


Here's episode one-





In other news, Today was too overcast to take any quality photos, so this'll have to do until tomorrow, when hopefully it will be bright enough to take some good pictures!

-A.

Welcome to day 1 of 13 in my prelude to Valentines day, "Celebrate Sweet treats with a muffin story".

Just a little disclaimer, not all 13 days will be filled with cupcakes and muffin recipes, however, most will be chocolate. Not that that should dissuade you from enjoying the desserts. After all, isnt chocolate what Valentines day is all about?

I was doing a little research on Valentines desserts this week, and I came across some interesting information. I always wondered what the connection with valentines day and chocolate was. I thought perhaps St. Valentine was the patron saint of chocolatiers or something. Who knows.

During my research, I was lead to adjoining articles focusing on foods that are considered aphrodisiacs.

There in lies the connection between Chocolate and Valentines day. You know what I'm talking about. You know what chocolate does to you.

The moment your brain realizes that there is chocolate in your mouth is nearly the very moment it begins melting on your tongue. Your mouth waters, all of your senses focus on the action inside your mouth. The chocolate melts, your eyes roll back a little into their sockets. Everything is right in the world for just that one second.

In all actuality, chocolate is a psychoactive food. It contains phenylethylamine, which causes you to feel relaxed. It helps relieve anxiety. Perhaps this is why it is an aphrodisiac, or maybe its because in medical studies, researchers have shown that phenylethylamine levels in a persons brain peak during orgasm.

This must be why chocolate is linked to valentines day, the day couples celebrate their love for each other. Love and sex go hand in hand just as love and chocolate go hand in hand.

Today's dessert includes another "aphrodisiac" ingredient- Berries. Namely raspberries and strawberries. Both fruits are described as perfect foods to feed your lover, their flavours are crisp and cause one's mouth to water. So of course, they had to be added.

Topped off with more chocolate, whipped cream and a cherry. You know how we roll.



Thats right.. Our first featured dessert is a Chocolate chip cupcake with chocolate pudding filling, iced with fresh raspberry fondant icing, coated with milk chocolate and topped with whipped cream and a cherry. (its a lot more simple than it sounds.)

Its a Triple Chocolate Raspberry Truffle Cupcake!




I piped a little message out of melted chocolate onto the plate and filled the heart with a raspberry and strawberry sauce I made from boiling down fresh strawberry and raspberry juices with a little sugar.


Aww. I really do love you guys. Really. 



A few more Love related items for those of you in couples who like to set the stage for your valentines desserts-

Rather than buying a store bought card with a generic message, why not revisit your childhood and pick up some red and pink construction paper, some elmers glue and some glitter and make a card for your special someone.

You could fill it with today's love quote-

"If there ever comes a day When we can't be together keep me in your heart, I'll stay there forever." -Winnie the Pooh

(come on, you know that made you go 'aww'.)


You could watch The lady and the tramp and reinact the spaghetti scene.




Thats not to say that those who arent in a relationship cant celebrate valentines day! 

Valentines day is about love. Why not indulge yourself and show yourself how much you LOVE yourself. Buy a new outfit, call all of your couple friends and wish them a Happy V.D., Have a little party at your place with the rest of your single friends, eat bonbons and cupcakes and watch sappy chick flicks and paint each other's toenails. Or go out for a night on the town (even though this year Valentines day falls on a Wednesday.) and enjoy the company of those around you, and feel comfortable in your own flesh, knowing that you love yourself for who you are, not who you're with.

However you end up celebrating valentines day, I hope it involves plenty of smiles and lots of chocolate.
-A.

P.S. 
Recipes available here.