The French-They make good Cookies!

Authored By: ellie g Author/Writer
November 18, 2011 --10:18 AM

Last Saturday, I had the opportunity….wait…..the PLEASURE….wait….let’s be honest….
I almost peed.

I GOT TO TAKE A CLASS IN MAKING FRENCH MACARONS!

Not familiar?

They are those little french cookies that come in a rainbow of colors and flavors. So colorful, in fact, it makes me want to put on my ruby red slippers and break out into a song about rainbows. (and munchkins)

They have a texture that reminds me of meringue (which I adore) but then…..
Wait for it….
THEY PUT FROSTING IN THE MIDDLE!!!

I know, right? It’s probably the most perfect confection on earth!

And if you’re thinking, “does she mean ‘macaroons’?”
The answer is no. I don’t.
Those have coconut. And are delicious.
These are different.

Check out our awesome classroom!

picture courtesy of Collin Kartchner Studios

Attendees:
Shelley of The House of Smiths
Jen of Tatertots and Jello
Amy of The Idea Room
Lara of Less Cake More Frosting (that’s me)
Elizabeth of Dear Lizzy
Emily of Ruffling Feathers / Bijou Market

These cookies have seriously been on my bucket list to learn. But everytime I read a recipe it sounded like I was pretty much gonna have to give up my first born if I was going to learn. So intimidating!

Mercedes White of Mercedes Macarons told us NOT SO! (I actually really like my first born….so that was a relief!)

picture courtesy of Collin Kartchner Studios

Mercedes spent the last few years perfecting the art of making the elusive Macaron. And her journey has not been made easier by the fact that we live at a VERY high altitude, and apparently delicious french cookies are afraid of heights.

Not only can she now make them to perfection….she is willing to share that knowledge with others!

She sells pre-measured mixes that you can add eggs to and be on your merry Macaron way. (I have 3 sitting on my kitchen table as we speak. Still thinking what I want to make with them……)

And she also gives classes, which I would HIGHLY recommend! Mercedes is a complete delight, and an amazingly knowledgeable and reassuring teacher. I felt SO confident as I learned.

Check out how much fun we had while baking with Mercedes….

Mercedes White Macarons- Blogger night from Collin Kartchner on Vimeo.

(and yes, I almost passed out when Collin and Liz Kartchner walked in. Let’s just say it was probably ugly.
I don’t do well with celebrity.)

picture courtesy of Collin Kartchner Studios

The final product couldn’t be prettier. (and yes, that’s cookies on top, and yes….there is cookies and cream frosting in the middle, and yes….we ate them al!)

picture courtesy of Collin Kartchner Studios

Lessons to learn from this photo:

Macarons look pretty in a stack
Mac on Crack does not involve elicit drugs….and is pretty much amazing
Mascarpone makes some seriously delicious fillings
Lara needs an iPhone (see everyone tweeting out the coookies….and me chillin’ in the back?)

Mercedes White of Mercedes Macarons will be selling her macarons, pre-made mixes, and classes like Saturday’s, this weekend (18-19) at Bijou Market along with 50 other amazing vendors at Southworth Hall in Provo. The following weekend (26) will be Bijou Market’s first ever market in Salt Lake as well.

You gotta go! The vendors are AWESOME!

So…one thing off my bucket list. I feel a little sad to see it go. But then again, there’s still plenty of things on there. Like:

Sing with a Symphony
Go to Sesame Street
Be on TV
Go skydiving
See the Lincoln Memorial

I still have some things to work on.

In other news……ANNOUNCED DESIGN my brand new studio/shop is opening it’s doors tonight. At 6pm (MST).

It’s been months, actually years, in the making and I’m pretty excited. It will be offering holiday greeting cards, announcements, invitations, and LOTS of Ellie G printable posters. Ones you’ve never seen before!

I’ll be giving the Announced FB fans the first chance at awesome discounts and prizes, so be sure to head over there and visit!

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Filed Under: Dinner 'n Treats, Sponsor Love & Giveaways

Happy Easy Sausage Dip Day!

Authored By: ellie g Author/Writer
October 31, 2011 --2:19 PM

If you are here to see who won the tickets to My Fair Lady, at Hale Center Theater, the winners will receive e-mails TODAY. So check your inbox to see if it’s you. And if it’s not….Hale would still LOVE to have you. (and so would I) They still have a few tickets left for the Thursday night showing. And will give you a $5 discount if you call Melanie @ 801-415-2340. Not sure how many there is. But we’d love to see you!

With Halloween at our house, usually comes a CRAZY day with lots of coming, going, costuming. And CRAPPY EATING! We’ve already done Happy Meals once today. Does anyone else have a hard time working in food on this Holiday?

Well, I want to share a really fun food to get ready, and have available for “eating on the run”. It’s also great for parties, and all the pot-lucks that are coming up over the next 2 months!

EASY CROCK-POT SAUSAGE DIP!

This is seriously the easiest and yummiest appetizer, you guys. And it DOESN’T look appetizing when you put it in the pot….just throwing that out there. So DON’T FREAK OUT! Just trust me.

1/2 lb. cooked and crumbled plain sausage

1 can RoTel tomatoes (I like mild, but whatever your heat tolerance is. For kids, mild for sure)

1 block Cream Cheese

Put it in your crock pot. Stir it periodically as the cream cheese melts. On High it takes about 1/2 hour. But then you’ll want to turn it WAY down. Just to warm.

Serve it with chips. We love the scoop-ee kind of chips because they’re like little bowls to hold the dip.

Your family will praise you, your friends will love you. You won’t have leftovers. You can thank me later.

Hope you have a fantastic Halloween at your house!

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Filed Under: Dinner 'n Treats, so spooky

Halloween, the Sequel-Popcorn Cone Episode

Authored By: ellie g Author/Writer
October 24, 2011 --4:28 PM

Hi LCMF! Were you afraid I had befallen some sort of trauma? I don’t think I’ve ever gone that many days without a post. I just returned from helping my sister with my BRAND NEW NIECE! Aren’t babies scrumptious? We had so much fun dressing her up and taking pics. And I had so much fun sniffing her newborn baby face. It smells like heaven!

If you hangout on the LCMF Facebook Page you’ll know that I have gotten myself into a “creative funk”.

‘Member when my basement flooded? (about 10 days ago) Well….it unleashed 2 loads of washing machine water onto my CRAFT ROOM! In general, it was a best case scenario because the room is tiled, I caught it super quick, and I had JUST cleaned it so everything was in its place.

Also, craft supplies aren’t exactly irreplaceable items. So…..I’m glad it wasn’t photos, or other things that I couldn’t replace.

It’s made it VERY hard for me to “create” though. My poor hubby needs a pair of pants sewn, and I cannot find the needles OR thread in the pile of displaced things. Looking at that mess just makes me want to cry. Sob, actually.

It’s like that time when you and your friend decided to make a SUPER awesome blanket fort in the basement. With every covering available in the house. Plus furnishings. And food.
AND THEN…..
Your Mom said you had to clean it up when your friend went home.
And your tummy felt all queezy inside.

Or was that just me?

Anyway, I’ve got a goal to get my mojo back.
And pump out a couple last-minute Halloween ideas for you this week.

We can still be friends, right?
I mean after all. We’ve been through so much together. Like remember last year when I made these for Halloween?

You don’t? Oh wait maybe you weren’t around for the Halloween Popcorn Cones. And the RECIPE for the super yummy popcorn as well! (2 points to the person who remembers what we call it!)

I’m hoping some of you weren’t around last year, and might LOVE to have this fun last-minute treat idea. (it’s one of our favorites!) I know with Halloween falling on a Monday, we have a LOT of weekend plans. You might want to take something yummy to share.

There’s also a lot of fun Halloween ideas from all over the web on my “This is Halloween” Pinterest page. I make sure to “pin” things that I adore, just in case I need some ideas. I’d love for you to get inspired over at Pinterest as well! (and if you want to you can “follow” Ellie G’s Pinterest board if you aren’t already!)

You go check out these fun ideas, and I’ll go and try to conjure up the energy to uncover both my ric rac, AND my mojo. Then we’ll meet back here tomorrow. Deal?

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Filed Under: Dinner 'n Treats, so spooky