Whimsical Wednesday-Week 7

Happy week 7!  Let me start off by saying that I'm super excited that I've made it this far and thank you all for being so encouraging of the blog!  Loving it!

Now on to the task at hand, our dads!  Father's day is this Sunday!  Do you have any big plans for your dad yet?

Well if you don't have anything lined up than scroll through some ideas I've gathered this week. (And if you are an overachiever who has everything together already just do it anyway, you may be missing something ;)).



This is a great card that I'm sure any dad would love to get! (Click link for a printable!)



My dad never really wore ties much, but these little gift bags are just so darling!



There wasn't a link for this picture, but it was just SO adorable that I couldn't pass it up.



Handprints are so meaningful, and this little tree of life/family tree is so personal and "hand" made, too cute.



A tie wreath!  Who knew.  Such a clever idea (not sure if dads would actually love this but it's fun none-the-less).



If your dad has a sweet tooth, this is probably the way to go.  Simple, funny and tasty.  Totes a winner.



If your dad never gets control, just give it to him, let him have it for just ONE day!



My dad rocks.  This present is handmade, cheap and PUNNY!  Just do it, every dad could use a punny paperweight, right?

To be totally honest, my dad would likely prefer spending the day with his three daughers playing Frisbee, or really just doing anything, maybe making dinner together and just laughing and being a family.  However, we like to give him stuff so it's almost nice to do something simple yet awesome!

Make sure to wish that special man (biological or honorary) a happy day on Sunday!

Love,

Keely

This post is also featured on

Cupcake Tuesday-Oatmeal Cream Pie Cupcakes

Remember forever and a day ago when I shared this photo with you in my Instagram Wrap Up?



These are some oatmeal cream pie cupcakes that I created when I found out that it was "Oatmeal Cookie Day."  I was so excited when they worked out because they involved A LOT of editing to my standard recipe, but they were delicious!

When I was sharing them with my friends I got a comment that they "smelled just like a Hostess."  That was the best comment of the night because that was most definitely my inspiration.

I remember in middle school my teacher would always bring in Oatmeal Cream Pies for "Pi Day."  They were always my favorite, and now these are even better!

I mean you can't really go wrong with molasses, brown sugar and marshmallow cream all in one bite, right?

Well, here you go, sorry for making you wait SO long for the recipe!  Enjoy!

Molasses Oatmeal Cupcakes

makes 24 cupcakes

2 sticks room temperature butter

3/4 cups brown sugar

1/4 cups molasses

3 eggs

1/2 teaspoon vanilla

1 teaspoon cinnamon

1/2 cups oatmeal

2 1/4 cups flour

1 cup sour cream

1 1/2 teaspoons baking soda

1/2 teaspoon baking powder

salt

Preheat oven to 350 and line two cupcake pans with cupcake liners.

In a medium bowl start by whipping the softened butter and the brown sugar until light and fluffy.  Add the molasses, mix until combined. Add the eggs, one at a time.  Add the vanilla and the cinnamon, adding them at this stage gives them the best chance to be well incorporated into the cake batter.

Once the eggs are incorporated, add the oatmeal.  Mix this until all of the oatmeal is coated in the wet mixture.  This helps with the texture of the oatmeal, making it softer in the final cake product.

Add in 1/3 of the flour, mix until just incorporated, then add in half of the sour cream followed by another 1/3 of the flour and the baking soda, baking powder and salt.  Add the last half of the sour cream followed by the flour.  Mix until just combined.  Scrape the sides of the bowl and mix one last time to make sure that everything is well incorporated.

Scoop out the cupcake batter into the cupcake liners.  The easiest way to do this is to use a 2 oz. ice cream scoop, if you have one on hand. Bake for 15-18 minutes or until a toothpick comes out clean (make sure to test the one in the middle).

Marshmallow Cream Cheese Frosting

adapted from How Sweet Eats

8 ounces room temperature cream cheese

1 1/2 cups marshmallow fluff

2-3 cups powdered sugar

1-2 teaspoons cream (optional)

Whip the cream cheese in a medium size bowl until smooth.  Add in the marshmallow fluff and blend together.

Slowly add in the powdered sugar until you have reached the desired consistency.  If you need to thin it out a bit add a touch of cream, if you need more powdered sugar keep adding until you reach a thicker consistency (make sure to keep tasting so that it doesn't get too sweet).

Scoop the frosting into a piping bag fitted with a large round tip.

Once the cupcakes have cooled piped the frosting onto the cupcakes (I just do one "blob" in the middle, it gives it a nice twist at the top).

Enjoy!

Sunday School-Tres Leches Baked French Toast

So this is a super easy brunch recipe that everyone will love (and it sounds super fancy which makes people thing you out a lot of work into it!)

The three milks make this baked French toasts smooth and creamy and delicious, it's like having bread pudding for breakfast!

The brown sugar and the bananas on top make the dish a home run because it adds some balance to the milky favors (even though bananas are not traditional in tres leches).

Tres Leches Baked French Toast

1 loaf of ciabatta bread (or any crusty bread)

1 can sweetened condensed milk

1 can evaporated milk

1 cup heavy cream

8 eggs

vanilla

Banana Brown Sugar Sauce

2 bananas

3/4 cup brown sugar

1/2 cup heavy cream

vanilla

Butter a 9 x 13 baking dish.

Cut up the ciabatta into 1 inch cubes and spread them evenly in the baking dish.

In a large bowl mix together the three milks (make sure to scrape out all the deliciousness from the sweetened condensed milk can).

Add the eggs and vanilla to taste and whisk until combined.

Go ahead and pour your milk mixture over the bread.  Put a plate or something heavy on top to weight down the bread and then let rest in the fridge overnight.

The next morning when your bread has absorbed a lot of the custard, preheat your oven to 400.

Bake the French toast for 40-45 minutes until the top is crispy and the custard is cooked.

While the French toasts is baking, place a medium frying pan over medium-high heat.  Melt the butter in the pan.

Slice the two bananas into 1/4 inch slices. And add them to the pan.  Add the brown sugar.  Stir frequently and when the brown sugar melts, remove from the heat and add the cream (it will boil up a bit).  Place back on the heat for another few minutes and continue to stir and thicken.  When slightly thick remove from heat and add the vanilla.

As soon as the French toast is done, pour the banana sauce on top.  Serve while warm.

Enjoy!

Love,

Keely

Soundtrack Saturday-The Lumineers

My sister recently sent me an email suggesting a local band. The email featured a YouTube video for this same song.

My oldest sister was instally hooked, I took a little bit longer to catch on, but now I'm in love. I love that they are from Denver, I love supporting all things local. I finally got around to finding The Lumineers on Spotify and have been jamming to their hit Ho Hey for a little while now.

The song is still not an overwhelming listen-to-it-all-the-time-song, but it is a pick-me-up and just a lot of fun, and it's always great to share interest in the same bands with my amazing sisters.

This song is called Ho Hey and it's by the Lumineers based out of Denver. Love!

[youtube http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=AmZJUfcxrvc&w=560&h=315]

Love,

Keely

Weekly Wrap Up

Wow!  This week has been crazy!  Moving is quite the process (the best part is that it's such a good reason to get rid of SO much stuff!).

I have now found myself in a wonderfully wonderful apartment with an equally wonderful roommate and although it hasn't even been a full week since our first night here, it feels like it's been forever, it's just so lovely and we have so quickly made it into a home.

There were nights with friends, and a lot of nights with the roomie stay up late chatting, planning trips, organizing furniture and often ignoring that we have furniture and either standing or using the floor.  How charming, it's such an adventure!

Also!  With all this Instagram sharing I've never mentioned before that you can follow me on Instagram too!  My handle is @bowsandbutter, look forward to see you there.



Before I was actually moved in I had to christen to space with a cake (one thing done from my 22 before 23 list!) This is all the space I had.



Here is the finished product!  Thank you Joy the Baker this cake was fabulous! (Recipe to come).



And the classic slice shot, yum!



Here is our in progress living room, a fabulous blend of IKEA and vintage.   Love!  Those pictures resting on the couch are now hanging on the wall.



We replaced an ugly fixture with a Chinese lantern (FYI that is a jar of cupcake liners sitting on the dining room table!)



Here is the small tree that sacrificed it's life for my job.



Molasses cupcakes with brown sugar cream cheese frosting!  Recipe sometime in the near future :)



This is my house!  The light in the morning is so gorgeous and peaceful, wish I was more of a morning person so I could just sit there and drink my coffee, it's so perfect!



Me and the roomie planning a trip, we're hoping to go to Nashville!  Instead of using chairs and couches we sat on the floor, and ate strawberries out of the carton, it's the right way to do things.



This caught my eye, the street light lit up the trees and it was such an amazing view, the picture doesn't do it justice.



This is in the lobby at my office and I've been meaning to take a picture of it for forever cause it's so cool!   I want one in my house!

There it is folks.  I'm sure there will be more pictures of my new place as we get even more settled, but that was my week, relatively peaceful all things considered.

Love,

Keely

Whimsical Wednesday-Week 6

It's summer time!

It's time for dresses and ice cream and all things fun!

I found some pictures (most of which were inspired by rainbow sherbet) to share with you this week.  It's so beautiful, and a great way to welcome summer for real!



I am in love with this dress.  I love the pattern.  I will never be able to afford it.



If only I could spend my whole summer on the beach, at least I have the mountains I guess.



I want to make this.  I think I could find the talent inside me to make it (it most likely won't look as pretty...)



Such a pretty little outfit.  I myself am slightly opposed to umbrellas, but the dress is amazing!



I don't paint my nails often, but maybe sometime this summer I'll get inspired to do this!



These straws are so darling.  I am in love with all of the adorable vintage straws around and need to get my hands on some!



Rainbow sherbet cupcakes?  Ok, I could go for that!



Another adorable dress.  They also sell it in black, so adorable!



I love cheesecake, and this cheesecake is so bright and amazing!



So cheers, my friends, to a summer filled with joy and fun! (Every great cocktail goes wonderfully with summer).

Love,

Keely

Cupcake Tuesday-Mocha Cupcakes!

I shared a photo with you in a Book Club Wrap Up of Mocha Cupcakes a while ago.



I made the mistake of pinning this picture before posting this recipe and brought several Pinterest folks to the page in hopes of a recipe only to be disappointed. I apologize if this was you, so to make up for it, I am bringing you a recipe!

These cupcakes are delicious, not too sweet and not too bitter.  The coffee isn't an overwhelming flavor but just a nice compliment to the chocolate flavor.

I love putting a ganache filling in my chocolate cupcakes.  It keeps them very moist and adds another layer of chocolate flavor.

So here we go.

Chocolate Cupcakes

Makes 24 cupcakes

2 sticks butter

1 cup sugar

2 eggs

1 teaspoon vanilla

1/2 cup cocoa powder

2 1/4 cupcakes flour

1 cup sour cream

1 1/2 teaspoons baking soda

1/2 teaspoon baking powder

salt