Cupcake-apalooza!

If there's one thing I love, it's food. Especially when that food is dessert. Exceptionally when that dessert is CUPCAKES!  I haven't yet mastered the art of cupcake making myself but 2012 is the now dubbed, the year of the cupcake thanks to my sister who set me up with everything I could possibly need for world cupcake domination.

My roommate, Adrielle and I started off 2012 by baking a pretty epic batch of vanilla cupcakes topped with chocolate cream cheese icing.  Not too shabby to start of the new year.  Lots more cupcake variety to come...

Apple Crisp - a la mode!

One of the best reasons for this season is the variety of baked goods you can make with apples!  When we were kids (and hopefully even now-if she sees this!) my mom would rotate through her list of fall treats by making apple muffins topped with cinnamon and sugar, then apple cake topped with cream cheese icing (still one of my favourites) till she got to, Apple Crisp! What I consider to be the best of all the appley goodness treats. If you find yourself in the mood for some, follow this recipe (with my variations) to reach apple bliss:

Ingredients

• 10 cups all-purpose apples, peeled, cored and sliced  (I actually used about 6 or 7 medium apples and it was plenty - if you use the  pan i recommend...)
• 1 cup white sugar
• 1 tablespoon all-purpose flour
• 1 teaspoon ground cinnamon
• 1/2 cup water

 

• 1 cup quick-cooking oats
• 1 cup all-purpose flour
• 1 cup packed brown sugar
• 1/4 teaspoon baking powder
• 1/4 teaspoon baking soda
• 1/2 cup butter, melted

Directions

1. Preheat oven to 350 degrees F (175 degree C).
2. Place the sliced apples in a 9x13 inch pan. (I used a square 9 x 9 pan which means more crumble per apple ratio) Mix the white sugar, 1 tablespoon flour and ground cinnamon together, and sprinkle over apples. Pour water evenly over all.
3. Combine the oats, 1 cup flour, brown sugar, baking powder, baking soda and melted butter together. Crumble evenly over the apple mixture.
4. Bake at 350 degrees F (175 degrees C) for about 45 minutes.

Planking!

Those who know me best know how hilarious I think this planking trend is. Not only do I like to participate but I think most pictures of planking are pee-your-pants funny. My roommate, Alanna, got creatuve with my b-day card and I think you'll all enjoy the outcome as much as I did...

Very cute and very me! She's so artistic!

For a brief history lesson on planking, go here: http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Planking_(fad)

Now for some of my favourites...

HAAAAAAAA!! I saved the best for last....Wait for it.....

Happy (and safe) planking!!



Elephants & Cotton candy!?

Now that I have your attention...If you're sitting at home with nothing to do this evening, I strongly suggest jumping in your car and venturing out to see the Shrine's Circus next time they come to a town near you!
http://www.shrine-circus.com/english.html


As a kid I was never blessed with the opportunity to see a real live circus and now that I'm 28 and have two adorable nieces under the age of 5 years old I have the perfect excuse to go.  (Actually a lot of couples on dates were seen under the big top! It's a show for ALL ages!!)


I had my doubts as to how entertained I would be since the show started with "extreme" jump rope enthusiasts...but my doubts were replaced with fear and amazement as I sat there eyes transfixed on the Ringmaster as he jumped rope while on a spinning apparatus 50 feet in the air and tripped!!  I've never heard that many people gasp at the same time. What happened next?!  You'll have to go check out the show to find out...I will tell you this; No carnies were seriously injured in the making of this epic event!

 

All that to say that the little ones really enjoyed it and so did I!

Discovering hidden gems (literally)

My friend Shab and I took a stroll through the 'Old Port' of Montreal this wknd to take full advantage of summers last rays of sunshine. I've walked along those streets many times and thought I knew about every nook and cranny but discovered something new this time!  We found a bevvy of hand-made jewelery kiosks in this little cavernous courtyard just off Place Jacques Cartier.  It was a great find, although we were too stingy to buy anything ;)   Check it out...

Entry to courtyard

Jewelery galore!

Stairway to heaven??

The port! We were scoping, trying to get invited on a yacht. We'll pretend it happened!

The only boat we actually got close to...

Wear and tear

Montreal's finest architecture

Cabin Fever

September means the ever looming switching of seasons from Summer to Fall. Although I ADORE summer (don't get me wrong) I do have a sweet spot for Autumn.  The arrival of my birthday as well as the season may have something to do with it....


This year I decided to try something different for my celebrations. I'm renting a luxury cabin in the mountains for me and my closest friends to have a relaxing get-away from the city and a crazy loud party in the woods! 


Check out the inspiration pictures.  I hope you catch cabin fever too!

Let's toast a glass of Yum Punch!

Hello all!
I hope that you enjoy Yum Punch.  Here we will talk about all things we love.  Food, fashion, furnishings, art & travel. Anything and everything 'yum' worthy!