Sunday, June 3, 2012

A Little Something I've Been Doing...

It's my birthday next week, so my friends are all being extra-nice to me.  As it happens, near-travel disaster was averted (due to flooding of the downtown core and train station on Friday). Ridiculously, my gambit to cab to the train station resulted in a standstill ride of 30 minutes in heavy rain, till I finally realized I was going to have to walk outside if I wanted to claw my way out of the city. Did I mention my brand new umbrella had broken earlier in the day? As had my suitcase?!!

Finally, after navigating hideous crowds and grossness, I boarded the train to Barrie (where friends were waiting to bring me to Collingwood). It was pretty stressful.

Mind you, once I arrived, the weather did its part to encourage us to stay inside and talk and drink and eat and BAKE.

Sandra and I made these for a fundraiser at work tomorrow:


I want you to know that there's a long, alcohol-fueled story to go along with these. I'll spare you the details. Also, they were perfect - despite some serious experimentation - until we hauled them by warmish car for 2 hours into the city. The well-set, glossy cream cheese icing has suffered somewhat, but they're still cute - if more homemade-chic than they were originally.

They're filled with either dulce de leche or vanilla bean pastry cream - which we also made from scratch. Both of these worked beautifully. (Alas, for icing purposes, this morning I tried to warm the dulce in hot water and the differentiation in temps between the water bath and the glass container ended in a broken glass container with dulce de leche guts astrewn. Such a rookie error.)

We also made Napoleons, although some of us can't remember eating them. Oh well, I've still got the fixings... Why is it that I LOVE to eat so in the spring?? I should have titled this post "I Have to Get a Grip"...

12 comments:

  1. YUM! Sounds amazing! Dulce de leche? Vanilla bean pastry cream?? Yes, please! Happy birthday!

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  2. If you can't remember eating it, the calories don't count. (Obviously!) ;-)

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    1. I think that rule expires in your thirties (not to sound depressing) :-)

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  3. WOW.... cupcakes!!!! I want some.... :))

    Hope all is great, dear

    Blessings
    xoxo

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  4. Happy Birthday Kristin! I hope one of your presents is a beautiful new umbrella but if it isn't you have my permission to treat yourself.

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  5. I recognize those Ontario/TO names, but can't place them! Happy early Birthday!

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    1. Thanks Miss! And happy birthday to you too. The places are along Georgian Bay...

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  6. Sounds delicious. And happy belated early birthday wishes? Do I get to wish you good things again when I get caught up to your actual birthday even though I am four months late?

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