I baked this cake

I love to bake. I love to EAT what I bake. I love to eat. I love to B.A.K.E.! Sometimes I wish I had a little bakery where I could serve slices of my coffee cake, or my quick cocoa cake, or my carrot cupcakes with cream cheese frosting, my double chocolate biscotti, my butternut toffee - oh the list goes ON and ON.

I'd have this pretty little place in my town with a homey decor. I'd serve my percolated coffee and display my desserts in a pretty fashion.

But sadly a bakery would not pay the bills. So I'm sticking to what I know - NECKTIES. I'll ship out all the orders with a nice little goodie in each box. I'll bring something sweet and good to the shows. I'll send out cakes or something 2 times a year to my customers. I'll bake for my UPS driver, Walter.

That is my plan for 2012.

Time to walk my best dog and think about dinner!

Happy Saturday in the dead of winter.

Jane M

A very WARM day in NYC

This past Saturday my friends and I went to a matinee show. We saw SEMINAR staring Alan Rickman. I met these women when our children started in the school system and we've been friends ever since (18 years). We do a fun day trip, outing, dinner, lunch, shopping or ANYTHING at least once a month.

Somehow we lucked out weather wise as the temps were in the high 50's for the day! What a great day walking around NYC.

Broadway was just crazy busy! Our theater was on West 45th Street and there are many theaters there. MOB scenes in front of every theater waiting for the doors to open. Great news for Broadway I think!

After the show when leaving the theater, 2 of the actors were outside taking pictures with fans and signing autographs! How great is that?!

We went for drinks at Ruby Foo's and then headed to Marseille for our dinner.

1 of my friends had another engagement in NYC she had to get to so it was just Amy and myself for our train ride home.

Next trip is in early February to museums uptown. We've also coordinated an Oscar watching party at my house on February 26th and the Philadelphia Flower show in early March! WOOT WOOT!

Fun times in 2012.

MRket is in 2 weeks. Getting ready - will start baking next week!

Best,
Jane M

On a lark

My weekday morning ritual goes as follows.

1. Turn on my computer
2. Go right to Martha's blog http://www.themarthablog.com/
3. After I read Martha's blog I read her dog's blog http://dailywag.marthastewart.com/
4. Martha's dogs Sharkey and Francesca requested photos of all the readers dogs to see them and thank them for reading their blog!
5. I entered of a photo of Gordie sleeping in the Martha Stewart bed I bought at PetSmart
6. Francesca and Sharkey chose the photo and put it up on their blog! Gordie is in photo #10! http://lh3.ggpht.com/-0v3_K3LZ7RA/TvIZDxE9pwI/AAAAAAADyIY/tE49MsZ4A60/Gordie%252520gets%252520a%252520new%252520bed.jpg?imgmax=512

Busy day for me as I have to think and write out my goals for 2012.

Happy and Healthy 2012 to all!

Best,
Jane M

I really ENJOY baking

This past weekend we went to 2 holiday parties. I always enjoy baking this time of year - well that's wrong. I enjoy baking EVERY DAY of the year! And of course you know what I'm going to say next don't you? I also enjoy EATING all the baked goods I make throughout the year!

I've been eyeing these cookies called Chocolate Crinkles for a while. I've baked these cookies in the past. These cookies are a cross between a brownie and a cookie.

I made that green wreath and I bought that pretty glittered bow.

Big few weeks coming up. Time to photograph the new line as well!

Happy End of the year 2011 to all!

Best,
Jane M

Crispy Maple Sugar Cookies

I really enjoy baking. What I can't take about me is the need to multi task WHILE baking. Why did I have to take the recycle out to the curb when I should have been watching the browning of the buttery sweet cookies in the oven?

Well lucky for Gordie and myself - we love crunchy sweet cookies. They taste GGGGGREAT!

Maybe someday I'll open up a bakery. Naaah - but it's fun to dream!

I have a busy and productive week ahead of me. I'll be at my finest this I know!

Best,
Jane M

Baking the Banket!

Today I joined Amy and her Mom to bake a dutch Christmas cookie called a Banket. This is a light pastry wrapped around a very sweet almond paste which we decorated in the Christmas red and green colors!

Amy did all the rolling of the dough. Her Mom spread the almond paste and rolled up the bankets and my job was to place the sticky cherries in the form of holly berries on top!

Even though Amy and her mom had made the dough the night before as well as the filling, it still took hours to roll out and fill and decorate the bankets.

We had a really nice morning and early afternoon talking and rolling and decorating. At the end we professionally wrapped the bankets for their family members for a party they have on Christmas Eve.

I had a really fun time as well as learning a new recipe! Maybe you'll find a banket in your next necktie orders - you never know with me!

Happy 2 weeks before the big holiday. I'm starting my big REFLECTIONS of 2011 and planning for 2012.

Best,
Jane M

I got a LITTLE creative

Not to bore anybody or anything, but while Gary was away traveling down south I had some fun cutting and gluing and eating Chinese food 1 evening. I had the TV on in the background of the lighting of the Rockerfeller XMAS tree and here is what I made!

It's Sunday so I'm just relaxing for now after the macaron baking. Off to meet friends for lunch and bring the cookies to my friend!

Big week coming up! *** I just added a few pictures of the supplies I used for the paper wreath.***

Best,
Jane M