i posted this originally on national s'mores day

but then got sick of other bloggers talking about smores smores smore la ti da, when i REALLY love them.
for my entire child and adult and nowhood.

so i just posted these pictures, and sat on my high horse weeks ago about how i've been a national smores day enthusiast for YEARS.

that's right, bandwagon fans.
stuff it.

:)

but aren't they great? srsly.

Mom and Popcorn

Remember when I was singing the praises (as they should be sung) of Loco Cowpoke a few weeks back?

Well this store, the Mom and Popcorn Co., are almost on equal par.

The aforementioned Kristen and I were sitting outside the Loco, waiting for the Madre to pick us up. It was hot, and we needed some respite.

I quickly scanned the street, looking for a shop that would annoy me the least.

Lo and behold! A cute sign! And a cute name! Mom and Popcorn, makers of gourment popcorn. Duh. Too cool.

We sauntered over, sauntering really the only thing one can do in Texas. The heat will immediately render you unable to lift your feet at all really, and so you end up just kind of sauntering everywhere, trying not to let your thighs touch.

Was that TMI? hmm...maybe.

Point being, we ended up inside a DELIGHTFUL candy store, totally adorable. One wall was lined with glass candy jars, a second of barrels full of nostalgic candy (oh so fun!,) and the counter was immediately facing the doors. The Counter, was beautiful. They absolutely do specialize in gourment popcorn, and they show it off well. Oh so beautiful, at least twenty flavors, all varieties (including my favorite "Texas White Trash,) :) and too many things for one to look at.

Kristen and I didn't spend as much time in there as I'd like. Well, we did spend SOME time, but it was the kind of time where's there's a lot of people in a boutique shop and so you all kind of ebb and flow your way along the walkways, not really getting to indulge in any of it. But we did make it out of there with a few treasures: two gigantic jawbreakers for my brother and cousin, nostalgic mint tins for the twins, candy cigarettes with Texas cowboys, a bag of White Chocolate covered Caramel Popcorn for Mom, and authentic Taffy strips for a friend.

My only hang-up was the staff, a little bit. I explained to them what I'd like in terms of the items they already carried on their popcorn menu, and they were unwilling to combine my order into one bag, saying simply that they didn't have a way to ring it up. Hello? I'm a customer, and I want to buy something special that you carry. I don't actually care if you charge me a little bit more for it, I just want it done. Period. The end. I'm sure you have a little misc. button somewhere, let's use that one.

nom nom nom

remember my very first post about chocolate mice?

(which i still want, by the way)

today, in cuteland, we bring you chocolate dinosaurs!

nom nom nom

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**Update on this seller**

She also makes freakishly awesome chocolate mustaches. :D

HAHA! :D

A Brownie Recipe for Ashley

Friend Ashley wrote in requesting a good recipe for brownies. I told her I didn't have one, but I knew where to find one immediately, and pulled up Smitten Kitchen, an amazingly classic foodie blog with delectable recipes. They're sooooo so good.

I've many a favorite foodie blog, but Smitten Kitchen takes the cake for its reliability. Here's the link to SK's Classic Brownie Recipe, and the recipe below. :)

Enjoy, Ashley!

Classic Brownies
Adapted from Cook’s Illustrated

Be sure to test for doneness before removing the brownies from the oven. If underbaked (the toothpick has batter clinging to it) the texture of the brownies will be dense and gummy. If overbaked (the toothpick comes out completely clean), the brownies will be dry and cakey.

1 cup (4 ounces) pecans or walnuts, chopped medium (optional)
1 1/4 cups (5 ounces) cake flour
1/2 teaspoon salt
3/4 teaspoon baking powder
6 ounces unsweetened chocolate, chopped fine
12 tablespoons (1 1/2 sticks) unsalted butter, cut into six 1-inch pieces
2 1/4 cups (15 3/4 ounces) sugar
4 large eggs
1 tablespoon vanilla extract

1.Adjust oven rack to middle position; heat oven to 325 degrees. Cut 18-inch length foil and fold lengthwise to 8-inch width. Fit foil into length of 13 by 9-inch baking dish, pushing it into corners and up sides of pan; allow excess to overhand pan edges. Cut 14-inch length foil and, if using extra-wide foil, fold lengthwise to 12-inch width; fit into width of baking pan in same manner, perpendicular to first sheet. Spray foil-lined pan with nonstick cooking spray.

2.If using nuts, spread nuts evenly on rimmed baking sheet and toast in oven until fragrant, 5 to 8 minutes. Set aside to cool.

3.Whisk to combine flour, salt, and baking powder in medium bowl; set aside.

4.Melt chocolate and butter in large heatproof bowl set over saucepan of almost-simmering water, stirring occasionally, until smooth. (Alternatively, in microwave, heat butter and chocolate in large microwave-safe bowl on high for 45 seconds, then stir and heat for 30 seconds more. Stir again, and, if necessary, repeat in 15-second increments; do not let chocolate burn.) When chocolate mixture is completely smooth, remove bowl from saucepan and gradually whisk in sugar. Add eggs on at a time, whisking after each addition until thoroughly combined. Whisk in vanilla. Add flour mixture in three additions, folding with rubber spatula until batter is completely smooth and homogeneous.

5.Transfer batter to prepared pan; using spatula, spread batter into corners of pan and smooth surface. Sprinkle toasted nuts (if using) evenly over batter and bake until toothpick or wooden skewer inserted into center of brownies comes out with few moist crumbs attached, 30 to 35 minutes. Cool on wire rack to room temperature, about 2 hours, then remove brownies from pan by lifting foil overhang. Cut brownies into 2-inch squares and serve. (Store leftovers in airtight container at room temperature, for up to 3 days, or, ahem, in the freezer until your resistance gets the better of you.)

**Note, Smitten Kitchen takes and copyrights all her own photos.

rustic dessert table

i had my first recent experience creating a dessert table in Texas, during the Great Grad Celebration of '11 (by the way--you were there, weren't you?) ;P

i'm totally about finding ways to create more, more, more. they're too cool, too fun, and of course everyone who has ever thrown a party has been creating them for decades but COME ON! i just got classy, and i'm now all over this.

anyway, THIS one is great (found on greenweddingshoes) and I'm looking forward to every opportunity to do it again.

when i'm stuck in a rut, my creativity falls out of me in every which way, and that way was yum.

Guilty as Charged

I have a guilty pleasure, and that guilty pleasure is called Starbucks.

Lucky for me, i know what I'm getting into.

Starbucks is, undeniably, a very good place to accidentally drink eight thousand calories.

It also is a very good place to suck up all your money.

...lucky for me, this babe gets Starbucks fo' FREE.

That's right, I do! I've never been a gal to get free drinks, anywhere.

Free Drinks = Why are you buying me a drink, and what do you want from me?

The "what" in that equation usually ends up being a something I don't wanna give. So I've always cut free drinks down by the knees as soon as I didn't know what was up. Give me equality or give me death. :)

But here, here! At my closest Starbucks, I get free drinks for saying hello. and remembering my barista's name. And always tipping. (definitely learned from the J--tip well, and appreciate) :)

and lately, it's won out by surprising me with free drink-os. So, cool. Cool cool cool.

Cool.

oh, ps, the cake pop up there? I LOVE THOSE. I'VE ALWAYS LOVED THOSE. My dear friend, Sandy Jacobs, made four boxes of them for my graduation party and I swear I ate 1.5 boxes by myself. OH YUM.

Loco Cowpoke

It's no secret that there's at least twenty million things I love in Texas. TWENTY MILLION.

Honestly, and let's all be quite frank, what's not to love? :P

Am I right? Right????

But seriously, you've never been to Heaven (I don't care if you've died and had dinner with Jesus) until you've been to the Loco Cowpoke in Downtown Historic McKinney, Texas.

There's a couple alas-es to add to this post.

Alas! I did not take any photos while I was there today with Kristen (who also lost her mind in it!) (HELLO GOOGLE IMAGES!)

Alas! They do have a website, but it does not even do justice to Loco Cowpoke at all (believe me, it's okay, the walk-in journey alone will change your life.)

and Alas! I did not get to sample more than twelve Texas-based salsas, butters, mustards, bbq sauces, jellies, jams, foods, or peanut butters while I was there. No more than twelve, probably, sad face. ;)

So here's the rundown: I stumbled into this store ohhh, about a year ago, looking for quality Texas-Proud gifts. I googled "quality Texas items," and BAM, Loco Cowpoke appeared. Luckily, McKinney, TX is literally a hop, skip, and a jump away from my parent's place, and I was on the road in no time.

The store is snug as a bug on McKinney's E. Louisiana St, "snug" meaning it has a tiny door and is narrow throughout, but you don't really mind unless there's a couple eating all the peach-mango salsa at the salsa station.

**NOTE** Loco Cowpoke is expanding! Horray!

The owner is a real swell guy. I asked him his business the first time I was in and learned very openly that this guy specialized in horticulture, decided he wasn't spending enough time with his kids and not having as much fun as he thought he needed to (considering how hard he worked,) so he saved some money, made an investment, and BAM, his baby, the Loco Cowpoke, was born. This guy LOOOOVVVEEESSS Texas. Maybe even as much as me (maybe.) He deals with vendors and craftsman all over the wide state of Texas, bringing items into his shop that will certainly make any meal into a much more savory one. I cannot resist buying at least two jars every time I'm in there (very reasonably priced.) I've often touted a bbq sauce home for my dad (this time Caribbean Jerk,) and often make it home with the Fredericksburg Stoneground Mustard. OH! Also, the tastings and samples this guy puts out in his shop are the REAL sellers when it comes to merchandising. Honestly, nobody wants to be a pig, and this guy totally understands that--he lets you sample anything. SERIOUSLY. It's AMAZING. That is why I'm always buying things--because I taste them, they're 100% delightful, and they're suddenly going home with me to be sent as amazing gifts and presents to the people I love. So incredible.

My Loco Cowpoke Favorites:

Jalapeno Peanut Butter

Margarita Jelly

Fredericksburg Stoneground Peppercorn Mustard

Cinnamon Honey Butter

Please go! You'll love it!

Better yet, let me come with you! I love the Loco Cowpoke!

Do we ever tire of Chocolate? No, no we do not.

Do you know what I love?

Godiva.

I sure do love Godiva.

Another guilty pleasure, of course.

I'm certain, of course, that as soon as I move to New York, my exposure to the chocolate world will skyrocket, and perhaps I shall find a new favorite.

But until then, my love of such a fun treat exists.

Eating Godiva Chocolate is fun.

And check this out--they ALWAYS have free samples.

Like, every day.

So...every day I'm remotely near a Godiva store, I casually blow in and ask (oh so casually,) "I was just wondering if you had any free samples today?"

(Of course they do.)

But also, of course, nobody in retail likes when people come into your store solely for the free sample and then want to not buy anything.

Or, to make matters worse, nobody in retail likes it when not only does a customer blow into the store for a free sample, but then they decide to redeem their free piece of chocolate for the month for themselves AND their boyfriend, thus making Godiva Chocolatier-0, Allyson West-4.

It's pretty amazing.

Oh, I suppose Godiva has the run-around on me, for sure.

I did, actually, order and ship their Godiva Cupcakes to my very dearest friend for her last birthday.

I do, actually, consider receiving a surprise box of truffles one of the best Christmas presents I've ever gotten, unexpectedly.

And I do, oh I do dream about the day when I might receive/buy for myself some luxurious present of wonderful proportions.

That would be oh so awesome.

look at this

look at this.

it's the picture of perfection.

the delight of the heavens.

the taste of happiness.

it's a donut.

and this is my dad.

hi dad!

my family eats donuts.

every sunday.

after church.

same time, same place, mostly exactly same orders.

and can you blame them?
LOOK AT THESE.

they're perfect!

they're delectable!

they are heaven on earth.

and, alas, they're only in texas.

i've not eaten a donut in the four years i've been in ohio that does justice AT ALL to any donut i've eaten in texas (made fresh, all day long, made with love and sweat and a working class.)

EVER.

and i love donuts.

i'm a donut freak.

i want to go to the donut festival.

i want to serve donuts at a party.

i love them.

oh, texas! save some for me!

better in texas

without a doubt
more on donuts to come

College Vegetarian Cooking

Have you ever seen a happy vegetarian? If chances are you are an immediate family member of mine, then perhaps, not. :)

But guess what I found at Joseph-Beth Booksellers the other day??

That's right: College Vegetarian Cooking

Am I in college? No, no I am not.

Do I know how to cook? Well, no, not even close.

Do I love to eat hearty delicious meals? WHY, YES, YES I DO!

And so College Vegetarian Cooking is for me.

as soon as i get paid.

and buy it.

or pay off my library fine.

Noodles and Co.

I don't remember what first brought me into a Noodles & Co.

But it's pretty much a good thing.

So you should go.

Today.

Because they're giving away free t-shirts that will give you ten more free meals.

And also free summer salads.

The premise behind Noodles & Co. is simple: Everyone loves Noodles. Every kind, every way, (and sometimes a salad.) :)

They're delicious, pretty quality ingredients, excellent portion sizes.

Go get some free food, friends!

Star Wars Pancakes

may the forks be with with you

a simple cake

LOVE simple cakes

abeautiful

Two for Joy

two for joy

an adorable print shop on etsy

mainly because there is always room for ice cream.

Josh bought a Blender

it rocks and i want smoothies all the time.

Avocado-Pear Smoothie
Ingredients

1 ripe Hass avocado (about 7 ounces)
1/2 cup silken tofu drained
1 cup pear juice
2 tablespoons honey
1/2 teaspoon pure vanilla extract
2 cups ice

Directions

1.Quarter, pit, and peel avocado. Process avocado, tofu, juice, honey, and vanilla in a blender until smooth. Add ice; blend until smooth. Divide among 4 glasses.

Martha Stewart Living, March 2006

dinner

posh

s'mores.

gone posh.

well, gosh!

pencils and ice cream

sigh so sweet

AAAAHHH I WANT

seeing a theme, anyone?

SO AMAZING.

via whisk kid