Halloween Costume 2010 - Sneak Peek

This year, I'm tempted to do more than one sneak peek of my homemade halloween costume(s). Here's a quick look at the early stages of this year's beauty. Stay tuned to the blog for more hints...

Here's last year's costume if you want to see:

How to make an Up! Flying House Costume

Hello apple pie, Goodbye gluten

As you have probably noted by now, I'm trying to do a lot of gluten-free cooking and baking as my sweetheart has developed an allergy to gluten (i.e. wheat) so all delicious things made with wheat flour are off the table. I'm starting to get relatively good at making meals but the big challenge with gluten-free cooking is getting things to taste "chewy." Gluten basically provides that in things like bread, cake, muffins, and it's pretty hard to replicate if you haven't practiced and aren't using the right ingredients.


Gus and I recently got a major yen for apple pie and I decided I was up for the challenge. So we googled, and huzzah, made a delicious gluten-free Apple Pie with a crust that tasted like a sugar cookie!


I urge you to make this, even if you and wheat are BFF. You'll love it.




Awesome Gluten-free Apple Pie with Crumb Topping
adapted from food.com

Ingredients

Pastry Crust Makes Two Crusts

• 1 1/2 cups gluten-free flour ( Bob's Red Mills All Purpose Gluten Free Flour, Avail at Kroger & online)
• 1/3 cup cornstarch
• 1/2 cup sugar
• 1 teaspoon xanthan gum ( Bob's Red Mills)
• 8 tablespoons butter, cut into pieces
• 1 large eggs
• 1 tablespoon gluten-free vanilla extract ( Available online at the Gluten Free Pantry)

Apple Filling

• 4 medium apples, peeled, cored and very thinly sliced. Use mildly sweet to tart very crisp apple ( such as Granny Smith, Braeburn, Cortlands)
• 1/2 cup sugar
• 1 teaspoon ground cinnamon
• 1/4 teaspoon ground pumpkin pie spice (or nutmeg)
• 1/4 teaspoon salt

Crumble Topping

• 3/4 cup light brown sugar
• 3/4 cup gluten-free flour ( See above)
• 1/2 teaspoon ground cinnamon (or nutmeg or pumpkin pie spice)

Directions 

***Pastry Crust Instructions***.

1. In a mixing bowl stir together the flour, xanthan gum and cornstarch.
2. Then add the sugar, butter, egg and vanilla and mix until combined.
3. Remove dough from bowl and knead and fold on a surface dusted with GF flour until well well combined.
4. Divide into two pieces and wrap in plastic wrap, place one in the refrigerator to chill and place the other in the freezer for later use.
5. --Go ahead and make Apple Filling while the Pastry Crust is chilling.
6. After approx 20 minutes, remove dough from refrigerator and roll into a ball.
7. Using a rolling pin, roll the dough out on a lightly GF floured surface until it is the thickness of a normal pie crust.
8. Place crust in a 9 inch glass pie dish that is lightly sprayed with non stick spray.
9. Using a fork poke a bunch of holes in the sides and bottom of the crust.

***Apple Filling Instructions***.

1. In a large bowl mix apples, sugar, cinnamon, pumpkin pie spice and salt.
2. Set aside and let the juices mix.

***Crumble Topping Instructions***.

1. In small bowl mix together brown sugar, GF flour and cinnamon.
2. Next mix in the chilled butter and cut it in with a fork or other tool until you have a course crumbly mixture.

***Assembling your Pie***.

1. Preheat oven to 400°F.
2. Spoon apples into your pie crust, mounding in the middle and pouring the sugary juices over top.
3. Sprinkle your Crumble Topping all over the top (use it all).
4. Use tin foil to cover edges of crust as it will burn easily.
5. Bake for approximately 35 minutes, topping will be lightly browned and filling will be bubbly.
6. Let cool for at least an hour before serving. 

Spotted: A Nursery with Style

I was giving a friend advice recently about where to find great baby info on the web and realize that I oddly knew of a ton of sites to send her in the direction of - ohdeedoh.com, younghouselove.com, etc. Where did I, 25 year-old with no babies aside from her Pook-a-Looz of Kermit and Fozzie, become a semi-expert on some things? Strange the things that blogging will teach you.


Today, I'm happy to show off a great nursery makeover on the blog. These photos are from my friend Erin's nursery. We met in my old position for Disney Feature Animation. Without further adieu, her nursery for her gorgeous baby Alice is below. Hope you enjoy- I was totally inspired!!


For more info on Erin's incredible giraffe-inspired transformation, head over to her blog - Growing up Senge.

love the simplicity of the name art. totally gorgeous.

Extreme Makeover: Your Home Edition

(source)

Say it with me everyone - Move.. that.. BUS!


Okay, sorry, no bus here to move but did recently discover that along with all the amazing good the show, Extreme Home Makeover does on a regular basis, they're also doing the humble DIY'er good too! Apparently they have a huge gallery of DIY projects from their episodes for you to make in your own home.


While some may not tickle your fancy and others don't have extremely detailed instructions, the inspiration alone is worth pointing this online gem out to you guys.


Here's the main link and below are a few of my favorite potential projects.

(source)

Family Collage Wall with Structure

(source)

Pallet coffee table with pizazz

(source)

Possibly came from Pottery Barn but it didn't cause YOU made it Branch Chandelier

Break me off a piece of that Kit Kat Cake

Yes- this post is exactly what you think it is, you lovers of all things chocolate and wafer. My boss is a big fan of the red wrapped treat - KitKat. So much so, that I've stashed away his favorite treat, frozen as he prefers, and he often asks me to grab one for him when the day's just getting too stressful.


His birthday is in about 10 days but he'll be away on a business trip then a vacation. Last Friday was our last opportunity to catch him for the big day and I figured what would be better to celebrate his love and celebrate my one year of blogging with a most delicious KIT KAT CAKE!


With that my friends, here's how to make your own slice(s) of heaven. This cake was inspired by others I found on the web but hey, I love a great baking opportunity and wanted to pass it along to you.


Ingredients and Supplies:
- 1 pkg Triple Fudge Chocolate Cake Mix (any chocolate cake mix works, even Gluten-Free)
- 1 8oz tub Real Creamy Cool Whip
- 1/4 can of chocolate frosting
- 1 large package of Reese's pieces or your favorite chocolate round candies (M&M's, etc.)
- Approximately 24 KitKats (regular size)
- 1 long white ribbon - at least 24"
- 2 9" round cake pans
- Pam 
- Large plate
- Serrated knife

Directions:
1) Prepare to make and bake cake mix as directed. Divide batter into two Pam-greased 9" in round cake pans.
2) Bake cakes as directed on your cake mix packaging.
3) After the cakes have cooled, slide one layer onto a large plate. Use a serrated knife to even out the top of the cake if it rose while baking.
4) Top that first layer with approximately 1/3 a tub of cool whip.
5) Slide the second cake layer centered on top of the cool whip and first cake layer - forming a delicious cake sandwich. Yum!
6) Use the serrated knife again to level off this top layer- this will be your base for the 'barrel' insides where your candy lays. You'll want the cake layers to come up no higher than 2/3 the height of your kit kats. Feel free to open one to use it as a measure.
7) Once your cake sandwich is level, top the second layer with a thin spread of cool whip. This will act as your glue, making sure that the candies stay somewhat on top of your cake when you slice into it. 
8) Now, for the Kit Kat border! To "glue" your border to the edges of your cake, use a thin layer of chocolate frosting. Then have a friend (in this case, my sweetheart) help you unwrap 24 kit kats!

9) Attach the kit kats with the kit kat logo facing outward around the cake, using the frosting to help it stick to it. 

10) Take your white ribbon (or whatever color ribbon you like) and run it around the middle of your cake - tying a secure but pretty bow at the front.
11) Last but not least, pour your bag of Reese's pieces or candies on top of the cake - spreading them out evenly, and filling your brand-new Kit Kat cake bucket :)

I was blown away by one - how easy this cake was and two- what a big hit it was! We were worried about surprising my boss since his last day in the office had been incredibly stressful. The day was dwindling down to a close when amazingness happened and he turned to me and said simply, 'Annie - Kit Kat.'


This was the moment! I raced to the fridge and rounded up the office and presented him with 24 kit kats + a cake. Suffice it to say, it was momentous.

And that's kinda how I feel returning to blogging. I've been stressed, distracted, pulled away by other interests and lots of new changes - but at the end of the day - well, end of this year- I've realized it's time for a kit kat. Time to cut lose. Time to get creative again. Glad to be back and thanks for all your support thus far - happy one year blogging anniversary to me!

In anticipation of my anniversary

sup?

Tuesday, October 5 will be my one-year blogging anniversary!

What better way to celebrate by getting back in the swing of writing regular posts? I've been up to so, so many things including a brand new apartment to decorate and lots of other exciting things to update you on.

Here are some things to look forward in the coming months -

New recipes

New DIY projects

New Roommate (!) who's living with Annie

This year's Halloween Costume

& more!
I'm pumped. I hope you are!

Hi there

Gus and I doing field research for work while at Disneyland. Not officially working, but I look to think analyzing the parks as I ride all the rides could potentially help my job.

Hi everyone,

Thanks for your patience as I've stepped away from blogging for a few months to focus on my new job. As some of you know, I had been laid off, spent weeks looking, only to land in an even better, more exciting role with the same company (Disney).

I have a few things in the can to share on the blog soon and will try to post something this holiday weekend or directly after. In the future, I doubt I'll be able to return to my 5-post a week schedule but I'm going to make more regular appearances here.

Thanks for staying tuned- have a wonderful fourth of July everyone!

Annie