Halloween Cupcakes with my Critter

Last weekend my little Critter and I had a great time making some Halloween cupcakes to help ring in the spooky holiday. Here's how it all went down...

Started out with our favorite Gluten Free mix from Pamela's.
Because "daddy is allergic to flowers."

I like this whole cupcake baking thing...

While the cupcakes are baking, I'm placing my order, I want 2, no 3 ...

I just want to smell the sprinkles, not eat or touch them yet...

getting a little closer...

they even feel like "ghostes"...

heck with touching...

are they done yet?...

what do you mean, I still have to wait?...

Now this is what I'm talking about!

Happy Halloween!

Blog Worthy

BEFORE

Back on Father's Day I posted about Stacie at Sugar Dreams Bakery and her amazingly tasty and every so moist, Gluten Free Coconut cupcakes with cream cheese frosting. Well, she did it again!!

I recently had a houseful of family and needed a great cake to go along with my Mother-In-Law's fabulous cooking. My husband has gluten-free needs and typically we find most GF baked goods to lack moisture and flavor. This is not the case with Sugar Dreams Bakery, I can ASSURE you!

Never in my life have I had a coconut cake like this. It's not too sweet, just perfect, dense and moist. I could make a meal out of the cream cheese frosting alone. The fact she also has gluten free recipes is just another perk. Stacie is super talented and only weighs about 30 pounds, so I'm pretty sure she's not sampling any of her yummy treats:) She also has perfected the art of shipping her cakes and cupcakes and is gaining quite a following. If you are ready to try the best tasting cakes and cupcakes - EVER - Stacie is offering a 10% discount to all my blog readers on orders over $35. Mention this promo in the "notes to seller" section during checkout. The shop.

AFTER

Happy "Gluten Free" Father's Day!

Happy Father's Day!

It's another nice, quiet, lovely Sunday morning here in the South and instead of jazz, I'm in the mood for some classic rock, getting back to my Cleveland roots:) As always I have my cup-o-joe, laptop and scissors to keep me company as I get some blogging and order filling underway before my energetic toddler awakens.

When my husband wakes up he will find 11 (not 12 because I ate one:+) fabulously tasty, gluten free, coconut cupcakes with cream cheese frosting. Can't you just taste them? OK, I had to sneak one because how else could I give you my honest opinion of these fab finds from Sugar Dreams Bakery?

A few years ago my husband was diagnosed with Celiac Disease, which is a gluten {protein found in wheat}/wheat allergy. The key ingredient in flour is wheat so it's imperative to find a baker that has recipes using "wheat free" flours that develop a product that is moist and not dry. Gluten is what gives bread and cakes their supple consistency. This disease {doctor's say} is hereditary and manifests itself in several ways and as a result is severely misdiagnosed as IBS {irritable bowel syndrome} in the US.

My tall, dark and handsome husband lost approx 30 pounds and was experiencing some not so pleasant bowel issues, all during the time of our wedding. I was positive he had gotten a tape worm somewhere and based upon his sudden weight loss I secretly wanted one myself, after all I had to look good in my wedding dress:) After a couple doctor's visits and everyone saying "it's just IBS" my friend suggested a "younger" doctor and Viola, he hit the nail on the head "it's celiac." The only way to be 100% positive was to do a "scope and snip" of his small intestine. Sure enough, the "villi" were missing, as gluten literally obliterates these finger like jobbies in your small intestine which allow you to absorb nutrients from food. My husband was literally starving, as the food was not getting absorbed, just passing right through. The simple fix was to not eat anything made with wheat/gluten. The tricky part is wheat/gluten is not simply listed this way, for example malt vinegar and a few other vinegars are made with barley {wheat family}. The FDA is doing a much better job of labeling for all food allergies these days. My husband does not have to go without, trust me he has gained all his weight back and is his usual studly self. Thank goodness for Whole Foods {Whole Paychecks}, as they have an amazing gluten free selection. Our accountant said to keep receipts because we get some sort of tax relief! wonderful.

So.... on my search for the perfect father's day gift I found fellow Etsy seller Stacie of Sugar Dreams Bakery, located here in Atlanta. The best news is that she ships all over the US!! Has ice packs and everything to make sure your baked goods arrive in tact, during the hot summer heat. Check out the way she packaged my cupcakes just for the car drive - love that attention to detail!Gluten free was not her specialty, but it sure is now! She was eager to help me and so pleasant to work with. Check out these gems she currently has listed in her shop...

Gluten Free Nutz For Coconut Cuppie

Chocolately Oreo Smiles

Tuxedo Cuppie
All I can say is WOWIE! these are the moistest, tastiest cupcakes ever! You would never know they were gluten free. Now I wish I had gotten her "Cuppies" which are larger versions, layered with even more frosting!! I will be contacting her to see if she can make us a coconut cake.

My 2 year old has started dabbling in card making, just like his mommy. Check out his cute Father's Day card he made at school. I don't know what's more touching the hand prints, knowing they will never be that small again - or the wonderful words.

But for now, I need to finish a custom gift box order {below} and start of a few others for my shop. Just got in my new envelope and paper shipment, aren't they gorgeous? They make my office even more colorful, plus they just make me happy to look at. How's that for a paper addict?

Have a wonderful Sunday and I hope you get a chance to spend time with your friends and family!