Happy Birthday to my oldest daughter, my cupcake sidekick, and the best taste tester in the world! You are sure getting old (9)! What happened to the time when you were little and cuddly? I love you!
Happy Birthday & Happy Baking!
Posted in Happy Birthday, Wendy Paul
I will be on Park City TV on Tuesday evening, 6 pm. Be sure to tune in to see me make a gourmet cupcake and talk about the latest “cupcake events” going on!
Happy Baking!
Posted in 101 Gourmet Cupcakes, Park City TV
Do you know someone who has food allergies? Do you want to have great meal plans and menu ideas that will allow you to enjoy what you eat without feeling anxious about what could be lurking is inside?
I recently found Sophie-Safe Cooking, which is a great cookbook for those of us who need to eliminate food allergies from our diet. She also has another great website that lists products that are free of the most common food allergies on www.sophiesafefoodguide.com. There is a minimal cost to sign up, but with the lists being updated regularly, and you won’t have to keep buying the same thing over and over, I highly recomment it.
Another great reference for food allergy information is www.foodallergy.org. Be sure to pass this information on to someone you know who can benefit from this!
Happy Baking!
Posted in Sophie-Safe Cooking, Wendy Paul
Imagine that your daughter or neice or friend has a birthday coming up and they love cupcakes… look no further. Here are some great cupcake gift ideas for all ages.
Winter Hat (I could use it here in Utah with the snow that came our way again!)
Clink on the link to see the picture. I have 4 of these carriers, but always wish I had more! 🙂
The Cupcake Tower This is the ultimate cupcake tower. I am saving my money for this one, and hinting to my husband it would be a great birthday present.
Happy Baking!
*SPOILER ALERT!!* Apparently, I got so involved with the tv show Castle on ABC this season, I didn’t realize I was crying during the last few minutes of the season finale! I ran to grab a bag of Coconut M & M’s to ease my heart break! How stupid does Kate have to be to see that Castle loves her! She finally sees it, and he runs off with Gina for the summer! I don’t think it will last- considering it’s his ex-wife and all. I really do like Kate! I want her to be happy! I tell myself, “Wendy, this is just a show!”
Pretty sad that my life consists of baking, gardening and Castle. Seriously, I love that show! It makes me laugh, cry, and keeps me going with the mystery and drama. The writers are great and I can’t wait until the fall! I don’t know if I can make it!
I will be tuning in, to watch the reruns until season 3 starts, you can bet on it!
Happy Baking!
Posted in Castle, chocolate, Wendy Paul
I have been given the Sunshine Award by Cami Checketts from Fitness For Mom! I love awards! This award is given to those great blogs whom you follow and love. They brighten your day with useful and fun information. I will now pass on my award to the following blogs I love.
The Cupcake Activist
She Blogs, She Blogs
Sister’s Stuff
Utah Loves Cupcakes
Tranquility Circle
Sheralyn Pratt
Congratulations to all the winners! The winners can now pass on the love to other blogs they follow by:
– put the logo in your blog post.
– link the nominees within your post.
– let the nominees know they’ve won by commenting on their blog and link back to your blog.
– share the love and link to the person whom you received this award from.
Happy Baking!
Posted in 101 Gourmet Cupcakes, Sunshine Award
Quick note: I will be receiving the copy of 101 Gourmet Cookies in all it’s glory any day now. I will be editing, and editing and reviewing these mouth watering cookie recipes, and crazy busy, but loving it! The book is scheduled to go to press on JUNE 4th!
Happy Baking!
Posted in 101 Gourmet Cookies, final edit, Wendy Paul
I went to a gardening class (so I can be more successful gardener) at Engh Gardens to teach us the 5 essential steps to good gardening. I learned a lot, and saw some great inspiration. Their pots (already planted and ready for purchase) are beautiful and creative. It’s no wonder I made a purchase before I left that evening. I felt as though each plant was talking to me! “Plant me! Plant me!”
Now each and every “step” is the most important according to Darren Engh. You have to do all of them, and not just plant and forget. These plants need to be taken care of, but if you do so regularly, it will be almost effortless.
1. Prepare your soil. Your soil should be soft and light enough that you can stick your hand in, fingers straitened up to your thumb. Does that make sense? Use peat moss to loosen up your clay soil, working it together with a shovel or a garden fork. This is the first step, because your flowers have been growing at the nursery in very lite soil. You must keep your soil light so the flowers will continue to grow happily.
2. Good plant selection. It is best to have an annuals (plants that complete their entire life cycle in one year) and perennials (a plant that lives for more than 2 years) in your gardens and containers. This allows colors to be bright and vibrant all year long. Don’t be afraid to mix colors and varieties, giving the garden depth and creativity.
3. Water your plants. When you plant flowers, or vegetables, you will need to deep water for 1-2 weeks to help the plant become established. It is hard when the flowers are transplanted, they can go into shock. Best time to water is early morning. And while you are planting, stop every 1/2 hour to give the flowers and plants a good soak.
4. Fertilize your plants. Using the common liquid fertilizer 2-3 times per season doesn’t cut it. You have to use it 1-2 times per week, or you are just wasting your money. For large flowers, foliage and fruits and veggies, use a high phosphorus fertilizer. (The middle # on the fertilizer package- use higher than 15.)
5. Maintain. Weeding, pest control, fertilizing. If you spend a little time each week, your plants will thrive. If your garden is full of weeds, your plants and vegetables will be starved of necessary nutrients and flavor.
For more information on gardening classes, call Engh Gardens at 801-748-0102 or visit www.enghgardens.com..
Happy Gardening!
(Photo illustration by Steve Baker/Deseret News)
Cupcakes make you smile, they make your face light up with excitement! They are the perfect treat- and a gourmet cupcake can make your day brighter.
This is the newest business battle- over a blue cupcake. That’s right. Seriously people, read the story here. I wonder what the outcome will do for cupcakes in Utah as well as the nation.
Happy Baking- well for most of us at least!
In March, I begin to wonder whether or not the sun will ever shine again.The snow seems to not want to melt.By April, I have cabin fever and will wear shorts when the temperature reaches above 50 degrees. I am a California girl at heart, wanting the sunny warm days and cool nights, yet I am stuck here in Utah, no offense, where spring seems to never come and then the hot, dry heat of the desert hits hard and fast.
I have loved gardening since buying our home, only to make the garden bigger each of the 5 years I’ve planted. This year, I am building my dream garden of sorts… well hiring my nephew to build my dream garden. I am now the proud owner of 6 garden boxes, 4’x4′. Huge, I know, but somehow this weekend I managed to fill them full with vegetables, fruits and herbs. I am even going to learn to compost! I am determined to have a successful garden, and have even more fun in the kitchen with my produce.
I am going to be posting 2 great “Garden Recipes” a week starting June 1st! Be on the lookout for great recipes for baking and cooking and of course, grilling! Using ingredients you may have in your garden. Sounds delicious, huh?
Meanwhile, Happy Baking & Happy Gardening!
Posted in Garden Recipes, in the garden, Wendy Paul
Wendy Paul Creations 