Cakes & Cupcakes

Ok, so I doubt you'd remember this, since it was wayyy back in February, but we blogged about a new painting we were working on, I should say paintings. At that time we hadn't yet announced that we were working on our book and were trying hard to balance so much at once. Filling orders, working on post storm repairs, and doing whatever we could to squeeze in some new creative stuff. We had big plans for a whole new series of paintings but as with many ambitions, they had to be back burnered. Well...as of today we are pretty darn happy that we were able to take a bit of time the past few days here and there to chip away at one of those key art pieces. 

If you are a long time reader or collector of our art you know that we have been menu board obsessed for years now, so of course when the design world went "Chalk Art" crazy we were all for it! We love some of the elaborate stuff, the endless samples of amazing typography, but we keep things kinda simple, clean and country. We like the side of the road bake shop, or the old timey small town mom and pop bakery. 

Painting cakes and cupcakes is truly therapy for us. We just love the aesthetic and we feel like we can't go wrong if sweets are the subject we're working with. And we love how well received our longtime love has become in the decor world. Besides fab bakeries, kitchens and studio spaces, we've seen kid's room with full on sweets theme from floor to ceiling. We definitely will make the time over the next couple of months to fully realize the collection that we've had waiting on our drawing board for so long. This new one is in the shop now and we can't wait to deliver it to all those waiting walls!

Thanks for loving Cakes and Cupcakes right along with us!

xo, Jenny and Aaron 

Southwest Quinoa Sliders with Avocado Cream Sauce

There are too many words to describe my favorite meal of this week! So I'll limit them to: cute, little, adorable, mini, and Delicious!!! And these happen to contain so many of our favorite flavors. It was so cool to be able to put these together using mainly our kitchen staples. We always have a bag of quinoa, some frozen corn for who knows what, we stock black beans like a corner bodega, tomatoes and salad greens...check, and avocados...if you can't find avocados in our house then you won't find us either...because we're at the store buying more. But besides being deelish and suited perfectly for our palettes we love these for the possibilities of 'em. We've gone to plenty of pot luck type get togethers where veggie burgers woulda been a huge hit. And sliders!!! Tiny cuties that even the thinny minis won't feel guilty about. So great for cooking for a group because they're so simple...and great for dinner for two because you can easily wrap up the extra patties and freeze them for a future feast. 

And holy cow...the avocado cream sauce is like phenomenal...later in the evening we watched tv and dipped carrots in a bowl of it. I saw this recipe on the Naturebox blog and knew we had to give it a try. It is so so us!

Again, it's so incredibly easy. And you could truly use both the avocado cream sauce and the slider recipes on their own and in so many other meals.

This recipe makes 12 sliders.

Here is what you will need:

2 cups cooked quinoa

1/3 cup grated parmesan

1/4 cup Panko breadcrumbs (or a bit more if mixture is too loose)

2 tablespoons all-purpose flour (whole wheat is fine too)

1 teaspoon cumin

1 teaspoon garlic powder

1/2 teaspoon chili powder

1-2 tablespoons pureed chipotle peppers in adobo sauce (you can just cut/mash them really well)

1 tablespoon freshly squeezed lime juice

2 large eggs (or for vegetarians, egg substitute)

1/2 cup whole kernel corn

1/2 cup canned black beans (drained and rinsed)

salt & pepper to taste

Olive oil for your pan (about 2-3 tablespoons)

12 slider buns of your choice (we used Alexia brand Sweet Potato rolls)

Sliced tomato

Arugula or favorite greens

For the Avocado Cream Sauce:

1 avocado seeded and chopped

2 teaspoons minced fresh garlic

1/3 cup plain Greek yogurt

2-3 tablespoons fresh chopped cilantro

1/2 teaspoon cumin

dash of lime juice

salt & pepper to taste

Start out by making the Avocado Cream Sauce. It's super easy and fast! In your food processor or blender add the avocado, garlic, Greek yogurt, cilantro, cumin, dash of lime juice, salt and pepper...

Process till smooth! And then put to the side. Yep...that easy!!

So, before jumping into making the slider mix you might want to take the time to prepare your buns.

We used these and loved them! Really, they brought a tiny bit of sweetness to the overall slider experience. These come in this bag, frozen, and slightly browned.

And then you just pop them in the oven to make them all golden and good. They take about 12-15 mins in the oven. 

Now, again, it couldn't be easier...grab a large bowl and combine the cooked quinoa, Parmesan, panko, flour, cumin, garlic powder, chili powder, chipotle peppers, lime juice, eggs, corn, beans, salt and pepper to taste. Mix well. We used our hands.

 When everything is mixed well, divide the mixture into 12 balls and form little patties.

 In a large skillet heat about 2 tablespoons of olive oil over medium high heat. Add the patties to the skillet and cook until browned and cooked through, about 3-4 minutes per side, flipping only once. 

You don't want to crowd them so break them up into two batches. You may need to add the third tablespoon of olive oil to the pan for your second batch. 

Now all that is left is assembling these little bundles of heaven. A slice of tomato, some greens, a dollop of the Avocado Cream Sauce...and SERVE!!

We absolutely loved these and will be making them again very soon! We happen to like a couple varieties of pre-made veggie burgers that are on the market, but these are leaps and bounds beyond those. So much more moist and full of flavor. We really were so excited after making these and couldn't wait to share them with you. We really think they'll appeal to vegetarians and meat eaters alike! There's nothing lacking. Perfect little bite sized party on a bun!

Hope you'll give them a try!!

xo Jenny & Aaron

Friday Favorites

This time of year...when the weather decides to stay in seasonal character...it's so great to sleep with the windows open and get woken by the chatter of birds. The balmy temps these past two days in Jersey has permitted exactly this type of aviary wake up call. Only, me and Aaron kinda shot ourselves in the foot by getting my baby brother Walt a birthday gift that he absolutely loves. His job requires very early rising...somewhere in the 5am hour...and at this hour he'll joyfully use the birthday gift we got him. Why is this a problem?? Well, because it's a smoothie maker...a wicked powerful, ice pulverizing, startle the household awake at 5am smoothie maker!! The boy needs his protein shakes by george! 

Oh well, it doesn't actually bother us. Most things that Walt does make us chuckle. We'll be in bed sleeping away and then RAAAAAHHHRAHHHGRRRRRRIINNNDDD!!!! Goes the smoothie maker. And me and Aar will just nudge each other and kinda laugh and mumble like Beavis and Butthead...huh huh...he's making a smoooothie at 5am....huh huh..heh heh...And then we'll go back to sleep once he's all through.

Anyway! it's Friday...so that means no 5am smoothies tomorrow morn! Cause for celebration...and likewise goes for these Friday Favorites!

Love this slice of decor seen above! Adore the combination of gold and teal. I could work a whole room around just a glimpse of this. 

And I loved reading about Grumpy Cat's visit to the offices of Time Magazine. Here she is in all her Grumpy Glory, photographed for Time. I just love that her human mom got to go on a nationwide press tour...all because of someone's adorable pout!

Every time summer approaches I just gravitate toward Yellow! And I so love the golden yellow and aqua color combo of these vintage pieces. Just so evocative of time, place, and a certain breezy summer mood.

I've been seeing this image float around pinterest and tumblr and of course I just can't seem to track down the original source. I'm actually pretty sure it is photoshopped...but who cares right? It would be a challenge to replicate...I'd rather not try...I'll just look at it and love it.

Ohh gosh yes! For Summer...This PINK  Instax Mini

 is soooo on my wishlist! So many times when I'm out I want to snap a pic and I know I'd be that much more motivated to get it done if it was this sweetie that I was pulling from my bag.

Ok and as for this pair of PINK Swedish Hasbeens

...I require them now! Like, do not pass go, proceed directly to I need them right now. Love Love Love!! 

Ok, here's to Friday! Here's to the chirping birds of Saturday morning!

xo, Jenny...and Aaron

A lovely GIVEAWAY with Shabby Apple!

I'm very happy to be teaming up with Shabby Apple for this fab fashion giveaway! One lucky Everyday is a Holiday reader will win a 50.00 gift certificate to be used on anything on the Shabby Apple site!  So be sure to comment if you're a fan of vintage clothing! I'm a long time fan of Shabby Apple and their fabulous selection of vintage style dresses and accessories. The above dress could possibly be one of the sweetest summer dresses ever! Like, I want lemonade when I see it...I want cotton candy...and I want to be standing exactly where she ^ is! The ferris wheel, the pier, the ocean breeze...

Oh gosh...the color, the cut...

I really could go absolutely nuts at Shabby Apple.

These are just a couple that happened to have caught my eye...but there are sooo many styles to choose from! You can get your Mad Men on...your Jackie O...your Gatsby. 

And the selection goes way beyond dresses! Bags, shoes, sunglasses, jewelry, and accessories galore! Pop over and see for yourself and be sure to leave a comment below with a way to contact you! Perfect time to add to your Spring / Summer wardrobe! 

Good Luck!! Be sure to comment! I'll be picking a winner next Friday!

(Giveaway open to US readers only)

xo Jenny

What could be in the gigantic box?

Over the years I've occasionally made this blog a hub for hosting swaps and promoting swaps, and I've loved participating in every variety of them. Nothing better than sending off a box full of magic and in turn receiving gifts and treasures from friends all over the world. Some of whom I've never met in person, and some we've been lucky enough to encounter at art events. 

And then there are the things that arrive without any provocation. The one sided "swaps" with lucky ole me on the receiving end. Surprise gifts! Well the latest great mail day like this brought a giant box full of amazing! When I saw the oversized box I had no idea on earth hat it could be. I was told by my online friend Nancy to keep an eye on the mailbox because she was sending a vintage recipe book that had a vintage doll theme. Then a HUGE box arrives and I'm like whaaaaaat??

Ok, somewhere in transit the said recipe book somehow multiplied into a foot tall stack of amazing recipe books...and they were just the half of it. The box turned out to be more like a clown car full of well loved, aged, cracked, and tattered dolls!!

Not sure if the photo accurately captures how incredibly big this gal is. The stuffing is coming out of her snow suit like body that is the palest pink vinyl. Will you look at that face!

Oh and these two! ha! Aren't they so patriotic? They can't wait for 4th of July. What an adorable duo!

 And this lil gal looks like she partied a little too hard. Too much sugar and staying up late maybe. ha!

 This fella happens to be one of Nancy's favorite buddies from childhood. He's a dapper little clown named "Happy". 

So this here happens to be the book that started it all. The book all on it's own is perfect...how on earth did it spawn such a treasure trove of vintage magic?

Really, does it get more me?! Vintage dolls and cake recipes!

 The book in the two pics directly above made both Aaron and I do a double take. It has no cover...which isn't the weird thing...since these are all so old and it is incredible that any of them are all in one piece. But take a look and see how the pages look layered. Well it turns out someone apparently  took all the pages of the cook book and glued them to pages of a farmer's almanac. Whyy?? Was it a weirdo kid? A weirdo like myself?? Cuz, I totally did weirdo stuff like that during my childhood summers. I'd pretend to be at my job writing or publishing books. But of course I really had no idea what it was to write and produce books. I'd take a seashell or horse identification book and by hand I'd copy the pages cover to cover! Writing out all of the text and even drawing every single illustration. I'd make myself put in a real 9 to 5 day. Total Weirdo.

There are so many fun illustrations in these books! I have a very large collection but some of these are new to me and I am in heaven!

Let's talk about Aunt Jenny...ha! (is that a line that will be said by my nieces and nephews in the future?) I actually had this very book on my ebay watch list a few times. Aunt Jenny is a crack up. Aaron likes to call her the pre-television era Paula Deen.  

Aunt Jenny drops her G's and talks fun and folksy like Paula Deen. And like Ms. Deen she doesn't shy away from fat for a second. 

I love the little convos all throughout the book. They're meant to resemble her radio show from the 1930's.

Oh that Calvin!

oh reeeally Aunt Jenny? you don't say. 

Yes, look closely, that is a steak literally frosted with Spry!! ha!

I have only shared a fraction of the incredible gifts from Nancy. I am just beyond thankful...holy crow what amazing stuff! So much source material and inspiration for future artwork. I'm honored to receive such well thought out and personal gifts.

Hey, looks like the Jersey sun has finally appeared...we've switched to a rock station in it's honor. Earlier when it was gray and raining we were working to a soundtrack of Billie, Ella, Louis, and Nat. That only works for so long. Ok, thanks for reading!

xo, Jenny...and Aaron

Brown Butter, Sweet Potato Blondies

Remember those Chipotle Chicken, Spinach & Cheddar Sweet Potato Skins we made last week?  Well I wasn't kidding when I said to save the scooped out sweet potato for a future recipe. I vowed not to let them go to waste. I remembered seeing a recipe for Butternut Squash Blondies and figured I could totes use sweet potatoes instead of the squash. And wouldn't ya know...I had the absolute perfect amount for this recipe! These blondies were deeelicious! And I think the brown butter makes all the difference in the taste.

 We loved them warm from the oven...and loved them cold from the fridge! With a little honey or real maple syrup drizzled on top they are pretty fantastic too! Super duper moist...with pockets of sweet from the white choc chips...just the right amount of tart from the dried cranberries, and then the crunch from the occasional pepita was perfect texture-wise. They'd make a great picnic treat! It was so fun knowing that we had a dinner consisting of mainly sweet potatoes, and then a dessert in which they were also the focal point. And yet in no way was it sweet potato overload. More like an Iron Chef theme carried creatively through two courses.  And there's plenty of room for your own creative add ins or substitutes here...instead of pepitas, maybe walnuts or pecans would be great! 

Here is what you will need:

1 1/4 cups whole wheat pastry flour

1 teaspoon baking powder

1/4 teaspoon ground ginger

1 tablespoon ground cinnamon

1/2 teaspoon grated nutmeg

1 cup light brown sugar, packed

2 large eggs, at room temperature

4 tablespoons brown butter, melted and cooled (see below for a how to)

1 1/4 cups sweet potato puree

2 teaspoons pure vanilla extract 

1/2 teaspoon  salt

1 cup white chocolate chips

1/2 cup dried cranberries

1/2 cup pepitas (pumpkin seeds)

In a food processor or blender puree your sweet potatoes till smooth. Set aside.

Now, let's brown that butter! Which makes all the difference in flavor.

Melt your butter in a small saucepan over medium heat. When melted, stir slowly and constantly as the butter bubbles and gets a bit foamy. The butter will change color, from pale yellow to light brown. It should take approximately 3 minutes. When the butter has a nutty smell, remove it from the stove and allow it to slightly cool while you prepare your other ingredients.

Now sift together your flour, baking powder, ginger, cinnamon and nutmeg into a medium bowl and set aside. Then, in a separate bowl, whisk together your eggs and brown sugar until pale in color and thickened a bit. It should take about 2 minutes to whisk.

Then with a spatula add the cooled brown butter to the sweet potato puree, then add the vanilla extract and salt. Mix these until combined and smooth. 

Now you can add the dry ingredients to the wet. Mix together until just combined and all of the flour is dissolved. 

Time for the yummy bits! Fold in your white chocolate chips, cranberries and pepitas. Mix until just incorporated into your batter.

Now pour your batter into a prepared pan and smooth out the top with your spatula.

Bake your blondies at 350 degrees for about 30 minutes, ( in our oven they took about 45 mins) or until a toothpick inserted in the center of the blondies comes out clean.

Remove them from the oven and let them cool completely in the pan on a wire baking rack.

Once cooled, cut into squares and serve!

 Store them in an airtight container in the fridge or at room temperature for up to three days.

I really hope you love these! And if you do give them a try be sure to share your thoughts after!

xo, Jenny and Aaron

*adapted from food + words

Happy Mother's Day!

Just wanted to officially wish all of you moms, grand-moms, moms of furry critters, and even moms of fish and other scaled or feathered friends...a Happy Mother's Day!

I love this pic of my Mom, Grandma, and Uncle. The couch, the wallpaper, my Grandma's hair...yes, I had to Art Journal it.

I hope to be making a trip up north to see my mom fairly soon...after deadlines are met. And speaking of up north...check out the pics below.

Yes, my parents are making great progress on their cabin in the woods. It is coming along so fast...you can't dawdle when you know you've got to have it all buttoned up before another great white winter. 

Kids, do not try this at home. Yes, that's my caraaaazy Dad laid out on the saw. Maybe he noticed a lack of magicians up there and saw an opportunity to fill a void in the market.

It's gonna be so cool when the cabin is done! Here's a rendering from the blueprints. 

We're gonna go see Aaron's Mom a little later today to give her some little gifts we picked up in the city the other day.

Ok, if you are not acquainted with John Roberts, seen in the classic clip above...get to know him now! If you are familiar...then revisit this perfect little video and laugh your heart out. I have watched this a thousand times and maybe every other day you'll hear me or Aaron say "it's the one I wanted...the gift set."

And my very first boyfriend Mr. T, letting us all know how important our Moms are. 

Ok, wishing all of you a Happy Mother's Day!

xo, Jenny & Aaron