I Made This...Sort Of.

I'm on Pinterest.

A lot.

I just can't help myself.

And what do I find?

A link to a lady's blog in Brooklyn.

A blog that is so full of DIY's that I can't wait to do.

When I say DIY what I mostly mean is BDIH.

(Ben does it himself)

Feel free to use this new acronym I just made up.

Your welcome:)

Anyhoo, I'm just loving all the burlap, linen and vintage cotton that's out there now.

But I'm frugal, remember?

So this was the perfect blend of cheap, easy and vintage.

I'm pretty sure there's a joke in there somewhere....

This tutorial and free printable was on BrooklynLimestone.

I just had to make it!

So I did.

The only thing Ben helped with was cutting the wooden dowel in half.

This was the only window in our house that didn't have any treatment on it.

Maybe the one window in the house that for the past 4 years really should have had something.

The toilet room.

Now it does and it's just fabulous.

You can make it too!

Hard Cider Caramel Pretzel Bites

I really can't take any credit for this recipe.

It all goes to my blogger hero, Heather of SprinkleBakes.

She originally did the Ale and Pretzels Caramels.

I just sent off an email to see if it would work with apple cider.

Apparently it does.

To make these beauties you will need:

A cookie sheet, lined with tin foil, and greased

1 bag of large pretzel rods

2 bottles of hard apple cider (I used Growers brand)

 And SprinkleBakes Recipe which can be found here.

Just substitute the ale for the cider and the 9x13 pan for the cookie sheet.

Everything else is the same.

And super delicious!! 

I ended up rolling the caramel around the pretzel rods.

I found it easier to wrap and eat.

Pinch that caramel!!

I printed off a super cute graphic from the Graphics Fairy (for free, LOVE her!)

and added my own text.

Then ran some plain paper bags from the Dollarama through the printer!

Also I gained 5lbs in the process.

Consider yourself warned.

I'm always amazed that the more 'famous' bloggers still make time for us small frys.

I really appreciate that even though they are writing books and answering tons of questions from their some 3000+ followers,  they still are just awesome to talk to and don't make you feel silly for asking questions.

Thanks to all my blogging heroes:)

Sweet Potato Cupcakes with a Toasted Marshmallow Meringue

I'm just having one of those mornings where I'm having writers block.

Not that I'm a writer or anything, but I'm just having a hard time thinking of a funny anecdote that will cleverly tie in these cupcake/muffins.

It could be because I have a sugar headache from too many sugared peanuts at last nights Rook game. 

Or it could be from the whomping I took during said Rook game.

Lowest score on the board.

Should've bid higher and taken more risks!

FIE.

As far as risks go though, my cupcakes felt like a risk.

Sweet potato?

As in...Yam?

The whole time I kept telling myself, "It's just like pumpkin, it's just like pumpkin."

I figured since Americans have Sweet Potato Pie and we have Pumpkin Pie, why can we have pumpkin cupcakes but not sweet potato?

I found a great recipe here at Annie's Eats for a sweet potato cake batter.

And I wanted a marshmallow topping for them but I didn't want it to be so sweet. 

I did a little googling...found a basic meringue recipe, whipped it up and then folded in a jar of Marshmallow Fluff.

Marshmallow Meringue Topping

• 1 7-ounce jar Kraft Jet-Puffed Marshmallow Creme
• 3 large egg whites
• 1/8 teaspoon salt
• 1/4 cup sugar

1. Whisk egg whites and salt together until foamy

2. Add in sugar a tablespoon at a time while whisking. Whisk until all sugar has been added and stiff glossy peaks form.

3. Gently fold in Marshmallow Fluff until combined.

4. Pipe or spoon on to cooled cupcakes.

 Did I mention that I bought a blow torch?

Just a wee little one, but I love her.

She's a she and her name is Lady Melisandre.

Any Game of Thrones fans out there??

No? 

I'll keep my future nerd tidbits to myself then.

But she was perfect for toasting the topping to a gorgeous golden brown.

If you don't have a kitchen sized torch you can always put them in a oven preheated to 400. 

Just watch them until the tops brown.

I have a little bottle of Starbucks caramel sauce kickin' around in my coffee cupboard, and yes, 

I have a cupboard dedicated to coffee.

I drizzled the tops with the caramel sauce and sprinkled toasted and chopped pecans.

And then I pretended I was a photographer...and not a good one! hahahaha

I guess I got over the 'writers' block huh?

Any weird flavour combinations that you doubted then loved?

I'd love to hear from you!!

petiteparisian@gmail.com

Falliday 2011

I told you I was going to start calling it that!

We had such a great family trip to Sandpoint, ID this year!

The kids were amazingly well-behaved and relatively sane for the drive down.

Granted we took 3 days to get there (normally an 8 hour drive).

But we were relaxed by the time we got to the cabin we had rented for the week, which was an added bonus.

 We stopped and put the boat in at Moyie Lake Provincial Park.

 Found a sand bar and let the girls go wild in the mud.

Fishing was sparse... But when we did catch something the girls did not shy away.

They get that from Ben.

Finally! Sleep's Cabins, Sandpoint, ID.

Brent and Tawnie Sleep were SO amazing and kind! 

They had a great family story behind the rental cabins and we'd stay there again in a heart beat!

We took the girls to the Coeur d'alene County fair on the weekend, on probably THE hottest day we were there. A lovely 37 degrees!

Venice went on a pony ride, the ferris wheel with daddy and a bunch of other spinny rides. 

Despite the heat the girls were so good and we all had fun!

Tubing was the remedy for the heat!

Even Giselle got a ride...And LOVED it!

By the end she wouldn't sit with anyone, had have her own seat and handles.

And ending up standing up on her own while we were zipping along!

(Ben had her by the life jacket, of course. Not that it helped my anxiety at all.)

 By the time our week was up we really couldn't believe it was time to go. 

So we decided to stay another 3 days and stay over the long weekend then head home Sunday.

Me and my bug!

This family that stayed in another cabin was awesome!

The mom is a graphic designer but to unwind and let her creative side free she face paints.

She had all the kits and tools and glitter and more importantly a 5 year old daughter.

Venice had struck gold!

Best part...She does it for free!

She sets up in a park and does everyone that wants it.

By the time Venice came back to us she was covered in a rainbow of colors and had more glitter on than Queen Titania herself!

My babies, getting so big now!

S'more night!!

This was a long stucco season, not that it's over yet, but it was so great to have Ben for 12 days straight and for the girls to have Daddy all day, everyday!

Thanks for stopping by today, not really a party, craft or snack post, but it was fun!

Coming up next post....Sweet Potato Cupcakes with Toasted Marshmallow Meringue .

New E-mail!

Just wanted to let you all know that I have a new email, dedicated just to the Petite Parisian!

Yay!

I don't know why it's taken me so long, really.

I never dreamed that any one would want to get in touch I guess.

That, and the fact that the majority of my most loyal followers and frequent commenters are family.

But nevertheless, it is time!!

petiteparisian@gmail.com

So feel free to shoot me over an email, comment or question.

I'd love to hear from you!

As long as you're nice.

I like nice people.