Ok, So I don’t post recipes often, but I just had to share this one. Its amazing. And unlike a lot of my recent forays into baking, this recipe turned out perfect. Fairy cakes seem to be the more fanciful U.K cousin of the vanilla cupcake, a bit lighter and fluffier. A bit more fairy-esque, especially when topped with fresh strawberries and edible flowers.

Recent xtrapulp challenge- This time from Griffin! – Life’s little mysteries….

Maybe science has a few ideas on this one, but overall, menstrual synchrony is still one of my personal favorite little mysteries. Further intriguing since I learned that in Hawaii its customary for ladies to adorn themselves with a white or red flower, depending on where they are in their cycle. Additional information such as marital status can be gleaned by which side of the ear the flower is tucked. Maybe its TMI for our society, but I love the subtle communication with flowers. Plus, getting to wear a red flower is a nice consolation prize considering what the week has in store for you.

Checking out the venerable Daiso store in Seattle’s international district. Everything that you could ever want in the world that is a buck fifty. Including, but not limited to:

Exotic and slightly intimidating beverages for adults…

and children!

Hey, aren’t those the kids from Barefoot Gen??

Griffin : Basking in the beauty of the Japanese Tea Garden.

me : sporting brand new pink bear hat, even though I definitely don’t have weather to wear
it in for the next 6 months.

Tempting….. very tempting….

A strange and wonderful encounter with some local art at a random bus shelter promoting local art (I think). Found on our evening exploring the streets of San Fransisco.
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Cupcake Camp Seattle was a major let down. It made me reevaluate my entire thinking on this confectionery breed. Awhile back, I did a little comic to settle the cupcake / muffin debate. To be fair, I let it end in a tie – but I was secretly pulling for cupcake. Today, at Cupcake Camp Seattle, that changed. I arrived at 12:15, to a line wrapping around the block. For those familiar with the shenanigans at Magnolia Bakery, this isn’t really so unusual or disheartening. I had a semi warm cup of coffee and good company to keep me going. As I waited for 45 minutes I got a bit of a sneak preview of those exiting with boxes of cupcakes of every size and sort imaginable.  Some looked more appetizing than others. After 45 minutes, we were informed they were out of cupcakes. OUT of cupcakes!

Feeling spurned by cupcake camp and longing for a more traditional and wholesome, something sweet, we instead went to Simply Desserts. They do not screw around there, I was pleased to see no cupcakes, only row upon row of rich, layered, delicious cakes. It was then that I realized, cupcakes are truly the whores of the bakery, and I should never have been duped by their pastel frosted do’s and glittering sprinkles to begin with.
Love live cake!

It probably won’t take me long to get over this one. I live just down the street from cupcake royale, and they continue to delight every time. But 5,000 cupcakes in one room – well, that is just begging for trouble.  Lesson learned.

I know what I am doing with my Saturday!

Bella Cupcake Couture is proud to bring  this special event to the Seattle area.

An event for cupcake lovers: Bake or buy cupcakes to bring -or- just come to eat and help a good cause. Activities include cupcake eating contests, cupcake wrapper decorating, bakers competitions, Hope Heart Institute fundraiser and more.  Best of all … it’s FREE.

WHEN: Saturday, April 10, 2010 11am-2pm
WHERE: 415 Westlake Ave Seattle, Washington, 98109
WHY: Because who doesn’t love cupcakes? Plus we will have some fun competitions and a fundraiser for Hope Heart Institute

Our submission to a recent xtrapulp challenge is a  joint venture to capture the essence of Ayn Rand’s classic dystopian novel and make it accessible to our nation’s most impressionable minds in the form of a thought provoking coloring book. We aim to challenge young minds to consider their own self worth and place in society by revisiting some favorite scenes from this most influential book complete with coloring and thinking activities. It’s never too early to be exposed to such real world concepts as ambition, betrayal, lust, and the unraveling of the very fabric of society. We hope to equip the forthcoming generation with the tools necessary to jump right into our capitalistic society with hands reaching to take up the torch of industry. Don’t forget to download and color your very own copy here!