Inspire. Create. Bake.: November 2010

Nov 28

Sunday somethings

This weekend I wanted to dedicate my time to editing photos. I am backlogged by eight different families/shoots. But of course things came up and I became busier than expected. And now it's Sunday. Today I will edit all day (except for going to see the new Harry Potter movie and making caramelized onion dip for the giveaway winner this evening). The shoot I am currently working on is my first senior session. Here is a sneak peek at the pics. Such a gorgeous girl. Sorry guys. She's a senior in high school and has a boyfriend. I'll be posting more later this week.

Read More 9 comments | Posted by Anonymous |

Nov 26

Pear & cherry buckle

I hope everyone ate too much yesterday and had a wonderful Thanksgiving. I know I did. This is the dessert I made for the holiday, also the second time I've made it. The first time I cooked it in a crock pot that was older and fairly slow to cook. I turned out great, but it could have used more time. This year I have a new crock pot, and it cooks super fast — a little too fast. I had some burnt edges but we just worked around it. Make sure to adjust your cooking times to accommodate your crock pot. This is so easy to make. It's nice because you throw everything together, and let it cook on its own while you're doing other things. After cooking for a couple hours, the smell coming from the dessert fills the room, sweet cherries and cake. Yum, yum!

Pear & Cherry Buckle

adapted from my Aunt Carol, original source unknown

INGREDIENTS
1 - 26 oz can cherry pie filling

2 - 15 oz cans diced pears in syrup
1 tsp. almond extract
1 box yellow cake mix
1 stick unsalted butter, cut into small pieces
1/2 cup quick whole grain oats
1 tbsp. brown sugar
1/3 cup sliced almonds

DIRECTIONS
Spray a 5-qt slow cooker with cooking spray and set aside.
In a large bowl, combine pie filling, pears and almond extract. Pour into prepared slow cooker. Sprinkle cake mix over fruit mixture. Dot with butter. In a small bowl, combine oatmeal, brown sugar and almonds. Sprinkle over cake mixture.
Place eight paper towels over crock pot and secure with lid. This helps to trap the steam. Cook on LOW setting for 4 to 6 hours*. Do not lift lid to check cake for the first four hours.
Serve with vanilla ice cream or whipped topping.
* Crockpot cooking times seem to vary by model. If you know your crockpot cooks fast/hot, check on cake after 2 to 2 1/2 hours.

In a large bowl, combine pie filling, pears and almond extract. Pour into prepared slow cooker.

Sprinkle cake mix over fruit mixture. Dot with butter.

Sprinkle oatmeal, brown sugar and almonds over cake mixture.

Serve with vanilla ice cream or whipped topping.

Read More 5 comments | Posted by Anonymous |

Nov 24

Winner winner chicken dinner - Is it you?

Thank you to everyone who participated. I had so much fun with these, I think I'll have giveaways more often. Now, onto the results!

INSPIRE WINNER

INSPIRE WINNER

CREATE WINNER

CREATE WINNER

BAKE WINNER

BAKE WINNER

Read More 4 comments | Posted by Anonymous |

Nov 23

The Cloverleaf

I blogged awhile ago about taking a trip down to Texas. I stopped several times along the way to take pictures, the most memorable being a little shop in Ardmore, Okla. called The Cloverleaf Boutique. I could have easily spent hours browsing both indoor and out. I loved everything I came across. I was most impressed with the items outside. You could tell they had been out there for some time. Nature got ahold of them and deteriorated the pieces causing rust, paint chips - normal wear and tear from weather. I didn't buy anything there, (a little pricey) I just hung around the boutique and took pictures of everything that caught my eye. I can't wait to go back. I think this may be my new favorite photo collection!

I linked up at:
sweet shot tuesdays - life with my 3 boybarians
tuesdays around the world - communal global

Read More 12 comments | Posted by Anonymous |

Nov 20

Giveaway #3 - BAKE

Today is the last day for giveaways which means, we are on to BAKE!
All giveaways will be open until Tuesday night, November 23. I will use a random generator to pick the winners on Wednesday for all of the categories. Good luck!

BAKE PART 1

Have you ever heard of Bakerella? If you haven't, well, you might want to check out her blog. I was hooked the first time I set eyes on her cake pops and decadent desserts. I've made several versions of the cake pops, halloween being the most time intensive process ever. Being a perfectionist really doesn't help the situation. I almost missed the Halloween party! Here's what I made.

After these frankensteins and bats, I gained much respect for Bakerella and all the little creations she's made. Mine turned out well and everyone loved them — which made the time spent on them worth it. Did I mention they taste amazing?? Cake, icing and chocolate. What more could you ask for?

I am giving away one copy of Bakerella's new book, CAKE POPS.

BAKE PART 2

As most of you know, I love to cook, bake, roast, grill — whatever is necessary to eat some yummy food. I also love to share with others. If you live in Wichita, Kan. or in the surrounding area (Derby, Mulvane, Maize, etc.) I will make any appetizer, dessert or cookies for you that is listed on my blog and deliver it. I would love to extend this outside of my area but food doesn't seem to mail well.
Explore in these categories:

Appetizer

Dessert

Cookies

Giveaway is closed.

~~COMMENT TO WIN ~~~ ~~COMMENT TO WIN~~ ~ ~~COMMENT TO WIN~~ ~

~~Leave separate comments for:~~
1. What is your favorite dessert that makes your tummy say yummy?

2. If you live in Wichita, tell me what appetizer, dessert or cookies you would like to eat. If you are not in the area, just tell me what state you are in. That will give you an extra entry for the book. So all is fair.

3. Become a follower of Inspire. Create. Bake. and tell me about it or tell me if you already are.

4. Blog about this giveaway for an extra entry.

5. Facebook about this giveaway for an extra entry.

6. Tweet about this giveaway for an extra entry.

You can comment a total of SIX times!
Please post your email address as well, if you don't have a blog or a way for me to contact you.
All giveaways will be open until Tuesday night, November 23. I will use a random generator to pick the winners on Wednesday for all of the categories. Good luck!

Read More 63 comments | Posted by Anonymous |

Graphic designer, baker and a photo taker. Inspired by Jesus, photography, stellar design, all things creative, cooking, the arts and funny stuff. I prefer to visually tell stories through photographs; whether a trip I was on, a dessert I made or a recent vintage find. Art is all around me, and I capture it whenever I can.

Sunday somethings

Pear & cherry buckle

Winner winner chicken dinner - Is it you?

The Cloverleaf

Giveaway #3 - BAKE

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