Who would’ve thought a tropical fruit could play such a big role during the holiday season? The National Mango Board. Check out their site for everything you ever wanted to know about the mango. And then some. They have info on the mango, recipes, a section just for kids, crafts and suggestions for entertaining with mangos. This wintery mango … Read More ...
Marshmallow Men (Vintage 1960)
Like the blogger from “Gingerbread Snowflakes,” I’ve been devouring my Better Homes and Gardens since I was a kid. She’s held on to this clipping from December 1960 and was kind enough to share the instructions for these super cute marshmallow men with us. She gives step-by-step instructions and (updated) photographs. 
Also follow the link in the to … Read More ...
Sweet Turkeys
Perhaps Tom would prefer you nibble on these turkey desserts rather than the real thing! Here are some ideas and links to how-tos for cupcakes, cakes, and more to celebrate turkey day.
The first is the most complicated of the bunch, but look how full of character he is. The detailed instructions can be found at pastrywiz.com. This site … Read More ...
Throw a Snowy Party…or Install a Skylight
O’ Domino…. so much more than a magazine. Their site offers decorating galleries, a hearty blog, DIY projects, answers, crafts, how-tos and more. Learn how to build a fire, make homemade Christmas ornaments, remove wallpaper, build a closet, install a skylight, consolidate old lipsticks. Click here for ideas on planning a White Christmas party (see the picture above), like serving … Read More ...
Sweet Simplicity
The perfect gift for the chocolaholic statistician. This simple “Chocolate Pie Chart” can be found and purchased ($20) from the super-simple-n-sleek-mathematically principaled site of “Mary and Matt.” Titled “Website.” Of course. The pie is found in the “General Store,” but also check out their “blog“, as well as “friends,” links … Read More ...
Let it Snow…Let it Snow…Let it Snow…
Check out all of these snow-inspired foodie products… From Sur la Table, the Holiday Ice Cream Sandwich maker. Ice cream. Snowman. Yep, that sounds about right.
Crate and Barrel has snowman and snowflake pancake molds and cookie presses. 
Williams Sonoma has the cake pan. 
Decorate your refrigerator with this magnet set from Spoon Sisters. 
And thank you … Read More ...
Rice Krispie Treat Ideas
O’ Rice Krispie treats. Is there nothing you can’t become? The Rice Krispies home page offers lots of recipes and ideas for the classic treat, including turkeys and this silly drumstick, but many for other occasions and holidays. The photo above comes from the version on allrecipes.com.… Read More ...
Turkey Pops are Here!
I was waiting for them, sure their arrival must be imminent. Bakerella’s famous cake pops dressed up as turkeys. I knew a fall or Thanksgiving theme was coming, but what would it be? Pilgrims? Cornucopias? Pumpkins? Turkeys, of course. The link to Bakerella’s turkey pops is found here. Her blog also offers the step by steps to make cake … Read More ...
Foodie Contests! (one for kids, too)
Many, many thousands of dollars are out there for creative foodies. Win a $5,000 kitchen makeover or other incredible gift packages for the kitchen from Pilsbury with their “Make America Sweeter” contest. Enter your essay and photo of your sweet goods (using Pilsbury products) before December 31st.
Jif Peanut Butter has contests for kids and grown-ups. Kids can … Read More ...
Make a Paper Cake
What a good idea for a shower or birthday party…fill the slices of this crafty cake with toys or favors and give to guests. Woman’s Day magazine provides complete instructions, including the pattern to download. It’s just cardboard and construction paper and your own decor.… Read More ...
Owl Cupcakes (What a Hoot!)
OK, groan at the whatta hoot part, but not the cupcake part. So cute and clever and easy to make–with Oreos and M & Ms. The instructions are courtesy of “Ezra Pound Cake,” a wonderful foodie site by a pastry chef/writer. Of course, she had me at her site name (as a fellow lit masters gal, I appreciate … Read More ...
Cupcake Toppers, Play Cakes and the Beauty of Links
O the fabulousness of links. It’s a wonder how one thing leads to the next to the next….almost as if the internet were a “web” of sorts.
I happened upon the “Handmade Detroit” blog, who linked to our blog. (Check out the homemade cake toppers on the first page. So great.) “Handmade Detroit,” for “people who like to make stuff” … Read More ...
Egg Molds for Your Bento Box
One crucial prop from “The Dogs of Babel
,” a book by an alumna of my MFA program, Carolyn Parkhurst, is a hardboiled egg shaper. This garage sale find shaped eggs into squares. That tidbit has stayed with me long after I read the book, so perhaps that’s why my interest perked when I glimpsed these egg shapers for … Read More ...
Easy Bake for the New Millennium
I wish I was ten again so I could get the “Cupcake Maker” by Girl Gourmet. This dandy little kit, that includes microwaveable cupcake mix, decorates cute cupcakes with the pull of a lever. They even offer refills, cupcake displays and cupcake carriers (extra, of course).
Everything about the web site is girly girly girl. You can even watch … Read More ...
Striped Fruit
This freaky fruit is no miracle of nature. The treats are easy to make (only one step!)
Disney owns the web site, FamilyFun.com, which is supposed to be a resource for moms, dads, and kids. But the clever craft and recipe ideas definitely transcend the family and have a universal appeal. Sure, striped fruit may be a good way … Read More ...