Some serious baking went down at our house this morning.
Some serious taste testing, too.
Oh, what fun the holidays are with a toddler!
And now for the winner of the K-Cups giveaway. Thank you all so much for sharing your favorite coffee treats. I’m certainly not the only one with a serious sweet tooth. And congratulations to Ali! We hope you enjoy your Barista Prima brews.
Happy Thanksgiving to all!
Toddler parenting is no joke. And occasionally I need an afternoon cup of coffee to keep up with my busy boy. That’s why I love our Keurig. It’s easy to brew just one cup — whether I’m in the mood for a traditional house blend or a seasonal pumpkin spice or my favorite hazelnut.
Last Friday, my little sidekick and I traveled to the Giant Eagle Market District in Robinson for a mid-day coffee break. Italian Barista Champion Francesco Sanapo was there to tell us about the new Barista Prima K-Cups, which are stronger and darker than most K-Cups I have tried.
I am not typically a fan of bold coffee blends — especially when served black — but Francesco made me a believer. (Perhaps it was his thick Italian accent and romantic descriptors like “subtle hints of bittersweet chocolate” and “robust with berry notes.”) Also, it didn’t hurt that his coffees were paired with sweets from Chef Maureen Joyce of Bella Christie and Lil’ Z’s Sweet Boutique.
First we sampled Nutella Crepes with the Columbia Blend. Then it was onto Duffins (Doughnut Muffins!) and the House Blend. And it was at this point, unfortunately, that Sam could no longer sit still in my lap. So, as we made our (very loud) exit, they served Chocolate Chip Pumpkin Bread paired with the French Roast. And finally — the one I was most anxious to try — Tiramisu Brownies with the Italian Roast. (Sam, you owe Momma a Tiramisu Brownie, buddy.)
The next morning we baked a batch of Duffins and brewed two cups of Barista Prima coffee in the comfort of our own kitchen. That’s the beauty of K-Cups. You can be an Italian Barista Champion, too. Also, you don’t have to worry about your toddler crawling under bistro tables while you try to sip your hot coffee.
The Duffins are dense like doughnuts, but baked in muffin form. And as if that doesn’t sound delicious enough, just wait until you dunk them in melted butter and roll them in cinnamon and sugar. These sweet treats pair well with a medium-dark roast, and the addition of almond extract compliments the toasted nutty finish of the Barista Prima House Blend.
And guess what … the fine folks from Barista Prima Coffeehouse would like to share a box of their House Blend K-Cups with one lucky reader! Just leave a comment below and tell us: What’s your favorite sweet treat to pair with a cup of coffee?
Terms of the Giveaway
Makes 12 duffins.
Ingredients
Topping
Directions
(from Maureen Joyce of Bella Christie and Lil’ Z’s Sweet Boutique)
Remember when I used to post our week in photos? Well, I fell off that wagon about two months ago. Which means it’s time to play catch up. Here are some favorites from our October and November.
We spent a Saturday afternoon at an Italian festival in Pittsburgh. We enjoyed flatbread pizzas, pierogies, and cannolis.
We soaked up as much sun as possible — in anticipation of winter temperatures on the way.
And when we were forced to stay indoors, Sam found fun under tables, behind closet doors, and inside cabinets.
We baked treats to celebrate anniversaries and new babies.
We bought a mini van. Oh, yes, we did. But we prefer to call it the Swagger Wagon. (Though it’s a Honda, not a Toyota.) We test drove quite a few SUVs and a handful of other vans, and this decision just made sense. It’s spacious and comfortable and has so many family-friendly features. I absolutely love it.
Big chairs. Little chairs. Rocking chairs. He likes them all.
Sam had his first haircut. And it was quite traumatic.
But now we have a big boy who drinks from big boy cups.
My how time flies.
There are few things more satisfying than a hot cup of coffee and a flaky pastry. Especially when enjoyed by the light of the Christmas tree while snow falls outside.
Get ready for this upcoming holiday season with sweet new recipes from Chef Maureen Joyce, lead decorator and assistant pastry chef at the local Pittsburgh bakery, Bella Christie and Lil’ Z’s Sweet Boutique. Join her (and me and Sam!) this Friday at the Market District in Robinson. She will demonstrate recipes for chocolate chip pumpkin bread, nutella crepes, duffins (donut muffins), and tiramisu. Each treat will be paired with coffee from Barista Prima Coffeehouse.
And stay tuned for a fun giveaway sponsored by Barista Prima Coffeehouse!
Pastry and Coffee Demonstration • Friday, November 16th • 12:00 – 12:30pm and 4:00 – 4:30pm • Market District Robinson, 100 Settlers Ridge Centre Drive, Pittsburgh
… by four furry legs! Yes, we are welcoming a Golden Retriever puppy into our home in just two weeks. We have wanted a puppy since before we were married, and we finally have a yard big enough to accommodate one — and, hopefully, the energy to care for one!
The litter of 12 was born on September 13th to Tarameg Goldens — the breeder who raised all three of my parents’ dogs.
The momma and poppa dogs are healthy and beautiful.
Sam and I got to visit the puppies when they were just four weeks old.
Little man was a bit overwhelmed by the puppies and was much more interested in the big bowl of apples sitting on the countertop.
But, gosh, aren’t Golden puppies the cutest?
They were quite sleepy during that first visit, but they quickly grew into a mischievous and energetic bunch.
We visited them again at six weeks — this time with Nick. He was in puppy heaven. Wet black noses, hot puppy breath, licks, and little barks.
Sam was still pretty hesitant, especially when one got hold of his pants and another nibbled his ear.
We narrowed our preference down to two girl puppies — little pink and pink diamond. Both are sweet and gentle, and I suspect both will test well for touch and sound sensitivity (important with a toddler in the house!).
We’re almost ready for little lady’s arrival. We have a name and a crate and plan to pick up puppy food and chew toys next weekend. Of course, I have no idea how we’re going to keep the kid out of her “room.”
It’s going to be a crazy, messy, happy adventure!
It’s good to have friends with kids. Especially when those friends come to visit for the weekend!
Sam and his little bud, Owen (who are just a week apart in age), had a blast. They played surprisingly well together — sharing toys and snacks and even Sam’s chair.
There is nothing cuter than two toddlers in a laundry basket, right? (Also, it is impossible to take a non-blurry photo of these two. They’re just too busy!)
After the kiddos went to bed, the parents enjoyed real adult conversation with adult beverages. We talked toddler sleep habits and Sesame Street, college football and politics, homebrews and favorite restaurants, and we ate dessert while wearing sweatpants. It was a much needed and perfect “night in” with one of our favorite couples.
On Saturday morning, we met Nick in Pittsburgh — after making a detour at Mt. Washington.
Then we went to Church Brew Works for beers and pizzas, and our wild little boys were very well behaved (and slept the entire drive home).
Our little snuggle bug could not stop bear hugging Owen!
Thank you three for making the trip to Pennsylvania. We are already looking forward to our next weekend together!
This year I got the whole family in on fall photo action.
But the real star of the show was this guy.
Obviously.
Of course, it’s not a photo shoot without a few bloopers.
Thank you, Mandy, for capturing this little family of mine!
{Photos Credit to Mandy Cashman}
Dear Sam,
It feels like just yesterday that we were counting down the days until your first birthday. And I told everyone who asked that you were “almost one,” and then that you “just turned one.” Now I have to say “thirteen months!”
Wow, what a month it has been. You are now a toddler! And, boy, do you act like one. You started walking just three days after your birthday, and now it is impossible to keep you in one place for more than one minute. You are busy, busy, busy.
You run from one toy to another, pausing for just moments to push the beads through the maze, stack blocks, push the cars down the racetrack, or throw a ball. You love your tool bench and can identify the drill and the hammer. When I turn on Dance Central on our xBox, you immediately start to move to the music. You also love to push your lawnmower, ride your giraffe, and bounce on your turtle. Your favorite books are 100 Words and All the Ways I love You. But, perhaps, your current favorite thing to do is hang out in your circus tent (that has taken up permanent residence in the corner of our living room). You especially love when we position your tunnel inside the door of the tent. Daddy tries his best to crawl through the tunnel and into your tent, but you usually sit just out of his reach and laugh hysterically at him. Inside, you always have a selection of toys — blocks, rings, balls, Elmo. I suspect you’re going to be a fort kind of kid.
You now have five teeth — three on the top and two on the bottom. And you had your first haircut this month. Oh, man, was it traumatic. You sat in my lap and screamed, tears rolling down your cheeks. But you look like such a big boy now!
At your well visit a few weeks ago, you weighed 20 pounds 6 ounces and measured 29 inches tall. Officially tall enough to reach the door handles! Trouble …
We were fortunate to have a mild October, and we spent many hours outside. I believe you would live outside if we let you! You often bang on the door that leads to our patio and whine until we take you out. Then you spend the next hour walking back and forth on the patio, up and down the sidewalk, and around the driveway. You love to collect leaves and climb on the rocks of our flowerbed. And you insist on doing everything by yourself. Mr. Independent! Yes, you totally skipped the “walking while holding our hands” phase.
It is so much fun to watch you explore. And as your coordination improves, your confidence increases. At the playground, you can now crawl up and down the steps and slide down the slide — almost completely unassisted. You try so hard to do everything you see the big kids do.
This month we took you to an apple festival where you played in the hay and had your first taste of apple cider. We went to a pumpkin patch where you climbed on the pumpkins and tried to push a wagon that weighed more than you. We also visited a litter of puppies — and plan to bring one home next month! I’m still not sure how we’re going to keep you out of the crate.
We’ve been to so many playdates this month, too, and I love to watch you interact with the other kids. Though we need to work on “sharing.” Of course, you have no trouble sharing your binky and your snacks with Daddy!
We introduced milk into your sippy cup this month, and you are not a fan. In fact, your eating habits have changed quite a bit. Gone are the days of shoving fistfuls of food into your mouth. Now you examine each bite before eating it and sometimes spit it back out and throw it onto the floor. One day you will love grapes and chicken, and the next day you won’t touch either. You are fascinated by utensils, though, and spend half of dinnertime trying to pierce the food with your fork. You also insist on eating yogurt on your own, which always results in a huge mess. I know all of this is very typical of a toddler, but I miss my good eater!
Another development on the eating front: you are no longer nursing. You weaned yourself — completely on your own — right before your first birthday. I feared that you would no longer want to cuddle with me, but I was quite wrong. You and I still have our quiet time together every night, and in the morning, I bring you into our big bed to snuggle between me and Daddy for a few minutes before beginning our days.
Now let’s talk about sleep. It’s been a bit rough this month. Just another joy of entering toddlerhood, I suppose. Your naps are changing, and you only sleep for about an hour in the morning and an hour in the afternoon — often less. Eventually, I’ll transition you to just an afternoon nap, but I really don’t think you’re ready yet.
Nighttime sleep has been a struggle, too. Some nights you don’t settle down until 9pm. Other nights you go to bed at 7:30pm and wake up at 11:30pm. Night terrors, perhaps? Because when you “wake up,” you are screaming inconsolably, and it’s not until you’re fully awake that you stop. And then you just want to play. Seriously. Some nights we’re up until 1:30am. I know this is just another phase that you will eventually outgrow, but it’s always tough when we’re in the middle of it, isn’t it?
Despite these new eating and sleeping challenges, you are really such a joy, little man. You are energetic and spirited and you make friends everywhere we go. You stare and wave and babble at strangers until they say hello. And that hello is almost always followed by compliments on your smile and your eyes. You sing in the grocery store and squeal in restaurants, but you also have a shy side and sometimes bury your head in my neck.
You say Momma and Dadda and try to say “ball” and “bath.” Though you are not saying many words yet, you are constantly babbling, and you understand almost everything we say. You communicate with us by pointing and reaching for the things you want. You also sign “more” and “all done” without being prompted to do so.
The world is so much more exciting through your blue eyes. Every activity, every walk, every outing is an adventure. Your smile is contagious, and your hugs are still as sweet as ever. I love you, bud! To the moon and back.
–Momma
Happy Halloween from our little blue-eyed puppy.
We hope your bags are filled with lots of treats!
When I baked my first peach pie over the summer, I declared that it was one of the best things to ever emerge from our oven.
Well, that peach pie now has some serious competition.
I turned once again to my trusty The New Best Recipe to feature a variety of apples harvested from the heart of Pennsylvania Apple Country,
The pie crust is similar to the one that carried the peaches in August, but with less flour and more butter.
And for the apples, I kept it simple with lemon juice and lemon zest, sugar, and just a bit of nutmeg, cinnamon, and allspice.
I don’t believe I rolled the dough as thin as it should have been because I had barely enough to seal in the apples.
But no worries. Because when I pulled it out of the oven, it was perfectly flaky and golden.
And, yes, of course I had to serve it with a scoop of homemade vanilla bean ice cream.
What do you think? Team Peach or Team Apple?
Makes one 9-inch pie.
Ingredients for Crust
Directions for Crust
Ingredients for Pie
Directions for Pie
(Adapted from The New Best Recipe)