I MUSTACHE you a question.

 Oh, the MUSTACHE love that has overtaken our household over the last year or so...  Last year, we even did a super cute Valentine's Day treat for school.

It was as simple as taking a quick photo, with a mustache lollipop.

We made "I MUSTACHE you to be my VALENTINE" cards. 

 A mustache lollipop for every classmate, neatly packaged with a red bow.  It was a BIG hit.

 

Making homemade valentine's can be very labor intensive...however, these cuties were a snap.  The mustaches were from Hobby Lobby in the party section near the "fiesta" decorations.  A bag of 24 or so for less than $2.00.  Our cute fiesta 'staches were meant to be straw toppers-- but worked perfectly on lollipops.  In a pinch, making a template and tracing and cutting out mustaches on cardstock would be a perfect substitution.  I would use a small hole punch in the center to make a space for the lollipop stick. 

Banana Bread LOVE

First Place Banana Bread...A sweet treat for your valentine.

This recipe has won more than her fair share of first place ribbons...5 time first place winner!  Our neighbor said, "I do believe that was the best banana bread I've ever eaten!"

 I think he may be right.

  The very most important thing about banana bread in general, is of course, the bananas.  They must be ripe, over-ripe is better, and almost black is usually the very best.  The ones I used in the photo were acceptable, but if you are looking for an over-the-top BANANA flavor, let them be very over-ripe.

Three tips to GREAT banana bread:

1.  Do not over mix.  The wet batter will certainly be lumpy, mashed bananas are lumpy by their very nature. Once the flour is incorporated....stop mixing.  When you do mix, be gentle...the crumb of your bread will be tender instead of tough.
2. Use the best ingredients.  By this, I mean use very fresh eggs and produce whenever possible (still use over ripe bananas in this case), it will reap the best final product.  The same is true for flour and baking soda, make sure it's fresh. 
3. Make sure the oven is level and pre-heated to the correct temperature. 

I love that a banana bread is simple to make. The reward far outweighs the effort that goes into making it.

There is something so sweet about a well-made, well presented homemade treat.  This is a family favorite and most definitely good enough to give as a gift.  Enjoy! 

For a printable copy of the recipe: click here

Recycling: Vintage Kitchen Wreath

Recycling my stairway holiday ribbons, onto a kitchen wreath took almost no time at all.  If you would like to make your own kitchen wreath, it's the perfect time of year, since most wreath forms are deeply discounted.

  This wreath has taken many different forms over the years and has been re-worked a time or two.  Originally, it was a gift from my aunt, it was all wired onto a grapevine form... I've taken a few pieces off and added a few pieces...but it is still essentially the same wreath. It's been plain for awhile now, so I thought I would dress it up for Valentine's Day ... it needed a little something extra... 

 If you plan to make one for your very own, chooses chippie paint, vintage or antique kitchen utensils.  These are easy to come by in antique malls, flea markets and yard sales.  This wreath has about 15 or so pieces, including a wooden spoon, cookie cutters, a pastry blender, and a tea strainer.  I like to work in the same color palette, so this wreath is mostly silver, wood and red painted handles. (I spy two green handles too)

  Using fine gauge wire and wire cutters, affix the vintage kitchen utensils around the wreath...there are no rules so if you don't like where you place an item, you can move it to a better spot.

Finally...add your ribbon... it can be tucked in and around the wreath or add just a bow...or none at all...I use ribbon that I love.  I chose to recycle mine and add a splash of red, perfect of Valentine's Day plus it's cheery too.

I'm New Here.

Getting Started (again) 

I did give it a half-hearted try once before, 
back in the spring of 2011...

(I left my original posts as proof). 

 I am resolving to give it another whirl...
taking yet another...

 hopefully longer...
spin through the blogosphere.  

This time I am not necessarily more prepared, 

except I have a better camera and a little more free time.

I am still not what I would consider computer savvy, 

but I hope to learn as I go…at least that’s the plan.

I have some wonderful and very 

encouraging friends and neighbors. 

 Whenever we get together, I hear the same song 

“Why, Oh why are you NOT blogging?!”

I don’t have a good answer.  

Maybe my many photos of holiday table

 settings or pie crusts will find a more comfortable home here.

Hopefully, this "new and improved" blog of mine will

 be an outlet for all my creative juices that truly runneth over.
I hope that I can share, teach and give 

back some of the joy that I have found in making our house a home. 

I’m not sure about “Blue Ribbon Kitchen” as the perfect

 title that neatly sums up all I want to share.

 This big beautiful mess of creativity got started in the kitchen, 

so I guess that’s as good a place as any for me to begin.

A little about me:

 I really am an award winning baker. 

It all happened quite accidentally. 

I think a 2011 post covers that in great detail.  

This photo is from just this past summer 2013, 

during the hot, humid heat of a Midwestern July. 

This turned out to be my 59th, first place blue ribbon

 and also my 10th best of show ribbon in 6 years.   

I thought the least I could do is show you the winning cake...

Spiced Pumpkin Cake with Cream Cheese Frosting 

This cake is incredibly easy, tastes fabulous...definitely a keeper!

Spiced Pumpkin Cake printable RECIPE here

Spiced Pumpkin Cake detail; molded candy pumpkin with autumn leaves 

  

This is my family. 

They are a HUGE part of who I am and why I put so 
much effort into holidays, birthdays, and every day.
 I hope my children grow up to have beautiful memories
 of their childhood.

I am very excited to get started and 
I have SO much to share…
I think I am most looking forward to our next get 
together with friends, when I can say… about that blog… “I did it!”