Walnut Rum Wafers Cookies

Despite the uncomfortable flu that I am having; I managed to make these Walnut Rum Wafer Cookies last night. They are the most delicious thin crunchy cookies. It is good to have them as a party favor. I put 2 each in a clear plastic cookie packaging and seal it with a christmas ornaments scrapbooking from Martha Stewart. Both items are available at Michaels. 

And oh, I got my new 85 mm Nikon Nikkor lens from Santa today. So I shot below images with the new lens and oh boy.....I love it so much!

::Recipe::

 Walnut Rum Wafers

~ 2-1/4 cups walnut pieces, toasted

~ 6 tbsp unsalted butter, softened

~ 1-1/4 cups packed light brown sugar

~ 1 large egg

~ 1-1/2 tsp dark rum

~ 1/2 cup all purpose flour

~ 1/2 tsp coarse salt

1. Preheat oven to 375 deg. with racks in lower and middle positions . Finely chop 1-1/2 cups walnuts, coarsely chop the rest and reserve

2. Beat butter and brown sugar with an electric mixer on medium high until fluffy. 3 to 4 minutes. Beat in egg and rum. Stir in flour and salt, scraping side of bowl.  Mix in finely chopped walnuts,

3. Drop dough (1 tsp per cookie) onto large parchment lined baking sheets, spacing 3 inches apart. Bake 4 minutes remove from oven, and sprinkle tops with reserved  coarsely chopped walnuts, dividing evenly. Rotate sheets, bake until golden brown around edges, 4 minutes more. Transfer cookies on parchment to wire racks let cool 10  minutes. Remove from parchment and let cool completely on racks. Cookies can be stored in an airtight container at room temperature up to 3 days.

~~~oo00oo~~~

Thank you so much for stopping by. Have a wonderful week end Everyone!

Christmas Yule Log Chocolate Fondant Cake

Hello,

This post is past over due a few days as I am getting a bit of a flu.  Although I am getting better, I still feel not quite the same. Just now my friend who lives in Perth, Australia called and said that to combat flu symptoms she usually crushed tylenol into  powder mixed with lemon juice and honey. She  said it is an effective way to combat flu and that you should feel better the next day. I definitely will try her remedy if I will not get any better tomorrow.

Anyway, today I want to share this delicious rich Christmas Yule Log Chocolate Cake with you. This recipe came from a magazine out of the UK. So this recipe  is using English metric measurement. You can use this volume metric conversion here.

;;Recipe::

Christmas Yule Log Chocolate Fondant Cake

~Butter for greatsing

~5 eggs

~140g/5oz light muscovado sugar

~100g/4oz self-raising flour

~25g/1oz good quality cocoa such as Green & Black's or Oxfam Fairtrade (I am using Ghirardeli cocoa powder from the grocery store)

~caster sugar, for dusting

For the Icing and Filling

~285ml carton double cream

~450 g/1 lb fondant chocolate, such as Lindt Lindor (I am using Ghirardeli bitter sweet cooking chocolate bars)

~icing sugar, for dusting

1. Heat oven to 190C/fan 170C/gas 5 (mine was 325 deg for about 15 to 20 minutes). Butter and line the base and sides of a 30 x 35 cm Swiss roll tin with baking parchment.

2. Separate the eggs, putting them into two large mixing bowls. Add the sugar and and 2 tbsp water to the egg yolks. Using an electric whisk or tabletop mixer, whisk the sugar and yolks for about 5 mins until the mixture is light in colour and thick enough to leave a trail when the whisk blades are lifted.  Sift in the flour and cocoa, then fold in lightly, using the whisk blades or a lrage metal spoon.

3. Using a clean whisk, beat the egg whites until they are stiff, then fold into the cake mixture in three batches, again using the blades to preserve as much air as possible. 

4. Pour the mixture evenly over the prepared tin, then carefully spread to the edges. Bake for 105-20 mins, or until the cake feels firm to the touch. Put a large sheet of baking parchment on the work surface and sprinkle lightly with caster sugar. Turn the cake out onto the parchment and peel off the lining paper. Cover with a clean tea towel, then leave to cool completely. Trim a little cake from all the edges, then score along th edge of one of the long sides of the cake and roll up from there, using the paper to help you, rolling the paper inside the cake.

5. to make the icing and filling bring the cream to the boil in a small pan, remove from the heat, then break in 400g of the chocolate. Stir until it is melted and smooth. Leave to cool, then chill until it is spreadable, about 1 hour.

6. Carefully unroll the cake, then spread all the filling over to within 2 cm of the edges. Roll up the cake again. 

7. Cut a thick diagonal slice off one end of the cake. Transfer the large piece of cake to a board or flat serving plate. Then transfer the small piece 1/3 down the bigger piece with the diagonal edge pressed against the side of the bigger piece to make a stump. Spread remaining icing/fondant over the cake. then dust with icing sugar to serve.

Note: This is one for the whole family to enjoy. It will keep for a week wrapped in double thickness foil, or freeze it for up to a month.

~~~oo00oo~~~

Thank you for stopping by! Happy baking Everyone!

 MONDAY

Pursuit of Functional Home by Judy
Twelve O Eight {Inspiration Monday} by Tanya
Lines Across {Monday Funday} by Rachel
Sumo's Sweet Stuff by Sumo
It's So Very Cheri {It's Party Time}
Creative Mondays by Claire
The Dedicated House {Make It Pretty Monday} by Kathryn
Home Coming {The DIY'ers}

TUESDAY
My Uncommon Slice of Suburbia by Kristin
The Blackberry Vine {Tuesday To Do Party)
Lady Bug Blessings {Handmade Tuesday} by Kristen
Not Just A Housewife {Show Me What Ya Got} by Stacy
Cup Cakes And Crinoline {Project Inspired} by Mary Beth 
A stroll Thru Life {Inspire Me Tuesday} by Marty

WEDNESDAY
The Blissful Bee {Work It Wednesday} by Amy
Savvy Southern Style {Wow Us Wednesday} by Kim


The Trendy Tree House {Create and Share} by Tara
Clean And Scentsible {Inspiration Exchange} by Jenn
Green Willow Pond {What We Accomplished Wednesday} by Deborah

The 36th Avenue {The 36th Party} by Desiree
The Diary of a Real Housewife {The Blogger's Diagest} by Jennie

The Pleated Poppy {What I Wore Wednesday} by Lindsey 

THURSDAY
52 Mantels {Thursday Are Your Days} by Emily
The Charm of Home {Home Sweet Home} by Shery
The Grant Life {The Life of the Party} by Kelley
Saving 4 Six (Welcome To Think Tank Thursday) by Carrie Made to be a Momma {Homemade by You} by Katie 
The Shabby Creek Cottage {Transformation Thursday} by Gina
A Glimpse Inside by Allison

Perfectly Coutured {Three-fer Thursday} by Bethany

FRIDAY 
 Dear Creatives {Inspiration Spotlight} by Theresa
Chic on a Shoe String Decorating {Flaunt it Friday} by Kate
My romantic Home {Show and Tell Friday} by Cindy  
The Dedicated House {Anything Blue Friday} by Kathryn 
A night Owl {Create and Inspire} by Kimberly
Craftberry Bush  {The Inspiration Gallery} by Lucy
Happy Hour Project {Happy Hour Friday} by Adrienne
Diana Rambles {Pin Me Linky Party} by Diana
Truly Lovely {Fancy This Friday} by Kassy and Kayli
504 Main {Tickled Pink} by Holly 
A Stylish Interior (Stylish Friday Finds} by Karen 
Little Inspiration {Create & Inspire} by Kimberly and Angie

The Mrs and The Momma {The Best of Friday} by Kristen

SATURDAY

Suburbs Mama {Suburbs Mama Sunday} by Rita
Nifty Thrifty Things {Nifty Thrifty Sunday} by Vanessa
Flamingo Toes {Think Pink Sunday} by Bev
Pink When {DIY Sunday Showcase} by Jennifer
Twigg Studios  {Sunday Show Off} by Aimee
Crafts A la Mode 

A little girl name "Sasha".

I think I can never have enough taking picture of Sasha. She is such a perfect model to get a candied shot. Beside of being a happy little girl; Sasha is very active. She does not like to sit still and always on the move. But that is what I like about shooting her. Her candied shot always so beautiful. 

Here, I wanted her to pose near  the  large wrapped Christmas presents as props. But she kept on running a way. So  while shooting I told a story about baby lizard under the presents so she slowly turned around; looked so curiously and came toward me. This shot is a result of me telling the story. I told her mother whom is a good friend of mine that I  do not like to do that to kids but it was hard  to get her attention near the presents. I love taking candied pictures of children. They are the most beautiful innocent faces and very easy to get the beautiful fun images of them while playing.

Do you have an effective tricks to get children's attention to be photographed? If you have some tips, please share them with me.

Thank you so much for stopping by!

White Twigs with Vintage Ornaments Christmas Tree + Joyeoux Noel Chalk Board + Christmas Stamped Gift Wrap Paper ( all DIY)

Hello,

I am very sorry for I have not posted anything for almost a month now.  I can be honest with you and to say that I was just following my mood and it was telling me that I need a break. Prior to that and as you all know I have been posting many of my hobbies included; cooking, crafts, painting, journaling, decorating, etc. I spent many hours in front of the computer past midnight and until almost morning. Almost everyday I woke up with a headache from staring at the computer monitor too long. This has been a problem since the first time I used computer. 

 Blogging and being creative still does makes me happy but it did come with a price.

Now I am slowing down a little but deep in my heart I still love crafting, cooking, blogging and sharing what I love doing most with you.

Okay, enough about that right! I hope you had a wonderful Thanksgiving celebration with friends and family as mine was a really joyful moments spending time with Steven's family.

Since Christmas is coming very soon; I am very excited to share my Christmas tree decoration with you.

I still could not believe that I bought 110 pieces almost vintage Christmas ornaments for USD 3.00 a while a go  on a garage sale in the town of Nyack in New York.

I knew that I am going to have 'a different Christmas tree' this year.

So here they are.

Those white twigs bought from a local grocery store for USD 10.00

I put them in a large vase, then cover the vase with burlap. I decorated around the vase with Christmas ornaments bought from Michaels.

I created the banner that says  "Holly Jolly Christmas' using a burlap. Then using glue gun I decorated with fake missletoes (again bought from  Micheals). I used sharpie to write the lettering.  I made the Joyeux Noel chalk board (here) and I created the stamped Christmas gift wrap paper (here)

 

Thank you so much for stopping by! And have a beautiful Sunday Everyone!

 MONDAY

Pursuit of Functional Home by Judy
Twelve O Eight {Inspiration Monday} by Tanya
Lines Across {Monday Funday} by Rachel
Sumo's Sweet Stuff by Sumo
It's So Very Cheri {It's Party Time}
Creative Mondays by Claire
The Dedicated House {Make It Pretty Monday} by Kathryn
Home Coming {The DIY'ers}

TUESDAY
My Uncommon Slice of Suburbia by Kristin
The Blackberry Vine {Tuesday To Do Party)
Lady Bug Blessings {Handmade Tuesday} by Kristen
Not Just A Housewife {Show Me What Ya Got} by Stacy
Cup Cakes And Crinoline {Project Inspired} by Mary Beth 
A stroll Thru Life {Inspire Me Tuesday} by Marty

WEDNESDAY
The Blissful Bee {Work It Wednesday} by Amy
Savvy Southern Style {Wow Us Wednesday} by Kim


The Trendy Tree House {Create and Share} by Tara
Clean And Scentsible {Inspiration Exchange} by Jenn
Green Willow Pond {What We Accomplished Wednesday} by Deborah

The 36th Avenue {The 36th Party} by Desiree
The Diary of a Real Housewife {The Blogger's Diagest} by Jennie

The Pleated Poppy {What I Wore Wednesday} by Lindsey 

THURSDAY
52 Mantels {Thursday Are Your Days} by Emily
The Charm of Home {Home Sweet Home} by Shery
The Grant Life {The Life of the Party} by Kelley
Saving 4 Six (Welcome To Think Tank Thursday) by Carrie 
Made to be a Momma {Homemade by You} by Katie 
The Shabby Creek Cottage {Transformation Thursday} by Gina
A Glimpse Inside by Allison

Perfectly Coutured {Three-fer Thursday} by Bethany

FRIDAY
Dear Creatives {Inspiration Spotlight} by Theresa
Chic on a Shoe String Decorating {Flaunt it Friday} by Kate
My romantic Home {Show and Tell Friday} by Cindy 
One Artsy Mama {Shine on Friday} by Amy
The Dedicated House {Anything Blue Friday} by Kathryn 
A night Owl {Create and Inspire} by Kimberly
Craftberry Bush  {The Inspiration Gallery} by Lucy
Happy Hour Project {Happy Hour Friday} by Adrienne
Diana Rambles {Pin Me Linky Party} by Diana
Truly Lovely {Fancy This Friday} by Kassy and Kayli
Finding Fabulous {Frugalicious Friday} 
504 Main {Tickled Pink} by Holly 
A Stylish Interior (Stylish Friday Finds} by Karen 
Little Inspiration {Create & Inspire} by Kimberly and Angie

The Mrs and The Momma {The Best of Friday} by Kristen

SATURDAY

Suburbs Mama {Suburbs Mama Sunday} by Rita
Nifty Thrifty Things {Nifty Thrifty Sunday} by Vanessa
Flamingo Toes {Think Pink Sunday} by Bev
Pink When {DIY Sunday Showcase} by Jennifer
Twigg Studios  {Sunday Show Off} by Aimee
Crafts A la Mode 

How to Make a Stamped Christmas Gift Wrap & a Joyeaux Noel Chalk Board

What you need;

1. Glue gun

2. Acrylic paint or craft paint in various color including gold color

3. Jute cord

4. Paint palette or plastic container

5. Brush

6. Gift wrap paper from dept. store or any plain paper that absorb paint

7. Christmas stamp (available at Michaels)

8. Christmas ornaments (available at Michaels; mine from last year) They are about USD 1.50 per bunch

How to,

1. Put some paint on paint palette

2. Using brush, brush the back of the stamp

3. Start stamping on a the paper randomly all over the paper

4. Then using different color take the different shape of stamp and stamp amongst the pattern you stamped before.

(note; you can use as many color you want)

Let it dry.

5. Wrap the gift box with the stamped paper

6. Decorate and tie with jute cord

7. Cut one or two leaves from the Christmas ornaments and cut one of the flowers or the berries.

8. Join them together and tie the stems with jute cord.

9. Glue the ornaments in the middle of the wrapped gift box.

(note; use your own imagination to decorate your gift)

~~~~oo00oo~~~~

What you need;

1. Glue gun

2. Black craft or acrylic paint

3. Chalk

4. Brush

5. Paint palette or plastic container

6. Christmas ornaments (available at Michaels)

7. Old frame or new one (any frame will do)

8. Foam board

How to,

1. Cut foam board to the size of the back of the frame so it will fit the frame

2. Put a generous amount of black paint on the color palette

3. Using knife; scrape the side of chalk so that the chalk powder will fall into the paint

4. Mix the paint and the chalk powder

5. Using brush; brush the front part of the foam board. Cover the entire surface and let it dry about 10 minutes.

6. Take the chalk , draw the images. (Note; I used one of my Pinterest boards as an inspiration, here)

7. Cut one leave from the bunch Christmas ornaments and cut one of the flower berries. And wrap the stems with jute cord.

8. Using glue gun glue them together and last, glue on the area on the board as part of the decoration. I glued on one of the leaves drawing.

9. Insert the board in the back of the frame

10. It's done and ready to be displayed.

Note: most items are available at Michaels

GIVEAWAY - Pretty Crafts Giveaway {Silk Flower Tiara + Pin Cushion + Gift Box with surprises inside) (CLOSED)

Hello,

Today I am giving away these pretty crafts that are useful for you and your daughter. They are;

1. Silk flower tiara

2. Pin Cushion contained one flower head band

3. Small Gift Box contained 6 Beaded Push Pins and a small vintage porcelain doggy

All of these crafts were made by me except the little vintage porcelain doggy.

Here are the rules.

1.  Please follow me through   Facebook, or  Twitter, or  Google Friend Connect, G+, and Pinterest 

 

2. Please give a comment about what do you think about these crafts  and why do you want them. If you are not sure about what I meant by above , please check here.

 3. Please be 18 years or older!

4. For US & International residents only !

Giveaway will start November 20th, 2013 at 12:00 pm, US EST and will end December  04th, 2013 at 12:30 pm EST.

1 winner will be chosen. A real email address  required and will not be made public or used for other purposes.

 The winner will be contacted the same day through email and must reply with home address within 4 days. Failure to reply after 4 days; I will draw another winner.

Best of luck !

My Own Silk Flowers Tiaras (DIY)

Hello,

It's been a while since I posted anything here at curiositaellya. 

I think I mentioned  a while back in my blog post that I am in the middle of blogging transition. We are all evolving and so do I. 

Right now I am in the middle of a photography lesson. And have been  practicing  about what I have learned a lot. As a result, my blog has been neglecting a little. But it does not mean I stop blogging completely. No, I do love blogging and still love doing what I did in the past. I just have to slow down a little. Plus my Mr. has been complaining that I have not spending enough time with him at home. I think he is absolutely right! In case you are all wondering that I have not been joining any party lately; that was the reason. But I am back now.

Oh yes bout the silk flower tiaras! Oh, I love silk flowers tiaras and whose not! We women has an inner princess in all of us. We want to play princess, don't we! Well, I do! The reason I made these tiaras is because I want to dress up my photography subject so that they can look pretty and feel special. Since I am entering my new endeavor; pretty head pieces seems to make sense to make for them. Plus I love very much creating them. Who does not love being photograph beautifully wearing pretty silk flowers tiara? I want to give that moment for a young girls that they feel special, pretty and just like a princess.

These tiaras are made from the mix vintage millinery flowers and new silk flowers. Some are new entirely, and some are vintage entirely. It all depends on my mood and looks when I created them.

About two weeks a go we went back to Delray Florida. And as usual I shot Linda and her friend; Gracie wearing the flower head pieces I made. I think they look absolutely adorable!

Oh, I also created a new page for my photography website. Check it out if want to see what I have been up to lately with my photography. It is on the navigation bar under 'website'. Thank you so much!

Thank you so much for stopping by and have a great week end Everyone!