Red Velvet This and That

As far back as I can remember, Mama always made me a red velvet cake for my birthday.  I grew up loving the rich taste of the red velvet with the cream cheese icing.  It seems that in the past few years red velvet is all the rage.  All you have to do is click on Pinterest under "Red Velvet" and all kinds of sweet delicacies come up! Of course, I had a red velvet groom's cake long before Shelby in Fried Green Tomatoes--except mine was not in the shape of an armadillo! When I entertain, I love to serve anything red velvet-whatever.

Correction:  Oh good Lord, y'all must know I meant to say Shelby in Steel Magnolias!

Red velvet cupcakes for Valentine's treats several years ago...

Red velvet cake at a Christmas soiree...

The red velvet doughnuts from Krispy Kreme are delicious any time of the year!

The red velvet cookies I made for my February "Friendship Gifts" are moist and delicious.

Last week I prepared red velvet hot chocolate to sip while we watched the Olympic ice skating...

This was so good y'all!  It's hot chocolate {homemade or packaged}, a tablespoon of red food coloring, whipped cream, and chocolate morsels on top.

Last week I served red velvet pancakes, topped with lite syrup, powdered sugar, and the chocolate morsels.  The chocolate tea from Harney Tea was the perfect morning beverage!

Lord have mercy, of course I love the red velvet wine, by Cupcake.  It's not expensive and it is very smooth.

Red velvet wine...perfect for Merlot Hour!

On Valentine's Day I prepared a red velvet cheese ball*.  I didn't want to have too much before dinner, so I only had a couple of bites, along with some champagne.  It it fabulous!

*Recipe for Red Velvet Cheese Ball:

8 oz. cream cheese, room temperature

1/2 cup butter, room temperature

1 1/2 cups red velvet cake mix, dry

2 tblsp brown sugar

1/2 cup powdered sugar

1/2 cup mini-chocolate chips

Vanilla Wafers

In a large bowl, add cream cheese and butter and mix until smooth.  Add in the red velvet cake mix, the brown sugar, and the powdered sugar.  Continue mixing until everything is mixed well and looks smooth.  Pour the mixture out onto a large piece or saran wrap.  Wrap and shape the mixture into a ball and refrigerate for at least 2-3 hours.  Pour the mini chocolate chips onto a plate (use more if needed).  Remove the cheese ball from the refrigerator, unwrap, and roll the ball into the chocolate chips until the ball is covered. Place on a serving plate and garnish with cookies of choice.  Serve immediately or keep chilled until you are ready to serve.

Entertain ~ Decorate ~ Celebrate

I love reading ALL the Hoffman Media publications and Entertain, Decorate, Celebrate is one of my favorites.  The January-February 2014 issue is packed full of party ideas.

Are you looking for last-minute Valentine crafting ideas?  You can purchase the magazine in stores now or visit their website here to see the Valentine "Crafted with Love" party.

You might supply washi tape, twine, and other crafting supplies...everything your guests will need to create gift boxes.

Serve a Signature Beverage* and savories for your guests to enjoy while they are creating sweet boxes...

Love these chocolate and strawberry cake pops and xo cookies!

Set up a station for the treats so your guests can fill their boxes with sweets for their sweetheart.

 You can download all the printables here!

Recipe for Fizzy Pink Lemonade Punch*

Makes about 1 gallon

1 (12-oz) container frozen pink lemonade concentrate, thawed

4 cups cold cran-grap juice

1 (1-liter) bottles cold ginger ale

Garnish:  maraschino cherries

In a large pitcher, combine concentrate and juice, whisking to combine.  Add ginger ale, and serve immediately.  Garnish with maraschino cherries, if desired.  You may substitute champagne or sparkling wine for the the ginger ale, if desired.

Valentine Treats

OOTN...last night.  I'm wore my red gingham Jessie Steele apron in the kitchen...baking red velvet cookies.

The *recipe is very easy...Normally I add a cream cheese frosting, but left it off this time because my packaging would mess up the frosting.  They are still delicious without the frosting!

I placed them inside the heart-motif cups I bought on sale last year after Valentine's Day.

*Recipe for the red velvet cookies:~1 pouch (1-lb. 1.5 oz) Betty Crocker sugar cookie mix
~1/3 cup unsweetened cocoa
~1/4 cup butter or margarine, softened
~1/4 cup sour cream
~1 tblsp red food coloring
~1 egg

Heat the oven to 375 degrees.  Stir cookie mix, cocoa, butter, sour cream, food coloring, and egg until soft dough forms.  Roll dough into 1-inch balls.  Place 2 inches apart on ungreased cookie sheet.  Bake 8-9 minutes or until set.  Cool 2 minutes.  Remove from cookie sheet to wire rack and cool completely, about 15 minutes.  Makes 36

Cream cheese frosting may be added after the cookies are cool, if desired.

Champagne and Ice Cream

Yes ma'am! More decadent Valentine's desserts...ice cream with a warm fudge sauce and champagne!

Champagne for two...Waterford 'Alaina' goblets...

Crown's Royal Fudge Sauce from Taste of Gourmet...The dark "fudgey" flavor of this sauce will drift your taste buds right down the Mississippi and right into chocolate lover's heaven! It's "husband approved!"

The bowls have a beautiful red toile print, perfect for Valentine's Day...from the 'Country Living' collection, *gasp* at KMART!

The sweetest day is almost here y'all! Thank you for stopping by!

Valentine's Tea

'Tis the season for chocolate!!! This morning, I'm enjoying some hot tea and a couple of sweets while puttering around the house.

Take a peek at my kitchen hutch...decked out for Valentine's.
I found this cute little "Be Mine" banner on Etsy last year.

Little love sentiments on place cards being held by silver teapot place card holders.

Sequined hearts in the apothecary jars...

My tea...'Valentine's Blend' from Harney Tea. It's a chocolate tea blended with rosebuds...perfect for the season! I chose the tagalong container with tea sachets.If you are not familiar with tea sachets, you must know that they are my favorite. What is the difference between loose tea, tea sachets, and teabags? High-quality loose teas are made from the whole tea leaves and retain the distinctive flavors of the plant. Teabags consist of smaller pieces of the tea leaves or tea fannings and lack the full flavor of loose tea leaf teas. Think of tea sachets as the ultimate teabag, ensuring the convenience of a teabag without compromising flavors and benefits of tea.

This is the 'Valentine's Blend' tea sachet.
Chocolate tea for two...this tea is fabulous y'all!
How to use a tea sachet:
The little white teapot is holding hot water...ready to steep the tea sachets. If you are served hot water and a tea sachet {or teabag}, place the sachet into the teacup. Pour the hot water into the teacup and allow the sachet to rest in the water for approximately five minutes {or the strength you prefer}. Do not dunk the tea sachet or wrap the string around your teaspoon to drain it. Place the used tea sachet on a separate saucer.
I use these little teabag rests for my used sachets...
Thank you for stopping by to visit. Don't forget to enter my Shabby Apple giveaway. The deadline to enter is Friday night, Feb. 10th, 2012 at midnight!

Valentine Cards

If you followed my blogposts in January during "National Hot Tea Month," I blogged about "Times for Tea". Tea time is anytime, however, there certain names for special times of the day to take tea.

"Elevenses" is my personal favorite. It is a mid-morning break with tea and maybe crumpets with jam. Well today, I'm writing my Valentine messages and sipping some delicious Harney 'Valentine's Blend' tea. It's really getting me into the Valentine's spirit!
The teapot...I'm using a teapot for one--I purchased this little pot at the Magnolia & Ivy Tearoom in Destin, Florida {now closed}. I have placed a few heart-shaped cookie treats on the side of the saucer for convenience. It is perfectly proper to place a few dainty tea foods on the side of the tea saucer and especially convenient when you may be standing at a buffet-style tea or seated at your desk.
The writing instrument...Have you ever received a memorable Valentine gift? This ball pen, from the Santos de Cartier collection was a sweet gift to me years ago and y'all know I just love cute accessories! The screw motif decor with the Cartier signature is a discreet tribute to the encounter of the jeweller and the aviator Santos-Dumont in the early 20th century. Although I have several pieces from the Cartier 'Eternity' collection, I also adore this 'Love' design!
Valentine goodies...Chocolate, flowers, and sweet cards are all traditions on Valentine's Day. This day is not just for couples who are in love; it's for family and friends also. Remember that the day can be a thorn in the side of people who are not involved in a relationship, so try to think of those who might otherwise feel left out--send them a sweet card or just bake them some brownies, something simple to let them know you are thinking about them.

February Friendship Gifts

Yesterday I put together my February "Friendship Gifts." I also decorated my little white feather tree for Valentine's.

I found these little cello packages at Hobby Lobby and filled them with sweets and attached the cute little tags.

These were only $2.99 for a pack of 20, so I got two packs...Lord, that's a lot of candy! Easy to assemble and real cute too!

For the tree, I made my own little tree decorations using tags I ordered from Etsy a couple of years ago...added my trademark red gingham to solid red card stock and then embellished it with pearl garland.
The kitchen table has a bit of red as well...

Right after Valentine's Day, I'll do a little Mardi Gras decorating around the house...and then on to Easter bunnies everywhere!

Thank you for stopping by to visit with me.

A LITTLE VALENTINE IN THE KITCHEN

Today, I'm joining Laurie at BargainHuntingWithLaurie for her sweet Valentine's Party.

A romantic dinner, champagne, chocolate, sweet Valentine cards, and roses are all traditions on Valentine's Day.

Here's the sweets I packaged up to give as my February "Friendship Gifts."

The side bar in my kitchen...gifts and a Valentine Tree.

The little Valentine Tree closeup...

Cute little vintage Valentine cards I made...

Across the room, my hutch has a little Valentine embellishment...

My red rooster dishes, from the "Country Living" line, available at Kmart...

My "Valentine Banner," BE MINE! {Y,all, I got this cute little banner from Stacy at Crafty Sweethearts on Etsy. I have tried to link up to her site there and now I cannot find it. If you are interested in one of her banners, e-mail me and I will get her e-mail address to you}.

Red hearts in the apothecary jar...

Red toile bowls...love these, from the "Country Living" line at Kmart!

Valentine's Day is not just those couples who are in love; it's for family and friends also. The day can be a thorn in the side of those people who are not involved in a relationship, so try to remember those who might otherwise feel left out.

Thank you for stopping by and don't forget to stop in to visit with Laurie and see the Valentine goodies from other bloggers!