Monday, September 16, 2013

More Vacation, Birthday Celebration.

For the very first time, since I began blogging several years ago, I decided to take some time off. I have neither been writing nor reading.  I wrote one blog of course, about meeting Jeff and Diane last week. Both of them sent me pictures they had taken, as usual I had forgotten to take my camera. This is one Diane took of Jeff at the bowling alley. Because of my lack of camera, it is the only one I have of Jeff that day. He took several of Matt and I at the miniature golf site. He also took the picture below on both his camera and Diane’s.  Not sure which this one is. Then one of me putting and Matt watching. As Jeff won, we were Me puttingboth left in the dust by the Dragon Knight. We played again a couple of days later and Matt won but I came a close second – I even got a hole in one!
We had a lovely day. We all wish it had been longer. Jeff is now back home and we have another week to go.

Yesterday was my birthday and much to my delight, we had found some champagne splits, because it came from Spain one is not really supposed to call it champagne. Sparkling wine or frequently described as methode champenoise. That apart, I was delighted to have some for a birthday drink, in my family it was always a tradition to drink champagne on our birthdays. As I am the only one who drinks it though, it isn’t worth buying a whole bottle. Not that I Floyds2couldn’t drink it, but I probably wouldn’t be much use for the rest of the day LOL. We didn’t do a lot during the day, I rested a bit on the bed as I have been having swollen ankle trouble and the only place it goes down is in bed at night even though I keep my feet up a lot during the day. In the evening we went to Floyds 1921 restaurant in Morehead City where we met up with 5 of our friends for dinner. One friend had just been released from hospital that day, she said she was determined to make it to dinner.
I chose the High Cotton Crab Cakes over creamed spinach which came with a Tomato Crab Bisque first (could have had a salad). Matt chose the Shrimp and Grits and had Brunswick Stew as a starter. If you have Adobe here is a copy of their menu. I finished with a crème brulée made with blueberries and flavoured with lavender. It was delicious. They put a candle in it and everyone sang Happy Birthday, aaaaah. I was given some small token presies as well which were delightful to receive. Homemade jams, chocolates, soaps, etc.

Hallowe’en is on it’s way and I am beginning to see recipes. This one was on the page of our local radio station, same place where I have broadcast recipes before.

Broken Glass Cupcakes
Broken Glass Cupcake
Ingredients
1 Can white frosting...
1 Box Red Velvet Cake Mix
Sugar Glass:
2 cups water
1 cup light corn syrup
3 1/2 cups white sugar
1/4 teaspoon cream of tartar
Edible Blood:
1/2 cup light corn syrup
1 tablespoon cornstarch
1/4 cup water, or more as needed
15 drops red food coloring
3 drops blue food coloring

Directions
Prepare Red Velvet Cake Mix According to box, line cupcake tins with paper cupcake liners.
Divide cake batter between lined cupcake tins.
 
Bake according to box instructions. Let cool and frost cupcakes with white frosting.
 
Make the sugar glass. Mix 2 cups water, 1 cup corn syrup, white sugar, and cream of tartar in a large saucepan; bring to a boil. Use a candy thermometer and boil sugar syrup until temperature reaches 300 degrees (hard ball), stirring constantly. The mixture will thicken as water evaporates. When sugar reaches 300 degrees, quickly pour onto a metal baking pan. Cool until completely hardened. Break into "shards" using a meat mallet.
 
Make the edible blood. Mix together 1/2 cup corn syrup and cornstarch in a large bowl. Slowly stir in the 1/4 cup of water, adding more if necessary, until the corn syrup mixture has thickened to the consistency of blood. Stir in the red and blue food coloring.
 
Stab each frosted cupcake with a few shards of broken sugar glass. Drizzle on drops of "blood" to complete the effect.

Have a great day
Jo_thumb[2]

22 comments:

  1. HAPPY BIRTHDAY JO!

    I'm glad you're having such a grand time and I love the photos!

    Sia McKye Over Coffee

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Thanks Sia.

      I'm glad Jeff and Diane had cameras.

      Delete
  2. It was wonderful to meet you and I thought about you this weekend. I'm glad your friend got out of the hospital in time to meet up with you.

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Yes it was great that she made it to dinner. First time we have seen them this year.

      It was wonderful meeting you too Diane, so glad you made the effort. Maybe we can spend more time together in the future.

      Delete
  3. Happy belated birthday! Cool you got to meet Jeff and Diane.

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Didn't realise you were so close or I would have bugged you about joining up with us. It was such a fun day.

      Delete
  4. Happy Birthday, sounds like fun, and a champagne toast is lovely! The pictures are great and it sounds like you are having a blast!

    Love the broken glass cupcakes, so imaginative. Halloween! Yay!

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Yup, it was fun, I love champagne too. We are enjoying ourselves.

      Great aren't they?

      Delete
  5. Happy birthday again, Jo! I would have helped you with the champagne. Dragon loves champagne. And then dragon gets in very silly dragon moods. :)

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Ah, then I could have bought a full bottle. I do miss having someone to drink it with.

      Delete
  6. Looks like an interesting Halloween recipe to try. It's an ambitious undertaking for an old widower man, but I might just accept the challenge.

    I wish you many more happy birthdays, Jo. You wear them exceptionally well.

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Let me know how it turns out Jeff. I thought it was fascinating and if I had anyone to make them for I might try them myself.

      Thanks for the compliment.

      Delete
  7. awesome and happy birthday with such cool pics! i totally melted seeing that treat...

    ReplyDelete
  8. Jo Happy belated birthday, it has been a while, you look like you had a great time, and the cream brulee sounded lovely, such a great combination. Do you have the recipe? Blessings for the week, Amanda

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Thanks Amanda. No recipe, didn't ask, most restaurants guard their secrets.

      Only a few days to go now.

      Delete
  9. I'm glad you're enjoying your vacation and happy birthday! That menu looks divine, and I love crab bisque. Nice to see the pictures of you and Jeff and Diane!
    Tina @ Life is Good

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Thanks Tina I sure am having a good time. Crab bisque is good, should hunt for a recipe.

      The pictures are good aren't they. Tried to take a picture with my mini camera today and it was dead already.

      Delete
  10. Hi Jo - lovely to see the photos of you and Diane and Jeff meeting up and playing 'golf' ...

    The birthday dinner makes me want to jump a plane and come on out! Sounds quite delicious ... while I too quite enjoy a glass of champers or fizz ...

    Enjoy the rest of the holiday ... Happy year ahead - Hilary

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Thanks Hilary. Gotta have fizz at a celebration, trouble is Matt says I celebrate everything.

      The food we have been eating is pretty delicious.

      Delete
  11. Cute Halloween treat. Happy belated birthday,

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Isn't it cute, not that difficult to make either.

      Thanks, almost forgotten it now, as if!!!

      Delete