Guess What I did Today...

 Aside from gain 400 pounds...

I think I officially can say, "I make macarons"  It's been a long week, lots of egg whites and almonds but I think I've got it!

Oh girls, these are as good as they look.  

Sinfully good. 

 (And Gluten Free for my GF family and friends!)

I feel like Juliette Binoche in Chocolat trying to sabotage your Lent! 

Wouldn't these be lovely as a gift for a friend instead of an Easter Basket?

Hmmmmmm....

Today in the Kitchen...

Butcher, Baker...

Macaron Maker!!!

If at first you don't succeed, try, try, try, try again.

I have read that these little babies take some mastering...they weren't kidding. 

  I now understand why they are over a dollar a piece in Paris... I finally found a recipe I really like but four batches later I worked out the kinks and would you believe had to change over four things that the recipe called and instructed for?  

The last few days have been spent "perfecting" the chocolate flavor and now I will move on to my other favorites: lemon, raspberry and pistachio ... then on to others; lavender, coffee, rose, Grand Marnier...

 This is NOT helping me lose the baby weight. 

 I want these little beauties to taste and look as close to Ladurée as possible!  That requires not only accessing their appearance ... lack of cracks in the surface, the shine, the lack of oil spots and of course their signature "pied" or  foot...that little crackly that looks like an addition layer ... but of course, eating them.

As soon as I can make them in my sleep they will be for sale in my Etsy shop, complete with pretty little boxes.

  After all, we should not have to fly to Paris to enjoy these exquisite little treats!!!

How exciting!

Au Revoir Madame...

Alors, elle est vendu.

Alas, she sold.

I had such a lovely time creating this piece (of course I played the Marie Antoinette soundtrack while I painted for inspiration!). I am absolutely thrilled and anxious to start on the next on one(s). I have about 10 ideas so the canvases will keep coming but tomorrow I will wrap "Vive la Reine" and bid adieu to her. Don't worry, she is going to a good home. The home of a fellow blogger and Marie Antoinette admirer.

Au Revoir Madame.

New in the Store

Consider this one of those crazy, 4 a.m. early bird specials...

No, not really. Don't want to be pushy about my store so please forgive - I am just a little excited about this whole Etsy thing and wanted to share with you what I did today. These goodies should be "on the shelves" by tomorrow evening. Even if they just sit there - it's been feeling pretty good to get some creativity out of my system between the Christmas decorating, Sweet Thing's birthday dress challenge (posts coming on each) and this silly little online store ...

Two of the three stretched canvas Marie Antoinette creations. I don't know how I will part with the big one!

And in the "Bain par Main" department tomorrow I will be adding Shea Butter with Organic Clove Oil to the soap inventory. Oh my, very Christmasy. I also made Lemongrass Sugar Scrub (Oh my goodness!) and Brown Sugar scrub with Almond Oil, Clove Oil, Vanilla and...teeny, tiny gold glitter.

I could not resist!

I could hardly sleep last night the idea steam was pouring from my ears. For all you lovely ladies who ordered soap in the last week, it shipped today. I wanted to make a new batch of the bar that everyone ordered. It came out perfect and will be worth your wait.

Now, tomorrow I really need to fold that mountain of laundry in the guest bedroom and stay far away from giant chunks of glycerin and anything that resembles a paint brush...

Ya right.

BTW - If I have not mentioned it in awhile, for someone who's brian never quits, this blog is such a special outlet for me and you lovely ladies who read & comment ... well, it may sound silly but it really warms my heart.

Merci a vous.