Cottage Cozy

August 13, 2012

The Garage....my treasured extra room...

Do you have extra dishes, glassware and even small appliances

that you have no space for in your house?

Where do you keep them for easy access?

Do you have a spare room or maybe a closet or attic?

Mine are stashed on shelves in my garage.

Since we downsized two years ago there's just no room in the house...

and though it may not look like it...

I have truly gotten rid of a lot of stuff!

Being an avid thrift store/garage sale shopper... I am always coming across

pretty plates or glasses that will be perfect for that special party or get-together.

I have put to use many different containers and storage units

to help keep it all organized. (to some degree)

....and since I love to bake....I have many baking and cooking supplies too...

...and then of course there are the cleaning supplies,

meds and vitamins and all the misc stuff that needs a home too!

There just aren't enough cupboards in my townhouse!

So I Say....

Thank goodness for my garage....it is truly an extra room for me...

And believe it or not...I can actually park my car inside there too!

Stay cozy...

Carrie

August 3, 2012

Berry Cobbler Cupcakes

What do you do when your family has a
father/daughter berry picking day?
Make cobbler of course...
~side note: they were a hit at the office too~

FRESH BERRY UPSIDE DOWN COBBLER CUPCAKES

1/4 c. butter
2/3 c. brown sugar
1 tbsp. grated orange peel
1/2 tsp. vanilla
2 c. fresh berries (I used blueberries & blackberries)

CAKE BATTER: (or use a boxed cake mix)

1 1/2 c. sifted cake flour
2 tsp. baking powder
1/2 tsp. salt
1/2 c. butter
1 tsp. vanilla
1/2 c. sugar
1 egg
1/2 c. milk

FOR TOPPING: Melt butter and blend in 2/3 cup sugar, orange peel and vanilla. Add the berries and gently mix. With small cupcake scooper put the mixture in the bottom of 24 cupcake liners you have put in cupcake pans.
FOR CAKE BATTER: Sift flour, baking powder and salt together. Cream butter with vanilla; add sugar gradually, beating until fluffy. Add egg and beat thoroughly. Alternately add dry ingredients and milk to mixture, beating only until smooth after each addition. Now using a regular sized cupcake scooper, scoop the batter over the berry mixture. Bake at 350 degrees for about 18 minutes until lightly browned.

Serve with ice cream or whipped cream as desired...or just by themselves!

stay cozy,

carrie