Easter flowers & bunny cupcakes

I hope everyone had a joyous Easter!  

I just wanted to share a few pictures with you from my Easter!  

Easter morning was fun and scrumptious!  I love my simple display of spring flowers to symbolize new life and a fresh start, along with the girls Easter baskets.  We enjoyed an Easter brunch with fresh fruit, buttermilk blueberry lemon zest muffins, omelets and all sort of candy.  We headed to mass, you can see a few photos below of my little girls with their Easter hats.  

You can see my middle daughter having enough of taking pictures, she started to making silly faces! 

Off to my brothers we went in which I brought a few desserts (more on that to follow) but you will see a few pictures I took before we headed over there of the bunny digging for carrots cupcakes in the fresh wheat grass that I grew the last 2 weeks.  See the bottom photo....lucky for me I took a few because I was walking into my brothers adoring seeing my nieces and nephew, bumped into the wall and the cupcakes all fell to the floor!  That's what I get for carrying a cake on a heavy cake stand in the other hand!  

I call it life and reality....Life happens and I am not to afraid to share, because we all know it happens!  

 Peace, Love & Happy Easter~

Key Lime Curd Brownie Mini dessert

Still undecided of something different to serve for Easter? Keep reading! 

I love spring and all the bright colors we are beginning to see.  We have many options for baking and cooking with all the beautiful fruits and veggies that are growing!   When I have an idea for cooking or baking to bring certain things together I refer to the infamous The Flavor Bible, to be sure it is something that will work. If you like to cook or bake creatively, The Flavor Bible is certainly one that you should have in your kitchen! More on the book later.  

Last week I made batches of lemon & key lime curd, I wanted to be creative with the key lime curd and flavors of coconut and chocolate to make a scrumptious mini dessert.  I got out my flavor bible and was able to come up with this~

Brownie topped with key lime curd, caramelized strawberries, toasted coconut and macadamia nuts!

It is delightful I must say, perfect for spring!  

Here’s how to make this scrumptious dessert~

Prepare a batch of Key Lime Curd

Bake brownies I use Duncan Hines chewy fudge mix, let them cool.

Depending on the amount of mini desserts you are preparing, slice desired amount of strawberries.  Place the sliced strawberries in a bowl, sprinkle and lightly cover the strawberries with light brown sugar.  Let them sit for about 20 minutes and place them into a sauté pan and cook on medium heat for 5 minutes, stirring when needed. (see below)

While doing the strawberries, toast your coconut & nuts in a 350 oven for 5 minutes. 

Have a fresh whipped a bowl of fresh whipped cream ready for topping.

To assemble (pictures below)~

1^st layer is brownie circle.  I cut the brownies while in the pan using my serving cup.

Spoon key lime curd on top of the brownie

Top with the warm strawberries

Sprinkle with toasted coconut

A dap of whipped cream

Finish it of with toasted macadamia nuts

 I love my tasting party glasses with spoons from Pier 1.  I use them all the time to serve the perfect amount of dessert.  This actual dessert is a must try I promise!  You can taste every flavor in the dish, the warmth of the strawberries enhances the dish!

 The only thing this dessert is missing is a name~ what do you think?  Let me know!

Peace, Love & Key Lime Curd Brownie dessert~

Easter DIY Flower Arrangements

We love the meaning of  Easter & Spring in our house!  Here are a few arrangements that I made last year to bring signs of spring and new life into the house.  All the flowers are bought from our local market, saves me lots of money that's for sure! 

Above I have a bunch of daffodils & tulips in a smaller cylinder vase that is inside the larger hurricane.   Around the base you can see the paper grass, jelly beans & peeps to add to the decor.  Easy & Simple! 

 This arrangement again all store bought bunches of flowers that I arranged for the center of our breakfast  table.  Just  love the colors!  If you have patience and some time,  (it's actually a bit of a stress reliever for  me) you to can make this arrangement and maybe even better! 

This one I planted a hyacinth and topped it off with some bright green moss.  After Easter, these girls headed out to the garden.  The filler lasted all summer!  The hyacinth is about to bloom again any day!  

I look forward to sharing more Easter flower inspiration with you soon.  Don't forget about this flower arrangement recipe ~ Perfect!  

Peace, Love & Spring Flowers~

Stacy

Easter Inspiration {Part 3}

I am sure you are getting everything together for Easter this weekend!  Last week I shared with you flowers & table setting & decor inspiration for Easter.  Today~ the scrumptious part!  Food!  There are many different types of food that are traditional to serve at Easter and actual symbolize different signs from with in the Christian beliefs.  I found this article to be interesting, if you wish take a click over and read some of the different meanings for the food.  

We wanted to put together something easy & inspirational for you to re-create or add to your Easter celebration and decor by putting these tables together for you!  

Using all your pretty cake stands to serve your treats to celebrate! 

Deviled eggs garnished with thyme, parsley & pansies

 in the back a red potatoes, green onion, mushroom egg frittata

Scrumptious banana cream pie garnished with pansies

Hot Cross Buns

Get extra use out of your glass dome from your cake plate. 

Adding character to your table by using it to cover another food.

Stack mini pancakes secure with a tooth pick pour syrup and place a strawberry on top.  

I was inspired to do this from a photo I saw on Pinterest. 

Everything Chocolate on Easter after a long 6 weeks of not having it!  

Mini Chocolate cupcakes top with fondant circles 

& party circles from Fresh Chick Studio

Add simple decorated eggs around the table

Fill a bowl with decorated sugar cookies & chocolate eggs for your guests

Pot pretty spring flowers!  Top them off with moss to cover the soil

Use pretty cloth napkins and align them down your table to create a table runner

There you have it!  I will be sharing 2 recipes this week for Easter!  

I sure hope you come back.  Don't forget about my first two posts of Easter Inspiration!  

 Easter Inspiration {Post 1}

Easter Inspiration {Post 2}

I certainly enjoyed styling this inspiration shoot with Jane from The Garden Girls! 

 We hope you enjoy it! 

Peace, Love & Easter Celebrations,

Stacy

{Guest Post} DIY Easter Flower Arrangement Recipe

Happy Wednesday!  Have you seen the beautiful and refreshing spring flower arrangements in my last two Easter posts?  Today, Jane is here to tell us how to re-create it with step by step instructions with pictures so that we all can be creative with flowers!  I honestly every Friday head out to the store and/or my local farm to pick up fresh flowers and make pretty arrangements for my family to enjoy!  This tutorial will definitely help me in taking my arrangements to the next level.  

Let me introduce you to Jane from The Garden Girls~ I have known Jane all my life ;) she is my Aunt.  Creativity definitely runs in our family and I am happy that she can be here today!  Make sure you stop by their Facebook page and look at all the other things that she has created.  From artwork to floral arrangements you will be sure glad that you did!  Jane and her dear friend Janice are The Garden Girls and the arrangements they create are very impressive! 

Take it away Jane let us know how it is done!  

To me, Easter is the celebration of re-birth.  During this season the garden awakens from the cold days bringing vibrant tulips and the sunshine of the daffodils!   It is quite spectacular when planted in large clusters.

Arrangement #1 – Tulips and daffodils

In this arrangement after buying my flowers from our local shop, I gathered new blossoms from the Variegated Willow and Gold Splash Euonymus (the evergreen) that grow in our garden. It’s a lovely texture to add to any arrangement. Take a walk and see what you can find, Cherry Blossoms are also very pretty.  If you can not find these to re-create this arrangement, look for any flexible type branch for the Willow and some type of evergreen for the Gold Splash Euonymus

Here is the recipe for this arrangement: 

Flowers/materials used~

(The following you can get a Michael's or most any craft stores)

8” high oblong glass vase

Bindwire – by Oasis Floral Products

Reindeer Moss (bright green)

Glue Gun/3 sticks

5 Pink Tulips

5 Yellow/Pink blend tulip

5 Purple Tulips

5 Pink Stock

8 daffodils (medium flower)

2 Willow branches  - 18” long – single branch

2 Euonymus cuttings ( 8”)

  First clean off all of your stems.     

Start with the “Stock” and crisscross forming a “frog” type base.

I find it easier to use one with the four corners.

Then start with your tulips … I like working my way into the middle.

Always remember … like a cake, keep turning the vase so that there is interest on all 4-sides. 

Lastly, fill in with your evergreen. 

Forming the Willow interest in the middle.. take one branch and meet at the end and do the same with the other branch. Holding crisscross… wrap the wires crisscross to hold shape.

Attaching Moss and decorative ties….

Using the hot glue gun (work quickly, the glue will dry fast on glass. If you make a mistake it peels right off. (Important note: I would not recommend this on any good crystal vase or pottery, it may crack it.) Add your moss to the edge as shown.

The wire tie –

Triple up 24” pieces, twist and form shape and secure off. Twist away. This is a fun natural product that The Garden Girls love to use all the time.

There you have it! Please don’t be intimidated by flowers. Mother Nature is very forgiving when arranging, enjoy yourself and have fun creating!  

Happy Easter from The Garden Girls!

Thanks again Jane!  We hope you take a little time to create pretty Easter arrangements for yourself or to give as a hostess gift!  

We'd love to hear if you give it a try. Again feel free to head over to The Gardens Girls Facebook page, any questions let her know!  

Peace, Love & DIY Flower Arrangements,

Stacy

Easter Entertaining Decor Set-up Inspiration

Continuing on from yesterday! Here are more details & ideas for you when entertaining on Easter Day.  Whether it be a brunch, dinner or an open house you are having there is nothing more that makes me happier and I believe a lot of us then pretty Easter flowers & Easter decor to set the tone of the celebration!  The Garden Girls certainly add creative but easy touches to your flower arrangements to make them a bit unique and to your own style!  From a welcoming drink cart, to cookie boxes for your younger guests as they arrive and get ready for an egg hunt & my favorite a piece of a coconut chocolate egg!  Also notice the different ways to use the party dots that Fresh Chick Design Studio created! The religious inspired dots are in her shop! 

We all know Easter is about candy!  Offer a sweet treats like these adorable Lilly Pulitzer Animal Cracker boxes.  Attach a party dot to them to add your personal touch! 

One of my favorite treats on Easter is a dark chocolate coconut egg!  Add your personal touch by placing a dome or cloche bell jar over a decorative plate.

Party dots are not just for cupcakes!  

After you punch them out, use your hole punch to tie ribbon to the top to add them around your settings

Adding wooden & stuffed bunny decor 

adds a special festive touch!  

An inviting drink cart with a beautiful 

lilacs arrangement in a large glass container! Don't forget Jane from The Garden Girls will be guest posting here on how to create these arrangements! 

Use a glass pitcher to fill your favorite orange juice so 

that guest can make their own mimosas. 

Set out your pretty glasses! 

Sweet & simple bowl to add color & taste 

with strawberries & raspberries

Fill dainty containers with colorful tulips & roses

Pot pansies to add color

Find different containers to be creative 

with simple flowers & pretty bows

Sweet, easy decor to dress up your Easter Day!  I found my Lilly Pulitzer Animal Crackers at our local grocery store with is a Safeway brand store.  The wooden bunnies I have had for a few years, but you can find spring decor all over, I always like checking my local gift shops for things, they always seem to have unique little finds.   

Jane & I are hoping you are enjoy the Easter inspiration we are bringing you this week.  For tomorrow more sweets & food ideas for entertaining!  

Peace, Love & Easter Inspiration!  

Stacy