Magnet x2

Remember this post, where I was all excited for new magnets. Well they didn't work. They were to flimsy to hold anything up and keep flaking off of the fridge. So it's time to give magnets another go. This time, I think I won.

Remember, how I told you I went to an island for Labor Day? Yes, I'm going to keep rubbing it in. Our beach is pretty rocky, but it's all pretty rocks. (Did you see what I did there?) You can see it in the photo of Hemingway below.

You can also see a super happy sun-dog in the picture. Here's another picture, it's my attempt to be artsy.

One of my families favorite activities is to comb the rocks and pick out the coolest, neatest, prettiest color, etc and save them for later. Except after we've saved them, we never have anywhere to put them. At our cabin there's just bowls of rocks lying around. Another problem is that the rocks never look as cool without the pretty sheen the water gives them.

After picking through all the rocks on the beach, I bagged up my faves and brought them home. I then layed the rocks out on a grocery bag...
 

 I sprayed them with High Gloss Krylon Sealing Spray. It's basically clear spray paint that is super glossy. It gives the rocks that sheen I'm looking for, mimicking the water.

After waiting the hour drying time, I flipped the rocks over and gave the back side a coat as well. After waiting another hour, I brought them inside. I then got out my magnets that I'd made a trip to the craft store for, and my hot glue gun.

After gluing the magnets on the back of all the rocks, I let them cure for about an hour.

And then, I put them on the fridge. And they rock my world. (Haha, get it?) They're awesome.

I even had some extra's so I made myself a smile face. :-)

Dark Chocolate Fudge Cupcake with Fresh Raspberry Buttercream Icinig

Don't worry, you read the title right. And trust me, they were as good as they sound. While I was on the island (read about that here) my Dad's cousin had an art show. The people on my dad's side of the family are incredibly talented artists, and Sally is fantastic. She works primarily in water colors, but occasionally dabbles in other mediums.

In preparation for the event, Sally had mentioned to my Mom that she had to supply finger foods along with the other featured artists. So then, my mother turned to me. And that is where the Dark Chocolate Fudge Cupcake with Fresh Raspberry Buttercream Icing comes in.

I made 80 of these delicious mini-cupcakes. And I was proud of them. Why was I proud you ask? Well, it was the first time I'd ever ventured into the realm of making up my own icing recipe. And, it was so delicious, that I wanted to eat all 80 of this little cupcakes myself.

Want to know how to make your own? Well, I'll tell you....

First bake these in mini cupcakes. That's right. I cheated, although, this time I have an excuse. I was on an island people. Do you have any idea how EXPENSIVE groceries are on an island? A package of Oreo's is $7.00 up there. Serious!

Raspberry Butter Cream Icing

• quart of fresh raspberries
• 1 cup of butter, room temperature
• 4 cups of powdered sugar

1. First, puree your raspberries in your food process or blender. Make sure they are all well processed. 
2. Drain your raspberry puree through a strainer to get rid of all the seeds. This can take some jiggling around, but sooner or later you'll get it all out. 
3. Take your room temp. butter and cream it in your mixing bowl. Slowly add the seedless puree. (I wanted to know what raspberry butter tasted like, so I tried it. Pretty darn good.)
4. Slowly add your powdered sugar, until you reach frosting consistency. 
5. Frost cupcakes and ENJOY!

I thought long and hard about pairing this combo and in the end I was very pleased. I wanted something that would reflect the art culture, and have a good marriage of flavors. I think I succeeded. And by the way the flew off the table, I think everyone else agreed.

Island Vacation

View from our front yard looking down onto the beach.

Do you ever just need a vacation? Believe me, I did, and I got one over the long Labor Day weekend. I loaded up the dogs and embarked on a 12 hour drive (yes 12 hours) for Madeline Island, Wisconsin. If you've never been there GO!!! I'm not joking around. I've been lucky enough to be going there as long as I can remember. In 1932 my great-grandmother bought 20 acres on Big Bay, built an authentic log cabin, and it has become the home away from home for generations since. 

I've picniked in Paris, walked the streets of Rome, explored the Greek Isles, and still this is my favorite place on Earth. Let me share some photos with you. 

The ferry boat you take over from the Mainland.

At the far end of our beach looking toward the house.

Hemingway loves the beach and swimming all day!

So does Eisenhower.

The lagoon where we go fishing. Dad's bringing in the boat.

I caught a little guy. (Northern Pike)

Sea Planes parked on the beach in town.

The dogs are forever happy when they get to go on boat rides!

My extended family usually gathers at all the cabins in the late summer, so our time there is even more precious. With some family members, that may be the only time I see them all year.

Now I know your all jealous, but the good news is, we rent out our cabin during the summer, so you too can visit. Or stay at the Inn in town, or many other rental locations. But our house is the best, just saying....

Also just another tid-bit, La Pointe, Madeline Island, was named #5 on the 10 Coolest Small Towns in America 2011 list. This is like the 5th year in a row, also we've got one of the top 10 beach bars up there too. Again, just saying....you should go.