The S'more Party

I had been causally planning a backyard S'more Party for the past few months, pinning ideas for decor and marshmallow recipes along the way (isn't Pinterest the best for party planning?).  I had originally planned to throw the party at the very beginning of fall, but life threw a few curve balls and I had to push the date back a couple of times.  I was able to set a certain date for last Saturday and was excited to finally get to throw the party.

I had planned some lovely lighting to help illuminate our backyard for the party, including tons of darling hanging mason jar lanterns I created to line the fence along the path to our backyard as well as pretty fairy lights to decorate our deck.

Unfortunately Saturday decided to bring unpleasant weather and rain forced me to abandon the idea of throwing a whimsical backyard S'more Party.  Instead I moved things indoor, used a few of the mason jar lanterns and lots of other candles as decor, and utilized Sterno cans as our marshmallow roasting source.

I set up a drink/dessert table for the party full of lots of homemade goodies to provide numerous s'more flavor possibilities.  I baked two types of graham crackers, made four marshmallow flavors (vanilla bean, chocolate, strawberry, and lime), bought five different types of Ghiradelli squares and Reese's cups for chocolate, and toasted coconut and chopped pecans for toppings.

I used this image as inspiration and created a little menu of sorts of various ideas for combining different marshmallows and chocolates to create unique s'more flavors from Italian Cream Cake (graham cracker + vanilla mallow + white chocolate + toasted coconut & pecans) to Key Lime Pie (graham cracker + lime mallow + white chocolate).  The hardest part about making your s'more was choosing what flavors to try!

To wash down the s'mores, I served up homemade hot chocolate, delicious hot apple cider from a local orchard, ice cold cream soda, root beer, and Ale-8 (a locally made ginger ale).

I set up four Sterno cans over a thick cutting board on our dining table so folks could gather 'round and roast their marshmallows.  The Sterno cans worked beautifully as a roasting source, caramelizing our mallows quickly and evenly.  I'm so glad I discovered these gems for indoor s'more making!  I see many (more simplified) s'more bars in my party hosting future.

I really love planning and throwing little parties like this!  The S'more Party makes for easier and less stressful prep than most food-oriented parties since homemade graham crackers and marshmallows can be made days ahead, if needed.  Hot beverages can be whipped up before guests arrive and kept hot in carafes.  You can go all out with tons of homemade marshmallows and various chocolate options as I did for a full-fledged S'more Party, or do a simplified s'more bar as a fun dessert option for any party.

I think throwing together a S'more Party for the holiday season would be a fun, unique alternative to the typical holiday gatherings.  Everyone loves making s'mores and substituting homemade graham crackers and marshmallows for the usual store bought varieties really elevates things and makes the party seem upscale and gourmet.

I always get so many surprised looks when folks try my homemade marshmallows, "What?  How do you make marshmallows?"  But, really, if you have a candy thermometer and are blessed with a stand mixer, these couldn't be simpler to make!

I'll be back in a day or two with a full recipe list for the graham crackers, marshmallows, and hot chocolate.  In the mean time, if you have any questions about my set up or how to throw your own S'more Party, leave me a comment!

Key Lime Marshmallows

I'm working on planning a Backyard S'more Party for early fall, and I've begun testing out new marshmallow recipes to make for some unique s'more combinations for my guests to create and enjoy.  One of the first flavor combinations that immediately came to mind when I began brainstorming for the party were Key Lime Pie S'mores (with homemade Key Lime Marshmallows and white chocolate on graham cracker).

Recently I did a little searching online for a key lime marshmallow recipe or a citrus marshmallow recipe I could convert to key lime.  I discovered this recipe for Lemon Lime Marshmallows and decided to adapt it to suit my needs.  Instead of using a mixture of lemon and lime juice, I substituted freshly squeezed key lime juice.

The resulting marshmallows were fluffy pillows of bright and tart key lime deliciousness!  These are definitely less sweet and more tart than your standard marshmallow, but I found them utterly refreshing and knew the tartness would be a perfect compliment for the super sweet white chocolate I would be paring these with for Key Lime Pie S'mores.

Paired with white chocolate, these were a perfect balance of sweet and tart and were wonderfully reminiscent of the classic pie.  If you're not feeling up to making s'mores, these marshmallows are also wonderful when dipped in white chocolate for a little added sweetness.

If you're a fan of tart key lime desserts, you should definitely give these a try.  With a few special tools (a candy thermometer and a stand mixer), marshmallows are really a breeze to make!


Key Lime Marshmallows
adapted from Mirabelle Creations
makes ~3 dozen marshmallows

1/4 cup powdered sugar

2 (1/4-ounce) envelopes unflavored gelatin

1/2 cup freshly squeezed key lime juice

1 3/4 cups sugar

3/4 cup light corn syrup

1/2 cup cool water

1/4 teaspoon salt

1 tablespoon grated key lime zest

green food coloring, optional

Spray a 9x9 dish with spray cooking oil and set aside. Sprinkle a small amount of powdered sugar in dish, covering bottom and sides. 

Combine the gelatin and key lime juice in the bowl of a stand mixer.  On the stove, over medium heat, add sugar, corn syrup, water, salt, and lime zest to a small pan. Stir until the sugar dissolves. Increase the heat to high.  Continue cooking the mixture, without stirring, until a candy thermometer inserted into the syrup reads 250 degrees F. This will take about 10-15 minutes and the mix will be boiling.

Mix the gelatin and key lime juice mixture on low speed.  After the syrup reaches 250 degrees, slowly pour it into the bowl of the electric mixer to combine with the gelatin. Mix on low speed until the syrup and gelatin mixture are combined.  Increase the speed of the mixer until it is on maximum. Beat the mixture until it becomes white in color and nearly triples in volume, about 15 minutes. Add the food coloring (to your desired color) to the mixture at this point and mix for one more minute.

Coat a rubber spatula with cooking spray.  Using the spatula, spread the marshmallow mixture into the prepared dish.  Lightly spray the cooking oil on your hand.  Press the marshmallow into the corners of the pan. Sprinkle with powdered sugar and allow the marshmallow to set, uncovered, overnight.

Using a knife, run the knife around the edges of the dish.  Turn the dish over and release the marshmallows from the dish onto wax paper, covered with powdered sugar. Using a knife, covered with powdered sugar, cut the marshmallows into 2 inch squares.  Roll the cut marshmallows in the powdered sugar, until all sides are covered.

I'll have s'more, please.

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I was able to spend some time in the kitchen yesterday making vanilla bean marshmallows and graham crackers which were destined to become some seriously delicious s'mores. I shared my desire to make these last week after I had been drooling over the homemade graham crackers that Shauna of Piece of Cake made back in February. Shauna's graham cracker recipe is a bit different than your typical graham cracker. I would describe them as having an almost shortbread texture and flavor but, with the use of brown sugar, honey, cinnamon and bit of whole wheat flour, have a much deeper flavor. Rolled thin and baked crisp, these graham crackers have a great "snap" when bitten into and a hardier texture than the fragile store-bought variety.

I made vanilla bean marshmallows, a variation on the usual Martha recipe I always use, to pair with the graham crackers. I decided to cut mine into little rounds to mimic the darling marshmallows at Miette. To toast the marshmallows for the s'mores, I pierced mine with a bamboo skewer and toasted them right over the flame on my gas stove. I have a feeling they could just as easily be toasted over the flame of a candle. How cute would it be to have some friends over to watch your favorite show and make s'mores over a big pillar candle? Can you imagine?! The graham crackers and marshmallows could also be packaged together with a bar of chocolate, a few bamboo skewers and a candle for the sweetest gift ever. Yum!

Homemade Graham Crackers
Adapted from Miette Patisserie, San Francisco via Piece of Cake

The key to getting the crispiest cookies with an awesome "snap" is to roll the dough very thin--try for as close to 1/8 of an inch as you can. This is a very buttery, soft dough--be sure to chill it completely before rolling and then again chilling the cut cookies well before baking them, otherwise they will be maddeningly difficult to work with and will spread during baking.

Makes about 4 dozen 2 1/2-inch cookies*

2 cups flour
1/2 cup whole wheat flour
1 teaspoon salt
1/2 teaspoon ground cinnamon
1 cup unsalted butter, at room temperature
1/2 cup packed dark brown sugar**
1/4 cup honey
Turbinado sugar, for sprinkling (optional)

Position an oven rack to the center position and preheat it to 350. Line two baking sheets with parchment paper or silicone baking mats.

Whisk together flour, wheat flour, salt and cinnamon in a medium bowl. Set aside.

In the bowl of an electric mixer on medium speed, cream together the butter and brown sugar, about 2 minutes. Scrape down the bowl, and beat in the honey. Stir in dry ingredients on low speed. Scrape the dough out onto a sheet of plastic wrap and pat it into a disc, wrap well. Refrigerate until firm but still pliable, about one hour.

Turn the dough out onto a lightly floured surface and roll out very thin, about an 1/8-inch thick (you can gather the dough scraps and reroll as necessary). Cut out cookies with a 2 to 3-inch cookie cutter and place on the prepared baking sheets, a dozen per sheet. Sprinkle with turbinado sugar if desired. Chill the cut cookies on the sheets for at least 15 minutes before baking. Bake 14 to 16 minutes until golden. Let the cookies set for a minute before transferring them to a rack to cool completely. Store in an airtight container for a week or more.

*I use a 2 1/4-inch scalloped cutter and got about 60 cookies.
**I used light brown sugar as my dark brown had turned all dry and crumbly.

Vanilla Bean Marshmallows
adapted from Martha Stewart

makes about 40 marshmallows*

2 1/2 tablespoons unflavored gelatin (3 packages)
1 cup cold water, divided
1 1/2 cups granulated sugar
1 cup light corn syrup
1/4 teaspoon salt
1 tablespoon pure vanilla extract
1 tablespoon vanilla bean paste or seeds of 1 vanilla bean

Combine gelatin and 1/2 cup cold water in the bowl of an electric mixer with whisk attachment. Let stand while you make the syrup mixture.

Combine granulated sugar, corn syrup, salt, and 1/2 cup water in a small heavy saucepan; place over low heat, and stir until sugar has dissolved. Wash down sides of pan with a wet pastry brush to dissolve sugar crystals.

Clip on a candy thermometer; raise heat to high. Cook syrup without stirring until it reaches 244 degrees.(firm-ball stage). Immediately remove pan from heat.

With mixer on low speed, slowly and carefully pour syrup into the softened gelatin. Increase speed to high; beat until mixture is very thick and white and has almost tripled in volume, about 15 minutes. Add vanillas; beat to incorporate.

Grease and generously dust a 9-by-13-inch baking pan with confectioners’ sugar. Pour marshmallow mixture into pan, spreading it into corners and smoothing the surface. Dust with confectioners’ sugar; let stand at least 4 hours or up to overnight, uncovered, to dry out. Turn out onto a board; cut marshmallows with a dry hot knife into 1 1/2-inch squares, and dust with more confectioners' sugar. Store in an air tight container for a week or more.

*I cut mine using a 1 1/2-inch cutter and got 54 round marshmallows plus scraps for snacking.

February 2013 Birchbox

The theme of the February 2013 Birchbox was "Red Carpet Ready."  "In honor of all the nominees and winners - and all of us armchair-style commenters - we've put together an assortment of products worthy of the red carpet."

My February 2013 Birchbox included the following samples:

Jouer - Matte Moisture Tint in Linen ($38.00/1.7 oz)
This SPF 15 oil-free tinted moisturizer blends in beautifully to even out skin and control shine.

Sample size: 0.07 oz
Sample value: $1.56

Juicy Couture - Couture La La ($90.00/3.4 oz)
Roll out the red carpet for this new scent, a stunning mix of mandarin, red current, lily, and orange blossom.

Sample size: 0.05 oz
Sample value: $1.32

TIGI - Catwalk Session Series Transforming Dry Shampoo ($19.95/5.2 oz)
Master stylists always have this oil-busting dry shampoo in their kit.  It leaves behind a tousled, piecey finish.

Sample size: 2 oz
Sample value: $7.67

Vasanti - Brighten Up! Enzyme Face Rejuvenator ($34.00/120 g)
This exfoliating cleanser uses professional-grade (read: effective) microderm crystals and papaya enzymes to brighten skin.

Sample size: 20 g
Sample value: $5.67

Treat: Ghiradelli - Milk & Caramel Square ($4.25/5.32 oz)
A treat for Ghiradelli: You deserve a little sweetness.  Try Ghiradelli's Milk & Caramel Square solo or experiment - s'mores or baked into a cookie.  Who says you can't riff on decadence?

Sample size: 0.53 oz
Sample value: $0.42

Total box value: $16.64

Overall, I'm mostly happy with my box this month!  I'm really pleased with the size of the TIGI dry shampoo and Vasanti exfoliating cleanser samples.  I'm a dry shampoo addict, so I look forward to giving this one a try, and the Vasanti cleanser has pretty glowing reviews on the Birchbox website, so I'm optimistic about it as well.

Couture La La, the newest fragrance from Juicy Couture smells divine, as do all the other perfumes from the brand (in my opinion).  I'm currently saving up my Birchbox points for a big shop purchase and I'm thinking I may end up using them on a Juicy Couture perfume.  I have only previously owned Viva La Juicy, but I've sampled all the Juicy perfumes via Birchbox and I'm thinking I may purchase La Fleur or Couture La La this time.  I do have to say that I don't find that the Juicy perfumes last on my skin for more than a couple of hours, which is a definite draw back considering their steep price.  I personally love these scents but would never pay full price for them as I don't find the lasting power is sufficient enough to merit the price tag.

While I was excited to try the Jouer Matte Moisture Tint (I previously sampled their Luminizing Moisture Tint many months back), unfortunately the shade I received (Linen) is too dark for my pale skin.  Upon swatching it on the back of my hand, I found the tint watery and providing practically no coverage.  I recall being pretty happy with the Luminizing Moisture Tint when I sampled it previously. I believe it provided quite a bit more coverage and had a better texture.

I don't have much to say about the Ghiradelli extra.  I do enjoy the Ghiradelli squares (you may recall that I used them for the S'more Party I hosted back in the fall), but this isn't the type of product that I care to see in a beauty subscription that I pay for.

What did you receive in your February Birchbox?  Where you happy with your box this month?

Marshmallows & Craft Fairs

I made homemade marshmallows last night. Thanks to the aid of a stand mixer they were super easy to make. I find them much more light and fluffy than their store bought cousins and therefore leaps and bounds more satisfying. I was hoping to enjoy them with a bit of cocoa, but I find the weather still a wee tad too warm. So instead I dipped them in semi-sweet chocolate for a decadent little dessert! They are so delicious this way... the chocolate provides a sweet, substantial exterior while the marshmallow center is light and melts in your mouth. YUM! I think they'd made the most perfect s'mores.

I've been treating myself to the marshmallows today while I work hard preparing for the 11th Annual Wilmore Arts & Crafts Festival which will take place this Saturday, October 4th, from 9am until 4pm on Main Street in downtown Wilmore, Kentucky. I am hoping to have quite a large selection of jewelry available, from my usual designs to some new pieces from my fall/winter line! There will be lots of colors and styles available in a wide range of prices. Something for everyone. I will also be trying out some new displays and packaging. I found a gorgeous carved wood picture frame in a yard sale for a mere dollar. I will be painting it white and giving it a distressed antique look. I plan to use it as a display for my popular stud earrings. I am also planning some ideas for a bit of new packaging, with gift wrap options available as well for a small fee.

I will be focusing all my free time (outside classes) this week preparing for the Festival. I have a few more big events coming up this fall as well. I am looking forward to the holiday craft fair season!

Backyard Movie Nights: the Kickoff

Our little saga of summer entertaining continued last Friday as we hosted our first Backyard Movie Night of the season.  It was sort of a test run to see how well our visual/audio set up worked, etc.  Everything turned out great and we look forward to throwing these little movie nights every couple of weeks through the summer and early fall.

For those who are curious about our basic set up, we have this 120-Inch Portable Outdoor Movie Screen which provides a fantastic viewing experience yet is still quick to assemble and easy to store/transport.  It's definitely a splurge, but we've been really impressed and happy with the quality of the screen.  I certainly wouldn't suggest it if you're only planning on throwing a one-time backyard movie night, but since we plan to get a ton of use out of ours, we think it was a good investment.

We also purchased a high-quality projector to ensure great video quality.  Again, if you're only planning to throw a one-time movie night, I'd suggest perhaps looking into renting a projector or borrowing one from a friend.  Hubby had been wanting to purchase a projector for some time anyway, so we went ahead and invested in a nice one that we'll use for years to come.

Sound was our one concern when it came to throwing these movie nights.  As you can see in the photo, our home sits on a modest lot in a tight subdivision.  We knew we couldn't use any loud speakers to provide sound for our movies or we'd risk upsetting neighbors (and we're very cautious about being polite neighbors).  My hubby came up with the brilliant idea to purchase a radio transmitter and several small battery operated radios to pass out to guests.  These worked out great as there were several modest pockets of sound throughout the audience.  You could hear the movie perfectly, yet the sound didn't carry at all outside our yard to potentially disturb anyone.  There were a few folks a couple of houses away talking outside on their lawn and they were actually louder than our movie!  Other than the light of the projection on the screen (which was no brighter than a porch light), you wouldn't know there was any sort of party going on in our yard.  I'm really happy with how everything worked out... we were able to successfully enjoy our film while throwing a low-key gathering that wouldn't disturb our neighbors.

As for refreshments (which are just as important as the film itself), I set up a little assortment of the standard movie snacks.  In an effort to keep the event fairly low maintenance, I resisted the urge to overly style the setup.  I would definitely suggest taking a little more time to spruce things up if you're planning a backyard movie night as a special event; however, since these are going to be frequent gatherings at our home over the next few months, I wanted to keep things a little more simple.

I served an assortment of fun, fruity sodas in lidded cups with colorful straws.  I also purchased a slew of kraft food and drink trays for our movie nights.  If you're not interested in purchasing these in bulk like I did, there are several Etsy sellers who offer them in smaller quantities.  Since we're planning on hosting several movie nights and various other parties throughout the summer, I went ahead and stocked up on drinks, straws, trays, etc. in bulk to save money and to be prepared for the summer ahead.

For food we grilled up hot dogs, had a ton of popcorn with various seasonings, a big bowl of assorted fun size candy, Oreos, homemade cake batter ice cream, and some brownies (thanks to a friend who brought those).  There was a nice assortment of sweet and savory snacks befitting a movie viewing.  I plan to keep the snacks pretty low key for the showings, mostly popcorn, candy, and soda, making one or two homemade treats per showing.  It's my goal to get the food and decor for these movies down to a "science" so I can get everything set up for these movies in under an hour.

I really love how well the food and drink trays worked out.  I picked up some inexpensive popcorn bags from Sam's Club and some hot dog trays from the dollar section at Target.  Everything fit perfectly and had it's own place, making enjoying your snack in the dark a breeze.

I lined our fence with tea lights in my handmade mason jar lanterns and they provided a cute ambiance and a little guidance along the path to and from our backyard.

We ended up watching Ghostbusters for our first movie of the summer.  I thought something fun and little nostalgic would be cute for our first showing.  I think we'll end up watching a mixture of popular newer releases as well as old favorites.

Once fall approaches and it begins to get dark earlier, we're thinking it might be fun to have a few double feature nights.  I also am totally excited about the possibility of doing a Halloween themed showing or two in October, starting out the evening around the fire pit making homemade s'mores and roasting hot dogs.

Everyone loves a movie night and their is something so fun and special about throwing one in your own backyard.  You can go all out and have a chic styled event, or take a slightly more causal route like I did.  Either way, the backyard movie night is sure to be a hit with everyone!