Dec 10, 2012 |
Dear Casey’s Cupcakes,

Casey’s Cupcakes [Photo Credit: Hannah Realy]
I’m not really social-stalking you. At least, I’m trying hard not to.
But I can’t help share your sweetness with the World. At least, my little corner of it.

Casey’s Cupcakes
You’re on the internet. You’re on Facebook. Twitter. Pinterest. And even Instagram.
Coincidentally… so am I.
It’s the law of averages that we’d cyber-bump into each other in this neighborhood. I’m just thankful that you act and react as much as I do. I really don’t lurk. I just happen to be online. A lot. Like, a lot-a lot.
Can I just say, without sounding stalkerish, that I love love love your cupcakes?
I think you already know that. But in case you didn’t, I love love love your cupcakes.
I also love your store. It’s decorated so cutely for the Season.

Casey’s Christmas Tree
And all the wonderfully delightful pink and white and striped and confettied goodies! I’d mention my favorites, but I picked up a few to stash into Dot’s Christmas stocking. So you’ll understand when I say I really can’t talk about all that right now. (I can say we’re now the proud owners of the last two striped iPhone covers from the Riverside location! Dreams really do come true!)

Glamorous Gingerbread at Casey’s Cupcakes
I love bringing newbies to your Riverside location (being the Mission Inn junkie that I am).
Oh, I’m supposed to tell you, “What an adorable shop!”, “Dontcha just love all the pink and white?!” and “These folding boxes are amazingly cute!” My peeps think you’re magical. I think you’re delightful. What other eatery do know of where the people save the containers after savoring the contents?
Did you notice the exclamation points in those statements. Yup. We love our Casey’s Cupcakes.
You brighten my day. Daily.
It’s prob’ly a good thing I don’t live closer.
Cuz then you might hafta get a Restraining Order. And we don’t want that. We just want our cupcake order.

Casey’s Cupcakes: A Very Sweet Treat!
Yeah. On a very.regular.basis.
Don’t be afraid. Just give me cupcakes and no one gets hurt.
That’s a sweet exchange… dontcha think?
And Frankly, My Dear… that’s all she wrote!
Dec 9, 2012
Pretty, isn’t it? That’s the cover to The Unemployment Cookbook, First Edition. Only I didn’t know at the time it was First Edition. Now I’m taking pre-orders for the Second Edition, and it’s just as exciting!
I had no idea when I started my Kickstarter campaign to sell pre-orders and raise funds for publication, how entirely nerve-wracking and roller-coastery it would be. (Is roller-coastery a word? It is now!)
It’s so delightful to hear from people who tell me how excited they are for this Project. Easy, inexpensive menus. Full, hearty flavors.
And while I’m trying not to push this in front of people’s faces, the truth is, Word-of-Mouth advertising is what’s getting me funded. And so, if you’ll indulge me for this post, I’d like to market my Cookbook.
From the back cover:
Sometimes it’s hard to make ends meet. Food shouldn’t be a sacrifice. The Unemployment Cookbook is a collection of recipes for eating abundantly on a frugal income. As with any great recipe, it’s my desire that you and those you feed enjoy the flavors and versatility of the recipes in this cookbook. But more importantly, I hope it inspires you in the kitchen, at the table, and with your family. Happy eating!
The Unemployment Cookbook is my first publication. It’s my Project. My baby. And, because times are still tough, it’s my Go-To Guide in the kitchen.
With over 100 pages of family- and wallet-friendly recipes in the first, and even more in the Second Edition, this is a Project I believe in. I realize my promotional video may seem low-key to many. I did that on purpose. Why should a no-frills Cookbook be advertised with glitz and glam?
Not here. This Cookbook was written and designed with frugality in mind. Sure, someday I’d love to have other cookbooks. Full-page color photography. Delectable, hard-to-find ingredients. Exquisite, one-of-a-kind, never-before-tried-in-the-kitchen recipes.
And some day I will.
But right now, people need to feed their families. And they need to do it well and on a budget.
These recipes cost less than a pizza (unless you use the Slow Cooker Ratatouille for your own veggie-pizza topping!), offer fresh, healthy ingredients, and many of them give you the opportunity to change them to suit your family’s tastes.
Hungry for more information? Click on over to my Kickstarter Campaign and pre-order yours now.
And Frankly, My Dear… that’s all she wrote!
Dec 8, 2012 |
Tonight we went to Riverside. We took three of our favorite people to see The Mission Inn’s Festival of Lights.
I’m too wonderfully exhausted to write today’s Blog post. So I leave you with these teasers instead.

Lobby Tree

Glamorous Gingerbread at Casey’s Cupcakes

Horse-Drawn Carriage

Entrance Lights
And Frankly, My Dear… that’s all she wrote!