Indianapolis Hard Core Refugees

Once the news hit that over 270,000 people in our county were without power, J, Andy, Mary Jane and I decided that we would rather eat well than fight for tea lights and ice bags at the only grocer in town with power. So we all packed up Sunday night and went to Indianapolis for dinner at Yats and breakfast at Taste. Not knowing what to do with ourselves and our spare time, we opted to play dress up.

Family Debris

So, the power was gone from Sunday thru Thursday. The Ohio looked like a swarming sea as we crossed the bridge back home. Butchertown didn't smell like the sweet mixture of meth, burnt bacon and bleach for quite a few days; We actually were able to open the windows!

Pumpkin Chocolate Chip Muffins

There is this lovely bakery in Indianapolis, Indiana called Rene's. Albert, the owner, is a great guy with some amazing desserts. I fell in love with his fruit tarts a few years ago and he gifted a few hundred of them to us for our wedding reception! They were perfect little treats tucked in between the large cupcake and orchid centerpieces....mmmmm. Well once I moved past the fruit tarts, I found that just about everything he makes is as delicious as the fruit tarts. But by far my favorite item in his kitchen are the Pumpkin Chocolate Chip Muffins. I have never asked him for the recipe, but here is my own attempt.

Ingredients:
3/4 cup vegan cane sugar
1/4 cup organic canola oil
2 free range eggs
1 cup canned organic pumpkin
1/4 cup water
1 1/2 cups unbleached flour
3/4 tsp baking powder
1/2 tsp baking soda
1/2 - 1 tsp ground ginger
1 -2 tsp ground cinnamon
1/2 - 1 tsp fresh ground nutmeg
Pinch of salt
1 cup semisweet chocolate chips
( I didn't have clove, but that might be a great addition 1/2 -1 tsp of ground clove)


Preheat the oven to 350. Grease large muffin tin. Whisk sugar, oil, eggs. Add pumpkin and water. In separate bowl whisk together the baking flour, baking soda, baking powder, spices and salt.. Add wet mixture to dry mixture (like you would when making Chocolate Chip Cookies). Do not over mix. Stir in chocolate chips. Fill large muffin cups 3/4 full with batter (should yeild 6 muffins). Bake in preheated oven for 35 to 45 minutes. Let cook for 15-20 minutes. Turn out and eat!

Bejeezus 12 Tease: Pac Man Ghost

Well, think I'm going to make this one with sugar crystals as decor instead of icing. The colors are right, but they look sloppy. I can bake but I'm not too great at the decorating part. MIght help if I had an icing kit.....hmmmm, something to add to the Christmas list. Oooo, I am proud to say that we did make our own cookie cutters. Overall, this is a cute idea but not an ideal cookie. Trying with colored sugar crystals soon.

Bejeezus 12 Tease: Spooktacular Pumpkin Roll

So, the theme of 12 is "Ghosts". My PacMan Ghost Iced Sugar Cookie is coming soon, but for now you are left with the Spooktacular Pumpkin Roll (adding a make-believe adjective qualifies this sweet treat for the ghost category, right)? I'd like to give you the recipe, but you sorta need to just buy Bejeezus 12 when it hits the stands. And you know I'll let you know when it hits the stands!




This particular roll is not vegan, but the vegan version of this recipe will be posted soon. Since I am not including the vegan recipe in Bejeezus 12, I feel no obligation to hold it back. I just need a little time to perfect it. Hold those horses!

Butchertown Yikes

Kennedy, Mary Jane and I were on our morning walk around the neighborhood and we saw this.



I've seen, smelt and heard quite a few creepy things around Butchertown... but this might top them all. There was the zombie cyclist with a cocked head and unblinkable bloodshot eyes, the 'special', cross-eyed man who lives at the blue, corner Meth house that walks his trash 5 block away to dispose of any evidence, and the wife-beater wearing kid who beats on his woman in the 1300 block (he has silver balls attached to his ol' truck). Oh Butchertown, how I love your color.

Not Bloggin'

So, there are a few reasons that I haven't been prioritizing my blog: First reason being Mary Jane Rebel, Second reason being the early August move to The 806, Third reason being our new booth at Crazy Daisy Antique Mall.

Since there's not piles of cash laying around the house, we decided to work our ass off and make some. Our booth at Crazy Daisy is the kick-start to our daughter's travel/college fund. We want to make sure she has enough money to do what ever her heart desires when she is 18. So, we're buying crappy old furniture and making it look a whole lot better. Forgive us, the booth is a little skimpy right now but it'll be filling up with more vintage goodies real soon. Whoo who!

But I solemnly swear to go to the grocery and cook something wonderful next week that I can share with my readers. Who knows, maybe I'll bake some goodness too.