Woodbury Magazine found me :)

The current issue of Woodbury Magazine did a feature article on holiday sweet treats.  I am proud to announce that they included Lucky C's Sweets! The article directed people to this blog as opposed to my website. luckycsweets.com
The website is a work in progress so, it isn't quite where we want it, but it does have some info and pictures. However, if anyone is looking to contact me, please email me at michps@comcast.net and I will be happy to pass along my info and email or call you back.  I am still taking orders for Christmas, but my schedule is filling up fast, so get your orders in because I really hate to say no to sweets, err, I mean orders :)

Unfortunately, the magazine did not get any pictures taken to put in the article. So, here are a couple samples. Also, the picture to the right is my custom sugar cookie place card/gift tags.  You can get them in hint-o-lemon sugar cookie or chocolate-espresso sugar cookie.

Chocolate espresso holiday sugar cookies- available by the dozen, special order

Sample of hint-o-lemon custom decorated sugar cookies- available by the dozen, special order

Traditional sugar cookies- available by the dozen, special order

Chocolate Chip Pumpkin Bread- available at Kowalski's

Cranberry Pecan Pumpkin Bread- available at Kowalski's

Lovely, Lovely Lemon Bread- available by special order

Delicious and light, Lime Chiffon Cake- available by special order

Fantastic (and not so light) Romen Chocolate Cake- available by special order

Holiday cupcake bites- assorted flavors (red velvet is amazing!)- available by the dozen, special order

Cupcake pops! Same thing, just on a stick.

Cupcakes, cupcake bites and mini cookie discs

Many people love to do an assortment which makes for a beautiful display for your entertaining and also a great gift.  We are happy to help any way we can.  As I always say, we look forward to making your event (or your Saturday) a little sweeter!

Happy holidays everyone!

HospiceCare teddy bear donation, a success

Our family decided to make a donation to the HospiceCare center this Thanksgiving and we asked our family and friends for help.  

Our family, plus Nana Buffy, cousin John and bff Julia at HospiceCare with all of the bears.

Here is the email we sent out~

As many of you know, my dear father-in-law, Jim Stevens, passed away last December 27th.  He died after fighting tongue cancer so valiantly for 18 months.  Jim went through many struggles and when we found out that the cancer was winning the battle, we reached out to HospiceCare in Madison, WI, where Jim and his wife, Buffy lived.  HospiceCare could not have been more kind and caring.  Last year, on Christmas Eve, we received a call from family telling us that it was time for Jim to go into HospiceCare.   Chris and I tried to keep our heads up and thanks to a special Santa visit, we made it through the evening and put the kids to bed.  We were up most of the night packing up for a trip we wished we would not have to make.  In the morning, the kids barely had breakfast and we had to whisk off to Madison.  As you may remember, it was a blizzard out and the roads were miserable.  It was probably the longest 4 hours we can remember.  Constant phone calls from family telling us to get there fast and looking at our kids eyes, constantly filled with tears.

Well, we made it to the HospiceCare center in Madison and were lucky enough to spend Jim's last few days by his side.  The staff was there to laugh with us, cry with us and constantly keep us informed.  Oddly, we felt very at home and knew Jim was comfortable and very well cared for.  One thing my kids noticed was all the stuffed bears that adorned the HospiceCare center.  It brought a little cheer and sweetness to an area that could have been very daunting and frightening.  Before Jim passed away, one of the nurses took my sister-in-law, Sue, and I walking around the center.  She told us to pick out bears for each one of our children.  As we looked there seemed to be ones that just spoke to us and seemed perfect for each individual child. We took them back in to Jim's room. The nurse had Jim kiss each bear and then handed them back to us.  A very short time later, Jim passed away.  The children were all at a friend's home.  It was so hard to tell the kids that their grandpa had died, but it was somewhat eased by being able to give them each a bear.  We had something tangible to give them that was truly special and it was from their Grandpa. It helped so much in the days ahead for each of them to have that bear to hang on to.  They have slept with them every night since.

Obviously we believe in the power of these bears and the Dori Bear project at HospiceCare in Madison, WI. 

The Dori Bear namesake is given to all teddy bears donated to HospiceCare in honor of HospiceCare patient Doris Klubertanz, who died June 1, 1994. While alive, Doris Klubertanz was surrounded by teddy bears. She believed in their power to bring warmth, love and a smile. Because she found them to be such a comfort, she left a gift to HospiceCare to establish the Dori Bear project.

Chris and I, along with our children would like to make a donation of bears to the Dori Bear project this year.  We travel to Madison every Thanksgiving and we thought this year we would spend part of Thanksgiving volunteering at HospiceCare.  One way was to bring them bears to help many other families who are dealing with the same difficult time we went through last year.  So, we are asking you for help to increase our efforts.  

And here's how it went~

We again braved the crazy weather down to Madison last Wednesday.  We had all of the bears packed gently in our car and took them over to their new (temporary) home at HospiceCare Center. Chris' mom, Buffy and his nephew, John, as well as our family friend, Julia, helped us to share the joy with the staff.  The kids felt so good to give back a little something to the community that helped their grandpa in his last days.  It was definitely a bit difficult to go back there and the tears came easily for us.  My little guy, Cam, wanted to go and walk down the hall to Grandpa's old room, #42.  We were amazed that he remembered the room number as well as the painting outside the door of his room.  We talked about how we sat for a bit in the family room one day and laughed at silly stories we were sharing with everyone.  It was one of those moments we needed to lighten such a heavy load we were all carrying.  During our visit this year as we walked the halls, the kids talked with some of the patients and it was evident that they made their day.  The smiles on the face of people in pain, was so amazing and we knew we did a good thing by not just sharing our donation, but sharing ourselves.  As we walked by the family room, we noticed it was empty but had a sign on the door.  It read, " reserved for the family of room #42".  We felt that was a sign that Jim was telling us he was with us :) 

As we come up on the one year marker of Jim's death, we seem to have an array of emotions.  To name a few ~ blessed, grateful, lucky, thankful and sad.  

We are very blessed to be able to help others that helped us. 

We are grateful for our strength and faith that has guided us through the tough times. 

We are lucky for having such loving, generous friends and family.

We are thankful that Jim's suffering has ended and he is at peace.

We are sad that we will not be able to share any more special moments with a very dear man.

Come to our Holiday Boutique! One stop shopping!

A group of talented business women from our area are hosting a holiday boutique.  Come shop and take home some gifts and goodies, plus you can place orders to help your holidays become a bit less stressful.  Angelina's Kitchen will be there to help you with your holiday meals, appetizers or just planning for extra meals with company in town.  I will have many of my sweets available too.  Everyone needs a beautiful lime chiffon cake with mint and cranberries on their holiday table, right? How about some gorgeous lemon or chocolate espresso sugar cookies.  Or buy the sugar cookie dough and frosting and make your own at home with the kids.  Cupcake bites-a-plenty to taste and order from.  How about some delicious cranberry pecan pumpkin bread to take have at your Thanksgiving feast?  

Okay, that's about all the sales pitch I have left in me :) But seriously, it is a great way to support local businesses and get some holiday shopping and planning done.  Hope to see you there! 

Also, watch for my new website! My very talented cousin, Brigitte, has created a beautiful site for me and I can't wait to share it with all of you.  Again, I am talking to the two of you who read this.

Have a sweet holiday!

Halloween, finally an excuse to eat more sweets!

Halloween cupcake bites.  Cute little pumpkin, spider web, googly bloodshot eyeball and the bloody bone.

Many people think of candy when Halloween rolls around.  Me? Not so much.  I buy the kind of candy I would never eat.  Like gummy, sour stuff or candy bars with fillings or smarties or something. That way I won't eat any of it.  But then I go and create things like cupcake bites and all restraint goes out the window.  I think I have spoken of these lovely little morsels before.  I make a cake, crumble it and mix it with frosting.  (You can use any combo, but red velvet and cream cheese are hands down, my customer's favorites.)  Roll it into balls, chill and then dunk in chocolate, white chocolate or candy melts.  Then finish them off with many different types of decorations. I used fondant to make the eyes, chocolate covered sunflower seeds for the pumpkin stem, Wilton candy bones and Halloween sprinkles. Really the possibilities are endless!

I also turn to seasonal ingredients this time of year.  Like, pumpkin.  Kowalski's Market loved my samples and now they sell my Perfectly Pleasing Pumpkin Bread, in two flavors. Can't keep it on the shelves.  What a "perfectly pleasing" problem to have, right?

Cranberry pecan

Choco-chip

So, it is the day before Halloween and my kids have changed their minds on their costumes about 12 times.  I put my foot down and made them decide this afternoon.  The decisions are in.  And now, I am about to run around town looking for the details that we "have to have" to complete their costumes. Next time, I won't be so organized and demanding.  I will let them wait until about an hour before trick or treating to see what they are wearing.  At that point, they will scramble to find anything we have in the house.  Just like I did when I was young.
Except for that one year where my mom got creative and made me a present box.  The box was so big and the arm holes so small, I couldn't get past any kid who was running by, let alone ring any doorbells.    I ended up with very little candy and very big bruises on my arms.  Moms have the best intentions.

Next year, I will try not to be such a good mom. :)

Pirates and Jimmies and Tyler, Oh my!

So, it happened. My oldest nephew, Tyler, went from a fun, little boy who sat and drank Sunny D at my kitchen table out of a sippy cup to a confident, young man going off to college!  After suffering an ACL tear right before junior year basketball tryouts, he certainly rebounded for his senior year and helped to take his team to a winning season.  He was a Pewaukee Pirate. Arggg!

He received a scholarship and an opportunity to play basketball at Jamestown College in North Dakota. So, now he's a Jimmie! Not really sure what that is, gonna have to ask him the next time we text.  Cuz, that's what you do with a busy college guy.  You text, right? 

His mom (my older sister) and his dad, gave him a great send off with a fantastic graduation party.  I was in charge of sweets.  Imagine that.

So, here's the cake.  Looks pretty good after traveling 5 hours, staying in a hotel, surviving record high temps and being stared at by many young people wanting to devour it!

Please excuse me (and Ty forgive me), but I must reminisce.  This boy stole my heart the day he was born and still keeps a tight grasp.  I must say I almost felt like he was one of mine going off to school.  Did I mention he will actually be living closer to me now than his family?  I'm just saying.

Here he is as a grade schooler.  Cool hair, dude!

With his Nani as an 8th grader. Trying to prove that height may skip a generation :)

No one is too old for Santa!

Teaching my little guy how to properly organize your matchbox cars.

Show off!! He is always holding a basketball.

Ready to go explore the world, but not without one last hug from his overprotective Auntie.

Make us proud Ty. You have many talents and gifts.  I may be biased, but my favorite is that part of your sweet, sensitive heart that you share with me at my kitchen counter while eating cookies.

Now, come visit!

Oh dear blog, I have missed chatting with you!

Where does the time go? I think I was getting ready for Mother's day weekend which was filled with a dance competition and lots of work.  Mother's day is the best, right?
And now all of a sudden I have two middle schoolers, one 3rd grader and all the things on my list are still there! I promise to get in gear soon and start posting more regularly.  Notice how I don't commit to an exact day or time I will post? I am trying to lower all expectations, sorta makes me feel better.
Anway, here is a little something to make you want to go make a batch of chocolate chip cookies and never bake them!

Be back soon.  Have a sweet day!

Sweet Baby Jasper

Talk about making things a little sweeter!! My new nephew, JJ ( Jasper Joseph), has recently decided to make us all a little more infatuated with him by flashing this heavenly smile. I was in Chicago on a business trip :) and finally had a chance to see my little nugget, face to face.  He is so darling and such a good baby.  His mom and dad are like old pros.  They are completely in love with him and adore every sleepless moment they get to share as a family.  

First, we chatted and got to know one another better.

      Next we asked Mom to go get some rest so we could bond a little.

Finally, he let me hold him far longer than he needed me to.  He just knew I needed a little baby love.

On my next post I will have pictures from my Chicago bakery/research tour.  For now, feel free to check back on this post whenever you need a little pick-me-up.  Being able to spend time with my sweet little Jasper has helped my days to be brighter.  I anxiously await the next time I will be able to hold him.  I hope he always let me hang on to him- for longer than I should :)

I added my sister's blog on my links.  You may just want to check up on this little cutie pie:)

Check this out! My amazingly talented friend needs our support.

A dear friend of mine, Phil Lawrence, is premiering his first film, “Numb,”at the Minneapolis-St. Paul International Film Festival. Although this is short notice, he has enlisted the help of his friends and family to help spread the word that tickets are available for this 1:15 showing this Saturday afternoon, at the St. Anthony Theatre, 125 S. E. 115 Main Street in Minneapolis.

If there is any way that you can join me in showing support of his very personal documentary, I would greatly appreciate it.  It's a great way to spend a couple hours on a rainy afternoon and support local talent.

Tickets can be purchased on-line for $10.  You can find out more about the film at the festival at  http://www.mspfilmfest.org/
If you look under Programs and Minnesota Made films, you will find “Numb.”

For more information about the film, you can view a trailer at http://www.numbdocumentary.com   


Thanks! 

Clay or NOT?

Hello the awesome OLIVIA is back and posting again. I know everyone's happy. Well anywho, back to what I'm supposed to be typing about. Like those pics up there? Yah, I made them, well except the teeny tiny little cupcake bites and the teeny tiny little donuts those were mom's. Otherwise it was pure OLIVIA! I mean who else can make a PERFECT replica of my mother's Lovely, Lovely Lemon Bread? And her delicious Romen Chocolate Cake? What about the Lime Chiffon Cake? (Which is purple because I ran out of white;P) Well, huh? Yah I know I'm the bomb. NEXT!

My brother on the other hand was in a green mood that day. Although I also made the Gummy Bear. Apparently he doesn't like making mini food. Well, he made A) a snake B) a baby with a silver head and C) a glass ball. They're actually kinda cool. Don't you think? NEXT!

Now this......mmm looks so good doesn't it? I mean who doesn't LOVE bacon cheeseburgers? Or french fries for that matter. Not talking about soda like that though cuz I know many people who don't like soda. I do though:). One day I was just taking everyone's orders on what they wanted me to make for them so my brother chose bacon cheeseburgers with french fries and soda.  OK NEXT!

So who's craving some pizza? My sister made this one.  I'm pretty sure she made this for my dad. He loves pizza. Everyone in my family loves pizza. Well, everyone except me. But that's not important, what is important is getting back to this. See she made this look so appetizing even I would eat it! (Remember I'm the one who doesn't like pizza.) YUM!!! NEXT!

Here is one of my favorites. I made it. It's............... SUSHI! Yup you guessed it. To make it I actually had to look at a picture of my mom's sushi cake. I made two little platters. One for my Aunt and one for my Uncle. Both of them love sushi. My mom thinks this is the "cutest" one I made. You have to admit it's totally awesome and tubular. I think so too. The funny thing about this is I don't know what anything is called other than the fortune cookie. But hey, who cares! NEXT!

Last but not least STEAK, PASTA, and peas. Now this is something I'll eat! Other than the peas. You know what's funny? My sister actually made this for me! Oh how nice, I know. I made her the cupcake in the first picture. Notice how she even made the T-Bone! The colors were perfect for steak too. Yah I know it's so cool. Well, it looks like I'm done posting so.......

PEACE OUT!

LIVER :)

How can you not just smile until it hurts looking at this?! This is my new little nephew, Jasper Joseph.  Here is the downside of all of this wonderful business, I haven't even met, face to face (only on Skype) this little blessing.  He lives in Chicago and well, I don't.  It hurts my heart not to be able to smell his sweet little head or hold him while doing the "mom bounce". I could just cry talking about it, but I know he understands and supports me anyway. Here's the proof.

This is what I woke up to on the day of my big roll out at Kowalski's.  I asked my sister how she managed it and she said after about 75 photos, they got one that worked! This is now my desktop picture and I could stare at him all day. Everday. Which I try to do.  Everyday.

So everything went great with my venture at Kowalski's and I thought I would share a couple pictures.  My sister, Jeanne came up with one of her sons, T-Dog and helped out.  I am so thankful to have such good helpers and taste testers in the family.  Now if I could get them to move up here...

We had many chickie cupcake pops to get ready.  Here they are before their debut.

As my dear, crazy friend Lori says- "Time to bag 'em!" (No she doesn't work for CSI, she just doesn't get out much.)  Isn't she a pro- look at that technique!  I am pretty sure she had no idea what she got into leaving her 6 kids and husband to help me out.  Strangely enough, we managed to laugh the whole way through. She's another one I keep working on to move up here.  I think I need to provide a steady stream of margaritas for her next visit to help seal the deal.

Here are the chickies awaiting their call to duty the night before we took them into Kowalski's.  The lighting is off a bit again, sorry.  I was trying for natural light, but at 3 am - there was none to be found.  And coincidentally, at 6 am there is far too much!

After many hours of sharing info on me and my products, it was time to wrap it up and get home.  My tivo was calling! 

I say that like I went home and watched tv, not so much.  But it sounded better than...

It was time to get home and figure out dinner, clean up my kitchen, color easter eggs and make sure my family had clean clothes for church.  See what I mean :)

LCS out :)

Lucky C's Sweets turns 1 and the party is at Kowalski's Market!

My products on display at Kowalski's Market. Oh my!

I have been very fortunate to have seen my business grow so much during our first year.
Well, one of the best stores in the Twin Cities has decided to carry some of my products.  Kowalski's Market.  It is my happy place.

I will be in the Woodbury store tomorrow and Friday to sample my Lovely, Lovely Lemon Bread and my Practically Perfect Brownies.  I will also have a basketful of Chickie Cupcake pops.  No, I don't sleep and yes, everyone around me thinks I must be crazy.  This is well worth all the hard work.  When I went in to the store today and saw my company name and product out- I really felt so proud.  That is big for me to say, because being a titch of a perfectionist, I rarely think what I do is great.  But today I felt great.  Now, what would make me feel even better ? (For those of you losing sleep wondering how to make me feel better) If all of you who live near here went to Kowalski's and cleaned me out! Shop around, get a coffee and enjoy. They have so many great products there and they also just opened a wine market too! Wine and sweets, who needs anything else to make a holiday weekend complete?

I do want to say thank you to everyone who has helped me and supported me throughout this venture.  I will try not to get too sentimental, but without my family and friends (you know who you are) love, I may not have been where I am.  We went through one of the most difficult years of our lives.  Loss of jobs, loss of a loved one, stress and pressure that seemed to way us down more than we thought possible.  I have always had a strong faith, but even that was tested.  My dear Aunt Kris kept repeating to me that "this too shall pass" and " you will find your way out because good things happen to good people and you are one of the best".  She is one of the best in my eyes and she was right.  If I have any knowledge to pass on to you ( and by you, I mean that to the two of you who read this, of course), it is to just keep going.  Look at what makes you smile and see if it is something that can help you move forward.  When you are motivated to make your family's life better and something starts organically- go with it.  Surround yourself with people who add to your life, not take from it.  Be thankful for the little moments and hold on to them when they are gone.  Wake up each day and let go of what got you down the day before.  Hug and kiss your kids any chance you get.  And eat sweets.  Lots and lots of sweets.  They have super healing powers and this I know to be true.

Happy Easter!

Lou's birthday treats, because cake alone is not enough!

I mentioned in my last post that my oldest just turned 13.  She wanted a day of shopping and hanging out with her friends.  The festivities culminated with a little dessert birthday table and movie back at our house. Because cake alone is just not enough! 

Really the only parameters I was to stick with (birthday girl rules on her day, you know) was keep it mostly pink.  Easy enough. 

So, on hand we had some chocolate sugar cookies with fondant decorations.

We also had various cupcake bites and some pops as shown at the top of the post. They were either red velvet, vanilla or chocolate fudge. If I had to pick my favorite, it would have to be...well, I think it would be, probably... Hmm, I guess I couldn't choose.  You'll have to try them all and make a call for yourself:)

Lastly, Lou brought out the cake. Yes, it was almost as big as her.  I love the look in her eye on this picture.  Like she can't wait to share it with her friends. Or she is about to enter into a sugar coma. One of the two.

I can't believe she is a teenager.  I know things will change but for now she is still like that little girl, I hold so close to my heart. For her birthday she wanted family and friends around her. She never makes too many demands and is always very accommodating.  She wanted to watch a G-rated Disney movie that day.  She could've cared less about what was for dinner, but was all about desserts. Like my dad always says, "the years can go by but the core of who you are never changes".  I love my Lou and her sweet, sprinkled little chocolately core! 

Happy Birthday Sweet Girl