Kathy Lowinger

As some of you know, for my day job, I am a publicist at Tundra Books. This means I have the privilege of working with Publisher, Kathy Lowinger. Not many people are able to do what they love, but Kathy does, and all of us at Tundra happily feed off her energy and expertise.

Earlier this year, Kathy announced that she would be retiring. =(

So last week, we had a small get-together to toast Kathy's retirement. Naturally, I was on cupcake duty and with the help of everyone at Tundra, came up with these Kathy-themed cupcakes:

Books! This was an obvious one. I even gave one of the books a "starred" review. =)

Here are Bill and Kathy's pets: Mimsey (Hungarian Sheepdog), Rupert (Basset Hound), Abby (Boxer), and William Buster (Tabby).

Music note, treble clef, and a keyboard! Kathy loves playing the piano.

Swimsuits, we know Kathy will be lounging by the pool a lot more now!

Ballet slippers, Kathy owns quite a few pairs...

Camper shoes. Kathy really likes the ones with the strap over the foot!

This is Bill. Kathy's husband!

Thank you to everyone at Tundra for helping me with the Kathy-themed cupcakes! I love how well we know Kathy and I had a blast making them.

Kathy, we wish you all the best on your retirement!

100th Post Giveaway Contest

According to blogger, I have 99 posts... making this one the 100th Post! How should I celebrate? Oh, you already know, it is in the title of my post. So yes! A Giveaway Contest!!! Let's start the fun, there are three cropped images below. Each are from a post on our blog, so sift through our 99 posts (evil crackle) to find them!

image #1

image #2

image #3

Where are the three images above from? Tell us and you could WIN a copy of Martha Stewart's Cupcakes: 175 Inspired Ideas for Everyone's Favourite Treat! Hmm.... should I have waited until my 175th post instead? Nope, I won't keep you waiting! Plus, I need more space, these three copies are crowding my desk. Yes... you read right, there are three copies to be won!

To enter the 100th Post Giveaway Contest:

1. Fill in the form below to tell us where images #1, #2, and #3 are from - the name of the posts or the links will do.
2. This contest is available to residents of Canada and the U.S.A. only! But, if you have friends and family with a Canadian or American mailing address, feel free to enter.
3. The 100th Post Giveaway Contest contest is open on December 13th 2009 until December 31st 2009. So you have plenty of time to figure it out! Forms submitted after 12 midnight EST on December 31st will not be considered.
4. There will be three winners. The three people who have all three correct answers will be the winners! If there are more than three people with the correct answers, we will enter them in a random draw.
   
5. The winners will be announced on January 1st 2010 on our blog, a nice way to ring in the new year. The winners will each receive a copy of Martha Stewart's Cupcakes. Best of luck!
   
   

Happy Hanukkah

Agatha's Birthday Sets

Anita is an editor extraordinaire and caring daughter! Anita's mom, Agatha, is a golf fanatic, so a golfing set was natural. I heard that she had actually achieved getting a hole in one before. That is quite an amazing feat, in fact, they had a party for it too. So, I made a set showing Agatha from tee-off to the green.

Notice the yellow tee and all the divot holes (from previous golfers). The fairway passes a pond with the inattentive duck. Then, extends past some trees...

Finally, passes the sand trap and into the hole!
By the way, click here to see the whole album of photos. I went snap happy...

"What else? What else?" you ask. Well, Agatha is born in the Year of the Pig. She's very proud of her zodiac animal. I hope it brings her lots of good fortune.

Pig tail!

"More, more!" you scream. Okay, Agatha has recently been travelling - she loves cruises! Notice all the correct steps. You need to pack your luggage. Hop on a plane. Relax on the cruise as you past by islands (that have turtles sunbathing).

Have a wonderful birthday Agatha!
Fun fact: Agatha and my dad have the same birthday!

Owl Baby Shower Cupcakes

Baby shower in the office today!!! Kelly Hill is an amazing designer, go into any bookstore, and there is bound to be a book designed by her.

Yummy Mommy!

A little bird told me that the expecting mother likes owls (she makes these really cool fabric owls too)! So I made her an owl family on the cupcakes. =)

It also made sense to me to have mini cupcakes for a baby shower. I tried a quick recipe from my newly acquired Martha Stewart's Cupcakes. My adapted version wasn't too sweet, which was good because I am sure the buttercream made up for it!


One-Bowl Chocolate Cupcakes
Recipe adapted from Martha Stewart's Cupcakes
(Makes about 18 regular cupcakes or about 40 mini cupcakes)

1 1/2 cup of all-purpose flour
3/4 cup of unsweetened Dutch-process cocoa powder
1 cup of sugar
1/2 cup of brown sugar
1 1/2 teaspoon of baking soda
1 1/2 teaspoon of baking powder
3/4 teaspoon of salt
2 large eggs
3/4 cup of milk
3 tablespoons of vegetable oil
1 teaspoon of pure vanilla extract
3/4 cup of warm water

1. Preheat the oven to 180°C (350°F) and have all ingredients at room temperature. Also have your cupcake liners and pans ready.
2. With an electric mixer on medium, whisk together flour, cocoa, sugar, brown sugar, baking soda, baking powder and salt.
3. Reduce speed to low. Add in eggs, milk, oil, vanilla extract, and water. Mix until smooth and combined.
4. Divide batter evenly, filling each about two-thirds full.
5. Bake for about 20-25 minutes or until a cake tester inserted in the center comes out clean.
6. Take cupcakes out to cool before frosting.

Best wishes to your growing family Kelly!
I think you will make a hooting good mom!

Mother and Baby Owl!