Self Promotion

Right now, my stomach is making these crazy growling sounds. It's been going on all day and is very disconcerting for me. What is happening in there?!

Anyways, it's because of my stomach growling that I got the inspiration for this post. It made me wonder if I was hungry, I'm not. If I WAS hungry though, what would I want? So I started thinking about my dinner plans, which since tonight is my usual trivia night, but has morphed into my stay at home and be completely alone for a few blessed hours night, will probably just be sauteed squash and zucchini with corn on the cobb. Simple, easy, delicious. Then I started thinking about what I'd want for dessert if that were an option (it's not) and then I started thinking that I needed to plan my menu for next weeks Uptown Umbrella Market.

I know you guys aren't really in my area, but I'd sure like it if you'd take a minute to maybe "like" my Facebook page- Tasty Treats by Jess. I can't link to it, I'm at work and Facebook is blocked here. Too distracting they say, to which I say BAH. I crack out all day on the news sites and they're worried about social networking. Imbeciles. 

Anyways, here's an adorable picture of my nugget, Noelle at last weeks Umbrella Market. She was riding a high of pink lemonade and then she crashed:

I have a baking muse. It's Our Greene Acre. I get my farm fresh eggs from them and the most delicious jams ever. Their jams inspire me. Peach Habanero jam? Makes a delicious peach habanero pound-cupcake with peach habanero buttercream. Peach Vanilla jam? The greatest Peach Danish cookies you can imagine. Spiced Blueberry jam? That makes this:

An amazing lemon cupcake with spiced blueberry buttercream. Ah-mah-zing.

Strawberry Danish cookies with a chocolate ganache drizzle. Seriously though, the peach vanilla version of these that I made are my favorite thing I've ever made. It's absolutely perfect. Probably because the dough is half cream cheese. Can't go wrong with cream cheese. 

And completely unaffiliated with Our Greene Acre is my birthday cake krispy treats. My bff4eva sent me the recipe and kids go bananas over it. Also, I'm a big kid and enjoyed the hell out of it. 

I'm also obsessed with Mr. Butters peanut butter- it's all natural and home made. No added sugars or anything. It's perfect for baking. I keep hoping they make a Facebook page or website so I can promote them, because they are good people. 

So, if you're feeling frisky (and I know you are) like my page. If you're feeling friskier, check out my website Tasty Treats by Jess.

Happenings

I've been busy you guys. Sunday-Wednesday nights are filled with either baking delicious treats for the Uptown Umbrella Market or actually being at the Market. Then Thursday is trivia night. Friday is ladies night. Saturday I crash. Sunday it all begins again. Along with working a full time desk job. Lately, I've even been skipping trivia to have a few hours to myself and go to bed early. 

I love it though. I love trying out new recipes. I love going to the Umbrella Market. I love having awesome feedback from strangers that enjoy my treats. I love it all. I don't love the 12 year old that's the Market manager this year (ok she's maybe 19, but NO OLDER than 21). She's a bit (ok a lot) annoying. It's the fake bubbly that makes my palms itch to smack her. Anyways, in all, I'm having fun. 

I'm not exactly making any money though. Each Wednesday I have to spend $20 ($10 for the table and another $10 for the umbrella) and then I have to give the market 10% of what I make. So then, once I pay all that out, what I have left is pretty much just covering the cost of the ingredients that I put into it. That should start turning around now though. I'm going to be buying my own table this week and in a couple more weeks I'll get my own umbrella too. 

I'm not too worried about making money at this point. I figure in a month I should be bringing it in. Each week (I've gone twice now) is teaching me more and more. My baking is getting more streamlined, my costs are evening out. I'm still having a ton of fun. 

You know how I said I've been having fun trying new things? Here's some of my favorite things:

Lemon Basil cupcakes. I originally made these for my friend's birthday. I then fell in love with them. Everyone is a little apprehensive at first, but then they try them and realize it's nothing to be scared of. Light and fluffy basil cake with a smooth lemon frosting- delicious!

S'mores cupcakes!! Graham cracker cake with marshmallow fluff filling, chocolate ganache spread, and then marshmallow topping- pop it in the over to toast the tops and HOLYHELL DELICIOUS. It's also ridiculously messy. Worth it. 

This I just made last night- Mini Oreo cheesecakes! The crust is an Oreo cookie. I mean, yes. 

The Umbrella Market 2013

I am currently sailing the smooth turquoise waters of the Bahamas. While I'm away cross your fingers my cruise doesn't turn into Poop Cruise 2.0 and check out my presheduled postings!

So, I mentioned before that I have started a little side business baking tasty and delicious treats. Well, while I haven't become Martha Stewart popular, I am getting more business than I expected. Weekly I've had requests for cupcakes or cakes. There's a popular little market that pops up in my town on Wednesdays during the summer. 

I was lucky enough to be chosen to sell by tasty baked goods. So, you'll be able to find Tasty Treats by Jess Wednesday evenings starting the 22nd of May and every other week (unless I get frisky and choose to go every week) in Uptown Greenville! 

I am so excited. Ridiculously excited. I'm a long ways away from a cute little store front, but I'm a lot closer than I was when I was just talking about it. 

AGGGHHHHHHHHHHH

Please excuse me while I simultaneously hyperventilate and scream uncontrollably. I know what you're thinking and you're wrong. It is possible to do both at the same time. 

AAAAGGGGGGGGHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHH!

Thank you for being so patient while I have a semi-meltdown. 

So I have officially started my little side business: Tasty Treats by Jess

I have business cards and a website: http://getinthekitchen.webs.com/ Also, a facebook page "Tasty Treats by Jess" just search that if you're interested. 

I have 1 dozen cupcakes for a birthday tomorrow and I have three dozen cupcakes, a sheet cake, and two round cakes due Friday. The two round cakes JUST NOW got ordered. Two dozen of those cupcakes, the sheet cake, and one round cake need Easter decorations.

There's just one of me, guys. I am going to be so busy tonight and tomorrow night getting these bad boys done. 

I'm super excited, I'm overwhelmed. I'm a little surprised by the amount of treats I have due this week. I feel like it may be beginners luck and an Easter rush. I'd love for it to continue and for this to be the beginning of an actual business. 

This summer I plan to spend every other Wednesday at the Umbrella Market in Uptown Greenville peddling my goods to my lovely little community. Hopefully, if they accept me as a seller- I have my application with them and I haven't heard back yet. If they do accept me as a seller, that would be a great way to get my name out there. 

It's too soon for me to think about things too much. I don't want to get my hopes up. I'm just saying, I may already have a color scheme in mind for a cute little cozy shop somewhere. I'm much too unsure of myself to allow myself to dwell on it too long. 

One of the best things ever though, was the other day my friend Nassim, she told me my current desk job tolling away for The Man, didn't suit me. That was awesome. I'm glad I'm not the only one that thinks that. 

Anywhoo, if my treats turn out well enough, I'll definitely be posting some pics of them here. 

Also, GAME OF THRONES GUYS! GAME OF THRONES!! STARTING SO SOON!