Favor Recipes

I've had a couple of requests for the recipe of what was IN the favor jars from our wedding. So I'm going to post how to make the jar mixes here. I found all of the recipes on this website.

For our favors I chose two muffin mixes and two pancake mixes, which are posted below. The website has many more options for pancakes and muffins and a whole host of food items to choose from. They make really nice hostess or christmas gifts too.

Cappuccino Chocolate Chunk Muffin Mix

2 cups flour
1 cup BAKER'S Semi-Sweet Chocolate Chunks
1/2 cup sugar
1/2 cup GENERAL FOODS INTERNATIONAL COFFEES, any flavor
2-1/2 tsp. CALUMET Baking Powder
1/2 tsp. ground cinnamon
1/2 tsp. salt

Grease or line muffin pan with papers. Beat 1 egg in large bowl; stir in 1 cup milk and 1/2 cup (1 stick) butter or margarine, melted. Empty contents of bag into bowl. Stir just until moistened.

Spoon batter into prepared muffin pan, filling each cup 2/3 full.

Bake at 375°F for 15 to 20 minutes or until toothpick inserted in center of muffin comes out clean. Cool 5 minutes; remove from pan. Cool completely on wire rack.

Makes 1 dozen.

Walnut Chocolate Chip Muffins
Because this mixture doesn't quite fill up the quart jar, it isn't necessary to pack the layers down as tightly as usual.

Layer in a clean 1 quart jar the following:
2 c. flour, mixed with 2 tsp. baking powder
1/3 c. packed brown sugar
1/3 c. granulated sugar
2/3 c. chocolate chips
1/3 c. coarsely chopped walnuts (OR macadamia, pecans)

ATTACH RECIPE TO JAR:
To make Walnut Chocolate Chip Muffins:

Spoon out walnuts & chocolate chips into small bowl. In a large bowl, empty remaining contents of jar and stir together until well blended. In a third bowl, stir together:

2/3 c. milk
1/2 c. butter, melted (allow to cool before mixing)
2 eggs, lightly beaten
1 tsp. vanilla

Make a well in center of the dry ingredients. Add milk mixture and stir just to combine. Fold in chocolate chips & walnuts. Spoon batter into either greased or lined muffin cups (about 2/3 full).

Bake 15-20 minutes. Test for
doneness with toothpick. Cool 5 minutes before removing from muffin cups.

Makes 12 muffins.

Gingerbread Pancake Mix

1 C. cake flour
1 C. all purpose flour
7 T. buttermilk powder
4 T. sugar
2 t. ground ginger
1 t. baking soda
1/2 t. cinnamon
1/4 t. salt
1/8 t. ground cloves
1 C. white chocolate chips

Combine all ingredients. Transfer to a decorative jar.

Attach a recipe card with these directions to the Gingerbread Pancake Mix:

Place mix in a large bowl. Add:
1 3/4 C. water
6 T. melted butter
1/4 C. molasses
2 eggs

Blend until just combined. Pour batter 1/4 C. at a time, in a hot skillet, to make the pancakes. Cook pancakes, turning once, about 2 minutes.

Yield: 20 pancakes

Cinnamon-Brown Sugar Pancake Mix

3 cups flour
1/2 cup brown sugar
3 tablespoons baking powder
1-1/2 teaspoons ground cinnamon
1 teaspoon salt

Directions:
Sift all the ingredients together into a container and continue mixing until well blended. Pour into a jar.

Card:
Cinnamon-Brown Sugar Pancakes:
Beat one egg in a medium bowl and add 3/4 cup milk and 3 tablespoons vegetable oil. Add 1-1/4 cup of mix until moistened. The batter will still be lumpy -- do not over mix. Cook on a hot, lightly greased pancake griddle over medium heat.

Corona Park and a Museum

Rob and I had an eventful Labor Day weekend. On Friday we happened to have the day off, so we went up to Brewster to visit Rob's mom and to pick up one Mr. Theodore Monkey. The monkey is happy to be home.

Saturday we started what I hope will be a fall of museum going. We went to the American Museum of Natural History. Is it bad that I chose this museum because we recently watched "Night at the Museum" from our blockbuster queue? We spent most of our time on the second floor looking at Asian Mammals and Peoples. I read way to much about all the religions and had to catch up with Rob who had moved into the next wing. We did a quick trip up to the fourth floor to visit the dinosaurs. This immediately explained why the first half of our visit was so peaceful. All of the kids who we saw in the lobby were looking at dino bones. I think its that roaring that gets them. A quick loop through the Ocean Life room to see the whale and squid and home for us. All in all a good visit. I'm not sure what museum is next on our list. I need to research what exhibits are out. But the Guggenheim, and free MoMA Fridays are on the list.

Monday we went out to Corona Park. It is not just home to Shea Stadium and the US Open. It is also home to the buildings of the 1964 World's Fair, the New York Hall of Science, the Queens Zoo and Botanical Garden, and a Carousel.

Here is Rob in front of the globe. You recognize it.

Crazy Space things from the World's Fair.

On the carousel.

This is our fourth carousel. (The first 3: Bronx Zoo, Central Park, Playland)

A Real Grown-Up Thing

As Rob says, our new china cabinet feels like a very grown-up thing to own. And own one we do after yesterday's trip to IKEA and same day delivery. Here are some pics of our china and stemware's new home.The other perk of wedding gifts. Super soft towels. The Powers's are ready to entertain!

Wedding Pictures

I really like this photo taken by Hilda. This is just before Dad and I walk down the aisle.To see more awesome photos by our awesome photographers, Michelle Crafton and Nathan Troester, go to www.robandkaseypowers.com

If you have any photos, please send them to me.

Wedding Day Flashback

Ok, it's been two weeks. And after an absolutely amazing and beautiful wedding day, a honeymoon to Mexico, and a rough week going back to work, we are finally back to real life. The morning of the wedding was perfect weather. I walked to the train station to meet my friend who was going to do my hair. Unfortunately I was a little too excited to want to it still for the hair and make-up process. I just wanted to be ready so that I could see my almost husband for the pre-wedding pictures.
I think I was on my phone for half of the morning with my dad and cousins about where and when to meet to pick up the flowers to drop of at the chapel and reception. And the wedding party as our meeting location changed. Sorry about that guys... Well I got to see Rob and we took some awesome pictures on the dock / park area with the river and mountains as background.
Then everyone else headed to the chapel to wait outside while Dad and I sat in the car in the parking lot until it was time to go in. Of course I was impatient and too excited to sit quietly. So up to the chapel we went. And then the ceremony. I didn't get to hear a ton of the harpist, but what was trickling outside was so pretty.
Our ceremony was perfect, it was us, the snafus made it that much better. I'll admit I had some butterflies, it is a big day. But Dad and Rob being so teary helped me hold it together. I walked down the aisle with my Dad. This is the moment I had always imagined as a kid, walking down the aisle with Dad. He was teary and that got me started. And all I could think is I forgot to get a handkerchief from the box, and man I'm starting to get sweaty in this dress. Dad gave me away with no problem, turned the veil, and here I am looking at Rob whose eyes are brimming with tears (as are my own) Then during the "I dos" Rob pulls out the handkerchief to wipe his eyes. Everyone laughs a bit, breaking the tension, and my tears are gone for good. I was a little shaky for the "I do." But calm for the vows. Rob on the other hand, went first, and "Til death do us part" really got to him. We had another cry and laugh break at that point. Oh it was perfect. It wasn't all Rob though. There was a laugh at my expense during the charge, I wasn't sure where the pastor was going at one point and made a face that made a friend who I could see laugh which made me laugh which made everyone laugh.
Rob and I have fun together and the laughter in the ceremony fit us very well. The reception is somewhat of a blur. I look at the video and some of the pictures and say "when did that happen." But it was a fun party and I hear the food was excellent. I know the cake was (I ate that) I had a wonderful day. The support of all of our guests makes me so thankful for our family and friends who were there.
After cleaning up Rob and I headed back to the Inn where we were staying. The plan to go to a nice dinner was quickly nixed. We showered changed into shorts and t-shirts and walked up the street for burgers and beer. This of course made us even more tired, so at the Inn we turned on the Olympics and fell asleep around 8. The adrenaline of the day is all that can possibly keep you going if you have an evening wedding and reception.
The day after the wedding we drove up to Millerton New York to have lunch at Harney & Sons; the tea place. We tasted some tea, made some purchases, got some cool new mugs, and had a tasty lunch. Then due to lots and lots of rain, which I am so happy waited a day to come, we decided to drive on home.
The perfect weekend.

Married!

A more detailed post will come later. But I am now officially Kasey Powers. Friday brought phase one of wedding flower arranging. Saturday was packing and traveling up to Cold Spring for the rehearsal and dinner. Sunday was the most perfect day ever. The weather held, Rob cried, I felt pretty, and we are married. Here are some pictures my cousin (and Flower Girl) Haley took with my camera. As I get pictures from people I will try and post some more.

Cousin Haley (I guess someone else had the camera here)

Bridesmaid Sara and her husband Dave

Sister and Maid of Honor EmilyBrother and Groomsman ClintMe and cousin GrantRob's mom Val and my mom ConnieMe at the receptionRob's brother and Best Man Josh dancing with Grant

Cake...

Feeding Rob cakeUncle Kevin and Uncle Marty

Cousins Keith and Grant

My Wedding is Here

In two days I will be getting married. My dad and brother drove through on Wednesday night and dropped off a box of stuff for the flowers. My mom arrived yesterday. The gifts for the wedding party are wrapped and packed. We picked up my dress from the bridal shop after getting it pressed. My veil is here and is gorgeous! We are ready to go. Mom and I have some appointments this afternoon, then this evening we are making centerpieces.

Hopefully a post on Monday or Tuesday before we head of to Mexico.

Yay!