#lustre dust cookie

[brilla-brilla-estrellita]

SnowBaz Tea: SSCoNE 2024

As part of our 2024 event, we had a tea party at The Bookworm in Omaha. I was tasked with deciding which teas we would be having. And by "tasked with," I mean I took this task on myself without asking despite the fact that @shrekgogurt was in charge of food. But at least it was still related to an activity, which I was in charge of, right?

Anyway, I, along LavenderSprinkles and RynMar (neither on tumblr, but both on AO3), spent a lot of time looking at different teas for the best SnowBazzy options to have at our tea party. We had to narrow it down to 3, but I found so many good options, I didn't want them to go to waste! And I didn't get a chance to talk much about the ones I did decided on, either.

For now, I'll just discuss the teas we did choose. The tea house all of these blends come from is my absolute favorite: Friday Afternoon Tea (Whoa, I just discovered they're on tumblr! Hi @friday-tea!). It is a queer latine owned and operated small business that specializes in creating blends inspired by your favorite fandoms. It has been called "The Gayest Tea Shop on the West Coast" by Cosmopolitan Magazine: a title that the owner and employees proudly carry. No, they don't pay me for this. I just really freaking love their tea and the community they strive to create. So who else would I go to for our SnowBaz tea party?

French Cookie

Ingredients: Black tea, almond, orange peel (replaced with lemon peel to avoid an allergy in the group), natural vanilla and almond flavoring

Fandom Blend? No, house blend

Representing: Simon

This tea can actually come as a black tea, a rooibos, or an oolong. I had originally planned for rooibos to make sure we had a decaf option, but once I found Small Lady, I went back to our tried and true favorite black tea base.

This is one has been a long time coming. Back when I first read the series, LavenderSprinkles and I spent all of our free time thinking about the characters. At one point I asked her, "If Simon were a tea, what tea would he be?" She immediately answered "almond rooibos." (Though in my opinion, it's a better fit for what Simon would actually drink than what Simon would be. Either way, it's Simony). It wasn't until planning for SSCoNE that I realized (and she confirmed) that she was specifically thinking about French Cookie. Since the original discussion, LavenderSprinkles has started getting the black tea version for iced tea in the summer, and it's delicious, so we knew it would work great for the tea party. I think I'll have to go back and try the rooibos version again, though!

Derpy Hooves

Ingredients: Black tea, white tea, marigold, natural vegan cream flavoring, bergamot oil

Fandom Blend? My Little Pony

Representing: Baz

I knew I wanted a floral tea for Baz, and Derpy Hooves delivered! I hadn't had it before and it was so good, at least for a floral tea lover like myself. And bergamot oil? Obviously.

I had no idea what fandom this was from when I picked it. Once I realized it was My Little Pony, I just about died. My first thought was "Baz would be horrified!" After a moment, though, I decided that Baz would secretly know all about MLP becuase of his sisters. Ever since I started thinking about what the crew would wear to see Barbie (omg, a whole year ago???), I've had a headcanon that Petra is a total horse girl.

There were sooo many good Baz teas, but a lot of them were very... unusual. For the tea party, we figured a tea that would be appealing to lots of people would be the better choice, so I picked a more moderate flavor profile, but I am very excited to talk about some of the other ones I found in a future post!

Small Lady

Ingredients: Rooibos, sour cherry, strawberry, pink peppercorn, sugar star sprinkles (removed because of potential soy allergen), pink lustre dust, natural black cherry flavoring, bergamot oil

Fandom Blend? Sailor Moon

Representing: A Lady Ruth Tea Party

I mean. Sour cherry and bergamot oil alone are Simon and Baz. Add in the pink, the glitter, the black cherry, the strawberry, the sprinkles and tell me you don't have a Lady Ruth creation on your hands. And yes, I said glitter! Unfortunatley this didn't come through at the tea party. I think the tea bags I put the loose leaf in didn't allow for the glitter to escape. But I promise you it's adorable and that glitter makes it through all but the finest grained teabags and steepers. When I brew it at home, it is sparkling.

This was the most commented-on tea at the party (in a good way), and it makes sense! It's fun and fruity and light and can be as gay as it wants. It can even be extra gay, as a treat! (Seriously, you could order this and ask them to add glitter of every color or rainbow sprinkles or something.) (They might charge extra if you get really wild -- I'm not sure.)

Bonus Tea: AO3

Ingredients: Oolong tea, aloe vera, orange peel, osmanthus, natural orange flavoring, natural cream aroma

Fandom Blend? General fandom

Representing: All of us weirdos

We ended up not getting this one for the tea party because it's so orange heavy (an allergen for some), and taking out or substituting the orange would just not be the same. But when I tell you I squealed when they revealed this blend for the first time! Unfortunately, I forgot to get some before it went out of seasons, so I will eagerly await its return next year.

That's all for now. I will have at least one more post with some of the runner up teas, but I have a feeling this might become a series with how many teas are in the (always growing) Friday Afternoon Tea catalogue alone.

[kemrysblog]

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To know more visit our website- www.hsjind.com

[computercourses2023]

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[theniceprincess-tnp-reboot]

It is finished! I’m so proud of this, it’s one of my biggest projects to date. Enjoy y’all!

Comet - @wilted3sunflowers

Shooting Star - Me

Galaxy- @galaxyacerodoesart

Lustre Dust/Nightfall/Daybreak - @aloecy

Moonlight - Devsisters

Meteor Burst- @idk-cookie-run-blog

Constellation - @charawolfside

[Commissions Open]

[neapolinyan]

...saw a couple people really liked lustre dust so... here’s a coloured doodle of them

[sohyuki]

BEYOND THIS TOWN LIES A LIFE MUCH SADDER.

I would know you anywhere. i once loved you, 

now i don’t know you at all ; 

feat : crepus 

warnings :  angst 

notes : title inspired by orville peck, quote[s] by eaven boland and anna carson

@3rdgymbros​ : this is payback for the dn jokes >:( the amount of time i spent on this is embarrassing and i hate that i kinda had fun with it too. it was a lot of 1 am writing but finally, finally, it’s done. enjoy :D / thank you so much to the discord server and @marius-z​​​ for brainstorming with me when i got stuck, ilu

You meet him in autumn. 

Crepus Ragnvindr is tall and lithe and the picture of nobility. His hair, fiery like the breath of a phoenix, is tied back with a leather cord and drapes across his shoulder. There is a hint of mirth and mischief in his eyes (A dimmed shade of red, you think. Something that reminds you of the last sparks of a dying fire. The loss of lustre in the facets of a ruby. The last moments of a sunset.) But they speak of kindness and warmth as well. Of rooms filled with light and laughter. Of gentle hands and careful movements. And sometimes, you think they might speak of love. 

The Ragnvindr family of Mondstadt holds a banquet on the first day of autumn to celebrate the coming of age of their heir. The streets are rife with activity as Mondstadt and its residents  prepare for the banquet: street performers weave through the crowds, silk and the jingle of bells  dancing in the air; bards sing hymns and poems of tales long past, of heroes etched in stone and of the wind and its god; children run through cobblestone alleyways, carrying baskets of rose petals to scatter into the wind. 

It’s safe to say that the family blessed by fire is well-loved by the people of Mondstadt. Everywhere you turn, there is excitement and anticipation, joy and laughter. Though you don’t understand what all the fuss is about — Crepus Ragnvindr may be the heir to the city of freedom, but he is no god. Nor is he someone chosen by them, He’s human. Mortal. Just like the young son of the blacksmith. Just like the old couple from Good Hunter’s. Just like you. 

“Done daydreamin’ schnucki?” 

The rolling pin clatters out of your hands as Ines Lavigne knocks the back of your legs with her broom. She lets out a chuckle at your surprise, the corners of her eyes crinkling at your indignation. “What’re you thinking of in that head of yours?” 

You shrug, avoiding her inquisitive gaze. She leans over your shoulder, and you can almost feel the delight radiating from her. Ines Lavigne — proud owner of Fait Maison, Fontaine’s only outpost bakery— is no one if not a chronic gossip. There are few who can compete with her skills of sniffing out a good story, or prying as much information from her victims as Ines can. You, unfortunately, have been subject to her inquisition one too many times (The time you mused about how the Gunnhildr's first son had eyes as blue as Lamp Grass. The accidental sigh you let out while people-watching through the window of the bakery, only for Ines to appear just as the Lady of the Lawrence clan walked by.) that even the slightest quirk of her lips sets off the alarm bells in your head. 

“Oh, ho! Has spring come early to Mondstadt?” She teases, taking in the grimace on your face with unconcealed glee. She laughs as you brush past her, sliding a tray of cookies into the rack by the oven. The window of the bakery is open, and you hear the sounds of laughter and conversation fill the world beyond the four brick walls you’ve come to call home. Music filters in, a bard or a band playing the Song of Vennessa somewhere in the city, a voice singing the tale of the Dandelion Knight.  

“I have no idea what you’re talking about.” You say, sending her a pointed look before dusting your flour-ridden hands on your apron. The cloth feels rough against your hands; the ends fray into tiny threads, the patchwork pattern is now worn and faded and you think it’s definitely seen better days. 

She scoffs, brushing a hand across her forehead. “Right,” she drags, “As if you weren’t staring dreamily out the window. The only thing in that general direction is — Ah ha! Is it the carpenter’s boy? He’s a darling, lapin! Green eyes, and a gentle kind of face. Mrs. Huber from the tavern said he’s just the sweetest thing you’ll ever meet. Lukas — you remember him, right? The adventurer with the scar on his arm — told me the boy once —” 

“Ines! There is no one. I was just admiring the city square. That’s all.”

Even with your back to her, you know she’s sending you the stink eye. She’s not convinced and you can feel it. But there truly is no one, you think. Mondstadt has been all you’ve known your entire life. You know the cobblestone paths and the trees like the back of your hand. You know the change in the wind and the scent of wind asters the same way you know the smell of baked bread and an oven fire. You’ve never been one to think, to dream or contemplate the idea that one day, you’d know someone more than you know your home. That one day, there would be someone as familiar to you as the toll of the church bell or the taste of dandelion wine after a day’s work. 

The jingle of the bakery bell breaks into the silence, snapping you out of your thoughts. You don’t register the gasp Ines lets out until you meet a pair of inquisitive ruby eyes. (They’re brighter than you imagined. There is wisdom and youth beneath the obvious warmth, and you’re reminded of the first rays of a sunrise. Stunning, a part of your mind whispers)

Crepus Ragnvindr stands in the tiny cornerstone bakery, looking every bit the heir to the uncrowned rulers of Mondstadt. His eyes (Too-knowing. Too aware) dart between you and Ines before resigning himself with a breathy chuckle. He bows, at the waist with an incline of his head, and you can’t help the way your body stiffens when he holds out his palm for your hand. 

“It is a pleasure to be in the company of such lovely people,” he says, peeking at you from under the locks of his fringe, “To whom do I owe the pleasure on this fine morning?” 

Ines squeals, loud and utterly obvious, and nudges you with her shoulder. There is an unmistakable flush on her cheeks and the glint in her eyes remind you too much of a predator eyeing their newfound prey. 

“The pleasure is all ours, Master Ragnvindr!” she exclaims, nudging you harder while jerking her head towards his still-outstretched palm. Crepus Ragnvindr smiles, and it takes everything in you not to turn away and run. Because something deep in your being trembles, cowers at the flutter in your chest and the tightness of your cheeks. The corner of his mouth tilts upwards a fraction more. 

“A-ah, yes. Thank you for your patronage, Master Ragnvindr.” You offer him your hand, albeit just a tad bit reluctant and introduce yourself. (A shiver shoots down your spine when his lips brush against your skin. You can feel the upturned corners of his smile and for a second, your mind wanders what it might feel like against yours)

“What can we do for you, Master Ragnvindr?” Ines beams at him. 

“Rumour has it this is the best bakery in Mondstadt,” he says. “I thought I’d sneak away for a few moments to see for myself.”

“You flatter us too much, Master Ragnvin—” 

“Crepus, my lady. Just Crepus is fine.” 

Calling a noble by their given name? As commoners, you and Ines could never. Probably would never even try to. Even though Mondstadt is a changed city from the days of the Lawrence clan’s tyranny, there is still a fine line drawn between nobility and commoners. What would the townspeople think if you called out to him in familiarity? Would they think you presumptuous? Would they scorn you in hushed whispers and sidelong glances? Would they think you were friends? (Lovers?) 

(Crepus. Crepus. Crepus — You want to say. You want to feel the syllables of his name against your lips. You want to hear the syllables of yours on his.)

Ines looks like she wants to protest, maybe insist on calling him at least ‘Master Crepus’ but he holds up a hand to stop her. The expression on his face is sheepish, almost embarrassed. His eyes seem to implore the two of you silently, and it stuns you for a moment because suddenly, he looks every bit the young boy he is supposed to be. Not Crepus Ragnvindr, heir to the House of Ragnvindr. Not Crepus Ragnvindr, son of Nox Ragnvindr, Teyvat’s leading business tycoon. 

Right now, as the sound of revelry flows in through the open window, he is just Crepus. Crepus, who snuck away for a few moments of reprise. Crepus, who stands before you, blushing and nervous. Crepus, who craves companionship over loyalty. Crepus, who stutters when you hold out a hand to shake.

“I’ve told you my name, and now you’ve told me yours. That makes us acquaintances — if that’s what you want, Crepus.” 

You feel the same shiver in your spine when he takes your hand. His palm is warm against your skin, soft but you can feel the calluses. It’s nice, you think. You like how your hands fit, how sure you feel when his skin touches yours. You like this. (You like him.) 

“Thank you,” he says, beaming back at you. “I hope this is the start of a wonderful journey, my friend.” 

“Friend? I like the sound of that.” 

If only you knew what you were getting into.

He leaves you in winter. 

You’re older and so is he. The seasons have come and gone and Mondstadt ushers in a quiet winter. The tiny bakery you once called home now houses a general goods store, the puff of smoke from the chimney no longer permeating into the air. Ines had bid you goodbye the night before, her hands clasped around yours and the glimmer of tears in her eyes. Home calls, she had said, brushing a hand down your face. I will miss you, my dearest. 

You hate goodbyes. Hate them like you hate the tartness of lemons. The humidity in the air after rain. The colour red. The softness of touch. His lips. His hands. The leather cord by your bedside. The roses in your garden. The weight of his head on your lap. The sigh against your neck. The quietness of your home. The way he smiles at her. The ache in your chest. Him. Crepus. Him. Him. Him. 

You hate the night he said goodbye, the tremble in his fingers as he broke your heart with every word coming out of that stupid mouth of his. (You’ve tasted those lips. You know what they feel like. What they mean to you.) He spoke of his family, of his obligation as the heir, his duty to continue and ensure the survival of the Ragnvindr house. What about us, you had said. What about our love. What about the years we’ve spent together. What about me.

(You who knew only of the feel of his hands and no one else’s. You who counted the stars in the sky and the constellations in his eyes. You who remembered the curve of his spine, the calluses of his hands, the threads of his hair. You who was marked, imprinted, wholly his.) 

His bride is beautiful. She is delicate, like a fairy amongst mortals. Her skin is snow pale and there is an ever-present flush on her cheeks. Her movements are graceful, beautiful, gentle. She smiles and you think even Celestia could be brought to its knees. You want to hate her. You want to hate and scream and curse her because she is everything you are not. She is lovely and kind and noble and Crepus looks at her the way he used to look at you and it hurts. It hurts because you should have been there. You should have been where she was, where she is. You should have been the one to hold his hand, to take his name, to be his family. But nothing will change the fact that Crepus chose her over you. Chose duty over you. 

You haven’t seen him in months, not since the day he kissed your tears under a cloudless sky and left without another word. The roses in your garden are left unattended and you let them die without a second thought. Mondstadt starts to feel more like a prison of memories than home. (The time you danced in the square together on Ludi Harpastum. The time he snuck into your room in the middle of the night, only to steal you away to Starsnatch Cliff. The first time he told you he loved you.) 

The day you spot a tuft of red hair over his shoulder is the day you decide to leave. The child is small, barely a year old but his eyes are as knowing as his father’s. His hair is a shade brighter but his face reminds you too much of his mother. He has her nose and her mouth and her pale skin and her loveliness. Even though she is gone, her shadow is permanent. Her child is his heir, his son. Her child will rule the city of wind. There will never be a day where you are not reminded of the duty Crepus spoke of because it now sleeps in his arms, quiet and small and fragile. 

Home calls, Ines had once told you. Home calls and I must return. You remember the wistful, far-off look in her eyes. You remember the way she reminisced about the lights of Fontaine and the sweetness of the air. The flowers. The rush of water. Home. But what happens when the only home you’ve known was Crepus. What happens when Crepus and Mondstadt are one and the same. What happens when the ghost of his bride’s smiles at you from the face of his child. What happens when you can no longer think of home as home. 

Home calls. But not to you. 

Home calls. But you cannot return. 

Home calls. But he’s no longer there. 

Home fades and you fade with it. 

[godesssiri]

10 Thrifting tips

I scored big yesterday wanted to share some tips. These will be homeware tips as I don’t thrift a lot of clothes - it’s my Mum and Best Friend who have exploding wardrobes. I hope this post will be helpful for anyone setting up a home or wanting to inject some vintage personality into their home.

1) Go often. I can not emphasize this enough. I hit my favorite store at least once, if not twice, a week - it has really high turnover. My second favorite store I hit at least every other week, not so high turn over so it’s okay to go less often. Learn the stores in your area that have high stock turnover and go to them as often as you can.

2) Never go to the thrift store looking specifically for a trash can or a pet bowl etc. Go with an open mind and look for something that may not be designed for the thing you need but it can serve that purpose. I have an umbrella stand that serves as a trash can and candy dishes to feed my cats from - they have a punch bowl for water at the back door since that’s the bowl I always forget to fill so I just leave them a huge bowl and don’t need to fill it as often. You can often find something that works even better than a purpose designed object and it just looks cooler.

3) Use the fancy glass and crystal. The clear glass shelves are always packed because people think it’s fancy and never use it. You can pick it up for a couple of dollars. I eat noodles out of fancy glass bowls, I feed my cats from them, I use them for soap dishes, I store earrings and lipsticks in them on my dresser, I use them as drip dishes under pot plants. Glass is durable and easy to clean.

4) Look for new in the original packaging. Yesterday I picked up $125 of brand new un-used bed linen for $30. How do I know how much it was worth? It still had the original prices on it (I don’t know who buys a $75 pure cotton quilted valance and never even takes it out of the packaging but I’m not gonna complain). You often see full sets of stemware or other glassware in their boxes. Gift boxes full of unused toiletries, scented candles that have never been burned. Don’t buy something just because it’s new in the box - that way lies having cupboards full of as-seen-on-tv crap. But if it’s something you’ll use then grab it.

5) Baking equipment. Thrift stores always have plenty of baking equipment. I’d never buy cookie sheets, muffin tins, cake tins, cooling racks or rolling pins new. I know I can always find these things at thrift stores and often better quality than I can afford new. If you’re really into baking then you’ll occasionally come across specialty tins that you couldn’t really justify buying new (how often are you actually going to bake madeleines or friands?) but there’s no guilt picking them up from a thrift store.

6) Trade up. Especially when you’re starting out you may not be able to afford good quality stuff so you just have to make do with whatever you can afford. I can’t say that you absolutely will walk into a thrift store and find something top of the line but, if you go often, eventually you will come across something that’s better quality than the one you own. You may not be able to justify buying a brand new chef quality frying pan when you have a perfectly good pan at home, but you can absolutely justify buying a chef quality pan when you find one at the thrift store. And donate your perfectly good one - someone else will need it.

7) Collect something. When I’m in a thrift store I have my eyes peeled for pink Arcoroc glassware, mini peacock chairs to sit my plants on, 80s pastel ceramic plant pots, anything seashell. Building up a collection of thrifted items is loads of fun. It’s the thrill of the hunt and the rush when you find the perfect thing to add to your collection. Having a few fun collections of vintage stuff scattered around your home gives it individuality - no one else is going to have that exact collection.

8) Solid wood furniture. Don’t look at the color of a piece, that’s the easiest thing in the world to change. Look at how sturdy it is, and believe me solid wood is sturdy. If you’re considering a piece of furniture rock it, give it a good shake, if it wobbles forget it unless you have some woodworking skills. Look for soft spots or lots of little holes that would indicate rot or borer/woodworm. If it has borer is there a lot? It’s fairly easy to treat with an injection spray if there’s not too much. Solid wood will last a lifetime, it’s easy to make over if you get sick of it, it will survive house-moving and general wear and tear way better than flat pack. And you end up with a house full of unique pieces, not the same Ikea look as everyone else.

9) Can it be cleaned? Inevitably some things from thrift stores are gonna be a bit yuck. There is no point buying something if you are not confident you can clean it. I’ll sometimes do a spot clean, just by rubbing it with my finger wetted from my water-bottle, to see if the grime will come off. I keep an old toothbrush specifically for the seashells and mini peacock chairs I collect because they tend to come covered in the dust of ages and the best way to clean them is with a dry brush followed by a rinse. Barkeepers Friend is wonderful stuff for getting tarnish off metal or cloudiness from glass. Dishwasher powder is great for cleaning out any vessel that you can’t scrub the inside, 1 part powder to 2 parts water and swirl it around. If you find something you love but you’re not sure you can clean it, Google it! Honestly I find it incredibly satisfying to buy something really grimy (and cheap because it’s grimy), get it home and clean it up to sparkling new.

10) Share the love. I have my eyes peeled for things I collect but also I’m on the lookout for things my friends and family collect. I’m looking for blue hand-made pottery for my Mum, peach lustre glass for my best friend, swans for my cousin, lovely old copies of classic girl’s books (Anne of Green Gables, Little Women etc) for my friend’s daughter. It’s as much of a thrill as finding the things I collect but there’s that extra good feeling of knowing I’ll make someone’s day by finding them that awesome vintage piece.

[fanfectionary]

I’m done with the Shen Wei cookies! Some nostalgic process shots as I get the glamour shots together... I’m planning on taking a few on a field trip to the park down the street tomorrow ... 

food coloring markers are the beeeeeest

Royal icing before petal and lustre dust details... I know fondant would probably be easier but I hate fondant.

Petal (matte) or lustre (shiny) edible pigments can be added dry or painted on in a vodka suspension after the royal icing is dry (I usually wait overnight, but at least 6 hours). The vodka evaporates, leaving behind the pigment. But too much liquid breaks down the royal icing, so you can’t overuse. 

Mostly I add icing using a chopstick and draping it carefully, nudging into place with a thin metal pointy tool actually meant to make takoyaki. I tend to use the food coloring marker as a guideline, but it can be dicey with white and light colors, because it can bleed or transfer. 

[dzmoot]

COUNT CLAUS

It was decades ago when I was ten And it was a time for good will towards men It was Christmas time, the cream of the crop Time for lighting contests, dressing up pine trees and grown ups to shop For the year's most popular of knick knacks and toys For their angelic little girls and mischievous little boys There was Toby the Teddy that talked and did hand stands 

A rubber action figure, Sam Stretch that stretches and expands 

There was Miss Penelope Perfect with a make up set and brush 

A giant mutant lizard monster that spit up slime and mush 

And a Baby Poops Too Much for little cousin Jane 

For dear Johnny, a noisy remote control flying saucer sure to drive mom and dad insane 

And what did I want that year, I wasn't quite certain Perhaps some dinosaur mittens or a cowboy curtain But there was one thing set in the stone I would be up all night Christmas Eve, curious and alone To get a glimpse of the big man in red With the big fuzzy cloud beard upon his huge round head I would watch him put the presents under the tree And laugh and smile with utmost glee He would eat every cookie and drink all the milk And put on his black gloves made of smooth silk And then with a finger nicely placed aside his nose He would stand upright on all ten toes And up the chimney he would fly like smoke He's in pretty good shape for an old folk

I couldn't wait, to get a glimpse of Santa Claus And all I had to do was listen closely for reindeer paws

So, as you would imagine, it was the night before Christmas when all through the house Not a creature was stirring, except for my pet mouse 

The stockings all hung by the fireplace with care There was a holiday snow globe and a festively dressed teddy bear And I on the couch with my jammies and cap Was drinking lots of coffee to make sure I wouldn't take a nap When out in the front yard, there arose such a clatter I sprang from the couch to see what was the matter Away to the front door I flew like the Flash Whipped it right open and looked past the trash The fog was hovering over the hard, frozen snow And there was no lustre of midday from the moon to show When what to my anxious eyes did appear But a weird looking sleigh and nine, fanged bats instead of reindeer With a caped, terrifying driver so UNDEAD and sick I wondered to myself, WAS THIS REALLY SAINT NICK? 

More rapid than werewolves his monsters they came And he hissed and shouted and called them by name Now Ripper Now Dripper Now Sucker and Spewer On Killer On Crippler On Stoker and Skewer To the top of the house, to the top of the wall Now flap away flap away flap away all And when the coursers landed on the roof The dreaded vampire Claus transformed into a bat with one single POOF As I shut the door and hid behind the armchair Down the chimney St. Nicholas flew, ashes flying into the air He turned back into a human with red eyes and sharp teeth And he had a candy walking cane and a large collar instead of a wreath  

His cape how it fluttered, his glare how scary He seemed to hover around which made me quite wary His sharp fangs dripped gooey blood onto his belly It looked as if he just consumed somebody’s brain jelly He was spooky and plump, a right wicked old elf And I gasped when I saw him, in spite of myself A blink of his glowing eyes and a 360 spin of his head Soon gave me a feeling of terror and tremendous dread He spoke not a word and went straight to his work And filled all the stockings, the big blood sucking jerk And laying his finger aside of his nose He turned back into a bat and up the chimney he rose

He flew to his sleigh, to his bats gave a whistle And away they all flew like a nuclear missile And I heard him exclaim as he drove out of sight Merry Christmas to all, and to All a Good Night!

And I said to myself, was I hearing that right?

How could such a terrible monster make people giddy He should be out scaring trick or treaters on Halloween, he’s ghastly and gritty He’s nothing like the Santa Claus I always dreamed In his sight, people probably hid under their beds and screamed So in those hours after Dracula Claus had gone I devised a plan well into dawn I would wait until next year, when the present delivery would start And when he comes back, I would stake Count Claus straight in the heart

Yet again, it was the night before Christmas when all through the house Not a creature was stirring, except for the pet mouse There were no stockings, no snow globe, no Christmas tree by the chair I anxiously waited until Count Claus was there And when he arrived, I flew to the fireplace And prepared to strike Count Claus square in the face He flapped down the chimney, a bat yet again And I readied my sharp, limited edition silver pen When to my surprise, Count Claus transformed into a beast And looked at me like I would be his midnight Christmas feast He had several eyes and claws like a crab And he waved his tentacles around me like he was ready to grab

I cried and I shrieked like a big, slobbering baby Until I heard a soft voice, like a small bird in a tree Count Claus was back to normal and he wasn’t as scary His fanged mouth formed a smile and he put his arm around me He said, Dear little Toddy McFaggletrodder, I mean you no harm I know I look like I would bite off your arm I know I look like I came straight from the grave But I’m actually that kindly Claus you’ve always known, the one all people rave I’m just a vampire, forced to come out at night For if I came out during the day, I would crumble to dust in the bright light That’s why I stay up high at the North Pole It’s pitch black and dark as coal To protect me until Christmas comes again So I can continue to spread good cheer among God’s great men

And with those words, I was no longer afraid Count Claus would surely be something I would no longer evade And as Claus put his presents upon the floor He asked me if I’d like to go on a little tour He would take me along on his long winter trip And I would ride on his grand bat pulled ship I couldn’t wait, it was like the Christmas specials on TV I wondered and wondered about all the fantastic things I would see And we flew away, all around the world The sleigh was like a roller coaster that looped and swirled We visited house after house, through the thick winter sauce And surprisingly, Count Claus didn’t flee at the sight of a cross He feared no garlic, no grains of rice No bibles, no holy water, no wolfsbane spice He gave the children their presents, his ultimate goal And when he was finished, he took me to the North Pole Because it was pitch black, it was hard to see But the glowing nose of Rudolph the Bat led the way for me

And we entered Count Claus’ grand toy making castle Without any hustle, bustle or hassle

And again, what did my wondering eyes should appear But thousands of strange looking elves with one single eye, so clear They still had pointy ears and tiny Christmas hats They were busy making toy soldiers and silver baseball bats And their voices, how high pitched, how squeaky, how merry Their yellow ears so flappy, their toes so hairy

Then Count Claus showed me all his machines The Great Toy Spaceship-O-Matic, a thingamajig that made tambourines A gingerbread house maker, a firetruck snapper A Susie doll head plopper, a frisbee clapper There was a gizmo that made multi colored toy snails And a conveyer belt that made toy chainsaws, hatchets and nails Last but not least was the great Wind-Up Toy constructor And an elf named Morty was the controller, the conductor There were wind up toys of elephants, kangaroos and soldiers There were even wind up cowboy boots and cup holders I saw a guy in a car, a juggling clown, an alien invader Why, there was even a wind up kung fu alligator

We met some of Claus’ comrades, Credence was first He was a critter with a Christmas ball head and drank cocoa to quench his thirst

A gingerbread giant that almost hit the ceiling

The Insectoid Candlehead, dripping hot wax and squealing 

And like a haunted house at Halloween There was even a floating present poltergeist, a bright red and green

The North Pole’s first line of defense, a battalion of nutcrackers                         

They stood prominently and were led by General McKlackors!

Outside on the white, slushy snow so delicious Was a talking snowman the elves called Aloysius 

He told me a story about the fateful Christmas Eve When the presents were stolen by a furry green fellow, I couldn’t believe He told me a skeleton kidnapped Santa one night And trapped him in a crypt where he received that fateful vampire bite As the tour continued, I bid Aloysius goodbye He had a warm heart for such a frosty guy And with a bit of magic, Santa gave life to his long walking cane He was tall with a mustache and was named Cain

Cain Charine was the Count’s most prized assistant When he checked Claus’ naughty and nice list, he was quite persistent He had a bit of an accent and kept all the elves in line He knew just what toy making duty to assign He got up and waved his long rubbery arms And tried to amuse me with his humorous charms And after awhile, Claus turned him back into his walking stick I’m sure if Count Claus ate him, he would become very sick

Then we went back outside, walked towards a forest, so bright Was the forest on fire, I feared, not quite It was a beautiful, stunning moment to cease When we saw the entire forest full of glowing Christmas trees The lights were so bright I thought I’d go blind And the reds, the blues, the greens, so defined They glimmered and glistened like burning night stars And the stars on top glowed like headlights on cars It was like a grand Christmas dream, it would never be forgotten But little did I know something would come along, something very, very rotten When we least expected it, it hit us like a knife When one of the glowing trees suddenly came to LIFE

It was an alien from a gleaming Christmas star Bringing terror and tyranny from afar He had 5 eyes, more than a spider And long, tendril arms and a prickly trunk, much wider

He was ready to pounce and devour us like cookies But we would defeat him, we were brave rookies He chased us, far up the snowy mountain Far past the fruitcake valley and down the eggnog fountain He chased us down the slope of drippy chocolate balls And into the great, sticky rock candy halls Count Claus whipped out some tinsel and a large red sack And tied the creature up, than I covered him up and pushed him on his back We drug him back to the castle and put him in the freezer He was frosty, a frozen tree, cold hearted like Ebenezer And we put him right in the middle of the hall So all the elves and critters could admire him, they could all have a ball It was an odd Christmas, like one I never had And now that I am old, I tell this story to you my lad In hopes that you will one day have a similar adventure to endure Because, right now, at this moment, Count Claus is at the door Have a good time, say hello to the elves To the magical toys upon the shelves And beware strange aliens disguised as Christmas trees For they might devour you like strings of cheese It’s Christmas time, a time for excitement, over and under And who said vampires can’t spread cheer and wonder 

MERRY CHRISTMAS FROM DERRICK ZURN’S MOON OF TOONS! 

[icinginksusa]

Edible Art Metallic Lustres Sparkling And Glittering Magical Dust To Decorate Your Cakes And Cookies

The Icinginks edible lustre dust comes in various types with different colors, shades, and textures. These sparkling lustre dust colors add a magical touch to all kinds of cakes, and cookies online at www.icinginks.com

[computercourses2023]

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[theniceprincess-tnp-reboot]

baby mode…. Again because i coloured it, i love shooting star So Much and these two would probably b friends……


Response: OH MY GOD THIS IS SO FUCKING CUTE! I LOOOOOOOOOOOOOVE!

[neapolinyan]

oc icons... 2!

[amatchgirl]

How to make CHRISTMAS MINI COOKIES – Learn to make Santa, Elf, Rudolf and Christmas Tree cookies

How to make CHRISTMAS MINI COOKIES – Learn to make Santa, Elf, Rudolf and Christmas Tree cookies

Hey Sweet Peeps, this is my last Christmas cookie video tutorial for this year as Christmas is coming tomorrow (for us down under in New Zealand) or in a couple of days for some of you in other countries

My kids have been counting down and so excited as there is only 1 more sleep til Santa!

My boy is ready with a plate of cookies & milk for Santa and carrot for Rudolf

This video will show you how to decorate a set of mini Christmas cookies, you will learn how to make Santa, his Elf, Rudolf & Christmas trees cookies. They are very cute and perfect to have as a treat for Christmas day.

We are wishing you a very Merry Christmas and hope you are spending the holiday with your loved ones

If like this video please leave a thumbs-up and I invite you to SUBSCRIBE to my channel as it is through your support that I will able to make more videos. THANK YOU SO MUCH

Subscribe + Likes + Share + Enjoy!

Turn on the Notification-bell

to stay updated!

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If you love my tutorials and want to show your support, as well as wanting to see more from me, please consider buying me a cup of coffee!

It will go a loooongggg way in getting me thru the a long series of decorating sessions and all the late nights video editing sessions! Thank you so much in advance and it will truly means a lot to me

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If you are NEW to cookie decorating, these video tutorials will help you in your cookie decorating journey:

How to make Royal Icing:

Royal Icing Consistency:

Cookie Decorating Tips:

Sugar Cookie Recipe: ~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~

Here are some information on the cookie tools that I used in this video:

Christmas Mini Cutters: Cutie Cupcake Cutter Set (Santa, Elf, Rudolf & Christmas Tree)

Scribe tool: – or you can also just use toothpicks

Food Doodler Fine-tip edible pen in yellow:

Fondant bow mold:

White Nonpareils:

Tipless piping bag:

PME tip#1.5:

PME tip#2.5 (for Rudolf’s antlers)

Or you can get a writing set which comes in handy, like this one: PME Writing Tip Set of 3 (Tip#1, #1.5 & #2):

Gold lustre dust: Rolkem Super Gold

Cake decorator Rose Spirit:

OR if you are in NZ you can buy it locally:

Pico projector:

White non-slip matt ( to put on top of the cookie swivel to prevent cookies from sliding around):

Cookie Swivel (Turntable) from LC Sweets: OR

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Follow me on Instagram:

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Visit my blog website for ideas, inspiration, recipes and photo tutorials:

Royalty Free Music Credit: Jingle Bells by Kevin MacLeod

#CookieliciousNZ #CookieDecorating #ChristmasCookies from WordPress http://sweetly.site/how-to-make-christmas-mini-cookies-learn-to-make-santa-elf-rudolf-and-christmas-tree-cookies/

[resultnorth1-blog]

Summoning The Spirits With A Ouija Board Cake!

Summon the spirits with this Ouija board cake and planchette! A rich, moist chocolate cake is sandwiched with chocolate buttercream but it's the message on top that is pure magic! With a hidden message, the spirits are trying to tell you something from the grave!

Every year for Halloween I make a big centrepiece cake. One year it was Hogwart's Castle out of gingerbread, another it was a road kill armadillo cake - there is no theme or logic, it's whatever gruesome that tickles my fancy.

I was prepping for my upcoming Halloween party when I unfurled a tablecloth from last year's party. It was a large ouija board and the pointer or planchette fell out. I took it as a sign that I should make a ouija board cake!

This cake was being served at the party location so I wanted it to be as fuss free and easy to transport as possible. My original idea had lots of fresh cream, berries and would have been incredibly stressful especially as I make 13 things every year. So a ouija board sheet cake was actually ideal. sheet cakes are great for feeding a crowd and I could transport it in its tin and I would also use an edible transfer sheet for the ouija board.

I enlisted the help of Mr NQN's sister Amaya, a graphic designer who helped me personalise the ouija board and I ordered it online and within a couple of days I received my print out and I was on my way!

The location for this year's party came to me in an interesting way. Anyone that knows me knows that I operate on 30% logic, 70% intuition which can drive the hugely logical person like Mr NQN a bit mad but he has seen many occasions where intuition works so he just goes with it.

I found this spot through spirits. And I'm not even joking Dear Reader. I was searching desperately for a Halloween party location but there just aren't many truly spooky places in Sydney. But one day I walked out an appointment and a voice guided me to walk down this street that I normally don't venture down.

I wandered and walked and then passed a gate where I turned left and I looked right. There stood a beautiful white picket fenced cottage that had a plaque called "Cemetery Lodge". I stood there staring at it for a good 10 minutes wondering if this was a figment of my imagination. Had I dreamt up this place?

I didn't know what to do, whether it was real, or whether someone lived there so I stood in front of it just taking the whole location in. In front of it was a majestic fig tree and there was a cemetery just yonder. I couldn't stop thinking about it and then I searched for the contact details of the church on whose land it sat and emailed them. And while they had never hosted an event, they were happy to have our crazy little Halloween party and I met the lovely tenants who were absolutely delightful. See, sometimes the spirits really do help!

Now that the spirits had helped me I decided that making them a cake to say thanks was in order (spirits eat cake right?). Making the cake was relatively easy-the only thing that really proved difficult was Sydney's recent relentless wet weather. The rain in the air is not great for fondant or gum paste. But I was pretty happy with how it turned out. This is a great cake if you want it to last at room temperature and bake it 3-4 days ahead of time it's that moist and forgiving and it gives you an extra hand in the kitchen so to speak. Just like the spirits who helped me out!

So tell me Dear Reader, what percentage of you operates of logical vs intuition? Do you have a spirit/s that helps you out?

An Original Recipe by Lorraine Elliott

Preparation time: 30 minutes

Cooking time: 30 minutes

Decorating time: 2 hours plus drying time

Feeds: 20 people

5 cups cake flour

5 cups brown sugar

1 1/3 cup cocoa powder

5 teaspoons bicarb of soda

2 teaspoons fine salt

2x350ml/12.4flozs. tins root beer or cola

3/4 cup water

1 2/3 cups oil (a flavourless one like rice bran or grapeseed)

10 tablespoons vinegar (I used red wine vinegar)

3 tablespoons vanilla extract

350g/12.4ozs. dark chocolate chips, roughly chopped

Chocolate Buttercream

300g/10.6ozs. butter, softened

9 cups icing or powdered sugar, sifted

1 cup cocoa powder

2 teaspoons vanilla

Water if needed

To decorate:

An edible transfer A3 size of a ouija board (if you don't have time to wait for postage, you can always pipe this in royal icing or draw it on fondant with edible paint)

Royal icing in black

600g/21.2ozs. black fondant (I used white but black is easier)

cornflour/fine cornstarch

Edible gold lustre dust mixed with a teaspoon of vodka

For planchette

1 enormous shortbread cookie

50g/1.7ozs. yellow/brown gum paste

White edible paint

For letters

Small quantity black gum paste

4 x 200mm gauge wires

The cakes are best made a day ahead so they firm up and are less delicate.

I used black cocoa, hence why it was so dark

Step 1 - Grease and line two 45x30cms tins on the base and sides. Preheat oven to 180C/350F and have two racks in the oven ready for the cakes. In a very large bowl, whisk the cake flour, sugar, cocoa powder, bicarb and salt until well combined. In a jug whisk the water, oil, vinegar and vanilla. Make a well in the flour and add in the root beer and oil mixture and mix until just combined. Add in the choc chips and divide among the two tins (making sure that the choc chips don't all end up in one cake). This is a very liquid mixture. Bake for 35 minutes or until the centre bounces back when pressed gently. Cool completely, preferably overnight.

Step 2 - Make the letters as they will need to dry completely. Knead the gum paste and cut out the letters using the letter cutters. While it is still soft, gently insert the wires into the letters and allow to set overnight. Gum paste does set quickly but it was very damp with rain when I did this and they took a couple of days to set completely (sooo frustrating!). I had some issues with the M from M setting so I just made the message "HELP". Tip: make two sets if you have time in case one doesn't set properly.

Step 3 - Make the buttercream. Beat the butter until pale and fluffy and then on low speed add the cocoa, icing sugar and vanilla and beat until combined. Increase speed and beat until fluffy.

Step 4 - When cakes are cooled, carefully run a knife around the edge to release them. I find it helps enormously to put the cakes in the freezer and that way they won't fall apart. Remove the parchment. Place one cake layer back in the tin or on a cake board and pipe the buttercream on top and then sandwich with the other cake layer.

Step 5 - Sprinkle cornflour over a large clean surface and roll out the fondant to fit the top of the cake. Gently lay it on top of the cake and trim off any excess. This is the best surface for the edible transfer (buttercream is too wet). Take the transfer sheet by diagonal corners and gently run it against the edge of the table. The corner should come off and then you can carefully place it on top of the fondant. Once you have placed it correctly you can brush a little water on the fondant to adhere it into place. Smooth out any air bubbles.

Step 6 - Take the royal icing and place in a small parchment bag. Pipe swirls and patterns around the edge of the cake. Allow to set completely. Then take the gold paint and carefully paint over the swirls in gold.

Step 7 - Make the planchette. I took an enormous shortbread cookie and trimmed it to the shape with a paring knife. I then covered it with tinted gum paste and then drew a pattern over it. You can do this with a graham cracker too.

Source: http://www.notquitenigella.com/2018/10/22/ouija-board-cake/

[outhereontheprairie]

Believe it or not, contrary to how these look, I’m not a totally terrible artist. I was in lessons starting in elementary school, but unfortunately as an adult my hands shake pretty badly. And I’m not 80 - I’m 30. I wish I could paint and draw like I used to. But painting good lustre dust on cookies is the best I can do for now. Gotta get out that artistic energy somehow! ✨ #outhereontheprairie #christmasbaking #christmascookies #honeycookies #goldlustredust (at North Dakota) https://www.instagram.com/p/BrikPLDgCyH/?utm_source=ig_tumblr_share&igshid=bbnok3s0hvzk