WEEKEND BREAST CANCER WALK - TORONTO

Custom Aluminum Water Bottle design for Weekend to End Breast Cancer Walk in Toronto. Posted as proof for approval.

ALTERNATE PLANS

Just as we were on our way out the door to go berry picking, a thunder storm rolled in. Oh well, there's always tomorrow. I think we may make these instead.

JUST THE GIRLS

I've decided that Hugh Forte gets the award for taking the best bridesmaid photos. Of course, he's a beautiful photographer in general, but there's just something about the way he captures a bride with her girls. 

AND THE WINNER IS...

Are you dying to know who won one of our new Personalized Aluminum Water Bottles? I was too! But first, I had to make sure I was completely organized, taking care to add the double entries for all Facebook fans (thank you very much). Because I was unable to account for the double entries using randomizer, I simply wrote all entries on slips of paper and put them in a beach pail, as shown above. Petunia held the pail, and since Peanut cannot read, we thought it was most fair for her to draw the winner. And just to keep it all equal in the family as well...

Pumpkin posed with the winning name. Congratulations feline13x!!!! You have won one of our super cool Personalized Aluminum Water Bottles!  In your comment, you expressed interest in a robot and princess (samples of each shown below), but feel free to choose any design for your winning bottle.

Please email me with your preferences and personalization and I'll get started on your water bottle right away. I'm looking forward to working with you!

WEEKEND RECIPES

Don't forget to enter our giveaway for a Personalized Aluminum Water Bottle. Comment here to enter no later than midnight EST tonight!

Having a picnic or weekend party? Here are two perfect recipes for a summer party. I made them both for our fireworks viewing party on the fourth and they were both tremendous hits!

The first is a fantastically delicious trifle recipe from Make and Take, complete with a lemon curd recipe that you will die for! Seriously, you may want to make an extra batch of lemon curd just to eat with a spoon while you assemble the trifle. (Not that that is something I would do, of course. It's just a suggestion.)

SUMMER TRIFLE

1 prepared recipe sour cream pound cake, sliced or cubed (recipe follows) 1 prepared recipe lemon curd, chilled (recipe follows) 8 oz. cream cheese, room temperature 1/2 cup powdered sugar 1 1/2 cups heavy cream, cold 16 oz. fresh strawberries, sliced 2 pints fresh blueberries

To make the cream:

Beat the cream cheese and powdered sugar. Add the heavy cream and continue beating until thick. Chill until ready to assemble trifle.

Assembly:

Layer in a trifle dish or large bowl–

Half the sliced pound cake–use smaller pieces to fill in the gaps Half the lemon curd One third of the blueberries and strawberries Half the whipped cream mixture

Repeat with the remaining cake, lemon curd, another 1/3 of the berries, and whipped cream. Top with the remaining 1/3 strawberries and blueberries.

Let chill in the fridge until ready to serve.

Serves a bunch.

Sour Cream Pound Cake adapted from The Joy of Cooking

3 cups all-purpose flour 1/2 tsp. baking soda 1/2 tsp. salt 2 stick unsalted butter, at room temperature 3 1/2 cups granulated sugar, divided 6 eggs, separated and at room temperature 1 cup sour cream, at room temperature 2 tsp. vanilla extract

Preheat oven to 350 degrees F. Grease and flour 2 8″ square baking pans or a 9″ Bundt pan.

Whisk the dry ingredients together and set aside.

Using an electric mixer, beat butter until creamy. Add the sugar and continuing beating until light and fluffy, about 5 minutes. (Don’t skimp on this step.)

Add the egg yolks one at a time, beating for at least 1 minute between additions. Add the vanilla extract.

Add 1/3 of the dry ingredients, beat just until it disappears into the creamed mixture. Add 1/2 of the sour cream. Beat to combine. Repeat with remaining flour and sour cream, making sure to end with the last 1/3 of the dry ingredients. Set aside.

In a separate bowl beat the egg whites with an electric mixer until soft peaks form. Add 1/2 cup of the granulated sugar a little at a time. Continue beating until stiff, glossy peaks form.

Carefully fold in 1/3 of the egg whites to the batter using a large rubber or silicone spatula. (It’s okay if there are some streaks of egg white. This is to lighten the batter before the remaining egg whites are added.)

Add the remaining egg whites by gently folding, being careful not to deflate the whites.

Spread the batter into the prepared pan. If using 8″ square pans, bake for about 35-40 minutes. (Don’t open the oven at all during the first 30 minutes or the cake will fall in the center.) If using the bundt pan, bake for 60-75 minutes. Tent the pans with foil if the top browns too quickly. A toothpick inserted into the center should come out clean.

Let cool for a few minutes in pan before removing the cake to a wire rack to finish cooling. Cake gets better the longer it sits. Be sure to wrap it well in foil or plastic wrap so it doesn’t dry out.

Lemon Curd from my husband’s aunt

Juice of 3 lemons Zest of 3 lemons 1 cup granulated sugar 3 whole eggs 6 Tbsp. unsalted butter, melted and cooled

In a bowl, rub the lemon zest with the sugar until wet and sandy. Whisk in the eggs. Add the juice. Add the melted butter.

Transfer the mixture to a stainless steel (or other non-reactive) pan. Cook over medium heat while whisking constantly until the curd thickens. (It will be about the consistency of thin yogurt.) Quickly remove from heat. Strain through a fine mesh sieve into a clean bowl. Press plastic wrap on the surface and chill until ready to use.

 The next recipe is for a simple and refreshing white Sangria courtesy of Eddie Ross. This sangria is soooooooo good and sooooooo refreshing. 'Nuff said.

Check back tomorrow for our lucky giveaway winner!

BY REQUEST

Thank you all so much for your fabulous ideas! Here are some new Aluminum Water Bottle designs based on your requests. 

Yoga

Soccer Girl

Robot and Princess

Horse & Rider

Two Gymnastics Designs (boy gymnast also available).

Irish Step Dancer

Tight Rope Walker (yes, that's right, Tight Rope Walker)

Dancer

Teen Cheer

Don't forget to enter to win a Personalized Aluminum Water Bottle of your very own by leaving a comment on the post below. Become a fan of Pumpkin Petunia on Facebook for double entries! Due to the custom nature of these bottles, it can take up to two weeks for delivery. If you're feeling lucky, but don't want to wait until after the giveaway to place your order, we will gladly refund you the purchase price plus shipping, if you win!

CELEBRATING WITH A GIVEAWAY!

I have been ready to burst with the news of this product for what seems like forever, but I needed to be sure that the quality was superior and everything was just perfect before I let the cat out of the bag. Finally, that day has arrived. Introducing our new Aluminum Water Bottles!!! Each one custom designed and personalized! That's right, no more losing water bottles at the field, in camp or at school.

The BPA-free, 20 ounce water bottle comes with both a kid-friendly flip top (as shown) AND a screw on top which is more adult-friendly. Both lids are leak proof when shaken and turned upside down, so no more drips and leaks in the lunch box or backpack! Want to change out the lid? Just screw off one lid and replace it with the other. Carabiner also included to easily attach to back packs and bags. My son has been attaching his to the fence at the ball field so that he's never searching for it between innings. 

I have to admit, I may have been a bit overzealous when designing for these bottles. There are now so many designs that I am having trouble organizing the best way to show all of your choices! Shown here is just a sampling of available designs, so if you do not see what you're looking for - just ask!  Once you choose the design of your choice, in the colors of your choice, it will be custom printed on both sides of the bottle so your child always knows which bottle is theirs. 

The wide variety of styles make these water bottles perfect for all ages, from toddler to teen and beyond! We can also custom design water bottles to match any party theme. Very cool! But remember to plan ahead. Due to the custom nature of these water bottles, they can take 1-2 weeks for delivery.

So to celebrate my excitement and the debut of my new favorite product, I would love to spread my water bottle love with a giveaway. Just leave a comment on this post (I'd love to hear which design or color combination you prefer) no later than Friday, July 24th at midnight EST and you will be entered to win a personalized aluminum water bottle of your very own. If you are a fan of Pumpkin Petunia on Facebook and enter with a comment, you will receive two entries. (hint, hint, become a fan- it increases your chances of winning!) Since delivery of the water bottles can take 1-2 weeks time, you may not want to wait until after Friday to order, so if you place an order before the end of the giveaway and then win the giveaway, I will gladly refund the purchase price of one water bottle, including shipping. Good luck everyone!