It’s a post that once I though of, I became so excited.
Sometimes that happens with ideas and when it does it is my very favorite thing. See, when an idea forms I begin to build this whole picture in my head. In my head it obviously looks amazing and from there I begin to plot. Some ideas are easier to execute than others, and some are, well… a little more challenging. This one was a little more challenging.
But not because it is a hard recipe. No, just because there were a lot of variables that needed to come together in order for it work. I decided early on that if I was going to follow through with this idea, it had to somewhat resemble the picture in my head. Oh that picture in my head. It trips me up ever time. Meaning, it’s always just too good to be true.
So let’s start with the hat. Finally I found I decent hat on Zappos, but I really wanted the one from Nordstrom. It was much more me.
Next, I needed the jars. Luckily trusty old Target had those. Gotta love Target (and thank God they have one up here in the mountains)! Next, the actual food. Originally these were meant to be pecan pies, but oh my gosh those where a huge fail when baked in a jar. Delicious, but a total mess. So then I was like “well great, what now?”. I took the night and slept on it. Woke up and thought a little more. And then well, these guys came to life, and the fail I had the day before was now the best fail ever to happen because it led to these, and they are crazy delicious. IN EVERY WAY POSSIBLE.
And the ice cream? Well that was always in the plan. It may look boring, but it’s honestly so good. Bourbon and vanilla together are the best combo and the creamy base is to die for. I went with an egg base because I love the creaminess I get from the eggs. Nothing better.
Alright, and then the photos. Like I said, I had this picture in my head, but I was not sure how to achieve it since I was supposed to be a part of the photo. If I am IN the photos, then who is taking them? This was the toughest part. For one, I had to let go of my control over my camera, two I actually had to give direction and try to semi teach my mother how to at least click the button and three, I needed to figure out how to keep the ice cream from not melting all while trying to look pretty with my big hat. It. Was. Hard. And to be honest the photos are not the way I pictured them in my head, but I would say they turned out ok for what I was working with.
In the end I had to call in my brother Kai who knows a little something about using my camera to snap the photos of me, but that very first photo my mom took. I know it’s not perfect, but hey, it’s not horrible either. There are so many things about these photos and their flaws that I could go on and on about. I mean, my nail color, the styling, the lighting, the food, the focus and yeah the fact that they look nothing like the pictures in my head. But they are still fun and still a little different from what I show you guys every day, so that makes me happy. And of course um, the dessert! Honestly, these cute little mini southern cakes are one of my best yet. You have to make all of it though. The ice cream, the butterscotch, the pecan praline (oh yes, oh yes!! It’s on the bottom AND the top) and the cakes. Together they are a triple threat, and the bourbon? Well, don’t skip that. It’s just a must with this one.
Bring it on Derby Day!
