Scioto Valley Coffee Shop, Circleville Ohio

For years, I have driven past this place, wondering what was inside. Finally, today, I decided to venture in and take a gander. At first impression, its a quant coffee shop. Music in the back ground, ample space for serious studying (yes Circleville is a college town), and appropriate decor for a coffee shop. They have a variety of items on their menu, not just coffee. From the mere glance of their menu, they have some pretty delicious looking items including sandwiches, pastries, soups and more.

I, myself, got a chocolate muffin and a Scioto Valley Mocha (white chocolate, caramel and steamed (soy) milk). It was delicious, and surprising chocolatey (seeing as how white chocolate tastes NOTHING like real chocolate, to me anyway). The muffin was pretty large, but not worth the $2.75. I am not sure if it was homemade but I wouldn't have paid more than $2 for it. The coffee was delicious, slightly on the bitter side with vast over tones of flavor. If you love flavored coffee, this is the place for you. The prices are like Starbucks' but the quantities are smaller, so prepare. They are pricer than I would like, so I wouldn't make it an every day occurrence, but I do want to try more of their items. I am providing a link to their facebook page, so make sure to check it out and follow my blog.

Tootles.

http://www.facebook.com/sciotovalleycoffee 

Mini Cakes

 While searching for my next victi.... I mean new restaurant to experience, I have been doing some projects of my own. The most resent ones are mini cakes. The hubs and I made Key Lime and Orangescicle mini cakes and decorated them with my new icing tips I got for Valentines Day. I have been building up my piping skills in anticipation of the cakes I have been hired to do. I also experimented with two tone icing. I think I did pretty well...here are some pictures. 

In order to do this technique, I applied gel food coloring into the inside of the pastry bag. Then I put the icing in and piped as usual. For three tone icing, apply as the first but put the second color on the other side of the bag. 

 

The "V" word

Happy Valentine's Day to one and all. For some, this day is filled with presents and planned activities while gording on food and candy. For others, its a reminder of how the world, once again, hates them. But this day doesn't have to be about yelling at the television when the movie characters kiss. It can be about someTHING you love instead. Maybe you adore puppies but just can't afford one. Go down to a pet shop or dog shelter and play with the furry fuzz balls to your hearts content. Or maybe you love painting but just can't find the time. Take a few hours to create some happy little trees.

Valentine's day doesn't have to be about sappy human love, but about enjoying what makes you happy.   Even if you subscribe to the belief that it is just an over publicized day full of propaganda to sucker guys into buying hundreds of thousands of dollars worth of merchandize to please the one person they are hoping to get into bed later that night. This day can be of contentment and fulfillment, that you finally get to do something you enjoy instead of sitting on the couch or computer chair wondering why you never do anything you ever want to do. 

However, for me this day was spent in 5'' heels and a tea length black dress, roaming about doing stuff the hubs and I love. We watched Warm Bodies (love) and had Chinese buffet for dinner. It was the best Valentines day I have had. He gave me a dozen purple duct tape roses which permeated the room with his Adidas cologne. It was adorable. I also got a ton of presents, all tools for my cake production. (Yes I do event cakes on the side).

Anyway, I hope this is helpful to some of you (even though it is a tidge bit late).

Mini Chef