Lurker Buffet, Valentine’s Day Edition
Feb 13th, 2009 by Marilyn
In a sweet hazy dream last night, something was bothering me.
It was twitching at me, whispering in my ear while I scraped batter out of the bowl. I couldn’t figure out what it was, but it was making me sneeze, like powdered sugar.
Maybe it was being up at one a.m. in the kitchen. Maybe it was all that Fantasy Island I watched on Hulu.com while sleepwalking through a hundred cupcakes.
Maybe Mr. Roarke was trying to tell me something – or maybe the hour and the buttercream made me trippy, all that melting raspberry I licked off my fingers while everyone else was asleep.
But remember, I never lick my fingers. No, I never do that.
Today, after piping the last meringue, it hit me like a ton of chips: Lurker Buffet. It’s been far too long since the last meet-and-greet, a little affair where I lure you into the light with delicious things – and when there are many new friends on board, I’d like to know who they are.
We’re having a little party at the house tonight – so there’s plenty of tasty things on the blog. Help yourself, and don’t be shy – I’m completely sugared out, and am avoiding leftovers. If the indulgence season runs from Halloween to Valentine’s, then the sweet gravy train ends tomorrow. Enjoy it while you can!
Happy Valentine’s Day to you all, both old and new pals - and before you grab that cupcake and go, leave a little chocolate-smudged note so I know you were here. And as always, thank you, from the bottom of my frosted heart, for hanging around.
I’m tracing my finger through the icing where it has pooled around the chocolate hearts
As usual, I will take 2 of each. Merci.
Hello, my name is Vanessa, and I’m a lurker. I’ve been stopping by every now and then (okay, almost every day) and I really enjoy visiting! I have also enjoyed making some of your recipes. (Sugar curried almonds, anyone? What about some orange chocolate scones?)
I’ll take one of those ganache brownie hearts, please!
Cheers,
V.
Lurker has such dark connotations, doesn’t it?
Since Mr. Rourke (a.k.a. Ricardo Montalban) passed away recently, perhaps you weren’t dreaming. Perhaps you were channeling . Ties in nicely with the lurker theme, no? Just a thought…
Lovely buffet. I appreciate the sugar rush.
Um, hello? What are those chocolate draped heart things?? Those may be the most beautiful things a chocolate lover has ever seen. Cute idea.
Mmm those chocolate hearts look lovely. I’m going to try to find something like that this weekend!
I’ll have a chocolate ganache heart and a big glass of milk please. Wish I was on the guess list– what an awe-inspiring spread!
Thought I would visit the home page since I’ve been on the tart page, making raspberry jam tarts. Now…I wish I would have made cupcakes with pink icing.
I think I will have to sample each.
That meringue in the middle is calling me!!! Everything looks so gorgeous!
Enjoy!
Can I just eat the frosting? Really, that’s all I want.
Thanks for a great blog and happy Valentine’s Day!
I am not strong enough to look at the chocolate yet, but give me all the pink and white cake things and some of that merengue. I am sure that will make me feel much bettah. Can’t wait!
Love your blog. I’m a lurker, although lurker kind of makes me think of Gollum hiding in the shadows and surely I’m not a troll, although I’ve felt like one all week! I’ve been sick with a cold with absolutely no appetite, but these pics have made my stomach start to twitter. Thank you! My name is Lauren and I’m a political scientist in Chicago. You bring a lot of inspiration to my humble kitchen (I esp. love the pictures of your food). Saludos!
Wow I come to your blag to dream and today was true dreaming at its best. One day I’ll wake up and be able to make these too.
one of each please!! Happy Sweet Day tomorrow!!
Give me cupcakes, cupcakes, cupcakes. Please! I never met a cupcake I didn’t like, and these look delish. Also, I’d like a tall glass of whatever y’all are drinking this evening. I’m coming off two nights of parent-teacher conferences, and I need a drink.
I guess I’m a lurker too. I’m a Canadian lurker (eh?). I sure don’t know where in this buffet to start … my molars are cringing just LOOKING at all those chocolatey sweet things!
I was hoping when I came today that you’d have a wonderful recipe up. Alas, you are now just tormenting me with those chocolate-brownie-ganache coated things. I’ll show a little restraint and have just one, please. With a nice glass of wine.
Hmmm…. I just wrote a comment and don’t know what happened to it. Maybe it is the sugar high I am on! I want one of each.
Everything looks divine!! Your guests will in heaven tonight.
Enjoy…
Joyce
I’m not a total lurker but I don’t comment much. Love the chocolate. My favorite recipe/post is your chicken salad. When knew about the blue cheese?
What a great idea for a party! Those desserts look AMAZING. I’m with Renovation Therapy, I’ll take two of each please, thanks!
Everything is so beautiful & yummy looking. I really want some of the buttercream & those chocolate hearts dripping in chocolate:)
That’s the spirit! You only live once so you should eat twice as much dessert.
I’m getting a sugar high just looking at the photos, but I wouldn’t turn down an offer of leftovers….
Oh, thanks so much for the eye candy….er……baked goods! This is the best buffet I have indulged in for a long time. Have a great Valentine’s Day.
I lurk everyday too. Love your blog. The food looks terrific. The thought of those meringues…
I have been coming by everyday since I found your lovely blog. Beautiful food and thoughts. Keep up the good work. Have a great ♥Valentines Day!♥
I’m a new pal, though I wish I had been an old one, or at least a lurker coz I can’t begin to imagine how much I’ve missed. well better late than never…what a brilliant post! YUM & worth the find!! Cheers
Beautiful treats! I will take a cupcake, they look so sweet with the flower on top. Happy Valentines Day from Texas!
I’m with Serendipitous Girl and Renovation Therapy–two of each please, and a large glass of Shatto Milk!
Can I come to the party? Beautiful treats and I love your blog!
May I just say YUM? And YUM!!! My baked goods have NEVER looked as good as yours, and probably never will!
Have a beautiful Sugary day!
I lurk everyday, and dream about actually making the recipes that I print off of your blog! I’m from CDW country, and my son lives down the street from you…about 5 blocks actually…in the “student ghetto” as he calls it! I’ll take one of the delicious looking chocolate hearts. Oh. My.
P.S. I just have to throw in a Go Cats! Not sure that you follow the basketball (but how can you help it in Lawrence?!)…but today is the big “Sunflower Showdown!”
Hi Marilyn!
I am a SERIOUS lurker! Mostly bc I don’t have much time as a stay-at-home mom! ha!
I LOVE your site, one of the few non stamping or SU blogs I read regularly. Any chance you will share the recipe for the chocolate heart cakes? I’d like to try and make those some time.
I am also going to try the Apple Almond Braid (Bakery of YOU) since Grandma took the kiddos for the night (woo hoo!). I would also like to try the Banoffee Pie!
Thanks for writing such an entertaining blog with some fabulous recipes!
Bobbie *Ü*
Beautiful. I had to take pictures of the little plastic plate you gave me before my children saw it. They all want to come live with you. I’ll drop them off today.
Hi, I followed you home from Renovation Therapy one day and have become a regular lurker, I followed Jean home from AT. I’ve been rambling around the old posts. Mitty was my favorite and I just made your cream cheese dough. My brown Cleo says “woof” to your black Cleo.
I’m no lurker, but I’m a sucker for heart-shaped cakes, nonetheless. All of it looks divine!
happy heart day!
Hi, I lurk.
I enjoy your goodies, vicariously. Yum!
Happy Valentine’s Day to you.
SJ
Hi! I am a lurker. I found your blog while visiting several food blogs. I visit several times a week and love your gorgeous pics of your food and the other things happening with you. The chocolate hearts and the white cupcakes have me swooning! Delicious!!
Norma
Yes, I admit I am a major lurker. I have left a few comments and I am always afraid I will sound like a major dork. I LOVE YOUR BLOG. I am dieting so thanks for the marvelous pictures. : )
Lurking, no. Drooling, yes.
Oh, sweetness! I will take one of everything … no … make that five of everything! Delicious!
Happy Valentine’s Day! As always, your desserts look divine.
I don’t consider myself a lurker because I’ve commented once or twice. I found you on Houseblogs.net and watched you build your beautiful home. I am quite impressionable and have a pantry full of ingredients and pans for things that I intend to make “some day.” I expect my cake flour will expire again before I get around to making whatever I bought it for. And my shiny new (as yet unused) Madeleine pans stare back at me every day.
Thanks for inviting me and sharing the treats. It’s always fun to stop by your place!
Hi Marilyn, that’s a lot of bribing to get comments…but such a good idea I might have to try it myself. I’m happy to say that I’m no longer a lurker – I love your blog!
Gorgeous goodies – thanks!
What a lovely array of deliciousness. Yum. I am so licking my fingers.
Chocolate and you are good friends
Chocolate and I are good friends.
We must be good…………friend.
Thanks for the yummies. Nella
oh, those chocolate-covered heart *things* (what are they?!) are BEAUTIFUL and i can almost taste them….yum!
lurker #50 reporting in.
How can you not leave a comment about those chocolate hearts Cramazing, fo’ sure.
WOW!! You are amazing! I will need to try several of these! Thanks for the inspiration!
I visit ….. aka lurker….:)
Is that fudge I see? I LOVE home made fudge! I can’t remember the last time I had home made fudge. I’ll take the whole plate, thank you very much!!
Hello from another lurker!
Beautiful pics and text as always. I don’t even need breakfast some mornings when I lurk
Take care and a belated Happy Valentine’s Day to you also.
sorry I’m late, had the flu and didn’t turn on my ‘puter all weekend! As always your photos and recipes make me want to go BAKE RIGHT NOW! drool.
Why I come here on an empty stomach I will never know.
Lurking and drooling,
Laura
These desserts all look so delicious. Pretty please share the recipe for the brownie hearts? They look magical. I was drawn in from the picture on the Amateur Gourmet’s flickr stream and can’t stop drooling now.
Hello, I’m Chris – a second year chef’s apprentice in Far North QLD Australia. I also lurk on your blog hoping to absorb some of your greatness. So much love and experience in the food you make. Thankyou so much for sharing.
Happy cooking
Christina