Clementine Macarons with Citrus Cream Filling

The holiday season is not official for me until I buy my first crate of Clementines. Their flavor and zesty scent will be forever linked in my memory with childhood visits to my grandparent's home for Thanksgiving and Christmas. You could always expect to find baskets overflowing with homemade cranberry orange muffins, and if I was lucky I would be called into the kitchen to zest the oranges and help my Grandma with the latest batch. Ahhh...happiness!

So after I picked up a box of fresh Clementines at the store (and realized very quickly that I would not be able to eat them all before they turned bad) I went on the hunt for a tasty recipe that would be suitable for both Thanksgiving and the Christmas holidays. Luckily I spotted this delicious recipe for Clementine Macarons...and have since made multiple batches.

Click below for the recipe on the Ladie's Home Journal website:

I have to admit that macarons seemed kind of intimidating at first, but I'm so glad that I decided to give the recipe a try, because they are surprisingly easy...and ridiculously delicious. Yes, they might not be as perfect looking as those found in French patisseries, but don't let that stop you. Here's how I made mine:

I started out by followed the recipe for the cookies. Being the impatient cook that I am, I wanted to rush the step where you are instructed to allow the piped cookies to rest, but I discovered that the waiting period is what causes the fine macaron crust to form pre-baking...and you really don't want to miss that delicate crunch in the finished cookie, so stick with it. Watch your cookies carefully while baking, they can crisp up really quickly. Once you've patiently waited for your little morsels to cool you'll mix up your Citrus Cream Filling (found with the recipe link above). Then you're going to pipe the filling inside the cookies. No need to be fancy. If you don't have a piping bag and tip you can just fill a regular sandwich bag and snip a tiny bit off the corner once it's filled. Voila! The trick to these is to keep your filling towards the center of the cookie so that it doesn't squish too far out the sides when you place the second cookie on top...

...Like so. Press a second cookie down onto the piped filling until you see it peeking out around the edges. Then you'll just keep repeating the icing and sandwiching steps until all your cookies are paired up.

Be sure to make enough for snacking. I dare you to try and resist!

These little bites of heaven also are perfect for giving. Imagine them holding the place for each guest at your Thanksgiving feast or tucked inside little boxes for coworkers and friends.

I created a free sheet of printable gift tags if you'd like to package your cookies up for gift giving:

Enjoy! xo Ez

Sources: Mini Cupcake Stand - purchased in a little boutique in NJ (also available at Farmhouse Wares - thanks for the link Kathryn) | Tom Puce Mini Wooden Baking Mold / Basket - TechnoBake | Cupcake Papers - Assorted from Martha Stewart for Michael's | Baker's Twine (personal stash).

All photo - Ez Pudewa (me)

Inspiration Daily: Accidental Happy

Over the weekend I started work on a little Christmas gift for a friend. The project began with a trip to the fabric store where I picked out a seemingly random mishmash of fabrics to experiment with. It wasn't until I was getting ready to pay and had pulled all my items out of the cart that this fun accidental color palette emerged with the thread I had randomly selected. It's my new fave! I love happy color accidents like that, don't you?!

Coming up later today...a delicious holiday dessert post that is perfect for both Thanksgiving and the Winter holidays. Woohoo!

Pinterest Picks: Farewell to Fall

As we come to the tail end of November and with Thanksgiving just a few days away, I thought I'd use today's Pinterest Picks to give one final farewell nod to the Fall season (which passed by ever-so-quickly). Hope your week is starting out beautifully. xo Ez

1. Fall Flowers by Amy Merrick on Design Sponge (via Michelle) | 2. A Stylish Look by Petra K. (via Stephanie) | 3. Thanksgiving Kids Kraft Paper Table styled by Paul Lowe, Photographed by Addie Juell (via Jill) 4. Vintage Suzani Throw from Jayson Home & Garden (via Jan)

Imm Living Choo Choo Chooses Blogger Challenge

IMM Living recently invited me to be a part of a small blogger challenge using six of their playful home decor products. I along with Erin from Design for Mankind and Bri Emery from Design Love Fest were provided the goodies and then asked to photograph them in-use in our homes. The quirky sensibility of the IMM Living products made this challenge a lot of fun. Here are three of the items I had fun with:

Earl the Squirrel Stacking Game: My daughter and I have had a lot of fun playing this game already (my daughter can stack all but 4 of the nuts on there)! While not in use as a game I decided to start displaying some of my most recent finds from our nature walks on the squirrel's tray. Pretty adorable!

Jack D. Jackalope Wall Hook: Hung in the washroom to hold my daughter's and my jewelry and accessories. It adds a nice little pop of quirkiness to the otherwise bland space.

Heart Ornament: My daughter doesn't know it yet, but this Christmas I'll be granting her wish for a new bed. It's a little bit too large to wrap, so instead I'll be tucking a little note inside of this heart that she will open to reveal her surprise (currently hiding out in the garage)! I can't wait!

So cute, right?! Also be sure to see how Erin and Bri styled their IMM Living goods over on their blogs (you can enter the IMM Living giveaways they are hosting too). And finally, IMM Living has also partnered up with Digs to offer a 10% discount to all of you on these featured IMM Living products:

    •    Herald Ornament, Heart
    •    Jack D Jackalope Wall Hooks
    •    Earl the Squirrel Stacking Game
    •    Lockhart's Trove Small Coin Bank
    •    Hybrid Faberge Container, Aleks
    •    Hybrid Faberge Container, Natalya
    •    Hunter's Den, Bear
    •    Ladies in Waiting Picture Frame Jewelry Holder, Virginie the Giraffe
    •    Canning's Jar, Deer
    •    Zodiac Gods Wine Stoppers
    •    Lucky Strike Oil & Vinegar Container Set
    •    Lucky Strike Container
    •    Little Helpers Bottle Opener

So if you'd like you can hop on over to Digs and take full advantage. Just use promo code IMM2011 at checkout (offer expires December 31st). You just might be able to cross a gift or two off your holiday shopping list! xo Ez

------

Full disclosure...because that's what all the cool kids are doing: IMM Living provided the products featured in this challenge for my use. All content was left solely up to me. I have not been financially compensated for my opinions of these products.

Inspiration Daily: 11. 21. 11

Giclee Fine Art Print by Maria Elina