Archive for March, 2009

A bouquet for all my peeps

Tuesday, March 31st, 2009

yellow-peeps

I used to love peeps when I was little. They were my favorite thing in the easter basket. I would open the package immediately, eat one (or three or five) fresh and then leave the rest to get stale because I  liked them a little chewier. They never really lasted that long though. Oh, my teeth cringe at the thought of it now!

To me, peeps symbolize this happy childhood springtime. So, why not a peep bouquet?

bouquets-of-peeps

What you’ll need:

peepscandy-grass-nest

 

Peeps.

 

                                     Candy grass.                                                                                  

skewers

tissue-paper

 

Skewers. 

 

                                      Tissue paper.

 

raffia

 

Raffia.

 

 

 

 

The steps:

bunnies-on-skewers 

 

Put your bunny peeps on skewers.

 

 

 

 

 

grass-step-1

grass-step-3

 

 

 

 

place-bunnies-in-grasstie-together

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Unroll candy grass and cut in the center. Put both sides together and hold in one hand. With the other hand, insert your bunny skewers into the grass. I faced them all out smiling at the recipient.

peep-bouquet1Wrap up with tissue paper, just like a flower bouquet, and tie with a big raffia bow.

 blue-peep-birds-close-up

    Same concept goes for the blue bird peeps except leave the candy grass rolled up in “nest” and insert your birds into it. Tie together and wrap up.

bouquet-of-blue-peepsWho need flowers when peeps are in season!

parrot tulips

Monday, March 30th, 2009

close-up-pink-parrot

        Feathery.             Curly.                 Twisty.                Wavy.                  

pink-parrot-tulips                                                   Free     spirited.

close-up-ruffly-edge-pink

Waxy translucence of their petals in the light.

look-inside

close-up4

                                            Blushing cheeks on a chilly morning.

 

tulips-on-table

Bring in a piece of wonderous, wild spring.

‘Is your couch trying to tell you something?’

Sunday, March 29th, 2009

go to the gym pillow

Thought it would only be appropriate to follow up the chunky monkey weekend with this pillow I found on etsy. Made of recycled material felt, it might just be the motivating piece of home decor that you’ve been looking for! Click here  for more info.

A Chunky Monkey Weekend

Saturday, March 28th, 2009

chunky-monkey-trio The chunky monkey trio.

How about chunky monkey pancakes?

chunky-monkey-pancakes-1

banana-peels

Banana.

chocolate-chips

chocolate.

walnuts

walnuts.

I know… Chunky Monkey Banana Bread!

Preheat oven to 350 degrees. Butter and flour bread pan.

Cream 1 stick softened unsalted butter with 1 cup of sugar. Add 2 eggs, one at a time. In a separate small bowl, combine 1 and 1/2 cups of flour, 1 teaspoon baking soda and 1 teaspoon of salt. Add to wet mixture on low speed until just combined. Add 1 cup of mashed bananas, 1/2 cup sour cream and 1 teaspoon of vanilla. Mix until blended. By hand, add 1/4 to 1/2 cup of semi-sweet chocolate chips (I like to use mini chips) and 1/4 to 1/2 cup of chopped walnuts, depending on how nutty and chocolatey you like it. Pour batter into prepared pan.

chunky-monkey-banana-bread

Bake for about 1 hour or until golden brown and toothpick/cake tester inserted in the center comes out dry. Cool in pan on rack for 5-10 minutes. Flip out of pan and cool completely.

slice-it-up

Yum! Kind of crisp on the outside and moist and delicious on the inside.

neon friday

Friday, March 27th, 2009

neon-laces

neon-shoes

It’s Friday. Do something bright.

Look whooo’s having a baby! Baby Shower Invites

Thursday, March 26th, 2009

look-whoooos-having-a-baby

Check out these super cute baby shower invitations from Polka Dot Design (click here to see whole invitation). I love their bright colors and modern graphic look. Okay, and we have a thing for owls so these are just perfect! Custom printed with all the important info and exclusive to Polka Dot Design, these invites are a great choice. Excellent customer service, quick printing and shipping are also a plus!

Here is the back:

back-of-invitation

Nice touch!

Our shower hostess used bright orange (‘poppy’) labels from PaperSource for the addresses which look great on these large envelopes!

envelope-label

Paper Source has the template right on their websight which makes these labels very easy to print.

Surprise!!!!!

Wednesday, March 25th, 2009

Budgett's Frog from National Geographic

Is this frog yelling “Surprise!”?   The thought makes me chuckle.

Came across this picture of a Budgett’s frog taken by Joel Sartore while flipping through the pages of the latest National Geographic. Unfortunately, it is one of many amphibious species declining due to disease caused by an exotic fungus.

fish and chips…malt vinegar and salt potato chips

Tuesday, March 24th, 2009

Grandma used cornflakes. Why not potato chips?

Apparently lots of people have done this but I personally have never tried. After eating a salt and malt vinegar potato chip I thought, wouldn’t this be great as crispy coating on a piece of fish? I consulted a friend experienced in this matter and went on my way to make our own version of fish and chips.

potato-chips-in-bowl1
chips

crumble chips in bowl.

codcod.

egg

getting-crusty

dip in egg. coat with chips.

all-covered

fennel-and-orange-salad

fennel and orange salad soon to meet some baby spinach.

crispy-fish

fish is done after 15 minutes or so in a 400 degree oven.

dinner2

fish and chips.

Nothing but butts at the Portland Zoo

Monday, March 23rd, 2009

This was the only angle I saw of these animals at the zoo. Pretty funny.

zebra-butt

 

2-hippo-hiney

 

elephant-behind

 

giraffe

an army of thread

Sunday, March 22nd, 2009

 

army-of-thread-3

thread-close-up1

 

thread2

 

close-up3