disco bug
This magical little bug landed on our window the other day.
I think its a superhero in disguise.
cupcake diversion
I decided to make some cupcakes this morning to distract my thoughts from the fact that I am a week past my due date.
These little gems are called angel cakes, a recipe from a book called cupcakes by Pamela Clark.
Vanilla Buttercake Batter
6 tablespoons butter, softened
1/2 teaspoon vanilla extract
1/2 cup sugar
2 eggs
1 cup self - rising flour
3 tablespoons of milk
Preheat oven to 350. Line a standard cupcake pan with paper baking cups.
Beat all of the above ingredients with an electric mixer on low until just combined. Increase the speed to medium and beat until mixture has changed to a paler color. Divide mixture among baking cups; smooth surface.
Bake for about 20 minutes.
Turn cakes onto wire rack to cool. Make chocolate icing.
Chocolate Icing
3/4 tablespoon butter
1/3 cup milk
2 cups sifted powdered sugar
1/4 cup cocoa powder
Melt butter in medium heatproof bowl over medium pot of simmering water. Stir in milk, powdered sugar and cocoa powder until icing is of a coating consistency. Remove baking cups from cakes.
Dip cakes in icing; drain off excess.
Toss in unsweetened shredded coconut. Place on wire rack to set.
Cut a circle out of the top of the cake.
Fill with a teaspoon of raspberry jam.
Top with whipped cream.
Place the cut out piece on top of the whipped cream and finish it off with a raspberry!
In Pictures: Horseradish salt crusted beets
Beets. Glorious Beets. Golden like sunshine and deep red to stain your fingers and your lips.
This process is a bit entailed but it's fun to do. The flavors from the salt and horseradish are subtle but definitely there. I combined two recipes and just kind of went with it. The main difference was one used an egg white in the salt mixture. I found this helped the salt adhere to the beet and make a nice crust. Check out one recipe at epicurious. Definitely make the horseradish creme fraiche. Have your sliced beets over a nice butter lettuce salad drizzled with the dressing. Yum!
oh dahlia!
I love dahlia season. This variety in particular is one of my favorites. So round with tight little mounds of colored petals.
The way the petals are formed makes me think of the kids who could curl their tongues in school. I always wished I could do that.
what happens when you decide not to eat the artichoke...
The petals just keep opening...
and it's a purple thistle like flower! Amazing!
Place your bets!!! When do you think the baby will arrive?
Test your psychic abilities and dazzle your friends with your insight into guessing birth dates!
If you win maybe we'll let you pick the name.
Just kidding!
But you'll have bragging rights!
Leave a comment with your guess of day and time frame. Our expectant due date is the 18th. When does that ever happen?! And for those of you who already guessed the full moon on the 7th, looks like you'll have to guess again!
Our pick? Well, 22 has been a lucky number in this house. Although I thought a birth date of today would be kind of great... 7/8/09! Easy to remember!
We're looking forward to see what you think!
By the way, this cute letterpress card is from FuguFugu Press.
not just an ordinary canvas bag...
When I found this organic cotton canvas at the fabric store I was really drawn to it's texture.
I though it would make a great bag.
So I cut out my go-to easy bag pattern and started to put it together.
The pleats transform it from simple canvas market bag to something a little more.
For the lining I chose this deer print on bamboo fabric. ooh la la. how eco chic.
I like that the lining is a secret, sort of like pretty underwear.
This bag wasn't complete without this woodland looking button. Perfect.
