Has everyone figured out what they are making for Easter? Here’s a few links to help. Or, possibly make you second guess your decision, like this wonderful looking baked ricotta!
This is what I’m making.
You gotta have hot cross buns!
Dana at Minimalist Baker made these yummy peanut butter eggs.
Hop over to Jordan’s site and get the how to for these cute bunny ear treat bags.
Happy Easter everyone!
Queen Elizabeth II celebrates her 60th year on the throne. The celebration comes to a crescendo this weekend with The Thames Diamond Jubilee Pageant. It’s airing (PST) at about 5 a.m. live here in the states.
On the official website you can send the Queen a congratulatory note, also a schedule of events here, and pictures on other official sites.
Here’s a treat! If you’re going to get up early to watch the pageant on TV, why not whip up a batch of scones using the Queen’s own recipe?
So here’s to Queen Elizabeth! Congratulations on your Diamond Jubilee!
Updated:
I realized that the recipe needed a bit of translation, plus baking temps and times… plus clearer instructions. So here’s that:
Preheat the oven to 400 degrees.
4 “teacups” (cups) flour
4 tablespoons “caster sugar” plain sugar
2 “teacups” milk
2 whole eggs
2 teaspoons “bi-carbonate soda” baking soda
3 teaspoons cream of tarter
2 tablespoons melted butter.
Mix the wet ingredients together and sift the dry ingredients together. Add the wet to the dry and mix until just blended. Drop 1/3 cup dollops onto a parchment covered baking tray. Bake for 15-20 minutes or until golden brown.
I’d like to introduce you to my early mother’s day present! I’ve named her Solange, after Beyonce’s younger sister. And If you don’t know who Beyonce (No, not the singer!) is…
Speaking of, the most excellent Jenny Lawson is #1 on the NYT Print and E-books bestsellers list! Go Jenny!
Illustration by Billy Steve Clayton (pixelfoot)
I’m a Janeite, that is to say, I’m a big fan of the works of Jane Austin. Pride and Prejudice, in particular. What if P&P were a present day story, in VideoBlog format? You have to check out, The Lizzie Bennet Diaries an excellent retelling of P&P and so funny!
And lastly, what’s funnier than $9000 speaker cables? The reviews for the $9000 speaker cables!
What gems have you found on the internet this week?
Photo courtesy of Pinterest
Believe it or not, today is the spring equinox. Spring has officially sprung!
In cities around the world cherry blossom festivals are gearing up. Here in the U.S. the National Cherry Blossom Festival in Washington D.C. celebrates 100 years!
Of course you can’t mention Spring without also giving a nod to another long-held tradition, Spring Cleaning. I’m more than ready this year! Martha, Real Simple, About.com and Organized Home have tips and list apps to help get the job(s) done!
As a veteran of many spring cleanings, here are a few hard-won tips:
1. Concentrate on one task at a time. If you set out to do the WHOLE HOUSE in one day you’re setting yourself up for a fall. Choose one room or section at a time. How about one day you do closets, the next drawers, the next session you tackle windows etc.
2. Keep. Toss. Donate. I keep three old laundry baskets nearby when I’m spring cleaning to organize all that STUFF. Tip: The toss and donate baskets need to be fuller than the keep basket, just sayin’.
3. Keep most tasks 30 minutes or less. If it’s a truly gargantuan job, maybe you should get help. That is to say, hire a house keeping service or press family members into service. Seriously though, if it takes you more than a day to do one task…
Happy spring everyone!
Blame the added daylight, but this time of year I get restless. I find I’m looking around for a project or to learn something new. What about you? Are you coming out of hibernation yet?
These jar lids are so pretty!
Hmmm… Maybe for the office?
I have always wanted to try something like this!
An easy and simple screen print. I can think of a few dozen ideas to use this for!
Ah, there’s nothing like it! The happily ever after…
My favorite kind start out as one kind of movie, (usually a thriller or horror, yeah I’m weird you knew this though) and then turns into a romance. Do you have a favorite romantic movie?
In honor of Valentines day here’s my list…
O’Toole is at his best in this!
You think you’re watching a mind bending thriller… and then slam, it’s a romance. Love when that happens.
Okay I’ll admit, not really a romance in the conventional sense.
Again, your watching a horror film then suddenly… Oh M. Night, you’re just an ol’ softy after all.
Lovely supernatural twist and a major 80′s flashback. Also, can anyone tell me who played Emmet? I JUST noticed that part was played by a female!
Happy Valentine’s day you guys!
It’s been going on for a while now, this bacon in chocolate thing. I’ll admit I’m a fan. If you’ve never had it, imagine the sweet and salty combination of chocolate and peanut butter, only ten times more mind-blowing.
Valentines Day is almost upon us and I’ve been seeing all kinds of bacon and chocolate offerings on the internet.
Here are a few of my favorites:
Vosges has my favorite Mo’s Bacon and Chocolate Bar
David Lebovitz has a candied bacon ice cream recipe that might just make me bust out my pain in the butt ice cream maker.
Here’s a recipe that will have you running for your stretchy pants. Chocolate-Topped Peanut Butter-Bacon Bars
This sentiment from Oh Geez Design may or may not be true.
I don’t know about you, but I welcome the cooler weather. By the end of summer I’m ready to bust out my soft sweaters and wool coats. Being from the Northwest, I think I can only stand tank tops for so long. These looks are great warm winter layered inspiration.
Images gathered from Pinterest
Man, it’s cold out! That doesn’t mean we can’t look cute and be comfortable. Here are some of my picks to keep our feet warm and fashionable!
I have these. I’ve been putting them through their paces this fall and winter, and so far so awesome! Clarks Orinocco Engineer boots are perfect for walking. You can wear a nice thick pair of socks, and they make your Mom uniform look a bit more “tough girl”.
Ecco Hobart Buckle. I have these too. I bought them to replace a pair that had died. Also, they never fit well in the calf. These fit perfectly! I can tuck in my jeans and I have room left over.
These “Gabby” Hunter boots are just killing me! They are waterproof, as you’d expect a Hunter brand boot to be, and the reviews on the site link are all good.
I can see that they might not be the thing to wear if you need to walk on icy sidewalks, but for winter wet and cold they would work! You could wear them with a nice cozy pair of socks, with jeans or tights and a wool skirt.
These Merrill Angelic Peak boots are also waterproof if the above are not your speed. They have a 16″ shaft circumference, so you’ll have room to tuck in your jeans and still be able to walk!
I ordered these, and as you read this they are on their way. I bought them to replace another pair that, frankly, were a bit ugly on me. They they had a square toe box that became dated right away and looked weird when I wore them with a skirt. I’m hoping the rounded toe and the modern platform heel will go with skinny’s, slacks, and skirts. I’ll update here when I try them.
Update! I wore these shopping yesterday. I’m pleased to report they are warm and stylish. I wore them with skinny jeans and they looked great. They have a non-skid rubber sole that did an excellent job of preventing slipping and sliding on the wet pavement. One suggestion: They run about a 1/2 size big. I didn’t mind because I wore a pair of warm socks (hidden, naturally) with them, but if you’ll be sock-less or wearing mainly hose or tights I’d go ahead and order smaller.
What are your favorite winter weather boots?
PPRINT offers gorgeous artwork painted on vintage book pages.
Anastassia Elias makes these fantastic little vignettes in…TP rolls! I KNOW! Right? You have to go by her site and check them all out!
Guy Laramee carves wondrous landscape scenes out of books.
