Vanilla Icing

Looking For Inspiration

5 Gajillion Cookies Later...

...I managed to take a picture with my new camera that came out the true-to-life colors.

                  Chocolate Coconut Pinwheels

It is amazing to me how not being able to take a picture exactly how I want it (because I learn the new camera too slowly) makes it so difficult for me to write a blog post.  My old camera was very forgiving of my came-with-the-house fluorescent kitchen lighting but this new one despises it.  The new camera turns everything a strange shade of yellow if it's in the kitchen; if it's in another room it prefers tones of red.  I've learned the new camera's problem--it is a Natural Light Snob!

Sledding Daze

Dear Winter,

     In case you didn't know, I have a hard time this time of year.  I don't like being cold and I don't like being cooped up in the house.  Most of all, I don't like sweaters -- they always itch!  I'm sure you've something to do with how they itch.  Anyways.

 

It's getting increasingly more difficult to kick Hates-Outside outside to play.  Making Loves-Outside-Hates-Cold (me) go outside with him is the only thing that is working now.

Never-Inside doesn't care if it's cold or hot, but oh Winter!  Drippy snow clothes in the foyer are tiresome.

Don't be fooled by the smile on Hates-Outside's face.  Never-Inside just cracked a joke.

Also don't be fooled by the slight smile on Loves-Outside-Hates-Cold's face.  Never-Inside is poking her in the ribs.

Loves-Outside-Hates-Cold decided it was time to bring in outside blood.  Meet Always-Complains.

Always-Complains didn't last long.

Winter, if you know what's good for you, this past week or so better be your last hurrah.

Sincerely,

 

   Loves-Outside-Hates-Cold, Never-Inside, Hates-Outside & Always-Complains.

What A Girl Wants...

...is to go outside for the fifth sixth seventh eighth time of the day.

...but this is how a girl looks when all of her friends are frozen to the bone and refuse to go outside with her again. 

Herbed Sourdough

One of my favorite quick ways to change the flavor of a plain bread is to add a few tablespoons of dried herbs to the dough during kneading.  

When the bread begins to bake a delicious aroma will fill the house and when you take that first bite you won't be able to help but marvel how easy it was to make a 'new' bread.

Blizzard February 2010

On Friday, February 5th it began to snow.  The first few hours the snow wasn't sticking; it was heavy, wet and melted almost immediately when it touched any surface.  But by early evening it began to stick.  We were at a friends house for dinner and saw the plow go by twice.  When we went to leave, we had a hard time pushing open our friends' screen door because the snow had piled up so quickly outside.  

By Saturday morning a winter wonderland greeted us.  Often, the trees were more snow than tree.

We had 17 inches with several more inches still on the way.

Everything was covered.  You could barely see the parked cars!

Luckily a pile of children showed up and got to work!

All weekend long, the children and their friends have spent hours and hours and HOURS outside building paths, chutes and tunnels.  The best part?  Knowing that they will always have the memories of the Big Snow.  =)

Pearls & Pink Opals

In my neighborhood, I may be the baker but my neighborhood ALSO has a jewelry maker.  Lucky for me, she happens to be a very good friend of mine!   I had a party to go to this past Saturday and about a week ago, I asked her to make me something to go with my outfit.

Pearls, Pink Opals, Sterling Silver and ribbon all twisted together with a little Gingko Dryad pendant. The theme for the party was Vintage so you'll notice that the sweet little fairy has a certain aged quality to her despite being freshly made by Cathy of Intentional Stones.

Please excuse the slightest raciness of this photo.  Eyes up!!

Intentional Stones has ready-made pieces and also enjoys doing custom pieces.  Visit today and you won't be sorry.