jungle themed baby shower cake!

just a little update in the cake department! i had a lot of fun making this cake. a few struggles too... like don't rush the drying time of fondant. against better judgment i tried to rush the palm trees along, only to have them crumble. so, i learned a lot this time around. i'm getting more use to fondant and learning a few new tricks of the trade. thats all i can ask for in a project. that i keep learning new things and having fun in the process.

girls weekend!

 

so very excited to be spend the whole weekend with these lovely ladies!

there is going to be whole lot of 

knitting

pride and prejudice

yummy food and drink

thrifting

laughing

girlie girling going on.

i <3 weekends off!

merging of the seasons!

today is one of those rare days in february where the sun is shining its intense spring warmth, yet it is indeed february. the dead of winter, with much snow still covering the ground. so, much thanks to my husband for getting me outdoors to be with him. me, knitting in the glorious sunshine and him in the garage, tinkering around with his car. a lovely little afternoon, i dare say!

baked treats for chillfest

these lovely goodies were treats i baked for a show, or rather a series of shows called chillfest. check them out sometime. young, local bands and artist come together once a month to play music and show their art. its a lot of fun. i've been selling baked goods and letting people know about snacky french!

rough draft

here is a sneak peak at the beginning of a business card for snacky french! i just did this up quick for a event i'm baking for... final copy to come... soon!

winter cozies

 we live in an old, poorly insulated home. staying cozy and warm has been a bit of a challenge this winter...  we hope to have some help from a wood stove by next winter. we've persevered though. there are little things that have warmed our spirits, hands and hearts.  fluffy duvet covers, thick wool socks and sweaters, kerosene heat, soups + stews, coffee + tea and blanket tents. today i made roasted tomatoes with olive oil, sea salt, pepper and rosemary, spread that on thick toast with ricotta cheese and drizzled with olive oil. warm, delicious food. on the stove for tomorrow is a thick, creamy potato leek soup. oh the wonders a little comfort food can achieve.

a snowy walk about

gratitudes

yesterday was a snow day! the wonderful sort of day where you wake up with mounds of snow and more coming down to watch out your window. today is the same sort of day. on these cold snowy days we have experienced some extra kindness. neighbors stopping by to help plow our very large driveway. our fuel  oil delivery guy just stopping by, because he was in the area, to see if we needed more fuel... and we did.

also thankful for this old beautiful kerosene heater. keeping our pipes from freezing in the laundry room and cozying up our living room.

and here is progress. a primed pantry, awaiting more paint and some wainscoting. small things are happening in these winter months.

pretty petit fours

today i worked on these engagement petit fours for friends of ours. jeff and nicole. petit fours are her favorite... i had lots of fun doing these and it got me in the mood to dabble in more valentines day treats.

if you would like to give them ago. i used a simple pound cake recipe i've been using for years. baked it in a 9x13 pan and cut them into squares. place the cut cakes squares onto a cooling rack with a sheet pan underneath ( to catch the dripping glaze). make sure you cut off the brown parts of the cake or they will show through.  

petit four icing:

from martha stewart

• 9 cups sifted confectioners' sugar
• 1/2 cup light corn syrup
• 1 teaspoon clear vanilla extract
• 1/2 teaspoon almond extract
• Gel food coloring, in desired colors

In a heatproof bowl set over (but not touching) simmering water, mix sugar, corn syrup, 1/2 cup water, vanilla and almond extracts together until they are warm, well combined, and smooth. Stir in enough food coloring until desired color is reached. Do not overheat. Let cool about 8 minutes before pouring.

make list 2011

there are many projects nestled deep within my head. i forget a lot of them, remember them, write a few down from time to time and accomplish quite a few of them ( eventually ) when i allow the time for it. so here goes... to trying to remember all of the wandering thoughts of projects and things i want to make this year.

Make List 2011

1. knit socks for jason ( i've been promising this for over a year now)
2. sun tea
3. french macaroons
4. this wild vest
5. lip balm
6. vanilla extract
7. curtains for the remaining  windows in our house
8. bread lots of bread 
9. compost pile
10. chicken coop
11. herb garden 
12. make my own stock
13. cheese
14. peaches and cream pie ( with our own peaches )
15. business cards