My husband specifically said “no presents” as his birthday approached this year. Not only is our second baby on the way and our budget is tightening somewhat, but he truly believes he has everything he needs (not a bad place to be, really). He does appreciate any efforts I go to however, so I thought…
So simple
NUTELLA HOT CHOCOLATE (AKA I'm terrible!)
When I was little there was a commercial on television for Nutella where the kids sang “Aaaaah, Nutella! We always say yes to Nutella!”. Even as an adult, I have to agree with that statement. Although we rarely buy Nutella, when we do it tends to disappear fast! A couple of years ago I discovered…
SUPER-GIRLY GLITTER FRENCH MANICURE
Another of my Project Pinterest agenda items doubled as a “me making time for me” project. I don’t exactly know why, but I have recently crossed over to the other side in terms of recent nail wear tastes. I have put my baby blues on the shelf and gone in search of all that is…
BLUEBERRY DANISH (AKA Do try this at home)
Another of my Project Pinterest must-do’s for my husband’s birthday brunch, modified from a recipe that seemed (and proved to be) simple in execution and fun to make! The main modification I make is a steep reduction in the amount of almond extract (which, in the amounts specified in the original recipe, can make for cloyingly sweet, overly…
STUFFED, BAKED CIABATTA (an all-in-one full hot breakfast)
My husband’s birthday was celebrated at home with family this year. I was “released” from full bed rest (which I was placed on due to pregnancy-related issues caused by a subchorionic hematoma) two days before the event. After being largely immobile for over two months, I couldn’t wait to get back into a little light…
PROJECT PINTEREST (AKA Just do it!)
Ok, so I have officially been using Pinterest for a year now and despite 396 pins thus far and over two dozen boards, until yesterday I had yet to make even one pinned recipe or complete a single DIY/craft project. It is one thing to simply collect images and ideas that momentarily make you feel…
CHOCOLATE-FILLED CHOCOLATE CUPCAKES (AKA can you really go wrong with 3 types of chocolate?)
My husband’s birthday was a simple affair this year. After a long day/week in the office he decided that a visit from his close family, some take-away food and a comfy spot on the couch were all that he wanted in the way of a birthday celebration. I, on the other hand, think that no…
APPLE PIE (AKA autumn perfection)
Autumn. Apple pie. Perfection. Need I say more? APPLE PIE Prep Time: 30 Min, Cook Time: 60 Min INGREDIENTS: 1 quantity of pastry for a 9 inch double-crust pie 115 g unsalted butter 3 tablespoons all-purpose flour 60 ml water 100 g white sugar 110 g packed brown sugar 7-8 peeled, cored and sliced Granny Smith…
EASY DOUBLE-CRUST PASTRY (AKA pastry making for dummies?)
A recipe that I sought out/discovered by necessity (in order to make an apple pie), and one that I will keep and cherish! As a double-crust pastry novice, I experienced the nervousness associated with lovingly making a wonderful apple pie filling yet not knowing whether the pastry would be a success or spell disaster. I…
CHERRY JAM (AKA 3 basic ingredients and a whole lot of love)
A lazy Saturday afternoon on a sunny late summer’s day resulted in an impromptu trip to my in-laws’ place, and an afternoon spent picking cherries whilst my baby (squealing with delight the entire time) felt the grass between his toes. At home later on that day, I came across a recipe for cherry jam that, although…