Monday, April 11, 2011

Food Glorious Food - Not my local donut or doughnut

I really have no preference when it comes to the spelling of 'doughnut'. Or 'donut'.
I just want to get my hands on several of the following doughnuts.

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This is an Apple Maple Bacon Donut - from Dynamo Donut in San Francisco.
I'll be moving here soon because of this concoction. No joke.

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S'mores donut from Psycho Donuts. A messy plate of good. You can get this lovely in LA.
I guess I could spend my time between San Francisco and LA. Sounds kind of cool and cosmopolitan 
to trek between those two cities for donuts, right?

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Oh yes, these beauties are a bit closer to me. The Chocolate Cream Puff from 
Spunky Dunkers Donuts in Chicago. Yea, I'd totally eat that right now.

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Beyond Glaze Doughnuts in Draper, Utah makes this Apple Crisp Doughnut. I want it.
But dang, I have to travel out west again. Donut eating is a labor of love I tell you.

And after perusing the internets, I think I have found my donut nirvana....

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The Black Out Doughnut. I love chocolate. This doughnut looks to be made of chocolate.

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These offerings are the Blackberry Jam and Carrot doughnuts. I probably wouldn't walk in 
and choose either of these doughnuts right off the bat. But I would get to them 
sooner or later and I would shame myself for not choosing them sooner. 

And finally, these hunks of pretty....

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are the Creme Brulee Doughnut. I think four would not be enough.

It may seem that I'm obsessed with doughnuts. Uh, donuts. Well, at the moment I am.
Tomorrow the obsession could be roasted asparagus with balsamic vinaigrette. 

That's the beauty of a food craving - it changes on a whim and 
you can always find a wonderful place to quench the craving.

Now, I must make haste! To New York.

Boots

Thursday, March 31, 2011

Take in the View | What happened to Spring?

Huh?


What just happened?

Yesterday started out so bright and sunny. And even though it was cold, there was
still the sound of chipper birds singing a Spring tune. Daffodils pushed three inches
out of the ground looking for some love.

Then.....POW!!!!

Mother Nature, you silly temptress, you got me again.

Boots!

Tuesday, March 22, 2011

Take in the View | Welcome Spring

Spring!


Ten days ago we had 5 inches of fresh snow.

Today, well, we have the fresh breath of Spring.


The change of seasons is always so exciting and energizing for me.
I hope it is for you too!

Boots

Wednesday, March 9, 2011

Food Glorious Food - Cat in the Hat Hats



I may not eat green eggs and ham. But I will eat sweets. It's part of who I am.


Did you know that Dr. Seuss' birthday was March 2nd. Happy Birthday Dr. Seuss!

My son's pre-k class is celebrating Dr. Seuss all month and on his snack day this week I chose to incorporate the Dr. Seuss theme.
I found the idea for this snack at Jill's site, Meet the Dubiens. She is so, so clever.

I did prepare my Cat Hats a bit differently then Jill. But both ways are quite easy. And it was amazing 
how excited the kids were about these sweet treats.

To make, first dip the bottom third of your marshmallow into water. Then swirl into the red sugar.


Let the marshmallow set while you dip and sugar your other marshmallows.


Now, dip the top third of your marshmallow in the water and swirl this end in the sugar.
Aaahhh, stripes.


Remove one chocolate cookie side from an Oreo. Gently scrape the creamy middle with a fork.
I found that this helps the frosting and marshmallow adhere to the cookie better.


Spread on a little smear of frosting. Plop on your decorated marshmallow.


And look what you have. A whole slew of Cat Hats.
Pretty darn cute!


Thanks for a great idea Jill!

Boots

Friday, February 18, 2011

Obsession Worthy - Flat Sandals


It was a virtual heat wave today.
After all the snow we've had all winter.  The frigid cold these last few weeks.
The temperature reached a balmy 53℉.  Yipee!!!!

Ahhh....a flicker of Spring.
And Spring got me thinking about Summer.  And Summer got me thinking about shoes.

Uh huh!  Shoes.
Sandals to be exact.  Flat sandals, to be more exact.




      
Lilly Pulitzer

Target


With weather like this, I could easily drift into the delusion that the wearing of 
shoes like these is right within my grasp.  
Darn delusions.  Darn weather! 

Well, a girl can dream.  And when I dream of flat Summer sandals, these 
are my picks for the season!
My preference? One of each, of course.
(Wouldn't that be awesome)


Boots

Monday, February 14, 2011

Food Glorious Food - Sweet Heart

♥ Happy Valentine's Day ♥




Boots

Thursday, February 3, 2011

Food Glorious Food - Eat Your Heart Out


Eat Your Heart Out.

In a good way!


Such an adorable idea!
Jello, sweetened condensed milk, water, cookie cutter shape of choice and time.  Nothing to it.

And this basic idea can be applied to virtually any holiday or celebration depending upon 
the flavor (color) of Jello you use and the cookie cutter shape you have.

For example, St. Patrick's Day - lime (green) Jello and a shamrock shaped cookie cutter.
The Fourth of July - cherry and blueberry Jello with a star shaped cookie cutter.
The ideas are limitless! 


The recipe and directions can be found here - Familyfun.com!


Seriously.  If you make this, your kids will think you're magic.
Not too shabby!


Boots



Wednesday, February 2, 2011

Did I mention...we made more Valentine's?


Today it was The Sprite's turn to make her Valentine's cards for her class exchange.
Today was also a snow day.  So this was a perfect project for her to do!

Again, Familyfun.com offered up a really darling and different idea!
Here's what you'll need:
Colored construction paper, pipe cleaners, glue, scissors, some type of small rolled candy 
or pencils and the butterfly/dot template from Familyfun.com.

They've provided a full video tutorial online as well as directions here.


I traced and helped cut out the butterflies body.  Then The Sprite did all of her
writing - you know....To: Evan, From: The Sprite.  That kind of thing.

Then I made a few completed cards as examples to show The Sprite what to do next. 
And also because I thought it was so fun to make Valentine's again!


We used a hole punch to make our dot decorations on the butterfly wings.
I figured we needed smaller dots since The Sprite had some writing to do.



Totally cute and good times were had by all on another lovely snow day!


Boots

Thursday, January 27, 2011

Did I mention...it's almost Valentine's?


It's time to start thinking about Valentine's Day.
For many lovely reasons.

One really important reason -Valentine Card Exchange!

 This is what The Boy will be passing out to his classmates this year.
We worked together.  But admittedly, I did the majority of the work.  

Making these Valentine's was easy and fun.  
And The Boy is very excited to be able to deliver these sweet rockets to his buddies!
I found this adorable idea on the Family Fun Magazine website.



You'll need colored construction paper, scissors, tape, glue gun (not shown), some type 
of rolled candy (fruity Lifesavers would be great too) and Kisses.

Saturday, January 15, 2011

Food Glorious Food - Doughnuts


The Sprite didn't have school yesterday.  
It was some sort of In-Service Day for the teachers.  Yipee for us!

What to do?  What to do?  
We decided to crack open her Doughnut Maker!
She received this Sunbeam Doughnut Maker for Christmas from her Mimi and Papa. 

Could it be any cuter? 


The process is super easy.
Preheat doughnut maker.  Lightly coat the tray with non-stick spray.
Mix doughnut batter and pour into doughnut wells.
Close the lid and bake for about 6 minutes.

Here they are about half way done.


The decorating was a delicious mess.
Chocolate ganache for dipping.  Sprinkles, red hots and chopped nuts.  YUM!


And the eating?  Well, that was unquestionably magnificent!

Enjoy the weekend!
Boots