baking with OCD | cinnamon scones
April 8, 2009
I'm not a baker. Baking is not conducive to my impulsive-compulsive self so I much prefer to cook. I understand the science of cooking and enjoy the ability to alter the flavors of a meal right up until it's plated. But over the past few days I've been a baking fool.
There's a grocery store near our house that sells these incredibly amazing cinnamon scones. I'm not usually a lover of scones but these little triangles of cinnamon-y pleasure have done me in. They're moist, dense, and full of sweetness (almost like a soft cookie). I doubt my British grandmother would approve, but they are my idea of baked perfection.
Unfortunately I can no longer afford to feed my addiction. At $4 for a package of four (and two packages to feed our family for breakfast) I am determined to make them myself.
Since Monday I've been trying out recipe after recipe (which were both delicious) but still haven't quite hit it right. I've added ingredients and modified measurements but each attempt yields scones that are either too cake-like or dry. Today's recipe (a hodge-podge of ingredients) was definitely the best so far (and the only one my four-year-old baking companion/taste-tester approved of) but it wasn't quite right.
So far my recipe (mostly...I'm not good at writing things down) looks like this:
2 cups of flour
1T of baking powder
1/2 c sugar
1/4 c brown sugar
1 t salt
1 t vanilla
1 1/4 c of liquid-y dairy items (sour cream, milk, cream...don't mock me)
2t cinnamon
5T chilled butter
No eggs (they made them even more cake-like but I'm willing to reconsider)
I'll need to add cinnamon chips to the final product but haven't added them just yet.
And I bake at 425 for 12 minutes.
If you happen to have any recommendations to make these scones less like well...scones, please post (my cupboard and my family will thank you).
There's a grocery store near our house that sells these incredibly amazing cinnamon scones. I'm not usually a lover of scones but these little triangles of cinnamon-y pleasure have done me in. They're moist, dense, and full of sweetness (almost like a soft cookie). I doubt my British grandmother would approve, but they are my idea of baked perfection.
Unfortunately I can no longer afford to feed my addiction. At $4 for a package of four (and two packages to feed our family for breakfast) I am determined to make them myself.
Since Monday I've been trying out recipe after recipe (which were both delicious) but still haven't quite hit it right. I've added ingredients and modified measurements but each attempt yields scones that are either too cake-like or dry. Today's recipe (a hodge-podge of ingredients) was definitely the best so far (and the only one my four-year-old baking companion/taste-tester approved of) but it wasn't quite right.
So far my recipe (mostly...I'm not good at writing things down) looks like this:
2 cups of flour
1T of baking powder
1/2 c sugar
1/4 c brown sugar
1 t salt
1 t vanilla
1 1/4 c of liquid-y dairy items (sour cream, milk, cream...don't mock me)
2t cinnamon
5T chilled butter
No eggs (they made them even more cake-like but I'm willing to reconsider)
I'll need to add cinnamon chips to the final product but haven't added them just yet.
And I bake at 425 for 12 minutes.
If you happen to have any recommendations to make these scones less like well...scones, please post (my cupboard and my family will thank you).
DIY on Indie Fixx
April 3, 2009
I was super flattered when Jen over at Indie Fixx invited me to join her as a guest blogger today. I created a tutorial for some lovely little spring nests using all recycled materials. It's a perfect, kid-friendly spring craft, and you can get most of what you need on an outdoor stroll. Head on over!
Easter dresses | Etsy roundup
April 2, 2009
Some dresses I'm loving for Easter (if I can only convince you-know-who to wear one):
Cotton candy polka bow by Rocker Baby
lessons in photography | my own little three ring circus
March 30, 2009
We had a fantastic time at the circus last week. We were invited to a small reception before the show and had the chance to meet and greet some of the performers. Both kids were lukewarm on the clowns at first, but the juggling eventually won them over and we even convinced Jane to give one of the clowns a high-five.
I brought along my camera in hopes of getting some nice shots of the kids with the performers. As long as I have enough space to tote it, I prefer to use my trusty SLR when I'm taking pictures at night (or anytime I don't have enough natural light) because I can use a mounted flash. I can point the flash towards an object (usually the ceiling) and bounce light back onto my subject without creating harsh shadows. It usually works like a charm.
But my first shot came out really dark like this:
I brought along my camera in hopes of getting some nice shots of the kids with the performers. As long as I have enough space to tote it, I prefer to use my trusty SLR when I'm taking pictures at night (or anytime I don't have enough natural light) because I can use a mounted flash. I can point the flash towards an object (usually the ceiling) and bounce light back onto my subject without creating harsh shadows. It usually works like a charm.
But my first shot came out really dark like this:
I checked the batteries and repositioned the flash to point more towards my funny circus trio. Then I got this:
Neither photo would have been a real keeper but I was puzzled about why the flash bounce method wasn't working.
And then I looked up.
That darn black ceiling stole all my light!
Photographer friends...what do you do to brighten a room with a black ceiling? I have one of these (which I love) but feel a bit self-consious about using in public :)
Things I love
March 26, 2009
Small, crafting, toddler-sized hands.
And little girls who love Spiderman.
And little girls who love Spiderman.
What I'm Reading | Brain, Child
March 23, 2009
The latest issue of Brain, Child arrived today and I'm positively giddy. It is my favorite parenting magazine because it's smart, snarky, and refreshingly independent. Some highlights (so far)...
It drives me crazy that Brain, Child is only published quarterly and I crave much more. Any other thinking mama-type magazines that you'd recommend? Or do I just need to wait until the summer issue to get my next fix?
- Endgame: If your kids aren't the best, should they even bother? (by Hilary Meyerson)
- Talking Smack: What to say to the offspring about your lost years. (by Johanna Bailey) and
- Curse Like a Sailor: Potty mouth doesn't even begin to describe it. (by Joan Marcus)
It drives me crazy that Brain, Child is only published quarterly and I crave much more. Any other thinking mama-type magazines that you'd recommend? Or do I just need to wait until the summer issue to get my next fix?
weekend recap
I spent a night away from my children for the very first time this weekend. I enjoyed an incredibly quiet (and uniquely solo) car trip to Manhattan to visit with my college friends. The night was filled with wonderful memories and inspiring stories from women I am so fortunate to have reconnected with.
And while I enjoyed every moment of my big kids-free weekend away from home, the only thing I could think of from the moment I woke up this morning, was returning home to this:
And tonight I am feeling refreshed, restored, and remarkably blessed.
custom party decorations
March 18, 2009
A few weeks ago I completed a fun project for an Etsy customer of mine. She asked me to create shower decorations to coordinate with the plaid pram stationery from my shop.
I designed a banner with the baby's name. The letters were printed on thick cardstock and held together with chocolate brown ribbon.
Then I created some cupcake toppers. I printed a custom message on the front and the plaid pattern on the back. I used 80 lb cardstock (not too thick, not too thin), and cut out the circles using a 2" hole punch.
I struggled with finding the best way to adhere the two pieces to each other and the toothpick. I ended up using my Xyron (sticker-making) machine. There was a good deal of glue left around the edges (the downside of using the Xyron) so it took a while with each piece and my adhesive eraser to get rid of the sticky edges.
I designed a banner with the baby's name. The letters were printed on thick cardstock and held together with chocolate brown ribbon.
Then I created some cupcake toppers. I printed a custom message on the front and the plaid pattern on the back. I used 80 lb cardstock (not too thick, not too thin), and cut out the circles using a 2" hole punch.
I struggled with finding the best way to adhere the two pieces to each other and the toothpick. I ended up using my Xyron (sticker-making) machine. There was a good deal of glue left around the edges (the downside of using the Xyron) so it took a while with each piece and my adhesive eraser to get rid of the sticky edges.
I was really happy with the way they turned out but I'm not sure that I'll be listing them in my shop. Maybe I'm just slow (or too much of a perfectionist) but the toppers took way too long to assemble. Besides, glue and I don't really get along.
I would consider listing banners in my Etsy shop though... no adhesives required. I'll keep you posted ;)
brown digits
March 17, 2009
It was just too quiet and I should have known better.
But damn it, I was enjoying the silence. Sitting at my computer, working on my link list and staring at the clouds with the soft sounds of Pablo and Uniqua babysitting my children in the background.
She came in so quietly, I could hardly hear her chanting.
"Mommy. Hands. Mommy. Hands. Mommy. Hands."
I recognized the color immediately. The smell took a moment longer. She ran towards me.
I grasped her arms and looked down at her hands. Every single finger was covered in dark brown poo.
Except her left thumb. Oh Jane.
But damn it, I was enjoying the silence. Sitting at my computer, working on my link list and staring at the clouds with the soft sounds of Pablo and Uniqua babysitting my children in the background.
She came in so quietly, I could hardly hear her chanting.
"Mommy. Hands. Mommy. Hands. Mommy. Hands."
I recognized the color immediately. The smell took a moment longer. She ran towards me.
I grasped her arms and looked down at her hands. Every single finger was covered in dark brown poo.
Except her left thumb. Oh Jane.
happy st. patrick's day
The Corrs, Chieftains, and an ending that left my four-year-old in stiches.
Off to work on the brisket...Happy St. Paddy's Day!
cha-cha-cha-changes
March 16, 2009
I'm in the midst of a little blog alteration. I had hoped to have it finished by the end of the weekend but it's past midnight and I need some sleep. I still need to tweak a few things and add items to the sidebar but I'm happy with the way it's progressing.
If you have any thoughts or notice that something seems a bit wacky, please let me know. In the meantime, enjoy a little Bowie...
If you have any thoughts or notice that something seems a bit wacky, please let me know. In the meantime, enjoy a little Bowie...
shop local | pink kiss ceramics
March 11, 2009
I found Pink Kiss Ceramics via the Shop Local feature on Etsy. Shop owner/elementary school art teacher Shawna Pincus (get it? so clever) is a member of the Charm City Craft Mafia and a wickedly talented potter. Have I ever mentioned my potter-envy?
Some of my favorites...
Some of my favorites...
confessions
March 9, 2009
Samson sleeps with his La La. Jane sleeps with Winnie-the-Pooh. I sleep with a tissue.
In my left hand.
All night long.
It's my sneeze-proof security blanket.
Am I not the only one?
In my left hand.
All night long.
It's my sneeze-proof security blanket.
Am I not the only one?
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