Last week I finally broke down and ordered me some Baggus, reusable shopping bags made out of rip-stop nylon. (Such a fun word to say . . . Baggu!) I have been coveting them since a very fashionable, eco-conscious friend of mine showed me hers. They come in super cute colors and fold up in a tiny little packet so they are easy to toss in a purse or pocket. They are also HUGE! I was so surprised how much they held and how easy/comfortable they are to carry. I am so excited to use them when we go to the Dane County Farmer’s Market and also for my weekly trip to Brennan’s to restock on the produce and cheese.
Blue Bird Day
I read today that Kermit Love, the costume creator of Big Bird, Snuffy, and many other favorite Sesame Street characters, died today at age 91.
Please take a moment and read this article from The Chicago Tribune.
Scratch that itch
Well I was able to scratch that baking itch this morning by whipping up a batch of cupcakes. Decided on using recipes from Betty Crocker’s Cookbook: Bridal Edition. (I received this from a good family friend as a shower gift.) Good old Betty knows her baking. Here are the recipes that I used:
Starlight Yellow Cake
2 1/4 c. all-purpose flour 1 1/2 c. sugar
1/2 c. butter, softened. 1 1/4 c. milk
3 1/2 tsp. baking powder 1 tsp. salt
1 tsp. vanilla 3 large eggs
Heat oven to 350°. Grease bottom and sides of 13x9x2 inches, Will also fill 2 round cake pans or approx 24 cupcakes.) and lightly flour.
Beat all ingredients with electric mixer on low speed for 30 seconds, scraping bowl constantly. Beat on high speed 3 minutes, scraping bowl occasionally. Pour into pan(s).
Bake 35 to 40 minutes, or until toothpick inserted in center comes out clean or until cake springs back when touched lightly in the center. (Cupcakes took about 20 minutes.) Cool completely before frosting.
Velvet Buttercream Frosting
3 c. powdered sugar 1/3 c. butter, softened.
1 1/2 tsp. vanilla 2 tbs. milk
Food coloring (optional)
Mix powdered sugar and butter in medium bowl with spoon or electric mixer on low speed. Stir in vanilla and 1 tablespoon of the milk.
Gradually beat in just enough remaining milk to make frosting smooth and spreadable. If frosting is too thick, beat in more milk, a few drops at a time. If frosting becomes too thin, beat in a small amount of powdered sugar. Add food coloring, if desired.
Baker’s Itch
Now that we are fully in the house and I have all of my lovely kitchen gadgets back ( Hello my lovely KitchenAid MixMaster, how I missed you so!) I am itching to put my new kitchen through its paces and bake up a storm. I am particularly dreaming about whipping up some wonderful cupcakes. Little darlings of bite size goodness. Yum.
The only problem is what the heck would I do with them all? You can’t really make just a few cupcakes, part of the pleasure of making them is the assembly line process. Sweet little soldiers lined up on the counter ready to be frosted and sprinkled. . . Maybe I can bake a batch or two and send them with the hubby to the office. (Of course keeping a few back for a tasty after dinner treat.) Sounds like a plan, I let you know how they turn out.
What are you looking at?
Surfing through the BBC website, I came across this article about the artist Antony Gormley featuring 40,000 clay figures. The figures were handmade by 100 volunteers ages seven to 70.
I really enjoyed how individual each figure is so different and displays a sense of personality even though they are all quite simple in construction. I would love to check this out in person to really be able to grasp the details. Pretty neat, huh?
Home again
What a fantastic vacation. A wonderful week of swimming at the pool, hanging out at the beach, and laughing a ton with good friends. I am so glad that we went, I only wish that we could have stayed a bit longer. . . although the best part was coming home to our wonderful new house.
HHI here we come.
Well, after a very hectic week of unpacking, we are going to be leaving for our much needed vacation to Hilton Head. I am so looking forward to relaxing on the beach and drinking a few foo foos at the Salty Dog. Hurray!!
Home Sweet Home
Finally. . . we are officially in the house!! We closed on Friday evening, and yes, I didn’t launch over the conference table and throttle the mortgage person. She is lucky to get through it unscathed. Although there was a funny moment when she talked about horses hating her . . . must ask me about that one! But enough about her, we are in!!! We started moving stuff over on Saturday and then spent the night last night. Albeit on an areobed, but yeah! Tomorrow the movers come with our beloved stuff, I can’t wait!!
Timber!!
Quick note: We are STILL not in the house. More WF insanity. Will not discuss, but will focus on better things.
Memorial weekend was just what the doctor ordered. My sister and two of our friends made their maiden voyage on the Van Gelder bus line to visit Shawn and I this weekend. This was supposed to be a celebration of our moving into the house, but alas it was not meant to be. Friday night we welcomed them Wisconsin style, with plenty of cheese, beer, and wine to be consumed. Saturday we started off at the fabulous Dane County Farmer’s Market. Was sorely disappointed that they were unable to experience the best chocolate long johns (we got there too late) but they did get to savor some excellent cookies. Saturday night we took them to Porta Del Alba. Fantastic Neopolitan pizza place. Yum Zum. Then the night of debauchery ensued. Highlights were gay lumberjacks, Paul’s juke box, cop chases, and a Dance Party USA. Yes, people were dancing on chairs. LOVE IT! Sunday we hit the Brat Fest. I love this state.
I am so grateful that they came up, it was just what Shawn and I needed to get our minds off of the ridiculousness of the closing on the house. Hopefully, we will be in by the next time the Van Gelder Trio make a return trip.
Heartbreak
We are not in the house yet. Fighting urge to drive to Wells Fargo and shoot some bottle rockets at someone. Complete ineptitude. Can’t write more, too angry.
Widdershins 