The other day a smell permeated the house that was as comforting as slippers – the ones that are covered with wool then open up to a textured faux fur that tries to replicate the impossibly soft covering of a baby lamb. It was as fragrant as Lillies and so completely intoxicating I had a [...]
It has been awhile since I designed and created a wedding cake. When my sweet little punks were less mobile I spent many weekends building massive edible sculptures that were destined to be destroyed and enjoyed. Some were covered in chocolate with torched meringue flames. Others were teal and intricately decorated with chocolate damask. Many [...]
While I technically did not finish off the month by posting everyday I still consider my crazy attempt a success. In this current season of life my time is very limited and more structured then I ever would have wanted it to be. I have two little sweet boys who want my attention and continually [...]
I love that I’ve posted two entries that have both deviated from my NaBloWriMo plan – and it’s only the second day. Typical. But I assure you over the next few days you will get your fair share of apples. This past Saturday I found myself alone in the house. After the initial shock of [...]
You know what I love?! Vanilla. I mean of course there are other things like my husband and my boys and chocolate, but vanilla is really something to admire. I love the way the thousands of little black seeds disperse in a pot of simmering cream while I’m preparing a custard. I love the vivid [...]
While testing a fabulous apple tart recipe – which you should be seeing in the near future – I came across a technique that we used often at the restaurant but I have since forgotten. Dulce de Leche. One bite of the impossibly creamy and almost pudding like caramel had me regretting all those missed [...]
So now that everyone has their lard rendered let’s make some shortbread. Wait. What?! You haven’t rendered your lard yet? I understand. Some people are less than thrilled to be fondling pig fat. If you haven’t gotten around to producing your own batch of the white gold then do yourself a favor – make some [...]
I have casually rolled my eyes and silently scoffed at the woes of fellow Seattle dwellers who have complained about the heat. I may not have joined in this pitty party before because I have been sitting comfortably in a cool-climate controlled basement while we are still in house-hunting/buying transition. But lately my compliance with [...]
Quite often I break one of the cardinal rules of parenting; “Never wake a sleeping baby.” After the often drawn out and complicated process of actually getting them to sleep – waking them would be so very wrong. Why would anyone do this?! Here is why I do it. Our youngest child came out of [...]
I didn’t have children so that I could have a crew of sous chefs ready and waiting to assist me with the day’s menu or follow me around with a mop and broom cleaning up all my inevitable disasters. But as it turns out that is in fact one of the MANY perks of having [...]
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