Monday, April 30, 2007

I Need-a Lotta...

If you're searching for the perfect Saint's Day present for me (4/29), I think I might need this book:

Friday, April 27, 2007

Why I bake...



I really bake so I can lick the bowl. I've always been a big bowl-licker. I'll take cookie dough over the baked product any day. Brownie and bisquick are among my other bowl-licking favorites. Raw egg doesn't scare me. I know most people will think this is gross.

Ok, ok, I like the outcome too - especially when it looks as delicious as this loaf of banana bread. This is my Mom's recipe that I use and abuse.



I say abuse, because I don't think I've ever actually made the straight-forward version of this. I use whole wheat flour, use only 1/2 sugar, add chocolate chips, cut the butter in half, substitute with yogurt or low-fat sour cream, throw some wheat germ in there... It really never comes out the same, but you try for yourself:

Mom's Banana Bread

1/2 cup butter
1 c. sugar
2 eggs
1 c. ripe banana, mashed
3 T sour milk
2 c. flour
1 t baking soda
1/2 t salt
1/2 c. nuts (optional)

Cream butter, sugar, and eggs (one at a time). Stir in mashed banana and sour milk (milk + lemon juice = sour milk). In a separate bowl, sift together flour, baking soda, and salt. Combine dry and wet ingredients. Add nuts (or chocolate), if adding. Turn into greased loaf pan. Bake 350F for 1 hour.

Tuesday, April 24, 2007

Nicey Bicycles

This is the (surprisingly, only) Heather Ross fabric I bought at the Stitchin' Post when I was in Oregon last week.





I had to buy this fabric because it so much reminds me of one of my favorite childhood memories - Jaymee & me riding our pink bikes (hers, banana seat, mine, a dirt bike) down the dirt road to school during the Santa Ana winds yelling, "Warm wind! Warm wind!" We were a little quirky, but man, did we have great times.

This one's for you, Jaym....whatever it becomes.

Sunday, April 22, 2007

Rancher Fantasy Camp



I just returned from a little mid-week vacation to Bend/Sisters, Oregon to see two of my oldest & dearest friends Emily and Abby. I had SUCH a blast! It was like rancher fantasy camp for me - I got to bail hay, drive the 4-wheeler, mix grain...it was great.

Here we are, all 4 of us, on the 4-wheeler before we ran out of gas and were "stranded" in the pasture.



And as if my rancher fantasy camp experience wasn't awesome enough, Abby introduced me to World's greatest sewing shop - the Stitchin Post. I, of course, had to buy some fabric, which you can imagine I desperately needed.


Thank you for such a wonderful getaway!

Thursday, April 12, 2007

My New Favorite Magazine



Among my "Top 10 Favorite Things EVER" list is receiving a new magazine in the mail (pedicures & buying food from bulk bins is up there too). The Easter Bunny bought me a subscription to Blueprint Magazine, my new favorite magazine (Easter Bunny, you never disappoint). It's a Martha Stewart Omnimedia publication, so you know it's full of good stuff. I bought an issue while I was on vacation, and I think I read every single sentence/caption/credit.

I love it, I love it, I love it *insert high kick*!

Wednesday, April 11, 2007

Easter Must-Haves



It just ain't Easter without Robin's Eggs, Reese's Pieces Eggs, Peanut M&Ms, and Cadbury Mini Eggs.

"Corner Boutique"

Really, they're garage sales. My mom calls them "corner boutiques" to avoid the stigma. Mom used to drag us out garage saleing on Saturdays. We would hide under the dashboard hoping nobody would see or recognize us. We played it cool, but were always stoked if Mom bought us something, and disappointed if she didn't.

I suppose I could write a whole entry on garage sale culture (and maybe I will), but for now I want to show you my latest finds!! I was out on a walk with Kat, and we spotted these little treasures. They're now happily hanging in my room and living room.





I couldn't have even made them for the price. I love it!!