birdsandtrees

Brownie Mix + Cookie Dough Mix = Mixalicious

I'm not a huge fan of boxed mixes for baking, but I do think that there is a certain time and place for them.  I needed a quick sweet treat yesterday, and I found a post that Bakerella did on a Betty Crocker Brownie/Cookie Dough recipe.  After seeing the pictures and reading the reviews, I knew I didn't need to look any furthur.  How can you go wrong with cookie dough dropped into brownie batter?

 Here's the basic recipe:

Make the brownie mix and cookie dough mix like normal, using the instructions on the back.  Put the brownie batter in a greased 9 x 13 baking dish, then drop tablespoon-sized dollops of the cookie dough evenly on top of the brownie batter. Like this:

After baking at 350 for 35-40 minutes (make sure it's not too "doughy" in the middle- you want to cook it all the way through so that it won't be hard to cut and take out later), let cool completely. 

In the Betty Crocker recipe, they spread the top with  pre-made chocolate frosting (or whatever frosting you want), but I liked how Bakerella made it a little more special by topping it with homeade ganache.  I knew I wanted to go that route. 
The recipe for the ganache (from Bakerella) is:

Chocolate Ganache
12 oz. semi-sweet chocolate morsels
3/4 cup heavy whipping cream
6 Tbsp butter

• In a small saucepan, heat cream and butter until just before the boiling stage.
• Pour over the chocolate morsels.
• Let stand about 20 seconds and stir until smooth.

So after making the ganache, spread it evenly on top of the brownies and let it set before cutting. 
And voila- so easy, so good, and so what I needed in my life.

What a weekend.

This past weekend James and I celebrated our five years of marriage- it's hard to believe it's been that long!  We went (for the first time) to one of the best (if not the best) restaurant's in Birmingham (or the south for that matter) - Highlands Bar and Grill.  We now want to go there every year- it's amazing!  If you're ever in the area, you need to eat there.  It was definitely an experience that I want to repeat! 

James gave me this bouquet, with the most amazing peonies - I wish I could have them my house everyday!  He's pretty good with flowers, don't you think?

After our amazing dinner, we continued the night by going to Walmart.  Isn't that so romantic?  Now this might shock some of you that know me because I loathe Walmart, and only go there if I have to (I end up going maybe once or twice a year).  But the reason we went was to find an outfit for a party we were going to on Saturday.  One of James's friends was having a suprise party in Knoxville- and not just any suprise party- it was an 80's themed murder mystery party.  And Walmart definitely came through for us- it's crazy how many things are still 80's style!  I found jelly bracelets, hot pink leggings, purple hoop earrings, and scrunchies!  James rocked the tight-rolled jeans (among many other things):

 

I took lots of pictures that night, but our marriage might end if I post some full-body shots.  Here's one of Brad, the birthday boy:

 

His character was a dancer, and half-way through the mystery, he made up this dance that made me laugh harder than I've laughed in a long time.  There is a video of it and I really want a copy.  He was such a good sport!
I love that I have a picture of peonies and a leotard in the same post.  What a weekend. 

This is one of the zinnia's we planted from seed this past school year- it's hard to believe that this beautiful flower was once a seed.  It's about three feet high, too!  I love the small yellow crown of flowers on the inside...so lovely. 
Speaking of lovely, there are some lovely things in the blog world that I wanted to pass along:
- lovelydesign...this is a blog I've had under my blog list over there to the right-  I stumbled upon it one day when I was on a blog trail.  I was looking at it again this past weekend, and am so inspired by her design and ideas.  I LOVE this idea she did with the framed cubbies.  I am going to do that!  And her sewing space is amazing.  I love how she could take a closet and make it into a beautiful space to create lovely things (the paper she used to line the walls is perfect).  And (last thing) be sure to check out her list of "supplies" on the blog- I'm always interested to see where people/crafters get their paper, fabric, etc...she's got some good places to check out! 
- Sunday Suppers...a blog that shares pictures and recipes from a "class-cooking-dining-experience" in Brooklyn.  If only I lived there, I would so sign up for that class!!  The latest class was a french dinner and everything is, well, lovely.  I really appreciate when someone knows how to throw a good dinner party, with all the special touches of the food and table setting. 
- I've been reading Yvestown's blog for awhile now- I can't get enough of her style (very Cath Kidston, which I'm all about).  She recently started a "tumblr" blog where she just posts pictures, quotes, and things she loves- check it out here.
- I can't remember how I found this, but I love this embroidery idea from katie.cupcake
- Anna Maria Horner...I subscribe to a craft podcast called "CraftSanity," and whenever I'm crafting or sewing or working in the basement, I'll turn one on to listen to...each podcast is an interview with a crafter, sewer, lover of things handmade, etc.  I recently listened to the interview with Anna Maria Horner and loved hearing her story and how she came to be where she is now.  I love her fabrics and am now an even bigger fan after listening to the podcast! 

K...I think that's enough lovely things for one day. 

For these hot summer days...

James and I just got back from the beach, where we had a great time with my family.  I didn't bring my camera for some reason, but if I had, I would be able to show you pictures of a beautiful beach, LOTS of really good food, Jenga, and how my family likes to have a good time.  Because they sure do know how to have fun. 
So instead of coming back empty-handed, I've got a fun summer drink to share (courtesy of Martha).  It's the perfect treat for these hot summer days! 

Raspberry Lemonade

In a large pot, combine 2 cups of raspberries, 10 lemons (sliced), and 1 1/2 cups sugar.  You could also add some mint at this point if you wanted a stronger mint flavor.  Pound this mixture (with a potato masher, back of a wooden spoon, etc.) until you release all the juices from the berries and lemons.  Pour in 6 cups water.  I let it sit for 20-30 minutes, just to let the flavors really mingle.  Strain the mixture, add ice, a sprig of mint (or slice of lemon), and enjoy! 

You could easily change this into an alcoholic version- Martha recommends adding some tequila, but I'm even thinking some Prosecco might be nice as well.   

If you're in the mood for another cool beverage and you like coffee, check out James's post from this time last year- he's got a great Iced Coffee recipe.  I'm also asking him to share a White Sangria recipe, so hopefully that will be on here soon!

Good Things for Kids

I've been going through my binders of magazines and clippings recently.  Every few months I like to go back and flip through all the pictures and projects and articles that I've collected over the years.  I was looking for some new craft ideas for the upcoming school year and came across my collection of Martha's Good Things for Kids magazines.  After the Kids Magazine ended, they put out these smaller versions like once a year or so.  And I always grabbed them as soon as I saw them.  I miss the Kids magazine so much.  Looking through these reminded me how amazing they were!  I thought I'd share some of the really cute projects from the two magazine above (and you can click on the images to make them bigger).  Sort of like a good things show and tell, if you will (and I hope you will).  

 

 I know I've probably said this before, but if you can get some of the Kids magazines on Ebay (or wherever you see them), I highly recommend it! 

I'm loving...

- one of our cosmos emerging in the garden (you might remember them here)
- this smocked dress project from Heather Ross that she showed on the Martha Show...it's amazing how easy it is to instantly "smock" some fabric and make it into a dress for a child or adult!
- eating my first peach of the summer...bring on the crisps and crumbles and pies and cobblers!
- the ideas and recipes on Bakerella ...I'm not sure why I haven't stumbled upon it sooner!

- the CATH KIDSTON mugs I found at HomeGoods this past weekend- only $15!!!!!!  Man I love that place!
- This Young House blog...I love looking at the photo gallery of all the "before and after" pics- really inspiring.

Got cupcakes?

I definitely do.  Since yesterday, I have now baked EIGHT DOZEN cupcakes.  It's in CAPS because I feel like the way I'm saying that in my head deserves CAPS.  EIGHT DOZEN.  I've never baked that many cupcakes in my life, and yet, I can still say that I love cupcakes.  I've always loved them- baking them, decorating them, eating them, etc.  It seems like cupcakes are the new "it" dessert, and I'm all for that.  Making them from scratch is simple, and cleanup is super easy!

  What's not to love?
There are so many great cupcake recipes out there, and sometimes it's a daunting task to even know where to begin.  My friend Lauren gave me a great cupcake book called Cupcakes Year Round that I've used a ton.   I just made their Blueberry Cupcakes with Maple Walnut Frosting, Carrot Cupcakes, Vanilla Cupcakes, and Red Velvet Cupcakes.  All really good!  
The one pictured above is a Nigella recipe- it has a royal icing that I think is beautiful!  I got the daisy topper (it's edible) from Louise's Cakes-N- Things, a place worth visiting if you live in the Birmingham area. 
In other cupcake news, Martha also has a new cupcake book that came out this week that looks like a winner- I need to add that to my cupcake library! 

A is for Apron

 

A few months ago I got Heather Ross's Weekend Sewing.  It's got such a variety of patterns, from dresses for you or your friends, to a kid's outdoor tent, to house slippers, to pajama pants.  I've been wanting to make something from it (I made the outdoor tent for the kids at school, but haven't managed to take a picture yet), and I finally got some motivation to make something - a group of friends decided to  get crafty and all make aprons.  So I decided to make the pattern from Weekend Sewing. 

The great thing about aprons is that you can make it super simple or go crazy and add embellishments or whatever you're feeling.  I made one right after college using a bandanna and a long piece of white twill tape that you just sew to the bandanna- so simple!  This pattern is pretty simple, but I will say my seam ripper definitely got some use.  This one just has a couple more extra steps in that the ties are lined and there's pleating (both which are really easy to do, now that I've figured it out).  But I love the way it came out.    

I got the fabric from Hancock's of Paducah (no relation to the chain of Hancock's) on our way back from St. Louis.  If you ever find yourself in Paducah, Kentucky, you seriously need to go (if you like fabric, of course). I had to go in really quick because we were having dinner in Nashville, so I felt a little like I was on Supermarket Sweep, rushing up and down every aisle, picking fabric, running over to the cutting station..you get the idea.  I ended up getting this fabric for the apron, which I love!
I'm thinking there will be many more aprons to come- such a quick and easy sewing project!

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ps...if you're ever looking for ideas or inspiration for aprons, check out the "Tie One On" flickr gallery- it's got hundreds of pictures of aprons people have made.  Very inspiring!

My kind of breakfast

Today we had some friends over for a birthday breakfast.  And lucky for me, James is really good at making breakfast, which lets me do the fun stuff, like setting the table.  I got this vintage tablecloth at an antique store in St.Louis last week which I was way too excited to use for the first time.  I used to groan when my mom asked me to set the table when we were younger, but now it's something I look forward to.  Is anybody else like that?   

 James has been perfecting this pancake recipe, and trying to recreate what we had at Clinton Street Baking Company in NYC.  We don't have their recipe, but one key thing they do is fold in egg whites (after they've been mixed into soft peaks).  This makes the batter light and fluffy and oh. so. good.  If you want to try to make some, James bases his version off of this recipe (without the lemon, and a little more vanilla and a sprinkling of cinnamon). 

 

But another thing that James makes to go along with the pancakes is a warm, buttery maple syrup.  It is amazing.  We use the good stuff, Grade A Maple Syrup, warmed on the stove on medium heat with some butter mixed in.  Good, real maple syrup makes all the difference, and it's definitely called for to celebrate a friend's birthday. 

Throw on some blueberries and you've got my kind of breakfast. 

meet tripp.

winner of the cutest nephew award.