go for treat

Wishing you and your little monster(s) a safe, fun and Happy Halloween!

saturday: fuzzy noses

A single photo - no words - capturing a moment from the week. A simple, heart warming moment. A moment I want to pause, savor and remember. If you're inspired to do the same, leave a link to your 'moment' in the comments for all to find and see.

hip to be square

We've got Granny!

We're getting set for the gifting season -already- by stocking up on different fun bits to share, which includes 3 pc. sets of squares, for our lovely fellow kitchenistas.

While the autumnal backdrop has definitely inspired the first slew of squaresies, there are many other colors to our rainbow of treats to come. But, because we don't quite feel right about discussing the holidays just yet.. let's continuing making squares.

Go, Granny!

le fleur

I've been painting a lot, these days.

It's about time...

from scratch

A couple of weeks ago I decided to make a cake and make it fancy, sans the help of the boxed up brand. Ian had been telling me to try out cake making for quite some time, as he was so certain I would do well at it and also enjoy the challenge of something new. I think he just wanted me to make something yummy to share, but who am I to assume?

The most difficult part of the process- I'd say- was getting the dirty icing down perfectly smooth. For a self critical -and often irrational- perfectionist it's probably not the greatest idea to aim for perfection, as I learned the consequence of expectation when I caught myself in my second hour of trying to make the next sweep better than the last. It was somehow relaxing just to play around with it. And oh, that smell of vanilla!

I thought the fondant was going to be the most difficult, but after only two tries of laying things down I managed to get it without any lumps, creases or ugly bits. That's actually why I spent so much time trying to get the icing down because if your icing is clean and smooth, your fondant will be too. Once that part is over with, you can start having fun.

To really get the most out of the experience, I think you just have to go for it and improvise. I didn't really have a masterful plan when it came to making this cake, where I kind of just played with the supplies to see where it took me. Once it started to take shape, I soon found myself rushing around the house for things to help make it come to life; spaghetti sticks, big blue buttons, a cat doll eye. It was the most fun I've had in a long time.

And while my brain is still all over the place with more ideas and things to share, I have to say that taking the time to enjoy a slice of my first (delicious) vanilla Miss Kittycakes was very rewarding when it was all complete. It may have been a three day project that both scared and inspired me in the same breath; I know there will be more projects like this to come when the opportunity arrives. Mmm, I can't wait.

unexpected guests

I don't usually decorate this early, but the ghosts invited themselves over.

snow for breakfast

I don't think he was too bothered by the snow this morning, as it came down in big, fat, fluffy, flakes.

He is officially my dog.

pig

I know I've been pretty lame for posting, but sometimes no news is good news. Lots to share very soon. 1am and I need to get to bed.

Chomp!

saturday : fall

A single photo - no words - capturing a moment from the week. A simple, heart warming moment. A moment I want to pause, savor and remember. If you're inspired to do the same, leave a link to your 'moment' in the comments for all to find and see.

missing you

It sometimes surprises me what sort of things make me think of Ian while he is away.

A plate of button mushrooms, served on pasta with delicious vodka sauce and a slice of italian bread. Whatever was it that made me think of him?

He wasn't here to remind me that mushrooms grow on poop.

chewy lewis & some news

Looks like our dog toy experimentations are going over well, as one of our guinea pigs was kind enough to share in the experience. It makes me giddy with delight that it has become one of her favorite toys and has stood up to the chewy test, so far.

Because John Long was constantly mistaken for a Long John, we decided to change the name of our lanky friend - to our original choice - Chewy Lewis. Much more fun, if you ask me.

We're still in the process of doing our product surveys and taking suggestions, but we're getting close to having something new to share... and chew on! Stay tuned, my furry friends.