Musing

Been pretty light on the blogging lately, with no great excuse or flourish - just plain old life getting in the way, leaving me not much time to report on all the little lovelies I come across on a daily basis. Have to change that.

The Mr. did manage to snap a few shots of a sweet little layer cake I whipped up earlier this summer for my grandmother's birthday. I was sure the Pink Lady Cake from favorite blog Smitten Kitchen was THE one when I was searching for the perfect celebration cake for this special day. Needless to say, we only got a few shots and none of the finished product. Have to get better about that too. In this case, we were way too busy sneaking every last bit of that ridiculously delicious cream cheese frosting. Oh. Yes.

And, speaking of Smitten Kitchen and my adoration for food blogs in general, it looks like a certain someone shares the same affinity. GOOP, the lifestyle newsletter from Gwenyth Paltrow released a who's who of food blogs, to which I wholeheartedly approve - and could go on and on adding to the list. SO much talent out there - with the movers and shakers attending this week's BlogHer Food conference in San Francisco.

I'm off to enjoy what's shaping up to be an absolutely heavenly weekend weather-wise. October picnic here we come - In my mind I'll look like this gorgeously crisp + romantic photo from photographer extrodinarie Roland Bello. Happy weekending!

Images via fine & lovely, Roland Bello

Right Now

Adoring the absolutely lusciously gorgeous work of food photographer extraordinaire Matt Armendariz. It's just so good I get hungry and swoon-ie at the same time. A longtime veteran of graphic design and styling in the food industry, Matt's work has been in countless publications and a few years ago he began Matt Bites, a blog about 'a man obsessed with food, drink & everything in between'. Love it. Add to that, he'll have a cookbook out in Spring 2011. Hope it has waterproof pages for all the drooling that will be going on over it.

Images via Matt Armendariz

Grows on Trees

While getting ready to pick peaches from our neighborhood peach tree this morning, I got to thinking about fruit trees. I dream about having avocado and lemon trees right outside the kitchen window (oh, I could use a kitchen window too, come to think of it). I would make Cafe Gitane inspired smashed avocado on toast and try my hand at homemade limoncello. For now I will dream big of lemons, mountains and sea air on the Amalfi Coast.

Images via Haas Gallery, TerraGalleria

What the Font

With my educational and professional background of the past decade in paper and press, one might say that my first love is type. And if there is a thin line between love and hate, I would venture to say that I love, (and loathe) all types of fonts. In college, I would spend days upon days letterpress printing - setting type, pawing through job trays of lead type, learning about each curve and line of every specific serif and sans serif I could get my hands on. Nowadays, I am more likely to be pouring over a cookbook, which is surely Times New Roman or the like, than found in the studio. Every now and then I have to get my fix, and after watching Objectified last night, I woke up with the design bug and had to play with some type on My Fonts. Looks like I might need to spend a couple of days printing to get this bug out of my creative system!

Images via My Fonts (top to bottom) Apricot, Londonderry Air, Gatlinberg Gossamer NF

Sunshine in a Jar

Working weekly farmers markets this summer, I've gotten to know some of the local farmers - and moreover, been able to sample most of this summer's gorgeous bounty at it's peak. Earlier this season, when strawberries were ripe for the pickin', I was gifted some 'bruised' early berries. Needless to say, I was giddy since I had already had jam on the brain. I followed a quick and great recipe using no pectin. The result was so pure and fresh I had to eat it right then and there. We whipped up some fresh ricotta, toasted some crusty bread and on top, enjoyed dollops and dollops of juicy strawberry jam. With a crisp glass of chilled sancerre, it was a beautiful dinner. Sometimes (actually, most of the time), it really is the simple things.

And while I'm jamming, be sure to check out this great post on learning to can from new blog on the block, {every}nothing wonderful (today she talks cheese!). Happy weekend!

Image via fineandlovely (excuse the poor iphone shot!)

Blog Love

I'll be the first to admit my love for Sunday Suppers. Though I haven't attended one of the Brooklyn, NY events or classes (yet!), fortunately, I can live vicariously through their fabulous blog. I am always struck by the spot-on styling, delicious & inventive menus and gorgeous photos. I am in love with this lavender lemonade - it sums up exactly why Sunday Suppers is oh so special. Run don't walk to their blog for some bonafide swoon worthy eye candy.

Images via Sunday Suppers

Queen Bee(keeping)

Loved this story I heard on NPR this morning about the surge of women beekeepers in the states. With the mysterious plight of disappearing bees these days, and the importance of bees to our food supply, it's such a welcome trend. Fingers crossed it's not a passing fancy.

There are numerous independent organizations popping up in communities all over to support and educate those who would like to learn beekeeping. If you are in and around the Chicago area, the Chicago Honey Co-Op is a great resource. I can't wait to check it out. Watch for a sweet post on that to come!

Images via National Public Radio, Chicago Honey Co-Op