Feeding the body and the soul

Things have been so hectic. And I'll be honest -- I'm glad to be getting back to my boring little rut.

The weekend was nice though. Thanksgiving dinner was small and quiet. My daughter and son-in-law and granddaughter, k, came over. We ate late afternoon and it was nice enough to sit on the back patio for a while after dinner. I'd cooked the giblets from the turkey for the cats that "live" in our backyard, and I cut them up and k and I put some out in a little saucer for them. I'd named the black and white kitten Zorro some months ago, but k renamed it (she? he?) Patch. So Patch it is. Daughter and family went home with a bag full of leftovers, and hubby and I went to bed with tummies full of pie. Life is good.

k came over again on Friday. We planted pansy seeds and watered everything else in the yard. We painted - I painted Patch and k painted an abstract, with some help from Grandpa. I must say I like hers better! It's currently displayed in La Galeria de Mi Cocina - aka up on my fridge.



k had a runny nose and I had a bit of a headache, so we decided midafternoon to climb into Grandma's bed and watch TV. I even let her take a little package of mini M&M's with her. She'd found them and wanted them during dinner on Thursday, but she didn't eat her food, so she didn't get her M&M's. Normally M&M's in the bed would be a big no-no, but I've learned over the years that it's wise to pick your battles. We both fell asleep and had a yummy nap. Yesterday I washed the blankets and spot cleaned the bedspread by hand to remove the little smudged chocolate fingerprints. Yes, life is good.

I am grateful

for my inner artist.

Today I am Thankful

Sunday

It was a beautiful day today. The first cup of coffee this morning - made for me by hubby - tasted just right. The line at the grocery store wasn't too long, so we have a turkey and many goodies to go with it in the fridge ready for later in the week. Hubby's friend from out of town who came for the funeral stopped by on his way out of town for one more visit. And hubby and his baby brother spent the rest of the day at Mom's house replacing toilets, putting up shelves, putting up blinds, and just general handy man things that good sons do for their Moms.

I got to talk to one of my bestest friends who lives in Texas. I received mail from a new friend in Canada. The laundry got done, the birds got fed, I got to play a bunch, and we had ice cream for dessert. All in all, it was a day to be thankful for.

Postcard I received from Canada - titles of songs from the 1920's

Mail Art I made that will go in the mailbox tomorrow.

an envelope I made from a page from a seed catalog:

a stamped envelope:

a collaged postcard:

Have a wonder-full week,

Absence makes the heart grow fonder . . .

Just another cliche -- "absence makes the heart grow fonder" -- a combination of words that I've heard so many times before that I seldom even stop to think about what they mean. But I'm thinking about them today; the thought is just in my head.

On the surface I could tell you that there's no particular reason I'm pondering this phrase today. But so many little things (and some not so little) have happened over the last couple of weeks that I'd be lying if I claimed such a thing.

My son came home to visit and has since returned home to North Carolina. He's been in the Air Force 10 years now, yet it's never gotten any easier to say goodbye to him. He only returned home on Monday and I miss him already. I wish that my daughter-in-law and grandson had come too, but that didn't work out this time. Just means that grandma has to go visit them again SOON! My grandson, j, who is 15 months old, loves to talk on the phone already. And he has so much to say! Yes, grandma must go visit soon.

My father-in-law passed away a week ago. He was truly one of a kind. He was retired Marine Corps and retired law enforcement after that. We shared the same birthday, which is in two weeks. It certainly won't be the same. His funeral is tomorrow, and it happens to be the day my mother died. I miss both of my parents more than ever.

And I have missed you all too. I have missed hearing your stories and sharing your lives, and I've missed sharing mine with you. But that's the thing about good friends - you can always pick right up where you left off. It's like you've talked every day and never missed a thing.

So I'm going to go see what's new with each of you and to get caught up. Hugs to you all.

And so it goes . . .

I spent last weekend with my BFF's. We went to the big city and had big fun! We ate, we drank, we shopped, we laughed, we hugged. There were many cups of coffee drank, as well as a margarita and a beer or two, and a bottle of wine while sitting in the jacuzzi. We partook of omelets and crab legs and enchiladas and even tiramisu and gelato. We were successful on our quest for new fall jackets and sweaters, and didn't forget our husbands and grandkids for whom we found special treasures. And we bought books - we always buy books - and we even spent a teeny bit of quiet time reading. And we missed the two BFF's that weren't there.

Then we were wowed by The Phantom! It was the perfect show to see on Halloween. And I got to cross off one more thing on my bucket list.

Last Friday marked 20 years at my job. It is quite an accomplishment, if I do say so myself. :) And now I'm one week into year 21.

My son, J, comes home tonight for vacation. He comes home about this time every year to deer hunt. I last saw him in June, and I can't wait to give him a big hug. I wish j was coming too, but I'll just have to plan another trip to visit them soon.

Tomorrow night after work, I'm picking up my granddaughter and we're having a slumber party. She's excited because she knows I brought her a present from my trip (a snowglobe). She'll spend part of the day Friday with me, and I think we'll go to the garden center and get some flowers to plant.

On Saturday afternoon, there is a baby shower for the daughter of one of my BFF's. This will be granddaughter number two for her. Four out of the six of us have grandbabies (two boys and soon to be four girls, the oldest of which is 3), and the youngest one of us has a baby of her own who is not quite a year old. Needless to say, our conversations often start out with, "You wouldn't believe what j did! It was so cute!" And of course we always have new photos to share. Ah, babies . . . such sweetness.

Here's hoping there's abundant sweetness in your life this week.

I need a shot

I have yet to get a flu shot. In fact, I'm not certain that I will. I have no arguments for them or against them; I just haven't decided yet. But I need a shot of somethin'.

So I'm going away for the weekend with my BFF's. Whenever I need to recharge, or relax, or renew my inner me, whenever my shine fades and needs to be polished, whenever my well becomes dry and needs to be filled, and sometimes even when I just need to have my ass kicked, I turn to my girlfriends.

And there will be shots aplenty. Shots of love. Shots of understanding. Shots of laughter (the almost pee your pants kind). And sometimes shots of tequila. Combine all that with a dose of good food (lots), a dose of entertainment, and a huge dose of shopping, and the prognosis is good.

to girlfriends!

More Miscellany

things that have made me smile lately . . .

My Mother-in-law called me last weekend to see if I'd taken my hubby to see "Where the Wild Things Are." She said it was his favorite book as a little boy. 21 years together, and I didn't know that! I can't tell you how many times I've been at the book store and stared at the book, thinking I should buy it, but I never picked it up. Will have to next time I'm there.

My daughter is a huge Twilight fan, and I must admit that I loved the books and have seen the movie a couple of times. (I blame it on my teenage heart.) She has invited me to go with her and her girlfriends to the first showing of "New Moon" at midnight on November 20th. I think it's super cool that she invited me. Of course, I'll have to nap first and probably get to work late the next day, but it'll be totally worth it.

I got a couple tomato plants planted on Saturday. It was a bit of work because I had to dig out quite a bit of bermuda grass first. And it got hot enough that I was drenched in sweat and my face got really red. As I sat in the shade on the patio, catching a nice breeze while cooling (and drying) off, a butterfly came fluttering in. Only for a few seconds, then it was on its way again. But it totally made me smile.

I also removed a bunch of "babies" from my cactus plant and put them in little pots. Some of the babies are only an inch across and are in teeny tiny clay pots; some are about three inches across and are in a little bit bigger clay pots. They are all on an iron etagere and are now my "nursery." Makes me smile.

I enjoyed a cup of chai on Sunday afternoon - something I hadn't had all summer long. It was delish - so much so that I took a thermos of it to work with me today. It even stayed warm until lunch time. I was smiling again.

I found the 1940's version of "The Phantom of the Opera" starring Claude Raines in with my old VHS tapes. Got comfy on the loveseat while hubby was gone and popped it into the VCR. (Getting ready for this coming weekend!)

Made another tag. Also did some journal pages, but will post them another time.

I actually finished a book. I have started several over the last few months, but didn't ever finish any of them. Either it was too complicated, or too boring, or I'd just let too much time lapse between starting it and picking it up again and needed to start over. Now - what to read next?

Have a wonderful rest of the week friends!

to the little things that make you smile,

Magnificence

I might make a tag later this evening for Tuesday Tag Challenge, but nothing I create can compare to this. The most magnificent sunrise! How can today be anything but perfect after a beginning as glorious as this?

Have a glorious day,

Something Simple on a Sunday - Haiku

Have a poetic week!

List Lovers Thursday

So it's my favorite time of year - in case I hadn't already mentioned that. Even though the daylight comes a little later and goes a little sooner every day, I must, must, MUST get outside everyday. We have enjoyed some time each evening after work on the back patio. I get home, kick off my shoes, grab a big glass of water and the day's mail, and retreat to the loveseat out back. Hubby is usually there already enjoying a cold drink on the glider. On Tuesday I moved my little TV (that's also very old) out there and we sometimes have our dinner there. I think I even caught a cat nap on Monday evening. It's become our little oasis.

I have a few palms, a couple of cacti and succulents, some ferns and spider plants, and even a little lemon tree in pots on the patio. Out in the yard I've planted a few herbs in a small bed, trimmed up some fountaingrass in a couple of beds and borders, and still need to clean up a couple of other beds to get ready for some new plants. And here's where I always get into trouble.

I always plant tomatoes - it's a given. After that, anything goes. I'll prepare the spot for the tomatoes and dig out the tomato cages. I make my trip to the store to buy a tomato plant or two, but usually come home with much, much more. I just can't resist the happy little faces of a pansy, or the texture of a lamb's ear, or the way a little succulent seems to grow in a spiral, or even the idea of cutting a bunch of kale and digging up a couple of beets to cook for supper.

So here is my list - a list of things I'd like to plant this year. Some are practical and do-able, and some are just pie-in-the-sky, but fun to dream about nonetheless.

• lettuce (red oak leaf, deer tongue, Simpson black-seeded)
• radishes (German Giant and Pink Beauty)
• chocolate mint
• lavender
• society garlic
• Baja Fairy Duster
• violas
• Mexican Primrose
• shallots
• millet and purple millet
• lamb's ear
• yarrow
• Mexican Red Hat
• butterfly bush
• popcorn bush
• catnip
• zucchini
• beets
• yellow beets
• swiss chard
• kale
• basil
• nasturtiums
• salvia
• flame tree
• alyssum
• hollyhocks
• sweet peas
• morning glories

Here's to playing in the dirt!

No Falling Leaves or Snow Here . . .

. . . but I do have a wonderful fall recipe to share with you.

The weekend before last, the weather here was perfect. Out on the back patio, the mornings were crisp and the evenings were perfect for relaxing on the glider or curling up in a wicker chair and watching the sunset. Since then, it's gotten toasty again. But I took advantage of the great weather and did a little cooking.

I'd been in the mood for something that smelled and tasted like fall. Something that smelled and tasted spicy and pumpkin-y. I went in search of a recipe for waffles, and hit the jackpot with the very first one I tried. The recipe says that it serves 8. Since there are just the two of us, that meant lots to go in the freezer for quick breakfasts during the week. They toast up perfectly and smell divine coming out of the toaster. They're wonderful with good old fashioned maple syrup, but also great made into a sandwich with apple butter oozing out the sides. Perfect for dropping into my tote bag to eat at work - except that everyone wants one!

Spiced Pumpkin Waffles

2 1/2 cups all purpose flour
1 tablespoon baking powder
2 teaspoons cinnamon
1 teaspoon ginger
1/2 teaspoon baking soda
1/2 teaspoon salt
1/2 teaspoon ground nutmeg
1/4 teaspoon cloves
4 large eggs
2 cups buttermilk
1 cup pumpkin puree
1/2 cup dark brown sugar
1/4 cup unsalted butter, melted
1 teaspoon pure vanilla extract

Preheat waffle iron. Combine flour, baking powder, cinnamon, ginger, baking soda, salt, nutmeg, and cloves in a large bowl and set aside. Whisk together eggs, buttermilk, pumpkin, sugar, butter, and vanilla in another large bowl until smooth. While whisking, add the flour mixture and blend until smooth. Generously coat the waffle iron with vegetable oil and cook the batter in the waffle iron as recommended in the manufacturer's instructions. Repeat with remaining batter.

Enjoy!



P.S. If you're not in the mood for making waffles, I did find Count Chocula, Franken Berry, and Boo Berry cereals at Target yesterday. My son used to love them. I had to buy a box just because of the nostalgia!

Six Word Saturday

Herbs, tomatoes, and flowers - oh my!

This is one of my favorite times of year. The weather is finally changing here. Baby lettuces can be seen in all the fields I pass when I drive to and from work every day, and garden centers are gearing up for planting season for home gardeners.

So far, I've cleaned up last year's herb bed and partially replanted, and this morning I managed to trim up some very overgrown purple fountaingrass. I even washed the windows in my kitchen and dining room so the view out to the backyard is that much nicer. Unfortunately, temperatures rose again this week and the last couple of days have been over 100 degrees. So that's where the outdoor chores ended today. There is still so much to do, but I guess it'll happen all in good time.

Maybe I'll post another list next Thursday - of all the things I'd like to plant this year. It could be a long one!

To enjoy other Six Word Saturdays, visit here.

List Lovers' Thursday

Way back when, when I was very much a newbie blogger, my Thursdays for a while were devoted to lists, and, in fact, I called them List Lovers Thursdays (even though once I did it on a Friday, and once it was about a Friday).

So, today being Thursday and all, I am in the mood for a list. (Besides, Liz did a list today and now I want to too!) Tomorrow is my every-other-Friday-off Friday, (YAY!) and there are some things I should do and some things I could do.

Could do:

** make (or find) templates for envelopes for mailing tags and ATC's, and then make a couple envelopes so I can mail a tag to Mari.

** send some snail mail to Diva Kreszl and Jeanette. I don't know yet what it'll be, but must be something special!

** and i must come up with something wonderful to send the The Fragrant Muse as it's her birthday tomorrow!

** hunt for treasure (aka taking a trip to the second hand store). Did I tell you that the last time I went I bought a poker chip holder? It's a nice wooden one that spins, and it's perfect for holding my small bottles of craft paints on my craft desk.

** I found some turkey meatballs at the grocery store last weekend and I'm in the mood for some spaghetti.

** Find a Michael's coupon and buy another ink pad.

** Take a new photo of my front porch with my scarecrow on the front door and a pumpkin and marigolds out front and replace the photo currently in my sidebar.

** Nap. (one of my personal favorites)

Should do:

** make hotel reservations for our trip to see Phantom of the Opera in two weeks.

** send haiku to a postcrossing friend that I sent a postcard to earlier this week.

** pull up the bermuda grass and bird seed that's sprouted to get ready to plant tomatoes and radishes and nasturtiums.

** clean out some old magazines to make room for my new Craft Spinner.

Of course there will be coffee in the morning on the patio while I contemplate the possibilities that the day holds. And maybe even a cup in the afternoon (after the nap of course).

I hope your Friday is beautiful.

Wishcasting Wednesday

What do you wish to let go?


Such a great question! We are always wishing for things. How wonderful to focus on ridding ourselves of something useless. Thank you Jamie.

I could list quite a number of things here that I would benefit from letting go: expectations, self criticism, doubt, worry. But, for me, they all really boil down to one thing - guilt. A horrible, horrible concept that has plagued me since grade school, or perhaps even before. And I am fairly certain that it will be my constant companion until my final day in this body. I am aware that I carry too much guilt, ridiculously so, but I've also resigned myself to the fact that it's just a part of who I am. I'm not sure I'll ever be able to drastically change it. I am just one of those people who wants (needs?) to make everybody happy all the time. And when I don't . . .

For example, when I speak my mind and tell someone how I really feel about something, knowing that I have every right to do so and, in fact, owe it to myself to do so, and what I've said is not well received, I feel guilty. If I call in sick to work - with a migraine or a cold, for instance - I feel guilty. I could go to work with a headache or a cold after all. If I fall behind in replying to e-mails, or neglect to answer the telephone when I really don't feel like talking, I feel guilty.

A couple of months ago, I ran across the following quote by Dzigar Kongtrul Rinpoche from Tricycle Magazine.

Regret, Not Guilt

The difference between guilt and regret is that the guilt never faces the wrongdoing straightforwardly. There's just this strong emotion of "I wish it hadn't happened. I wish I hadn't done it. I wish I had never gotten angry." Or, "I wish I hadn't done that embarrassing thing," and so on. Regret is the opposite of guilt. We acknowledge it, we expose to ourselves that we have done something harmful, and how it came about from our ignorance, but we don't get caught in emotions or story lines.

While I don't completely follow that logic, I do appreciate the delineation between guilt and regret. And I need to remind myself of it more often.

So, I wish to let go of that toxin - guilt.

Hoping all your wishes come true! Here's to letting go.

Please Write

I once wrote about how much I love sending and receiving mail - actual pieces of paper on which someone has written with ink and sealed in an envelope and stamped and dropped in a mailbox. It's about how personal it is, and the connection, however small and taken for granted it may be, that it is to another person.

So when I read "Please Write: Don't Phone" by Robert Watson in "Good Mail Day," I just smiled and thought to myself, "Exactly." I thought I'd share it with you.


Please Write: Don't Phone

While there is mail there is hope.
After we have hung up I can't recall
Your words, and your voice sounds strange
Whether from distance, a bad cold, deceit,
I don't know. When you call I'm asleep
Or bathing or my mouth is full of toast.
I can't think of what to say.
"We have rain?" "We have snow?"
Let us write instead: surely our fingers spread out
With pen on paper touch more of the mind's flesh
Than the sound waves moving from throat to lips
To phone, through wire, to one ear.
I can touch the paper you touch.
I can see you undressed in your calligraphy.
I can read you over and over.
I can read you day after day.
I can wait at the mailbox with my hair combed,
In my best suit.
I hang up. What did you say?
What did you say? Your phone call is gone.
I hold the envelope you addressed in my hand.
I hold the skin that covers you.


Yes, that's it exactly.

Tuesday Tag Challenge

Pink and Brown

While Lucky Louise at Kard Krazy cruises on the Artful Voyage in Mexico with Tim Holtz, Nancy at Sugar Lump Studios is graciously hosting Tuesday Tag Challenge this week. Her theme -- pink and brown. Thank you Nancy!

Double Trouble

My take on the Double Trouble theme today at Wednesday Stamper. I'm having so much fun playing with Tim Holtz products - mostly inkpads and clear stamps so far. (the stamp of the girl is not Tim Holtz; it's old and not labeled.) The colors are so gorgeous. I can't wait to play some more this weekend.

Tuesday Tag Challenge

It's Tuesday Tag Challenge time again at Kard Krazy. This week's theme is shabby chic, which I love. I just think it's sweet.

This week, I got to use some old paper doilies, some leftover stickers from scrapbooking, some leftover ribbon, and more inks.


Happy Tuesday!

Corset Bling

For Gingersnap Creations (love the name - knew I'd love the blog!) GC22, Spicy Supply Challenge using bling.

Used some vintage clipart from The Vintage Moth, some glitter and some metallic embroidery thread for stitching on the corset.

to living brightly,

Theme Thursday Challenge

Wings

You know how one thing leads to another? Well, as a result of finding KardKrazy's Tuesday Tag Challenge the other day, I've also run across Theme Thursday - another invitation to be creative. This week's theme is wings.

Tuesday Tag Challenge

Louise at Kard Krazy hosts a tag challenge every Tuesday. This week's theme is birds. I have tags on hand, I have ribbon and stamps and inks. So guess what? I get to use some more of my many supplies and play!

The bird is mirrored, but wouldn't photograph well. Doesn't matter. I had fun!

And I made a tag last night too, although it's not a bird theme, but it sure was fun. Will probably be posting pics of a few more soon.

Kreativ Blogger Award

Last Monday, Kiki, at Yogademia, shared a post about receiving the Kreativ Blogger Award. This award has two parts: the first is to list 7 things that you are loving right now, and the second is to pass the award on to other Kreativ Bloggers. Lucky me! Not only did I learn some things about Kiki, and find a couple of new podcasts thanks to her, but she passed the award on to me. Happy day, happy day!

7 Things I'm Loving Right Now

1. Altering/decorating envelopes. If I take the time to make a card by hand, and make sure some love and peace seeps into it, then isn't a plain old envelope just too boring? Wanna find out? Send me your address and I'll mail you a little something special.

2. Cupcakes. A few months ago I started noticing that cupcakes seemed to be everywhere - in many of the blogs I read, in the magazines I read, and in a whole display of cupcake cookbooks at the book store. I hate to be left out whenever there's something good going on, so I went sniffing around (pun intended) to see what all the fuss was about. Three cookbooks, a new hand mixer, two new cupcake pans, and a couple of magazine articles later, I'm hooked.

3. Netflix. Was a member many, many years ago when they first started. Recently rejoined. Slum Dog Millionaire was great. Inkheart, so-so. Australia was not what I expected, but with Hugh Jackman in it, it could've been in ancient Sanskrit with no subtitles and I probably still would have watched.

4. Still discovering beautiful, gorgeous, artistic, creative, generous, footloose, free-spirited bloggers!

5. The hint of autumn. I know it's just around the corner, and Mother Nature has been teasing us with some lovely, lovely mornings, only to have the thermometer hit 105 degrees by mid-afternoon. Come on Mother! I'm ready to plant tomatoes and herbs and violas and lavender and radishes and and and !!!

6. Lavender - baking and cooking with it. I ran across a recipe a couple of months ago for muffins or scones or something along those lines that called for lavender. I finally bought some and brought it home, and I can't find that recipe to save my soul. I did find a couple of others, though, and I love the subtlety of the lavender. I stashed three mini muffins in the freezer when I baked them and have since found some lavender tea in a local tea shop. Will try it one of these lovely aforementioned mornings.

7. Having every other Friday off from work. I adore my alone time. Sometimes I crave it, in fact. I have been on this schedule for a few months now, and I must say that I'm very pleased with myself because my Friday's are my "Me" days. I don't do laundry, I don't do housework to speak of, with the exception of washing a few dishes. I usually wander through a bookstore and stop at a coffee shop. Sometimes I'll do some other shopping. Most Friday's I take a nap at some point. My "Me" Friday's are very, very good days.

And now the award goes to:

The Bodhi Chicklet

The Happy Turtle

The Red Door Studio (whose beautiful book, "Nature Inspired," I received today)

A Fanciful Twist

Happy Loves Rosie

The House in the Roses (be sure to scroll down to the little wooden door and visit the Secret Garden)

The Feathered Nest (when I really want to chill, I turn on Dawn's playlist from the Feathered Nest, and the playlist from the Secret Garden - which is nature sounds - both at the same time. it's just gorgeous)

I do not expect that all these bloggers will respond with a post of 7 things they love. Not that I'm not curious - I am - but that's not my only goal in choosing them. These blogs are cheerful and uplifting, and beautifully artistic and inspiring, and spunky and fun, and romantic and feminine, and all a little bit magical. And I thought you might enjoy them too. I hope so.

Miscellany

I had to make time for playing this weekend. It was a crazy busy week. But where there's a will there's a way, and I really needed it. I didn't get all my laundry done so I'll wind up pulling some things out of the closet that I haven't worn for awhile to get by this week. And when I needed to run to the store this afternoon so that I have some healthy breakfasts and lunches at work this week, I ran my fingers through my hair and left without any makeup at all - not even mascara - which I never do.

I did squeeze in a fall-inspired mini collage one night this week:



And yesterday I quickly glanced at a handful of my favorite blogs (sorry, I may not have commented, but promise I'll catch up soon) and ran across this post from Dawn at A Feathered Nest. She linked to another post by Jan of The Polka Dot Barn (another darling blog, by the way) about the Team Tina Project. Tina is a fellow blogger who was recently diagnosed with colon cancer. Jan is collecting tags from any and all interested artists and bloggers to send to Tina to, hopefully, lift her spirits. I spent a little time this evening and made this tag and envie to send.

Expect miracles

I also received this picture of my grandson this weekend. What an angel! And he obviously takes after his grandma - falling asleep with a book in his hands. How sweet.


And it's really got me thinking. Tina is a grandma too. I can't imagine how sad I would be if I found out I was sick and the possibility existed that I might not ever see this precious little face again. So . . . I'm sticking my tag in the mail to Jan tomorrow and saying a prayer for Tina tonight.

Now I'm going to have a bowl of homemade rhubarb crisp with some good vanilla ice cream. Life is short and we should always make time for art, for prayer, and for really good desserts!

Six Word Saturday

It's Saturday? What happened to Friday?

Busy, busy week at work. Worked the better part of today too. Will continue into next week I'm afraid. Really hate that it limits my play time, but what's a girl to do?

Hope to catch up with you all a little bit tomorrow. xoxo!

International Day of Peace

There is no way to peace. Peace is the way. --Thich Nhat Hanh

Click here for information on the International Day of Peace. Click here to visit other participants in Rhonda Roo's Peace Party. Perform a random act of kindness today, smile at a stranger today, and please pray, everyday, for peace.

The Zen of Cooking - worth the wait

Cream Soda Toffee Cupcakes with Brown Butter Frosting

a sweet ending to the weekend.