open circuit necklace by maslodesign - needsupply.com

handpainted tee greatness from Burdastyle user Zyanya

a tattoo of Shaun White's. a Native American symbol meaning triumph over difficult circumstances (something to that affect, at least).

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Gryphon Mayan Tank - shopbop.com

Mary Meyer Native Tank - pixemarket.com

 

 

/berries & weekends

I've got to spill the beans about this cake, which is the most fabulously easy and adorable dessert I've made in a while. I mean, it's a cake baked and served in a pie pan, and it definitely counts strawberry shortcake as a close relative (must be enjoyed with vanilla ice cream or whipped cream!) - what's not to love?

The batter is super easy, and is topped with gorgeous strawberries & sparkly sugar!

Out of the oven, the strawberries peek out the top & seep into the cake... so good.
It certainly gets my award for the most adorable cake involving the least amount of work.

I've also recently had some super fun weekends! Scottish twee hotshots Camera Obscura decided to skip Seattle and play in my little city for 1/2 the cover, which had been filling me with glee for months! They were altogether lovely, super, wonderous, etc. (As were their openers, Princeton).




This weekend, I enjoyed an awesome time in Seattle, including a great ball game with great friends (and will again this week! lucky me!). Although it was a loss for the M's, it was at least action-packed and we sat by some really entertaining chaps. I suppose it would take some pretty extreme circumstances for me not to enjoy attending a Mariner's game, because I can always count on two things to get me through even the most terrible of losses: hot dogs and beer.

...and of course the pretty grass!

(

brunch with lovely friends always ends a weekend right.

/deservedly favorite cookies

Today I'm making my favorite cookie recipe of all time, and thought it deserved a little more publicity. I'm not even sure I can name all the reasons I love this recipe so much, but I'll try;

1) I pretty much always have the ingredients around. Every add-in I've tried in these has been great! Use whatever's available: walnuts, chocolate chips, butterscotch chips, coconut, dried cranberries, almonds or even the original recipe's Snickers chunks. Also, this recipe uses shortening (GASP!) instead of butter. Once you have a bucket of shortening around, it stays around. I can't say the same for butter.

2) It's super versatile. Like I said, use any add-ins you prefer. You can also increase the baking time for a crispier, more caramelized cookie.

3) They are so soft! (That is, if you don't increase the baking time.) Yum. My favorite cookie characteristic.

4) You can't mess it up- everyone likes this cookie no matter what! Very highly recommended.




Championship Cookies
(barely adapted from Taste of Home Ultimate Cookie Collection, from Patricia Miller, North Fork California)


2/3 c. shortening
1 1/4 c. packed brown sugar
1 egg
1 t. vanilla extract
1 1/2 c. AP flour
1 t. baking powder
1 t. baking soda
1/2 t. ground cinnamon
1/4 t. salt
1/2 cup oats
1/2 c. to 1 c. add-ins of your choice

Preheat oven to 350 degrees.

1. Cream shortening and brown sugar together in a mixing bowl. Add egg and vanilla.
2. Blend dry ingredients; flour, baking powder, baking soda, cinnamon and salt in a bowl, and gradually add to sugar mixture.
3. Add oats and other goodies!
4. Bake for 11 (soft) to 15 (crispy) minutes, depending on preference.

I use a 1.5" scoop for uniform cookies.

barely golden tops out of the oven!




enjoy!

/new shorts!

Last Spring, I had a "give me the rest of the bolt" moment regarding some lightweight stretch denim at JoAnn in Ballard. This time it was a good move, although especially risky at JoAnn (ugh).

Many good things have come from this denim; two dresses, a mini-backpack, a vest, a crochet hook roll and now... a fancy new pair of high-waisted SHORTS!

Starting with a low-waist, zip-fly pant pattern, I re-drafted the entire shape according to my design, using my measurements. Lastly, I drafted the waistband and patch pockets, cut them out, sewed them up, et voi-la! 

 oh, how I love to topstitch!

 the front pockets are lined with fabric from the prettiest old pillowcases (an abstract purple & blue floral)

The first time these were officially finished, I put them on, pulled up the zip... and with it came the slider. BOO. A very disheartening moment, I'll have you know. Another trip to the store for a replacement zip obviously enticed me to buy much miscellany for future projects, of course- so it all worked out for the better!

/perfect pancakes!

I am a giant pancake fan, and have long maintained that ones made with Snoqualmie Falls Pancake and Waffle Mix trump any homemade version (I've attempted). This ended a few weeks ago, when I discovered kris's Fluffy Pancakes. As the name implies, these are super-fluffy and outrageously delicious. With some slight changes, these just may be the best pancakes I've ever eaten. Adding giant yummy blueberries is key. Recipe (with couple of changes) as follows:


3/4 c. milk
2 T. white vinegar
1 c. AP flour
1 T. white sugar
1 t. baking powder
1/2 t. baking soda
1/2 t. salt
1 egg
1 1/2 t. vanilla
2 T. butter or margarine
fresh blueberries

combine milk and vinegar in small bowl. let sit & sour while combining dry ingredients.
in medium mixing bowl, combine flour, sugar, baking powder, baking soda and salt.
melt butter or margarine in small bowl, then mix into soured milk.
beat the egg in same small bowl & add to milk mixture.
combine wet & dry ingredients until evenly moistened, leaving lots of lumps!

let batter sit for 10-15 minutes before doing anything! (make coffee & fry up some bacon!)
use 1/4 c. batter for each pancake, plopping on 8-10 large blueberries just after going onto the griddle. flip when bubbles have formed and golden-brown.



enjoy with maple syrup, or even better - heat syrup in a saucepan, add blueberries and cook until they burst for pretty purple syrup!

do yourself a favor and top it all with sliced almonds.