Lazy Sunday

Today we have had a quiet lazy Sunday in and around the house. I have caught up on laundry, read a little and listened to music. While, Mr. Michie has done a little reading himself, worked on writing a paper and a new blog post. What could be better than a quiet day to just be?

We made tomato salad for lunch on grilled bread:

We played in the garden and made sure everything was happy:

We made ice-cream sundaes and watched the afternoon thunderstorm from our couch:

Happy Sunday!

Sprinkles Bakes

If you don't read Sprinkles Bakes, then you should! It is simply a blog of food happiness! Just going through Heather's site, makes my mouth water and I am always excited to see her name come up in my GoogleReader, because that means there will be a delicious post waiting for me to read!

This video makes me smile and this cake is just pinky-pinky gorgeous. After the day I have had, I could use a giant slice of this heavenly pink confection right now!

I especially love her baking assistants!


Pink Velvet Roulade from Heather Baird on Vimeo.

Is there any S'More?

I love S'Mores. They hold within those cookie walls the best of Sumertime nights. The freedom of being little, running through the grass barefoot, eating grilled hot dogs, chasing lighting bugs and roasting s'mores over the open grill.

For those of you who are not familiar with a s'more, it is a toasted marshmallow that is laid upon a piece of chocolate and they are both sandwiched between two graham cracker cookies.  We didn't always use graham crackers in my house though, my Mom would buy the Keebler chocolate covered cookies and we would mush our roasty toasty marshmallows in between those! HEAVEN!

Unfortunately, our little cottage does not have a space that allows us to grill, but that doesn't stop Mr. Michie and myself. We simply spread our ingredients out on the coffee table and light a candle, which acts as our "grill". So, you too can even make delicious s'mores indoors as well as out!

Here are a few S'more recipes or variations on the theme that I came across as I was blog reading this week, so they must be a hot topic! Click on the name to be taken to the recipe:

Uncle Scott's S'mores:

 

S'mores Cake:

S'mores Ice-Cream Sandwiches:

S'mores Milk Shake:

Big Girl's S'mores Pie:

(all images copyright their respective blogs)

Seven Years

Today, I have been married to Mr. Michie for 7 years and I am still loving every minute of it! We started off our anniversary with a bang yesterday and went into central London, to just roam where ever our feet took us.

We ate lunch, spent some time at the National Gallery, wandered through Covent Garden and picked up our tickets for an evening of Vivaldi by Candlelight at St. Martin in the Fields.

It was a wonderful day! We ate dinner at Cha Cha Moon, a new Chinese restaurant we wanted to try off Carnaby Street. It was very authentic, a lot of Chinese people were in there eating and that, to me, is always a good sign. Their dumplings were too die for!

Then we headed over to St. Martins just before they opened their doors. The Church was wonderfully cool and candles were lit everywhere, it was very romantic. The orchestra came out and and played a series of pieces in the first act, one being Bach's Brandenburg Concerto no. 3. Which is very special to us as we walked down the aisle to this piece after we were married.

My parent's instilled a true love of all kinds of music into my sister and I. We both played with a symphony and even had the opportunity to travel through Europe playing with them as well. My sister is a star violist and I am an oboist. I find that having played an instrument, I am so much more appreciative of what the performers are going through.

The second half of the concert was the entirety of Vivaldi's Four Seasons and as night began to permeate around us the glow of the candlelight became more heightened. We had the great fortune to see the lovely Kerenza Peacock play her first concert since she injured her wrist. It was outstanding. As her bow struck the first note, I was beyond moved.

What a sight to behold. Music that has been played for centuries to Kings and Queens and we had the opportunity to see it played within the hallowed walls of St. Martins in the Fields by an outstanding orchestra. The entire audience was on the edge of their seats, there was a true electricity in the air and I found that more than once I was holding my breath. How lucky we are to have had the opportunity to see and hear this!

We finished off the evening with a few little surprises from Laduree. They have opened a new store in Covent Garden and since I can't go to Paris at the moment, at least one of my favorite things from Paris can come to me!

So, Mr. Michie, here to seven more years on the roller-coaster of marriage and may they be as wonderful as the first seven!

Sweet Paul

I always enjoy perusing Sweet Paul's blog. There are a multitude of beautiful images to look at and the simplistic style of his blog gives it a classic distinction.

I don't just visit his site to gaze at the alluring and interestingly taken photos, I also go there to read his magazine. The best part is, you can read it online, if you so chose, without having to purchase a physical copy.

His latest issue is a children's edition, packed full of the wonderful sweet things I have come to love and expect from him and his team.

This apple green horse alone, makes me want to eat this pie, if only to have the chance to stare at him while I munch away.

While flipping through the current issue I came across these and maybe it was because I was craving something sweet at the time and they were decorated in brightly coloured sprinkles, or maybe it is because I find this photograph simplistically charming, but I thought I would share it with you: Chocolate Sprinkle Ice Cream Bites. Nothing fancy, but mouth-wateringly presented and the essence of the perfect bite!

(All images are copyright Sweet Paul Blog, first image was embellished by J. Michie)

Buttermilk

Mr. Michie and I don't watch a lot of TV, but when we do, it tends to be American TV shows. One of our favourites is: Castle. Nathan Fillion is very easy on the eyes and being a fan of detective shows, I enjoy watching this one. It has all the key crime show points, that make it perfect for both of us to view: the mystery, the drama, the humour, the romantic tension between Castle and Beckett...

Watching this show, a few weeks ago, brought to our attention, something that I had no idea existed on the scale that it does. After they wrap up a hard case, Beckett offers to buy Castle a hot chocolate and some macaroni and cheese from the "Food Truck". This sparked our interests, what was the "Food Truck". Thus, began an internet research session, that uncovered a culture we were not aware of.

When I was in College there were more food "stands" than trucks. The usual ice-cream stalls for the tourists and a great hot dog guy near the Museum I worked at, but that was it. In England, the most you get is a guy selling kebabs or possibly fish and chips. This is a social event that I am truly missing out on. It is more than your usual hot dog and pretzel vendors, it is, in some cases, gourmet food on wheels.

By the time we were done researching we were left starving. Like, when you watch "Diners, Drive-Ins & Dives" at 11pm at night and you know 5 minutes into it, that it was a mistake, because you are now desiring everything that Guy is munching away on.

Out of all the food trucks we discovered in our mini research session my favourite was: Buttermilk. Maybe, it is because I am a girl from the South, but anything that has buttermilk in it, just has to be good! By the time I was done looking at their website, I headed to bed very hungry and dreaming of Hawaiian Bread Cinnamon French Toast Sticks. MMMM!

Besides the delicious looking menu, who wouldn't want to eat out of a truck that has such an adorable little face on the side? Klippy the Buttermilk Boy is a cutie and I love his back story! Do you have any amazing food trucks in your neck of the woods?

Check out the Buttermilk Truck here.

The Royal Standard of England

We had a lovely weekend with our guest and decided to finish it off with a trip out to a Country Pub this afternoon. On the recommendation of a good friend we visited The Royal Standard in Forty Green. It is the oldest freehouse in England.

We got there early, parked the car and took an ambling walk through the Chilterns. Taking in the beginning of Spring popping up in the fields while working up quite an appetite, before we headed to the Pub. You could not have asked for a nicer day. The sun was shining, there was a breeze softly blowing about and the delicious smell of earth was in the air.

The food at the Pub was heavenly. I had a Yorkshire Pudding that I think was as big as my head, with creamy mashed potatoes, steamed veggies and roast beef. Others at the table had the Sunday Roast as well and Mr. Michie got the Sausage and Mash, which was delectable. I know, because I stole a bite.

And, this little fellow watched over us as we ate, which made me smile! A wonderful end to an enjoyable weekend.

(All images by Mr. & Mrs. Michie)

Peppersmith

Mr. Michie and I like to give each other little love gifts, nothing huge, just little surprises here and there to bring a smile to that person's face. A little "hello", a little "someone is thinking about you", a little "someone appreciates you had a tough week", a little "I Love You" kind of gifts.

I got a little gift like this placed in my hand a while ago. It was a box of Peppersmith Gum. I tell you, I was instantly smitten! I love packaging, that is after all what you see first and often, I am tempted simply by that factor alone. Yes, crazy as it sounds, I will buy something because I love the box that it is in.

When you purchase something for the design and asethics of the packaging, it does not always deliver. This, however, certainly did! Because inside this smartly clad box is some of the best gum, I have ever had the pleasure to chew away on. Not only, was Charlie Chaplin on our box, a little info was printed up on him as well, the little touches that make all the difference.

What excited me more than anything, is that I don't have to save the wrapper, or dig through my purse to find a scrap piece of paper or receipt to spit my gum out in, they have already solved that problem by providing that answer with moustache decorated paper tucked into the lid of their box. It is ingenious, I tell you! Ingenious!

Mr. Michie found this for me at Whole Foods, if you can find it at a store near you, please run out and buy it, it not only in the cutest packaging, it is also delicious!

Goose Girl & Foxy's London Day Out

We decided to go into London this week and since Goose Girl and Foxy had a bit of cabin fever they begged us to take them with us. So off we all went on a little day adventure.

After lunch, our first stop was the Natural History Museum. We haven't been to the gardens since the Summer and decided to check on the ducks and see what the bees were up to in their tree hideout. Unfortunately, the garden does not open until April. Foxy was especially disappointed about this, as he wanted to run around the meadow.

"Don't worry", we said, "we will bring you back when it opens!" Even though it was closed, they still wanted their picture taken by the fence. After, snapping some photos of them and peering through the gate to see if we saw anything interesting moving about, we headed off to the V&A to see Mat Collishaw's "Magic Lantern". The idea being that of "moths to a flame". With the aide of a zoetrope they appear to be flying around the cupola of the V&A. They will be flittering around for the next month or so from dusk till dawn.

There was a model of it, set up in the gardens, so you can see what it looks like any time of day. After watching it spin a few times we sat by the fountain for a few moments, and decided to head off to the Renaissance galleries. I had the chance to see some fantastic architectural pieces, I had not seen before, the V&A never ceases to amaze me!

We headed up to the Theatre area and had the opportunity to watch conservators working on a hanging tapestry that was going on loan to an exhibition. It was beautiful to watch them work. We stayed till dusk to see the real lantern light up, but it was very hard to see, no matter how far back we were from the museum.  After a day of trooping around, a much needed dinner was in order, so off to one of our favorite haunts we went: Wahaca!

Dinner, as always was divine. Goose Girl & Foxy were very tired from the day and said they didn't even want to come out of my purse for dessert. Although, Foxy said the toasted sunflower seeds on my vanilla ice cream with caramel sauce, smelled delicious (he licked the salt off my fingers later). Goose Girl, was much more interested in Mr. Michie's churros with a chocolate sauce to dip them in, she decided she would sneak out after all, for a little nibble. She was too quick for us to get her picture though!

We all headed home exhausted, but very happy after having spent a wonderful day together!

Valentine's Sweets

MMM! Just munching away on these, while I decide what to do for dinner!

It was one of my Valentine's surprises from Mr. Michie and came from Rococo, one of my favourite chocolate stores! I'm in Heaven!

Year of the Rabbit

 

Happy Chinese New Year! 

This is the year of the rabbit. I hope it hops into your lives followed by oodles of good luck!

In honor of the day we shall be feasting on delicious Chinese food in our house tonight! I can't wait!

(This image was posted on In the Art Cupboard today, don't you just love it! It is part of a beautiful paper collection of the Chinese zodiac that I found stashed in a box of items from a long ago school trip to China.)

Snow Milk

Well, I promise this will be my last Christmas related post, although I don't think snowmen are particularly related to Christmas, they exist with the snow and that, depending where you live could happen in any month!

I saw these on Bakerella's blog and I thought they were just the cutest idea! Don't you know if you came down to breakfast and saw him sitting at your place you would be delighted! I would be!

However, I would have to be unconventional with mine and have a brown snowman; I prefer chocolate milk with my doughnut holes! These are just so sweet, it would take me awhile to eat them, I don't think I could bear to touch them and ruin their adorableness!

To find out more about these "Milk Men" visit Bakerella's blog.

(Image: Bakerella)

The Day After Turkey Day

All the preparing, stressing, family gathering and it is over in a flash, a snap of your fingers. That brings us to "The day after Turkey Day " and there is nothing better than the glorious leftovers on "The day after Turkey Day".

After you have stuffed yourself to the gills and you swear you will never eat again, somewhere around midnight you are famished and so you raid the fridge! That first leftover turkey sandwich of the season, is somehow, the best one of all!

(Image found here)

A Pot of Pie

I spied these lovely pumpkin pies in a jar over at Inchmark and I think they are a beautiful idea, for a little something different!

They would look charming displayed on a table set upon Johnson Bros. "Friendly Village Autumn" luncheon plates. I also think they would be the perfect breakfast, because, you have to keep your energy up as you slave away over that succulent roasted bird and stuffing!

 

All I need is a spoon and a little extra whipped cream...

(All images copyright Inchmark)

Orange You Glad?

Orange you glad that as it gets darker sooner outside, it gets cozier sooner inside? I am! My candles are lit as soon as I get home from work and my cozy lamps make the rooms feel cheerier in this Fall season. We are not long away from twinkle lights and late nights up talking over a cup of hot chocolate for me and a cup of hot tea for Mr. Michie.

When the seasons turn to evening coming quicker and the air gets frosty, I love to have breakfast for  dinner. We do it so many ways; we will have Southern breakfast with biscuits and grits, or maybe French style, a Croque-Monsieur with a fried egg on top and a dressed salad, or a fluffy cheesy omelet with toast or simply a nice stack of pancakes, dripping with syrup.

After receiving my last "Willard" from the lovely Susan Branch, I went to check out her new homepage and in reading, discovered the following recipe, I think it will be going into our "breakfast for dinner" stash of ideas. I can't wait to try it!

(Image copyright Susan Branch click on the image to go to a larger version)

Peaches

I Love to Snog!

Armed with my new camera, a trip into central London this week, meant an excuse to go into Snog and grab a tasty frozen treat! I'll be honest, at first, I was not sure about their frozen yogurt, but now I think I have been won over. I really enjoyed their chocolate flavour with white chocolate stars, and they were far from skimpy on my toppings!

The walls had wonderful colorful art, like a page out of a storybook. My first Snog treat was on my Birthday day out and I was not expecting the Greek slightly soured tartness to it, I expected it to be more like frozen yogurt from the States, which is sweeter, but little by little, it is growing on me, even if only for the chocolate stars!

* A note, for my non British readers, "snog" is slang for kissing in jolly ol' England & I like the fact that they have played on that word, because who doesn't "fancy a snog"?

Ice-Cream Sandwiches

Yesterday, it was particularly sunny and hot here in our little London Burb and homemade ice-cream sandwiches were definitely in order!

To begin with, you will need ice-cream (flavour of your choice), cookies (something softer is a bit better than a crunchy cookie, but it is up to you), sprinkles or nuts (if desired, to roll the edges in, we decided to be purist yesterday), a spatula or knife, waxed or parchment paper and the most important ingredient: someone to share them with.

Gather your ingredients around you and let your ice-cream be slightly softened, it will be easier to spread. I normally keep homemade cookie dough in the freezer, but I had run out, so cheated and bought cookies from my local bakery.

Lay your cookies down in front on you, bottoms up and spread ice-cream over one cookie, use as much or as little ice-cream as you want, alternatively you can use an ice cream scoop and place one scoop in the middle and then mash down with the top of your other cookie. Place the other cookie on top and press them together.

Fold them up in wax paper or parchment paper, creating a little parcel of happiness and place them in your freezer, they need to sit in here for at least 30 minutes for the ice-cream to harden. You can leave them in longer. These were made in the morning and not enjoyed until the evening after we had eaten dinner.

When you are ready to eat them, pull them out of the freezer, folding your wax/parchment paper back so that you have a little opening in which to munch away at your ice-cream sandwich, but the bottom is still covered to keep your hands clean.

Make sure you have a nice sunny day (or a cloudy one if you need something to cheer you up), a front porch to sit on or a nice walk to go on and most importantly someone you love to share it with, because that will make it taste that much sweeter!

ENJOY!