Bon Weekend

Here's to a wonderful weekend.

Hope it is delicious!

Waiting

Flight problems caused a 6 hour wait at the Detroit airport.  

So at least we had passes for the Delta Sky Club.  Not a bad way to pass the time.  Hubby and I enjoyed a birthday drink at the Vino Volo Wine Bar in the terminal.  I spent some time perusing the new online issue of Lonny Magazine. 

I saw this great idea for  illuminated planters from yliving

Loving these ideas of using a laundry cart as a bar cart and hanging plates on the wall in trailing fashion.

Birthday Trip

Today is my birthday and I'm taking a trip.  

Can you guess where I am going?

Here are some clues?

Did you guess?

Does this help?

How about now?

Maybe that pyramid helps.

Certainly the tower gives it away.

Espresso Pound Cake with Pecans and Dried Cherries

I'm always interested in new recipes for tea cake, something similar to a pound cake or coffee cake.  I like a cake that is equally appropriate with my morning coffee as it is in the evening with a cup of tea.  I've shared several of these recipes on Spiral Style and you can click here and here and here to view them.  This Espresso Pound Cake from Bon Appetit is my new favorite. 

Espresso Pound Cake

This dense cake is has only a subtle hint of espresso.

Dried fruit, pecans, cinnamon, and espresso powder along with vanilla, flavor this cake.

Use what you have available.  I used dried cherries but dried cranberries or blueberries work equally well.  Walnuts, hazelnuts, or almonds substitute nicely for pecans.  Not a fan of cinnamon?  No problem, try allspice or cardamom.

While the cake is delicious without embellishment, the recipe includes a glaze studded with dried fruit and pecans.  

Click here to view the recipe on epicurious

Have a sweet day!

Poppy Passion

 I was inspired by these cookies, featured in the May 2011 issue of Martha Stewart Living.

Poppy-Shaped Lemon Cookies

While I didn't make and decorate cookies, I was reminded about how much I love the flowers.

Guess Martha's keen on poppies too.  She offers a tutorial on block-printing poppies 

If you'd rather not print your own poppy design, how about this pillow cover offered on Etsy for $30 by suchprettycolors

The iconic poppy print from Marimekko

Serve some Poppy Seed Cake on these sweet plates from Anthropologie

Beautiful poppy photo.  Etsy for $65 from ccotaphotocraft 

Poppy tinted lips

How do you like your poppies?

Welcome Weekend

Wow, I've had a busy week and I welcome the weekend.

I've been busy filling orders from my Etsy shop.  

Halo Bangle

I added this bangle a week ago.

I began teaching a series of cooking lessons to a single, mature gent.

Similar to the chairs I ordered from Target

I've been coordinating a shipment for our Bahamas house.  The sun and saltwater have ruined our outdoor furniture.  I'm trying  Polywood  chaise lounges.  Polywood is 100% recycled material and has a 25 year guaranty. Anyone have experience with that material?  I'd love to know.  

Happy Mother's Day Mom!!

and Happy Mother's Day to all the dear moms reading this.

Have a lovely weekend everyone

Personal Spring Cleaning: Get Fit

After a winter of being indoors, I can't wait for Spring to be outside for some exercise.

If you haven't been working out all winter, now is a perfect time to get started.

Is running your passion?  I used to run everyday.  My goal was the Boston Marathon which I ran 5 years ago.  I no longer run to compete, just for fun and fresh air.

Yeah, that's me.  Take by a friend on my iphone. 

My new passion is kickboxing.  I try to get aerobic exercise 4 to 5 times a week.

Spinning classes or outdoor biking is great aerobic exercise.

Weight training is important for strength, maintaining muscle mass and bone density as well as good body mechanics.  

There are many strength training options that don't include weight lifting. 

 Find what you enjoy.  Don't forget walking, swimming, and Yoga.  Vary your workouts.  Train with a friend.  AND...

lululemon

...wear something cute!