Apricot Magic

Every so often all the conditions and circumstances just come together and magic happens.  I love taking photos and I usually like all the ones I post on the blog...but there are times when a certain chemistry happens and everything just works out better than expected.

That's what happened with these apricots.   George bought 5 or 6 apricots the other day and I just couldn't keep my eyes off of them. Their color was so vibrant and their texture so soft.  I was out on the back porch taking a photo of the beet cupcake when I remembered the apricots.  It was almost an afterthought to take their picture, but the light was really nice so I put them in a blue bowl and voila!  Apricot magic!

I liked this photo so much I am using it as my wallpaper.  If you would like too also you can download a high resolution version here. (Every time I see that little apricot smile it makes me smile too.)

(Have I mentioned I have been gaga lately over pale oranges and blues?  I  may have to do a whole post on this color combo because I am totally loving it!)

Chocolate Beet Cake

My brother-in-law gave us this recipe.  At first I was suspicious about ruining perfectly good chocolate cake with beet flavor, but was I ever pleasantly surprised!  They were so delicious and you can't even tell there are a bunch of beets in it.  I loved these cupcakes!

George halved this recipe and made cupcakes.  Enjoy!

CHOCOLATE BEET CAKE

3 cups beets shredded
2 cups sugar
4 eggs
2 cups flour
1/4 cup oil
4 oz unsweeted chocolate
1/2 teaspoon salt
1 teaspoon baking soda
2 teaspoon baking powder

options
sub. 1/2 cup brown sugar
1 teaspoon vanilla

2 9-inch pans

325 for 40 min or more

Tulip Pods

Age is not all decay; it is the ripening, the swelling, of the fresh life within, that withers and bursts the husk. - George MacDonald.

I collected these tulip pods at the beginning of May.  I just love how they look when they are all dried up...truly wabi sabi.  For anyone who wants to know more about that concept I recommend this book - Living Wabi Sabi: The True Beauty of Your Life by Taro Gold.

Happy Father's Day!

I've been itching to use this new font I love called Museo 300 and this Father's Day card was the perfect time.  I wanted to use it for the large text, but I ended up using Myriad instead because it was bolder.  I used Museo 300 for the smaller text (you can click on the photo to make it larger).  Some project of mine in the near future will definitely use this font (and its free!)

What's inside the box you ask?  Corn hole replacement bean bags!

Happy Father's Day!

Hydrangea Vase

The hydrangeas in my yard are in full bloom right now.  These are Annabelle hydrangeas I cut from the front yard.  At first I only had hydrangeas in this arrangement but then it dawned on me that Mahonia berries would be the perfect accent!  I also used Soloman's seal for some greenery.

Oh, and I found the vase at the flea market.  I love the classic shape and ribbed sides and it goes so perfectly with hydrangeas.  Oooh la la!

Bachelor's Button June!

OK, I know it's a bit late, but I'm happy if I finish by mid-month.  This month I was inspired by the Bachelor's Buttons we got from our CSA (Hazelfield Farms).  At first I thought they were a bit weedy, but then they grew on me.  Apparently they are called Bachelor's Buttons because they were worn by young men in love; if the flower faded too quickly, it was taken as a sign that the man's love was not returned.  No fading around here!

Happy June!

Paper Cut Elephant

When we went to New York we had about 5 hours to wander around New York City.  Of course I had to visit Purl Soho, Kate's paperie, and ABC home (poor George)...but one of the best finds I had that day was in Union Square. Luckily there was an art fair the day we walked through and I found this great booth where a woman was selling Chinese paper cuts.  I bought this incredibly cute elephant and framed it with an inexpensive frame from Garden Ridge.  It now sits on the ledge in the yellow room and I love, love, love it!

Vintage Field Guides

A couple weeks ago we visited George's sister in Geneva, NY.  Every time we go there I love to stop by the Geneva Antique Co-op.  Its a great store in downtown Geneva that has loads of interesting tidbits (although "tidbits" might not be the right word as the first time we went we had to fit a nightstand in the back seat of the car).

Anyway, this time I found these great "little" field guides.  I say "little" because they are only 3.5'' tall by 5.5'' wide. I love the artwork and the descriptions are wonderfully subjective.  For example, when discussing the rose-breasted grosbeak the author states,"  Almost all observers are impressed with the wholesomeness of this grosbeak.  It is seldom nervous and does not permit trivial things to bother it."

This is is dated 1931 and printed in Racine, Wisconsin.

This one was printed in Bavaria and didn't have a date .

This one was printed in 1932 also in Racine, Wisconsin.

This may be the start of a new collection!  (George sighs and thinks, "At least they're not breakable and they fit into the back of the car.")

Party Lights!

I was so excited yesterday to put up these string lights I got at Target (actally George put them up - thanks G).  When we built the porch I knew we had to have party lights so we had the electrician put a special outlet at the top so the cords wouldn't have to come from the floor. 

I also love how it looks from the outside.  It looks like the room glows.

Bleeding Heart

I planted this dwarf bleeding heart last year and I was super excited to see it come back this spring.  I took this photo at the end of April, but it is still in bloom now.  I love the shape of the flower and the delicate foliage.  There is an interesting legend about the flower that you can read here.