Cupcakes

Did you see Carrie's cupcake photo today (scroll down)? It reminded me to post about the cupcakes I've been making lately that've gotten a bunch of compliments and requests for my recipe.

I don't really have a recipe per se, I just google "cupcake recipe" or "basic cupcake recipe" and choose the one at the top. As long as it has butter, sugar, eggs and flour in some combination, you can't go wrong. The last couple of times though, I've used this Martha Stewart creation for batter (leaving out the orange) and another Martha Stewart creation for buttercream frosting. I use these as proportion guides for the basic batter and frosting.

To flavour the cakes and frosting, I add in some mashed fruit, or peanut butter, or cocoa powder, or whatever flavour I want them to be.
So, here are Saturday's creations. The first cakes are black and blue berry cakes - mashed up blackberries and blueberries, just stir them into the batter and the frosting. The frosting is a wee bit wet and does well to be put in the fridge to set a little, once it's been spread on top of the cupcake.

The other is banana cake - mashed up super-ripe bananas (I keep them in the freezer when they're too squishy to eat, then defrost as needed). I threw in a few chocolate chips too. The frosting has a good tablespoon of peanut butter mixed in.

No fancy swirls or decorations, just plain old delicious.

I have dessert to make for a dinner on Thursday night. I'm thinking pineapple and coconut and some more black'n'blues.

Happy Monday :0)

Disco xo

A Memorial Day book recommendation for you.....

Is "Happy Memorial Day" an appropriate greeting?

Last night, I was watching CNN and there was a discussion about how difficult it is for soldiers returning from the front lines, to return to 'normal' life. These debates always bring to mind a book I read, almost 20 years ago, about a soldier in WWI.

The book is called "Birdsong", written by Sebastian Faulks. Buy it at BN.com or Amazon.com. Be sure to read the reviews posted on Amazon.

In one section of the book, the 'hero' returns home to London from the trenches of France. The author describes the sensation of not exactly belonging anymore, being disconnected from the people for whom you've been fighting. It gives a little insight into what the troops may be feeling right now.

I cannot recommend this book enough - bloody history, heart-breaking romance and excellent prose. Do let me know what you think, if you ever get to read it.

Em-boy-dery

This weekend, Matthew finished his first embroidered picture. I hung it in a sunny spot next to the window in my craft room. It makes me smile :0)
Here are some old pics from last Christmas. Teddy and Matthew embroidered felt ornaments for family gifts. The motifs are based on some Sublime Stitching patterns, which I drew onto the felt.Inexpensive, simple, and loved by all recipients.This last one, Teddy made for Tommy, who's Alma Mater is the University of Virginia. He drew this himself before stitching it up.The felt wreaths in the background were made in an art lesson - one inch felt squares, punch a hole in the centre and thread onto wire. Add a ribbon for hanging and, voila, colourful tree ornament.

We've really been enjoying this stitching and I see a whole lot more in the future. Anyone else an embroiderer?

Disco xo

Happy happy joy joy

Isn't it nice to read what others are thankful for sometimes? Gives you a little boost when you're not feeling at your best. Today's another grey day in the Fort, but I have plenty to be grateful for myself. Just a few......

1. This morning was Matthew's "field day" at school. I got to be 'chaperone' and walk the class from event to event. He's such a hugger that boy, and always wanting to hold my hand. Every day, I'm grateful for his smiling face.

2. Making my own home decorations. This set will soon be up on my living room wall.

3. My mother is coming to visit at Christmas.

4. Mother's Day flowers, still looking pretty.

5. Packages of pretty things in the mailbox.

6. Baby girl knitting. Not for me :0)7. Being a stay-at-home-mom. This hasn't always been easy for me, but right now I love being able to drop off and pick up my boys from school, help them with their homework, ferry them to activities and have spur-of-the-moment playdates. This is one of my biggest and most treasured blessings.

8. My awesomely crafty boys, who love to try anything from drawing and sewing, to making marble magnets and Andy Warhol-esque paint prints. Their creations are precious.

9. My new house. Containing only my family's dirt ;0)

10. My husband, who puts up with a lot of crap, without much complaining. And who also engaged a client this week. Yay for food on the table and craft supplies in the closets.

11. Friday

Disco xoxo

The Cuteness!

Look what the Easter Bunny brought the boys. Bunny Nuggets! He even brought me one ;0)See the cushy tushies....
This is a fabulous scrap-busting project, with a high adorability yield. Can't you see one right next to your computer, perhaps peeking round the screen. Altogether now, aaaawwww :0)

There are about a squillion of these on Ravelry, in all sorts of colours and cute/wacky interpretations. Go inspire your inner child.

Pattern: Bunny nuggets by Rebecca Danger

Yarns I used: Cascade 220 and Kollage Yarns Fantastic

:0) Disco :0)

The Funnies

Meet our new neighbour, Oscar.Isn't he adorable? He's the lightest ginger I've ever seen and the tip of his tail is white. If we leave any door open, he's in our house. We love having him around though :0)

----------------------

In other news, I have been cracking up at this blog lately. Sharing is caring, as they say, so here it is for your amusement too. Enjoy! Shooting the Breeze

Happy Tuesday!

Disco xo

Sunday Broken Heart

I finished these socks a whole week ago, but it took me that long to weave in the ends, or rather the beginnings, at the cuff. Part of the Ravelry Socks that Rawk!! group Q2 KAL. This seems to be the only group I can consistently join for a KAL. They always pick cool patterns.

I love this pattern so much. The broken hearts are so freakin' clever. They break, right where the heel breaks away from the leg. And continue down the heel. Patterned heels appear to be the new big thing, don't you think?. Another piece of clever design is the gusset decreases on the sole. Genius! I may do this on all socks from now on.And who doesn't love a twisted cuff? I know I do.So much so, here's a fuzzy close-up. So stretchy.

When I first received this skein of yarn, I thought it was all purpley, pinks. But once I opened it out and wound it, there was plenty of teal, blue and brown in their too. Almost Noro-esque ;0)

Pattern: Breaking Hearts by Cristi Brockway aka Turtlegirl76

Yarn: Socks That Rock Lightweight

Colour: Never on Sunday

Needle: 2.5mm