Gingerbread Scones

Devotees will remember my "not-so-sensational" blueberry scones from awhile back. I decided to make another attempt at scones and made some gingerbread ones today. They weren't nearly as bad as my other ones . . . but still aren't 100% what I'm looking for in scones. These had a good flavor, and the top which was slightly crispy from eggs whites and sugar baked on was really yummy, but the scone itself was a little dense for my liking. But at least I made some progress this time. I'm thinking my next ones will be great. Third time's a charm!

Latte Art - Training Day #2

Today I got to work on some latte art again. I got some new pointers, and I think I made a little progress. Here were two of today's creations.

We'll call that one a flower . . .

. . . and this one fire . . . or a leaf, whichever you think.

Latte Art . . . Well Maybe One Day

Ta da! Here's my first real attempt at latte art after a little lesson from my friend Elisa and the help of her nice Expobar espresso machine and Caffe D'arte espresso.

I think I could get it with more practice, and I fully intend to. Latte art is one of those things that I really want to accomplish in my lifetime. But being that I only own a french press and a hand-held frother . . . I probably should think about getting a nice espresso machine. Anyone wanna buy me one or give me one? :-)

Here's to hoping for an espresso machine one day . . .

Pumpkin Goodness

I've always been a sucker for anything pumpkin so last weekend I made these caramel frosted pumpkin cookies. They are quite yummy if I do say so myself. The cookie itself has all the great fall spices I love (I think I even added some extra to it) and isn't super sweet. It pairs so well with the sweet and hardened caramel frosting. Carmel you say? Yep. I was skeptical on that too, and wouldn't normally say that I love caramel . . . but it's perfect with the cookie. The frosting recipe called for vanilla and maple extract, but since I had no maple, I just used vanilla . . . and I would keep it like that in the future. I've still got some cookies left . . . come on over!

I'm keeping this recipe for sure!

Let's Take A Vote . . .

Today I spent the afternoon painting the chairs I got at Country Fair. These will be for my office. The color is a little bluer than I would have hoped, but I think they'll still turn out nicely. Next I need to pick out some fabric to re-cover the cushions. Let me know what you think would be best. Here's a few options . . . .

Number 1

Number 2

Number 3

Number 4

Number 5

Number 6

Number 7

Number 8

Number 9

Number 10

Number 11

His, Hers, and Costa Rica

Nathan left for Costa Rica today and must have forgotten his sweatshirt at my house. But I had a smile today when I noticed our sweatshirts hanging out together.

Adding to the History

This is one of the Memorial Chapel benches. There is probably 40 plus years of history carved and scratched into them. They were being sold at the Country Fair this past weekend so before they were sold, the boyfriend and I decided that we should add our own little piece of history to it before it goes to a new family.

I'm a Big Fan . . .

. . . of my newly revamped ceiling fan!

I've been in my house for a year and three months now, and it's been a year and three months that I have been looking at a ceiling fan with no blades on it. The original fan blades drooped and died when there was a mold problem in the house which soaked into the blades (as well as every wall).

The house has since been bleached and repainted . . . but the only lasting evidence of the problem has been the missing fan blades. My dad got me some new fan blades, Nathan painted them black and found some grommets, I picked out the chains, and presto . . . I now have a fan!!! Too bad it's at the end of the warm summer weather. But it sure looks a whole lot nicer!