From the monthly archives:

March 2009

Gluten-Free Lemon, Almond and Polenta Cake

March 30, 2009

Pin it Please allow me this bright and promising Monday morning to keep it one hundred percent real with you. While this gluten free cake was buttery, nutty, bright with the flavor of lemon and perfectly sweet, the truth is, it ended up all over my floor. Well… ok, bits on the floor, chunks on [...]

Dad’s Buttermilk Biscuits

March 26, 2009

Pin it On losing, letting go of little sisters, and warm biscuits: We never talked about this. I didn’t know how to bring it up. The 2009 Bloggies. Remember? Best New Blog? So… I sorta…. kinda…. mostly… didn’t win. The thing is, I really really wanted to win. I did. I played it cool though. [...]

Carrot Cake Cupcakes with Dulce de Leche Buttercream

March 22, 2009

Pin it This morning I stood under a blossoming orange tree that hummed with honey bees. I found my way under this tree after a walk through my neighborhood on one of those mornings that couldn’t decide if it wanted to laugh or cry. The sidewalk showed evidence of midnight rain. The smell of rain [...]

Tea Faces and a Winner!

March 20, 2009

Pin it Look at you! No… seriously. Look at you! You’re adorable! I have some seriously cute readers. Um…. you guys!? I had no idea you were so cute and sassy. Yes… even you Rory, with your Tazmanian Devil mug. You’ve got sass. You’ve got class. You’ve got cuteness for days. I think I’ve got [...]

Rishi Tea Giveaway

March 17, 2009

Pin it My favorite tea cup doesn’t even belong to me. Sounds crazy, right? My favorite tea cup belongs to my favorite cafe in Los Angeles. My favorite cafe in Los Angeles is home to perfect sidewalk tables, breezes, shaded sunshine, loads of people watching, and some seriously good sandwiches and coleslaw. Now… let’s play [...]

Chai Spiced Buttermilk Pancakes

March 16, 2009

Pin it Everyday requires a little adventure, wouldn’t you agree? Some days (say… yesterday for me) that adventure can be as simple as taking a new route home from work (and getting lost driving through the canyons). Other days, that adventure might mean moving to France for three months (not my adventure, but bon voyage [...]

Warm Berries with Stove Top Dumplings

March 13, 2009

Pin it I’ve figured out that most things in life… well, they completely surprise me. As soon as I expect certainty, life has a way of galloping in with situations, opportunities and loves that I never could have imagined for myself. Despite all of life’s uncertainties, I’m convinced that some things are set in stone. [...]

Sweet and Spicy Cabbage Salad

March 11, 2009

Pin it I used to keep a dream dictionary by my bed. Fact. I thought that I could wake up from a vivid dream all about pansies and weasels, broken clocks and cotton candy to thumb through a book and answer all off those deep subconscious questions. It never worked. I was lucky enough if [...]

Joy the Baker in Wine Country

March 10, 2009

Pin it Can we take a few moments to discuss my spur of the moment, Monday afternoon, high speed trip to Napa? Napa seems to be in a perpetual state of sunshine. It’s absolutely gorgeous. There are grapes everywhere. If not actually growing from the earth, then engraved into the side of a freeway overpass, [...]

What Do You Do with Five Hours in Wine Country?

March 9, 2009

Pin it Five hours in Napa… ready, set, GO! Drink wine. Talk about tannins, body, oak barrels and finish. Blah Blah Blaaaaahs. Stomp around the vineyards like you own the joint (pictured above). And stop by Fatted Calf to talk about how approachable and awesome American charcuterie can be. More later! Right now I’ve got [...]

Oatmeal Cherry White Chocolate Cookies

March 7, 2009

Pin it Here’s a fun game to play: Grab a chef. Any chef will do. Ask that chef what their favorite Oatmeal Cookie recipe is. I’ll bet you my favorite slippers (not that you would want those) that their favorite recipe for Oatmeal Cookies is the recipe right there on the Quaker Oats can. I [...]

On broken eggs and other such broken things

March 6, 2009

Pin it I feel like I’ve been breaking things all day. First there was the printer…. and then another printer. Two printers… broken. Then a simple trip to the restroom seemed to be enough to unhinge the entire door. Now… my site is feeling a little broken as well. Here’s what’s going on. I’ll explain [...]

Crunchy Oven Baked Fries with Herbes de Provence

March 4, 2009

Pin it I’m a flake. Ok… maybe that’s a little harsh. I flaked on plans I made last Friday night, and I felt guilty until exactly this morning. See… (I’ll try keep this short) I was supposed to go to see a friend’s play on Friday night. You know, it’s just one of those things [...]

Borlotti Beans in Tomato Sauce with Creamy Parmesan Polenta

March 2, 2009

Pin it Life is all about balance, right? Balance and beans. Ok… maybe not that last part. While I’ll be the first person in line to pick at those brownies fresh out of the oven, I also know that I have to fill my belly with foods that make my body feel strong. Because I [...]

All About the Bean

March 1, 2009

Pin it Yes, I still love cupcakes. Yes, I’ve been thinking about oatmeal cookies all week. Yes, I think pancakes should have a daily requirment like fruits and vegetables. All of these things are true, yet here I am… and all I have to offer you is a pile of dried beans. Do you feel [...]