Autumn Maple Cookies
I’ve been busy, busy, busy this month, how about you? As autumn rolls in (love this season!), I’ve been working on some new assignments for Redbook, Marie Claire Australia, The Nest, and Kiwi (I feel like I’m forgetting something, but my brain is fried), along with my regular work for American Baby, Glamour.com and WomansDay.com. Oh, be sure to check out my newest article in Real Simple this month (the November issue)–the Winter Washing Guide (when and how to wash your fave winter clothing staples). In addition, my second novel is moving along beautifully–nearing the finish and so thrilled with this story (if I do say so myself!). More on that as soon as I can share!
Whew–I think I need a nap.
But, I’ve found time for fun, too. For example, my boys and I made these cookies this week. And, let me start by saying this post should come with a disclaimer: Do not make this recipe unless you are fully aware that by doing so, you will not be able to stop yourself from nibbling. Now that you’ve been warned … I’ve been on the search for the perfect maple cookies for years, and finally, last week, made these. Amazing. Delicious. Satisfying. There are no limit to the adjectives I’d use to describe these beauties. And, my kids think they’re pretty swell too. Want the recipe?
New Fall Tradition: Apple Cider Donuts
I write about health for a living (come on over and read my Glamour.com health and fitness blog!), so it may come as a surprise that I (secretly) have a mega crush on donuts. No, I don't indulge often, but when I crave a donut, well, I crave a donut. So when I read a tweet from Kathleen at Bookish Broad about apple cider donuts (follow her on Twitter--she always has lots of great stuff to say), I immediately started salivating. Not only had I never tried an apple cider donut in my life, but I also had no idea what they were. In any case, they sounded divine, so I got cooking. I used this recipe from Smitten Kitchen, and employed the boys and their cute aprons to help with the dough-mixing and rolling. We fried them up after dinner and voila: apple cider donut bliss! We've all decided to make this a fall tradition. Love. What are your fall traditions?
Read MoreThe Best Bran Muffins You Will Ever Make
I know–how boring am I!? Blogging about bran muffins? Alright, here’s the thing: I like bran muffins. And when I started this little personal blog a while back, I decided to think of it as a scrapbook–an online scrapbook–of all my favorite things, recipes, thoughts, memories, rants–you know. So, I had to post these muffins, because in 3 years, in 30 years, I want to remember this recipe. They’re that good. If you like bran muffins, get ready to swoon! And for those of you who don’t vacuum seal food, I highly recommend you do so, I really like these foodsaver sealers from Vacuum Sealer Research, I haven’t tried other brands but the foodsaver vacuum sealers have the best design.
Pretending-To-Be-British Apricot Scones
I made these delicious scones over the weekend and wanted to share the recipe here. They were so good! And if you love dried apricots (or have a bunch in your pantry like I did), even better. They were so light and easy to make, and were perfect with a cup of tea. I felt so proper and British.
Cookbook Obsession
A publicist recently sent me a copy of Jamie Oliver’s new cookbook, Jamie’s Food Revolution, which I promptly took to bed that night and covered in sticky notes. Guys, this cookbook is, in a word: amazing. It’s packed with mouth-watering, approachable (and dare I say, healthful!) recipes that anyone can make. Best part: The book is loaded, and I mean loaded, with photos (which makes a cookbook so much more fun, right?).
Tonight I made Jamie’s “crunchy garlic chicken” and it was so, so, so good. I served it with basil couscous and sauteed asparagus (with lemon + mint–a bit random, but it worked (and you recall how much my 3 year old loves asparagus, right?). Let’s just say, everyone finished their plates–including the baby!
Remembering a Beautiful Spring Day, and an Amazing Dinner
Two springs ago, I planned a progressive dinner (remember those?) with neighbors, which was photographed for a feature I wrote for Hallmark magazine (sniffle, sniffle--the magazine folded last year, just before this story was to be published!). My editor was kind enough to send me some of the photos, taken by the super-talented Jake Johnson of Hallmark, and I wanted to post a little snippet of that day here. (I'm still drooling over that food--I developed the recipes for all, but on the day of, we had a chef do the cooking--whew! It's a tough job being a "model"!) It was the most amazingly warm evening in late spring (see how we're wearing tank tops and skirts?!), the food was divine, the drinks were flowing (even if I couldn't drink them--I was 2 months pregnant!), and the wisteria in front of our house was in bloom along with flowers all throughout the neighborhood. We fell in love with the Hallmark producers, stylists--even the makeup gal! What a day to remember! Thanks to my dear neighbors who participated. Let's do it again this spring!
Read MoreMolasses Bread
Continuing in my bread-baking extravaganza, I adapted a recipe from my new favorite cookbook and made this divine molasses bread. Let's just say that 2010 isn't shaping up to be very low carb. And I'm loving every crumb of it.
Read MoreOverheard at the Sushi Bar
Have you seen these funny sushi pillows? They’re made of cotton, but they’re making me hungry!
So there I was today, out having sushi with my boys–who I should add, were very polite lunch dates–and as we enjoyed our little conveyor belt sushi lunch, I couldn’t help but overhear the wild spat between a woman and a man at the table next to ours, which went like this …
Bread-Baking: My New Obsession
Do you have any New Year’s Day traditions? I was just telling someone on the phone that I always feel sleepy and melancholic on New Year’s Day. Maybe that’s because I live in Seattle and it’s always, and I mean always, rainy and miserable on this day. It’s probably, also, because I drink champagne on New Year’s Eve, and everybody knows how they feel after a few glasses of champagne–even if it is in moderation. So, determined to do something uplifting and fun this year, I pulled out my new bread book and started baking. Let’s just say, after digging into the pages, I may never buy store-bought bread again …