Birthday Card

April is a busy birthday month on my calendar, with some weeks having a birthday each day. This is a card I made for my dear friend, Sonja. We have been stamping buddies for nearly 16 years. Through stamping, became our wonderful friendship. We met over a bakery counter, so I thought this card was perfect. It was interesting how we met. My Mom and I were on our annual girls get-a-way vacation, where we had become friends with a bakery owner (go figure), Pam. I was telling Pam about my new stamping hobby. She mentioned her friend, who also just started stamping and suggested I send her a card. When Pam handed the address over the bakery counter, I found that Sonja and I lived in the same town. Although we lived just a mile apart, we wrote letters and sent stamped cards, for several months, before ever met. Since then, we've both re-located, but continue to send weekly letters and cards.

The ribbon on the card is from "Fabric.com." And the tray of cupcakes is from "Impression Obsession."

Seize the cupcake stamp is from "Hero Arts."

~Michele

Cat-Nap Wednesdays

Here is Katie sleeping in her latest favorite box. I just received a package, from my cousins who design sweaters ... I love my new sweaters and Katie loves the box. Next week I hope to blog my sweaters, but if you want a sneak peek, check them out on etsy at "Cherry Belle Designs."

This doesn't look all that comfy to me but she seemed happy.

It rained most all day today ... Katie says that rain is good napping weather. (Really I think she feels any weather is good for napping.)

~Michele

Last Weeks Snowstorm

I took these photos after last weeks snowstorm, (Post date: April 20) but forgot to post them. (Must be an age thing!) The trees were snow covered the morning of the storm. Two mornings later the snow was gone from the branches, yet the overnight temperature was very chilly, leaving the tree branches with a frosted look. The sunrise was beautiful as all the trees sparkled in the morning light.

The snow is mostly gone now ... we even had an outdoor egg hunt on Easter.

~Michele

Poached Eggs in . . . MAPLE SYRUP!

Simple, yet decadent. Make your favorite pancake recipe (I love blueberry) and top each serving with maple syrup poached eggs. A big thanks to Scott (or, technically, his Mom!) for sharing his family Easter tradition. We love 'em!

Andy

PS Don't forget lots of (real) butter!

Cranes for Kids

I have been folding cranes for a project called "Cranes for Kids," which is sponsored by OshKosh. They are sending the cranes, plus one piece of clothing per crane, to help families in Japan who were affected by the recent earthquake and tsunami.

I dropped off my first batch at local store .... continued folding and mailed another box yesterday.

~Michele

Cat-Nap Wednesdays

This is what we woke up to this morning ... after getting up in the middle of the night, due to a power outage which was causing back ups to beep.

Ever since we got a new TV Katie has started watching TV. Today I guess she figured since there was no sun in her favorite window that she would watch TV before her nap. Take note of the box she is sitting 'ON' ... yes, on, not in! After I opened the box, she worked and worked trying to figure out how to get in ... finally she decided sitting on it would have to work.

Of course, she took her nap on the box ... she wouldn't want to leave a great new box and sleep in one the beds we have spent lots of $'s on!! That little stinker!

Andy will ask why I took a picture that included one the guide sticks for our plow guy ... answer is, I was far too lazy to put boots on and go outside! (I did go out later but I refuse to use a shovel this late in the year. Besides it's suppose to be 45 degrees and sunny tomorrow.) I heard our total snowfall was about 8 inches ... which is unusual for us this late in April. All the area schools had a snow day.

I felt bad for the hungry birds this morning. This robin didn't seem bothered though ... he just sat in the tree singing. Although I don't know just what words he was singing. (Probably the same ones many of us were saying this morning)

~Michele

Carrot and Pineapple Cake

What do you do on a day that should have beautiful, balmy spring weather, but instead looked and felt like this:

Well, we made a cake and thought it turned out great!

Andy

NOTE: Michele and I did NOT create a layer cake, but went with a simple 13x9 single layer. For the pic, I cut one square piece in half and indulged in the frosting! Love cream cheese frosting . . . Michele smartly garnished it with a carrot curl.

For the cake:

• 1 3/4 cups granulated sugar
• 1 1/3 cups vegetable oil
• 3 extra-large eggs, at room temperature
• 1 teaspoon pure vanilla extract
• 2 1/2 cups plus 1 tablespoon flour (1/2 c spelt, 1 c whole wheat, 1 all purpose)
• 2 teaspoons ground cinnamon
• 2 teaspoons baking soda
• 1 1/2 teaspoons kosher salt
• 1 cup raisins
• 1 cup chopped walnuts
• 1 pound carrots, grated
• 1/2 cup diced fresh pineapple

For the frosting:

• 3/4 pound cream cheese, at room temperature
• 1/2 pound unsalted butter, at room temperature
• 1 teaspoon pure vanilla extract
• 1 pound confectioners' sugar, sifted

Directions

Preheat the oven to 350 degrees F.

Butter 2 (8-inch) round cake pans. Line with parchment paper, then butter and flour the pans.

For the cake:

Beat the sugar, oil, and eggs together in the bowl of an electric mixer fitted with the paddle attachment until light yellow. Add the vanilla. In another bowl, sift together 2 1/2 cups flour, the cinnamon, baking soda, and salt.

Add the dry ingredients to the wet ingredients. Toss the raisins and walnuts with 1 tablespoon flour. Fold in the carrots and pineapple. Add to the batter and mix well.

Divide the batter equally between the 2 pans. Bake for 55 to 60 minutes, or until a toothpick comes out clean. Allow the cakes to cool completely in the pans set over a wire rack.

For the frosting:

Mix the cream cheese, butter and vanilla in the bowl of an electric mixer fitted with the paddle attachment until just combined. Add the sugar and mix until smooth.

Place 1 layer, flat-side up, on a flat plate or cake pedestal. With a knife or offset spatula, spread the top with frosting. Place the second layer on top, rounded side up, and spread the frosting evenly on the top and sides of the cake.

Thank You Slider Card . . . w/ Video!

Play the vid above! Recall that Corey and her lovely granddaughter, Isabelle, dropped off a wonderful lasagna dish after Michele had surgery. We made the blueberry crisp in return and Michele made this thank you card. I'm continuously amazed with her talent and patience to do such, to me, tedious work. Obviously Michele's chronic health issue limits how much she can do. But, the good moments give rise to beauty like this---enjoy!

Andy

Cat-Nap Wednesdays

Yesterday was a busy day .... I forgot to post! Could it be age??

Katie has all kinds of beds and cushions yet she still prefers either a cardboard box or, as in this picture, a piece of paper!

~Michele

Chocolate Festival

What better way to spend a Sunday afternoon than at the "Traverse City Chocolate Festival?" It certainly was a treat for us! Our local "Chocolate Lady - Barbara Disborough," did an outstanding job organizing this event - Thank you Barbara!!

I even made a special tote bag for the day!

The "45th Parallel's Candy World" from Suttons Bay, had this beautiful display and samples the fudge she makes. My Dad asks for fudge from this shop for every holiday.

We're loved using "Fustini's Oil and Vinegars" for cooking, but had not tried any in baking. We tasted some very yummy brownies using their products.

Our dear friend Mimi Wheeler, owner of "Grocer's Daughter Chocolate," had a nice display of Easter treats as well as other goodies! (see top phooto)

This beautiful cake was created by Patisserie Ami.

Adding to the sweetness of the day ... we were treated to music by my very favorite .... drum roll please ... "Jim Hawley" accompanied by another favorite of ours "Lawrence 'Doc' Probes!"

We continued to enjoy our day with a lovely dinner at "Trattoria Stella."

Thanks Andy, for making my weekend so special!

~Michele

Best Brownies . . .

. . . we've ever had---REALLY! And, for Michele's birthday.
(Happy Birthday, sweetie!)

Andy

• 2 sticks butter (16 tbs)
• 8 ounces bittersweet chocolate (62% Scharffen Berger!)
• 4 eggs
• 1/2 tsp salt (French Gray Sea salt)
• 1 cup dark brown sugar (muscovado!)
• 1 cup granulated sugar
• 2 tsp vanilla extract
• 1 cup flour

1. Butter 13x9 backing pan. Preheat oven 350 degree F. In double boiler (or microwave--alternate every 10 seconds with stirring) melt chocolate and butter. Cool slightly. In a large bowl whisk eggs and then whisk in salt, sugars, and vanilla.
2. Whisk in chocolate mixture. Fold in flour until just combined. Pour batter into prepared pan. Bake for 20 to 25 minutes or until shiny and beginning to crack on top. Cool in pan on rack.

Cat-Nap Wednesdays

I didn't quite catch our little sweetie napping today..... but I snapped a couple pictures just as she was settling in.

I had planned to come back and get more pictures but I was "slaving away" at the sewing machine. It turned into a "hem-day Wednesday!" I didn't realize that I had let the pile of hemming and mending get so big. I didn't even get through it all ... but did get a good start.

Happy Wednesday,

Michele

Thank you . . . with Blueberry Crisp!

Michele and I were brought up giving home-made food as gifts for holidays and also often to those in times of life stress. This could be for a variety of reasons, but food from scratch was thought so very sincere. And, when you got a gift like this served in a pan or plate to return, it was always nice to ensure it was not returned empty. 

We had some frozen blueberries that Michele picked last summer and made Blueberry Crisp for Cory! And, of course, also growing up we were called ANYTHING, but late for dinner---so we made enough for us! Here's the recipe---we really liked it and hope you do too.

Andy

• Cooking spray
• 8 cups blueberries
• 1/4 cup honey
• 1/4 cup barley flour
• 1/4 cup softened butter
• 2/3 cup brown sugar
• 2 tsp vanilla extract
• 1 1/2 cup rolled oats
• 1/4 teaspoon salt
• 1/2 cup barley flour
• 1/2 teaspoon cinnamon (we love cinnamon so added 1 tsp!)
• 1/4 cup walnuts or pecans chopped after measuring (optional; Michele's not a fan, but I am.)

1. Preheat the oven to 375 degrees F
2. Grease 11x14 pan
3. Toss blueberries, honey and 1/4 cup barley flour in a medium bowl. Squeeze one fistful and toss again. Place the berries in the prepared baking dish.
4. Pulse the butter and brown sugar in food processor. Scrape the sides down and add vanilla. Add oatmeal and cinnamon and pulse. Alternate between pulsing and scraping until the oats are slightly chopped but not powdered.
5. Stir in the rest of the flour (transfer to a bowl if needed).
6. Scatter the crumbly mixture over the blueberries. Bake until the blueberry juices are thick and bubbly and the topping is crisp and brown, 35 to 40 minutes.

New Look!

We thought it time to make a change to our site look and feel. After reviewing various books, other sites, and considering the goal of our little side endeavor, it seemed we needed something more branded. While we like much of what we see in the blogosphere we thought we needed a facade better representing what we do. Hope you like it, please let us know, and Happy Spring!
Andy

Katie's Birthday

Katie didn't seem to realize it was her birthday .... when I came downstairs this morning she was just casually sitting on her lounge. (Unlike last year, when she woke us up at 5:00 am! )

I got out her party hat and that's when she realized today was going to be a "real fun" day!! (Doesn't she look like she's having a great time?!)

When asked if she wanted to put her hat back on, the answer was a definite NO!

So she had her birthday lunch with no hat. I was wearing mine!

After lunch she headed to the sunny window and had a catnip cigar.

Then opened her cards (she says thanks for the card grandma and grandpa) and presents ....

took a quick bath ....

.... then decided the party was over and it was nap time.

I think Katie enjoyed her day! She spent the entire afternoon curled up sleeping. Can anyone tell we don't have human children? Ha ha!! Happy Birthday to our little April Fool Kitty!

~Michele