happy weekend//pistachio pound cake

//the recipe

Pistachio Pound Cake. Heavenly, I tell you.
Yesterday I was appointed to bring something sweet to a Chica Lunch Date (definition: an afternoon wherein two of my kindred spirits and I have lunch together, laughing and encouraging each other all through our time together), and after scrolling through my pinterest I came across this delicious looking photograph; pistachios meets buttery goodness, for what more could a girl ask? As much as it pains me to admit it, I've had my share of pumpkin spiced treats for this season and am looking forward to other things. The almond extract and nutty pistachio really hit the spot.
Super easy peasy recipe to follow, came out marvelously the first time!
For just about any occasion, this delightful pound cake will compliment; I highly suggest it with a warm cup of cinnamon tea. Go forth and bake!

knitting my bit

{source here}

I really love these posters from WWII, they're so creative and echo a unique time of hard work; it's one of my very favorite periods to study and I love reading about nearly every area regarding it.

As you can imagine, the one above print is one of my favorites. : ) 

Last week I mentioned that I was arranging my samples to take to North Carolina, well this week I am here to tell you that I. wasn't. kidding. There is a mental list somewhere with a outline of each item I need to make before flying out on Friday; there's really only three sample boxes to make, and--if I spend my time well--there is just enough time for what I need to make. This time around I'll mostly be knitting, with only a few sewing projects; thankfully they're both things that can be done in traffic, long grocery lines, listening to this groovy tune and this enjoyable book, and while watching Jane Eyre (I l.o.v.e. that one). 

Praise the Lord for this glorious wind blew in a delicious 65 degree morning today and I am reveling in the chilly breeze! It makes working with wool blends that much more wonderful.

So, until Friday evening, I'll be 

          ...singing. Yes, though only one of us Marques Chica's takes lessons, we all sing quite liberally. We've taken to turning up our playlists on youtube and pandora just enough so that we sound just like the bands we play. 

          ...working out every.day. even though my Dad isn't here to partake in our bleary-eyed sessions. 

          ...sewing up necklaces to take to NC. Instant gratification projects are just great.

          ...knitting up items to take as well as planning a knitted outfit for the bun in the oven of a sweet friend (It's so fun to knit for little babies).

          ...sipping a yummy brew of coconut chai (with almond milk, please!)

          ...packing, both mentally and literally. The former for a trip to Dubai and the latter for this trip to NC, it's so sad/funny that I have to continually be...

          ...reminding myself that I don't own these fabulous english riding boots (or these either), like I said, sad/funny mostly sad though.

          ...containing my utter excitement at visiting with some beautiful and dear people in the coming weeks and months (!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!).

What will you be doing?

Ah ha!

Here I am.

If you've kept up with my "Mary Poppins Writes" series, you'll know that today is a day of preparation and hopefully a labor and deliver of my newest niece!

My dear sister is at the hospital and is carrying on bravely, the Chicklets and I have been keeping her and the Bun in the Oven in prayer and dear thoughts all day.

Praise the Lord for His perfect timing!

As I type this, children are napping and the a/c is running (a delightful combination), in an hour or so I'll get supper started and possibly make a run to the store for ingredients for Straweberry Limeade! An sweet acquaintance made it recently and I've been officially inspired to do the same, all we need are the strawberries. :) I may also get some items I'll be needing for the hospitality snacks that are on the menu for hungry visitors who come to get a glimpse of the Fresh Little Raisin. Pavlova, Cream Scones, Strawberry Lemonade Bars, tea, and coffee are to be served on the "new" vintage trays

They're just so adorable!

There's two of the smaller ones and one big tray, perfect for decorating the house, even if it's just temporary. :) My dear nieces were so patient and went with me to an estate sale last weekend, I think they enjoyed it almost as much as I did. Using this site, I've been able to find more sales, so that is hopefully what we'll be doing this weekend as well!

In the meantime, stay tuned for baby pictures to come! I'll be snapping away lots of pictures of my third niece, just please be patient as I'll be a bit busy the next few days. :)

How to: Say "Thank You"

We were so very blessed to have a local garden center, Plants For All Seasons, allow us to use their plants for Andy and Lisa's wedding. Considering our facility limitations and desire to create a warm atmosphere, we were delighted to be able to bring in live plants!

The staff at Plants for All Seasons were very helpful and accommodating; working with them was easy peasy. So, if you're in the Houston/Spring/Tomball area and are in need of some gardening help, stop by and see how cheerful and knowledgeable they are!

As a way of saying danke, I decided to make them a refreshing treat:

Mixed Berry Pavlova!

This dessert is a summertime favorite of mine, ever since tasting it a few years ago. Each time I think of it and make it I think of the dear friend that first made it, and it causes me to pray for her and her family.

I loved eating it, making it was a bit of a saga as I used Ina's recipe; the meringue came out more like a runny marshmallow, so we ate it plain. The second time was a charm though as I used"The Best" Pavlova recipe--it came out perfect. No really, it puffed and looked like a creamy cloud of yummy goodness! Topped with the blueberries and whipped cream I second guessed my decision to give it to the hard-working staff but in the end I drove over and dropped it off without a second thought! I made another one today and plan to serve it with cherries instead of blueberries.

Do you have any summertime dessert recipes?

Dandelion Root Coffee

{Design*Sponge}

This is day three with the Stickies and my poor sister cannot stand the solitary confinement, so she is headed over to pick up her beloved offspring. I'm very happy to report that there have been NO meltdowns, homesickness, or random bursts of energy. Things have been going relatively smoothly and they've enjoyed every minute, and so have we.

Though I haven't gotten very much knitting done (hurrah for finished projects!), I've been busy working on an embroidery project similar to this one for---well, for someone special. I'm very pleased with the way it's turning out so far!

With the winter season coming to a close, I'm compiling a mental list of spring knits and sewn items for the shop, anything special you'd like to see?

Now, to what you've been waiting for,

the coffee.

I've signed up to get emails from Elana's Pantry and today she posted a recipe for Dandelion Root Coffee. Generally, I'm a pretty big fan of traditional coffee, though it doesn't like me.

So, I am interested to try this recipe for a coffee substitute; it's give me something besides steamed milk to drink at evening gatherings! Really, it's kind of pathetic, any more than a tablespoon full of coffee will make my knees shake; I still love it though, and I'm so glad my Mom brews a pot each morning--the smell is wonderful!

What are your morning rituals?

Chocolate Raspberry Cupcakes: Not Flavorless

Yesterday I made these delicious Chocolate Raspberry Cupcakes

(which for me turned out to be muffins because I skipped the frosting)---so yummy!

It was the first time for me to use coconut products in baking and I loved how easy it was (once I figured out that you need to melt the coconut oil BEFORE mixing it with the eggs) and my muffins came out perfect! The second excellent part of making these is that they are grain/dairy/and gluten-free!

Despite these health benefits let me assure you that they are NOT tasty/flavor/yum-free.

A great addition to your Valentine or breakfast or dessert list!

So sorry that there are no pictures to prove it, just my memories :)

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In other news, I am starting a Lace-Edged Hat (you're still able to order one for yourself too!) for my sister. She doesn't usually ask for things so I'm very happy to oblige!

Patiently, she went through the yarn shop with me and chose the color she fancied best. I'm looking forward to working on it;

thank the Lord there is still enough cold weather to effectively knit warm things!

November Highlights {in pictures}

{one lucky duck}

If you're in New York and in need of a raw food fix or just a really good salad,

Pure Food and Wine is the place to go,

just be sure your wallet can manage the cost it is to make the food

(I which case, I would highly suggest the Spicy Thai Wraps).

It was a bit like culture shock to come home to a Houston December after being in a New York November (as in a 25-30 degree difference!), but home is very sweet :)

Here are a few shots of the times we've had over the past two weeks,

enjoy!

My sister Caro enjoying a Gray's papaya hot dog!

Not sure it would make it after being shipped halfway across the country but it was pretty tasty.

{National Gallery of Art}

Soon after this picture was taken, I found a $20 bill on the sidewalk, neatly folded and screaming, "take me!". So I scooped the dust out of my wallet, place it inside, and named it "Lucky". Green proof that I don't miss everything.

A great window display outside a bookshop (ideas, ideas, ideas!).

22, November

Quail egg from Whole Foods!

For a mere $.89 you could take that cutie home with you--we we're pretty tempted.

Fun times with my very dear friend, Maria

Week Two of AHC: "Chestnuts roasting on an open fire..."

Here is week two of A Homemade Christmas put on by Emily Rose at Simply Vintage Girl.

(It's always best to begin at the beginning)

Here is a wonderful recipe for Crusted Nuts that was given to me by some dear friends.
I love this recipe because it is one of those that can be changed and

adapted, however you like it.

This is a great gift for neighbors, you could couple it with a "thank you" note,

sprinkle them on ice cream, or simply leave on the counter for whenever you feel the least bit hungry!

They may not be chestnuts roasting on an open fire, but they really taste and smell yummy, in whatever weather you may be.

You start with:

~ 2 beaten egg whites

~ 1 tbsp. water

~1 1-pound bag of your favorite nuts (I used halved pecans but it tastes good with almonds or walnuts as well)

~ 1 1/2 c. sugar

~ 1 tsp. salt

~ 1 1/2 tsp. cinnamon

1. Preheat your oven to 250 degrees, then for an easy clean-up, I lined my pan with some greased wax paper.

2. Beat your egg whites until they are white and foamy (think sea foam, without the salt). Coat your nuts well; this is what the sugar mixture will be sticking too, so make sure all of the nuts are well covered.

3. Mix sugar, salt, et cinnamon and coat the eggy nuts well.

4. Pour nuts onto sheet et bake for 1 hour, stirring every 15 minutes.

Et bon appetit!

You could store this in a glass jar with some cute ribbon or fabric and leave on the counter for some edible decoration.

A yummy option would be to add some dashes of nutmeg or allspice to your sugar mixture.

And, to add to the ice cream idea,

you could chop your nuts before using them so they fit easier on the spoon.