Cake.

It's Wednesday and that means cake.

I guess it doesn't really mean cake, I just woke up and felt like cake so here goes.

Smitten Kitchen

Are you drooling yet?

I recently made this cake for a friend's birthday and it was out of control.  I had multiple people at the table say, "This is the best cake I have ever had."  Let me emphasize here that I can really take no credit for that.  I wasn't exactly the perfect pupil to the recipe.  My cakes overflowed in the oven, leaving them wonky and less-than-full, and leaving my oven, well, you get the idea.  Then as I started to frost, I realized that in fact, popular to contrary belief, the proper icing tools are necessary for effective cake building.  The butter knife just didn't cut it.  (Insert giggle from my husband here at the pun I just inadvertently made.)

Anyway, the point is that I screwed up on a lot of different levels but still, the cake prevailed.  I think this is the mark of a truly divine recipe.

So, go out in the world today and eat cake.  You deserve it.

Smitten Kitchen

(That picture is obviously not my cake. I do think, however, that this post has inspired me to try again.  Hopefully,  my next attempt will be pretty enough to photograph.)

Committed

Google Shopping

I recently read this book and loved it.  I'm not big on reviews, especially when they are about an author who ripped the roof off the self-help/memoir genre with Eat, Pray, Love and everyone and their Mom knows about it.  Yes, I am in fact one of those who loved Eat, Pray, Love and felt very connected to Gilbert's voice.  And then, as if she had heard my call, she wrote about the most confusing, overused, misunderstood, twisted, abused human creation of all time:  marriage.

I was so inspired by Gilbert's ability to deconstruct the common conceptions of marriage and redefine the commitment for herself and no one else.  This was an encouragement and an insight into the power of individuality and staying true to one's self.  

You don't have to be married or about to get married or have anything remotely related to marriage in your life at the moment to read and enjoy this book.  To me, that's the mark of a good read.

--MEL  

Pleasure

Library of Congress

Believe it or not, I don't just blog all day.  I am a musician.  That doesn't really sound much more legitimate but it's true.  My work is in music--I perform, I teach, I accompany.  And I support and encourage the arts education programs and efforts in my town every day.  Yes, it may sound a bit vague, but this is in fact my job.  Actually, this is my job by day and by night.  And by that I mean, I truly love my work.  

In short, I am an extremely lucky girl.

Music is an interesting thing in the world.  It is impossible to truly put into words the effect that it has on the globe because it is in fact so outrageously magnanimous.  See, here comes the part where you may want to think I'm exaggerating, but it's true.  

Look around you.  Think of a day when you do not experience music?  You'll probably have a tough time finding one.  It is everywhere.  And there is good purpose for that.  It makes us feel good.  And if it doesn't make you feel good, then it probably makes you feel something and therefore you evoke some sort of opinion.  Therefore, you think.  Therefore, you engage in life.  

Anyway, I could go on about that for quite a while but I have the rest of my life to do that so I'll wait.  Until then, check out this wonderful article about the power of music (found via Food News Journal).  I hope it encourages you to find pleasure this week by intentionally experiencing a great piece of music.

XOXO

--MEL     

A New Week

Here's a bit of inspiration for the beginning of a new week.  Hope your weekend was fantastic!  --MEL

Happy Friday

First I'd like to say a big thank you to my initial handful of readers.  You've made my first week of blogging surprisingly rewarding.  I hope to see you for a long time to come around here!

Please don't hesitate to give me feedback--let me know what you'd like to read about, what you like already and what you think could improve about the blog.   

Here are a few posts of inspiration from around the web.  I hope they may help you jump into an inspiring and creative weekend!  

I'm really tempted to buy this incredibly magical cookbook.  What a joyous celebration of food and the adventures that accompany it.  Via frolic!.  Images from Buy Olympia.

Aren't succulents just the most beautiful little plants?

Design*Sponge

If I needed new business cards, and if I had sufficient funds, I would definitely go for these.  I mean, it doesn't get much more custom than a little portrait of yourself on your business card.  So cute.

Rifle Paper Co.

If you're looking for an easy and show-stopping recipe to cook up this weekend, try this from the Barefoot Contessa.  Honestly, it will blow you away.

Food Network

I couldn't resist this image found via Greedy Girl.  I'd say this is a good representation of my religious beliefs.

Oven Door Owl

XOXO--MEL

Subway Tile

The Mr. and I are definite dreamers.  Especially when it comes to our home.  First of all, we love to cook.  We'd spend all of our time in the kitchen if we could and in fact, when the free time arises and we're not exhausted we're usually creating something new and fun with food.  We get really excited about Peugeot pepper grinders, miniature Le Creuset cocottes, microplanes, and drying racks for pasta.  To name a few.

So, we also get excited about big handsome gas ranges, shiny porcelain kitchen sinks, and butcher block as far as the eye can see, all set lovingly before a backdrop of glistening subway tile.

Oh, enough talking, just see what I mean.

Design*Sponge

Becoming Home

Mosaic Tile Supplies

The Kitchn

Here's to worshipping your kitchen!
--MEL

A Syrian Dream

My best friend recently took a trip to Syria and captured some really incredible images.  I woke up inspired by her this morning and wanted to share some of her beautiful memories.