Liquid Paper

rainbow cake accomplished

I learned a valuable lesson (again) while making this cake... it is very important to chill after icing each layer. I did not follow my own advice and this sucker started to ooze. Layers were shifting in one directing like a small sugary mudslide. I literally thought I was going to lose the orange layer completely. Fortunately, my dear Friend Meagan (also the mother of the birhtday girl) was gracious and wonderful and loved the cake, ooze and all! 

I purchased a 4-pack of Wilton gel food colors in pastel Rose, Blue, Green, and Yellow and they turned out great. Super saturated and so fun. I added the dots to coordinate with the party colors. Plus, it helped catch the eye and detract from the side that was not-so-pretty (and not pictured!).

 

comfort food

While cleaning out and reorganizing my kitchen storage areas I came across an untitled recipe card written in my mother’s handwriting. I knew instantly what this was going to be and that I was going to make it. Fast. It was her banana bread/muffin recipe. The one I’d grown up eating and the one that I compare all others to. The one she still makes to this day. So before the day was through I made it. I only made one change, I added an extra banana.

Oh, they were good.

So good. 

Five muffins eaten in five hours good. 

autumn + orange

This Autumn has been beautiful with its warm days and chilly nights.

 

We've indulged in many things, including these mini pumpkin pies. I even made my own crust - it really does taste better.

And what about this guy? Well, he matches the color palette of this post so he's in.

 
 

No. 1 apple

Oh, yes! It's the appearance of the first Honeycrisp of the season thanks to our local Apple Festival. Even though this recipe calls for Granny Smith, I plan on using my Honeycrisp and add some lemon juice + zest and cut the sugar in half. Mmm...

 

i made tea

Fresh brewed tea + juice of one lemon + sweetener = the perfect end of Summer sip.

  
 
 

cupcake i knew and loved

It's gone now, but I still have my memories.*
 

*Strawberry cake with swiss buttercream and "disco dust" from here.

 

fruit detail

 

last minute crisp

Before we added the topping we combined the following: two or three (I forget) peaches that were mere seconds from going bad, strawberries leftover from breakfast and a handful of dried tart cherries. Delish!
 

cortado

Mark has discovered a new favorite morning (a relative term in our house) coffee drink. The cortado. He tells me that technically our glasses are a little large (they are only 7 oz.), but I like my morning dose of caffeine to be on the generous side so they're perfect for me. You may recognize the spot where this photo was taken from this post, or perhaps this one. That speckled surface under the cup is the corner of my desk which is currently situated in our front sun room. The room is surrounded on three sides by windows and is a lovely place to work in all but the coldest of Winter months. (You can sort of see how it's laid out in this photo.) My desk, an old library table, was an estate sale find. The top is stained and the finish is cracking in places and I love it all the more for it's lack of preciousness. 

 

saturday's breakfast

Greek yogurt, farmer's market honey and strawberries.