From Miss Hepburn...

I believe in Pink.

I believe that laughing is the best calorie burner.

I believe in Kissing,

Kissing a lot.

I believe in being strong when everything seems to be going wrong.

I believe that HAPPY GIRLS are the PRETTIEST GIRLS.

I believe that tomorrow is another day.

I believe in MIRACLES.

~Audrey Hepburn

Flower-Making: Part Two!

Two days later, and I'm still working on my felt flower accessories! There is a spring theme to these flowers (although here in New Jersey, it doesn't look anything like spring right now!), I love using bright, beautiful colors. Here are some pictures of what I've been working on...

After making hundreds of these, I could pretty much make them in my sleep! But my piles of felt are diminishing, and my storage boxes with finished flowers are piling up, which is always a good feeling! Hope you are all feeling creative, happy crafting!

A happy sight - one of my many, many storage boxes filled with finished felt flowers pins and hair clips!

I will be linking up to these parties:

Flower Power

I'm sure all of you crafters know the feeling... cuts, burns, blisters, and bruises on your hands! I've been working on hundreds and hundreds of felt flowers for an upcoming craft show, and my glue gun and scissors have definitely left some evidence of that on my hands! Ouch! I love working with colorful felt to make pins and hair clips, and like to embellish them with pearls, crystals, buttons, ribbon, sequins, and beads. Here are some of my flowers...

Pearl and Button Flower Pins

Pink Rose Hair Clips

Pearl and Crystal Felt Flower Pins and Hair Clips

Happy Crafting, everybody!

Today I'm linking to...

Something New!

I wanted to share some new products with you that are available through my etsy shop now! One of my favorite things to do is paint, and here is my new collection of watercolor paintings and prints that I have been working on this spring. I love to paint things that take you to a different place, and make you wish you could jump into the painting. Here are some examples...

"French Cafe"

"Birthday Brunch"

"Red Door Bed & Breakfast"

If you'd like to see more of my work, please visit my etsy shop! *ALSO*... If you'd like a personalized original watercolor painting of your home, contact me through my etsy (where you will find more information) or leave me a comment on here, and send me a photo of what you'd like painted! Thanks for stopping by!

Homemade Granola

If you've never made granola at home, you should give it a try! It makes for a great breakfast or addition to your brunch, not to mention it's a much healthier option to sugary cereal. You have to do it right, of course, adding good quality ingredients that can be pretty much anything you like - dried fruits, nuts, coconut, seeds.... all things that are good for you! Here's my recipe, but go ahead and add whatever you like to it!

MARIA'S GRANOLA RECIPE

INGREDIENTS:

2 cups rolled oats

1/2 cup chopped hazelnuts (or walnuts)

1/2 cup slivered almonds

1/2 cup shredded coconut

1/2 cup chopped dried cranberries

1/4 cup raisins

5 tbs honey

1-2 tbs maple syrup

5 tbs olive oil

(Other possible ingredients: dried apricots, cashew nuts, pecans, sunflower seeds, pumpkin seeds, ground cinnamon)

DIRECTIONS:

In a large bowl, combine oats, nuts, and shredded coconut. Add honey, maple syrup and olive oil and mix well. (Don't add the cranberries or raisins yet.)

Preheat your oven to 350 deg F, and spread your granola mixture on a baking sheet lined with parchment paper. Bake for 20 - 30 minutes (depending on your oven), stirring the granola halfway through the baking time, and add the dried cranberries and raisins to it 5 minutes before baking time end.

This granola makes for a delicious and nutritious breakfast, either with milk or yoghurt (vanilla is a good choice!) and some fresh fruit! A great way to start your day!

*OR.... package it nicely in a little bag and add some ribbon and this recipe, and it makes for a cute little gift!*

I'm linking to Whatever Goes Wednesday at Someday Crafts

and Sugar&Spice at Seven Thirty Three

Cute as a Button

Happy first day of spring, everyone! I always get so excited when I see the first daffodils of the year, it's my sign that spring really is right around the corner, and after this long winter, that's pretty good news! What's most refreshing about spring to me, is that after months of gray skies the world is full of color again! Bring some color onto your coffee table with these adorable Button Sugar Cookies!

BUTTON SUGAR COOKIES

(Recipe adapted from Martha Stewart)

INGREDIENTS:

2 cups all purpose flour

1/2 tsp baking powder

Pinch of salt

4 oz (1 stick) unsalted butter, at room temperature

1 cup sugar

2 eggs

1 tsp pure vanilla extract

Food coloring of your choice

DIRECTIONS:

In your mixer, combine flour, baking powder, and salt. In a different bowl, beat together butter and sugar for a couple of minutes, then begin adding in eggs and vanilla. Gradually mix this in with the flour mixture, and add your food coloring at this point too. If you are using liquid food coloring, add as many drops as you need until the dough gets your desired color. (If you are making different colored buttons, have separate bowls for each color.) Mix until dough is smooth and all color is incorporated.

Wrap your dough in plastic wrap and let it chill in the fridge for a couple minutes. Take your dough and roll it out into a disk like you would a sugar cookie dough. *GREAT TIP* for rolling out your dough - Don't bother with flouring your surface, instead, lay down a large enough piece of plastic wrap on your rolling surface, put your dough on it and squash it down a little, and cut another piece of plastic wrap and lay that on top. Now begin rolling your dough out, in between the two layers of plastic wrap. It will be so much smoother, you won' make a mess, and everything won't be as sticky!

Using a round cookie cutter, cut out your circles. To add the inner ring into the button, you will need either a smaller cookie cutter, or any round object you may have in your kitchen, you could use the rim of a glass for example. Then, poke four holes (they will need to be pretty wide as they close up a little while baking), I actually used the bottom of a birthday candle for this because toothpick holes were just way too small! (You can make holes right through the cookie so you can thread it on some thin ribbon once the cookies are baked, if you like, or just press the holes into it like I did)

Preheat your oven to 350 deg F and place your cookies on baking sheets lined with parchment paper. Bake for 7 - 8 minutes (watch the cookies carefully, baking time may vary depending on your oven).

And that's it! These cookies are adorable and will make great party favors or little gifts! Happy baking, everyone!

I'm linking to...

The Perfect Scone

Some of my favorite memories of living in England are those of going to the Borough Market in London on Saturday mornings. This huge market has the most amazing selection of products, from wonderful organic fruits and vegetables, beautiful flowers, and fragrant cheeses, to homemade jams and spreads and delicious baked goods, of course! One of these baked goods - The Scone. An English classic that's easy and quick to make, doesn't require many ingredients, and tastes perfectly delicious with a pot of English Breakfast Tea!

Delicious Baked Goods at the Borough Market

The Olive Stand

The Mushroom Stand

RAISIN SCONES

(Adapted from Jaime Oliver's Jamie's Food Revolution)

INGREDIENTS (to make about 10 scones):

1 cup raisins (you can use less if you don't like as many raisins)

1 cup orange juice to soak your raisins in (this is optional)

4 cups all purpose flour

2 tsp baking powder

1/2 cup unsalted butter (1 stick)

2 large eggs

1/3 cup milk

Pinch of salt

For serving - jam/jelly, either clotted cream/whipped heavy cream or creme fraiche

DIRECTIONS:

First, soak your raisins in orange juice (you can skip this step if you don't have any orange juice). In your mixer, combine flour, baking powder, salt and butter, until the mixture resembles coarse meal. In a small bowl, beat together your milk and eggs, and then add them to your flour mixture until all is well combined.

Drain the raisins, and add them to your dough. If the dough is not soft enough, add a little more milk. Now take your dough and place it on a floured surface, and roll it out into a disk that's about 3/4 inch thick.

Next, begin cutting out your scone circles using a 2 1/2 inch round cutter (I didn't have one and just used the rim of a glass), and place them on a baking sheet lined with parchment paper. Brush each scone with a little bit of milk so it bakes to a beautiful golden color.

Preheat your oven to 400 deg F (204 deg C), and bake your scones for 12-15 minutes, until they are golden brown, they will rise a little bit in the oven. Let them cool.

Now this is the fun part - serving them! Slice each scone in half across the middle, spread some jam on the bottom part, add a dollop of cream, and top with the other half of the scone! DELICIOUS!!! You will want to drink some English Breakfast Tea with those scones, of course! Happy baking!!!

The finished product!

I am linking to:

Rustic Apple Galette

I couldn't agree more with Jane Austen when she said, "Good apple pies are a considerable part of our domestic happiness".

I've already posted my favorite apple pie recipe, but since according to Miss Austen and myself, apple pies give us so much happiness, here is a variation on the classic pie. This Apple Galette is VERY quick and easy to make, and just as good and comforting as a pie you've spent lots of time on. Plus it looks really pretty when it's done! Give it a try and you won't be disappointed!

RUSTIC APPLE GALETTE

(From The Williams Sonoma Baking Book)

PASTRY DOUGH INGREDIENTS:

1 1/4 cups (200g) all purpose flour

1 tbs sugar

1/4 tsp salt

1/2 cup (125g) unsalted butter, chilled and cut into small cubes

3 tbs ice water

FILLING INGREDIENTS:

4 large apples, peeled and thinly sliced

2 tbs sugar

1 tbs cold unsalted butter, cut into very small pieces

DIRECTIONS:

In your mixer, combine flour, sugar and salt. Begin adding butter, until the mixture resembles coarse meal. Continuing to mix, add the ice water and mix until the dough holds together. Form the dough into a disk, wrap in plastic wrap and refrigerate for 20 minutes.

Take your dough and roll it out into a 12-in (30 cm) round. Prepare a baking sheet lined with parchment paper (it doesn't need to be greased) and place your dough on it.

Take your thinly sliced apples, and arrange them on your dough, leaving a 1 to 2-in (2.5 - 5cm) border around the edges. Now begin folding the uncovered border of dough over the apples, and dot them with the small pieces of butter and sprinkle with sugar. Take some aluminum foil and cover the dough edges of the galette with it, so they don't burn or unfold while it is baking. Refrigerate the galette for 20 - 30 minutes, until the dough is nice and firm.

Preheat your oven to 425 deg F (220 deg C) and bake the galette for 15 minutes, then reduce the oven temperature to 375 deg F (190 deg C) for another 30 - 40 minutes, until the apples are soft and bubbling, and the crust is golden brown. Depending on your oven type, baking time may vary.

Let the galette cool for a couple minutes before eating, serve with vanilla ice cream, or anything else you would typically serve with your apple pie! Super easy AND delicious! Happy baking!

"Little Darling, it's been a long cold lonely winter..."

So it definitely HAS been a very long and cold winter here on the east coast, and what's the best way to bring warmth to your home on cold and snowy days when you can stay in? If you have a fireplace, that's one way to do it, but if you're like me and don't have one, the next best thing is baking, of course! The following recipe for Glazed Cinnamon Buns is guaranteed to impress, and bring warmth into your home on any cold night! Even though spring is coming (at least I'd like to believe that it is...!) don't wait till next winter to make these, they are AMAZING! One of my favorite things to bake! Hope it becomes one of your favorites too!

Glazed Cinnamon Buns

(adapted from Taste of Home)

*Makes 12 buns*

Dough Ingredients:

1 package active dry yeast (3/4 oz or 7g)

1/2 cup plus 1/8 cup warm water

3/4 cup warm milk

1/2 cup softened butter (4 oz or 113g)

1 egg

1/8 cup honey

1 tsp salt

3 1/2 cups all purpose flour

Filling Ingredients:

3 tbs softened butter (about 14g)

1 cup brown sugar

2 tsp ground cinnamon (you can add more if you'd like a more intense cinnamon flavor)

1/4 cup to 1/2 cup raisins (again, you can add as much as you like)

Glaze Ingredients:

(You may have some glaze left over with these measurements)

1 1/2 cups confectioners' sugar

3 tbs softened butter (NEEDS to be soft)

1/2 tsp vanilla extract (you can use 1 tsp if you want a stronger vanilla flavor)

3-4 tbs milk

Directions:

First make your dough. In a large bowl, dissolve yeast in warm water. Let it stand for 5 minutes. Add milk, butter, egg, honey and salt. Start adding flour in portions, and mix in your mixer on low speed for a couple of minutes. It should make a soft, elastic dough.

Turn the dough out onto a floured surface, and knead for 6 - 8 minutes. Place in a large greased bowl, cover and let rise in a warm place until doubled in size (for about an hour).

Punch the dough down, and on a floured surface, roll out into a rectangle (size should be about 14-in x 8-in or 35cm x 20cm). Now you can start with the filling - spread the 3 tbs of softened butter over the dough. Combine brown sugar with cinnamon and raisins, and sprinkle evenly over the dough, leaving a thin border around the edges.

Roll the dough up jelly-roll style (starting with the long side) and pinch the ends so they seal and your filling doesn't leak. Using a sharp knife, cut the roll into 12 equal slices. Place the slices (cut side down) into a greased baking dish (about 8-in x 11-in dish). Cover with a cloth kitchen towel, and let rise for another 30 minutes.

Bake at 350 deg F (or 176 deg C) for 25 - 30 minutes, until the buns are golden brown. Let them cool for 10 minutes.

To make the glaze, in a large bowl, combine confectioners' sugar, softened butter, vanilla, and enough milk to give the glaze the consistency you want. Drizzle over the buns evenly.

And that's it! Easy to make, delicious to eat and share with your friends and family! They are best eaten warm, but you can always reheat them too! Happy baking!

A Pie Story

I’m convinced that a good pie is better than any fancy cake you could ever bake. There’s nothing as comforting and satisfying as a good pie. Everyone has their own signature version of the famous apple pie, and this is mine; and I guess Martha Stewart’s too (since this is her recipe!) This apple pie is best served warm with vanilla ice cream, and makes both a great dessert for a dinner party or a casual night in at home!

Classic Greenmarket Apple Pie

(Martha Stewart)

(Makes one 9-in double crust pie)

Pie Crust Ingredients:

2 1/2 cups all purpose flour

1 tsp kosher salt

1 tsp sugar

1 cup (2 sticks) unsalted butter

1/4 cup - 1/2 cup ice water

Pie Filling Ingredients:

3 tbs all purpose flour

3 lbs (about 8 medium sized) peeled and sliced apples

2 tbs fresh lemon juice

1/4 cup sugar

1 tsp ground cinnamon

1/4 tsp ground nutmeg

1 tsp kosher salt

Egg Wash Ingredients:

1 egg yolk

1 tbs cold water

Directions to make your Pie:

Mix together flour, salt and sugar. Add the unsalted butter, cut into small pieces, and combine until mixture looks like coarse meal. Begin adding the ice water slowly with the mixer running, until the dough begins to hold together.

Turn out onto a floured surface and divide into two pieces. Wrap each piece in plastic wrap, and refrigerate for 30 min to an hour before using. (This will make the dough easier to work with and help the pastry to bake better).

Take your dough out of the refrigerator, and roll the first piece into a circle that’s about 13-in in diameter (to fit a 9-in pan dish). This will be the bottom layer of the pie, transfer it into your greased dish, and press into sides. Prick the bottom with a fork a couple times so that it doesn’t rise as it bakes.

Peel and chop your apples, and in a large bowl toss them with the lemon juice, flour, sugar, cinnamon and nutmeg and salt.

Arrange your apples into the crust, and roll out the second piece of dough, just like the first. Place on top of the apples, you should have a border of dough hangs over the dish, tuck the dough under, and crimp the edges with a fork. This will seal the sides and make sure that no liquids escape.

Chill the pie in the fridge for another 15 minutes (this will make it firmer, and will make it easier for you to brush the pie with the egg wash. However, if you’re in a hurry, you can skip this step!)

Remove the pie from the fridge, and make an egg wash by combining an egg yolk with a tbs of cold water. Brush the pie with the egg wash, and cut four vents at the top of the pie, so that steam can escape while your pie bakes.

Preheat your oven to 425 deg F and bake for about 25 minutes, until the crust begins to look golden brown, then lower the oven temperature to 350 deg F and bake for another 25 to 30 minutes until it is golden brown and the juices are bubbling. Let stand for 30 minutes before serving. All you need is some vanilla ice cream, or any other ice cream you like to serve with your warm apple pie!

I'm linking to

Hello Blog World!

Welcome to my blog! I've been thinking about starting a blog for the longest time, and after reading so many beautiful and inspiring blogs out there, and my friends telling me to start my own, I finally have and here it is! I guess I've been wanting write a blog ever since I saw Julie&Julia, although I don't have as clear a plan for my blog as Julie Powell did with hers in the mentioned book/movie. What will my blog be about? A little of this, a little of that. I love decorating and interior design, painting and drawing, cooking and baking, traveling and doing new things... so that should give you a clue! If you want to know a little more about me, read my bio! Thanks for stopping by, happy reading!