exit, pursued by bear

decisions, decisions ...

Silliest post ever! I realize that in the grand scheme of things, this particular decision doesn't really amount to much ... but it makes for a fun, interactive post, no? Plus, silly little posts should be required for dreary Mondays.

For your consideration ... I give you: KitchenAid Stand Mixer colors! I'm at a loss -- which color do you think I should register for?

{KitchenAid® Artisan® 5-Qt. Stand Mixer in Ice - photo from Amazon}

{KitchenAid® Artisan® 5-Qt. Stand Mixer in Green Apple - photo from Amazon}

{KitchenAid® Artisan® 5-Qt. Stand Mixer in Crystal Blue - photo from Amazon}

{KitchenAid® Artisan® 5-Qt. Stand Mixer in Lemongrass - photo from Williams-Sonoma}

The Ice, Green Apple and Lemongrass are all available from two of the stores that we're registered at. Unfortunately, the snazzy Crystal Blue doesn't seem to be -- it actually may be discontinued, darn it.

Obviously I don't want a color that I will tire of/look dated/go out of style -- but at the same time, I do want a nice, cheerful color that will bring a smile to my face :o)

What do you think? Are there any other colors that I should be considering? Help me choose!

photo genius.

Saw this on Lifehacker today, Adobe has unveiled its free Photoshop Express web application. I'm really excited about this -- I love web-based applications, especially photo editing ones, like Picnik.

Regular Photoshop is such a big, somewhat unwieldy program -- and I don't like that it's such a space hog on my computer -- I always have felt that it makes my computer cranky. (This is probably my imagination -- I think I may have a problem with anthropomorphism, lol -- I do this a LOT with our two dogs ...).

Anyway! I'm anxious to give this a test drive. There are some examples of some of the "effects" you can use on their site -- the original photo:

And that same photo with the "sketch" effect applied:

{All photos from Adobe's Photoshop Express Web site}

Neat, huh?

flower query ...

Anyone know the name of those little round bundle-y things in this bouquet, scattered in with the anemones? Are they seed pods or something? Clearly language is failing me here ;o)

{photo from grlygrl15's bio, via Weddingbee}

impossible!

"there is no use trying," said alice... ..."one can't believe impossible things." "i dare say you haven't had much practice," said the queen. "when I was your age, i always did it for half an hour a day. Why, sometimes i've believed as many as six impossible things before breakfast."

(lewis carroll)

:: swoon ::

I am absolutely in LOVE with everything from Rosanna, this fabulous site I just discovered, thanks to the always in the know and uber-stylish kenzie kate at "something old, something new."

Seriously, I am having to restrain myself from posting pictures of absolutely everything on the site. These are the vases that she blogged about and spurred my love affair -- the colors and designs immediately caught my eye:

{American Bungalow Color Mini Vases - set of five - from Rosanna: $55}

Also in white!

{American Bungalow White Mini Vases - set of five - from Rosanna: $55}

Loving these little bird candlesticks, and the gift box is darling:

{Les Oiseaux Candle Holders - set of two - from Rosanna: $30}

Charming wine and water glasses -- I love colored glass:

{Cin Cin! Acqua Tumbler - set of six - from Rosanna: $84; Vino Wine Glass - set of six - from Rosanna: $102 (both currently sold out, call to reserve)}

More fabulous candlesticks:

{Dauphine Candlesticks - set of two - from Rosanna: $60 (Black and White versions); Gold Electroplate: $70}

Great plates (and mugs, too!):

{Mondo Dessert Plates - set of six - from Rosanna: $50; Mondo Mugs - set of six - from Rosanna: $60}

Phew! You must hustle your little bustle over there and check it out before I buy up the whole place! I think it looks like everything is really reasonably priced. Lots of great gift ideas for mother's day, shower thank you gifts, off-the-registry buys and more!

Oh! I almost forgot -- Rosanna Bowles (designer, president and owner of Rosanna Inc.) -- has a great blog called "Rosanna's Table Talk," full of entertaining tips, recipes and other fun details. I definitely recommend a visit!

chili-ing

I usually make a lot of chili in the winter - mainly because it's easy, I love it and there's usually a ton leftover, which makes lunch planning easier. I have a couple different recipes that I rotate, depending on what sounds good - a white bean chicken chili and a more traditional red bean and ground beef version. I'll have to dig up those both so I can share.

This year, for whatever reason -- I didn't make too many batches. And with spring approaching, there won't be too many opportunities to make chili as the weather warms. It just doesn't have the same appeal, does it?

But I came across this Rachael Ray recipe via shelteriffic today (part of their "real life test kitchen" series) -- and may just have to try it out: "Tex-Mex Corn Chip Chili."

{photo from Rachael Ray magazine}

Don't think the inclusion of Fritos and copious amounts of cheese make this exactly low-cal ... but in these waning days of winter, we might just need to go out with a bang, chili-wise I mean ;o)

how fortunate!

This caught my eye today and totally reminded me of my earlier post about another great fortune cookie related find on etsy:

{Fabric Fortune Cookies with free custom messages from etsy seller JamieKeiles - $18 for 8}

Fabric fortune cookies! How fab is that! Details from the listing:

This set includes 8 fabric fortune cookies. Your set will be the exact set shown above. They are ideal for baby announcements, save the dates, birthday cards, party decoration, proposals, change of address notifications, new years cards, or just to add a little something to somebody's day.

I will create a custom "fortune" insert for you. Each cookie can have a different fortune if you like. They can be in the traditional fortune cookie motif (seen above) or something right out of your head. You can even have blank inserts to handwrite on!

Your cookies will be delivered in a Chinese takeout carton. If you would like each cookie in a separate mini carton (for shipping, gift giving, etcetera), let me know and I'll see what I can do for you.

Cookies measure 2 inches by 2 inches approximately. They are one inch high.

I love custom orders! I can whip you up any number of these in any color, fabric, or size. Really. Discounts are available for large orders. Drop me a line and we can work something out.

Such a great idea -- wouldn't these make neat escort cards, decked out in a fun fabric that matches your theme/colors/reception decor?

I think these would make perfect save the dates and birth announcements. Too cute. Here are some sample messages:

busy, busy.

We had another one of those insanely busy weekends -- you know the kind, where you did so much you can barely recall what exactly did transpire? Yup -- one of those. I'm exhausted just thinking about it.

Saturday I was up early and running around like a crazy person. We were going to be having another couple over for dinner that night -- sort of like our first dinner party (is it a dinner party if it's only four of you?) -- so that demanded a lot of preparation and errand-related insanity.

While we are at Target, I made a little bit of an impulse purchase and bought some of the items that are a part of their new "Dwell Studio" line. I was pleased to see that their Dwell stuff wasn't going to just be limited to baby products -- they're doing bedding and table linens for adults :o)

I snagged this table runner, some placemats (reversible!) and the matching napkins:

{one side} {the other side} {all photos from Target}

So I really liked everything that I got -- and it looked great on our table. After our guests left, I was clearing the table and noticed that there were some spots on the placemats and on the runner -- the napkins got a little dirty too, of course. No problem! I got out my stain treater, sprayed the heck out of everything and popped them immediately into the washer, carefully following the instructions.

After they were done, I re-checked everything to see if the spots had come up. Everything looked fine, so off they went, into the dryer. But when we pulled them out, some of the stains were still there. GRRRRR!!!! I hate this! I hate when I'm really careful with everything, follow all the stain removing instructions word for word, wash immediately, re-check and STILL have stains!

I don't know if it's a problem with our washer (prob, since it's pretty crap) or the fabric itself or what, but GRRRR! I feel like I have to buy everything in duplicates to prevent this from happening. I just bought them and now they're practically ruined.

Boo to that.

passport to love.

Or even to a wedding!

{photo from Yaz Bites, via flickr}

Saw this while poking around flickr today -- thought it was a really unique idea, sort of a twist on the whole plane ticket invitation concept. Great for that international destination wedding! It's all lettepress, which is neat-o.

yum?

This picture might be slightly disturbing to some, but I have to admit that I'm intrigued ... I think Cadbury Creme Eggs are a bit of an aquired taste (and I know some people have very strong feelings of hatred), but I have always loved them -- and I may just have to give this recipe a try:

{photo and recipe from Baking Bites, via not martha}

This recipe calls for using the Mini Cadbury Creme Eggs (love!).

{photo from groovycandies.com}

Cadbury Creme Egg Muffins
2 cups all purpose flour
2 tsp baking powder
1/2 tsp salt
3/4 cup sugar
2 large eggs
1/3 cup butter, melted and cooled
1 tsp vanilla extract
1/2 cup milk
12 mini Cadbury creme eggs (not full size)

Preheat oven to 350F. Line a 12-cup muffin tin with paper liners.
In a large mixing bowl, whisk together flour, baking powder and salt.
In a small mixing bowl, whisk together sugar, eggs, melted butter and vanilla until smooth. Whisk in milk.
Pour wet ingredients into dry ingredients and stir until just combined and no streaks of flour remain. Evenly distribute muffin batter into prepared pan. Place 1 mini Cadbury creme egg in the center of each muffin. You can use a small knife to pull a bit of batter over the top of the mufin, if you like.
Bake for 14-16 minutes, until the top of the muffin springs back when lightly pressed and the edges are a light gold.
Cool on a wire rack before slicing.

Makes 12.

It's funny, I haven't had one Cadbury Creme Egg this Easter season ... I've probably missed my chance now too, but I hope not because I really want to try these out!

I'll keep you posted ;o)