Day & Night

Bright Citrus

I haven't had homemade cookies in the house for far too long. I finally I rectified this terrible situation by making some lemon snickerdoodles (snickerdoodles dressed up with bright lemon zest!) and now I am convinced that they are the perfect Springtime cookie.

Lemon Snickerdoodles

+1 cup (16 tablesppons) butter
+1 1/3 c. sugar
+grated zest of one lemon
+2 eggs
+1 tsp. vanilla
+3 c. white flour
+1 tsp. baking soda
+1 tsp. cream of tarter
+1/4 tsp. salt

+2 tsp. cinnamon
+sugar for rolling

In a large bowl, beat butter and sugar until thick and creamy. Beat in lemon zest, eggs and vanilla. In a separate bowl, mix together the flour, baking soda, cream of tarter, and salt. Gradually add to butter mixture, blending thoroughly.
In a small bowl, combine the cinnamon and extra sugar. Shape dough into small balls, then roll sugar mixture to coat. Place ~2 inches apart on greased baking sheets. Bake at 375 for ~ 12 minutes or until lightly browned. Let sit on cookie sheet for a minute, then transfer to a rack to cool.

Moving Day

Not moving day for us, thankfully, but we agreed to help our friends transport their beat-up piano from their old apartment into their new house yesterday. Since the piano was missing two of it's wheels and was as heavy as a hippo, when I say "help" for my part I really mean, "stand back taking pictures while the boys almost kill themselves trying to move the thing."

Weekend Pairings - Roaring

-Do you ever feel like the work-to-play ratio of a weekend sometimes gets a little off? That's what happened this weekend.
-We still managed some relaxing moments, though.
-Another trip to Cafe Besalu for Sunday brunch was a high point, as was reading a bit with the cat and the boy as the weather schizophrenically went from torrential rain to piercing sun.
-We used a break between the many downpours to pick up some new flowers at the Farmers Market.
-Enjoyed a letter from a dear friend who I can't wait to see when we visit San Fran in May.

So March, you know that "in like a lion, out like a lamb" business? Why are you not abiding by this?
Maybe your sibling April will be more well-behaved.

Pause

We've been making some small adjustments and new purchases for the apartment lately in the name of Spring cleaning and it makes the whole place feel refreshed. Sitting in the afternoon after work over a little laté and steeping in my cozy home before getting ready for dinner and the rest of the evening is one of the highlights of my day.

Simply Complex

I love these illustrations from laura little hand's Flickr. The middle one especially I wish I could get a print of! She has a blog, but unfortunately for me, it's all in French. Le sigh.

Dandylion Rose

I couldn't resist. I bought a ranunculus. I don't know if it will really get enough light to survive in the long run, but even if it's only here for a short time, it's presence has made me so happy.

Cake Dresses

Let this one sink in: Marit Fujiwara created these pieces for her BA show in Textile Design from Chelsea College of Art and Design. Impressive work to begin with, the fact that it was done for her undergrad final show just blows my mind.

Walk to Work II

The camellia bush outside my work is so full of red blossoms. I haven't seen the Tim Burton movie (and I don't really want to), but every time I walk by this bush I think of Alice in Wonderland and the kingdom of the Queen of Hearts.

Walk to Work I

I've been feeling outrageously tired in the mornings lately, but my short walk to work from where the bus drops me off helps wake me up a little. Passing by the same way every day, it's been fun to watch everything open up more and more as Spring gets going.

Weekend Pairings - Red Wine & Daffodils

-After the kitten's final vet checkup on Saturday, the boy and I played tourist downtown. The weather was lovely.
-We paid our respects to the legendary Elliot Bay Book Co. It will be so sad to see that building empty once they're gone.
-Since we purchased a new wine rack last weekend, we felt obliged this weekend to fill it up a bit...and then promptly emptied it again. Oops.
-Watched far too many old episodes of Survivor--the boy has gotten me hooked, unfortunately.
-Got my spider plant bébés all ready to root and make a new plant.

I'm practically X-ing out the days on my calendar until March is over. How are you doing?

Happens Every Year

My granola bars didn't quite hold together, so I crumbled them into a mason jar and now I have lots of granola ready for breakfast next week. I absolutely never eat granola in the winter--I'm craving it's warm cousin oatmeal instead. The fact that granola is starting to look good to me again is as sure a sign of Spring in my apartment as the daffodils and tulips coming up outside.

Have a wonderful weekend!

Sea Dreams

I haven't visited the ocean since last summer. My family recently took a trip to Westport, Washington, and their photos make me miss the coast so much.

Mid-March

Green & olive & beige, in & around the apartment.

Fitting

Spring Bear by LizzyStewart . Vintage Studded Leather Chest by ethanollie
Arrow Earrings by chainchainchained . Romantic Mug by almapottery

Some recent Etsy faves.

I've enjoyed photographing eggs ever since I fell in love with the work of Czech photographer Josef Sudek. Whenever I bake I bring the eggs I need for the recipe out and let them sit on the counter as I work. I usually can't help but take their portraits--this time the strawberries had to get in on the action as well.

Lighttime

It's so dark when I get up in the morning for work that it feels almost unbearably like the dead of night, but the extra light around 5 PM is like a gift from the universe.

Weekend Pairings - Sweetness

-Frenzies of Spring Cleaning--it feels so good to get the apartment ready for the coming season.
-Maple-whiskey cupcakes and dinner at one of my absolute favorites, Root Table.
-The always amazing Laura Veirs at the Tractor Tavern...this time 8 months pregnant! What a sweet rock'n'roll mum-to-be.
-Some tracks from this upcoming album--I adore the whole "New British Folk" scene that she seems to be a part of.
-Thinking about how much lighter it will be in the afternoons is making me unbelievably happy.