slateblu

today...

I took the day off.  Took the kiddies to the doctor for flu shots.  Ava wasn't too happy and already knew what was coming. After the doctors, drove to Calumet for some photography accessories; cleaned the house; laundry; took photos of random things; baked cupcakes with the kids; and did some reading...of course photos for this post:

My dad's camera that he bought when he was in the US Navy.  His name was carved on the top of it.

oh...and got my mail order shoes on my front doorstep...very comfortable...I wish I had these when I was in Paris. A sporty walking type of shoe...

   

pictures of food...

My high school friends are trying to organize a reunion.  Six of us met up a few weeks ago for a meeting/get-together at Fresca in Noe Valley.  It was more like catch-up than planning though. Lots of talking about the past and what we're all doing now. We were there for 4 hours!  Food was delicious and so was dessert:

On the way home I bought some cupcakes for the kiddies.  Practiced some tabletop photography before we ate them:

Also took pictures of my favorite spring rolls from Out the Door.  It was for Nicole's class.

She wanted us to take a picture as if we were styling a cover for a magazine :

I modeled my picture after Sunset Magazine.

   
 

i "heart" french macarons

Although these macarons are not LADUREE I can still enjoy French macarons in the States from Paulette: 

  

 

 

 

My sister spoiled me in June for my birthday and bought me a Paulette Macaron Birthday Cake.

cupcakes

I wouldn't of known about Martha Stewart's cupcake show had I not read this from JustJenn's blog.  I decided to make the Pure Cupcakes that were featured on her show. I liked the fact that she used parchment paper for cupcake liners.  Here are my pictures:

 
 

   

It was a little messy but the batter that baked on the paper easily peeled off so you still can have a clean cupcake.  I altered the recipe a bit with the self-rising and regular flour.  The recipe was really close to the Magnolia recipe except it had an extra egg and used buttermilk instead of milk - plus there was a lot more of vanilla.  A very good cupake.

Also, for my mom's b-day in January my sister and I bought cupcakes from Sibby's Cupcakery.  We bought red velvet w/ cream cheese frosting.  These were delicious and I think the best bought cupcake I've ever tried.

   

 

 

thanksgiving --

I hope everyone had a good one.  Turkey day is now  officially over.  We went to my aunt's house for dinner and everyone brought a little something. I made this macaroni and cheese. It was good but it is an expensive dish...using sharp white cheddar and gruyere cheese.

I also did some Martha Stewart time saving tips.  Pre-meaure your dry ingredients in ziplocs and when you're ready, just mix your wet ingredients. I got these colorful baggies from Ikea.

...and just to share a photo of girlie shoes I got for Ava from Target.