Edible Stars

All I'm saying is this would be a great Independence Day gift. 

A Must-have

Besides the wonderful food and romantic ambiance these utensil holders made my night even more of a dream come true! Does anyone know where to find these? I've only found bamboo ones. 

I have to have these for future at-home romantic meals and entertaining!

And for those of you who are also devout fans of Gordon Ramsey and/or gourmet food. 

Here is what we ordered at Maze.

Me

-Marinated beetroot, ricotta, pine nut and Cabernet Sauvignon dressing*

-Carnaroli risotto of Maine lobster, English peas and preserved Meyer lemon*

-Steamed halibut with sauteed morels, chicken livers and Cabernet Sauvignon vinegar

-Pan fried branzino, tomato and olive fondue, baby artichokes and anchovy butter

My Hubby

-Heirloom tomato salad, Burrata mozzarella, basil pesto and watercress*

-Hand dived sea scallops roasted with spices, golden raisin puree and cauliflower beignets*

-Honey and soy roasted quail, with sauteed foie gras and spiced pear chutney

-Fillet of Brandt beef, morels with braised short rib, glazed asparagus*

...and for dessert

Me- Valrhona chocolate fondant with green cardamom caramel, sea salt and almond ice cream

My Hubby - Apple and caramel trifle with cider granite and cinnamon doughnut

*indicates favorite dishes we highly recommend 

Corn Stripper

Anyone tried this product yet? 

I'm more likely to eat my corn straight off the cob, but I think this would be great for freezing purposes.

Americana Ornaments

These wool applique ornaments are my latest project. I have already completed two of them! They are perfect to work on while I watch my Arrested Development DVDs.

You can find these at the adorable American Quilting store in Orem, or online at Under the Garden Moon.

I've also made the Valentines ornaments and have yet to start on the Easter ones. I absolutely love these little projects and find them to make cute decorations.

I can't say enough about American Quilting and its owner Amy McClellan. The store is adorable, filled with cute projects and offers many classes. I'm new to quilting and absolutely inspired.

You may recall a brief post about my first quilt and quilting class. Well, it got put on hold temporarily as I came down with strep and had miss the last two classes. Expect an update and finished quilt front by the end of the summer, along with monthly updates of a year-long quilting class I'm taking there.

If you're looking for a project or class of your own there are many to choose from.

American Quilting July Classes/Events

July 5: This and That (New kits available for purchase, mostly small projects, holiday gift items & gift ideas)

July 8: Nursing Cover 6-8 p.m.

July 9: Happy Endings (binding) 4-6 p.m.

July 15: Mom & Me Apron 2-4 p.m.

July 16: Scalloped Binding 5-7 p.m.

July 25-26: Sidewalk Sale

July 29: Square Deal 5-7 p.m. (Technique class, let's you "quilt" as you go, using small pieces and lots of different fabrics)

July 30: Buggy Barn (Come cute out your entire quilt and sew one block using their buggy ban patterns)

*Pick up a complete summer event and class schedule at the store*

**Did I mention Under the Garden Moon has a free pattern on their site?

Happy Anniversary

Happy Anniversary to me and my hubby!

Please enjoy {viewing} my wedding cake!

Detail Info: Four tier oval cake...yes the same shape as my diamond! Flavors differ on each layer.

Cake: Marilyn Jenkins

Flowers: Wendy, The Flower Affair

Photography: Bob Boyd Photography

Location: Morinda Gardens at Tahitian Noni International, Orem

Cupcake Candleholders

Now I just need a reason to put candles on a cake!

Found at Kate's Paperie in SoHo.

FYI: They also have footballs, animals, dumptrucks and other fun themes!

Bow Tie Wrap

I know, I know, lots of Martha these days. But I can't resist.

...too bad my Dad's gift is a simple brown box sent via UPS.

Flag Day

This is a cute idea for displaying flags on June 14! (though I'd change the basket)
More ideas from Martha here.
Happy Flag Day!

Family Art Days!

Short notice? Yes.
But this looks so FUN! I would go TOMORROW if I were in Utah.

BYU's Museum of Art is hosting their
Annual Family Art Days, with the theme of "MOA KNIGHTS."

Here's whats in store: story telling, face painting, Renaissance and folk dance instruction, Medieval art activity, Castle building, Screenings of the animated film "Quest for Camelot, treats, balloons and other surprises.

When: June 11 & 12, 10 a.m. - 3 p.m.
Where: BYU Museum of Art. Location/Directions here.
Click here for a complete schedule.

Mornings at the Museum

This little museum will always hold a special place in my heart. I worked as their promotions manager for two years and fell in love.

If you're looking for something to do with your kids, check out BYU's Museum of Peoples and Cultures. They have specific programming geared towards young children called Mornings at the Museum.

Details: Tuesday 10:30 a.m. & Thursdays 1:30 p.m. beginning June 3
Cost: Free, but space is limited. Their site says it is full, but to check back for cancellations
For: Children ages 3-12, accompanied by an adult
Where: Museum of Peoples and Cultures, BYU. 700 n 100 E (one block south of Brick Oven)

Description: Hour long session that includes cultural presentation, stories and a hands-on activity that children bring home.

Mornings at the Museum Schedule:

	June	3, 5	Pottery
		10, 12	Kachinas
		17, 19	Archaeology
		24,26	Pottery
	July	1, 3	Kachinas
		8, 10	Archaeology
		15, 17	Pottery
		22	Dance
		29, 31	Kachinas
	August	5, 7	Archaeology

Check out their other fun and educational programming: Family Nights, Guided Tours, Culture-Me-Mine Date Nights, Summer Treasure Hunt, and Scout Activity Patches. Any teacher's reading? Click here.

{Dig in}

Eleni's Cookies

I explored Eleni's adorable sweet shop at Chelsea Market last week.

Loved it.

{baked fresh daily}

Monstrous, Huge, Unbelievably Big Bubbles

I saw a couple playing with this at Riverside Park the other day.

Wouldn't this make a summer date or afternoon with the kids so much fun?

Also, if you're new to Klutz.com, check out some of my other favorites like the Make Paper Flowers Book , Shrinky Dinks and Make Your Own Twirly Tutu. Don't leave the site without browsing the building cards books, the How to Build Castles book is now on sale!

Unicorn in Captivity

I just bought a smaller print of this tapestry.

I'm enchanted bythe narrative of The Unicorn Tapestries displayed at The Cloisters, the branch of the Metropolitan Museum of Art devoted to the art and architecture of medieval Europe.

I plan to frame and display it in a future "master" bedroom.
The reason, you ask?
Read this from the museum's description:

"In this instance, the unicorn probably represents the beloved tamed. He is tethered to a tree and constrained by a fence, but the chain is not secure and the fence is low enough to leap over. The unicorn could escape if he wished but clearly his confinement is a happy one, to which the ripe, seed-laden pomegranates in the tree—a medieval symbol of fertility and marriage—testify. The red stains on his flank do not appear to be blood, as there are no visible wounds like those in the hunting series; rather, they represent juice dripping from the bursting pomegranates above. Many of the other plants represented here, such as wild orchid, bistort, and thistle, echo this theme of marriage and procreation: they were acclaimed in the Middle Ages as fertility aids for both men and women..."

Sorta tender and sweet? Yes.

Watch Less. Write More.

I saw these at Kate's Paperie the other day.
So true.

Stack up

Wouldn't these stack up nicely?

My own combination of this and this, via paint.

{wishing!}

Stork Cake

I know, I know some of you have seen this before. But if this blog is going to catalogue my quest for domestication then I must have all of the journey on here.

I made this cake for my sister-in-law's baby shower back in March. It was by far one of the funnest cakes to make. Oh and did I mention it was huge?

The cake itself was vanilla with a Nutella buttercream frosting. I used Wilton's ready made fondant and Wilton's classic buttercream recipe beneath.

The idea came from Wilton's "Celebrate with Fondant" book.

Zinnia Knob

I love this Zinnia Knob from Anthropologie. It would go so well with my idea for a robin's egg blue, brown and cream room for a little girl. And oh mom, if you're reading this...can I please have the brown dresser I had in my nursery as a baby? Can't you so see this on on it? Please?!!

Kitchen Playdates

I spent a good half hour or so thumbing through this wonderful cookbook at Anthropologie today. I love the concept of the whole thing--entertaining and cooking with others, including the kids.

The book has 70 recipes, menus, activities and 10 "playdates." Note: some may consider some of the meals not-so-kid perfect, aka duck, lamb, pickled shrimp with mango and fennel. So be cautious.

Overall though, I would love to cook from Lauren Bank Dean's, a former-Food Network Producer, cookbook and I love her enthusiasm about involving children in the kitchen.

Read more reviews here.

Tie Cake

If I were home for Father's Day this year,
I'd be making my Dad a cake inspired by this.

If you try it, be sure to make Peg's Marshmallow Fondant.
Remember, I talked about it here!