25 June 2009

Michael Benjamin Cat

I was browsing icanhascheezburger.com this evening and came across a kitten that looks just like baby Michael Benjamin! Here he is!

funny pictures of cats with captions
see more Lolcats and funny pictures

And here's baby Michael B. to prove the resemblance:

Cute, no?

18 June 2009

Girl's Day Out

Yesterday found my best friend, Amina, and I in a flurry of beautiful things. We skipped our morning jog and, instead, dressed up to make a jam cake--which we ate out on the patio-- as well asvisit a few antique stores, make a stir-fry for lunch, and watch two absolutely terrible movies starring Jackson Rathbone: S. Darko, and Twilight. They were both awful, but we had a beautiful, lovely day.

Here are some pictures of our delicious jam cake, recipe from Gourmet magazine, December 2007, to follow.



Jam Crumb Cake

For Cake:
1 cup all-purpose flour
1/2 cup sugar
1 3/4 tsp. baking powder
1/4 tsp. salt
3/4 stick butter, melted
1/2 milk
1 large egg
1/2 cup raspberry jam
For Crumb Topping:
3/4 stick butter, melted
1/4 cup packed brown sugar
1/4 cup granulated sugar
3/4 tsp. cinnamon
1/8 tsp. salt
1 cup plus 2 tbsp. all-purpose flour

1. Preheat oven to 400°F with rack in the middle. Generously butter a 9-inch square or round cake pan.
2. Whisk together flour, sugar, baking powder, and salt.
3. Whisk together butter, milk, and egg in a large bowl, then whisk in flour mixture until just combined.
3. Pour batter into cake pan. Dollop jam all over surface, then swirl into batter with a spoon.
4. In another bowl, whisk together butter, sugars, cinnamon, and salt until smooth. Stir in flour, then blend with your fingertips until incorporated.
5. Sprinkle crumbs in large clumps over top of cake.
6. Bake cake about 20 minutes, until a toothpick inserted comes out clean.
7. Enjoy with a mild, fruity tea (we had a pomegranate green tea) or a smoky black.

Calaveras Big Trees State Park

It has come to my attention that one of my favourite places from my childhood, one Calaveras Big Trees State Park, is under danger of being shut down. This place is one of so much magic and beauty in my memories that I can hardly come to terms with this unfortunate threat. My family and I took a day trip to the park, which lies just outside of Arnold, CA, on Sunday, and here are a few of the photos I took of these magnificent giants.









05 June 2009

The Travelling Suit I would Die for!


http://clockworkcouture.com/?q=node/177

Here's a picture of the travelling suit I hope to receive for my birthday. Isn't it a beaut? Gotta love Clockwork Couture!