Inspired by a photo project completed by a talented friend at work this week, the 7yo and I decide to give it a go.
We had grandiose ideas of Barbie lounging in an amazing candy world, Katy Perry style, but lacked the know-how, patience, and ton of candy required to make it a reality.
We settled for Barbie sunning herself on a graham/marshmallow bench:
Sunny spring
About this photo series:
Fifty-two of Me is a self portrait project. I’m doing one self portrait a week all year in 2013 (you can see that I’m falling a bit behind…). I’m kind of a terrible photographer, but it’s more about the creative exercise of how to capture myself, and really, the fun of it. See all of my portraits here.
Spring
Really too cold to go barefoot, but still. I can’t tell you how happy I am to see signs of warmer weather and living plants.
About this photo series:
Fifty-two of Me is a self portrait project. I’m doing one self portrait a week all year in 2013. I’m kind of a terrible photographer, but it’s more about the creative exercise of how to capture myself, and really, the fun of it. See all of my portraits here.
Can you see all those eggs in the grass?
And all these kids waiting at the starting line?
A whistle blew at 11AM sharp and off they went.
My 12yo described it as less of an Easter Egg Hunt and more of an Easter Egg free-for-all.
This is a recipe that ran in the St. Louis Post Dispatch about ten or twenty years ago. My cousin made it for us as part of an amazing feast last time I was visiting.
(I wish I had a photo that really did it justice, but it was a night party and it was getting eaten up too fast to find proper lighting.)
St. Louis Gooey Butter Cake
For crust:
For filling:
For crust, combine flour and sugar in a bowl, then cut in butter. Pat into the bottom of a 9X9 baking dish. For filling, beat sugar and butter until fluffy. Add egg, and mix until combined. Alternate flour and evaporated milk, mixing after each addition. Mix in vanilla and corn syrup. Pour filling onto crust, then sprinkle with powdered sugar. Bake at 350 for 25-35 minutes. Do not overbake.
“I need a way to look at my iPad in the bathtub,” said hubs last week.
I thought it was a joke.
“I’m going to build a bathtub shelf.”
Apparently, that’s a real thing. And he really built one. It’s oak, and has a slot to prop up your iPad or your book.
I think if you lit up those candles, poured yourself a glass of wine, and locked your family out of the bathroom, this thing would have serious usefulness.
I’m so impressed with it, that I’m going to sell them at my Etsy store. Get one for yourself.
And by fun, I mostly mean food. I already told you how fabulous the grocery was there. Now check out this fantastic spread my cousin put together for a family party.
(I know it’s dark, but it was night there.)
Homemade meatballs in sweet sauce:
Funeral sandwiches – I will need to get you the recipe for this. They were ham and cheese on Hawaiian rolls, baked with some kind of amazing glaze.
Corn and bean salsa:
Have you ever had these things? They are dill pickles wrapped in cream cheese and dried beef. Soooo good.
St. Louis gooey butter cake – I’ll have this recipe for you Thursday.
Chocolate peanut butter bars – delectable.
Here’s my beautiful Aunt Susie. Love her.
And my cousins and me:
Jenny, on the left, is the one who hosted the party. It was for at least 20 people, and she has four kids under 10, and she did all the prep and cooking herself. whew. I forgot to take a picture of the Whiskey Sour slush she also made. I needed a few of those after just thinking about doing all that work with four kids running around.
I sincerely hope all of you have a family as nice as mine.
You know one of the things I really love?
An awesome grocery store.
I’m thrilled with this trend of grocery stores becoming more of a destination, instead of just a place to get staples.
Below are a few shots from Dierbergs in St. Louis (which of course I visited during a visit there like it was some kind of tourist attraction).
They had fun signs pointing the way. Note the covered parking and wifi lounge.
LOVE this cheese section.
Even the elevator had some fun elements. Why, yes thank you, I will start shopping!
They have some interesting artifacts on the walls that showcase their history,
and even a cute little wine bar upstairs.
In Columbus, I love going to the Giant Eagle Market District in UA. The new Whole Foods on Lane also promises to be fabulous.
What’s your favorite destination grocery?
Thoughtful
An Instagram shot that turned out nicely. I’m trying to keep these self portraits as real as possible, but can’t deny that I like the way an Instagram filter smooths fine lines and wrinkles, just like all those beauty creams are supposed to.
About this photo series:
Fifty-two of Me is a self portrait project. I’m doing one self portrait a week all year in 2013. I’m kind of a terrible photographer, but it’s more about the creative exercise of how to capture myself, and really, the fun of it. See all of my portraits here.
