What I Wore Sunday

Summer is here. It has been HOT this week. I wore this dress because it is so loose and comfy. 

Dress::Gap

Sunglasses:: Marc Jacobs

Flats:: Nine West
I love seeing what the ladies on Fine Linen and purple wore this Sunday

Notice D's pants and socks? He has been reading the Magic Tree House books by Mary Pope Osborne. He really liked the book where Jack and Annie go to the 1889 World's Fair in Paris. D was trying to look like Jack in 1889. He was going for the short pants and high socks look.

Kindle

I have a couple books on hold at the library. While I am on the waiting list for those books I borrowed F.W.'s Kindle. It has taken a little getting used to. The one thing I like about the Kindle is you can order books by the touch of the finger...which is also dangerous($)! It definitely takes up less space in my bag.

San Diego County Fair

 The theme of the SD Fair this year is Game On 

We are so lucky this summer because our niece from North Carolina is visiting California.

 The best thing about the fair is the fried food. This year there was a special emphasis on bacon. Seemed like EVERYTHING was wrapped in bacon! We tried the deep fried chocolate chip cookie dough. It was good but super sweet and gooey. The hubby was the only one brave enough to try the Krispy Kreme sloppy joe sandwich.

 D did not want to share his deep fried cookie dough with me.

 Don't touch the llama

 Mama and her baby calf

The hubby and F.W. ended the night on the wild side. They rode the slingshot...twice!

Z a novel

I just finished reading Z a novel of Zelda Fitzgerald. It is a work of fiction but most of the  people portrayed in this book like Hemingway, the Murphys and Sara Haardt, existed. At the start of the novel Zelda and F. Scott Fitzgerald are SO in love you feel like these kids could conquer the world. However as the novel and time goes on they can't party forever. Jealousies, self doubt and alcoholism destroy their love for one another. Although I knew these lovers were doomed I thoroughly enjoyed this book. I just love reading about the jazz age. Zelda is such a likable free spirit. She is the life of the party.
From one marriage to another...

Today is my wedding anniversary. We've been married long enough that it feels like I've known him my whole life. D saw this picture and said "Wow, You guys look young." 

Peanut Butter Cupcakes

 Peanut Butter Cupcakes with Hershey chocolate frosting

My new favorite cookbook 

I've never been to the Primrose Bakery in London but I love their cozy simple cookbook. This cookbook is filled with lots of different cupcake recipes. Some very basic cupcakes like pumpkin or raspberry. Other more exotic flavors like lime and coconut. I made the peanut butter cupcakes. D loves them. He likes them without frosting and calls them a muffin. I might have to make these again for D's birthday.

A Week in Winter

In July of last year Maeve Binchy passed away in Ireland. A Week in Winter was her final book. Through the years I've read a lot of Maeve Binchy's books. Her stories are always a nice little vacation for me.  I couldn't wait for A Week in Winter to be published in the US. It's about a B&B in the west of Ireland in the fictional town Stoneybrook. A Week in Winter has a large cast of characters some from her other novels like Heart and Soul and Tara Road.  This book was interesting to me because there is a lot of talk of death and what your life amounts to. I am not sure how Maeve Binchy died but it must have been on her mind while writing this book.

I think I am ready for Summer

 This is my favorite summer nail color. It is Nan by Julep. It doesn't show up so well in the picture but it is a faded red khaki color.

 Last day of school. F.W is jazzed and D is having a hard time saying good bye to kindergarten. I think it will take me at least a week to get into the summer groove. Last year's summer learning theme was science. I am not sure yet what we are going to focus on this summer.

Farewell school

Mini Vanilla Cupcakes

Today I made mini vanilla cupcakes to celebrate Summer birthdays at the school. All those poor kids that miss out because they were born during the summer months. These bite sized treats taste yummy but I forgot to add vanilla extract to the chocolate frosting. So the frosting is REALLY rich. I don't think the kindergartners will mind...haha. If I was putting the frosting on a full sized cupcake it would be to much but since these are minis I think it will be alright.  

Maple Scones

 I love Starbuck's Maple Scone. At first I wanted to make a copycat of Starbuck's maple scones but then I thought why not simplify the scone? These are a lighter tea scone...no oats or nuts. Scones pair so well with a warm cup of tea or a hot latte. Today I gave them to the teachers at D's school so I wouldn't eat them all.

 In a large bowl mix 3 cups flour, 4 tablespoons brown sugar, 1 1/2 teaspoon baking powder, 1 1/2 teaspoon baking soda and pinch of salt. Use a fork and blend together.

 Cut 1 1/2 stick cold butter into cubes. Mix together with you hands.

 Stir in 1/2 cup pure maple syrup and 1/2 cup whipping cream

 Knead dough gently on a flat floured surface. Use your hands and flatten the dough into an 8 inch circle. Then cut the dough into wedges. Bake at 375 for 20 minutes.