Old Brick Building in Malmö

What Are Your Favorite Souvenirs? (And a Contest)

My family will all be quick to tell you that I'm weird and frankly when one of my kids has said that I'm weird, my response has always been, "thank you. I take that as a compliment." 

This weekend started out so rainy and miserable and all I could do is think about being somewhere sunny and beachy which started me thinking about travel. 

What do you like to do when you travel?   Like most people I like seeing the top-rated "things to see" but I also enjoy visiting grocery stores (depending on what country I'm in) and stopping in the local music shop.  It's fun to be able to enjoy foods and music from other places long after I'm back home. 

One of my other things to do is to bring home bits of nature.  I've got shells, rocks, salt and pine cones from several countries and yesterday I pulled many of the items out to decorate with them. 

What are your favorite souvenirs?

And speaking of travel.  Did you see this contest?  http://carlacoulson.com/paris-portrait-shoot-and-make-over-give-away/

THIS is where I will be this week…

 

 

In my dreams.

wanna  join?

Malmö Graffitti

Taken with a Samsung S3 Mini, processed in Lightroom 4.

Gingerbread Soufflé

 

Yield: 4 SERVINGS

Prep Time: 10 min

Cook Time: 12 min

Soufflés collapse after a few minutes of coming out of the oven and therefore are best baked immediately before serving so that you can enjoy their blown up goodness while eating.

INGREDIENTS:
For coating the ramekins
1 tablespoon unsalted butter, melted
¼ cup granulated sugar
For the soufflés
3 ounces good quality dark chocolate (60 or 70% cocoa)
2 tablespoons unsalted butter
1 tablespoon unsulphured molasses
¼ teaspoon vanilla extract
1 teaspoon ground ginger
½ teaspoon ground cinnamon
A pinch of ground clove
3 egg yolks
4 egg whites
A pinch of cream of tartar

DIRECTIONS:

Preheat the oven to 375 degrees F.

Brush 4 small (3- to 4-ounce) ramekins with melted butter. Coat the buttered ramekins with granulated sugar by rotating the sugar around the bottom and sides. Tap out excess sugar.

Place the chocolate, butter, molasses, vanilla, ginger, cinnamon and clove in a large glass bowl. Microwave for 30 seconds. Stir and microwave for another 30 seconds until melted. Stir again to combine.

Stir the egg yolks, one at a time, into the chocolate mixture. The chocolate will turn a little thick and sticky.

Beat the egg whites with cream of tartar to soft peaks using an electric mixer with a whisk attachment. (Soft peaks means when you lift the whisk, the egg whites are starting to hold themselves but slowly fall back down after a second or two. Stiff peaks is when the egg whites hold themselves straight up without falling.)

Fold the egg whites into the chocolate mixture, a little at a time. Keep folding until the mixture is fluffy and has a light brown color but don’t over mix.

Divide the mixture among the 4 ramekins, filling them ¾ of the way up. Bake for 12 to 13 minutes until they’re nicely blown up. Do not open the oven during the baking process as that might prevent the soufflés from rising.

Serve immediately.

 

via here

Read .. Dream .. Grow With Sproutkin

 

Sproutkin is a monthly children’s educational subscription service tailored to grow with your child.

 

Each month, you will receive a Sproutkit that is customized to your child’s specific age with books and a toy tailored to help grow your little one’s mind.

 

 

Group Posing

Group posing

Vegetable Peeler

Karoto Sharpener & Peeler

Perfect for Salads, decorative toppers for carrot cake from here

Louis Vuitton Resort

The luxury Louis Vuitton resort , Cheval Blanc Randheli, is opening this summer in the Maldives. The resort will offer 45 magnificent villas  on the island of Randheli in Noonu Atoll. 

 

Quote of the day

Picture Of The Day

Capture your moments with real love and fun inspired by art.
Oneeyeclick.com

Almost Wordless Wednesday ~ 20/02/13

Irises at the Royal Horticultural Society London Plant and Design Show,Vincent Square, London ~ 19/02/13.

Marinated Grilled Mushrooms

Yield: 4 SERVINGS

Prep Time: 10 min

Cook Time: 10 min

Ingredients:

1/2 tablespoon harissa
1 tablespoon olive oil
2 tablespoons balsamic vinegar
1 teaspoon dried oregano
8 ounces baby portobello mushrooms, halved lengthwise

Directions:

Whisk the harissa, olive oil, balsamic vinegar, and oregano together in a medium bowl.

Add the halved mushrooms and toss well to coat. Marinate for 30 minutes.

Preheat the oven to 350 degrees Fahrenheit or Preheat the grill, if grilling.

Thread the mushrooms onto pre-soaked bamboo skewers. Roast them in the oven for 10-12 minutes, or grill them, 5 minutes per side.

 

via here

Lento: Whimsical Smoke Alarm Detectors

Whimsical Smoke Alarm Detectors. Available in five colors, designed by Finnish designer Paola Suhonen for Jalo of Helsinki.  

 

Quote of the day

Hoofbeats in our hearts...

We are lucky…those of us who look

into the large  liquid

pool of a horses eye.

They show us their soul.

They have a grace and a depth unmatched.

And when we love

one of these quiet and noble steeds….

Well, that may be just enough.

Because when a horse whispers in your ear…

and breathes into your heart

you will never regret it.

And you somehow become bigger.

and better

at being human.

Thank you gallant Louie

as you so tenderly held my daughters heart in your own

and taught her love

and life.

You will be forever missed.

Great Photography ideas

Great Photography ideas for your little ones ❤ ❤ ❤

 

Family Photo shoot ideas / 2

Create memories with your loved ones . .

 

Older post : Family Photo shoot ideas / 1

Chocolates With Attitude

 2010

 

 

 

 2011

 

 

2012

 

Such a beautiful and clever way of packaging. So what is your attitude today? By Bessermachen.

The Painted House

Clare Bosanquet, the artist behind “The Painted House“ Etsy store, found patterned paint rollers which can be used straight onto walls, or you can print your own fabrics, perk up old wooden furniture, and you can make reams and reams of wrapping paper. exciting !