window shopping with Food52

Does anyone else follow Food52 on Instagram? If you don't, please get over there and follow them right now. They have a great account filled with all things food and food photography related. Among other things, Food52 also has a shop. Over the months, I keep adding more Food52 items to my wish list. I'm sharing just a few of them here today.

Purple Ball jars may or may not have been the original inspiration for this post. Seriously. They also have Ball jars in green and a set of Vintage French canning jars. Obviously I need a set for my kitchen glass flower display.

The only thing cuter than hidden message aluminum pie plates is MINI hidden message aluminum pie plates. Please share your favorite mini pie recipes so that I have a great excuse to buy a set.

So my DIY wedding topper would look like stick people, but this is an amazing idea for anyone who does have some serious painting skills.

I'm crazy about Christmas lights so these pleated string lights are right up my alley.

I've always been a salty over sweet person. Since I largely gave up chocolate a few years ago, I go for salty snacks more than ever. Food52 sells all-natural spiced nuts in six flavors: Chinese 5 spice cashews, coconut curry peanuts, sriracha peanuts, smoky whiskey almonds, spiced cocoa pecans, and coffee stout cashews. Obviously the gift pack is the way to go because how are you supposed to pick just one?

Jake and I are suckers for good mugs. How sweet is this little Danish mug?

Reusable cleaning cloths are a must have home item. Obviously the colors appealed to me here, too, but this is a great set. You'd never have to buy cleaning cloths again.

What have you been window shopping for lately?

peanut butter and jelly crumb muffins

A couple weeks ago I made peanut butter and jelly crumb muffins from How Sweet It Is.

They're great for breakfasts, snacks, and desserts. Basically any time of day is a good time of a day for a peanut butter and jelly crumb muffin.

The crumb topping turned out really crumbly. REALLY crumbly. It tastes good, but it's very messy. I won't make as much topping next time, and I won't make it so crumbly.

Also, Jessica suggests pressing the jelly in between the base muffin and crumbly topping. I'd like to try mixing the jelly into the muffin batter so that you get a more even peanut butter and jelly taste.

 Overall I'm happy with the first attempt and think that I could really nail it with a second attempt. If you love classic peanut butter and jelly sandwiches and are looking for a relatively easy versatile muffin recipe, give it a try. Again, the recipe is available at How Sweet It Is.

What have you been baking lately?

chasing waterfalls

Last month I brought my tripod to one of my favorite spots right in my neighborhood and captured a few new views of some little falls.

Here are a few shots straight on of the falls that I took back in autumn.

 

And here are the side angle shots that I took just last month.

What have you been photographing lately?

Life Is What You Make Of It

"Life is what you make of it / so beautiful or so what." is in the inspiration for my latest treasury.

 I selected these items with late May / early June in mind.

Life Is What You Make Of It

And these items via Pinterest...

 

 

Do you have any favorite late spring / early summer picks?

Jacobus Park in the spring

Some days are so beautiful that you have to drop everything, get outside, and take some pictures.

What have you been photographing lately?