April 30, 2012

big love for the chartreuse yarn-branch

the decorated yarn branch that's for sale in the etsy shop has gotten some MAJOR love. it's been featured in a number of treasury lists, but on Friday, April 27, it made the front page of etsy! and all of this wonderful, free publicity drove the shop stats through the roof - 1,712 views in total.

(click to enlarge)

see it in all nine of it's etsy treasury features here:


while my husband "doesn't get it," people out there do! so, come and get it while it's hot and still available!

April 17, 2012

shameless plug


our little backyard deck and garden is included in the Whole Living & Apartment Therapy Inspired Outdoor Spaces Contest on Facebook. please take a peek and "like" my photo to help us win! thanks!

April 16, 2012

tangerine-poppyseed olive oil cake

you guys - i made THE BEST cake ever yesterday. i had been wanting to make an olive oil cake for what seemed like years and finally did. it was so easy, moist, and delicious. because we have cabinets full of liquid ingredients to choose from, i gave it a few upgrades (see below) but have no doubt that the more basic version would be equally delicious. see below for the recipe.


tangerine-poppyseed olive oil cake

2 cups all purpose flour
1.25 cups sugar
1 teaspoon baking powder
1 teaspoon baking soda
1/4 teaspoon salt
3 large eggs, beaten
1.5 cups whole milk
1/2 cup Pasolivo Tangerine Olive Oil
grated zest of 1 orange
1 teaspoon pure vanilla extract or, if you're fancy like me, use 1 tsp fiori di sicilia, instead
1+ tablespoon poppyseeds

preheat oven to 350 degrees. sift together flour, sugar, salt, baking powder, and baking soda. make a well in the center of the dry ingredients and whisk in the eggs, milk, olive oil, zest*, and vanilla/fiori di sicilia. stir in the poppyseeds with a wooden spoon or spatula.

pour the batter into a greased bundt cake pan and bake for 45–60 minutes, until the cake is golden on top. invert on a plate and dust with confectioners sugar or top with powdered sugar glaze**.

* i zested the orange right onto the dry ingredients.
** i made my powdered sugar glaze with Faretti Biscotti liqueur and a splash of water, then sprinkled a few more poppyseeds on top for good measure.

April 14, 2012

more crafts

other than the wreaths, photos, plant "perversions," and sticks that you see in the shop, i'm always making or planning to make something -- typically food or some other type of craft project.

on a recent visit to my mom's for her birthday, i unearthed the little pocket that i used to stash my teeth in for the tooth fairy. i have always been attached to this little felt envelope so i decided that we should be reunited! here's how he ended up - cute, eh?





April 10, 2012

a new favorite

a simple little wreath i made last night, but, boy, i like him! $26 in the shop!

"in the woods" grapevine wreath

April 6, 2012

a happy camper

the customer who recently purchased the Woodland Wonder Wreath had some very nice things to say about it!

"The wreath arrived yesterday and I just wanted to say thank you again - honestly it is the most beautiful wreath I think I've ever seen. It brightens the entire front of our house, and is even prettier up close where the details become evident. ... I am thrilled."

new wreaths will hit the shop soon. in the meantime, feel free to browse what's left and what's sold - custom orders are always welcome.