Thursday, February 25, 2010

Just Remember Darling, All the While, You Belong to Me


Sorry! We were in the middle of a massive, record-breaking snowstorm, so we lost our power. It's taken me a bit to get back to the computer (no internet for 3 days?! WHAT?!?!?). Anyway, I have several craft projects just itching to be shown, but no pictures. I shall have those for you soon. Very soon.

Anyway, since there are no crafts to post at the current moment, I figured I'd post this iconic picture for thoughts. While being snowed in, I thought often of the movie Singles, in which this could be considered a basis for said movie. It's really stuck with me; do you believe in love? Love at first sight? What IS love? Can you stop loving a person?

I believe there is love, in various forms: friend-love, family-love, my-life-would-be-SOOO-different-without-you-love, I-could-spend-my-life-with-you-love, I-only-love-you-sometimes-love, etc. Love at first sight? Only if you feel trapped and are desperately seeking a way out without doing the hard parts. I do, however, believe you can be around someone and share a sort of bond. Maybe a past-life relationship? Pure chemistry? Who knows? And that's just it. No one.

That person is bound to look flawless, perfect, magnificent, etc. Eventually, if you hang with them long enough, their quirks show. Some may be manageable (i.e. leaving the occasional dirty dish lying around). Some might be horrendous (i.e. clingy-ness, not saying "Bless you" when you sneeze). Others could annoy you to the point of screaming and not wanting to be with the person, but something about them keeps you there. What is it about (what we call) love? Is it their smell? The way they look at you across the room? The way they hold you?

Being a part of a love where you stick by someone through hard times (such as the above woman) is a love that will hopefully last a long time, if not forever. Most people deserve that love. Anyway, I just wanted to share this photo that I have been thinking (okay, obsessing) of for the past while. Maybe it'll provoke some sort of realization or comfort, maybe it'll just be nice to think of from time to time.

Cheers,

Rebekah

Tuesday, February 23, 2010

No Parachutes or Safety Nets Here

While deciding to forfeit some of my College European History homework, I attempted to sew a bear from a pattern I created. Never again. Not only did it come out horribly wrong (I can't even begin to describe it), but I spent a precious amount of time creating this monstrosity of a teddy bear.

Due to this failure (I'll have to try again when my hopes aren't so crushed), I'm going to post some pictures of the cards I make.












I find inspiration, draw it out, and hand-cut the pieces. The one below was inspired by Noah Biorkman, a 5-year-old boy dying of cancer. He passed in November after celebrating an early Christmas with his family.


Monday, February 22, 2010

A Good Book Has No Ending

Hmmm.... Good books, unfortunately, have to end somewhere. Although I wish this weren't true!

I have read quite a few books, between children, middle-grade, young adult, and adult. I recently finished
Graceling by Kristin Cashore and will start the companion novel, Fire, shortly. Graceling is a YA (young adult) novel set in another world, in which some people are Graced with special abilities, be it something small like swimming or severe like fighting. Katsa, the main character, a girl in her late teens is Graced with the ability to kill. Cashore's story was enticing. Slow at first, it took me a bit to get into it, but once there, I was hooked. The storytelling and world building is gorgeous; every picture is painted and every page is fastly turned. I suggest you read it! Here's a link to Kristin's blog: http://kristincashore.blogspot.com/












On another note, I'd like to pull some attention to an author I find very enticing, especially if you like gothic books and are more of a sophisticated YA reader.

Michelle Zink is a debut author who recently released the first book in a trilogy.
Prophecy of the Sisters is about twin sisters who find themselves on opposite ends of an ancient prophecy in 1890. The lyrical writing and fascinating story based off a biblical legend kept me turning the pages fast. The characters are three dimensional and the writing is truly unforgettable. Ms. Zink can be found at her fun, entertaining blog, http://michellezinkbooks.wordpress.com/

Sunday, February 21, 2010

Chocolate is Nature’s Way of Making up for Mondays

Spoken so truly! So what better way to make up for the beginning of the week (be it occupied with work, school, or other activities) with some yummy chocolate?

There's no better way to tide yourself over till the weekend. I decid
ed I would tide myself (and my family and friends) over with some amazing Peanut Butter Chocolate cupcakes (aka rich, chocolate brownie batter with Reese's Peanut Butter Cup peanut butter in the middle)! I pulled this recipe out of Martha Stewart's book, Cupcakes. The recipe below I copied from
a blog, Half and Halfs, created by two cooks, Dana and Stevie (http://halfandhalfs.wordpress.com/2010/01/06/peanut-butter-filled-chocolate-cupcakes/). My pictures leave a lot to be desired, but Dana and Stevie's are wonderful!


These were melt-in-your-mouth good. True, they were a tad dry and crumbly, but only around the heavily peanut butter parts. However, whenever you cook/bake peanut butter, it gets a tad dry and crumbly, so no worries. My family said they were a keeper and would love to have them again!

What I Would Do Differently
  • When doubling the batter, I'd quadruple the filling
  • Add a little bit of oil or one more egg to stay away from dryness

Peanut Butter-Filled Chocolate Cupcakes

Adapted from Martha Stewart Cupcakes

Makes 12.

Peanut butter filling ingredients:

  • 1/2 stick unsalted butter, melted
  • 1/2 cup confectioner’s sugar, sifted
  • 3/4 cup smooth peanut butter
  • 1/4 tsp salt
  • 1/2 tsp vanilla

Cupcake batter ingredients:

  • 2/3 cup all purpose flour
  • 1/2 tsp baking powder
  • 1/4 tsp salt
  • 1 stick unsalted butter, cut into pieces
  • 4 ounces semisweet chocolate, chopped
  • 2 ounces unsweetened chocolate, chopped
  • 3/4 cup granulated sugar
  • 3 large eggs
  • 2 tsp vanilla

Preheat oven to 325 degrees. Line a standard muffing tin with paper liners.

Stir ingredients for peanut butter filling together until smooth and set aside. (Note: We might have eaten some on toast… it was yummy)

Next onto the batter. Whisk together flour, baking powder, and salt. Melt chocolate and butter together in a heatproof bowl over simmering water (do not get any water into the chocolate!). Stir until melted, then remove from heat. Once it has cooled slightly, whisk granulated sugar into the mixture. Add eggs and whisk until smooth. Add vanilla, then flour mixture. Stir until well incorporated.

Spoon 2 Tbsp batter into each liner, then 2 Tbsp of the PB filling. Follow with another Tbsp of batter and 1 tsp filling. Swirl the top with a toothpick. Bake for about 40 minutes, rotating half way through. Cool completely in the tin before removing cupcakes.






Tuesday, February 16, 2010

Welcome, Valentines!

Well, hello dear readers. I'm Rebekah; I love everything crafty along with awesome music! I hail from the ever-gorgeous Hudson Valley, NY. My favorite bird is the chickadee, a common favorite due to the quaint size with a puffball body. I don't have a favorite color and love art. This blog is to help others with various projects and occasionally recipes for treats.

This first blog post will be in lieu of Valentine's Day (sorry for being late!)

For my sweetheart, my wonderful boyfriend of 2 years, Anthony, I constructed a container from an old Quaker Oats container wrapped in decorative paper (found in a paper pad, but any will do!); the lid I covered with plain white paper and glued a ribbon around the edges. Inside I filled it with homemade fortune cookies (recipe found at the bottom of post), thanks to Martha
Stewart. They contained little notes saying "I love you" in 20 different languages.



I found with the cookies to start with two at a time and move to three or four after I got the hang of it. The flavor is amazing and they will keep for 1-2 weeks in an airtight container! I also used granulated sugar instead of super-fine; I couldn't tell a difference! Perfect for holidays, birthdays, or just because.


Listening to: The Cure Greatest Hits