Buttercream, Baby!

Hello blogosphere! Just wanted to stop by and share that I have launched a Facebook page for my bakery! Buttercream, Baby! Bakery is all about cupcakes! We specialize in vegan offerings! As well as cakes, cookies, cheesecakes, and other pastry! https://www.facebook.com/ButtercreamBaby I'm so excited to get this venture going! -R

Spring Is Here!

Hello All, Spring is here, officially, as of yesterday, though the weather has been saying Spring all Winter. The weather here in NE Ohio has been absolutely beautiful the last few days. Since my last post a lot has happened... Jess got back from the opening in Springfield like I mentioned, and ended up going back 2 weeks later to be a supervisor there. I ended up moving with him. We spent our Winter there, and just moved backed to Ohio a few weeks ago. I am busy searching for a job, at a bakery, hopefully, and we're looking for an apartment here. For the time being, I'm back to my old job, cleaning, and we're splitting time between my dad's and his grandma's. Monday, we went to Cosi in Columbus (it's a hands on science center), something we've been wanting to do forever. It was awesome! We love going to science centers (museums, and landmarks, too)! We got this crystal growing kit and I can't wait to see how it turns out. Yesterday, I got my tax refund (yay!) so we went to the grocery store, made a delicious breakfast and then went to Crocker park for a movie and shopping. I got new kick-butt tweezers from Sephora that are bright pink and have skulls on them! I will post a picture of them, and the new hair-cut I got yesterday. We capped the night off with dinner at my favorite restaurant, Shinto. It's a wonderful Hibachi place. Delicious :) We were going to picnic yesterday, but once I found out I got my refund I wanted to go spend a little money! But, I did get my picnic basket out and if the rain holds out I hope to go on one this weekend. We decided on fried chicken, fruit salad, and some sort of dessert. I must tell you, I love my life. I am so happy. All I need is a job, and we're set. I can't wait for this Spring/Summer! I feel like it's going to be an excellent time. -R

Autumn

Currently, I am at the homestead. Boyfriend is out of town, doing an opening in Springfield, Illinois. When he isn't around, and my friends are all of town too (on vacation in San Diego), I don't have much to do. This summer flew by! I spent most of it not at home, and therefore not in my kitchen. This summer was one of r&r and I was not nearly as active as I usually am. I barely rode my bike, didn't go hiking, and I am ashamed to say that I still haven't gone on a picnic. I am determined to go on one when my love gets home. You see, fall is my favorite season. I love everything about it. The weather, the tasty tasty tastes of fall- all things pumpkin, and spice, the smells!, pumpkins!, Halloween!, Thanksgiving too... the leaves get all pretty, and it's chilly out so you have an excuse to snuggle, and drink hot chocolate. Autumn is just great. I got up to some baking this week. I made some pumpkin spice cupcakes with cream cheese frosting, and pumpkin gobs with maple buttercream filling. They were tasty! I took them to feed my friends at Scope on Tuesday night & everyone said they were delicious. I love making people smile with baked goods :) It's why I like to do it! Speaking of baking, I applied for a job at a bakery in a great location that will hopefully make it possible for me to move in with my beau. Wish me luck! The place is really cute, homey, but I'm not sure how they felt about me. I will let you know how it goes. It would be perfect!!! Anyways, I am thinking of all the things I could make for what will be a most excellent Autumnal picnic. Of course, I think of all the desserts first! I'm totally down for a dessert picnic! I've been wanting to try to recreate something like Pumpkin Delights, the Little Debbie snacks. I love them, and I buy boxes and boxes of them when they're in stores. I cam across something similar on StumbleUpon the other day that I'm going to have to try to find and see how it goes. I'm not sure what all I will take, though I have been contemplating some sparkling wine. They gave us some at Shinto (a wonderful local hibachi/sushi restaurant in Strongsville) when we went their to celebrate our anniversary that was so good it's been on my mind since! I think the rich, sweet flavor would go well with Fall flavors. I do know exactly where I will be going on this picnic though, the Music Mound in Berea. I've mentioned it before, and it is BEAUTIFUL in Autumn. I remember when Where the Wild Things (lovelovelove) was just out and I wanted to rumpus about the metro parks where the Music Mound is and no one would go with me, because it was raining, so I went alone- and fell in the mud! It was totally worth it though :) Perhaps we will make a day of it, and go to the art museum after the picnic- I've been wanting to go there for a while, I haven't been since early 2010. Two of my favorite places with my favorite person? Sounds like the makings of a wonderful day to me. Do any of you like fall? What about it? Have you been picnicing lately? -R

Picnic Love

Sorry I've been so absent! It's hard to start a revolution when you're falling in love.

That might sound cheesy, but it's true.

We also had what seemed like a monsoon season here in Ohio that did not particularly lend itself to picnics. Now, it is dry & boy is it HOT! I've been itching for a picnic for the last week or so and hope to go on one soon. I will post pictures of it asap after it happens!

I just wanted to show you that I'm not the only one who is interested in picnics, my idol, Paula Deen, is as well! Today on Facebook she posted a link to a picnic menu. Some of the recipes sound really good- the skillet potato salad looks like a potato salad I would eat, I adore sweet tea, and the brownies sound divine! I'm sure the other recipes are excellent as well, as Paula is a Goddess, but I'm not a huge fan of pork or broccoli. There is also a contest going on with it! I urge you to check it out, and enter the contest to win some picnic goodies and carry on the revolution!

Here's the link

You will hear from me again soon!
Vive La Revolution!
<3
Rachael

Picnic Gear: The Picnic Blanket

We have this blanket that floats around my homestead... one side is forest green and burgundy plaid and the other side is black rubber-ish material.

It is the perfect picnic blanket. The LAST thing you want when you go on a picnic is to get a damp hiney. If you're me this is especially true as you are probably wearing some fanciful sundress! So, my friends, you're probably asking where can I get myself one of these fabulous hiney-protecting blankets? Where did you get yours?

While I have no idea where our blanket came from, I can direct your attention to a number of places on the interwebs where you can find the perfect blanket for all of your picnicking needs! Hooray!

I want this one




It's adorable!

This one is cute as well...



Here are some called Mega Mats that are 100% waterproof and convert into neat little bundles some come with handles for easy carrying...




Do any of you have picnic blankets? Are they waterproof?

Or, do you prefer picnic tables?

-R

Picnic Weather Came & Went

Two days ago, NE Ohio had 80 degree weather!

I'd love to tell you I went on a picnic... but I didn't. I spent some time snuggling, then worked the rest of the evening. It's back in the 40's now :( And nothing on the weather forecast looks promising! As the pink Hello Kitty t-shirt that I am wearing today says, "April Showers Bring May Flowers"

Recently, I've been thinking about shutting my religion blog down. Don't let me fool you, it's not like I write there as often as I should, because I don't, but I think it's time for me to focus my efforts. Instead of having 14 blogs about 20 different things I think I need to turn my interweb efforts to what I plan on turning my life towards: cooking and baking.

Which brings me to an announcement; I don't plan on going to graduate school for religion anymore, I want to pursue a career in baking.

My thesis advisor, spiritual mentor, chaplain, and friend led me to this conclusion. Baking, and cooking, is what I am truly passionate about.

I guess Joseph Campbell is right... You just have to follow your bliss

-R

Making babycakes for my friend, Chis, who forgot them!

Long time, no Blog

Sorry for the absence... I really have no excuse other than the fact that life has been distracting lately, and I am here to distract myself from what I should be doing right now aka writing my senior thesis.

The weather in NE Ohio has gotten close to picnic friendly a few times, but the ground has been wet/mushy/snow covered far too often to actually be picnic friendly. This winter has actually been a lot worse than last years. Last year, Easter was around this time and it was so warm & sunny we spent most of the day outside- we even ate Easter dinner on my grandparent's patio! If Easter had happened this weekend, the ground would have been soggy and we would have all been wearing winter coats & boots.

I am so ready for picnic weather!

I have been thinking about a few picnic-related things...

1. If I could picnic anywhere RIGHT now, where would it be?
-The Music Mound, Berea Ohio. This is one of my favorite places on Earth. It is so lovely there, set back from the road... you can really escape into it, not to mention it has a few big stone slabs that would be perfect for picnicing on. And, after you picnic you can explore!
-Letha House Park, Chatam Township Ohio. This is my favorite place on Earth. You might notice a theme here, but it is also set back from everything, there are never many people there, it's gorgeous, and you can also explore. They have picnic tables under a shelter, a few nestled in the woods, and plenty of space to unfold a blanket and picnic on the ground.
-Whipps Ledges, Hinkley Ohio. I've had so many picnics here with my family... it's always a great place to go. There is hiking, swimming, food on site (if you don't want to bring your own), places to sit around the lake, put-put near by, etc!
-Any beach in Delaware. We went on vacation in Delaware a few years ago & it was an amazing trip. I miss the ocean and could really go for a visit. We're vacationing in Maine this year, which is close by!

2. At these picnics, what would I eat??
Hard to say... the possibilities are endless, really. But, lately, I've been craving a Mediterranean veggie sandwich from Panera so I could re-create that and bring it along, sweet tea, chocolate chip cookies, and a fruit salad. Yummy!

3. Speaking of salads... I am not a huge fan of 'salads' that are not lettuce based or fruit salads, I'm talking about macaroni salad, potato salad, chicken salad, tuna salad etc... I just don't like mayo or mustard very much and the gloppy texture grosses me out. I also have never been a fan of pasta salad just because. However, I saw this and thought it sounded great. I'm going to have to try it!

So, where would you go? What would you eat?