Cloud Cookies

I've been looking for a cloud cookie cutter for about two years.  Every time I'm in a kitchen store or a craft store, I'm fumbling among the cookie cutters looking for just the right one.  This past week in Vermont, it seemed like there were racks of cutters in almost every store we entered, but alas, no clouds (I did buy an adorable mini mitten cutter for winter though!). 

It's like it was meant to be that I came across Forty-sixth and Grace's Ice Cream Cloud tutorial yesterday.  Not only is the idea adorable but I love the detailed instructions that Nikole included, complete with perfect illustrations by Melinda Josie. It's so pretty that I kind of want to print it out and hang it on the refrigerator for inspiration!

Now, all I need is the cloud cookie cutter...


Image courtesy of Forty-Sixth at Grace

Vermont Highlight #1: Breakfast at Lou's in Hanover, NH

This time last week, Anthony and I were in Hanover, New Hampshire, walking around Dartmouth and eating a delicious breakfast at Lou's Restaurant. Since I grew up only a few miles from Yale University (and actually work there now), it was nice to spend time in a different college town.  Hanover seemed extremely laid-back and there were tons of families on the green and walking downtown.  Lou's had a very long line but there wasn't a wait for seats at the counter so we were able to skip the queue and get a front row seat while the waitstaff prepared drinks and sandwiches right in front of us at an unbelievable speed.  

Anthony ordered a sampler of sorts, complete with fresh-squeezed orange juice, pancakes, a blueberry muffin, home fries and bacon.  I decided to go for something that I wouldn't normally order: the cruller french toast.  Basically, my meal consisted of three homemade crullers which were then made into french toast.  I've never had anything more delicious, even if it was the richest breakfast I've ever had.  It's such a simple, albeit unhealthy, idea for a twist on traditional french toast, and I'm still thinking about the warm, gooey inside and the sweet glaze on the outside of the doughnuts.  For a couple of hours, we actually felt like locals in Hanover, and Lou's gave us a good start to a great day.


Photo courtesy of Tripadvisor

Good Mood Music

We're back from Vermont, where we had a fun, albeit soggy, mini-vacation.  There are posts to come featuring some trip highlights (advance warning: I feel like we did more than our share of eating) but until then, I just want to say that I'm happy to be home and that I'm even happier to see that there is a sneak preview of the Muppets' Green Album, which is a collection of Muppet song covers by My Morning Jacket, OK Go and Weezer, among others. 

Check out the songs at NPR if you have a minute.  Which is your favorite? I'm looking forward to listening to them all this weekend and making an educated decision about which one I think is best.


Via NPR

Blogging at BestBuddyBiscuits.com

A few years ago, my parents started Best Buddy Biscuits, an all-natural dog and cat treat bakery.  Every Saturday (except during in the colder weather when it's every other Saturday), they sell a large variety of dog biscuits, cat treats and beef jerky at the CitySeed Farmer's Market at Wooster Square in New Haven, Connecticut.  In the summer months, Best Buddy Biscuits participates in fairs, pet adoption events and kennel clubs events, and in the winter months, holiday festivals. 

With a growing customer base, my parents decided that they needed a new website as well as a blog and events calendar so that people can find Best Buddy Biscuits.  Almost a year ago, I volunteered to maintain the blog so that the website stays up-to-date.  I've been posting biweekly and in addition to Best Buddy Biscuit news, I also feature any entertaining, funny and/or interesting pet news that I read on the web on in newspapers. 

It's been fun so far and I hope that people are checking it out and enjoying what they read.  If you are interested, check out the blog here and let me know what you think.  And if you are ever in New Haven on a Saturday morning, stop by and check out the fresh flowers, vegetables, honey, bread, fruit and, of course, pet treats at Wooster Square.

Marriage Then and Now

Anthony and I saw this clip on CBS Sunday Morning this weekend and days later, I'm still thinking about it.  With a title like "Marriage Then and Now, New York-Style," I thought it'd just be fun to watch, but I dare you to get through the whole thing without tearing up.  The couples' happiness is infectious and inspiring.  I love people in love. (By the way, doesn't 1988 look like it was forever ago?)

Courtesy of CBS

Apartment Repairs

Anthony and I aren't very handy, which is why for now we are renting and not owning our home.  We try to fix any problems ourselves, and call for reinforcements only if needed (like a plumbing or heating issue, both frequent problems in our last apartment).  The light in our hallway leading to the bedroom went out last month and we just never replaced it.  The absence of a light was more of an inconvenience than an absolute necessity, but when the light in the kitchen went out yesterday, I decided that we needed to take care of them both ASAP.

After removing the glass covering, it turns out the light bulb in the hallway burst into a thousand pieces, leaving the base in the socket.  With the help of a baby red potato, Anthony was able to take out the old bulb and replace it with a new one so that I can finally stop stubbing my toe on the way to bed each night (the box says that the bulb emits 'natural light' but I'm not really sure what that means since the glare is so bright and blueish that I can barely look at it). 

Maybe we are better at this home-repair stuff than I thought...

Vacation on the Horizon

It only took three months, but Anthony and I have finally decided what we are doing for vacation this summer.  In two weeks, we will be driving to Vermont for a four-night, five-day getaway and I could not be more excited.  We're splitting our time between White River Junction and Manchester, and I'm really hoping for some relaxing days with long walks, perhaps some bike-riding, maybe a visit to an alpaca farm and of course, the sampling of delicious cheese.

I'm not a person who normally buys 'vacation clothes' when going away, but after looking through my closet, it seems like I could really use a few new t-shirts and another pair of jeans.  And I really need a bathing suit.  What do you think about this one from J.Crew?  I love the retro feel and it comes with a really great halter strap.

I'd definitely go for a shade of blue or green; I don't think red is my color!

What are your plans for August? And do you have any Vermont recommendations for us?


Image courtesy of J.Crew