{Weekend Update}...Coffee + Books, Naturally

What did you all do this past weekend? Abby and I tried something new (kind of) and went to Nina's Coffee Cafe and Subtext Books. Located on Cathedral Hill of Saint Paul, Nina's is a dark, moody/cozy cafe that made me feel like I was in New Haven, CT (don't ask me why, but it felt East-Coast collegiate). The sun was perfectly bright that day, so it was only natural to grab a delicious cup of coffee and buy a new book.

Subtext Books is amazing. It is directly underneath Nina's and interior stairs connect them, so it feels really intimate and perfect. Subtext is painted primarily white and is colorful due to the gorgeous array of book spines in their floor to ceiling shelving. Plenty of light streams in from a sunlight-esque window and minimal furniture. I'm in love with them for having real seating. Like couches, tables, chairs! Finally a book store that gets seriously everything right.

We love you, Nina's and Subtext!

{Weekend Update}...Brunching at Home

Last Friday the challenge proposed was to do something surprising for someone; I said I was visiting my grandmother for her 99th birthday. Unfortunately, due to poor driving conditions, I couldn't drive back. I was totally bummed, yet Abby and I managed to have some fun. Friday night we picked up some groceries (we were out of the essentials), so along with fresh eggs we grabbed a pint of Summit Oatmeal Stout ice cream; we watched way too much Arrested Development; and we went to bed at a crazy hour. Saturday morning we had a lazy start & made an enormous brunch.

I'm telling you––brunch at home may be better than brunch out. And here's why...

It makes your typical Saturday at home feel like a mini party. And who doesn't log mini parties? It's simultaneously relaxing and stimulating/fun-inducing, both of which you want in a weekend.

You can food photograph all want without the weird glances from married couples who just don't get it. And it's fun to laugh at how silly you are when you realize the lengths you go to for a good 'gram.

The couch for brunch is seriously ten times more comfortable than any brunch-y table/booth near that corner front window through which light is blinding you but tables near by still want the shades open. Bonus, it feels kind of fungi shui to sit curled up on the couch with an entire brunch spread over the coffee table.  

Anyway, brunch is fun at home because it makes your apartment feel like a different place for a while. Lay out a tablecloth (or a huge scarf on the coffee table), use your french press, don't watch TV while you eat. It makes Saturday morning at home feel so charming & special!

To see more of the weekend brunch scene (amazing mini waffle doughnut recipe) head over to Classic Kitsch!

{Weekend Update}...Spygirl MIA

No, no, no...no one is actually missing in action. (Although, when the year starts to get this busy, it feels very possible!) Abby and I took advantage of the crisp fall (albeit rainy) weekend to visit some of our favorite Minneapolis stomping grounds.

The MIA (Minneapolis Institute of Arts) has some great exhibits right now (especially "Strangers in a Strange Land"), with all time classics like my hunky man, The Doryphoros. And of course, a visit to the MIA wouldn't be complete without grabbing coffee and lunch at Spyhouse––Abby sipped the luscious Spygirl (lavender and coffee!) while I enjoyed by favorite, the Mata Hari––and Glam Doll Donuts, where we picked up crazy flavors like Sriracha + Peanut Butter!

To conclude our weekend, we watched obscene amounts of How I Met Your Mother (per our roommate's request) and lazily read books in pjs. Now we're off to a gloriously sunny week, with light breezes and sweet afternoons. Fall is definitely here, folks!

Photos via Instagram

My Favorite Scones

My perfect morning? A leisurely brunch with family or girlfriends, surrounded by rich coffee, fresh fruit, and an array of baked goods. My all-time favorite treat is scones; they're perfect for breakfast, brunch, or mid-afternoon snacks. Here is my favorite scone recipe, which I regularly modify with different mix-ins and toppings. They're not too cakey and pair perfectly with a clotted cream. 

INGREDIENTS
2 cups all purpose flour
1/4 cup + 2 tablespoons sugar, divided
1 teaspoon baking powder
1/2 teaspoon salt
3/4 cup dried fruit, or other add-ins (see below)
1 lemon, zested
1 1/4 cup heavy whipping cream
2 tablespoons unsalted butter, melted

BAKING INSTRUCTIONS
1. Preheat oven to 425 degrees. Whisk together flour, 1/4 cup sugar, baking powder, and salt. Stir in dried fruit and about 1 tsp. lemon zest (I prefer to eyeball it, zesting about one third of the lemon). Add heavy whipping cream and stir until moistened. (I like using a stand mixer to ensure all dough has been coated.)

2. Knead dough on floured surface, being sure to not overwork or dry out the dough––it should still be somewhat elastic, pliable, but smooth. Divide dough in half, and set one lump aside. 

3. Roll first half of dough into a circle approximately 8 inches in diameter, and 1/2 inch thick. Cut into six wedges. 

4. Arrange separated on a stone wheel, or greased baking sheet. Brush with melted butter. 

5. Zest the remaining lemon rind (2/3) and combine with 2 tablespoons sugar. Sprinkle half of  mixture over scones. 

Bake for 15 minutes. Repeat steps 3-5 on the other half of the dough, baking individually in two batches.

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CLOTTED CREAM

1 cup heavy whipping cream

1/3 cup cream cheese or sour cream at room temperature (I prefer cream cheese for a richer, thicker cream.)
1/4 teaspoon vanilla
1 teaspoon confectioners sugar

Blend until thick and smooth. Refrigerate. 

MIX-IN OPTIONS

2/3 cup dried apricots + 1 lemon for zesting

3/4 cup shredded coconut + 1/2 chopped bittersweet chocolate
2/3 cup chopped dark chocolate + 1 orange zesting
3/4 cup blueberry craisins + 1/2 cup chopped white chocolate + 1 lemon for zesting

*Any citrus zest should be zested into the scone mixture and also sprinkled with sugar on top of scones. 

Pesto Cubes

As the summer wanes (although this crazy heat insinuates otherwise) Abby and I are preparing for another busy, wonderful school year. At the top of our list is grocery shopping, with non-perishables being the frontrunner. Yes, pasta noodles are a must, but what to do about sauce, which usually comes in such large amounts and perishes before you use it?

Well, my genius roommate, McKenna (aka Master-Chef/Baker), solved our problem with a surprisingly simple solution. Before the school year, make a batch of pasta sauce––our favorite is pesto––and freeze them in ice cube trays!

Each cube is is perfect for one small serving of pasta, and is easily thawed in the refrigerator. The rest stay fresh in the freezer, while you stay fret-free of expired sauce lurking in the pantry. Brilliant!

I used this delicious spinach-basil pesto recipe from the August/September Taste of Home.

{Weekend Update}...Summer is Here?

According to all my calendars, it is officially summer, but I found this weekend particularly gloomy and indeed not summery. We had many a rainstorms, overcast afternoons, and gloomy mornings to ponder over a cup of coffee. It was actually somewhat delightful. Despite the ominous clouds that boded showers, we visited our local farmer's market and discovered the most wonderful salsa company in Eau Claire! Chip Magnet (cute punny name, right?) has every flavor and zestiness imaginable! We picked Spicy Fruit Salsa and Garlic Chipotle Lime Salsa for a good summer flavor. I endured frigid temps at work, but survived, and we celebrated a family friend's 30th birthday! 

How was your weekend? Did you experience any of the crazy summer showers, or are you experiencing typical heat waves. Also, Midwesterners! Any good summer markets I should know about?

Photos via @sarahcarlsonetc Instagram

Baking with Kids

I always kind of doubted people who said they liked having their kids in the kitchen. To me, it's a pretty adult space, and one that requires safety and some finesse. Hot ovens and stove tops, sharp knives, quickly spinning mixer beaters, so many reasons to be nervous! And then there's the whole mess thing. I like to be pretty tidy when I'm cooking. It keeps me organized as I work methodically through a recipe.

However, I was sitting the three hilarious, upbeat daughters of our family friends, and I thought, "baking with them might be a great project..."

We decided to bake scones, because "Mum can't resist them!" according to the youngest. We whisked the dry ingredients, mixed in the dried fruit, kneaded the dough, and played with the "cloud-like" flour! They even helped zest the lemon, cut the dough into wedges, and brush with melted butter. I could not have asked for better helpers!

My overall take:

While the kitchen was somewhat messier throughout the process, and the scones didn't look "as perfect" as when I meticulously sprinkle the sugar and zest, it was the most fun I've had in a kitchen. And it was hear-warming to see the girls earnestly roll the dough with gentle hands, and delight at the texture of flour in their fists. I can see now why parents like to have kids in the kitchen. They're fascination and love for learning is infectious, and they bake with so much love, everything just tastes better.

Would you bake or cook with kids in the kitchen? Are you someone that would "fix" everything they did once they turned around, or are you content with less attractive, but just as tasty results?

Happy June!

It's finally June! After what seems like months of bad weather, summer has arrived! The Chippewa Valley could not be more beautiful right now––we're looking forward to going to cool even in our city called Taste of the Valley tomorrow (vendors from around the area serve their coolest, most popular food at a huge park and pavilion near the gorgeous river) for sunshine, food, and fun! Enjoy your first day of the lovely, lovely month!

{Weekend Update}...A Tasty Spring

 Alright, it's not necessarily spring, because we still have (sigh) snow. However, with intermitent rains, we have our fingers crossed that the heavy showers will wash away all this winter and spring will blow in. After all, we have a wedding this coming Saturday! Because it's so gloomy, I've been in the eating mood. Seriously. I baked a wonderful loaf of No-Knead Bread, finished off my spring candies, and planed all my spring and summer meals!

I also tried my favorite childhood cookies, Oatmeal Scotchies with some coffee to combat the blustery weather.

I hope you stayed warm and relaxed a little this weekend. Here's to hoping for sunnier weather!

Photo via @sarahcarlsonetc Instagram.

An Easter Weekend

Much of our Easter is spent like any good holiday. In the kitchen and around the table! Here are some dreamy decorations, table-settings, and eats that would turn your Easter into a blissful brunch!

Photos via Pinterest: 1 / 2 / 3 / 4 

What Did You Make?

How did you do with this weekend's challenge? I actually did make Pasties! And they were delicious! It was the perfect fall day and the aroma of butter, roasting veggies, browning beef made the apartment heavenly! I even made my own pie crust with this simple recipe. Ambitious, right? I sent my mom this picture as a surprise, and boy she we proud. Although they were delectable, nothing beats mom's cooking, right? But they did bring bake some lovely kitchen childhood memories. :)

What did you make this weekend? Did you call mom for help on the instructions?