Stumptown Coffee

Cappuccino from Stumptown Coffee in NYC. Yum.

Crafting for a Cause

Etsy artists sometimes choose to donate their proceeds from particular items to charities. And when you give one as a gift, it's really like you're giving two! ;)
Here are some recent listings that are still for sale (and adorable to boot).

LOVE Coffee Cozy to support RAINN (the nation's largest anti-sexual assault organization)
by Blakeswork

Handmade Bracelet to support the National Wildlife Federation
by Eyespider

Abby button earrings to support the American Cancer Society
by button of HOPE

Great Horned Owl Mug to support the Audubon Oil Spill Relief Fund
by Laughing Owl Studio

Golden Heart Locket to support the American Cancer Society
by Botanical Bird

Enjoy ♥

In Memory of Nicky

My cousin Nick lost his battle with cancer this past May. I made this photo-montage video to share with his loved ones and especially those who never met him. I hope that it demonstrates his intense love for his family and friends, indomitable spirit, and of course that fabulous smile.

School Spirit

I would never encourage being anything BUT a Penn State fan, however this little guy is just too cute not to share:

Antiquing

No, not the act of dousing someone in flour (although I'm a pretty big fan of that too). I used to HATE stopping at roadside shops in little middle-of-nowhere towns with my parents while they browsed the seemingly endless shelves of rusty knick-knacks and piles of stuff that smelled like mothballs. But similar to brussels sprouts and lima beans, I've grown into a mature fondness for antiquing. This weekend's finds:

Kodak Duaflex IV camera, circa late 1940's (and the first piece of my newly started camera collection)

Blue tinted mason jars -- I bought two of these. Right now they're just sittin' pretty on my bedroom windowsills, but soon they will be filled with flowers.

Vintage flower pots.

A green and pretty cubicle is a happy cubicle.

Newsflash: Sloths are cute.

Thank you cuteoverload.com.

Happy Easter Bunday!

picture from cuteoverload.com

Looks like someone enjoys cupcakes almost as much as I do...

 

Pic from cuteoverload.com

An Etsy Kitchen

I'm a big fan of furnishing a kitchen with homemade ceramics. Here are some great examples:

Stonewear Cereal Bowls by New Moon Studio

Small Soup Bowls by Lurearts Pottery

Coffee Mugs from Twisted River Clayworks

Ceramic Small Dishes by New Moon Studio

Three-Piece Stoneware Dinner Set by One Clay Bead

And of course, my imaginary kitchen wouldn't be complete without an awesome pie dish.

Pie Baking Pan by Blue Sky Pottery

One of these things is not like the other...

one of these things is not the same!

Pugtastic image from cuteoverload.com

For The Kids

Penn State hosts the largest student-run philanthropy in the world: Dance MaraTHON. We are supporting children with cancer and their families financially and emotionally. Last year we raised over $7 million and this year could be even better with your help. If you would like to donate, please go to http://www.thon.org/donors

 

Upside Down Dogs

A completely ridiculous and addictingly entertaining site with pictures of dogs who are...upside down. Enjoy!

http://upsidedowndogs.com/

For example, Cookie the dachshund:

I need

these gloves. That is all.

So Tiny!

This is a Dik-Dik. Aaaaand there's really no better way to sum up the cuteness level of this picture than with what the peoples over at cuteoverload.com have already said:

"People, if you’ve ever been to Africa, you’ve seen Dik-Diks running around, exuding cuteness of dangerous, deadleh levels. They’re part mini-deer, part partridge, all prosh. THEY GET THEIR NAME FROM THE SOUND THEY MAKE RUNNING FOR COVER OMG! Check this, he’s all: 'le snorf.'"

Check out dees and many other prosh things at http://cuteoverload.com/

Dachshund Jewelry? Yes, please.

Speaking of being lame...I love this too. I have no shame in regards to my feelings towards dachshunds. But alas, Modcloth.com has sold out of it. On a sidenote, Modcloth has a lot of unique clothes & accessories. Check them out:  http://www.modcloth.com/

I am so lame

but I don't care. I <3 these dachshund book ends by Jonathan Adler @ Barnes and Noble. 

Bears Holding Hands

'nough said.

 

Pic from http://www.cuteoverload.com

Homemade Happiness

I am in LOVE with etsy.com. All kinds of beautiful homemade and vintage goodies can be found there - jewelry, artwork, clothing. I could spend hours browsing the different shops that make up this online community of crafters. It is definitely worth exploring, but I'll warn you it is very addicting! Here are some of my favorite items at the moment:

scout - natural hair comb by whichgoose

Mint mum earrings by Nomsa

Honeysuckle Scarf by VintageGardenKnits

Silhouette Forest Frame Kisslock Clutch by BrianaEdelmanDesigns

Autumn Kiss Original Papercut Art by tinatarnoff

Apple Pie Tips

I love baking and the one thing that friends and family ask for most often is my apple pie. It's a deceptive pastry - the general idea seems so simple but there is a lot that can go wrong. Here are a few tricks that can get you on your way to the perfect apple pie.

1. Too watery? Try tossing apples in your sugar & spice mixture (I often add some lemon juice also) then let them sit in a colander placed on top of a bowl for 30 minutes. The excess liquid will drain off.

2. Bland filling? Make sure to vary your apples. A combination of sweet and tart baking apples makes the best filling. My favorite combo is Granny Smith and Golden Delicious.

3. Crust issues? The bottom pie crust might be soggy or not fully cooked. To remedy, when preheating the oven place a baking sheet on the shelf where you will place your pie. This will ensure quick, even heat to the pie's bottom crust. If the top crust is getting too brown place strips of aluminum foil around the edges.

Pies always taste best with a homemade crust, but it is a lot of work. I've found that Pillsbury makes a good substitute for the real thing. Here is my favorite homemade crust recipe (makes 4 individual crusts - enough for 2 apples pies):

No-Fail Pie Crust

4 c all-purpose flour
1/2 teaspoon salt
2 c unsalted butter
1 egg lightly beaten
1 teaspoon vinegar
3 ounces cold water

Chill all ingredients. Combine flour & salt then cut in butter with pastry cutter or fork until large crumbs form. Place the egg and vinegar in a measuring cup and add cold water to measure 1/2 cup of total liquid. Add to mixture and stir until dough can be formed into a large ball. Store in the refrigerator up to 3 days or freezer up to 3 months.

Recipe from http://allrecipes.com

Happy baking!

Watch Out Sonic

I've always wanted a hedgehog  for a pet. But due to some weird law they're illegal in Pennsylvania. While investigating the matter further I found out that some "breeder's homes have been raided and their hedgehogs confiscated with all of the zeal of a major drug bust." Overreact much? Maybe that zeal would be better served by going after some other type of contraband. Who knows if I  will ever have a cute little spiny rodent of my own. Sigh.

Pic from cuteoverload.com

Journalistic Boundaries?

While reporting from Haiti, Anderson Cooper and his crew ended up in the middle of a looting riot that turned violent. As a journalism student (which I was, briefly) you are taught that part of journalistic integrity is to remain uninvolved because if not you are then making the news rather than reporting it. Lines like that tend to blur in extreme situations when journalists are often early on the scene. Cooper bravely ran into the melee to help a young boy who had been struck in the head with a concrete brick. I think he made a courageous choice, and a humane choice, by getting involved. The video is graphic and if you're squeamish around blood do NOT watch. But to me, it is a true example of journalistic integrity.

Georgia the Rescued Dachsie

If you know me, you know the extent of my love for dachshunds. So of course when I found Georgia while whistfully browsing Petfinder.com I nearly had a heart attack. This adorable puppy has gone through hell as a birthing mother at a puppy mill. At the young age of 3 years she's already been put through several litters. Thankfully she was rescued and the good people at Dachshund Rescue of Pennsylvania have found her a foster home. Maybe you could be her forever family! Check her out if you're in the market for a new pet - dachshunds have my endorsement as great snugglers. 

http://www.petfinder.com/petnote/displaypet.cgi?petid=15302134