Time for this week’s Weekend Things:
1. It was overcast and not really beach days on either Thursday or Friday courtesy of Hurricane Isaac (thankfully Aruba is well south of the hurricane belt) and while I was cooking Scott took Skylar to run a few errands. They went into a perfume and cologne store and after smelling a half dozen, Scott said he had no idea what he was smelling anymore.
He asked Skylar (age 5) what she liked and she was very clear that she loved this Carolina Herrera for him and he bought it. I give her major props because I love it, too. Must be all the practice she’s had sniffing body spray with me and coating her hair in scented lotion and her hands in body wash.
2. ≈, $7.95 at Crate & Barrel
Peaches, pure cane sugar, and champagne. Can I drink it please?
3. Want to know if your muffins are done? Use your ears. Yes, your ears.
Carefully put your ear near it and be careful so you don’t burn yourself. If the muffins are not done yet, you’ll hear a very gentle popping and crackling – it’s the liquid evaporating from the batter.
When they are done, the muffins will be quiet – there will still be some popping but it is distinctively quieter. And then the muffins are done and perfectly moist.
If they are totally silent they might be a teensy bit dry.
Don’t believe me? Rebekah wrote about it.
4. I tried it with my Blueberry Muffins with Raspberry Jam Swirls and it worked like a charm.
5. Eat more chocolate. It’s good for your brain.
“A new study shows that the flavanols in chocolate reduce the risk of Alzheimer’s and other dementia conditions by protecting brain cells and increasing blood flow around the brain.”
6. How about a Ritz Cracker Stuffed Peanut Butter Cup (No Bake, Vegan) to help prevent dementia and Alzheimer’s.
7. Slate Coasters, set of 4 for $17.60 from West Elm
Use them for a party and chalk them up with your guests’ names, then erase and repeat for your next party.
8. Thanks for the Capresso 12-Cup Stainless Steel Coffee Maker Giveaway entries
9. Novel Cheeseboard, $128 from Anthro but I think it’s too pretty to actually cut anything on or place anything on it that may stain it.
Roasted Grapes and Balsamic Reduction with Cheese and Crackers would be a staining doosie
10. Blog Inc.: Blogging for Passion, Profit, and to Create Community
I wrote a blog series awhile back and I always like to find out what others think are the most important aspects about blogging to share with new, hopeful, or other existing bloggers. I love hearing what works for other bloggers from how they import their photos to who did their site design to what hasn’t worked, what they love about blogging, and what their goals are for their blog.
Blogging 101
Blogging 102
Blogging 103
Blogging 104
Blogging 105
What are your weekend things?
If you’ve made anything, done, seen, or bought anything fabulous this week, feel free to link it up in the comments.
Have you come across any perfumes, colognes, or scents you’re loving? Any blog tips that to share about any aspect of blogging?
Link it up & enjoy your weekend!
What an amazing hint for making muffins! Definitely going to try this out next time I am making a batch. (no prob – boyfriend already thinks that I am cookoo regarding kitchen stuff)
And, haha, another excuse to have more chocolate. Nice!
That novel cheeseboard is so cool!
I scored big time this morning at an estate sale – for $10, I walked away with a wooden rolling kitchen cart, a big box of fabric, a big box of random kitchen trays, mugs, honey pots, etc, a huge bag of sewing tapes and ribbons, and a box of a dozen mason jars! For TEN BUCKS!! Then I went to the farmers marekt and got a grocery bag of cukes for $6.50. I’ve got 6 jars of pickles and relish in my fridge now.
Ritz cracker and peanut butter cups….um…those need to be made now. Well not now I guess it is 11:00 at night….ok maybe tomorrow. Thanks for the the blog tips. Talenti Gelato have you tried? Sea Salt Carmel flavor ? YOU MUST. https://www.anotherbiteplease.com/2012/08/24/friday-favorites-4/
I did not know that about muffins! Now I must make some just to see if I hear popping! You just gave me another excuse to eat chocolate! I love that! What I love even more is that I was cleaning out my cupboard and found a lonely bag of ritz crackers. You know that that means? I can make your peanut butter cups!! I love your weekend things post! Now I’m going to go read your blogging 101 ect… Have a great rest of the weekend!
The muffin tip is so interesting, I have never heard of that!
i’m glad you guys aren’t in the path of the hurricane! i know! perfume and candle stores are fun for the first 5 minutes, but then all you get is a headache! how fun that your little one picked a winner! :)
I love that Skylar picked out Scott’s cologne. That is so awesome!
I also love those slate coasters. In fact…I am seriously considering buying them!
I am loving the tip about crackling muffins to know if they are done or not. That is so great and I never even knew that! So cool! Those muffins of yours look so good. So good in fact, I made them for afternoon snacks for the boys! YUM! :-)
P.S. Hurricane Isaac…that is my hubby’s name! (minus the hurricane part!) :-)
you made the muffins? woot! thanks for telling me :)
and yes, I love that muffin-doneness trick…so happy about that little factoid :)
Your blogging101-105 articles have been a huge help as I launched my blog last month! Thanks for the help and inspiration!! Think I’ll have to snag some Bellini jam too—could be amazing with brie!!!
glad the series was helpful!
Just when I thought I was over my muffin fixation… AHH! That blueberry/raspberry photo!
Also love your thoughts about blogging. I don’t blog for profit, but I always find people’s bloggy insights fascinating. So many blogs out there with such great content, right? It’s nice to know a good number of them are doing things right.
Glad you like the blog series (& the muffin pic!)
I have those coasters! Love ’em! Stonewall Kitchen’s original store in York, Maine is down the street from our summer home. I could go in there and never come out. Cooking classes, samples of every product (LOVE their mustards) and a great cafe! :)
I just made a watermelon-cherry tomato salad for lunch–very refreshing today as it has become hot again. Skylar is developing excellent taste at a young age–nice cologne pick for Dad! I just picked up a sugar body scrub–I wasn’t sure about the citrus scent but it was marked down from $9.99 to $3.99 so I couldn’t pass up a trial. The cheeseboard is so beautifully crafted I’d never want slice anything on it either!
Her taste is a bit too excellent; she can pick out the good stuff a little too easily :)
Thanks for sharing about the blogging book; I’ll take all the help I can get. The bellini jam sounds fab, and I can imagine how wonderful that Carolina Herrera fragrance smells. I love anything and everything Carolina Herrera and actually had the chance to meet her once. She’s a wonderful lady.
you met her? amazing!
Glad y’all are safe from the hurricane! I need a new perfume…number one reminded me! I should ask for some for my birthday! That bellini jam sounds fantastic! My FIL in a bellini lover- I will tel my MIL to get it for him!
That cheeseboard is so cool. Love that!
That bellini jam is seriously delicious and I’m in love with those slate coasters!
I love and covet the cheese board and the coasters! And the jam sounds delish. I made a batch of simple yet flavorful grape jelly (no pectin!):https://www.treatswithatwist.com/2012/08/slow-cooker-muscadine-grape-jam-sugar.html
some peach dump cake with gluten-free cake mix: https://www.treatswithatwist.com/2012/08/healthy-peach-dump-cake-gluten-free.html
and started a CLIF MOJO Giveaway for next week’s National Trail Mix Day: https://www.treatswithatwist.com/2012/08/national-trail-mix-day-clif-giveaway.html
Have a great weekend!