Things I'm Loving (v. 14)
Birthday cake, Maggie Rogers, lots of recipes and an X-Men throwback!
In a few days it'll be my birthday, and it still surprises me how time is long and short all at once.
It's hard to believe that a year ago I was getting ready to go to a cabin in Virginia to be with beloveds from my community. One of my friends spearheaded getting me a cake (it was my 40th after all), and she had this beauty made, with inspiration from the site mentioned below under Something to Cultivate Wonder).
In case you were wondering, we did learn that having dried flowers a top a cake with sparkler candles that won't go out may does lead to blowing little fireballs off the cake 😂. Nobody was harmed— we all were laughing too hard!
Something for play
I don't remember where I first saw this, but I think it was on Facebook. I love the whimsy and creativity of Anna's home. May it delight you as well!
Something to make
I love cheeze-its and their cardboard taste. But I don't love the cost, the chemicals, and the wastefulness of the packaging. So this recipe is on my list of things to bake this week.
Although I haven't tried this particular recipe yet, I did make a similar recipe using sourdough discard a few years back. Crispy crackers are surprisingly easy to make and they taste delicious.
Something to listen to
This song is new to me, even though it's not new, per se. I heard it as part of the soundtrack to the new(ish) movie that Anne Hathaway's in where she falls in love with a member of her daughter's favorite boy band.
It's a fun little bop that for me carries something hopeful in it. Especially as the bridge builds, even though the words are sad. It reminds me of the relationships that have passed out of my life for now, but may or may not return.
Something to cultivate wonder
Miss Wondersmith has been a favorite of mine for several years. I love how she courts wonder and delight.
Her website is chock full of recipes and fun projects. I've made several of her cakes, and my 40th birthday cake was inspired by several of hers that I'd seen in the past!
Some of my favs from her site include:
These rose bath truffles
Enjoy!! And if you find something you try out, let us know!
Something I'm loving
If you're of a certain age <ahem, mine roughly> you may have watched an animated X-Men in the '90s. No Power Rangers or Barney for me, thank goodness. I was too old by the time they came out. But X-Men? X-Men hit when I was 9, and hung around through my early teens. I loved Rogue and Storm and Gambit.
Rarely one to watch a brand new thing, I'm pleased that a friend shared the reboot, X-Men '97 with me. The show airs on Disney / Disney+ and the storylines hit just the right amount of nostalgia + craft and newness.
If you're able to access it, I highly highly recommend. I didn't even binge watch it! I watched a few a day because it was that good and I wanted to savor it all.
Wildcard- Something with amazing (food) recipes:
Okay, if you love to cook mediterranean-esque dishes, you have to check out this blog. I pull from her recipes regularly!
That's all for today! If you're in the Northern Hemisphere, happy summer solstice (a day late) and if you're in the Southern Hemisphere, happy winter solstice (possible two days late, with time changes!)
~M