Details at Disneyland

I have never understood people who say weird things like "I hate Disneyland." I feel like that statement is kin to saying, "Being rich would stink," or "sugar is lame," or "I wish I was ugly." See these are non-statements and all complete lies. Everyone wants to have abundance, everyone loves sugar and no one wants to be ugly! So how can someone not love Disneyland?

When you walk through the gates you are immediately a kid again - no responsibilities or bills, completely innocent, happy about not being at school or work and usually, you are attending with people that you at least like if not love. Again, what about Disneyland could possibly be repellent? 

Walt himself thought of everyone and everything. I don't really care if he was anti-semitic, nor do I care if he treated his staff badly or had major scandals or any other ugly things people throw at me about the history of Walt Disney. Because at the end of the day, some of my fondest memories of childhood were Sunday nights which started with Mutual of Omaha's Wild Kingdom followed by Walt Disney Presents  while we ate Grinders in the family room and everyone loved each other and forgot the woes of the world for a whole two hours a week.

Again, Walt thought of everything. And in the typical Disney style and consistency for high standards, the legacy has continued. Visit the Family Museum, you'll see!

My mom and sister and I recently went for a girls trip to the DLand and CA Adventure. We were lucky enough to stay at the Grand California Hotel and took full advantage of all the amenities! But the thing that struck me most on this trip was the fact that truly no detail goes left undone. These folks think of everything and every detail is pin perfect - right down to artisan made umbrellas - which you can see here.

Blackberry Lavender Scones

I was inspired to make these little treats for our prolific blackberry crop! This year has been apparently perfect for these beauties and with so many it's hard to keep up! I've made compote that we drench our ice cream with which was delicious, but there is only so much compote one can wolf down before it becomes a problem.

Last Saturday we went to a sweet, romantic little wedding at which the couple provided favors of Lavender Jelly to the guests as a thank you. It was delicious. 

It seemed only obvious that with lavender (the color) swirling around that these two - one herby, one fruity, might go together very well in a great base recipe I originally created for Sultana Scones. 

Blackberry Lavender Scones

Ingredients

• 3 cups all purpose flour
• 1 cup blackberries
• 1 Tbs. dried lavender buds
• 2 1/2 tsp. baking powder
• 1/2 tsp. baking soda
• 3/4 cup cold butter
• 1/2 cup sugar
• pinch salt
• 1/2 cup sour cream
• 1/4 cup milk

Instructions

1. Preheat oven to 400.
2. In a large bowl sift together: flour, lavender buds, sugar, baking soda, baking powder and salt.
3. Cut butter (shown above) and add to flour mixture combining using clean hands until dry ingredients with butter resembles oatmeal.
4. Add black berries and stir gently with spoon.
5. In separate bowl, beat together, egg, sour cream and milk
6. Mix/fold in wet ingredients being careful not to pulverize the berries too much.
7. Put dough onto well floured surface and cut into circles using the opening of a water glass.
8. Put round cut out scones on a parchment lined cookie sheet.
9. Makes 8-10 scones depending on size of cut outs.
10. Bake at 400 for roughly 20 minutes.

The Inspired

Source

I love her imagination.

She approaches me only by writing.

I can't stop.

Like a Peeping Tom I gawk through her windows.

We are kindred she and I but I lilt with jealousy.

She is special; magical - a cupcake shop of pies in the sky.

I'm not special. 

Until she carries me on her back...pages, to the next adventure.

That's what real sorcery is.

*"The Inspired" will be, from time to time, very short original stories of mine.  I hope they touch you in some way.

A New Bathroom

I know its summer and all; birds are tweeting, flowers are blooming, wee bugs are out flying. But today I thought we should take a look inside as well as out.

My friend Tara lives in Portland, Oregon. I love it there and given the chance I'd go in a New York minute.

Tara is a talent in so many ways. She is an expert felter. She can do amazing things with a sewing machine and her gift giving talents are absolutely unmatched!

But she is also a great inspiration to me and the people around her. She has a magical heart and it shows in her little cottage. I am blessed to call her friend.

When she and her husband bought this house in the South West burrough of Portland, they knew they'd be doing some work.  Add to the list of her talents above, she is also an accomplished gardener and her interior eye is enviable!

The pictures below are first of her cottage. It's my dream home. You'll love it too. Next I'll do the "after" pics of the bathroom and finally, I'll end with before shots. They are all original photos taken by Tara.

Building more vegetable beds.

Look at this sumptuous little rain garden!

Look at that beautiful arch and the subway tile.

Medicine above, laundry below. And a deeper blue within.

Tangerine objet and a sweet little whale.

Before shots here: The difference is palpable.

Lots of storage but everything got lost in the back.

This storage spot was sacrificed to move the door.
See below.