Sweet and Spicy Black Beans

You can never have enough easy bean recipes and variations of chili. This one is simple and delicious. Even a Microwave Maven who would rather open a can of pre-made chili can handle this one. (by the way, our Microwave Maven aprons are 15% off right now!) Grab your apron, serve these beans with with some brown rice and coleslaw or just a loaf of crusty bread and you are set. Yummy!

Birthday Candles D.I.Y.

Birthday stuff is popping up everywhere! Now that I have my birthday cake picked out it needs to be tricked out properly. I just found this adorable tutorial for making your own long tapered candles, perfect for decking out a chocolate cake with all the trimmings.


(photo Oh Happy Day)

Perfect Birthday Cake

If ever there is a time that one should be allowed to eat cake for breakfast it would be on one's birthday, right? I think I have found my perfect birthday cake. Leave it to my girl crush Joy the Baker to have a chocolate beet cake. With beet cream cheese icing no less. I love beets. Really really love them. They're vibrant, earthy, sweet and rich, what's not to love? Luckily I have decided to celebrate my birthday well into the weekend so there will be plenty of time for someone to bake me this cake. I'll wait....

(photo: Joy the Baker)

Birthday Dress Love

It's my birthday eve! I am looking forward to a weekend of celebrating and frolicking with my nearest and dearest. It only seems appropriate that a birthday girl should be celebrating in a sweet party dress, doesn't it? Perhaps a super girlie frock with galloping horses? This delightful dress from Athropologie should fit the bill nicely.

Procrastination Options

Oh procrastination. The bane of my existence. I have a couple of shows coming up in August that require a bunch of prep and I have other apron related things to attend to, but sometimes it is just easier to avoid everything and putter isn't it? I am amazed at how much time I can lose on the internet. It just so happens that while I was surfing the net, procrastinating, I came across a list of one hundred things to do instead of procrastination on the internet.They all sound delightful. If I am going to continue to procrastinate (and let's face it, sometimes we need days like that) I may as well mix it up a little, should I?

Tequila Watermelon

Watermelon just screams summer doesn't it? Margaritas conjure up thoughts of tropical escapes and sunny days as well. If the two were to be combined it would be a sunny slice of deliciousness now wouldn't it? Imagine my glee when I discovered tequila soaked watermelon. What a delightful way to take a slice of watermelon to a boozy new level. It makes for a super easy dessert at any summer barbeque and guarantees that your guests will be cheerful. Just be careful not to slice up leftovers into your morning fruit salad as I almost did!

(photo from recipegirl)

Zucchini Lunch

There comes a time in the summer when everyone with a vegetable garden gets overwhelmed with an overload of zucchini. There are only so many loaves of zucchini bread a person can bake. I am lucky enough to have great neighbours and friends with veggie gardens who pass me their bounty and I am extremely grateful. Nevertheless, I cringe when I receive yet another zucchini.Well I won't be cringing anymore! I saw this recipe for Roquefort zucchini and now I can't wait for some zucchini deliveries. In fact I don't think I can wait that long. I need to get some zucchinis pronto. The strong cheese with the mild zucchini seems like a dreamy combo. Add some crusty bread on the side and a glass of crisp white wine and you have a heavenly summer lunch.

(Photo: Poppytalk)

Mini Hotdogs

I can't remember the last time I ate a hotdog.These adorable mini hotdogs that I saw here almost make me want to start. Too cute! Maybe it is because sliders are everywhere. If I see one more mini burger my head may explode. A tiny hotdog though? That's a whole other story. It feels fresh and oh so fun. I'll have to search and see if I can find vegetarian mini hotdogs.I think they would be amazing at a backyard party with plenty of beer and potato chips.

(Photo: Oh Happy Day)

Happy Birthday E.B. White

It is author E.B. White's birthday today! Charlotte's Web remains one of my favourite childhood books of all time. It was such a heartwarming tale of friendship and love and I adored sweet, humble Wilbur. He was a fine pig indeed. It instilled in me a love of pigs although unfortunately, despite Charlotte being a wonderful friend, I still hate spiders.

Magical Summer Print

Oh summer, how I love you! I saw this print here and I am smitten with all the lovely prints at this Etsy shop. I love those languid summer days of sunshine, girlfriends, glossy magazines and cold drinks (with lots of sunscreen and protective sunhats of course!). This print captures that summer feeling perfectly.
(image by Kelsey Garrity Riley)