the Deathly Hallows

WARNING: this post does not contain spoilers

Well, my first craft based income has already been spent (Pear Pie ring a bell?)... But I had to as I found an ever so worthy way to celebrate this momentous occasion: Harry Potter and the Deathly Hallows is now mine on audio CD!

Some people, mainly former or current roommates (including friends, sister and now husband), are stumped at how I can listen to these books on repeat on a daily basis. But are they not fantastic? The reader, Jim Dale, does over 200 voices for the 7 books which alone is worth the purchase.

The much anticipated, discussed, and predicted final book was shipped to my hotel where I was attending Moto GP at Laguna Seca with friends. I'm not sure watching guys zoom around a track at 200 mph is a good trade for devouring the final Harry Potter book, but I had a great time nonetheless, mainly due to great company and the Corkscrew on Turn 8. Panic set in however, when I started receiving calls from friends who had finished the book before I had read more than the chapter titles. Please understand that I take Harry Potter very seriously.

I could rave about Harry Potter related topics for days but that may not be very interesting to some of you Muggles. In an effort to peak your interest however, I entice you with these favorites:

Favorite Books: The Goblet of Fire OR The Deathly Hallows
Favorite Character: Fred & George Weasley (since they are twins, they count as one)
Favorite Store: Weasleys' Wizard Wheezes
Favorite Spell: Expecto Patronum (and I'd bet mine would be an elephant)
Favorite Harry Potter Websites: MuggleNet, The Leaky Cauldron, & The Harry Potter Lexicon

Favorite Scene: The Battle for Hogwarts
Favorite Food: Bertie Botts Every Flavor Beans

If I were a character, I think I'd be most like Hermione (smart and bossy with bushy hair), plus she knits... (for more information on what and how Hermione knits, please read Book Five.)

So picture me, listening to Harry Potter and the Deathly Hallows, while knitting THIS!

Cake No. 1

I'm not the fondest of cake--it's usually too dry and sugary--yet somehow I fell into a recent obsession with baking cupcakes and cakes. I can't remember how this happened, but I do know that it's been aided by the vintage-inspired cupcakes that Magnolia Bakery offers daily to their lucky NYC neighbors. My parents stumbled on Magnolia during their recent trip, and brought back a cookbook which I've been "borrowing" for the past month. (There are a couple of Magnolia Bakery cookbooks, but "More from Magnolia" features their best-selling cupcake and frosting recipes. You can also find the vanilla cupcake and buttercream frosting recipe here.)

My first batch of cupcakes was a disaster. Although they tasted amazing, they looked horrible. It was my first time to make anything other than cream cheese frosting and it seemed to separate into bits of butter. To make matters worse, I attempted to mix food coloring to create a nice and muted purple color and instead it came out looking like botched chocolate frosting. A friend took pity on me and encouraged me to try Wilton icing colors which is what I used here, and now love. (Thank you, Traci!) I am definitely a baking novice...sigh.

So here it is, my first layered cake frosted to anti-perfection, but sure to taste wonderful at our beach picnic this evening...

Pear Pie

This is a day to make history. After a lifetime of tinkering and creating, the first profit has been banked and the spending possibilities are endless!

I'm having a hard time deciding if I should call this apple pie or pear pie. On one hand, it reminds me of the ever present Granny Smith apple of my childhood but the winning argument is that truly, this little duo is the perfect pearing...

The blanket fabric is from Denise Schmidt's Flea Market Fancy collection by Free Spirit--to which I'm officially addicted (but more about my fabric addictions another day). The chocolate polka dot flannel is by Michael Miller.

Project Fact: you don't need to quilt this creation as the flannel will stick to the fabric by itself.

La Cornue

Ever since walking into Williams-Sonoma the other day and seeing their new La Cornue stove, I can't quit dreaming about it. Williams-Sonoma has offered La Cornue stoves for years, but I hadn't yet seen the new color which would look amazing in some of the beach cottages that are constantly being restored in our area.

The stoves are incredible to cook on, and equally incredible to look at. I checked out the official La Cornue website and found several pictures showcasing their different styles. This kitchen features the matching spice (to the left of the stove) and vegetable (underneath the kitchen island) drawers.

Be sure to click here to dream up your own stove!

Long May She Reign

Victoria (Magazine) is back! You can pick up the premiere (Nov/Dec) issue in stores this October or subscribe here.