Grandma's Biscuits

Here's a little sneak peek into our kitchen--you know you wish you had these counter tops to decorate around! :)

Last week I developed a craving for the biscuits that my Great Grandmother Morris used to make. I didn't have any shortening on hand, and finally took the time to go buy some this weekend...it was worth the trip!

Grandma's Biscuits

2 cups flour
2 1/2 teaspoons baking powder
1/2 teaspoon salt
1 tablespoon sugar
1/2 cup shortening
1 cup milk

Sift the first four ingredients. Barely cut the shortening in with a pastry cutter. Add milk--mix just enough to moisten dough. Lightly flour a board, then pat with your hands into the thickness you want. Cut into shapes with a biscuit cutter and bake on a cookie sheet at 450 degrees for 10-12 minutes, or until tops are lightly browned.

Important tips to make them just like Grandma's!

• Go light on the salt and shortening rather than over.
• When cutting the shortening in, don't overdo it--mixing lightly makes the biscuits flaky.
• Don't use a rolling pin--touch the dough as little as possible.
• Be sure to preheat the oven. A hot oven helps the dough to rise properly.
• If you're doubling the recipe, cut down on the baking powder a little.
• The thicker the better--I patted the dough down to about 3/4 to 1 inch and then cut it with a biscuit cutter.
  

Blue

Off to a baby shower brunch, but not without first showing off the wrap job! (Because you know how I am about that...)


I love this recipe. I've made it twice now--once as a dinner side dish and today as the savory part of brunch.

For the Pregnant Lady

My girlfriend Jessamy is due sometime in May. I've never gone through a full pregnancy with someone I live by and am so close to—and it has been quite the education! Recently, she picked up some Amy Butler Nigella fabric to make a slipcover for a chair and a covering for the back of her desk to hide all of the computer cords (ingenious eh?), and there were some remnants! So, I offered to come over and make some pillow covers for their couch... I'm inspired to give my living room a fresh look now too!

We had a fun evening of snacking, chatting and sewing in our sweats. And, two finished projects that turned out quite lovely. And the best part? We got it done before the baby arrives!

Happy Earth Day!

Today is Earth Day--you've got to do at least one thing to celebrate. If nothing else, find that old cell phone in the back of your closet and trade it in for a tree. Seriously--check it out here!

(C, T & W in a tree. Circa 1983)

Take One Moment to Educate Yourself...

Every year over 100 million used cell phones are discarded, filling landfills with toxic chemicals that present environmental hazards to the planet's already fragile ecosystems. Discarded cell phones generate over 65,000 tons of waste worldwide each year. This waste releases toxic chemicals including arsenic, antimony, beryllium, cadmium, copper, lead, nickel and zinc into the environment, damaging the environment and presenting severe health hazards to humans.

Don't let this continue to happen--spread the word about iRecyclePhones.com, a company dedicated to making a positive difference one phone at a time by recycling used cell phones that would have otherwise ended up in landfills. In addition, the organization has partnered with the nation's oldest citizens' conservation nonprofit, American Forests, and will be planting a tree for each cell phone donated to the organization starting today!

And the best part? I'm the proud wife of one of the people behind this effort. Good luck Wade and the rest of you--and thank you for helping to make our earth a little greener!

Oh yeah...

I can see again...

Piperlime

In addition to the Round-up, I thought I'd offer another option to drool over. Have you heard of Piperlime? I hadn't until the great quest for the green shoes.

The story goes something like this. A girl walks into her favorite locally owned boutique and falls in love with a pair of green shoes. You may guess that this is the girl's favorite color. Of course, months later when she decides to splurge for them for an upcoming wedding, they no longer have her size. After much sadness, a google search offered Piperlime, the most wonderful discovery. You've got to order from them just for the adorable box they ship in...

Denim Skirt Round Up

Thanks so much for your comments, emails and ideas. Below are some great finds! I'll start with my favorite...

Eileen Fisher Stretch Denim Skirt from Garnet Hill

Denim & Linen Pieced Skirt from Garnet Hill

Country Station Skirt from Sundance

Shelby Skirt from Sundance

Drawstring Denim Skirt & some others from Eddie Bauer

Fringed Faded Denim Skirt and TONS more from DenimSkirts.com

Seamed Skirt also from Garnet Hill

Dark Chambray Swing Skirt from J.Crew

Long Chambray Denim Skirt from the Gap

Picot Denim Skirt from J.Jill

Also, large seletions from Isabella Bird and Territory Ahead! Happy Shopping--you know you're tempted! :)

Jean Skirt Cuteness

New baby cousins count for cute baby gifts--check out this one that our Mama crocheted and put together this week for Jayna, the new spring girl! (Sorry, Mom--I couldn't resist. Those pictures were just way too cute.)

So--how about giving us a hand with a Jean Skirt roundup? We all can use the help! If you've found a cute one this season, email us the store/link/brand and we'll post them all sometime next week!

Orange you Glad?

It is time I introduce you to Johanna Wright. Hopefully you've met her already through perusing around the links on this blog... Which means, you've definitely discovered her delightful etsy shop. Maybe I like her so much because her style reminds me a bit of my best pal's doodles, or perhaps the long-legged, long-necked subjects are so reminiscent of my sister... Anyway, I think her work is fantastic. Don't you love it? When I went to Crafty Wonderland (which I just realized I never blogged about, so in brief, it was really cool to see some of Portland's craft culture in action), I was so hopeful she'd be in attendance so I could meet her for reals... but maybe some other time. After all, she is a fellow Oregonian...

Uno Down & Muchos To Go

Thank you, Jamie--and to The Boy for the beautiful surprise that I got at my desk when returning from lunch. :)

One Year Already?

Congratulations Courtney and Wade! Here is a little pachy love (courtesy of Hello Lucky) to wish you many more.

The Friday Night Knitting Club

Today, a girlfriend needed a recommendation for her book club and I was happy to offer The Friday Night Knitting Club by Kate Jacobs - which I just finished and loved! I know I'm guilty of being a knitter and obviously that would enhance interest in the book... But, it isn't about knitting as much as it is about relationships. Wish I just discovered it so I could read it again...

Beaba

While flipping through the latest Williams-Sonoma catalog, I became intrigued by this new product. You'll have to watch the three minute video on pureeing carrots...I'm so impressed by how much it simplifies cooking for babies. I thought about threatening The Boy with it, but decided we'll have to stick with this type of food for now.

Cupcake Craziness

The cupcake craze isn't dying yet. This month Sprinkles opens in Scottsdale with Palo Alto and over a dozen other areas on the way. What I've been getting a kick out of though are the non-edibles. Check them out!

Wetter Indochine Cupcake Bowl from Rose and Radish

Emma Litten Ceramics on Etsy.