bûche de noël cake...

The Bûche de Noël is one of my most favorite French traditions we have in our family.  We make this Yule log cake every Christmas for my mom's birthday, it really isn't Christmas with out it!

Today I am sharing more about the tradition of the Bûche de Noël and a step-by-step recipe over on Liz's blog, Say Yes to Hoboken!  Be sure to check it out!

(all photos by me, Caroline Armelle Drake)

bar gelato ...

doesn't this gelato in a popsicle form look amazing!  i'm a huge fan of gelato, so making it  into a bar form... well, it's genius.  well done, bar gelato!

{via simplesong}

raw foods ...

i've been trying to eat really healthy to shed the baby weight (some days are better than others, and let's just not talk about my nursing appetite right now..), and i have loved looking at the inspiring raw food photos by angela hardison. 

it makes eating healthy very beautiful, don't ya think?

{photos by angela hardison}

the new cupcake ...

i'm thinking doughnuts are going to be the new cupcake.

what do you think?

{image and recipe via butterfly food, via unruly things, pinned by suann}

sunny + cheerful ...

i picked up this fun cast iron martha stewart pot over the weekend at the macy's memorial day sale.

i have a love for le creuset, but, it's just not in the right price range at the moment.

don't you just love the yellow!

have any of you tried out the martha stewart cast iron pots? you like? does it compare to le creuset?

i'm excited to try mine out!

lemony risotto ...

i think i'm going to have to make this for dinner this week.

i happen to have all the ingredients.

looks amazing!

le creuset ...

today, i'm daydreaming about owning a bunch of le creuset dutch ovens.

which color would you get?

seven spoons ...

these cakes are beautifully simple.
and, so is the photography by seven spoons. they share recipes too!

i think i need to make a cake ...

just because.

{via simplesong}

spain, on the road again ...

have you ever watched, spain, on the road again?

i got hooked one saturday morning, and watched it all day long episode after episode.

it follows gwyneth paltrow, mario batali, mark bittman, and claudia bassols around spain on a culinary adventure. they eat, they shop for food, catch fresh seafood, cook, play, and eat some more.

every time i watch an episode it makes me want to go to a fancy restaurant and eat something i've never tried before.. dish, after dish.

if you ever see this on tv. stop and watch a few episodes. they are enjoyable!

i also believe you can download the episodes from their website, here, and watch never before seen scenes and view recipes.

glass storage ...

i just bought a set of glass food storage containers.

i love how they display the contents, and stack nicely.
i feel safer heating up food with glass containers in the microwave, and they also go in the oven up to 450 degrees.

the big plus is, they are bpa-free, and should last many years!

my new favorite treat ...

have you tried the new dreyers tart honey frozen yogurt?

yum!

it's my new favorite treat, paired with raspberries. or, any berries!

{image: 1 2}

gadgets ...

are you one of those people who like a gadget for everything in the kitchen? me too!

i can't say enough about my crepe maker. la la la love it! it makes making crepes so easy!

i've compiled a list of a few of my favorite kitchen gadgets on my latest post over on the zupas blog. check it out here.

zupas posts...

a few new recipes i just posted on the zupas blog from the luncheon i hosted.

mango avocado salsa, click here.
pear and pecan salad with mixed greens and feta, click here.

spider web cake...

{photo from country living}

last year, i made this spider web cake, from country living for my husband's birthday. it turned out really great! well, maybe not as professional as the country living one, but still good!

the frosting was surprisingly easy too! i love a good chocolate ganache.

check out the recipe and more on my latest post on the zupas blog. click here.

{photo by me}

crepes...

wow! these whole wheat crepes with pesto, mushrooms and goat cheese look insanely delicious.

there is just something about pesto and goat cheese. i'm obsessed...soooo good!

{photo by jennifer causey, click here for recipe on design sponge}

creepy halloween treats...

here's a few scary halloween treats to cook up. via martha stewart.

i scream sandwiches

spider web eggs

mashed boo-tatoes

devilish eggs

eye popping soup

creepy cupcakes

invisible pops

poison apples

i just love halloween!

to do, to do...

wow! i have so much to do today, i really have NO business blogging.

i've been trying to get rid of all my tomatoes and make a huge batch of this soup. i'm also a little sad that i won't be having fresh salsa nearly everyday as tomato season ends. but, i am determined to make a few batches of my pesto today before all my basil dies, since last year i waited too long and there was an early frost. and, word on the street is that in these parts, there's going to be some crazy weather the next few days..

so, to the last days of summer!! ...or, since i guess it's officially over... welcome fall!!

i suppose.

cupcake bar...

i just love the idea of having a cupcake bar with all sorts of frosting and toppings. i don't know about you, but i could really use a cupcake bar today. maybe it would help me get through the piles of laundry calling my name...

{via you are my fave and lil bee}

peaches...

I love all the fresh peaches that are available this time of year!

Last year I tried canning for the first time, and realized it’s not so bad.  So, this year I was determined to capture my fresh peaches in a jar again.

I canned an entire bushel of peaches, and ended up with 26 beautiful jars to enjoy all winter long.

I used the basic raw pack process.

I prepared/washed the jars, then creating a light syrup of sugar and water.  I then peeled and placed the peaches in the jars, filled them with my syrup a 1/2 inch from the top then placed the lids on and processed them in a boiling water bath for 40 minutes.

For more specific instructions, syrup recipes and cook times, clickhere and here.

good luck!

zupas posts...

i may have been m - i - a from this blog for a little while, but i did keep up my once a week food posts over on the zupas blog.

check them out here in case you missed them.

{photo by me}