sixtyfive succulents

It was actually just short of 65 succulents. By that I mean, 30ish.

desert desserts

Started the new year back in the Land of Enchantment. Well almost. We were technically in El Paso a day early because it was fucking cold as shit in White Sands.
Amazingly breathtaking and limitless but fucking freezing. Well, I knew deserts get cold at night, but I thought I was prepared... and then I thought I might return to Oakland without toes.
But I love them anyways. I didn't know I loved them until I shipped out east and the landscape on long drives was no longer the same.

firepit season

I've missed having a backyard. One of my apartment viewings that turned into a panel interview asked "What are you looking for in your next home?" And I legit said, "A backyard. ... uh, and chill roommates. You know..." Reminds me of when I did my college interview and the guy asked what I liked doing outside of school. "Hanging out... with friends?" *shrugs*

Anyways, I didn't get that one.. well, because it turned into a panel interview, but I did end up a block over from Joyce with the better yard complete with lights and firepit (and chill roommates).

And there's only one way to break in a new firepit.

SMORES of course.

geode for our gem

five spice peaches

thanksgiving hangover

 I think I still have a Thanksgiving hangover. These days are always such a blur. Tomorrow is basically Christmas. I'm thinking about presents which was never a consideration (and problem) before at all. And then it'll be NYE which will roll into my birthday, and before long it'll be Thanksgiving 2019, and who knows where I'll be by then. Still sad probably. Still tired definitely. Still finding solace in all things food of course. Like these Newton Pippin apples, mmmm.

coffee fiends

by firelight

Christina Tosi's Chef's Table episode was so uplifting, I felt inspired by cake in a brand new way.

Her beautiful birthday cake was one of my favorite pieces of art since high school, and a triple birthday bash (in February) was the perfect excuse to finally attempt it after all these years of gawking at the pictures.

Except I ditched the sprinkles for black sesame seeds.

someone else's tragedy

I think about going home to you a lot.
I think about calling you a lot.
I think about celebrating with you a lot.
I think about crying with you a lot.
I think about how I can't.
I think about how permanent your absence is.
I think about how that will never change.
I think about how it doesn't get easier with time.
I think about how it actually gets harder.
I think about my graduation.
I've had five you could not attend.
I think about what you'd tell me.
I think it'd be prettier sounding than dad's.
I think about my brother.
I think about other people.
I think about why they're sad, too.
Then I think about myself.
I think about how I can't get over you.
Because I will always think about you again.

surprise engagement

I was told it was a surprise birthday party.

It turned into a surprise engagement party.

summer is for birthdays and watermelon

Happy Benihana Birthday to Christy!!

I hope I successfully surprised you even after the questions about your dessert preferences.

chocolate and simple

things that are fluffy

Just gathering my life together after a three week hiatus from real life.
The first thing I did was sleep for many hours.
The second thing I did was feed Tina.
The third thing I did was be thankful Alissa had leftovers from her BBQ because restocking the fridge and/or cooking was not in the cards this weekend.
After three weeks, I learned that I hate the Toronto airport.

And that I love my bed. As well as loose segues into food. Bed. Pillows. Fluffy pillows. Fluffy cakes.

Japanese cheesecake.

From here with lime zest and juice and powdered ginger and a sprinkle of ginger sugar on top.
I think this has replaced NY cheesecake in my life.

discard

Attempting to take care of a starter is an exercise in creativity and resourcefulness. What do I do with all the discarded starter!? THROW IT AWAY? I CAN'T JUST FREAKING THROW AWAY... flour and water. Okay.. just this once. Or twice. Until it's low maintenance, and then I'll make something with it every time I have to take it out of the fridge. Tina II is doing great, by the way. She's not 100% hydrated anymore because I much prefer less pancake batter-y and more stretchy shaggy. Plus since feeding her a bit more flour, I've seen less hooch and more climbing up the mason jar.

So anyways, I had one more Chobani yogurt left from this time, half a lime, and some heavy cream to use up...

3.1415926

thank you hallmark

Walked into Walmart for tampons one day. Came out with a box of sticker puzzle valentines with food puns on them. I had to buy them the way I have to eat foods within 20 minutes of waking up. Couple that with the Wonder Woman stamps I had to purchase after NC Uber driver didn't wanna help me return my wallet and red and purple envelopes from Paper Source and you have perpetually-single Amelia getting way to excited about lots-of-love day.

overexposure

self correct, overcorrect, listen to them
and then correct again.
there's one thing I could not feed: the
effort to
gather it all and give it
over,
yours.

vanilla orange chocolate chip cake 
with orange meringue buttercream 
and thick chocolate ganache drips

that time I almost killed the host

Currently obsessed with:

-tamarind, especially tamarind yogurt, especially tamarind yogurt with candied orange slices and pomegranate
-my backyard (that's not going to change)
-Imperfect Produce and not having to leave my home to go "grocery shopping"
-the idea of a flourishing herb garden now that I see it does, in fact, pour here

blanket garden

Summer Fave #3: concerts on the square

Quite possibly my favorite outdoor event of Madison, and I firmly believe no outdoor-lawn-music-picnic event will ever be good enough.

Felt inspired by cereal milk ice cream... for a couple years now. Let's just say my "time to action" or "turnaround time" or "reflex time" is not great.

The point was to send off Jules to her honeymoon and rest of her life, so I asked her what her favorite General Mills cereal is, and she picked the prettiest one. Lucky Charms, hold the charms please. I literally can't stop gazing at this bowl of beautiful artificial color.

After a good overnight soaking in beef milk, the milk (which I should've pictured) was a thick dark pastel blue.

nifty thrifty sixty shifty

It's not every day that your friends turn 60.