COFFEE TALK

Hey, I have a secret for you. 

I’m wearing sandals right now.  Eeeeek! 

I usually approach spring cautiously until the very end of March when we have our first, airy, eat-dinner-on-the-patio week and then I’m like, “AHH I LOVE SPRING SO MUCH! LET’S BLOW KISSES TO THE WORLD.”

I’m a little contrary, no bigs. 

This intoxicatingly beautiful weather is giving me all kinds of false hope about gardening possibilities.  It is ambitious to say the least, as my very limited outdoor space is widely shaded and both of my thumbs are black through and through.  Nonetheless, I am making plans for a small endeavor that includes herbs and greens.  All things considered, I would likely be far more successful with this growhouse.  It’s tempting, I’ll admit, but for now my strategy is just to grab as many chic horticultural accessories I can find.  After all, if I look that cute the herbs wouldn’t dare refuse my coxing.  I would like to begin with this watering can. 

I promised myself that I would try this iced coffee last year and it never made its way into my mason jar.  This year, I’m determined.  I have to at least give minty coffee a try. 

While we are on the topic of drinks, I am absolutely loving these ideas for fancying up lemonade.  I really want to create a lemonade bar on my patio.  

How brilliant is this $40 dinner party?  I think I would like to create some $40 menus of my own for my mental toolbox and maybe a summer series? 

It’s taken me 22 years and 3 months to discover my fanaticism for folk art.  All of the sudden I adore it.  Maybe Rifle Paper Co. was my gateway drug?  I have an old pie cabinet that belonged to my grandmother and I am seriously considering coercing my mother into helping me paint birds like these on the sides.  Also, I LOVE those eggs and I am annoyed that I cannot have a giant collection of them for my very own because they make my eyes so happy. 

I’ve also fallen in love with this shop.  I love her prints, especially this one.

These brownies are on next week’s list of things to try and I am so excited.  I’m such a sucker for marshmallows and chocolate.  I am reasonably sure that most of my freshman twenty consisted of all those bags of marshmallows that I would dip in Nutella.  Keepin’ it classy. 

What are your plans for this weekend?  Are going to bake this grapefruit cake tonight for tomorrow morning’s breakfast?  Or, are you going to drive up to Trader Joe’s and defrost a box of almond croissants?  Both would be excellent options. 

Happy, happy Friday!

Sincerely, 

Pedantic Foodie

COFFEE TALK

Hey you!  Start smiling, running in place, or drinking more iced coffee than you know you should because *drumroll* it’s Friday!! 

I have had an adorably fluffy houseguest since Tuesday and we are just beginning to be friends.  I scared him at first with my vacuuming, then there was a smoke alarm incident and the garbage disposal...  Needless to say, it has taken us some time, but I have high hopes that hugs are on the horizon and the terror is nearly behind us.  His name is Benjamin, Benjamin Bunny. 

Mr. Pedantic and I are going to attempt to make brioche buns over tonight and tomorrow.  We will be using the “Rich Man’s Brioche” recipe from The Bread Baker's Apprentice and I could not be more excited.  There's such magic to bread-baking. When we were in London, our hotel was just around the corner from a darling little French bakery that sold the most incredible brioche buns.  We quickly got into the habit of picking up two or three each day before venturing out into the city.  We have high hopes that our home-baked versions will almost measure up, though it is hard to compete with the charm of a walking breakfast on a chilly, London morning.  

I am still planning on doing a full tour of Norwyk Manor, but each time I go to take the pictures I realize that I want to hang something there or move that around or…something.  Hence the absence of pictures.  One of our dining room walls is giving me particular trouble.  It definitely needs some pizazz and while I have considered mirrors, I am much more inclined to give into another beloved trend and go for something woven.  This piece is my current favorite, but I’m also eyeing this one and this one.  Etsy is a dangerous, wonderful world. 

Then again, I am tempted to try making my very own woven masterpiece.  I found a class, now I just have to find the time. Ha. Haha. 

Would you live here?  Part of me is screaming “yes, yes, yes!!!,” but the other part of me, who has already run out of prop storage in her own spacious apartment, is like “no way.”  They are adorable regardless. 

How gorgeous is this wallpaper?  I know it would make the prettiest nursery, but I am not entirely ruling it out as a bathroom possibility.  

I thought this was a fun read!  I liked matching up our budget to the recommended estimates.  It felt like a BuzzFeed quiz, but it seemed more meaningful than knowing which flavor of popsicle I am. Our monthly spending fell in between the thrifty and low cost categories for two adults, which surprised me.  I buy plenty of food and we typically have company once a week but usually have no problem staying within our budget.  I had actually considered it one of our more generous categories, so this made me feel a little better.  

I am thinking of adding a couple of these jars to my kitchen.  My pantry space is limited here at Norwyk Manor, and I think bringing out a few of my pantry essentials, such as chocolate and oats, would clear up some shelving space and bring some extra pretty to my counter space.  

We were just gifted a patio table and I am eager to begin bringing our outdoor space to life for quiet summer nights.  The table needs a coat of paint, and I’m eyeing this hue.  I am thinking in the realm of Edison string lights, plenty of potted herbs, and dusty purple accents.  Thoughts?  As much as I am not a fan of the summer heat, I do love having dinner outdoors on those warm, slow-going evenings.

How are your weekend plans shaping up?  I hope you are planning to bake cinnamon rolls, I really do.  Every weekend needs a good dose of cream cheese and carbs.  

Happy, happy Friday!

Sincerely, 

Pedantic Foodie. 

COFFEE TALK

Good morning! 

Welcome to this fine, mid-March Saturday.  I hope you already have your second cup of something warm and wonderful in hand.  I’m sending all the donut vibes your way. 

Let’s talk it out, Saturday-style. 

This is my new favorite teapot. I snatched it up last week and I am IN LOVE!  It is the perfect size for two and it cleans up so easily.  Mr. Pedantic and I primarily drink loose teas, so the fine mesh diffuser makes all the difference.  It was certainly the best $9 I have spent in a long time! 

While I was in beautiful IKEA-land, I also snatched up a package of these biscuits.  I am very much annoyed that I only bought one because they are so darn good and they make afternoon tea even more exciting. 

I sewed the first few stitches of my llama last night and I am so excited.  I’m also slightly concerned because her face may be a bit crooked.  Oops. 

Have you discovered the portrait camera setting on your iPhone?  Mr. Pedantic and I sat in a gelato shop for a half hour last Sunday taking pictures of each other and gasping in awe over the results.  I really love my iPhone 7.  #notsponsored

I am absolutely trying these french fries within the next few weeks.  In the past, I have made many a batch of french fries that took 3+ hours to soak, fry, and fry again.  I swore I was done with homemade french fries, but Deb has convinced me to give them a second chance.  

I am also intrigued by this bread.  Thoughts? 

In other news, I had my first iced coffee of the year yesterday and I am really happy about that. 

What does your weekend hold? 

Happy, happy Saturday!

Sincerely, 

Pedantic Foodie 

This post was not sponsored. All of the products mentioned above were bought by me and all opinions are my own, as always.