Interiors: Table lamps in the Kitchen

One of the growing trends that I really love is that of "warming" up the kitchen with elements like framed art, oriental rugs or in this case........ table lamps.  I'm seeing more and more table lamps used in pairs on the island or the windowsill in place of pendants or recessed lighting and while they may take up more space and aren't for the clumsy (or the kid filled home:))......they certainly add generous doses of charm (especially at night) and flexibility for the frequent redecorator.

All that said, however, my favorite way to see a table lamp in the kitchen is to actually not notice it at all at first..... the one tucked into the corner...... not the star of the room but the unexpected treasure waiting to be discovered..... a bit of that quirk I love so much in a home.  Not to mention.... a friendly beacon for the late night Girl Scout cookie munchies! :)

Crazy or Cool?  Would you ever use a table lamp in your kitchen?

Sources

Food: Poppyseed Bread with Glaze

Thought I would share one of my most requested and loved recipes today....... Poppyseed Bread with Glaze.  My mom has been spoiling us with this for years and I've subsequently created the same addiction with my family.  The perfect breakfast treat or snack; this bread gets gobbled up faster than you can say "Justin Bieber and Selena Gomez" in our house. :)  Not to be confused with Lemon Poppyseed bread; this bread actually blends almond, vanilla and butter flavorings with a touch of orange juice to create tastebud bliss.  The best part is it is fast and virtually foolproof..... just get all the ingredients in one bowl and mix it up!

Ingredients

• 3 cups all-purpose flour
• 1 1/2 teaspoons salt
• 1 1/2 teaspoons baking powder
• 3 tablespoons poppy seeds
• 1 1/2 teaspoons butter flavored extract
• 1 1/3 cups vegetable oil
• 3 eggs
• 1 1/2 cups milk
• 2 1/4 cups white sugar
• 1 1/2 teaspoons vanilla extract
• 1 1/2 teaspoons almond extract
• 1/4 cup orange juice
• 1/2 teaspoon butter flavored extract
• 1/2 teaspoon almond extract
• 1 teaspoon vanilla extract
• 2 cups confectioners' sugar

Directions

1. Preheat oven to 350 degrees F (175 degrees C). Grease bottoms of two 9-inch loaf pans.
2. Mix together flour, salt, baking powder, poppy seeds, butter flavoring, oil, eggs, milk, sugar, vanilla, and almond flavoring. Pour into prepared pans.
3. Bake at 350 degrees F (175 degrees C) for one hour. Cool 5 minutes. Poke holes in top of loaves and pour glaze over.
4. To make glaze: Mix orange juice, 1/2 teaspoon butter flavoring, 1/2 teaspoon almond flavoring, and 1 teaspoon vanilla. Add enough confectioners' sugar to make glaze.

The recipe calls for 2 large loaves but I prefer to make six smaller ones (just be sure to adjust your baking time) so that I can freeze them for later or wrap them up to give to neighbors, friends or teachers.  The glaze is optional but I highly recommend it.  Again, super easy to make mixing all the ingredients in one bowl and simply pouring over the loaves.  In the photo below, I've just poured it on and it looks like the bread is swimming in it...... but it dries really quickly to create a transparent and really yummy addition.  

Don't say I didn't warn you! :)

The View from Here......

A Photo a Day:  Week 9 (aka This-N-That)

So happy to be seeing brights in the stores again..... got a steal on this BCBG Maxazria ruffle front coat  ......$29!  Don't you love getting a great deal?;

Marlowe among her favorite companions..... books;

My sweet girl.... yes she has on fake eyelashes and lipstick following a dance competition; NO, I am NOT one of those "Dance Moms";

However, I am a mom who feeds her kids Fruit Loops for breakfast sometimes...... a great invention for kids.... the cereal bowl with straw attached;

A cheerful helping of Vitamin C;

Chris to Marlowe:  "Do you mind following up on a few of my e:mails while I read this?" :);

A continuation on a theme and maybe one of my favorite photos of all time; Marlowe catching up on the Weekend Arts section of the New York Times! 

My favorite quote from this weekend:

Me to Holden:  I love how perky you always are in the morning.

Marlowe upon hearing me:  Holdie's a "perkypine"!

Happy Monday!

Fashion on Friday

1/2/3/4/5/6/7

Green just makes me happy and in seasons past it's been a little hard to come by.  Looks like my year to stock up!

Have a wonderful weekend!

Fashion: The Look for Less: The Tillary Tote

J. Crew is usually the one setting trends; not following them; but I have to admit that their new Tillary tote 

looks amazingly similar to the "It" bag of the moment; the Celine Luggage Tote:

and given it is oh, approximately $1500 less.... I bet they'll be sold out in a week!

and on a completely unrelated note...... did anyone do anything special on their extra day this year?