sunday sweets {blueberry cobbler}

I hope you all had a wonderful weekend! Between our Farm Box that was delivered last week, and the farmer's market this weekend, we are stocked with blueberries. Cobbler is not one of my favorite things. I like it, and it's summery, but as many of you know, I'm more of a chocolate girl. Warm fruit doesn't always interest me. However, I do love blueberries, and blueberry pie, so I thought perhaps something in that vein might do the trick. Also I thought it would be the perfect ending to the bbq chicken and fried green tomatoes we made for dinner

These were a little different from other cobblers I've had. A little bit more dough on the top, actually this dough recipe tasted almost like a light biscuit, similar to the mixed berry grunt I made last summer. Despite being a little doughy, these were really tasty. I might suggest using less of the batter if you prefer more cobbler though.

Ingredients:

2 cups fresh blueberries

sugar

1 teaspoon grated lemon rind {I used zest, and I squeezed about half a lemon's worth of juice in as well}

3/4 cup water

3 tablespoons butter

1 egg

1 teaspoon vanilla extract

3/4 cup all-purpose flour

1 teaspoon baking powder

1/8 teaspoon salt

1/4 teaspoon nutmeg

1/3 cup milk

Directions:

1.Pick over and wash berries. Place in saucepan with 1/4 cup sugar, lemon rind and water.

2. Bring to a boil and simmer for 5 minutes. Pour equal amounts into 4 greased tart pans.

3. Cream butter, 1/3 cup sugar, egg and vanilla until well blended.

4. Mix flour, baking powder, salt and nutmeg. Add to creamed mixture along with the milk. Beat until smooth. Spoon batter over hot blueberries.

5. Bake at 375° for about 30 minutes or until browned. Serve warm, plain or with ice cream (family favorite) or whipped cream.

have a lovely weekend.

This weekend promises to be busy and hot. Movies in the park, the SCAD sidewalk arts festival, and a possible beach day are all on my to do list. I hope yours is equally exciting!

This week, around the web:

1. A dreamy "honey bee" bridal shower.

2. The Maxi skirt 2 ways.

3. Have an iphone? Here's som awesome FREE wallpaper for it! {1,2,3}

4. Paris in Color. Need.

a few things...

{colorful maxi skirts}

{milk glass}

{dainty rose gold necklaces}

{rose, my spring/summer drink of choice}

{singled out ring fingers... and peachy nails}

...I'm currently obsessed with.

wedding wednesdays {shoes}

{seychelles}

{toms}

{kate spade}

{bhldn}

{bhldn}

{diane von furstenberg}

Shoes have been a bit tricky for me. I don't want them to be too high {grace is not my forte}, I want them to be a little bit vintage looking, and I'd like them to be somewhat comfortable. Also, I'm currently obsessed with all things gold, that goes for shoes as well.

I think there's a theme with me whenever I try to pick out something for the wedding, whether it be shoes, a veil, or jewelry, I'm still trying to decide exactly what kind of bride I want to be. I think the idea of choosing something is so final. I don't want to buy multiple dresses or shoes, so I have to make the right decision the first time, but I guess what I have trouble with is the idea of never making the decision again. Once I pick out my shoes, they're going to be my only pair of bridal shoes. I'll never get to pick out another pair {until my second marriage of course... kidding people, kidding}.

sunday sweets {lavender shortbread cookies}

I've really been looking forward to doing a recipe from my Back in the Day Bakery Cookbook, and I thought what better way to start than with a lavender recipe. If you've spent any amount of time reading this blog you know lavender is one of my favorite flavors, well, anything floral really, so I love these cookies and try to get one every time I go to the bakery. Perfect for a morning snack or afternoon tea, these are a little bit lighter than the cookies I usually bake, but just as flavorful. The only thing better than these cookies, might be the batter. I have a bad habit of snacking on dough while I bake, and these were amazing. I may make them again just for the dough.

If you're in the Savannah area, Cheryl and Griff from Back in the Day are having a book signing at the Paris Market Thursday April 26 from 5-7!

Ingredients:

2 sticks of room temp. unsalted butter

1 teaspoon pure vanilla extract

1/4 teaspoon fleur de sel {or any sea salt if you don't have it}

1 1/4 cup confectioners' sugar

2 cups unbleached all-purpose flour

1 1/4 teaspoons dried lavender

About 1/4 cup granulated sugar for dusting

Directions:

Line two cookie sheets with parchment.

In the bowl of a stand mixer fitted with the paddle attachment {or in a large mixing bowl, using a handheld mixer}, beat the butter, vanilla, and fleur de sel on medium speed until smooth and creamy, about 1 minute. Turn the speed down to low, add the confectioners’ sugar, and beat until light and fluffy, 1 to 2 minutes. Add the flour in thirds, beating until just incorporated. Sprinkle in the lavender and mix until just combined, being careful not to overmix.

Transfer the dough to another bowl and finish mixing by hand to make sure no bits of flour or butter are hiding on the bottom of the bowl and the dough is thoroughly mixed. The lavender should be evenly distributed throughout the dough.

Use a small ice cream scoop to form the cookies, about 1 rounded tablespoon each, and place on the prepared cookie sheets, leaving 1 inch between the cookies to allow for spreading.

Flatten each cookie with a cookie stamp dusted with granulated sugar, or gently flatten each cookie with the palm of your hand and then dust the tops with sugar. Refrigerate for at least 30 minutes, or up to 3 hours, before baking.

Position a rack in the lower third of the oven and preheat the oven to 350°F.

Bake the cookies, one sheet at a time, for 8 to 10 minutes, rotating the pan halfway through the baking time, until the edges are lightly golden. Let cool completely on a wire rack. Store in an airtight container for up to 3 days at room temperature.

the weekend.

{the beautiful dunham farms pasture}

And so another weekend is upon us. I don't have any big plans, except to get work done. I must get things done. I think it's supposed to be a bit gloomy here which is the perfect weather for staying inside and working on one's computer, don't you think? I have a lot of projects I've been dragging my feet on, but I think it's time I got motivated. I hope you have a lovely, productive weekend as well!

While I didn't do any work, I did surf the web:

1. I want to spend a summer here, in this backyard.

2.This may come in handy one day.

3.Awesome Moonrise Kingdom posters, seriously can't wait for this movie.

4. A great idea for escort cards, and beautiful styling by Ginny Branch.

5. A circus themed wedding at Dunham Farms {our venue!}.

happy feet

{Seychelles Pansy}

{Zara T-Wedge}

{Zara Platform}

{Madewell Turnabout Sandal}

{Sam Edelman Gigi}

{Dolce Vida Julie}

I'm loving all these colorful shoes lately. Especially those Seychelles, I've been dreaming about them for a week now, they may have to come home with me.

espresso obsession

{top row: DeLonghi kmix Pump Espresso Machine; Retro Cafe Espresso Machine

bottom row: DeLonghi Lattissma Plus; Breville Semi Automatic}

Jacob and I have a new favorite ritual. Before going to work at night we stop in The Paris Market and have a little espresso. They serve it in vintage cups {my favorite is always the one with the gold} and with fancy antique spoons. It's a nice break before going into work and we enjoy the moments of quiet.

Our obsession with all things espresso began when we were at Williams Sonoma compiling our wedding registry, and ever since, we just can't get enough. Somehow the espresso machine has moved up to our number one registry priority, and we seriously cannot wait to have one in the house. There's something about an espresso machine in the house that makes me feel grown up, plus they're super fancy looking. Although I suspect we might be bouncing off the walls, perhaps it will force us to get a ton of stuff done, yes let's go with that.

{Moma Espresso Set; Tiaka black and white espresso cup; Pantone Espresso set; White espresso cup with saucer; Brasserie blue banded cup; Vintage silver plated espresso cups with saucer and spoon; Alice Sun cup and saucer; Miix Spoon Set}

girls

I hope you all had a lovely weekend! I'm feeling much better thanks to the magical powers of orange juice and copious amounts of nyquil.

In case any of you missed the premier of Girls on HBO, I would like to take this opportunity to tell you to go WATCH. Seriously. Straight forward, irreverent, funny, and poignant. Lena Dunham wrote and stars in the series about 20 something girls post college and pre success living in NYC. Everyone wants to compare it to Sex and the City, but it's much more gritty and real {I mean Carrie is a writer who can afford a NYC apartment, that wardrobe, and cosmos every night? I don't think so}. The girls are totally relatable. Getting out of college and feeling that because you have a degree you're owed something, but not having it work out quite that way is something most grads deal with today.

I love the first scene with her parents. The generation gap is evident and completely real. In school you're in this comfortable, safe place where everyone tells you what you're creating is amazing and you're going to change the world when you get out. Then you graduate, and the rug gets pulled out from under you, it's a very believable situation.

Go watch.

under the weather

About half-way through this week, I developed a rather unpleasant cold. Rest and lots of tea {and perhaps a few of these} seem to be the only things that will help. I'm hoping to feel better tomorrow so that I might properly enjoy my weekend.

While laid up on the couch I found some things that might occupy your time:

1. Awesome Obama swag from Scarlette Johansson and Anna Wintour.

2. Can't wait to get my hands on these!

3. Wind & Willow, the newest Etsy shop I'm currently loving.

4. Helpful dinner etiquette.

5. A lovely interview with Emily Schuman of Cupcakes and Cashmere {i'm taking notes}. Her wedding in this weekend and I can't wait to see photos from it, I have a feeling they're going to be amazing.

on my playlist

{M.Ward}

{The Civil Wars}

{Alabama Shakes, listen to the entire album here}

Kind of obsessed with folk/americana right now. If you haven't checked out Alabama Shakes new album, I seriously suggest you do it. Like, now.

sunday sweets {Strawberry Jam}

Whew. Jacob's sister was in town last week so we spent most of it at the beach and out of the house. I've been away from my computer for an entire week, it was glorious, but now I'm back.

Last weekend I picked up some strawberries at the farmer's market, the first of the season. Then on Wednesday, Jacob and I received our first Farmbox and it also contained strawberries. So naturally I had to figure out a way to use all of them. With Easter coming up I thought a lovely way to incorporate them would be a jam for the biscuits. Of course Jacob and I had to add our spin to it, we added a bit of black pepper to make the recipe just a little more interesting. It came out great, sweet and spicy, with big chunks of strawberries, the perfect spring treat!

Ingredients:

2 cups of sugar

1 large lemon, zested and juiced {we also added 2 limes to make it extra citrusy}

1 1/2 pints fresh strawberries hulled and halved

black pepper to taste {if you would like}

pinch of salt

mason jars

Directions:

Combine the sugar, lemon zest, and lemon juice in a small saucepan and cook over very low heat for 10 minutes, until sugar dissolves. Add the strawberries and continue to cook over very low heat for about 20 minutes, until the strawberries release some of their juices and the mixture begins to boil slowly. Cook until a small amount of the juice gels on a very cold plate {we put a ramekin in the freezer}. Pour carefully into 2 pint canning jars and either seal or keep refrigerated.

Check here for sterilizing jar tips.