I hardly ever tire of looking at images, particularly old family snapshots, with their candid nature and hidden truths.  Among my favorites of those are photographs of cakes.  The cake itself is a completely frivolous food, in fact, I hesitate to call it food, (Marie Antoinette may agree) because it is so nutritionally void.  Don't get me wrong, it's delicious, but so impractical.  When someone takes a photograph of a cake, to me, it's as if the cake becomes anthropomorphized, it becomes a doomed guest at the party, it becomes a personality, and the image of that personality I find very amusing.

These two are from my own family's archive, and I thought I should share them.  They are responsible for feeding my fascination with this type of image.  The first was taken at a wedding.  I couldn't tell you whose wedding, it was before I was born.  I am drawn to the juxtaposition of the elaborately decorated cake, complete with swans and pink roses, and the support column and clock in the background, obvious props from a drab beige basement.
The second photograph is of my great, great grandmother.  I have always known this woman in rare pictures of her to have excellent posture, a collar all the way buttoned, and the slightest hint of a smile.  This image is no different, apart from the celebratory cake she holds on her lap.  I enjoy the light leaks around the edges of this photograph, and the overexposed cake which doesn't allow for me to make out the decorations on it.  Some pictures want to be turned over:

If any of you would like to share some old pictures of cake with me,  I would be overjoyed :)

Apple Cobbler

This is perfect for fall.  The recipe is very simple, so feel free to add extras (...sometimes I like to use cranberries or oats or cinnamon.)  There is almost never any leftover.  The recipe is from the book Cobblers from Hachette Illustrated Press. 
I made this yesterday as the only side dish/dessert for a duck.  We hardly ever have duck, so I was at a loss as far as accompaniments, but this way I was sure to have room for dessert. ;)

Filling:
6-7 cooking apples, peeled, cored, and cut into pieces
2 oz butter

Topping:
1 1/2 cups all purpose flour
pinch of salt
7 oz unsalted butter, diced
1/2 cup granulated sugar
1/2 cup brown sugar  -the original recipe calls for only granulated sugar (1 cup) but I LOVE the chewy texture you can achieve from incorporating brown sugar.

Preheat the oven to 350.
Brown the apples in a pan in the butter.
Prepare the cobbler topping by putting the flour, salt, and butter in a bowl and rubbing them together with your fingers to form large crumbs.  Add the sugar and mix well.  (I like to grease my baking dish with butter even though the recipe doesn't call for it.  It allows for some of the brown sugar to caramelize at around the bottom. )  Spread a thin layer of cobbler in the bottom of an oven-proof dish, cover with the apples, then sprinkle the rest of the cobbler on top.
Bake for 40-50 min., or until the top is golden brown.
P.S.  I like to serve this warm, with some sort of cream on top.  Last evening it was this:

In the Works

Currently I am creating a simple cowl that slips over the head.  I am using a nylon-wool blend yarn that I picked up at Joann Fabrics, and it practically knits itself. 

If you would like to make one, the directions are super easy....(I am lousy at following directions so I usually make my own patterns.)  You will need size 10 1/2 knitting needles and a 5 (bulky) type yarn.
Cast on 90 stitches, and work in a ribbing of 5 knit, then 10 purl.  Keep going until you use practically all of the yarn, finish off, then sew up the ends.
I know, lousy instructions, right?  Let me know if it's unclear, and hopefully I can elaborate where necessary.

It's Official...

Fat Bunny Tea Cozies have arrived in my etsy shop, (so far) in a small range of colors, Russet, Turquoise, and Gray!  They are made from wool felt (link) and are lined with a coordinating fabric.

First Roll

Recently I decided to treat myself and purchase a Holga TLR (twin lens reflex) camera.  I already have one Holga, a 120s, and it's almost too Holga-esque.  The light leaks are significant, and are in a geometric box shape, and I haven't come up with any ideas (or subjects) to best utilize this camera.  Much of the frame ends up being way overexposed, and I end up being disappointed.  So it sits among my vintage cameras, usually, looking a bit sad.
Anyway, I'm getting off track...the new camera is fantastic!  Below are some of the results.  There is a vignetted edge, and a dreamy depth of field, and it works with 35mm film.  So overall, I highly recommend it if you happen to be looking for a plastic camera, either for fun or as a stepping stone into the world of happy accidents.
Holga 135BC TLR: