What I Wish I Were Reading...

The Nutshell Studies of Unexplained Death, Corinne May Botz, looks to be absolutely fantastic. The book depicts diorama crime scenes created in the 1940's by Frances Glessner Lee, a Chicago heiress with a passion for forensic study.
I am a great fan of things in miniature, but am especially intrigued when something of actual size is accidentally included, the usual suspects are oftentimes plants and hinges, or other hardware. However, the vignettes in this collection are brilliantly detailed and aesthetically sound. They surprise the viewer with a dark twist, and were intended to be used ( and still are today) as a training tool. The factual base of these grizzly scenes works in opposition to their innocent, doll house appearance. A sublime duality.

This fun site, created by Erin Hooper Bush, allows you to interactively explore a few of the dioramas... http://www.deathindiorama.com/index.html
and this will direct you to the page for Of Dolls & Murder, a documentary about the scenes and their creator... http://www.ofdollsandmurder.com/

Et Voila! Choclolate Guinness Cupcakes with Cream Cheese Icing (and a little Bailey's)

Preheat your oven to 350F. Pour 8 ounces of Guinness into a large wide saucepan, add 9 ounces of unsalted butter (pats) and heat until the butter melts. Then, whisk in 6 tbsp of cocoa and 2 cups of sugar. In a separate bowl, beat together 5 fluid ounces of sour cream, 2 eggs and 1 tbsp of vanilla extract... pour into the saucepan. Stir. Whisk in 2 cups of flour and 2 1/2 tsp baking soda.
Pour the batter into cupcake liners and bake for 20 minutes, or until a toothpick comes out clean.
For the icing, beat 10 ounces of cream cheese until smooth, add 1 cup of confectioner's sugar, 1/2 cup of heavy cream, Bailey's (to taste- if your adding a lot, cut back on the cream slightly) and beat until spreadable. Ice cupcakes when they are COMPLETELY cooled. My new favorite cake :)

Saturday Morning Ritual

Artisan bread + wood-fired oven + espresso = oh so happy me. Lately i have made a habit of going to Soltane Breads and Spreads, a bakery/coffee shop located in Phoenixville, Pennsylvania. It has become very difficult to choose between my favorite, croissant or the delectable candied ginger scone. Check out their website here - www.breadsandspreads.org/