09 January 2007
It might seem like I've been doing a lot of baking recently (ginger biscuits for Christmas, then oatmeal cookies, orange cake, etc) -- and I have been -- but it's because I'm trying to bake sweet treats rather than buy them. Having a packet of biscuits in the house is fine, but since I enjoy baking AND have a chance to cut out the preservatives, why not? And I'm getting more adventurous: carrot cookies --
Seemed like a good idea, and I think I got very lucky with my recipe. Perhaps could do with a little bit more carrot, but the simple icing really makes these fluffy cookies a treat. Remind me to post the recipe later.
My mom found three of the little Corelle bowls above at the Goodwill. They match my (lone) Pyrex teacup, which I love. I've got a few pieces of mismatched Pyrex (teacup, creamer, gravy boat [I use it to hold the sponge by the sink], etc) -- it's always exciting to find something new at the thrift store.
This is quickly becoming an over-photographed area, no? I bought this rug at Pier1 yesterday. It must've been about 50% off! It'll go in the craft room, if we ever finish with the ceiling in there. It's miles ahead of where it was a couple of weeks ago, but there's still a lot of sanding and mudding to do. When it's finished, I'll have to have a post dedicated to its transformation. At the moment, there's thick grey carpet on the floor in there, but there's dark maple floors underneath (like in the living room and office, only with the original stain). They're in rough-but-livable-for-the-moment shape, and this rug will cover most of the middle of the room anyway.
Mmm, sun. This is extra funny, because Minnie is ordinarily such a cushion snob. Her dog bed is okay; the chair and sofa are better; the bed is the ultimate goal (and forbidden). It must've been a really good patch of sun to convince her to lie on the floor!
Some how I knew, before the photo loaded, that the Corelle would be that green print. When I got my first apartment in college, 1974, that was the set of dishes I had. My little brother bought them for me. Nice little trip down memory lane.
Love your blog!
posted by pam at January 9, 2007 07:34 PM
my grandma has those corelle dishes! reminds me of saturday nights at her house, watching fraggle rock and eating ice cream.
posted by melissa at January 9, 2007 07:39 PM
now I want carrot biscuits with icing!! you always take such beautiful photos.
posted by Alison at January 9, 2007 09:20 PM
Mmm those bikkies look good! Are they ever called biscuits in the US or are they always cookies? I notice you use both terms :)
Your house is looking wonderful. You are an inspiration to this would-be-renovator first-home-owner!
posted by Jill at January 9, 2007 10:39 PM
Jill -- No, Americans don't call cookies 'biscuits' (except maybe on some types of packaged cookies/biscuits). Biscuits in the US are doughy, savoury little buns, as in 'biscuits and gravy'.
I do use both terms due to living in the UK and seeing the error of my cookie ways. My general rule of thumb, though, is that if it's crisp or crunchy, it's a biscuit (so, most store bought varieties, ginger biscuits, etc), but if it's chewy or cakey, it's a cookie (like most homemade varieties).
Don't even get me started on fries/chips/crisps.
posted by Anna at January 9, 2007 10:56 PM
Ooooh, cookies. I think you should revert to the U.S. terms for fries and chips because of your uncertainty about when to stop pronouncing the word crispspsps.
posted by Rob at January 10, 2007 12:55 AM
mmmmmmmm... can't wait for the carrot cookies recipe. if it tastes half as good as it looks, i'll be delighted!
posted by tiffanykapri at January 10, 2007 04:56 AM
Great picture of Minnie.
posted by Karen at January 10, 2007 12:51 PM
Oh yes, please do post the recipe for the cookies when you have a moment. Carrot cake is my all time fave and these look just as good.
posted by Cherry Menlove at January 11, 2007 09:46 AM
I love your Corelle. You can tell that I am a child of the 70's. Love that avacado green. I see pieces of that set at the Goodwill store all the time. If there are pieces that you are looking for, I'd be glad to pick them up for you.
Can't wait for that carrot cookie recipe!
posted by Carole at January 11, 2007 09:20 PM
The carrot cookies sound intriguing! BTW, my grandma had that set of Corelleware.
posted by Jodi at January 11, 2007 10:22 PM
mmmm, carrot cookies, never had 'em but they look delish. looking forward to trying out your recipe.
my Libby is like your Minnie -- she'll search out the cushiest spot to lay on and then build up the nest a bit by adding our jackets or whatever's handy and smells like us. but she'll leave the cozy nest for a sunbeam.
posted by rachel at January 13, 2007 02:38 PM
Those cookies look great - do post the recipe!
posted by Amy at January 13, 2007 11:02 PM
Hi Anna! Yep, I'm still checking in on you! It's so nice to see how you're fixing up your house! I grew up with that Corelle pattern! I bet my mom has chucked it all though - she's not a "saver." Happy New Year to you and I'll be seeing you!
posted by Momma Pajama at January 14, 2007 02:38 PM