My Moldy Thumb

Just thought you might all enjoy the wonder and mystery of the mold that has taken over my succulent plant.



I mean seriously, what IS that yellow thing? On the up side, and so you don't think I'm a total FAIL with plants, check out my thriving herb garden. The trick is that it's outside so nature waters it instead of me.

Boone's Farm Cake

Don't ask me what I was doing on the Boone's Farm Fan Club site, but I came across this enticing recipe. Cake mix, instant pudding AND crappy strawberry wine? I just might have to try this out:

Boone's Farm Wine Cake
Special thanks to Boone's Farmer Kendra from Roseville, California for submitting her soon-to-be world famous Boone's Farm Wine Cake recipe:

Mix together:
1 box Yellow Cake Mix
1 box Butterscotch Instant Pudding Mix
4 Eggs
1 Cup oil
Once all mixed together add
1 Cup Boone's Farm Strawberry Hill Wine
dash of Nutmeg

Pour into Bundt pan. Bake at 350 degrees for 45 - 55 minutes or until toothpick comes out clean. Let set for 10 minutes to cool before inverting onto plate.

Thanks to Sarah N for the photo of Dan B

House Gymnastics

I cannot decide if the guys behind House Gymnastics are brilliant bohemians making the best of their home environment when a gym membership is just too costly...

...or are they dudes who just never grew out of jumping up to slap the tops of doorways or slide down banisters in the school hallways. Whichever it is, I applaud them for making an art of it. Plus they are kind of hot.

I wonder what they recommend for getting footprints off the walls.

Sweet Victory

My personal baking hero, The Cake Hero Melissa Torres, won the Brooklyn Kitchen's 3rd Annual Cupcake Cookoff with these delightful spring cupcakes! Vanilla cake with frosting made from real strawberries and springtime fondant decorations.

Digital Grilling

How to solve the problem of grilling on the tiny slab of concrete you call a backyard while also enjoying tunes from your iPod as it strains to blast tunes out your kitchen window?

The miGrill - a tabletop gas grill with built-in speakers.



Just plug your iPod right into the miGrill's base where its speaker module will provide the soundtrack to your very compact BBQ. Seriously, how did we ever grill without this?

Thanks once again to Thrillist for tipping me off to the weirdest crap.

Spending Some Green on Mom

I was delighted to stumble across a shop around the corner from my apartment, newly opened on Earth Day -- Green in BKLYN. As you might guess, they specialize in eco-friendly gifts and housewares including Mrs. Meyer's Clean Day cleaning products as well as treats, cleaning supplies and wearables for doggy and baby. Eager to support a new local, green business I picked up a tea towel for Mothers Day featuring one of Mom's favorite kitchen phrases.

Home + Garden Reno for Hipsters

If I had a few thousand more dollars squirreled away and was ready to gut and reno that brownstone in Clinton Hill or that Victorian home in Ditmas Park, I'd be way psyched for this event next week at The Bell House. Advice for the hipster homemakers.

TUE 4/7: 6pm-8pm / FREE: front lounge

HOME & GARDEN RENO FOR HIPSTERS

*Darrick Borowski (of Jordan Parnass Digital Architecture) talking home renovation.
*Alice Kreig and Carmen Devito (of Groundworks Gardens) to talk about plans and outdoor renovations.
*Rob Slifer (of Professional Advantage/Eastern Bank) to talk about how to get the $$!
*Eve Levine (of The Corcoran Group) to host and answer real estate questions.