SAIPUA

Here are some stunning ranuncula and apricot parrot tulips we got this morning, you can click the image for full effect - but more importantly lets discuss THE DARK CRYSTAL, and ignore the fact that this was my first time watching it, but more importantly how I've decided to build a CRYSTAL CHAMBER in my apartment, inspired by the recent issue of ID magazine's 40 best work spaces. You can see some of them here. Some people work in, you know... a castle. [*I've also reworded George Michael's 'Last Christmas' to be an updated Dark Crystal theme song. You try it, its easy.]

But I didn't have any cupcake papers; Carrot Cake adapted from Gourmet December 2007

4 medium carrots

Thumb-size piece of ginger, grated

1 1/2 cups all-purpose flour
1 1/2 teaspoons baking powder
1/2 teaspoon baking soda
3/4 teaspoon salt
1 teaspoon ground cinnamon
1/4 teaspoon grated nutmeg
3/4 cup vegetable oil
3 large eggs
1 cup packed light brown sugar
1 teaspoon pure vanilla extract

For icing
1 1/4 cups confectioners sugar
1/2 teaspoon grated orange zest
2 to 3 tablespoons fresh orange juice

1/2 cup of mascarpone cheese

Preheat oven to 350°F with rack in middle. Butter and flour a regular size loaf pan.

Coarsely grate enough carrots to measure 2 cups using large teardrop holes of a box grater.

Whisk together flour, baking powder, baking soda, salt, cinnamon, and nutmeg in a bowl.

Whisk together oil, eggs, brown sugar, grated carrots, grated ginger and vanilla in a large bowl, then stir in flour mixture until just combined. Pour in loaf pan, bake for around 40-45 min or until toothpick comes out clean.

Icing; beat sugar with juice and zest to make a very thick icing, beat in cheese.
Cool all day in pan, then slice up in layer and ice away!
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Lastly you can check out some little pictures I made of vignettes in my apartment for Joy (from Oh Joy) for her Blueprint Blog post here. Neato.

xx
sarah