pumpkin spice latte

pumpkin spice latte, originally uploaded by iamchanelle.

made my own pumpkin spice latte this morning, thanks to this recipe. nom.
yay Autumn!!!

sur la table

sur la table, originally uploaded by iamchanelle.

[this is my nightstand.]

sometimes, it’s good to stop. to rest. to enjoy the lovely Autumn light streaming in through your window.

to read a book.
drink some tea.

to turn off all the noise, and thoughts, the tasks and just…
be.

sorry for the quiet around here, but i’ve needed it.
be back to baking and posting soon!

hope you are all happy and well.
peace.

love,
chanelle

simple things

simple things, originally uploaded by iamchanelle.

i have found the simplest things in life bring the greatest satisfaction.

this morning, i enjoyed an egg sunny side up with lots of freshly cracked black pepper, whole wheat toast with sweet cream butter, french press, an open window to usher in the beginnings of Autumn and some time with my guitar.

*happy contented sigh*

i hope you find something simple and lovely to enjoy today. you deserve it.

love,
chanelle

p.s. – my method for eggs sunny side up:

heat a pat of butter in a small skillet over medium high heat.  when sizzling, crack an egg into the pan.  cook for a minute or so until the white solidifies.  toss some kosher salt and freshly cracked black pepper over top, and cover with a lid.  fry about 2-3 minutes more until the yolk *just* begins to solidify around the edges, but is “wobbly” in the center.  remove immediately and enjoy.

cinnamon muffins

with a hot cup of french press and one or two of these cinnamon muffins, your morning is guaranteed to be a lovely one…

cinnamon muffins

by iamchanelle.  makes 1 dozen

the addition of a little white whole wheat flour makes these muffins a little nuttier in flavour, which really adds a nice element to all that delicious earthy cinnamon.

• 1 1/2 cups all purpose flour
• 1/2 cup white whole wheat flour
• 1/2 cup brown sugar
• 1 1/2 teaspoons baking powder
• 1 teaspoon cinnamon
• pinch kosher salt
• 1 egg
• 2/3 cup milk (i used almond milk, yummm)
• 1/3 cup butter, melted (i have tried apple butter here, but found these particular muffins already too heavy, and they did not release well from the wrappers – i recommend good old fashioned butter, if you can. results in a lighter muffin.)

• 1 cup toasted walnut pieces, optional.

• cinnamon sugar to top, not optional.

preheat oven to 350 degrees fahrenheit.
line 1 muffin tin with paper liners.

sift together flours, sugar, baking powder, cinnamon and salt.  in a separate bowl, whisk together milk, melted butter and egg.
slowly incorporate into flour mixture, just until moistened.
stir in walnuts, if desired.

scoop into muffin papers, and sprinkle tops liberally with cinnamon sugar.

bake in preheated oven 18-20 minutes, or until tester inserted into the center comes out clean.

serve warm with a pat of sweet cream butter.

aaaaand, that’s a wrap!

ba dum psssssshhhhht!
i’m here all week, heh heh….

hope you enjoy this little recipe i created for you.

love,
chanelle

Renato

Renato, originally uploaded by iamchanelle.

Meet Renato, the gorgeous pizza oven at Liberty Market.

i enjoyed the White Pizza there this evening, with a dear friend and a glass of wine.

good times, i tell you.

this place is incredible. from amazing cappuccinos

to some of the best pizza crust EVAR to the kindest staff and the coolest bathrooms…
oh yes.

i did say bathrooms.

you just need to see them for yourself.

so many aromas, sights, sounds, textures and experiences to be had every time you visit.
please go sometime, and don’t forget to enjoy a slice of red velvet cake. the cream cheese frosting will make your mouth verrrry happy.

trust me on this one.

*burp*

love,
chanelle

honeyed popcorn

honeyed popcorn, originally uploaded by iamchanelle.

one of the simplest treats you can make for yourself –
sweet, salty, crunchy…
it’s the ultimate snack, i’m telling you.

you need:
a hot air corn popper, or your favourite method for popping those kernels.

1/4 c popcorn kernels
4 tablespoons butter
4 tablespoons honey
salt to taste

pop…the popcorn kernels.

melt the butter and honey together gently (it will overflow if you’re not careful!)

toss with popped corn and salt to taste.

nom!

love,
chanelle

just….blueberries.

just….blueberries., originally uploaded by iamchanelle.

best enjoyed with soft morning light and some death cab for cutie on the player.

another way to enjoy blueberries can be found right here.

hope your day is lovely!

love,
chanelle

mid morning nomnomage

mid morning nomnomage, originally uploaded by iamchanelle.

inspired by my friend Clive and his Facebook post today about a little snack he had just enjoyed. it sounded so good i promptly ran to my kitchen to create something similar..

roasted garlic bread slathered with spinach and artichoke cream cheese, topped with fresh tomato slices and a sprinkle of kosher salt. and of course a few olives.

so good.
thanks, clivios!

enjoy your day, everyone! be sure to take some time and make something special for yourself. even just a little snack can really be a nice touch.

love,
chanelle

it takes work

it takes work, originally uploaded by iamchanelle.

today is the day i celebrate eight years of marriage to an incredible, hard working, faithful, funny, awesome man.

it’s been quite the journey.

first year newlywed bliss (aka: ignorance and naivety)
second year reality check (aka: oh, he really snores. great, she’s really OCD)
third year a new journey begins (aka: diapers and bottles and puke and poop and tears and memories and laughs and no sleep whatsoever)
fourth year things are calm (aka: still catching up on sleep from the third year, no time for anything else)
fifth year things really suck and almost don’t make it to the
sixth year grace and love rediscovered
seventh year economy strikes and only makes our love stronger, so suck it money and hard times, we don’t need you to survive to the
eighth year and counting (aka: i wonder what it will all hold. every day is a new adventure.)

all i know is that it will take more work.
and deeper love.
and stronger grace.

and i’m ready.
i love you babe.

you rock.
<3

love,
chanelle

p.s. – stay tuned…i’m thinking of making a special cake or sumfin nice for tonight.

now showing

my fine art prints are now officially on display down at the urban tea loft in downtown chandler, AZ.

(i’m doing a little happy dance right now)

please come on by tonight from 6-8 p.m. to check it all out, or just to meet some great people and try some great food – it’s a win-win situation. 

the Urban Tea Loft

11 West Boston Street, Suite #2

Historic Downtown Chandler,

Arizona 85225

480.786.9600

hope to see you there.

love,

chanelle