hump day treat

My friend Sarah says, "Macaroons are the new cupcake.  They're all over NYC!"  I think she may be right.  Yesterday, as I was taking a quick work break and stumbled on this recipe for vanilla macaroons from Daniel Boulud on Elle Decor's website.  I think i may have to add "macaroon making" to my growing list of post-Election Day activities.  For now, I hope you'll test the recipe and let me know how they turn out.  So what are you waiting for?  Go fix yourself a little hump day treat!  

Not in the mood to bake?  Then sit back and be inspired by these photos from the gorgeous Parisian locations of the famed Laduree tea room and shops.

images via paper cakes finds | laduree

joyeux anniversaire julia child!

Today would have been Julia Child's 98th birthday.  The Cooking Channel (who plays old episodes of her various cooking shows every day at 2pm EDT) is paying homage to Ms. Child through their blog, Devour and on Facebook with photos of her recipes from fans all over the world.  Check them out!  Oh, and if you're like me and can't get enough of French cooking lately, start watching French Cooking at Home with Laura Calder on the Cooking Channel.  It's an awesome show.

Now I'm off to Sunday brunch!  Happy weekend!

image via washington examiner

a feast for the eyes

lavender lemonade from sunday suppers

To kick off the weekend, I'd like to give a nice plug for one of the most visually stunning blogs out there, Sunday Suppers.  Every time I visit their website, I am always in awe of this team's talent.  Every last detail from the photos, to design, to recipes is perfection.  The photos are particularly wonderful because they make me want to stop what I am doing and cook.  They're a definite feast for the eyes.

I thought a little lavender lemonade would be a perfectly refreshing drink for this weekend.  Here's the Sunday Suppers recipe:

Lavender Lemonade
* 2 cups sugar
* 5 sprigs lavender (stems and buds), plus additional for garnish
* 2 cups fresh lemon juice (from about 10 lemons)
* 1/2 cup fresh lime juice (from about 4 limes)
Directions:
In a large saucepan, bring one gallon of water and the sugar to a boil. Remove from heat; add 7 lavender sprigs and lemon and lime juices. Cool to room temperature, strain, and chill. Serve on ice, with additional lavender for garnish.

Enjoy and have a fantastic weekend!

image via sunday suppers