This week was packed full of social events and very little reading or blogging. I spent a lovely afternoon with my friend Kristen who was in town from San Francisco. I hosted a happy hour fundraiser for my Cycle for Survival team, and co-hosted a baby shower for a dear friend.
For the shower, I baked Devil’s Food Chocolate Cupcakes, and topped them with Cream Cheese Icing. I also made a batch of my new favorite chocolate chip cookie recipe: Joy the Baker’s Brown Butter Chocolate Chip Cookies. We had a lovely afternoon celebrating the mom-to-be, and I gave her the book I give to all my friends who are expecting girls: Blueberry Girl by Neil Gaiman.
This week was a light week on the blog: I posted my South American Reading List, and requested your suggestions (a great suggestion came from a friend on Twitter: State of Wonder by Ann Patchett). I also posted a recipe for English Currant Scones.
READING
I’ve made myself a strict reading list from now until I leave for South America. I have several books I want to read as background before the trip, and several ARCs that I’m excited about and want to read and review before their publication date. Unfortunately I didn’t get much reading done this week, so I’m already behind! I’m almost finished with Turn Right at Machu Picchu by Mark Adams, and then will start The Love Song of Miss Queenie Hennessy by Rachel Joyce.
WATCHING
Tonight I’m cooking a big pot of chili, sitting on the couch with the boy, and watching the Oscars. My two favorite movies of the year (St. Vincent and Wild) didn’t get Best Picture nominations, but I’m looking forward to watching Neil Patrick Harris host.
LISTENING
I’ve just started the audiobook of Brief Encounters: Conversations, Magic Moments and Assorted Hijinks by Dick Cavett. It looks like an enjoyable behind the scenes look into the life of a talk show host, and Dick Cavett’s voice is fantastic.
LINKING
- My podcast app gained some weight after reading this great list of recommendations from River City Reading.
- I’ve been eyeing Julia Rothman’s new book, Nature Anatomy. Julia is one of my favorite illustrators, and this book looks like it’s full of delight. Take a peek inside it via this feature on Brain Pickings.
- I can never resist unlikely animal friendships, and this dog and owl pair does not disappoint.
How was your week? Are you watching the Oscars? What would you have picked for Best Picture?
Oh My God my heart just melted after clicking the owl and dog link! Too cute! Also your cupcakes look amazing, my butter icing never ends up looking like that!! I didn’t end up watching the Oscars but I’ve seen the Theory of Everything and I definitely think Eddie Redmayne deserved to win; I still haven’t seen Still Alice but will eventually.
Angelica x
Eddie was so great in The Theory of Everything, so glad he won!
My cupcake frosting secret is to pipe it on – I use a pastry bag and one of the large tips. It’s a bit more work, but it makes them look professional. Whenever I just use a spatula or knife to spread the frosting it looks like a 5 year old did it – I’m so messy! I do that when the cupcakes are just for me though – then I don’t care how they look. :D