Branded Woodworks

Sometimes you stumble upon something that just makes your creative soul sing--at least that's the way I felt when I first saw Lauren's woodworking for Branded Woodworks. Her handmade cutting boards and utensils are not only beautiful but fit that perfect narrative of utility. Your kitchen should be filled with things that make you happy and nothing makes me happier than having handmade, useful pieces that are beyond gorgeous. You can find Branded Woodworks at Findlay Market every weekend this summer or you can contact Lauren at brandedwoodwork@gmail.com. 

I couldn't resist creating a gorgeous spread to highlight these pieces. The white peaches are from Backyard Orchard in Rising Sun, Indiana. The salted chocolate chip cookie is from Brown Bear Bakery, located just a few blocks into Over-The-Rhine at their amazing new location. The pistachios are from Dean's Mediterranean Foods, also located at Findlay Market. Everything was so delicious and my children devoured it immediately (I didn't even get a crumb of that cookie!) 

Millions of Peaches, Peaches for Me

Did we just get a visit from the Peach Fairy, also known as The Peach Truck? Yes, we did! Some people find the holiday season to be the most wonderful time of the year but my family can make a serious case for peach season to take its place. 

Magic

A little magic for your Thursday afternoon. 

Happy Mother's Day

I hope you make your mother's day as sweet as possible (for any and all mothers involved!) Enjoy!

Raspberry Sorbet

I have a problem with excess. Some part of me always wants more--more love. More acceptance. And more dessert. Losing over one hundred and forty pounds hasn't changed that. I love fruity desserts, especially, and something like a pint of sorbet would have been toast in my old life. 

This is my new life, though. A place where I track what I eat and I don't consume too much of anything except fruits and vegetables. I firmly believe that every food has a place in my life (except cantaloupe. Yuck.) I couldn't live a life of deprivation, even after I took my weight to an excess. Instead, I've had to work (and work) on moderation. On having a scoop of something sweet and moving on. On not trying to fill a vacancy with fat and salt and sugar and flour. Where a spoonful of the best raspberry sorbet is a treat that I can control.

The sorbet is not going to give me love or acceptance. Those things can and should be bottomless--and they should come from within. Instead, let dessert be a truly satisfying, beautiful, colorful experience and one of the smallest parts of who you are.