Liz * Mousse Fantasy Bakery
Yesterday I took some photos of fabric that I recently had printed at Spoonflower. I thought a cake would be the perfect prop. Not just any cake though. It had to be the one and only Strawberry Shortcake from Mousse Fantasy Bakery in West LA. Way back when I was pregnant (seems like eons ago) I discovered this cake when a friend was raving about her Birthday cake. With my pregnant appetite, I was all questions: what bakery? where is it? how do I get there? how late are they open? what is the frosting like? fresh strawberries? That night Ryan and I were out to dinner and I asked him to stop by the bakery for dessert. We each had a piece of this cake and from that moment, this has been my go to cake for birthdays, holidays and all manner of celebrations. If you are in LA, it is in Beard Papa's Cream Puff Bakery on Sawtelle between Olympic and Santa Monica Blvd.
The photo shoot, the fabric, and the cake are all part of a little WonderFluff tweaking, reorganizing, streamlining project I'm working on. I'm excited to share my progress with you very soon. It is shaping up nicely.
That's what I'm up to this weekend. Oh, and even though the weather has certainly been unseasonably warm around these parts, I have been knitting Rylie a pair of these.
Kalli * Roasted Chicken and Butternut Squash Soup
I just made this and it's pretty good, though I'd suggest a couple minor tweaks. I think my idea of "medium dice" sized squash chunks was a little too large, so they needed longer roasting time (about 35-40 min) and weren't that easy to mash - I'd go with about half to 3/4 inch cubes. Adding one small chunk of peeled ginger (removed before serving) and a little extra cumin and lemon juice to the simmering broth really enhanced the flavor.
This recipe was the first time I've actually cooked a butternut squash (though I've been served dishes with it before) and in doing so I learned that a lot of people have an allergic reaction to some liquid in the squash skin when you peel it. It's a pretty weird feeling, like your hands are rapidly drying out with the effect of a chemical peel or something, but I guess it's common so I'll just wear rubber gloves in the future! I just wish I'd heard of this possible reaction beforehand.
That soup looks mighty tasty, Kalli! So weird about the squash skin. I have never heard of that either.
Hello! I'm Liz Scott - mama to two little ones, maker, and all around curiosity chaser. I live with my family in Los Angeles, where we seek to fill each day with adventure, joy and creativity. I write about it all here on the blog. Thank you for visiting.
