Signs of the times

When it comes to holiday photos, I am notorious for making sure I'm conspicuously absent. It's not that I don't enjoy seeing myself in exotic situations (ok, I really don't), but there are so many other more interesting things to capture. Beautiful sunsets. Imaginative architecture. Colourful locals. 

But most of all, I love taking photos of signs. Because signs, when done right, really give you a feel for what a place is really all about. Like this one, from my recent Hawaiian getaway:

How great is that? I mean, this is miles beyond a little yellow ticket stuck under a windshield wiper. This required EFFORT. And tape.

Then there's this one from a trip to London a few years back:

 

Who could argue with that logic? It's funny because it's true.

Speaking of logic, educational signs are often boring...but sometimes, you come across one that hints at the personality behind the copywriter (for whom I'll always have a soft spot), like this:

But this has got to be my all-time favourite. I passed it one day as I was wandering through the town of Byron Bay in Australia -- and it stopped me in my tracks (nearly doubled over with laughter). Its brilliance lies in the perfect marriage of brutal honesty and tongue-in-cheek self-awareness:

I coudn't have said it better myself.

Let them eat (cup)cake

Aren't these the prettiest cupcakes ever? Of course, I'm a bit biased in my observation since I helped make these for my best friend's bridal shower last year. They turned out great, if I may say so, and were the hit of the party.

They came to mind because I met said friend for brunch today, after she'd dragged herself out of bed on a lazy Saturday morning to snag some fancy red-velvet-with-cream-cheese-icing cupcakes at a local bakery. So in-demand are these cupcakes that no pre-ordering is allowed: it's strictly first-come, first cupcake.

But if you're not inclined to wait in line, or want to impress the pants off your friends and family, you can make them yourself. From scratch.

Hey, nobody said true love was easy...

Red Velvet Cupcakes
(adapted from simplyrecipes.com)

While most red velvet cakes get their distinctive colour from food dye, during World War II (when many foods were rationed) bakers used boiled beets to enhance the color of their cakes. I guess necessity really is the mother of invention!


Cupcakes:
1 1/2 cups of sugar
1/2 cup (1 stick) of butter, room temperature
2 eggs, room temperature
2 1/3 cups of cake flour
2 tablespoons of Dutch-processed cocoa powder
1 teaspoon of baking soda
1 teaspoon of baking powder
1/2 teaspoon of salt
1 cup of buttermilk
1 1/2 tablespoons of red food coloring
1 teaspoon of vanilla extract
1 teaspoon of distilled white vinegar


Frosting:
1/2 cup of butter (1 stick), room temperature
8 oz of Philly cream cheese (1 package), room temperature
2 - 3 cups of powdered sugar
1 teaspoon of vanilla extract


For Cupcakes:
1 Preheat the oven to 350°F. Beat the butter and sugar in an electric mixer for 3 minutes on medium speed until light and fluffy.
2 Add the eggs, one at a time, beating until each is fully incorporated. Be sure to scrape down the sides of the bowl to ensure even mixing.
3 In a large bowl, sift together the cake flour, cocoa powder, baking soda, baking powder, and salt. In another bowl whisk together the buttermilk, vinegar, vanilla extract, and red food coloring.
4 Add a fourth of the dry ingredients and mix, then add a third of the wet. Continue adding in a dry, wet, dry pattern, ending with the dry ingredients.
5 Scoop into cupcake papers, about 1/2 to 3/4 of the way full. Bake for 18-22 minutes or until a toothpick comes out clean. Rotate the pan after the first 15 minutes of baking to ensure even baking.
6 Allow to cool for one minute in the pan then transfer to a wire rack to cool completely. Makes about 2 1/2 dozen cupcakes.


For Frosting:
1 Cream the butter and cream cheese together, about 3 minutes. Scrape down the sides and bottom of the bowl to ensure even mixing.
2 Add the vanilla extract and mix.
3 Add the powdered sugar, continually taste to get to desired sweetness. Pipe onto cooled cupcakes.

Sweet beginnings

Freshly-made waffles with locally-grown macadamia nuts,strawberries and real maple syrup -- if this were my regular breakfast, it really would be my most important meal of the day!

Deeelish.

Location, location, location

Aloha!

After eight days of relaxation, degustation and complete beach gratification, I'm back. What a marvelous adventure! Exploring Hawaii was a dream come true, and as a solo trip it was rewarding in ways I didn't expect. Every day was full of discovery, from the one-day-only free admission to the aquarium (score!), to new and exciting places to eat. Such as this:

 

This is the oceanside bar at the Sheraton Waikiki, called The Edge, with the famous Diamond Head volcanic crater standing proudly in the distance.

Now, I wasn't staying at the Sheraton (don't even think I could've afforded to sleep in their parking garage), but after walking down a side lane and turning round a corner, I stumbled upon that heavenly view and decided to stop and treat myself to lunch.

Which, in fact, turned out to be the best lunch I had in Hawaii. Judge for yourselves:

  

Is that not the tastiest-looking burger ever? We're talking pure carnivorous heaven! The black angus beef was flavourful and juicy, and the caramelized onions perfectly complimented the chipotle rum BBQ sauce. The fries were perfection -- I don't know how they did it, but they were extra crispy, crunchy and just a little bit sweet, brought to life with a dusting of sea salt.  

But the best part -- and forgive me, but my Polish roots are about to show -- was the pickle. Yes, the pickle. It was firm and crisp with loads of delicious, briny, garlicky-dill flavours. Yet not too salty...the star of the show was definitely the pickle formerly known as cucumber. Mom would be proud.

And of course, the whole meal was made infinitely better by the view. I know they say presentation is what really makes a dish. But how can you not rave about a burger when, while you're eating it, you're staring out at this:

 

Waiter, I'll have another...

Battery recharge

Been a tough week, a tough few months...hell, I can't remember the last time I actually took a breath and RELAXED for a week. I'm way overdue. See you in a week.

Rocket Girl

When I was a kid, every day seemed like an adventure. At least, that's how I imagine it was. Truth is, I really don't have a lot of memories from when I was little. Oh sure, a few events are seared into my memory (particularly a nasty meeting between my left knee and a sharp chain link fence), but on the whole? I can't willingly recall the average temperature of my day-to-day existence.

I'm told I was quite the curious little monkey. Started reading when I was four. Made up poetry about vegetables (a post best left for another day, trust me). Adored my pink teddy bear. Beyond that, I don't remember a whole lot of detail.

Except this jungle gym. I remember it like it was yesterday: the shape of a rocket ship, it had a steering wheel mounted at one end, and whenever my mom brought me to this park I'd make a beeline for it and climb it for hours, pretending to steer myself around the stars.

I guess I haven't strayed too far from my beginnings, considering I read and write for a living (and have a slight obsession with girly accessories) but finding adventures is getting harder and harder. Life is just not as carefree as it was 30 years ago. Career. Mortgage. RESPONSIBILITY. Yikes.

I think it's time for another trip in a big rocket ship.