Brand New Today
New.
Brand new today. I was wondering what to post for this week’s photo challenge.
We went to a delicious brunch at our friends’ home Saturday morning.
I received this unexpected gift- at first I thought it was a whisk broom for clothes – but no, can you guess?
It’s a cake tester! Perfect for a baker. A cake baker. Just need an occasion to bake a cake.
Pull a broom straw and insert in the cake’s center to test the cake’s doneness. Make sure it comes out clean.
I’m hanging my brand new cake tester on the pot rack right next to the over door as the little verse suggests.
Thanks Rich and Barb for a lovely time and for this unique gift.
A Full Pound in Zeke’s Bag of Beans
You know how I love coffee. That one wonderful cup in the morning.
This morning I receive a text from a colleague who’s teaching art in a different school this year.
He texted where to come for coffee in East Liberty. Zeke’s. Huh? I couldn’t picture it in my mind.
Zeke’s Coffee on Penn Ave at Highland Ave. Only 1.5 miles from my home. I found it easily once I made the left turn onto Penn it was right there all the time.
And I’ve driven 50 feet from it several times a day and not turned down that particular block on my route.
Today was the first time I was introduced to the locally roasted delicious coffee. And they’ve been there since 2011!
I bought two bags for friends and family to try and my car smelled like a roastery when I got home. Mmmmmm.
Owned by Chris and Tom (who were out at Farmers Market selling the full one pound bags of their beans that they roasted themselves) In fact that’s how they started at Farmers Market and now they go to NINE of them. ( I looked it up and there was no apostrophe in Farmers Market)
I met Brye the baker (wife of Chris) and Alex was the barista and operated the register. I asked if I could photograph them for the blog and they agreed. Steve and I plan to return in the morning when they open at 8.
Macarons
Almost everyone’s crazy for Macarons these days. What’s all the fuss about?
Macaron stores popping up in NYC every few blocks. And in Pittsburgh!
They’re everywhere. “meringue- like almond cookies” says Jean- Marc Chatellier’s website
And they’re gluten-free.
Have you made them yourself yet? Most people don’t, but buy them at the bakery.
Preferably an excellent French bakery. In France.
I’ll skip the peanut butter and jelly flavor, though.
I was knitting at a friend’s for tea and she had a lovely sleeve of multi- flavors and colors including a lavender, a lemon and a salty caramel. (See the red box!)
My favorites are still Jean-Marc Chatellier in Millvale, PA, across the Allegheny River.
I read David Lebovitz- Living the Sweet Life in Paris blog I Love Macarons with terrific photographs and a multitude of links for more info on macarons you ever thought possible….and if you want to try making his French Chocolat Macarons click here for directions and recipe
New York City display
From Squirrel Hill French Bakery
West Village, New York City
Jean -Marc Chatellier Bakery Millvale PA
Independence Day Macarons in July
Jim, the Baker at Slippery Rock
Field trip today with high school students, exploring Slippery Rock Univeresity. The weather was almost like early Spring if you can believe it.
At lunch the kids were thrilled with the fare in the Boozel Dining Hall. Especially the desserts. Jim the baker was gracious and allowed me to photograph him and his cupcakes but I was shooting into the window light so he allowed me to take another. His coworker said he is already famous. He told me he comes from England, or at least his forbears did. It was crowded and loud and we had to catch the bus back to school. I wish I had gotten more info, how he became a baker and how long he has worked at the university. Thanks Jim!
What a great day the students had, touring and visiting the library and a dorm room and trying out the climbing rock wall and pool, eating in the dining hall.
First photo taken with the iPhone.
And the middle portrait shot with Canon 5D with a 24-70mm L lens, available light,no flash ISO 400 f /4 shutter 100
Final cupcakes photo with the Canon 5D as well. When you compare the first and third cupcakes you know you need your camera at all times.
Macarons by Jean-Marc in Millvale
Not just motorcycles in Millvale. Took these assorted macarons to the graduation party as a hostess gift.
They’re so colorful. And they melt in your mouth delicious.
Jean-Marc was featured on the blog before. We are so fortunate to have a true French bakery right in Millvale.
Here ‘s what Jean-Marc says about the macarons on his website
“Macarons, or French Macaroons, are GLUTEN FREE meringue-like almond cookies
filled with a buttercream or white chocolate ganache that is infused with natural flavors.
Extremely popular in Paris, Macarons are now available for Pittsburghers who long to
revisit their memories of travel abroad, or for those who want to try them for the first time.”
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