April Favorites: A Great Big World & their Favorites

agreatbigworld:

Day 15. We thought we’d share some of our favorite things in life with you.

Yesterday I posted a photo of Vanilla Bean (ginger)SNAP syrup I made. Here’s the recipe!

Note: This is a 2:1 ratio simple syrup recipe, which I read lasts much longer. It’s doubly sweet, so keep that in mind when using.

2 cups sugar (I used raw)
1 cup of water
Juice of 1 lemon
1 vanilla bean, split & seeded
2 T. SNAP spirit 

Place 1/4 cup water & the sugar in a medium nonreactive saucepan. Heat over medium-high heat until sugar is caramelized. Carefully add the remaining 3/4 cup water & the lemon juice; add the vanilla bean and seeds and bring to a simmer. Remove pan from heat. Stir in 2 T. of SNAP spirit. Let stand for 1 hour or more. Strain the cooled syrup into a jar and store in the refrigerator.

For homemade cream soda, as above, pour 2 teaspoons syrup over ice. Top with seltzer. Stir & drink up!

Warmer months are coming! So I made some Vanilla Bean SNAP 2:1 simple syrup for iced coffees, cocktails & seltzer sodas.

I think last night was a dream?

new hobby

Daydreaming about when I’ll be able to enjoy my coffee & book outdoors. #comeonspring

I want to know what this room doesn’t sound like. (And would I really start hallucinating after 30 minutes?) 

Bottoms up! Happy St. Patrick’s Day.

My version of a painter’s palette

Some of My Favorite Things, January/February 2013.
Twistbands. My favorite hair ties for the last year plus. No kinks, no broken hair, no wrist-circulation-cutoff.
Cocomels. Dairy free and delicious.
Tweek. Described as “hair spray in a cream form,” this is the first non-Devacurl product I have loved in years. No silicones, water soluble, light scent. And it works to revive & style dry curls.
Ivan & Alyosha - All the Times We Had Great songs, gorgeous harmonies, good people. 
rms beauty lip & skin balm in Simply Vanilla. Love this product.
Excalibur 9-tray Dehydrator. I was gifted this kitchen gadgetthing for my birthday. Now I can make my own fruit roll-ups, gluten-free crackers, & kale chips!
America’s Test Kitchen DIY cookbook. 
Bobino iPhone Wrap. No more losing or getting whose are whose headphones confused. 
KD Dance 16” Leg Warmers. Love these for going to & from yoga. Finally found ones that were skinny enough to not droop after awhile.