Did you all have a wonderful weekend? We got rain! Woohoo! It’s been so dry here — I finally mowed for the first time in 5 weeks. Fortunately the rain held off during the two hour drive to visit TheFirstChild. He bought some furniture when he was here for BigDaddy’s birthday and we delivered it yesterday — strapped to the top of the car.
Today, I decided to try a new cupcake recipe. When MyDadLovesMeBestSister called, I told her about the new recipe and she said something like “Why would you try a new recipe when you have that recipe that everyone loves?” I love the Magnolia Cupcake Recipe, but sometimes the cake part seems too dense and dry. I found this new recipe via Pinterest (it’s an addiction!) and it was billed as the perfect cupcake recipe.
It was pretty darn good, and I liked the texture, but it was lacking that rich perfect vanilla flavor in the Magnolia recipe. So, I think it’s back to the Magnolia recipe next time.
There was also a little internet surfing this weekend. I don’t know how it happened, but I stumbled upon this video:
Just another reason to make me really want an iPad. I’ve always loved children’s books and it’s amazing to me how they’re changing for new generations of children. I hope nothing will ever replace a child sitting on his parent’s lap while being read a story. But those animated, interactive illustrations. Wow! I think it’s pretty exciting!
While I was hopping around on the internet, I also read that William Joyce has a new series of books coming out, starting next month. The series is called the Guardians of Childhood. In an interview, William Joyce said “We have a mythology for superman and batman, but we don’t have a mythology for the guys we actually believed in.” In these new books, he’ll create a “mythology” for The Man in the Moon, the Sandman, the Easter Bunny, the Tooth Fairy, Mother Goose and Santa Claus. I love that he calls them “The Guardians of Childhood” — it does feel like they kept our childhood safe, doesn’t it?
I’m not really sure how I feel about someone else defining “my” childhood characters though. I’ve always thought that the beauty of these characters is that we all have our own visions for them, and based on what I’ve read about The Man in the Moon, “my” characters won’t really line up with the ones that William Joyce is creating. So, I might just be enjoying his beautiful illustrations.
Ok. Enough ChitChat for now. Have a good week!
XOXO,
Anna
Now I want an ipad too! I could get an app for my ipod touch …… but the screen is a bit small!! Please don’t tempt me with cupcakes – I have just had breakfast!
Mmmm… cupcakes! Had one myself this weekend was good, but not your recipe. I just might have to try this one. I say go for the iPad! I know you will love it. I have the iPhone 4 and it is terrific. So I know that the iPad has got to be fantastic!
Love my iPad and my 3 1/2 yr old granddaughter does too! Some great games and interactive books make for a nice quiet time occasionally. My favorite though is to watch her answer wrong cause she like to listen to the silly poems gone wrong!
That commercial makes me want an ipad too! Looks like such fun!
We got some rain over the weekend too. It was nice but it brought in more muggy and humid weather. It’s a sticky one outside today. Going to run some errands and into the pool this afternoon! Oh and we have an iPad… you NEED one. ‘Nuff said. :)
We bought the app this morning and it is astonishingly good – and heartbreakingly sad. I have one little one who has been weeping on and off, since she saw it – but she still says she loves it! Thanks for the link – and now I know hubby’s password for the app store, hee hee.
I have a love-hate thing with children’s book apps. I have an iPad (and I have children who love it) and of course we have some fantastic apps that are based on kids’ books… but I am not crazy about yet another electronic replacement for a good old fashioned book. Y’know?
PS: On the Magnolia cupcake recipe, do you use both kinds of flour? Or do you substitute? I will make them today, right now, if you tell me I don’t have to run out for self-rising flour. You’re invited. We’ll have them with coffee or cold milk – your choice, as long as you don’t tell the bishop. ;)
That’s the real beauty of reading a hard copy book. You can create the characters in your very own imagination. But it IS still fun to see how others visualize them.
Your cupcakes look lovely under your patisserie dome! The vimeo was amazing but, I agree with you, you can’t beat an actual book and the pictures that come into your own mind while it’s being read.
Tick, tick, tick until market!!
I’m a retired librarian and kiddie lit was my niche!! A quilting, cooking, lover of children’s books friend. Life is grand!! B.
Love Magnolia vanilla cupcakes, and the recipe bakes into an excellent cake (with chocolate frosting). I have confidence William Joyce will do justice to our childhood visions of the “Guardians.” “Santa Calls” is one of our favorite family Christmas books, but it didn’t change our idea of the jolly man. Can’t wait to see them!
Oh my gosh, Anna. I thought it was the Ghastley’s at Joann’t but it was something called Hocus Pocus Witches. Sorry to lead you astray.
Jayne
Oh. You’re blogging so fast I can’t keep up. Found three Thimbleanna posts in my reader. Not a lot of trips to the computer here. I could REALLY use one of those cupcakes. And I want somone to read me a story. :-)
XOXO, Cassie
I thought you were going to say that you combined the two recipes to make the perfect cupcake. They look very good, yummy in fact.
I’ll always love books first but that is amazing, maybe room for both.
what i really like about thimbleanna, is your very interesting & diversified posts!
& i love the “perfect” cupcakes shining through your patisserie dome!
glorious treats is a great site & i think i am about to be hooked on pinterest…thanks!
Hmm, I’m still coveting an iPad. Mal just got one but it’s for ‘work’!! I’ll send you my Donna Hay recipe for cupcakes – they are pretty good!!
I will have to come back and watch the video while no one is nearby watching TV. I love the illustration but agree, not sure I want someone else’s vision of something I already know and love. Maybe for future generations, it will be nice.
That is so cool, I love children’s literature and the things they can do with ipads and nooks and all today is amazing. I love cupcakes too and must try this out.
Oh my that i-pad does look amazing doesn’t it but like you say I still want to see the boys reading actual paper books. At the minute Milo is engrossed in the Star Wars character encyclopedia and he is reading it and telling me all these little snippets of info about people I have no idea of. As for Pinterest I blame you for my addiction lol and I have told the whole world xx
It’s about time for cupcakes around here. Tomorrow it is supposed to rain, so it would be a nice day for baking.
That ipad book….WOW! What will they think of next? I’m with you though….never shall we let our laps be empty when there is a grandchild and a book nearby.
Jody
okay so i totally fell in love with your ipad book video. i’m going to go on my ipad tonight and research some more options!!
now. anna. WHAT ON EARTH WERE YOU THINKING?
magnolia.
that’s it.
the end.
k. i’m running off to hang out on pinterest and see what you’ve found for me.
i still have a crush on you.
even though you went and cheated on magnolia with those flat topped cupcakes with very little icing on top.
again.
:waves madly
Yes I am wanting an IPAD too…hoping the quilting fairy or someone else brings me one!! I have had cupcakes on the brain…your picture is only reinforcing that :-)!!!