Discovering Dahlias Book

Just last week Erin Benzakein at Floret Farm launched her newest book, Discovering Dahlias. I pre-ordered this book last year because I knew it would be just as beautiful and informational as her previous two books, Cut Flower Garden and A Year In Flowers. Discovering Dahlias arrived in my mail box this past weekend! Oh my goodness, this is one of the most beautiful books I have ever read. The photos are breathtaking. As always, Erin provides great information and helpful tips.

I loved reading the Hybridizing chapter. I have yet to try my hand at dahlia breeding, but this chapter has inspired me to do so! My copy came with a package of dahlia seeds from Erin’s personal breeding patch. I am excited to plant these seeds as they will be never before seen varieties. I have learned from the hybridizing chapter that once you take seeds from a dahlia they will be completely different from the parent plan and no two seeds even from the same seed pod will be the same! I will report back this summer to see what beauties I end up with from this seed packet. Such a fun gardening surprise!

Sweater //Shoes (Link and code SARAHFLINT-CCRACHEL3 for 15% off!)

Do you grow dahlias? If so what is your favorite variety?

Creating a Recipe Binder

It has been a goal of mine for several months to create a recipe binder to organize recipes from my mom, family and my own recipes all in one place. I think it is so important to have a place for family recipes as I think it is a fun tradition to carry on. The past few months I have been gathering, printing out and copying my favorite recipes of my own, my family and my mom’s to add to my binder. Once I have a hard copy, I place it in a plastic sheet protector.

I started out with a plain white binder, but then I found this beautiful recipe binder with category dividers over a the Illustrated Life. I ordered the kitchen shelves 3-ring binder with the wide dividers. I like the wide dividers because then you can see the tabs with plastic sheet protectors. The extra half of inch helps the tabs stick out just enough so you can easily see them. The Illustrated Life also have several other beautiful recipe binders such as this one and this one. Plus they are a small business so it’s a win win in my opinion!

French Chocolate Molten Cakes

Hi Everyone!

Nikki here from Mimi Model! Rachel and Jake asked me to share a favorite dessert of their’s that I love to make for them. You will love it too! I originally found this recipe in French and translated it (I am a French speaker!). This would be a great dessert to make for your significant other, friends or family for Valentine’s Day coming up. I hope you enjoy!

Ingredients:

Powdered sugar: 1/3 c.

Dark chocolate: 112 g.

Butter (melted): ¼ c.

2 eggs (separated)

Directions:

Note: Makes two cakes

1. Preheat oven to 350F.

2. Whip egg whites until stiff peaks form. Set aside.

3. Melt butter and chocolate over saucepan on medium heat. Mix.

4. Add egg yolks and powdered sugar together in a bowl. Mix in chocolate mixture.

5. Combine egg whites with other ingredients until uniform.

6. Divide mixture between buttered ramekins (3/4ths full) and place in center of oven

7. Bake for at least 9 min.

8. Poke center with tooth pick and look for a little goo.

9. Best served with a dollop of whipped cream on top (when chilled).

Enjoy!