3rd Blog Birthday + Raspberry-Ricotta Cake

It’s March 12th again, how can that be? That means HeatherOMade is three!!! Sometimes I can’t imagine my life without this blog & you guys my loyal readers who check in to see what I’m making or posting on the daily (or maybe not so daily). I’m still trying to find the balance between blogging, my full time job, being a wife, a sister, a daughter, an aunt, a grand daughter & a friend but thanks for letting me be me & allowing me to focus on whatever it is I choose to be each day.

To celebrate I made this cake I found in the pages of this month’s Bon Appetit. It’s super moist (even if you don’t like that word it is!) & flavorful. The raspberries are the perfect balance of sweet & tart. I even ate a piece for breakfast because why not it’s my blog birthday :) (Yes, sometimes I eat cake for breakfast even though my Instagram feed would make you believe I only eat smoothie bowls)

I think this would be a great cake to make for Easter or just this spring in general, or just breakfast.
Super huge thanks again for reading these past three years! Cheers to you all (especially my biggest fan,  best friend, main taste-tester, oh & best husband, Chris)! xx Heather

Remember & Celebrate

Today is always a particularly heavy day in NYC where I work.  We all find a way to honor & cherish those lives lost in the horrific tragedy that struck 13 years ago but it is always such a somber day.

I find comfort & look to the brighter side of today by celebrating those who were born on this day in my family: my grandpa (that smiling face above this post) who is 89 years young today & my nieces Ellen & (my new niece born today!!) DemiLynn. Happy Birthday to you all!

I feel extremely blessed to live in this country & to love & be loved by my family & friends. God Bless.

TGIF: Happy Birthday Twins!

I love these two!

Happy birthday to these two little faces! I can't believe you're already 1! Happy weekend y'all. Hope you're doing something fun ;)

Happy 85th Birthday Grandma!

This past Saturday we celebrated my grandmother’s 85th birthday with festive balloons, Chinese takeout & two delicious cakes. It was a perfect celebration. Happy Birthday Grandma! I love you.

Here are some of my favorite moments.

Celebrate Life: Happy 1st Birthday Douggie

Happy first birthday to this special little man, Douggie! I had the pleasure of snapping some photos of Douggie at his first birthday party this weekend.  Douggie's wearing pink like all real men do and because it's the (Korean) color of happiness.  I am definitely going to incorporate more pink into my life.

Celebration: It's in the Bag

33 years ago today (yes, I'm that old & proud,  'recognize') my mother was 2 weeks late with my sister & me when we decided to show up for our birthday.  Thanks mom!

There are a handful of people I share my birthday with but the most important is my life long best friend, my twin sister, Jennifer. She's the best & knows me better than I know myself.  Cheers to many more Penny! Happy Birthday, I love you!

PS: how great is this picnic-ready ice bag for wine & bubbly? My great friend Ashley gifted this to me after we had brunch in the west village with our bottle of wine served in a vinyl bag just like this. We thought it was genius & I still do.  As a smart lady once told me, the fastest way to chill a bottle of anything (soda, wine, vodka) is an ice bath so load up a clear vinyl bag with some ice & cool water. Et voila you've got a shabby chic ice bucket that you can roll up & stick in your purse after.

Had to include some photos of the gorgeously wrapped gifts my mother-in-law sent me in the mail. She's always on time (or a day early) with gifts & wrappings that give Martha Stewart a run for her money. Thanks Mary! You've outdone yourself in the most generous way once again. Much love! xx

Smitten Kitchen's Carrot Cake with Maple-Cream Cheese Frosting

Spring is in the air with all lovely things I'm allergic to, to boot. In any event, sorry for lack there of posts. Truth be told I started this post before Chris & I took a long weekend in Florida last week, more on that later. Right now I'm writing in between gulps of hot water with lemon & honey (which sounds oh so Samantha from Sex & the City but when you're drinking it because you have a sore throat &  a bit of a bark (cough) it suddenly is a little less sexy).

Nevertheless, I'd rather go to a happy place - cupcakes!

In order to fully celebrate the first birthday of this here blog, I deemed it only proper to make cupcakes to share with the class (aka my office) & my number one supporter, Chris, of course.  So I searched for what is now my favorite carrot cake recipe: Smitten Kitchen's Carrot Cake with Maple-Cream Cheese Frosting.

The cake is really moist & yes your classmates will be reaching for the ones with the most icing because it traditionally just so good & this one's made with maple syrup (double good). Plus, there's carrots, raisins & walnuts in them - that makes it healthy right? Yes, let's call these health muffins - now it's ok if you eat ten.

Get the full recipe here  & click through for my (20+) photo story on making these yummy treats.

PS: Happy friday & happy (early) birthday to my gal Alexis!

Happy Birthday Grandma!

Today I'm celebrating my Grandma Anna & dedicating this blog to her.  Today is her birthday!

Don't let the tiny frame of this birthday gal deceive you, she is tiny yet very mighty! She teaches & inspires me continuously.  She is the one who told me that shoes make the outfit so I credit her for my shoe addiction.  She has taught me to believe in angels.  She loves unconditionally & gives so much of herself to those in need while putting herself last.  She makes a mean meatball & has taught me how to express love through cooking for my family. She is forever whipping up something either in the kitchen or her sewing room.  She's the best. Happy Birthday Grandma! I love you!

Happy 87th Birthday Grandpa!

photo by Erica Lyn

photos by Erica Lyn

photo by Erica Lyn

September 11th is a memorable day for obvious reasons.  I will never forget that day or the lives lost. I hope all those effected have found peace in at least some small way.

Before it was a hurtful memory it was (& still is) a really happy day, my grandfather's birthday.  Happy 87th Birthday Grandfather! I love you!

These are some of my fave pics from our wedding day of grandpa & me. They make me smile & laugh just thinking about this moment. 

Baby Photo Shoot With Little Mr. Douggie

Exactly 2 weeks ago today this perfect little guy came into the world.  Happy 2 week birthday Douggie! 

Clearly Douggie is beyond precious & I couldn't wait to snap some photos of this little prince.  Click through to see some of my fave photos of this handsome little man.

P.S: Super huge thanks (& congrats again) to Rose & Conor for sharing him with me (& the HeatherOMade bloggersphere).

P.P.S: Dear Douggie, I know it's only been 14 days Douggie but I'm so in love with your little face!xx Auntie Heather

P.P.S.S. Happy Birthday Lindsey :)

Watermelon Salad

Ingredients:

• mixed greens
• 2 cups cubed watermelon (pink parts only!)
• 1 cup grilled corn (cut off the cob)
• 6 basil leaves cut into ribbons
• shaved parmesan cheese (use a little or a lot - your call, use a veggie peeler to shave)

Dressing:

• 1 lemon (juice + zest)
• 1/4 cup olive oil
• salt & pepper

Over the past week I've come to realize how important it is to stay hydrated & eat my greens (read: I didn't & I paid for it spending much of my Tuesday horizontal with my eyes closed.) No worries I'm all better now! This watermelon salad is both hydrating & green-filled. Plus, it's super easy to make & a picnic-pleaser for sure.

Simply combine all the ingredients on the right in a large serving bowl. Mix the dressing ingredients together in a small bowl.  Pour the dressing around the outer-inner edge of your salad (so you don't end up with pool in the center of your salad) & toss it all together & serve immediately.

Today is my husband's birthday - HAPPY BIRTHDAY CHRIS!!! I Love You! xoxox

A Twin Birthday

Today is our birthday! I've been lucky enough to share my life and birthday with my bestie - my twin sister- since the day we were born! Happy birthday to us!

Can you guess who is who? See if you guessed right here!