Colette Peters whimsical cake decorating style is legendary. When Cakes to Dream On: A Master Class in Decorating was first published, it provided a world of inspiration for me. I recreated several of these cakes, and incorporated the techniques into my own creations. It’s been a few years since I’ve made a highly decorated cake, but Colette Peters was my first guide.

Baseball, soccer, lacrosse, track and field… we are outside enjoying all the spring sports! Do you have a youth athlete? If so, here are some essentials to get you started no matter the sport.

From coming of age in the 90s to maturing into our adult domestic lives, Snoop Dogg has been right there. I purchased his first cookbook, From Crook to Cook: Platinum Recipes from Tha Boss Dogg’s Kitchen many years ago to celebrate a kitchen remodel. This year my sister gifted me the follow-up cookbook: Snoop Dogg Presents Goon with a Spoon, a collaboration between Snoop Dogg and E-40. A perfect addition to my kitchen, and both cookbooks are proudly on display!

Spring temps are still rather low here in the Pacific Northwest, and over the years I’ve amassed a small collection of heated apparel to help me survive. Ororo has discrete battery packs that work with all products across the apparel line and double as a backup battery for your cell phone.

There’s nothing like the smell of freshly baked bread. A cozy warmth permeates the house as we transition from winter to spring. The patience required for sourdough is well worth the effort. The sourdough starter (or barm) recipe from Crust and Crumb by Peter Reinhart is fool-proof and reliable. It’s my go-to and produces incredible loaves. I haven’t made sourdough since moving to the PNW, so I’m eager to see how the local environment affects the baking result and flavor.