My faith in gummies has been renewed

I don't actually remember loving gummy candy as a kid.  I've always had a major sweet tooth, but I hated sour patch kids and the flavor of a gummy worm was never satisfying enough to tolerate its sinewy texture.  Well this week a sweet-sweet package arrived at my door from an old friend in Indiana, which is apparently home to the Albanese Confectionery, which makes the "World's Best Gummies."  As my three-year-old was shoving them in her mouth, I tasted one and then grabbed the bag from her sticky hands.  These gummies are amazing.  Sweet, soft, wonderful flavors.  I'm so glad they can be ordered online.  Perfect for birthday parties and special occasions (like my secret candy stash in the high cupboard.)  Thanks, Libby!

List of artists whose live shows make us nervous.

Interview with pastry chef Dominique Ansel about his work and quirks (and love of gummies).

Story behind what was initially thought to be just another song by just another duo.  (Spoiler alert: it was eventually ranked as having had more radio and television play in the United States than any song of the 20th century.)

Unique coffee gadgets to improve your brew and the look of your kitchen counters.

The Portland Press

Have a colorful weekend

Wine-throated hummingbird

What are you up to this weekend?  We're going to (try to, finally) tackle some indoor painting projects.  The previous owners of our 80 year-old house favored the color pale yellow.  It's sallow and dingy and kind of makes you feel uneasy, and it's everywhere.  Our biggest hurdle for getting painting projects done, however -- of course, after trying to do this with little kids running around -- is choosing paint colors that we both like.  Jesse and I have very different (strong) opinions about wall colors and it takes us forever to agree on a hue that we both don't hate.  Thank goodness for the sample-size jars of paint.  We've bought at least a dozen this time around!

Have a great weekend and here are some fun posts from around the web:

Five mistakes everyone makes (well maybe not everyone, haha) when choosing paint colors.

Getting eight hours of sleep might actually be bad for you.

A wear-everywhere tank dress.

Craft beer bars in Paris.

Eye color may be linked to pain tolerance.

Delicious fruit-infused waters.

Strawberry lime cucumber mint water

Hummingbird photograph by Jose Yee.
 

Fresh herbs galore? Let's make cocktails!

 
By this time of the summer, herb gardens are robust and we're still happily devouring guacamole with fresh cilantro and bruschetta with fresh basil.  But I'm also eager to use these fragrant and flavorful green beauties in other ways.  So it got me thinking... surely there are amazing drink recipes with fresh herbs to be enjoyed.  I scoured the web for some recipies; links are below the photos.  Cheers!

Local restaurant Salut Bar Américain makes one of my favorite drinks year-round, the Froggystyle, which uses Hendricks gin, muddled cucumber and mint, and a slice of lime.  Délicieux!  And by the way, their hand-cut pomme frites with Bearnaise sauce are soooooo yummy ("Best Fries in the Twin Cities" by Mpls/St. Paul Magazine.)  The rest of the menu is terrific, too.

From around the web:

American craft beer is invading Europe.

It's Mpls.St.Paul Magazine's Restaurant Week in the Twin Cities.  Go here for a list of great deals.

Tips for storing fresh herbs.

Indoor garden ideas.  The herb chandelier is amazing.

How to picnic in Paris.  And a list of top food trucks, in Paris. 

Pimm's Cup with fresh mint

Lemon Lavender Gin Fizz

Cilantro Mojito

Basil Julep

The Green Lantern with parsley

Have a wonderful holiday weekend

I am very proud that my grandfathers, my father, several of my uncles, and now my cousin have all served in our nation's military.  On this Memorial Day weekend, please remember to keep the families who have lost loved ones while serving our country in your thoughts.

Enjoy the long weekend!

Patio season in Minnesota!  Here's where you can find a table.

A lovely read about springtime in Paris, ahhhhhh.

20 pairs of seriously wearable summer sunglasses.

Coming in September: Target's latest designer collaborator is Joseph Altuzarra.

Well, I guess beauty is in the eye of the beholder with this one.

This week's top 10 Minnesota music videos.

Five iconic toys born in Minnesota.

He Had Me At 'Salted Butter Caramel Chocolate Mouse'

I love love love all things Parisian.  So naturally the HIP Paris Blog is right up my Rue.  Today there is a wonderful post about famed chef David Lebovitz and his new cookbook, My Paris Kitchen.  What a perfect Mother's Day gift!

Amazon

And if you're on your way to the City of Light, be sure to take this list with you.  Then shoot me an email so we can make arrangements for the delivery of caramels (#1) that you'll be sending to me!

The Need For Clear Is Unclear

My mornings often begin very early with two small children who find their way into my bed for predawn snuggles.  With only faint signs of sunrise and the birds hardly chirping yet, it's still hard to argue that this isn't a great way to begin the day. 

After my children and my husband, my next most favorite thing to see each morning is my coffee mug full of a nice dark brew.  I'm a huuuuuge coffee lover/drinker/promoter/addict.  The earthy smell, the bitter taste, the rich brown hue, mmmmm, heavenly.  And with small kiddos, necessary.

Well today Minneapolis-based Caribou Coffee announced its new blend, Caribou Clear.  According to Caribou, it's a "proprietary new coffee blend that has removed the color while retaining all the flavor."  The company says it was developed in response to complaints of coffee stains on teeth and other things.  I don't like those stains either, but I'm not sold on why we should so dramatically alter this otherwise perfect beverage.  The dark caramel color is a very important part of the coffee experience!

The clear brew will be sold online starting tomorrow and in stores next month.  I tell my girls: you don't have to like it, but you have to try it.  Well I'm the mom and I get to overrule my own rules.  For now I'm sticking to my dark roast.  Your thoughts?  (About clear coffee, not about breaking my own parenting rules, haha.)

Updated 4/1, from Caribou's website: Thank you for participating in our April Fool’s Day joke!  Ahahahahaha.  I actually feel relieved.