My poor cello was languishing in the corner of my studio for 6 months. All four strings were loose and hung limp off the pegs.. the listless bridge shifted as I tried to pull things back upright into position. One snapped D string later, I knew it was time to take my poor, neglected friend…
Can you say.. A N G I N E T T I ? CLICK HERE if you can’t.. I think he’s hysterical? { Or maybe I’ve had just a little too much wine tonight? } The weather …”blah blah blah”… is just about the same as last time we spoke, er, I wrote, and this…
These look like spring on a plate! I will have to try both.
Smidge, there are perfect for my gluten intolerant nephew!
Fabulous, thank you.
Mandy xo
Mandy – The Complete Cook Book recently posted…Peach Cobbler
I’m sure they would cheer you up. We call those sprinkles, ‘Hundreds and Thousands’. The weather here hasn’t been the best either. It’s been the wettest start to April in years and we’ve had nothing but rain, rain and more rain. April is usually very beautiful in Sydney with warm days, blue skies and plenty of sunshine xx
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This is spring pretty …
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Either version looks good to me! They’re beautiful Barbara.
I remember these from my childhood, though Mom never baked them. Rather than waste time trying to remember where or how I came to know these tasty cookies, I’ll just bookmark your recipe and make them instead. All things considered, I think this a much more rewarding way to go. Thanks, Barb, for both the recipe and this touch of nostalgia.
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How delicious and delicate looking!
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Thanks, Viveka!
The more lemony the better!
Tandy recently posted…Sunshine Award
These cookies look delicious! I love anything with lemon flavor. Lovely post.
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Happy funfetti day to you… I think I can see some sunshine and daylight coming into you kitchen. Just like John, my auntie used to make these as well- mile high piles of these cookies for our family reunion. Sometimes she would make them lemon flavored but many time she would make them anise flavored and she would dunk the whole Italian cookie into the icing. I love these cookies and they are quite nice with an espresso or a limencello. Thanks for the memories. Chow, BAM
Bam’s Kitchen recently posted…Veggie Crisps with Chestnut Hummus Dip
Mmmm these cookies are so springy 
Cheers
Choc Chip Uru
Choc Chip Uru recently posted…Guest Post #8: Diabetic Friendly Taco Pizza
Had never heard of these so it was exciting to find a new Italian sweet! And although I’m not gluten intolerant, I love the sound of using almond flour
Chica Andaluza recently posted…Chinese Spiced Aubergines & Cast Iron Excitement
How totally Smidge that you made both versions and that both were delectable. Totally loving both of these recipes and the food writing (pillowy lemon clouds sound pretty awesome!)
I LOVE the gluten-free versions Smidge !
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I love baking with ground almonds – and so I would plump for the second one for sure, love the colour of the blue glass and the hundreds and thousands all together. You take the most beautiful photos Smidge ! xx
I’ve had these before – wonderful cookie! Never made them, though – I should do that (or rather beg my wife, who’s really the baker in the family). I’m totally in love with lemon, so this is one of those cookies that really speaks to me. Great job – thanks so much.
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How pretty your cookies are! I am always taken by your photos! B-e-a-u-t-i-f-u-l!
And I just bought one of those cooling racks the other day too! This just looks tooooooooooo nummy!
I really love the flavor of ground almond flour, much nicer than white rice as a substitute, I think. xx
They’re so easy, especially for a talented chef like you, John!
They come in handy.. I have one even larger, lol!
I love the looks of both of this cookies and the fact that they are lemon cookies make me want to eat every one of them! I bet the house smelled good while these were baking. Gorgeous job in the decoration of them. They are definitely irresistible!
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Thats a really nice looking cookie, I want some
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Oh I cute do they look! Mr Chocolate is doing some insane fitness SAS sort of thing on the weekend with a bunch other fellas. I’ve threatened to send him with the girliest looking cupcakes I can muster…perhaps these cookies should be added?
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Making these once the lemons come in on our tree – we’re just in the bud stage now.
I laughed out loud over the pronunciation of these cookies…wasn’t just the wine that made that funny! But these cookies are no laughing matter. Fun, yes, but seriously delicious looking. And more lemon just couldn’t hurt!
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Barb, I love coming to your blog, it’s like a breath of fresh air! It’s fun, funny, and beautiful. The cookies look amazing, too. From your descriptions, I can’t decide which I would like better, so I’d better make both! Have a great day!
Debbie
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You’re so lucky! I’d love to have a lemon tree!!
I actually tried to pronounce it the same.. but couldn’t:D
Haha.. but they weren’t too pretty to eat;D
They were both great.. I’d love to find out if there’s a way to make gluten-free cookies rise a bit more? Off to do some research now:D
Gawd. Even your cookies are pretty.
Aww, those really do make you happier just looking at them. I can only imagine what eating them must do!
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What an absolutely beautiful cookie, and relatively simple too. Thank you for the gluten free version, we all have friends/family who are gluten intolerant so it’s lovely to have them both in one post, so clever. I was just looking at my sprinkles in my pantry…what to do with them? Well, Smidge, you definitely gave me something to do with them, thanks! My brother’s family is coming for “Easter” dinner on Sunday and I know the kids and adults alike will love these pretty, festive cookies.
We’re being beaten down with gallons of rain, I guess it’s better than the alternative — snow! I just wish it would warm up already. The bulbs are really trying to come up, but they keep retreating for the cold. We had to put the heat up last night, my feet were so chilled. URGH!
They were so yummy.. I wish I still had a few:)
These look so fun and festive! And I bet they’re delicious as well. I love the taste of lemon.
Wow!
Your work is delicious enough to provoke a response from WP Support!
Good for you!
Haha.. no, it’s a goofy system, where my comments look like that if I respond using that little box on the top of the screen. Very annoying, Hook, it also doesn’t “nest” comments.. so you’ll have to scroll through to see this likely:D
Ooh. These look so good… I love lemon this time of year. (thanks for sharing on Project Inspire{d} this week!)
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Thanks, Shannon, they were so yummy and not difficult at all like I thought they’d be:) xx
It snowed today.. that’s about all I have to say about that.. oh, did I mention it was cloudy too? Pretty dirty trick, going from +20C down to minus something in one day! As I learned from my mother, there is only one thing to do when the day is a bomb.. make muffins and…
Ok, I normally am not a fan of cooked cherries – but you totally are winning me over! Just this weekend I was lamenting that I didn’t have a new muffin recipe! And now: Voila! And I love muffin recipes that use frozen fruit – so much easier to have on hand and prepare!
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I love the concept of a good book and a muffin. This is a cheerful combo. Kudos to you and your Mom.
Barbara, looking good and jummy – and I’m glad you didn’t use fresh cherries.
This I will try, because I’m a muffin-monster.
I tried both your egg dishes, bacon onces and the dutch babies …. beautiful, but I had guests – so there was no time for taking photos – will do it again. Very popular both.
Those looks so fantastic! Gosh. YUM!
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Oh, what a wonderful post! Snow, a fascinating book, AND muffins! Hope the temperature rises – at least the kitchen was nice and cosy, I bet! 
Luckily for me it did not an easy yesterday. Even luckier for me I have cherries in the freezer
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It’s finally warming up to +10°C today and thank god we haven’t had any real snow fall (bit of flurries early this week), but I can tell you that we are all sick to death of the cold! Last year our cherry blossoms were in full bloom about 2 weeks ago, this year they will be about month late.
I love cherries but never think to get them frozen; they would be so much nicer than the bottled cherries since the bottled is so full of sugar. I’ll have to keep my eyes peeled for frozen cherries in the future, thanks Barbara!
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It’s rainy and grey in my area again. So much for the sunshine! I think baking sounds like a good way to spend my day today!
Well, you can keep the snow! I’m all settled into spring. Thanks for the book recommendation. Sounds very interesting and obvious a real page turning. Love the muffins! We should start seeing cherries in a couple of weeks or so and I can’t wait. A muffin with cherries and a crunch sounds wonderful! Stay warm.
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Mom’s always have the most wonderful pearls of wisdom and I love what your Mom says about cold weather days and it’s easy to see why this is your new favourite muffin recipe – delicious Smidge.
Mandy xo
Mandy – The Complete Cook Book recently posted…Peach Cobbler
Ooh cherries – will have to wait a while in Spain for the local ones but I am sure I can get frozen or tinned for the moment as these sound amazing!
Chica Andaluza recently posted…Lamb & Beef Meatballs with Broad Beans & Lemon – The Colours of Spring on a Plate
These muffins sound perfect for getting me through my exams
Yum!
Cheers
CCU
CCU recently posted…Guest Post #7: Gluten-Free Double Choc Brownie Cookies
I love the name anything with “bomb” in it gets my full attention. cherry in muffins? yum!!!
I love the sugar sparkles. I bet you must be so over the winter. It has gone on and on and on. Snowing in April? Unbelievable. And our weather has turned quite cold recently. I’m going to have to seek out my doona to put back on the bed. So with our temperature drop I would have thought there’d be a rise in Toronto. Maybe next week! Lovely looking muffins and yes, it’s always so good to find a great book – something to keep me up all night as well xx
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Muffins and a book? It doesn’t really get much better than that. Oh unless you were curled up by the fire reading your book and eating your muffins while the snow falls which is how I picture you!
How did you know, Claire?? xx
Hey Barbara! We’ve been having the same odd weather over here too. Mother Nature sure likes to show us who’s boss! I could sure get into one of these darling muffins right now! I’ll be over in 20 minutes I love the sparkling sugar on top too. Such a sweet touch xx Em
I swear the weather around the world is going nuts – it’s Spring/Autumn ! My friends in London have said it snowed overnight and here in Singapore it is unbearably hot – even with a tropical storm it just seems to steam up the place more. Airconditioners are working overtime – but that means that I can bake – without dying of heat – something yummy for weekend teatime ! These cherry bombs look fantastic !
ps – I almost NEED a book to grab me from the first paragraph and I am like you – if it does, I can’t put it down
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my goodness: say the words “cherry bomb muffins” to me and i’m yours. add in the word “crunchy” to the mix and i’m just going to have to make these for myself as soon as i locate some gigantic black cherries. Barbara, they’re beautiful.
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Lovely muffins! I bet the whole cherries are wonderful. We are just now starting to see a “smidge” of spring here in New Hampshire. Today we’re supposed to reach 50 degrees. I don’t think I’ve been warm once since we moved here. Ha!
Your book sounds very intriguing. My favorite books tend to be the ones that capture me within the first few sentences and never let go. Looking forward to reading your review. The muffins sound delicious! I have pinned this and look forward to giving it a try.
Thanks for sharing,
Suzanne
Pieced Pastimes
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I will have to check out this book. I love when books capture me in the first chapter. I bet you will be up all night finishing this book. I am currently reading, “Bend not break; A life in two worlds” and it is hard to put down. No worries you will have lots of delicious moist cherry muffins to keep the hunger pains away.
Bam’s Kitchen recently posted…Veggie Crisps with Chestnut Hummus Dip
Things are looking up for us with warmer weather this weekend! But, it was 40 degrees here this morning (no snow) and tons of rain. Your pretty photos and lovely muffins would be so nice while sitting on our front porch with a big cup of coffee tomorrow morning. I have lots of frozen berries, but no cherries. May experiment with what I have on hand.
I miss having home made muffins by my mom.
Hello, Grace.. and welcome to Just a Smidgen.. it’s nice to see a new face here. Your comment really touched my heart tonight. Food is so inextricably tied to loved ones.. at least for me it is. It conjures up memories in an instant. Sending you love and peace.. xx Barb
As much as I love cherry muffins, I’ve never used anything other than tart cherries. Considering their short season and rarity in the frozen foods department, I don’t make them that often. Why have I never thought to use these cherries, Barb? And why do I always chop my cherries when using whole cherries is definitely the way to go? Well, I’ll leave you to ponder your answers. I’m going to need to find some cherries if I’m to make your delicious muffins.
ChgoJohn recently posted…Bourbon & Cola Sauced Ham
Homemade muffins with cherries… The best! Now you have me thinking about cherry season! Have a wonderful weekend!
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I hadn’t either, until I went to find the frozen blueberries gone and cherries were called up for muffin duty. They were originally purchased for shakes, John, but I thought.. why not?
Oh yum! Never had dark sweet black cherries in a muffin before. Will have to be on a lookout for them. Were these cherries fresh and you just pit and freeze them or did they come frozen?
Anne ~ Uni Homemaker recently posted…Buttermilk Banana Bread
Where oh where do you find frozen cherries?? I’ve looked and looked and had no luck in any local grocery stores. Too bad because these look lovely!
Korena recently posted…Leek and Bacon Quiche with Wholegrain Pastry
My girlfriend asked me this today.. I’m pretty sure it may have been Calgary Co-op. But I definitely saw them today at Blush Lane.. so maybe a whole foods or natural food store like that? Good luck.. if I could only send them to you I would:D
I’m in muffin heaven.
I’m glad:D
Great name for a delicious dish!
It was a magical day, half of our wee family gone on a road trip, the other soundly sleeping. Just the pupster and I were drowsy awake with a steaming cup of coffee and all the time in the world to play in the kitchen. There was a hushed quiet as the mixer hummed and…
Barb, I’m sitting here, just read your blog,and I couldn’t hold the tears back….– a precious, precious gift to many; this blog of yours!! This morning I was the recipient, and I am so grateful that you chose to venture down this beautiful road!! Your ability to discover precious jewels unnoticed by the crowds, and your ability to share these treasures in such artistic ways is truly a gift from God. Wow! Love you, Ruth-Anne
Smidge, there’s is so much to comment on in this post. I don’t want to fill your space with a novelette so I’ll try to be brief, hoping that you will read between the lines and know all that is here. On the loss of a friend, a good mom…my heart goes out. What a perfectly Lovely way to celebrate a good woman’s life. (Really touching.) The little miracle that wasn’t lost on you as it swirled diamonds outside your window! That you couldn’t capture such a ephemeral thing with your camera but instead was asked to store it in your heart. Anemones (one of my favorites too!) The beauty, sweet dear beauty of your cupcakes. So much! xxx
I don’t even know where to begin my friend. Your beautiful writing, passion and emotion is overwhelming. You enjoy life through transcendent moments and reflect on that in your posts. Thank you
Cheers
CCU
So beautiful! Both the post and the cupcakes! I love how simple yet elegant they are and what a fitting tribute to what sounds like a lovely lady.
Barbara, I love anemones … our wild spring flower belong to the family .. we call it “vitsippa” and in the spring it’s like a white carpet in the forest. don’t have a photo myself yet .. give you a link to a stunning photo. http://www.cartinafinland.fi/sv/picture/95633/Vitsippa.html
How lovely aren’t those cupcake .. Barbara, open that cafe .. soon.
You are hiding away in that kitchen of yours .. you should be out there – showing of what you can do.
What happen to my comments ????
Such a beautiful tribute to Emily. How touching – just lovely. Your cupcakes are stunning perfection. I am so sorry for your loss of your friend. Your blog is inspiration for your readers, Smidge!
Barbara you write so beautifully. If only more people could see the world like you do. The cupcakes are just gorgeous, so delicate and pretty. x
What a touching post and beautiful cupcakes.
Hello Barbara, Beautiful story, photos and recipe. A beautiful tribute to a beautiful lady. I bet she is smiling up there now… Very adorable little cakes and perfect for spring. Also love the new recipe area. Have fun doing the interior decorating on your site… LOL Its kind of like a house, new curtains, paint, and even new furniture… Take care, BAM
Another gorgeous creation from the House of Smidge !
Barbara, I love the new site and format. As always the photos are beautiful I always wish mine were as nice. The recipe is also wonderful. It’s such a joy to read your blog. This post, however, made me want to cry. My Mom has been gone from this world for 5 years now and I miss her terribly. Whether I was home or elsewhere, a child or parent of my own children, she always was by my side and greatest supporter. I was with her in her illness when she died. It was a difficult process for all yet her greatest pride were her 3 sons. It is through us and our children she lives on.
Lovely post, Barb. And the cupcakes look beautiful. I would never have thought to use blackberries and poppy seeds, but they are perfect!
Such a beautiful post and loving tribute, Barb. And these cupcakes are the perfect accompaniment. Lovingly prepared and beautifully decorated, they’d make any anemone proud. This post was both touching and wonder-filled, one to remember. My sympathies for the loss of your friend, Barb.
I’ve not had to say goodbye to very many people in my life. And I’m sure for you, (this sounds like it was a peer) it wasn’t easy. But the time you spent writing this post felt like a window of acceptance and grace. It’s takes some thought and talent to transpose that to words and for it to be felt by the reader. Thank you for sharing your gift.
Peace to you Barbara- xx
This is such a beautiful post!
I absolutely love your cupcakes. They are exquisite and look scrumptiously beautiful. You are incredible!!
Love the tutorial at the end. Lovely Spring mood – and am I ready? YES. Gorgeous cakes!
Valerie
Gorgeous, gorgeous, gorgeous. Such a beautiful tribute and cupcakes that look like they grew instead of baked. Your blog always makes me smile.
I’m going to keep this short, Barb, because I’m having trouble leaving a comment. But we’ll get this worked out soon, I’m sure. Your cupcakes are indeed awesome! As is everything you share. Debra
How pretty and festive!
Very touching and beautifully written.
This post is so beautiful in it’s content and feelings expressed..Diane
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Such a beautiful post as I have come to know as your signature! A feast for the eyes.
How beautiful to celebrate the life of a mother. We should all embrace death in such a wonderful loving way…
I just love the piping and thanks for showing us how to do it! I still use my old gravatar account as I didn’t close my .com account
Tandy recently posted…Salad Burnet
Beautifully written and so touching. These cupcakes are exquisite. Thank you for sharing this lovely post.
Anne ~ Uni Homemaker recently posted…Bangers and Mash with Guinness Onion Gravy
Wow you made a good job here, perfectly presented
Nice one!
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Smidge, peace and beauty are guaranteed on every visit to your stunning pages. I need to kick my WP sometimes to find you, and when I do I’m always so happy that I have. Bless you, honey.
Hi Barbara, this is such a lovely post. We celebrated my dear, beloved Mother’s life a couple of months after she passed (she passed March 7, 2005) and it was by far the loveliest event I have ever been to. I had arranged for a few of her closest friends to speak about their relationship and how they saw her, and I was surprised to have others volunteer and speak of their love for her. It was so much more therapeutic than a traditional funeral.
These cupcakes are beautiful and I’m sure were so delicious. Their decoration is very spring-like and delicate, your friend is very fortunate to be surrounded by such wonderful people.
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Hi, Smidge! Your new look is gorgeous. I love this post and hope your celebrations and reminiscing were aided by these beautiful cupcakes, making them, sharing them, eating them. Sounds like she was a beautiful woman. I always love your dreamy photos. You have a sense of decor that makes me want to sit down to tea with you, just so I can see your table. xo
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Your blog is so classic and adorable. I feel like it describes you perfectly!! SUCH a classy lady!! YUM to these cupcakes!!
Hello sweet friend,
What a beautiful post. Your writing is amazing and your photography a work of art! Thank you for sharing your heart today!
blessings,
karianne
Thistle recently posted…Spring Fling Linky Party
Beautiful post and beautiful cupcakes! Thanks so much for linking up to Monday Funday!
Kelly @ View Along the Way recently posted…Next Big Project: Moving on out(doors)
Oh my what a beautiful post. The cupcakes are just divine and I know that the sweet family that received them felt the love that went into making them. Thank you for all of the gifts that you bestow upon us with your writing and talent.
Take care,
Trish
The new site is gorgeous! As are these wonderful flowery cupcakes.
what a beautiful post!
what lovely cupcakes.. I need to do this frosting for my cupcakes. They look stunning! Perfect for spring!
Stunning cupcakes and a beautiful tribute to someone who sounds like she was a wonderful woman.
Chica Andaluza recently posted…Pan Fried Sea Bream with Asian Style Noodles
What gorgeous cupcakes for such a peaceful Sunday! I am definitely going to try my hand at those buttercream flowers! They are so adorable!
Joanne recently posted…Recipe: Roasted Carrot and Chickpea Wheat Berry Salad
Mmmmm cupcakes. These looks so scrumptious and the recipe is music to my ears . You already know I love the butter-cream.. Heck I love all of it lol
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I dub thee the Prime Minister of Pretty! Another lovely, lovely post, Beautiful!
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Pretty. Pretty. Pretty. I aspire to make my posts this good (I hope that comes across as sincere as I mean it).
It’s wonderful to be catching up here this evening.
Barb, this is such a visually beautiful, emotionally stirring post, so tender and full of love. A touching tribute to your friend, to the magic of snowflakes spinning through sunshine and to the sweet delight of a whimsically decorated cupcake.
I’m just catching up on your new blog now – so impressive! Congratulations on it, and good luck working through the technical issues that seem to plague us each time we make a change like this.
Best wishes from a faithful follower in London …
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[...] I love these beautiful anemone cupcakes from Just a Smidgen [...]
I know.. it’s not even close to spring, but just look what I found for you on Pinterest today! A Spring Pastel Pinterest Gallery one two three four five six seven eight nine ten eleven twelve thirteen fourteen fifteen sixteen seventeen eighteen nineteen twenty ♥ Pinterest is always a positive and uplifting source of inspiration……
I adore the ombre effect on this – so sophisticated! xx
I know this is going to be one of your posts that I’ll have to go back and reread, so I can make sure I saw all of the pretty details you included. Happy birthday to your Dad and hubby too! I love the look of your square cake…it’s lovely.
What a lovely inspiration board – those sweetpea cakes (number five) are just too sweet! I watched Sweetapolita’s pastel cake video the other day and I was also reading another blog extolling the virtues of the Cook’s Illustrated white cake – we must be on the same wavelength! I like your addition of the chocolate eggs
Happy birthday all around my friend you certainly made it extra special with this wonderful dessert
Cheers
Choc Chip Uru
I have to bookmark this because I would like to make something with those eggies for Easter. Aren’t they just the best? I’ve been noticing that I am drawn to pastel colours, even though I don’t have the opportunity to decorate with them anymore (marriage = compromise). Have you seen this month’s issue of Style at Home magazine? I just love the colours in the feature spread . . . and I’m thinking that you would too!
Always enjoy seeing and reading about your beautiful creations. Do you teach others? I also loved the effect you created with your petal cookies with a touch of pale pink! So talented!
I love the toenails !!! They look pretty enough to eat heehee. And that cake looks utterly divine ! Happy birthday daddy Smidge !
I haven’t been asked to teach yet.. It would be fun!! Thanks so much!xx
That’s what I thought, lol! But perhaps others have a toe-phobia;) I will tell him.. he’s officially now Daddy Smidge, does that make my husband Mr. Smidge? xx
I was thinking the same as I see adorable homes decorated all in white, that wouldn’t go over very well here either, lol! I haven’t seen the magazine.. but I’m going to find a copy, I love that magazine and House and Home. I also thought, kids would do a better job dotting the top with those eggies:) xx
I think we must be.. but how could we not, they’ve got such beautiful creations! I’m so inspired when I visit them.. and when I visit you!! xx
I will let them know.. but they may already be reading this:) xx
I just need another birthday or event so I can figure out a different top, so it doesn’t look so “square” by itself:) xx
A little penguin on top would be just perfect Barbara. I can see one standing and one on its belly about to fly off the iceberg into the water. Beautiful Pinterest board. It’s very nearly spring over there so you’re not that early!
Happy Birthday to the 2 best men in your life! Wow this little 3 decorated masterpiece looks like a lot of work but it is very beautiful and sets a little spring into my step. I sure hope that you painted your toes to match your cake to help out with the whole jump into spring experience. I know it is a tad cold to wear flipflops in the snow but maybe just this once…Take Care, BAM
I can scroll through your posts all day, they are always so beautifully put together Smidge!
Mandy xo
Such a nice post, Barb, and salute to the colors of the Spring we know will eventually arrive. That cake of yours is incredible! A real beauty and the perfect birthday cake for someone so special. I’m sure he was very happy with it. I hope both of these men in your life had wonderful birthdays with a great year ahead.
The cake is gorgeous. Congratulations Barb’s dad!!
The printemps tableau is gorgeous, thanks for sharing!
I can tell you are hanging out for the arrival of Spring. Not long to go now. What a gorgeous cake. I love the swirling colours. I’ve made cube cakes before and no, they’re not as easy as they look – one must have a very good engineering eye to get the levels right! Happy 80th to your dad – a great milestone xx
Happy birthday to your hubby and Dad, what a great looking cake. I just love the colours. I started using Pinterest but haven’t really got into it.
Another work of art! Looking forward to the colors of spring myself! Hope the birthdays were grand!
Just another work of art from you! My Birthday is coming up in a couple of weeks, so I’m glad I gave you enough advance notice
seriously, very professional-looking cake, Smidge – Happy Birthday to your Dad, he and your Mom did a fantastic job raising you..
Beautiful and well constructed…a perfect wife to husband gift. Also, with sloppy old snow all around in St. Loius, your touch of Spring is well appreciated. Very nice!
Smidge you are so talented and creative. What a beautiful cake! Makes me want to reach into the computer screen and grab a slice. Love the beautiful spring colors and I do love a fine cake crumb. I think I’ll have to attempt this one. Happy Tuesday!
This post makes me long for spring. All these gorgeous colors are sooooooo soothing. And the cake! Oh Smidge, you are amazing. It’s beautiful! I love anything out of Cook’s Illustrated, and with a little Smidge magic added….well, a girl can’t ask for anything else
Happy Birthday Dad! Happy Birthday Hubby!
Everything you do is so beautiful…just wondering ..did you grow up with a mother who inspired you or did you decide to pursue on your own…? Diane
I’m sure you will find an occasion, Smidge! xx
Smidge your cakes to me, are legendary. And I’m not a HUGE cake person at all. But I would eat and make this
I am always a month or two ahead when it comes to thinking about Spring. Walking to the car this morning I was watching the quail and their crazy antics – love is in the air – ha! Happy Tuesday:)
You know my birthday was yesterday and I didn’t have any cake?
Your lovely post and creations have made my 43-year-old mouth water!
Love your square cake and the spring colors. Happy birthday to the 2 men in your life.
Such a pretty and delicious looking cake!
Birthday blessings to the men in your life! That cake looks like I need a slice
What a gorgeous cake, Smidge! And all things spring make me smile. I love Pinterest, and just put this cake on my “cakes as works of art” board. I love the description of the fine, but dense crumb. That is my favorite type of cake and I’m eager to give it a try. Mine is the next family birthday, so maybe I’ll make it for myself! I think that would be fun. And I hope both your husband and your dad have wonderful birthdays. My dad had his 81st not long ago, and I know how special it is to have our dads. 80 is a wonderful milestone! oxo
Love those pastel colours in that cake, very nice to look at
So beautiful (and I love the pedicure too!). Birthday greetings to your loved ones
I absolutely love this cake! I think you did a fantastic job. It is really beautiful and I really love the colors of the icing. It is so perfect for Spring and looks absolutely delicious!
Don’t you just love Cook’s Illustrated?!!?! This does look like the perfect white cake! It’s SO PRETTY!
Fusing cake and art!
Mr Smidge works!!
What, Spring not even close? I’d swear it just arrived! I should have known to look for it here! Next year I will (and I’ll start looking in January!) Happy birthday Dave – this easter-egg-toed wife of yours sure knows how to let a person know they’re special! You’re a lucky guy, but then, you knew that! And we all know, we’re lucky too! (Beautifully done Smidge!) xxo
I don’t think I could ever make a prettier cake! Beautiful!
i love the pinterest collage u put together.. all those pastel colours are so lovely!
i’ve been wanting to paint my nails a pastel green. havent gotten round buying the nail polish though!
what a great idea for an ombre cake! would love to do it sometime..
I think we all all looking forward to the pastel colors of spring. Your cake looks like a modern painting to me…love the marbled effect on the sides.
Loving your blog and the pictures – even though I can’t cook myself. But it’s nice to look at your inspiring photographs
The pastel color makes me smile–and feel warm. Spring is so close…
I love the square cake. I’ve got to put that on my shopping list- square tins..x
They are so much fun, I just picked them up at Michaels.. maybe next time I’ll stack one on a round cake;)
Such a stunning and romantic cake Barb. Your husband is a very lucky man. Happy belated birthday to him and your dad. What a sweet woman you are to those you love.
This post is not only GORGEOUS but it reminds me that I, too, need to try some Cooks Illustrated recipes. Lately I’ve had some terrible times in the kitchen–it’s been a little disheartening so maybe I should try some Cooks Illustrated-approved dishes. They spend so much time on them that they must be good, right?!
I’ve never done icing that way but it looks stunning. Absolutely stunning!
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Hi, Katherine.. it was a fantastic recipe. Don’t you love finding one that turns out so perfect you think, I’ll have to always remember this one! xx
by Barbara Bamber | justasmidgen
Your measuring spoons are so nice!
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I went through a rollercoaster of emotions when reading this post, Smidge ! And it’s so true that your true passions never die completely – and how great that you have so many passions that you can devote your time to. We benefit because we get all these amazing inspirational recipes and ideas from you. Maybe one day you could share a recording of you playing the cello ?
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My friend, everything in your post was so true. Honestly, you describe the loss and regaining of passion so wonderfully!
If it is true, it never really dies
Beautiful and delicious recipe to top it off too!
Cheers
CCU
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The pictures of those blood orange curd tarts seem to have been done with passion, so all’s well, I guess:)
So well written, I too would love to hear a recording of you playing the cello.
I have a similar relationship to my fiddle!!! I need to try to play the mountains, the sea, the swaying grass. Beautiful (as usual!). xox
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Beautifully written and the blood orange tarteletts look amazing!
Cello, I can see you as a cello playing girl … instrument that suits you – so glad that you will be playing again.
Your tart’s are pretty as ever … *smile
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These look so divine and precious…you have made me literally want to grab one thru the screen♥
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Though the outcome was different, I can so relate to your lament here. When I was much younger I found solace and fulfillment in painting — my art. When children came along and the twists and turns of life took me away from that deep longing satisfied, my brushes lay dry and deserted. Few people even knew of the sidelined dream. My family required food, so I cooked. Solace found a new home of expression. Fast forward some 20+ years later, close friends got together and bought paint and canvas and wrapped it in encouragement to return to my first love. Their sentiment was so touching, so deeply personal.
I sat down to meld lines with brush stroke only to realize the skill and verve for this beautiful act of passion had been lost. I grieved only momentarily. The exercise taught me “My passion was never lost, it had just found new pathways to wander.” And that I had precious and dear friends who really saw me, knew me, and cared about my dreams–what a tremendous gift.
Oh, love your blood orange curd tarts too!
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I didn’t know that about you, Judy! You really have found a wonderful new passion, I love your site and recipes. Your food photography truly is art! xx
I think there is a lesson for me here as well Smidge. So glad that you shared this. I’m going to have to reread and take a ponder over things quietly this evening. There is something in this story that is resonating with me. And those tarts look fantastic – a browned butter tart shell?! Yum!
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Thank you, Sibella xx
Such pretty little tarts!
What sweet little tarts and I really love that they are so small, bite-size. How pretty.
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What a great message! I have a friend who often says she feels guilty for not devoting time to all her numerous hobbies – I think I will direct her to this post because you have got it right! Don’t feel guilty – instead feel great that you are fulfilled by everything else you are doing
Love the browned butter in the tart crusts. Brilliant!
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I’m so glad to read, Barb, that you and your cello have “reunited,” for lack of a better word. I imagine it like meeting up with an old friend, a very satisfying experience. These tart shells, made with brown butter, sound fantastic! Such a great way to fill them, too. You always write such wonderful posts, Barb, but this one was exceptionally so. A real pleasure to read.
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Smidge serendipity indeed!!! I didn’t know that you play cello? That’s wonderful. I think you’re my hero
Sometimes it’s good to walk away for a bit, you know? Especially when you need to whip up a batch of GORGEOUS blood orange curd tarts! These photos are STUNNING! You go girl. I have the same spoons too xx
That video about Instagram cracked me up. So exciting about the cello, once you brush the dust off your fingers perhaps a video can find its way on the blog! Yummmmmm to these tarts!
Your work is So so beautiful, i crept in today .. as you remember for some reason your site swamped my old computer, so with this little new one I have tip toed in and VOILA! we are back in business and while i was away your work has just got more and more beautiful.. you are truly gifted.. now darling, are you terribly far from canmore? i am going there in july to my eldest sons wedding.. will it be cold?..what shall i wear? love love and so thrilled to be back in touch.. your old blogging friend celi
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Lovely little tarts! I’m thinking that these tart shells will be delicious filled with fresh picked strawberries and blueberries. Thank you for the inspiration!
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I want a few of these for my dessert right now! I just love the tart shells. I can imagine how the browned butter provides such a nutty flavor and that they would go great with lots of different fillings.
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Your cello was not lost or abandoned. Your cello was just waiting for you patiently like a long lost friend. Sometimes life is like this we get busy , work, family and other obligations and we completely neglect the things that we really are passionate about. Don’t lose your passion.
Delicious little tarts. Take care, BAM
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I’m so glad you’re getting back into the cello but I do understand periods of absolute frenzy and other times of the instrument gathering dust. You have so much going on in your life and so many talents, I can just imagine you having an impossible juggling act fitting in time for everything xx
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“Play the contour of the mountains.” These words are going to stay with me today.
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Love your message here. It falls right into my Aries nature and it’s nice to have a positive look on how I can move through different projects:)
And the video is a hoot.
xx wendy
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It’s just wonderful how things seem to fall together and your old ‘love’ of playing can be part of your life once again. Timing and Divine Intervention probably woven together…Diane
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Beautiful images – I love the idea of blood orange curd.
Your little pale orange tarts look delicious…a perfect little bite of goodness.
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I hope I wasn’t too late to be of benefit in clicking on the video! And I loved what you had to say about creativity being fulfilled in other ways that perhaps have prevented you from having the same passion for your cello. I’ve had similar questions. I don’t play the piano with the same amount of time and attention as I have for my whole life, but I can’t be as attentive to absolutely everything I find fulfilling. I’ll have to think more about that!
The tarts look just wonderful, Smidge! I must make them at some point. They strike me as very good to serve at a tea! 
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Those tarts look amazing, I loved how you shaped them
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I felt the same way as I shifted into writing. Now I know this is what I am supposed to do!
Good for you!
Gorgeous colour..it reminds me of champagne, absolutely beautiful.
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It was just the right time Barb, just the right time. And look at this tart. I think I would eat a bunch of these and deny I ate them lol. That’s how good they look.
You are so wise – I totally agree that creativity can be satisfied in many ways. I grieve sometimes for the creative stuff I don’t have time to do…but the truth is, one simply cannot do everything. Even if one wants to! So…I have zero scrapbooks, my rubber stamps languish in a big bin, and I haven’t touched the piano in more than a year. BUT…I have a book that I’ve written!
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I am full parenting mode with my young family and I’ve had to set aside several of my passions since there just isn’t time for it all. I hope to pick those things up later on. There’s a time for everything, I suppose.
Your little tarts are simply captivating, especially the way you’ve styled your photos.
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Such needed wise insight in this Smidge! Thank you for it! I (very) recently have been grappling with similar feelings – was counseled by my also-wise husband on how to reframe and see differently – and your words here are the (always lovely) icing on the cake. Wishing you abundant joy, refreshment and passion in your time away! xoxo
Those brown butter tart shells look so lovely! I am adding to my list to make this summer. Your blog is just amazing!!
daisy
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Now I’m curious about how your tarts taste and feel like. They look amazing – the creamy colourful filling really makes a nice contrast.
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