THIS is a macaron

...in case you were looking at my header and wondering if I meant macaroon. I made the same mistake until Lydia set me straight last year. I ate a few of these macarons at the blogging conference, and I think I'm even more prepared to eat one in Paris next month.

You want to know about the blogging conference and my trip to San Francisco? Too bad. I just wrote a little bit about my favorite session over at Things Worth Making, and I'm too tired to write more right now. Instead, why don't you check out some of my photos on Flickr? You may notice that Zoe and baby are missing from the collection; we did go to San Francisco together, and that is Zoe's stroller I'm pushing, but they prefer to keep their photos private and I totally respect that. Suck it up, Internet!

Making photography improvements

I'm not sure who I expected to attend Blogher '08, but I was surprised and disappointed by the scant crafter presence. Other people, like Aurora from Foxy Art Studio, were confused too.

Even so, I learned a few blogging tricks at the conference, and I was inspired by one session in particular: Photography with Me Ra Koh. The 10 tips that she outlined were directed at SLR cameras, but I still learned a lot. I'm not going to run out and buy an SLR tomorrow, like somebody I know, but I'm thinking of investing in an external flash. Our Canon Powershot G3 also has some manual capabilities, so I can experiment with some of the other suggestions before I invest too much money.

This post might have fit in a bit better over at Tentative Plans, but my photos are front and centre on this site, so what the hey. I took the above photo while walking to Tartine with my sister. And yes, I do like you.

Vitamin D, yo

Friends, I hope you're taking your Vitamin D, even during these sunny summer months. In power of vitamin D, hope for a new disease fighter captures some of the good things that science has been uncovering about the vitamin, including positive results for MS treatment and prevention, and cursory research uncovers even more good news. Take your vitamins!

(Not) making jam

I've been busy getting ready for my trip to San Francisco for Blogher '08 (which included making business cards), so I haven't been doing too much crafting or baking. But that doesn't mean I can't enjoy the fruits of other people's labour. Right? Right.

Things are growing here on Vancouver Island, and ambitious people - including some of my buddies - are making jam out of those things. I'm impressed. Based on a very complex DIY algorithm, I'm at least a few years away from making jam.

Since I'm not making my own jam, I need to buy my goods; the gems pictured above came from the Saturday market a few blocks from my house. I haven't tried the strawberry & basil yet, but Michael and I can both promise you that the rhubarb & vanilla bean is devine. Make note, ambitious buddies!

It's business time

I'm sure you've all noticed that Tentative Plans has been looking a little different lately. I'm attending Blogher '08 in San Francisco this weekend, and I'm assuming some attendees will check out my musings after they get their hands on my stylin' new business card:

I aim to please!

Speaking of business cards, my coworker David reminded me of one of my favourite scenes from American Psycho when he saw my card:

But back to the trip. It is going to be fun for multiple reasons*:

1) I'm going with a real, live baby.
2) I'm going with Zoe.
3) Brie is also attending the conference.
4) Lydia and Sarah R will be in San Francisco.
5) I will get to hug my sister.
6) I will be at a blogging conference.
7) I will be in San Francisco.

You can bet that you'll hear all about it here.

*These reasons are listed in no particular order. Expect the first one. That one is definitely my favourite reason.

Making orange-glazed scones

When Inside a Black Apple wrote about these scones, I couldn't resist. Nor should you, unless you are allergic to and/or avoiding wheat products. I should have planned a tea party after I made them on Saturday, but I wasn't feeling well, so Michael and I had to eat them all by ourselves; good thing the recipe only makes eight scones.

I'm sure this is true of all baked goods, but these babies tasted much better the day they were made (another reason to have tea parties, I guess). They were perfectly light and flaky. As you can see, I opted for the orange glaze, and it was GOOD.

Also: That place mat does match the chair in the background. Good eye. I only pull the set out for special occaisions, like the days when I make scones.