Planning plants

I injured my back a couple of months ago, making me more or less immobile for several weeks. Unfortunately this happened at the time when I should've started planting seeds for the summer's plants, so I missed the opportunity to grow my own seedlings.

At least we can enjoy pretty flowers indoors, like this spring cactus.

Thus there's nothing new and exciting on the balcony yet, but I plan to remedy that soon! Sellers at the market already have all sorts of pretty things for sale. I just need to decide on a colour scheme for the year. I'm leaning towards mostly large red flowers this summer, with a few small-flowered white ones for contrast. What do you think?

While I decide, I can enjoy and nurture the little bit of green that's already present on the balcony. The perennials have survived another winter and are waking up. Won't be long before they cover that whole corner!

The Illusion of Life

This week I have spent quite a bit of time planning my second year at uni. There's the obligatory courses of course, but also room for a few optional ones. There's only one more Italian course left that I can take next year, alas, so I've been going through the other options.

After much pondering I have decided on a couple of courses in visual studies, which ought to add an interesting mix of biology, psychology, visual communication and design to my studies. Sounds like it'll be right up my alley and will provide a nice break from the usual computers and maths. Should be fun!

With perfect timing regarding visual studies, Mr Morrgan showed me a neat little video this morning. It explains the principles of animation with the aid of a charming cube, of all things. Take a look!

The illusion of life from cento lodigiani on Vimeo.

I <3 Red Velvet Mug Cakes

Just so you know...

...those red velvet mug cakes were awesome.

I steamed the beetroots myself and used raw sugar instead of sweetener. The cakes were then baked in the oven at 200°C (392°F) for about 30 mins and they turned out oh so moist. For a final decadent touch, twice the amount of cream cheese icing was made and applied liberally.

The end result was just incredibly good. I'll admit there was a slight hesitation for the first bite or two (beetroot? in my cake?), but each bite just kept getting better and better until both Mr Morrgan and I were completely sold.

Try them! You'll be happy you did!

Happy May 1st!

Hooray, it's the 1st of May! The day of picnics in the spring sun and the first ice cream of the year!

...or not. After a pleasant and sunny +20C/68F last weekend, this morning greeted us with a freaking snowstorm, which in the afternoon turned into delightful slush rain. No picnic or outdoors ice cream for us, methinks.

We had already made nice picnic food plans, though, and it would be a shame to let all those go to waste. We'll just have to make do with an indoors picnic instead!

Our May 1st treat: gluten-free Red Velvet Mug Cakes, just before going into the oven. Once they come out, they'll be slathered with cream cheese icing.

Our special treat this year are the red velvet mug cakes pictured above, of course as a Morrgan-safe i.e. gluten-free version. These are currently in the oven and some pretty delightful scents are beginning to waft over, so I predict a fine May 1st afternoon despite the weather.

Have a good one, all!

The mug cake recipe can be found here, check it out!