treats - mixed berry crumbler

crumbler – a crumble/cobbler hybrid; a fruit based dessert with traditional streusel topping and an additional sweetened layer giving it a similar thickness to a cobbler

well, that’s my definition anyway! i was racking my brain trying to decide if I wanted to make a cobbler or crumble and then I thought... why not make a hybrid and give it a name similar to a monster truck. yes!

behold the crumbler was born.

the goods:

the base

- 1 cup vanilla wafers

- ¼ cup butter (softened)

the filling

- 2 lbs sliced fruit

- ¼ cup sugar

- 1 tsp baking spice (or cinnamon)

- 1 tsp vanilla

- 1 tbl lemon juice

- 1 ½ tbl flour

the topping

- ½ cup rolled oats

- 1/3 cup brown sugar

- 1/3 cup flour

- ¼ cup butter (softened)

the equipment:

glass baking dish (8x8 or 9x9), food processor

the how to:

- mix wafers and ¼ cup butter into food processor until combined; smooth evenly on bottom of pre-greased baking sheet

vanilla wafer base

- mix fruit, sugar, baking spice, vanilla, lemon juice and flour in large bowl

- in a separate bowl, mix the oats, brown sugar, flour and butter together for the streusel topping; it will start to form small balls when it’s mixed completely

streusel topping

- spoon filling mixture over wafer layer and top with streusel mixture

- bake in pre-heated oven at 375F for 40 minutes

golden brown and ready to serve

tunes - sxsw parties

big news today! i'm excited to announce i will be heading back to austin for sxsw. i've been a part of that wildly entertaining festival since 2005 and i can't wait to return for my 8th year.

i'll be busy running around town for 10 days, so i'll be sure to post festival highlights including surprise shows, buzz bands, cool technology discoveries and oh-so much more.

for those of you that will be able to enjoy the festival at your own leisure, i've created a party board on pinterest. i will continue to update this board until the festival kicks off on friday, march 8th, so keep checking in.

a select few top party picks below:

new zealand music commission on 3/13 @ brush square park
the jams: ghost wave. think 1950's surfer meets ariel pink's haunted graffiti meets tame impala. this party is always packed, so get there early.

kgsr's live radio broadcast 3/13 - 3/16 @ the w
the jams: i worked for the emmis austin radio cluster for a few years back when i was in austin, so this morning broadcast session is very near and dear to my heart. i know it's early, but it's totally worth it! acts include: iron & wine, nakia, alpha rev, divine fits, kodaline, matt nathanson

paste magazine's party 3/13-3/16 @ the stages on sixth
the jams. this is a four day event with a ton of great bands: thao & the get down stay down, ron sexsmith, lissie, josh ritter, dawes, city & colour, billy bragg, allah-lahs. try to cameo.

the future of music showcase on 3/15 @ shiner's saloon
the jams: sorne. if you don't know anything about this brilliant artist, catch yourself up. and quickly. he's taking off at record speed.

trails - black sand beach at ragged point inn

after the first time I walked barefoot in the thick green grass, I knew I had to plan another journey back to ragged point inn. the daydreaming and researching paid off, as I was pleasantly surprised to discover there was a trail down to a black sand beach and waterfall on the property.

view of the beach

the trek:

- walk to the northern coastal edge of the property, behind the convenience store

- the trailhead is the unmarked path next to the scenic gazebo lookout

- head down the stairs and keep going down

black sand beach

the waterfall - sad, but pretty

total distance: 1.2 miles

travel time: 25 minutes

difficulty: moderate

the tips:

- wear shoes with good traction, the trail can be very muddy

- pack a post-hike picnic to enjoy on the lawn

view from picnic spot

treats - fruit pizza

ah yes, the classic fruit pizza. i remember feasting on fruit pizzas with my family ever summer. i didn’t realize these weren’t common desserts until i made my first one for my friends who kept looking for the pepperoni when they heard the word “pizza.”

what is a fruit pizza, you ask? it’s a lovely dessert consisting of a sugar cookie base, a cream cheese icing “sauce” and an assorted fruit topping. it’s simple and divine. i think the extra special part of this treat is that it somehow convinces your mind that what you’re about to consume is healthy. why wouldn’t something covered in fruit be healthy? disregard the giant cookie and icing part. i mean, it’s piled with fruit for crying out loud!

the goods:

- sugar cookie recipe or store bought dough (i use pillsbury dough)

- assortment of favorite soft fruits (sliced)

- ½ c butter

- 8 oz cream cheese

- 1 tsp vanilla

- 2 tsp baking spice (or cinnamon)

- 3 cups powdered sugar (sifted)

the equipment:
baking sheet, rolling pin, sifter, stand up mixer or hand mixer

the how to:

- spread your favorite sugar cookie dough evenly on a cookie sheet

- follow heating instructions and cook until edges turn golden brown

- cool completely

cream cheese icing

- cream together ½ c butter and 8 oz cream cheese until very smooth

- add 1 tsp vanilla and 2 tsp baking spice (or cinnamon to substitute)

- mix in 3 c sifted powdered sugar, adding 1 c at a time

now it’s time to start building your pizza!

- spread your icing on top of your cooled cookie

- top with sliced fruit; berries, bananas and kiwis work best

- enjoy!

i really let my inner suzie homemaker shine when i make fruit pizzas by designing the tops. an american flag pizza is fun for 4^th of july.

i made this cool football-shaped fruit pizza for superbowl sunday.

what would you design?

trails - pch

southern california is amazing, but driving up the coastline to the northern cities is by far my favorite adventure in this state! i recently ventured up to the city of carmel by way of highway 101 and pch. magical! i’ve done this trip a few times. sometimes it takes 6 hours, sometimes it takes 12.

northbound on pch

the trek:

- jump on the 101 until you get to xxx; yes the coastline is beautiful at the channel islands and santa barbara, but this route is fairly coastal and avoids heavy traffic areas and farmlands

- plan a rest stop at avila valley barn in xxx and pick up some homemade ice cream or local apple cider

avila valley barn

- tour hearst castle in san simeon; be sure to book your tour online in advance

- head 12 miles up the road to the elephant seal sanctuary

- stretch your legs on the waterfall hike at ragged point inn

- grab some sustenance at big sur bakery; be sure you make it there before 4pm, they close early!

- enjoy the beauty of julia pfiefer state park

- check out more trails at andrew molina state park

- grab a shot of the famous bixby bridge

bixby bridge

- take in the monterey coastline at point lobos

- book a whale watch in monterey

- circle back and snuggle into a bed & breakfast in carmel

total distance (from los angeles):

travel time: 6 – 12 hours, depending on stops and traffic

difficulty: peaceful, scenic driving at its best

the tips: call the dot news update line to find out if pch is closed along your route before you hit the road.

tunes - mix tape: best of 2012

now i’m not gonna get all sentimental about writing the soundtrack to our lives through music, blah blah blah. but! i will admit there are many songs that conjure up memories for me, good or bad. as i’m sure we have all experienced this grand, mysterious, power of music phenomenon, i thought it handy to start creating seasonal mix tapes.

usually my mix tapes feature new releases, but an occasional oldie that i recently discover will sneak in here and there.

below is a mix i put together in january that features my top tunes from 2012. many of these bands have a full-length or two, so be sure to check out some of their other music if you like what you hear.

tip of the day: the art of the mix tape is not just the music, but the order in which the music is featured.

the jams:

sunset – the xx

we own the sky – m83

breakers – local natives

default – atoms for peace

anything could happen – ellie goulding

generator (first floor) – freelance whales

give it away – andrew bird

work – 1, 2, 3

home – phillip phillips

stubborn love – the lumineers

i will wait – mumford & sons

king and lionheart – of monsters and men

letters from the sky – civil twilight

bright lights – gary clark jr.

heartbreaker – the walkmen

if you want a copy of this playlist, follow me on twitter @sparsells.
spotify link to playlist here: http://t.co/5s0FZUaZ