Lola and Today’s Nest are taking a break for the next 10 days.  We will be using this time to tie up some loose ends and take lots of deep breaths. Big stuff and exciting news is on the horizon.

Look for a brand new post on May 4.  In the meantime, please be sure to check out the many posts in our archives.  If you are new to the Nest, we hope you will have a thorough look.

As always, we thank you for staying tuned in.   We love to stay connected.  Please be sure to follow us on facebook, twitter, and pinterest.  If you don’t already subscribe by email or RSS, be sure to click those buttons on the right. 

Banana pudding is one of my favorite desserts.  For me, comfort food usually comes in a savory form.  This is about as close to sweet comfort food as you can get.  This week we decided to try something new.  Our banana pudding is generally made with vanilla wafers, but we switched it up with some ChewySoft Chocolate Fudge Cookies instead.  The result was amazing. 

We made our pudding from scratch, but you could get good results (not as good) from a box.  Regardless of the pudding, folding in some fresh whipped cream will guarantee a light and fluffy dessert.  The cookies are almost brownie-like.  Be sure to make plenty so you can eat them long after the pudding is gone. 

savour... sweet comfort

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For many Easter means brunch.  A patio full of friends, family, and food are the perfect way to celebrate the day. 

To set the tone you will need the perfect music.  Choosing music can be challenging for any get together and many leave it to chance.  Music can make or break an event and, at the very least, be the one thing that takes your event from OK to awesome.  Often times the guests won’t even realize that the music is what did it.

Choosing something that everyone likes will be impossible.  The music should not be overbearing.  Likewise, you should not choose something that will put your guests to sleep.  Be thoughtful with your choices.  This is not time to put on your favorite radio station and hope for the best.  Your mix should be somewhat upbeat and represent a broad range of genres (as appropriate for the setting).  The best playlists will have some group favorites and hopefully turn the group on to some new artists.

I often have to make a few passes at the list before I narrow down my choices.  Be sure to weed out songs that you might have included due to your personal tastes.  Remember that the music is really meant for your guests.  Although it may not reflect your everyday taste, it will show what a good host you are.

We have compiled a playlist for your consideration.  The artwork is for an upcoming brunch we are having.  I like to let everyone know what they are hearing.  Feel free to click on it and print.  

You may not like all of the songs.  Pick from it what you will. Hopefully, this will inspire you to make your own playlist.

savour… the soundtrack of life

• Be the Change………………………………….………. Kat Edmonson
• All Over Again……………………………………………. Jenny & Tyler
• Blackbird…………………………………………..……….. The Beatles
• Sidewinder………………………………………………….. Lee Morgan
• Boum……………………………………………..…….. Blossom Dearie
• Domino…………………………………………………….. Van Morrison
• In the Cool, Cool, Cool of the Evening……......… Rosemary Clooney
• Here’s Where the Story Ends……………..……………. The Sundays
• 1234…………………………………………………………………. Feist
• Here to There………………………………………….… Sonya Kitchell
• Al Otro Lado del Rio……………………….…………..… Jorge Drexler
• I’m Yours………………………………..…………………... Jason Mraz
• Stole My Heart……………………………..…………… Little & Ashley
• Wink and a Smile……………………….…………… Harry Connick Jr.
• L’amoureuse………………………………….……………… Carla Bruni
• If the Stars Were Mine……………………….……...… Melody Gardot
• Ventura Highway…………………….…….…………………… America
• Modern Nature…………………………..………………  Sondre Lerche
• Run On……………………………….….…………………………. Moby
• Walkin’ After Midnight……………….…………………….. Patsy Cline
• Solsbury Hill…………………………………….………... Peter Gabriel
• (Sittin’ On The) Dock of the Bay.……….…………….… Otis Redding
• Sunday Morning………………………….…………………… Maroon 5
• Miss Chatelaine……………………….………..……………... k.d. lang
• Route 101…………………………….……………..…….… Herb Alpert
• Sweet Pea………………………….………………………… Amos Lee
• Sympathique.…………………………….……….……….. Pink Martini
• Take Five…………………………….…….…..…………. Dave Brubeck

If you are interested, I have an extended playlist with about 60 more songs.  Just leave me a comment after the post.

Do you ever feel like your to do list is far too long for ordinary paper?  Here is a relatively easy project with fantastic results.  I like to think of it as somewhere between modern art and organization.  I must say that I like art that evolves.  Part of this may have to do with my desire to keep creating things.  Part of it may be because I have the attention span of a gnat and like things to be fresh and exciting.

This piece hung over a simple writing desk can be used as your dry erase board, filled with doodles, or a lovely hand-written poem.  The materials are very easy to find and the hardest part is working out the math for even lines.

savour… doodle space

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Garlic has been used in food and medicine for thousands of years.  It's no wonder we have a day to celebrate it.  Today is National Garlic Day in the US.  With all of its many uses I am sure you will find one that suits you.  We are doing our part to pay tribute to the pungent product with our offering of roasted garlic vinaigrette.

Roasting garlic is simple to do and releases some wonderful flavor while toning down the intensity just a bit.  If you like garlic, I think you will find this very simple to do. One word of caution... your house will smell like garlic for a few hours.  If you don't mind it the end result is well worth it.

savour... fresh breath

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As holidays go, Easter sort of gets the short end of the stick.  It has all of the makings of a great holiday, but never quite the same oomph.  There is candy, a fun, lovable character, and customs and traditions.  Yet it still seems to pale in comparison to Christmas and Halloween.

As a boy, we always colored eggs and they always showed up in my basket on the following morning.  Our baskets had a wide variety of candies.  I was especially lucky because I loved (and still do) black jelly beans.  Everyone was happy to give them to me.

Last week's TOTW, Chocolate Dipped Macaroons, was a good start to filling you basket.  This week we bring you another treat to help you out... Carrot Cake Cookies.  What bunny wouldn't love that?  The cookie is soft and a little cakey.  The icing is smooth and counters the sweetness of the cookie perfectly.  As you will see, you can spread the icing on top or make a sandwich cookie of it.  Either way, it is delicious.

savour... baskets full of Easter joys

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Have you been wondering how you can show your support for Earth Day?  Becoming informed may be the best start any of us can get.  This month Whole Foods is launching the debut of its "Do Something Reel" film festival.  The festival is a collection of 6 green film genre documentaries and will be screened in 70 cities across America to celebrate Earth Month.

To sweeten the pot, Whole Foods will also stream the film "Dig It" for free on Earth Day, Aprill 22.  The festival is meant to spark awareness and start a dialogue.  Proceeds from ticket sales will go to a grant program to help filmmakers continue to tell these kinds of stories.

We have included trailers from the six festival films here.  You can find more information, including a list of upcoming cities, at the Do Something Reel website.

See you at the movies. 

Bag It (2010, 79 minutes)

Bag It Trailer from Film Sprout on Vimeo.

Lunchline (2010, 60 minutes) 

Lunch Line Trailer from uji films on Vimeo.

On Coal River (2010, 80 minutes) 

ON COAL RIVER trailer (runtime: 2:36) from On Coal River on Vimeo.

PLANEAT (2010, 78 minutes)

PLANEAT.tv Trailer from planeat.co.uk on Vimeo. 

Urban Roots (2010)       

The Vanishing of the Bees (2009, 90 minutes)

Vanishing of the Bees - Trailer from Bee The Change on Vimeo.

savour... being informed