Miss MinnieBelle

Weekend in Atlanta

2012-02-27T05:54:00.000-06:00

You know when you have been looking forward to something for a long time and then it's over and you become the saddest girl in the office? Well, that's me this morning! Michelle, sweet Nicki, and I planned a sister weekend a few months ago and it lived up to the hype b-i-g time. Since Michelle got engaged two weeks ago, the weekend turned into a bigger celebration than we even thought. We scouted wedding locations, ate a glimmering tray of cupcakes, walked them off at the botanical gardens, and even slipped into a bridesmaids dress or two (okay, more like five.) Lucky, lucky to have these two sister-friends around!

I was so happy when I got home that, on my run, I actually caught myself doing a hop and a twirl in the middle of our neighborhood. And not just because I was jammin' to Kelly Clarkson. Hope you had the time of your life this weekend, too.

Orchids will always remind me of Grandma Shirley... and how I killed the orchid she bought me in nine days flat.

Hot Cocoa for a Crowd

2012-02-23T22:25:00.000-06:00

Last night was the first official meeting of the Stop February from Being the Pits Club (SFBPC for short.) We're meeting again next Tuesday if you want to join in. To mark the occasion, we had a little hot cocoa party with a big pot of steaming hot chocolate and plenty of toppings! It was such a fun and easy get together. I highly recommend it next time you need a quick and simple weeknight treat for a crowd. All you need are some fun add-ins like crushed peppermint sticks, cinnamon, whipped cream, and marshmallows (duh.) Set up a mini buffet and let your buddies add whatever they'd like to their steaming hot concoction. Suddenly, February isn't so bad after all! And as a side note, I love my sweet girl friends. I wish you could know them, too! Lucky, lucky to have such amazing buddies!

This is why my face looks so pudgy these days...

Hot Cocoa for a Crowd

Serves 10-12

1 cup sugar

2/3 cup unsweetened cocoa

1 pinch salt

2/3 cup water

8 cups milk

2 t vanilla

In a medium saucepan, whisk sugar, unsweetened cocoa, salt, and water. Bring to a boil over medium heat. Whisk in milk and stir continually until heated through. Add in vanilla and serve!

Forty Days of Stationery (Yippee!)

2012-02-21T06:22:00.004-06:00

Friend, it's Mardi Gras and do you know what that means? Lent is starting! I've done all sorts of things for Lent over the years. My personal favorite was when I was twenty and in college and I gave up elevators. But now that I work on the 10th floor and wear high heels every day, that doesn't seem like a wise sacrifice. I'm not big on giving up food for Lent. I do it for selfish reasons (namely my hips shrinking!) so I always try to come up with something else to do or forgo. This year? I've decided to write a letter (the handwritten kind) each day till Easter. Would you like one? I would love to send you one! Drop me an email or leave a comment. Send along your address if I might have misplaced it. And I'll send you a note! Maybe you'll write back? I hope so!

New Use for Old Sweaters

2012-02-20T05:28:00.009-06:00

Look at these pretty things! My mom sewed them up using old, felted, wool sweaters. How clever! When I saw them, I thought they were just about the sweetest things I'd ever laid eyes on. She made a whole laundry basket full of them for a craft fair and sold the entire thing! She literally didn't come home with a single leftover. I don't know if it's the color combinations or their timeless look (or maybe the jingly bell inside!) but these are just so fun. I'm hoping she'll let me snag some for my house, too!

Would you like one? The little ones are $6 and the big ones are $10. They're perfect for tossing to a friend, offering to a drooly, sweet baby, or piling in a basket. I bet she'd make you one if you asked!

Sing it, Matty B!

2012-02-17T05:25:00.005-06:00

Matt sung the sweetest song in church on Sunday-- "Make You Feel My Love." Do you know it? Click here to listen to the sermon. He's towards the end at the 26 minute mark. But listen to the whole sermon. It's b-e-a-u-tiful!

Happy weekend, friend!

Happy Valentine's Day!

2012-02-14T06:13:00.011-06:00

Who says you have to be in grade school to enjoy Valentine's Day with your buddies? I had a pretty epic Valentine's party with some friends (there was a heart shaped pizza! A heart shaped pizza!) on Sunday and these sweet cards are making me one happy girl today!

I know some people aren't big into Valentine's Day. I've never been the biggest fan. But this year? Oh, this year! It's made this dreary February so much more fun! I'm a fan for life. Hope you get lots of chocolates, hugs, red and pink everything, chalky candy hearts, and maybe a card or two. Sending you love today, friend!

2012-02-13T11:55:00.000-06:00

This weekend, I:

squinted till I could see snowflakes,

prepared my victory speech,

and attended the best Valentine's Day party in town!

What about you?

2012-02-10T03:48:00.014-06:00

Friends, we are gearing up for a cold (in my opinion!) weekend! Makes me miss this place:

I am pumped for the days ahead! A surprise house guest, a Valentine's day party with some girlfriends, going to see a high quality movie with some other buddies, and teaching my favorite Sunday School class! Do you have any big plans?

P.S. Happy birthday to my dear, kind daddy! Can't wait to celebrate in person next week!

Bourbon Habanero Pork Tenderloin

2012-02-07T06:39:00.001-06:00

Matt and I made this delicious recipe a couple of Saturdays ago for a special supper. It's a bit too time consuming for a weeknight but I highly recommend it for the weekend! Don't be scared by the long ingredient list... chances are you have a lot of them! Happy Tuesday, Friend.

Bourbon Habanero Pork Tenderloin
Serves four people
Adapted from this book

1/3 cup bourbon

1/3 cup water

1 T sherry

1 T fresh, minced ginger

1 habanero chile, blistered in a skillet, then seeded and chopped

1 t minced garlic

2 3/4-lb pork tenderloins, trimmed

1/4 cup molasses (sorghum if you can find it)

1/4 cup ketchup

1/2 t salt

1/4 t fresh ground black pepper

Olive oil for brushing

1. In a shallow dish, combine bourbon, water, sherry, ginger, chile, and garlic. Add the pork and allow to marinate at room temperature for one hour, turning every 15 minutes.

2. Preheat oven to 450 degrees.

3. Remove the pork from the marinade and brush off the excess. Pat dry with a paper towel. In a small sauce pan, boil the marinade until it's reduced by 1/3. Add the molasses and ketchup and cook until thickened, about 5 minutes. Stir in salt and pepper.

4. Heat the oil in a cast-iron skillet. Brush tenderloins with oil and season with additional salt and pepper. Sear the pork over high heat, about 3 minutes per side until browned. Pour the sauce over top and put the skillet in the oven for about 12 minutes. Cook for about 12 minutes. Remove the meat and and place on a cutting board, tented with foil. Allow the pork to rest for 5-10 minutes.

5. Slice meat thickly across the grain. Cover with remaining sauce and serve.

Springy Saturday

2012-02-06T04:19:00.003-06:00

The weather this week was so warm and still that we could have sworn it was spring! We...

wore short-sleeved shirts the whole time,

*for the record, only half of these are mine...

watched the flowers grow,

ate unseasonably delicious strawberries,

and spotted a pretty blue bird!

What did y'all do?

Chocolate Lava Cakes

2012-02-02T04:36:00.006-06:00

I don't mess around when it comes to dessert. The sweeter, richer, and denser, the better. That's probably why I love chocolate lava cake so much. When I was younger, I remember going to a steakhouse, a rarity in my tofu-loving family. The waiter told us before supper that chocolate lava cakes took 45 minutes to make so if we wanted them, we had to order them right away. I remember being so excited throughout the whole dinner, knowing a warm chocolate cake (all for me!!!) was waiting on the other end. I guess I always assumed they must be hard to make. Turns out, they are super simple and use basic pantry ingredients. I highly recommend throwing these together!

A tip for serving: I love to stencil little shapes on my cakes! It's so easy! Just cut the shape out of a paper towel, lay it over top of your cake and sift powdered sugar over top. For tiny desserts like this one, I use a tea strainer to get the perfect amount of powdered sugar over top. Darling!

Chocolate Lava Cakes
Makes six small cakes
Adapted from my girl, Martha Stewart

4 tablespoons unsalted butter, room temperature (plus more for greasing your muffin tins)

1/3 cup sugar (plus more for dusting your muffin tins)

3 large eggs

1/3 cup all purpose flour

1/4 t salt

8 oz. melted bittersweet chocolate

1. Preheat your over to 400 degrees. Generously butter six cups of a muffin tin. Dust them lightly with sugar. Set aside.

2. In an electric mixer, cream butter and sugar until light and fluffy. Add eggs, one at a time, mixing until each is fully incorporated.

3. With mixer turned to low, slowly add flour and salt and mix until just combined. Beat in chocolate until just blended.

4. Bake until tops of the cakes are set and no longer jiggle-- 10-12 minutes. Remove from the oven and let stand. Remove from tins and serve (with whipped cream or ice cream if you'd like.)

Knit Headband

2012-01-31T05:39:00.004-06:00

I love, love, love knitting headbands! They are quick to make and are a great use of scrap yarn! Plus, they keep your ears from getting pink and cold in chilly winter months. Even though we had a sunny, fifty degree weekend, I pulled out a simple cabled headband I made using a free pattern found on Ravelry. I made the thinner version of this band, since it doesn't get too cold in Tennessee but you can also make double it up to keep your whole head warm, if you live somewhere frostier. Don't have a Ravelry account? The pattern's available here, too. Give it a try (and then make your husband take pictures of you in your driveway! It'll be fun!)

Saturday (in the Park)

2012-01-30T02:01:00.002-06:00

My one wish this sunny, mild Saturday was to throw the football with Matt. And lucky, lucky me! My wish was granted. One of my favorite things to do when we have Goldilocks weather (not too hot, not too cold) is to throw the football at the elementary school by our house. It's always deserted on the weekend so we can run fake plays, practice our punt returns, and see how far we can chuck the ball without interruption. I've had the same football since before we got married and it's finally, finally getting smooth and warn. It only took a few thousand tosses to get there!

Matt and I have decided that, instead of saving money to send our kids to college, we'll teach them to punt a football as soon as they can walk. It's a foolproof plan!

Makes me miss my powder puff days! Check out my razor-sharp focus.

Was it sunny by you this weekend? I hope you had fun, even if it wasn't!

Another Knit Hippo!

2012-01-27T06:23:00.000-06:00

Happy Friday, friend! We're at the end of the week again and trust me... this girl is pumped for a weekend with Matty B! I have strict instructions from the man himself to stop running and leaping into his arms every time I see him, on account of I hurt his back last weekend. Whoops! I'll just have to find a less aggressive way to show my affection.

On an unrelated note, I took this (dark) picture of the jolly hippo I just finished knitting to show you I still know how to knit! I feel like it's been a while since I posted anything about it but trust me. I'm still knitting away! I'm so happy with how this hippo turned out. I love the fuchsia and gray stripes so, so much. I knit her up for a friend of mine who wanted a present for his sweet sister and her new baby, Gracie. This was my third hippo (first two are here) and don't tell but it was my favorite, too (and not just because I knit her while cheering the G-Men to victory.)

Hope you have the weekend of your life, friend! See you Monday?

Apple Streusel Cake

2012-01-24T04:24:00.006-06:00

This weekend was wonderful in a drizzly and still sort of way. After a busy week, we took full advantage of a little time inside with nothing to do. In between laundry and Garden & Gun articles, I decided to bake a little treat and the apple streusel cake recipe I came across a couple weeks ago just wouldn't get out of my head. I whipped it up in no time flat (and had all the ingredients on hand... always a plus!) While we ate it for dessert on Saturday, it made a lovely Sunday treat with a big milky cup of coffee. It's a simple and sort of ugly cake but delicious all the same. I hope you'll try it sometime.

Apple Streusel Cake

Adapted from Cooks.com

2 c. all purpose flour
2 tsp. baking powder
1 tsp. baking soda
1 tsp. salt
1/2 tsp. ground cinnamon
1/2 c. butter, room temperature
1/2 c. packed brown sugar
1/2 c. sugar
1/2 c. sour cream, room temperature
2 eggs, room temperature
1 tsp. vanilla
1 c. finely chopped unpeeled or peeled tart apples

Topping

2 tbsp. cold butter
1/4 c. sugar
3 tbsp. all purpose flour
1/4 tsp. ground cinnamon

1. Generously butter a 9 x 5 loaf pan; set aside. Preheat oven to 350 degrees.

2. In a large bowl, combine flour, baking powder, baking soda, salt, and cinnamon; set aside.

3. In small bowl, cream butter and both sugars until light. Beat in sour cream, eggs, and vanilla until blended.

4. Fold creamed mixture, apples, and nuts into flour. Turn into prepared pan; smooth top.

5. Prepare topping by cutting cold butter into sugar, flour, and cinnamon. Sprinkle topping evenly over batter. Bake 40-50 minutes. Remove from oven and place pan on a cooling rack. After 10-15 minutes, invert bread out of pan and onto a pretty plate.

Risotto with Red Wine, Goat Cheese, and Mushrooms

2012-01-23T05:36:00.000-06:00

Oh, friends! We had the best Saturday night. It was our first in a while where Matt and I were both home and without plans or work and we took full advantage. Not only did we cross off one of our twelve goals for the year (watch two movies in a row-- we chose Big and Midnight in Paris) but we made a special supper together, too. It was so fun to mix and stir and pour and chop with Dear Matt beside me. He's a very handsome (if easily distracted) sous-chef if I do say so myself.

And this supper for two resulted in a wonderful recipe to share with you today- risotto with red wine, goat cheese, and mushrooms. And I'm married to an Italian so I'm hoping you'll take my word for it when I say this recipe is a keeper. We just finished ours up and already I'm planning to make more. Since I made the recipe just as is, there's no need to re-type it but just know that this gets my seal of approval. We served ours with steaks (steaks! You know it's a celebration when we splurge for steaks!) and roasted broccoli and it was just perfect. Please, please make this. Something about it feels fancy and special but it's an easy one to throw together.

What about you? Did you get into anything fun this weekend?

Friday, Friday!

2012-01-20T09:03:00.000-06:00

See that picture above? That's my parents' house, all tucked in a few inches of snow. Pretty, isn't it? Seattle, with all those hills and without any snow plows, shuts down for snow and ice. My family has been hibernating all week, doing work from the dining room table, baking fresh bread in the afternoon, and I imagine doing a crossword puzzle or two. I've been so sad to miss such a cozy, lovely week. But with snow comes the feeling of being cooped up, too, so I've been enjoying time outside this week, knowing that my family isn't.

This weekend, we are buying some new clothes for Matthew, seeing some friends, and cheering for those Giants till our throats are soar. And I hope I'll be baking some bread of my own, too! What are you getting in to?

Quinoa Breakfast Cereal

2012-01-17T06:19:00.003-06:00

I don't know about you but if I skip breakfast, I grow horns and a long scaly tail. Trust me when I say I'm a much better person when I get three squares a day. This weekend, we had practically nothing in the fridge so I whipped up a recipe I've seen many versions of over the past few months-- quinoa breakfast cereal! It's a simple concept. You cook up some quinoa with milk and something sweet and eat it like you would oatmeal. I put maple syrup and cinnamon in mine, along with some hot, spiced apple sauce. Definitely a healthy breakfast and the protein kept me full for a while. If you like the earthy flavor of quinoa with your supper, you might like it for breakfast, too!

Quinoa Breakfast Cereal

Serves 2

1/2 cup quinoa, rinsed

1 1/2 cup skim milk

1 T pure maple syrup

1 t cinnamon

1. Combine quinoa and milk in a small saucepan. Bring slowly to a boil.

2. Turn your heat down to low and allow to simmer, stirring occasionally, until most liquid is evaporated- about 14-17 minutes.

3. Mix in syrup and cinnamon. Top with whatever you'd like (pecans, apples, banana, berries, etc.)

Thursday

2012-01-14T07:32:00.000-06:00

Oh, Thursday. You are my very favorite! Every week, without fail, you are my sweetest day. And last Thursday? It was my best day yet.

With a dusting of snow on the ground and the threat of flurries and ice, the city was oh so quiet. So we trounced around like we owned the place and had the date night to end all date nights.

It started with pasta and crusty bread and a glass of red wine. This Italian boy (he wears a gold chain so you know he means business!) was happy as can be eating his handmade rigatoni. And you better believe we made short order of two cannolis, crispy and rich.

Look, Sue! Matt really did stop biting his nails! Don't his hands look so refined now?

This girl was so cold she wore a hat and jacket inside. I might be the biggest weather wimp of all. Remember, I grew up with 300 days of 50 degrees and rainy a year. I'm not used to this snow thing, no matter how wimpy it may be.

Then we headed to the movies, one I'd been wanting to see for a long time. And sweet Matt didn't even laugh at me when I cried (the ugly kind) twice. I could tell he liked it, too, because he squeezed my hand at the best parts.

Yes, Thursday, you were the best yet. A quiet city, a big dinner, a lovely movie, and a handsome boy. Do it again next week? Same time, same place?

Vegetable Soup

2012-01-12T04:47:00.000-06:00

Did you ever read that story Stone Soup when you were young? About the villagers who put stones in a pot because that's all they have? But then they each bring a vegetable and put them in there, too? And by the end of it, they have something delicious, not just stones and water? Well, call me crazy but, as a child, when I read this story, it always made me hungry. Not warm and fuzzy. Not full of lessons about working together and sharing what little you have. I just wanted their soup. Please tell me I'm not the only one!

When I tossed together this vegetable soup over the weekend, I was reminded of this old tale. I filled a big pot to the brim with vegetables (note- this soup is completely versatile... add whatever you have!) and let it simmer and steam for a while. I've been eating it for my lunch all week. I just wish I had some crusty bread to pack along with it... Please take this recipe as merely a guideline. You can add whatever you have on hand to make this just how you want it!

Vegetable Soup

Serves 6-8

1 T olive oil

2 carrots, peeled and diced

2 stalks celery, diced

2 t salt

1 t fresh black pepper

red pepper flakes to taste (optional!)

1 red onion, chopped

1 bay leaf

14 oz. diced tomatoes

1 potato, peeled and cubed

1 can kidney beans (or whatever kind you like), drained and rinsed

1/2 lb green beans, trimmed and cut in half

1 zucchini, quartered then diced

2 cloves garlic, pressed

1. In a large pot, heat olive oil over medium. Add carrots, celery, and onion and saute until onion becomes transulcent, about eight minutes. Season with salt, pepper, and red pepper.

2. Add bay leaf, tomato, potato, beans, and green beans to the pot, along with seven cups of water. Keeping uncovered and on medium, bring slowly to a boil.

3. Add green beans, zucchini, and garlic and allow to simmer on low for a half hour or until vegetables are soft.

4. To serve, drizzle with olive oil and top with parmesan (optional.)

2012-01-10T05:34:00.000-06:00

Sadly, sadly, I packed up all of our Christmas decorations on Saturday. Putting the reindeer away was the most pitiful of all. Though they didn't say so, I could tell Rudolph was a little forlorn when I closed him up in the storage room. But don't worry! Our house didn't stay bare for long. I layered our front table (and former reindeer haven) with old books, some jars full of new bulbs ready to grow and bloom, and some pretty votive candles. I'm not big into Valentine's Day decorations so I'm hoping this display will last clear till Spring!

Here's a shot of the whole table!

A little closer!

And close up! Ta da!

Another Chevron Blanket

2012-01-09T04:52:00.003-06:00

Remember when I told you I had a new favorite baby blanket? Well, I meant it! And I made another one! Despite the heat and palm trees and the general loveliness of being outside in Miami, I couldn't pass up the opportunity to knit while we were there. And knit I did. By the time we left, I had finished all seven stripes of this blanket. I love the weight of it, how it gets a little heavier and heavier each day until it drags stubbornly on your lap for that very last band of color. While my first chevron blanket was decidedly masculine, I wanted this one to be a bit sweeter so I opted for deep plum, grey, reds, and one stripe of candy pink. Please, please try this pattern! It's a beginner project and will give you good practice with basic increases and decreases.

What do you think?

Happy Friday!

2012-01-06T04:26:00.003-06:00

It's Friday! Friday! Something about coming back from the holidays made this week drag, drag, drag. I spent plenty of time dreaming of my weekend and made some little plans for myself. Since Matty will be singing both Friday and Saturday nights, I'm a bit of a bachelorette, aren't I? I'm not big on New Year's resolutions but I am all about little goals as I go. So I present to you my Weekend Resolutions. These are nothing compared to my friend who is running a marathon (that's 26.2 miles, y'all) this weekend but if I accomplish even half of these, I'm calling it a success. Here goes...

play with my sister-in-law, take down the Christmas tree (sad, sad day), cheer on the New York football Giants, vacuum my pitiful floors, teach the best Sunday School class in all of Tennessee, plant plenty more amaryllis bulbs, wash every last bit of laundry, knit till my knuckles swell, drink at least three cups of tea, finally type up some (beloved) recipes I've been meaning to share with you, and go to the butcher!

What about you? Any big weekend plans, friend?

Buffalo Chicken Salad

2012-01-04T04:14:00.010-06:00

It's no secret that I love Buffalo sauce. I think I have a radar for it! I can track it down from miles away. I'll show you sometime! Sunday, after church, I was a hungry girl (my stomach must have stretched in Miami!) and wanted nothing more than a huge salad for my lunch. As I tossed it together, I thought, "Maybe my friends would like this salad, too." So here you have it. Not fancy but a good and filling salad if you're looking for one!

Buffalo Chicken Salad

Serves 2

Two hearts of Romaine (or a bag of Romaine salad)

Ranch dressing to taste

Two medium carrots

Two medium celery stalks

Two chicken breasts, cooked and chopped

1/4 cup Frank's hot sauce

1. Rinse and dry Romaine lettuce. Cut into bite-sized pieces. In a large bowl, toss lettuce with ranch dressing to coat.

2. Wash and peel carrots. Cut on the bias, Pieces should be about 1/4-1/2 inch thick. Wash celery. Trim ends and cut on the bias as with the carrots.

3. In a small bowl, toss chopped chicken with hot sauce until it's as spicy as you'd like. If you want a milder sauce, stir a couple tablespoons of melted butter into the sauce before combining it with the chicken.

4. To assemble, split the lettuce between two bowls. Top each salad with carrot and celery. Add chicken and sauce on top. Sprinkle with additional dressing, if you'd like.

Lazy Sunday

2012-01-03T06:54:00.009-06:00

Home again, home again, jiggity jig! I came home split in two. Half of me was dying to stay in Miami where the sun was always out, there was always time for a jog or to read a chapter and dinner always came with a drink.

But now that we're home and settled and the empty luggage has resumed its spot on the right side of the storage space, I feel good here, too. We spent Sunday re-acclimating to Tennessee. Oh yeah, and playing with our new camera! Can you tell we like it?

I enjoyed a last peek at my plastic reindeer friends. I need just one more week of Christmas decorations. Forgive me, neighbors! We'll be that house whose lights stay up a little past their welcome.

I stared at the amaryllis bulb who finally, after five weeks in a Mason jar, opened up while we were away.

And enjoyed big, milky mugs of my favorite tea with a neat little stack of ginger snaps. What about you? What did you get into?

Miami Recap

2012-01-02T04:38:00.006-06:00

Dear Mom,

I missed you so much over Christmas. So much. I missed how you get just as excited as I do about opening our stockings. How you are a sucker for tradition and still hang the same advent calendar, lay out the same books, and serve coffee in the same cups as you did when we were little. And how you humor me and lead us on a walk through the neighborhood looking at Christmas lights, even though they've been the same since you moved to our house almost thirty years ago. I'm already excited to see you next Christmas. I am, I am.

But Mom, don't be mad when I say this. I didn't miss that drippy, dreary, makes-you-hibernate-for-days, no-wonder-we-live-on-coffee, Seattle weather. I didn't miss wearing wool socks for a week. And I didn't miss staying inside for days straight because I'm a wimp about having my hair frozen and damp all day. This whole vacation for Christmas thing happens for a reason. Take a look, Mom! I think you'll agree. We...

cheered at our good fortune for being in Miami,

took showers outside, midday,

rode a camel named Randy Prince Ali-style,

ate popsicles for lunch because, um, that's just what you do on vacation,

wore matching t-shirts and channeled our new favorite reality star,

ate our fair share of Cuban food,

and drank lots of people's fair shares of Cuban coffee,

synchronized our leaps into the cold and salty Atlantic,

worked on our golf tans,

and stared at this ornery blue-eyed boy all. day. long. How could I resist, Mom? He's the apple of our eye!

Mom, I missed you so. Always do. But as you can see, we had a time and a half in Miami! I'll see you in February, wooly mitts, sensible shoes, and all.

Love you a bushel and a peck,

Minnie

2011-12-27T07:50:00.000-06:00

I hope you had an amazing holiday, friend! We are still in Miami, enjoying long mornings, bottomless coffee cups, boat shoes and short sleeves for the first time in too long, palm trees sprinkled with twinkling lights, sugary drinks, mounds of citrus, walks till our feet swell, and endless episodes of our new favorite show.

And you'll be happy to know that Santa found us- all nine of us- down here! I'm thinking, since we have no chimney, he crept in through the balcony to hang our stockings with care. Thoughts?

And what did Santa bring me? That guy! He left a camera under the tree for me. This is good news for you, too, since this little space won't just have iPhone photos from now on! Stay tuned, friends. Hope you had a lovely holiday!

2011-12-23T08:51:00.000-06:00

Happy Christmas, friends! Matt and I are wrapping up a full holiday season in Miami (yes, FLORIDA!). This will be my first (in all my days) Christmas away from home ever! Luckily, I have sweet parents who are willing to indulge my desire to open Christmas presents via video chat. And in-laws who are letting me bring a few of my favorite Christmas traditions to them in Miami, too. Blessed on all accounts!

I hope you have a wonderful holiday, too! We're lucky, aren't we? Can't wait to see you in 2012.

Chocolate Peanut Butter Truffles

2011-12-22T05:42:00.000-06:00

Sometimes, a girl signs up to do too too many things in a given week. This has been one of those weeks for me. Don't feel sorry for me! Not even for a second! Too many fun, holiday events are coming my way and I don't have the willpower to say "no, no, no" to any of them. This has resulted in some frenzied knitting, messy handwriting on my holiday cards, back to back to back Christmas parties, grubby kitchen floors, and a happy girl. I needed 6 dozen cookies for a cookie swap on Monday. With little time but a love for cookie swaps, I whipped up these chocolate peanut butter truffles on Sunday while watching my Seahawks WOMP on the Bears. A good time all in all. If you're like me and have a thing or two on your agenda this week, consider throwing these together. Mine came out messy, imperfect, and extremely delicious. Try 'em out!

Soy Peanut Salad Dressing

2011-12-20T08:00:00.000-06:00

I love a big salad for my lunch. I do, I do. There are so many things you can add to it. It's big and light and fresh. It doesn't make me sleepy in the afternoon. And- most obvious of all- it's delicious! This soy peanut dressing takes minutes to shake together and can dress up your lunchtime greens like nothing else! I've been tossing this amazing sauce with spinach, mandarin oranges, carrot matchsticks, and cooked edamame. It's also lovely with whole wheat pasta and broccoli (like Sister does it over here.)

Morning, sun drenched kitchen.

Soy Peanut Dressing

Adapted from my girl, Martha

Measure 1/4 cup rice vinegar, three tablespoons low sodium soy sauce, and two heaping tablespoons peanut butter into an airtight container or jar. Shake, shake, shake till well combined and creamy. Sprinkle in some hot pepper flakes, if you'd like (I add so much it looks like confetti!) Store your concoction in the fridge til lunchtime. Toss with your favorite greens or chilled pasta and feel lovely and clever as can be.

Cinnamon Ornaments

2011-12-19T07:02:00.000-06:00

The week before Christmas, for me (and I suspect some of you) is devoted to slurping up as much of the season as I can. The tree never gets unplugged. The Polar Express is read six times. The pine tree scented candle flickers away. And I eat peppermint on everything! If you're looking to add a little cheer to this final week of cheer, I highly recommend these cinnamon ornaments. They are the perfect project if you a.) want your house to smell divine b.) have a hankering to do a holiday craft c.) want something to keep little hands busy while you knock off some Christmas tasks d.) are trying to procrastinate mopping the floor. I'll let you guess which category I fell into (hint! There's more than one correct answer!) Mix up this simple dough, bake on super low, and you have a sweet little ornament ready for hanging or giving. I like to leave mine plain these days but as a little thing, I used puffy paint to further deck out my cinnamon ornaments. The choice is yours!

Cinnamon Ornaments

Hands on Time: 20 minutes Total Time: 1 hour, 5 minutes

Ingredients:

1 Cup Cinnamon

1 Tbsp. Ground Cloves

1 Tbsp. Nutmeg

3/4 Cup applesauce

1. Stir dry ingredients together. Mix in applesauce. If dough is too wet, add some cinnamon. If too dry, add some applesauce. It should form into a thick, mold-able paste.
2. Roll out to 1/4 inch. Cut into shapes using your favorite cookie cutters. Don't forget to make a little hole with a toothpick big enough to thread some yarn or ribbon through as a hanger.
3. Bake at 200 for 45 minutes on a lined cookie sheet. Flip and bake another 45 minutes or until dry and stiff.
4. Thread ribbon or yarn through the hole and hang!

Family Carwash Day

2011-12-13T05:33:00.002-06:00

Two years ago, Matt and I had Family Haircut Day. I still talk about it all the time. Here's how it went down: Matt got his hair cut and I sat and talked to him and our lovely hairdresser/buddy, Kara. Then, I got my hair cut while Matt sat and talked to me and our lovely hairdresser/buddy, Kara. Can I tell you something? It was a great day! I loved Family Haircut Day! We've done it twice now. And friend, we had another Family Day this weekend and it's one I want to repeat again and again. Family Carwash Day. It was a sight to behold. I got my car washed with Christmas music blaring in the background and then Matt followed me through. There is nothing like being surrounded by whites suds and a bristly brush as big as my whole body while singing "Away in a Manger" at the top of your dang lungs. I seriously screamed "WOW!" about six times. Matt, may we please lather, rinse, repeat again soon? This was your best idea yet!

Water.

Soap and a big, red brush.

Rinse.

And a thumbs up in the rear view. Dad, I was not driving when I took this picture.

Favorite Baby Blanket

2011-12-12T05:22:00.001-06:00

I have a new favorite baby blanket! It's so big and soft and it knits up surprisingly quickly. It's the Chevron Blanket from PurlBee. I'll admit that, half-way through making it, I wasn't sure I would love this blanket. But now that it's done, in all its zig-zaggy glory, I love it! I even bought yarn to make another one. The yarn called for is Blue Sky Cotton. This yarn is lovely. It is not cheap, though. And babies, though I love them so, are not known for cleanliness. So I swapped it out for Bernat Satin, which is just $3 a skein, compared to $13. Score! I hope you'll make one, too, if you're the knitting type. It's so satisfying and the seven colors keep it interesting

What about you? Have you knit up any new favorites recently?

They're HERE!

2011-12-08T08:25:00.000-06:00

Ladies and gentlemen, Christmas can officially begin! Our annual box of grapefruits (big, pink, lovely ones) are here. Every single year when I was a little girl (and probably before I was born, too), my grandfather would order a huge yellow box of grapefruits for our family. They would arrive during the first week of December and we'd ration them out throughout the month. It was always a fight to see who could eat the last one (spoile alert: my brother always got the last one.) Oh, they were so good! And the perfect light treat for a time of year where there's lots of rich food to be had. Now, my dad orders them. And since we are spending Christmas away this year, he surprised us with a big yellow box of our very own. I like to peel them and eat the segments individually. Matt carves them, as seen above, with great precision. Last year, we made those delicious frozen granitas. My question: what should I make this year? Any surprising ways you like to use a grapefruit? Will you share your ideas with me?

And what about you, friend? What's your first sign that Christmas is really and truly upon us?

Oatmeal Chocolate Chip Cookies

2011-12-06T05:15:00.000-06:00

There are few things in this world where I will readily admit I am better than your average Joe. But I will happily claim that I make top-notch oatmeal cookies.* I've picked up some tricks along the way that enhance our average Quaker Oats cookies. The recipe below is my tried and true. I love to make these when I know I have company coming. They make the house smell warm and lovely and there's nothing like a couple of cookies between friends! These are so unfussy and traditional. In my book, nothing beats them. Maybe you'll make some this holiday season? I hope you will!

*Let it be know that my sister-in-law, Nicki, makes better chocolate chip cookies than I do! I may be good but, oh friends, she is the best!

Oatmeal Chocolate Chip Cookies

Makes 4 dozen

1/2 lb unsalted butter, soft

1 c packed light brown sugar

1/2 c white sugar

2 eggs

1 t vanilla

1 1/2 c all-purpose flour

1 heaping t cinnamon

1 t baking soda

1/2 t salt

3 c quick cook oats*

1 c semi-sweet chocolate chips

1. Heat oven to 350.

2. Beat butter and sugars together in the bowl of an electric mixer on medium speed till light and fluffy.

3. Add in eggs and vanilla. Beat until well-combined.

4. In a separate bowl, combine flour, baking soda, cinnamon and salt. Mix well.

5. Fold oats in with dry ingredients.

6. Add dry ingredients to wet and mix until just combined. Fold in chocolate chips.

7. Drop by rounded tablespoons onto ungreased cookie sheet. Bake 10 minutes, rotating cookie sheets halfway through.

8. Remove from oven and allow to cool 1-2 minutes on cookie sheets before transferring cookies to a wire rack.

*You can use regular oats, if you have them! I keep quick-cook on hand for making cookies because I think it makes for a softer texture. But whatever you have will work!

A Merry Weekend

2011-12-05T04:36:00.002-06:00

I am in love with our weekend. It was one of my favorites. Favorite favorites! We made so much merriment this weekend I can't hardly stand it. We had twinkly trees, Christmas decorations making their first appearance in months, big bowls of warm soup shared with friends, snuggily (ridiculous) pajamas, cookies hot from the oven, and the best church Christmas pageant these eyes have ever seen! I am lucky, so lucky, to have a best friend who loves my love of holidays.

I found those reindeer and sleigh at Goodwill in September. So happy to finally have it out!

All of the other reindeer used to laugh and call him names. But we won't!

Holly jolly table runner.

Love this chubby Santa ornament.

The twinkliest tree in town!

Pajama night with some buddies-- the perfect end to our weekend!