Warmth

Christmastime. 

a time of warmth.

one's family, loved ones nearby, freshly baked cookies,

twinkling lights, homemade soup, cozy blankets,

finding that perfect gift,

roaring fireplace, new special traditions...

I hope everyone felt their own version of warmth during Christmastime.

I know I did. My heart is full.

My parents have always been exceptional gift givers.

My fossil watch and kitchen gadgets top my list this year!

"santa must be facing outward at all times"

josh and i attending one of the christmas parties

our sweets at home in nevada!

thee cutest little trees. they are all of 1 inch high.

my mom is the best cookie decorator there is.

the peanut blossoms needed a close-up. gorg.

and other sweet options at home to accompany our christmas brunch.

Christy, Katie, and I at our work party.

Tony, Taylor, and Josh joined too.

such a fun night at the Kirkwood Lounge!!

christmas cookie decorating content at work.

chresten, janet, joel and me.

I spent most of my time cuddling handsome three-week-old Henry at the Miller Christmas.

Shelly planned awesome Minute-to-Win-It games too.

this was before I dominated in wii bowling at the Black Townhouse.

i adore him.

if you know me, you know I love paper.

combine paper and christmas and this girl is really happy!

i used old posters (gift from an image stockhouse at work) as gift wrap.

josh's christmas letter slid in and out from under this old page from a book. 

im obsessed with this masking tape!

my awesome parents.

they are thee best.

little Maggie

our family christmas celebrated on December 26th.

it was wonderful spending the entire day together.

the day consisted of eating, unwrapping, playing with Maggie, laughing, eating more, and playing cards.

it was a very warm christmas.

tape you'll love

I grocery shop with a list.
Do you?
And if you do, wouldn't you agree that some of the most fun buys and bites are the ones thrown in along the way that never made the cut to be on your list?


the twix that hopped into your basket? loved them!
the hard cider that fell into your cart? really loved that!
the avocado that inspired the salsa and tortilla chips? yep, downed that.


The same thing happened with this masking tape. it caught my eye and hopped into my bag at the east village shop known as Ephemera. 

I used it as part of my Christmas wrapping and plan to make a framed graphic wall hanging with it! Check out all of the fun colors and prints here!

twenty twelve

You won't find the words 'more' or 'stop' in my resolutions. When those words, or words similar to those, are used in creating personal goals, or in contrast with concepts, they shine negatively. Too negatively. Negativity will not allow room for positivity, growth, or appreciation, so my "resolutions" are written in a different way.

...A handful of them have short additions that I only know of. A rough goal, number, or level to attain. But, overall, I am building a better 2012 based on the strong foundation of 2011...

Building. Adding to. Contributing. Fighting for. And growing.

Which is exactly why there is only room for something positive here.

Spend time in prayer
Reflect in writing
Walk
Find 3 great organizations to support
Bake cinnamon rolls from scratch
Get a skin check
Get Sealed on etsy
Write letters often
Find a good book...or 3
Pay myself first
Take my own lunch to work each day

Salads, extended.

when it is hot and humid out, cold, fresh and crisp sound best, right?! whether you define that as a good beer or a good salad is up to you.

maybe its both.

try the following additions to your salad for a punch of flavor:

1. fresh torn basil is delicious mixed into your bed of greens

2. black pepper & ricotta are an great duo and serve as your dressing

3. pretzel bits make for a mean crouton substitution

4. brie cheese and crackers accompany any salad perfectly

5. nectarines add a punch of flavor without being too fruity

basic crisp topping

the basic crisp topping.

thee best crisp topping.

you know.

it's so easy to throw a crisp together when you use the following recipe for the crispy crumble topping over a mixture of any seasonal fruit.

start with 1/3 cup sugar on your fruit. you may have to adjust according to the fruit's natural tartness or sweetness (raspberry (frozen then thawed) and rhubarb, above, needed about 1/2 cup-3/4 cup sugar) then top with the following

3/4 cup flour

3/4 cup brown sugar

1/2 oatmeal

1 tsp. baking soda

1/2 melted butter

smash together with a fork.

bake at 375 for 20-30 minutes (depending on fruit)

Chunky Guac

Guac meets salsa plus spinach?!

not a clever name... but, oh, the taste!

Roughly chop the following.

1 avacodo

1/2 onion

2 tomatoes

2 cups loose spinach

1 cup loose basil

Squeeze and sprinkle the following

juice of 1 lime

garlic powder

salt

freshly cracked pepper

(all to taste)

Dive in with the following

chips

or fingers.

Fig Balsamic Mushrooms on Hot Pepper Focaccia

More often than not, I feel like I'm scraping together a "meal."

And more often than not, it tastes like I'm scraping together a "meal."

Tilapia with..... umm.... limp frozen asparagus? just had it.

Guac made with only one avocado? all the time.

Cereal as dessert?? uh huh.

Somehow something went differently this weekend and I was blown away by how perfectly this simple—yet, incredible—meal was! I had just bought hot pepper garlic focaccia bread from the Farmer's Market and found portabella mushrooms in my crisper. Ah hah!

Toasted Fig Balsamic Mushrooms on Hot Pepper Focaccia

- Rub focaccia with olive oil and broil.

- Sautee sliced mushrooms with 1 tsp. spritzed olive oil, 2 T fig balsamic vinegar, salt and pepper until slightly wilted and fragrant.

- Top broiled bread with mushrooms and a sprinkle of sharp cheddar.

- Broil until bubbly and golden.

Roasted Veggies

im sure you can think of an outfit you love, but that you didn't initially buy all of the pieces together for. it just works.

this dinner was just like that great outfit. it just worked.

in different stages I roasted veggies at 425. first the potatoes (sweet + small red) and onions. next, broccoli and tomatoes. and finally, kale. easy and so comforting.

1 small sweet potato

1 small red potato

1/4 small onion, roughly chopped

1 cup broccoli

1/2 cup cherry tomatoes

2 cups torn kale
evoo

garlic gold

kosher salt

black pepper

paprika

paremsan

preheat oven to 425. spritz pan with misted evoo. coat potatoes + onion with garlic gold nuggets + kosher salt + black pepper + paprika. roast 10 min and stir. add broccoli + tomatoes. roast 7 minutes and stir. spritz kale with evoo + sprinkle with fresh parm. roast for 5 minutes.

enjoy.