The wonder of twinkling lights…
The excitement of opening gifts…
The adventure in taking a perfect family photo…
Almost…
…there’s nothing like being with family for the holidays!
I tried to write a holiday post
December 24, 2011 3 Comments
I started off writing something heartfelt and it went nowhere. Apparently the mushy post ain’t happenin’.
I switched to funny and the humor wasn’t flowing either.
Instead, I’ll just say this:
Whatever Holiday you celebrate, wherever you are or whomever you are with, I hope you feel loved.
And eat some cookies.
PICTURE HAPPINESS TIME!
snow in yer face // kitty catchin’ snow // gift tag happiness // marshmallow recipe
ornament with heart bokeh // glitter lights bokeh
May your nights be comfy and cozy!
May your days be merry & bright!
Bokeh
December 22, 2011 4 Comments
Yes you read that right. That word is pronounced (bō’kā) and it’s Japanese.
Bokeh refers to the visual quality of an out of focus area in a photographic image. It’s that dreamy, creamy, sometimes bright and always fuzzy background area when done right, can make you swoon.
I watched a youtube video on it, trying to wrap my brain around how to make my photos all purdy-like.
Basically, the closer you are & the higher your apeature, the more bokeh you will achieve.
But how to do make those awesome shapes in your bokeh with a “normal” lense?
There’s a lovely DIY article using black paper, scissors, tape, and your camera. I’m off to try this and bring it with me on my holiday adventures.
Because with potential like this?
Who wouldn’t want to a litttle bokeh in their lives?
White Chocolate Topped Gingerbread Cookies
December 21, 2011 2 Comments
This past weekend I made the most moist and scrumptious gingerbread cookies for my work cookie swap. They are relatively easy and a huge hit. You won’t regret making them…(scroll down for full recipe)
White Chocolate Topped Gingerbread Cookies
Mix flour, ginger, cinnamon, baking soda, nutmeg and salt in large bowl.
Beat butter and brown sugar in large bowl with electric mixer on medium speed until light and fluffy.
Add molasses, egg and vanilla; beat well.
HINT: If the molasses is too sticky, spray your measuring cup with oil first. Like so:
and then you still might get molasses everywhere…
Gradually beat in flour mixture on low speed until well mixed. It will be THICK and your mixer will whine. Press on.
Press dough into a thick flat disk. Wrap in plastic wrap. Refrigerate 4 hours or overnight. (or go to your friend’s birthday brunch and come home to bake).
After your refrigerated break…Preheat oven to 350°F. Shape dough into 1-inch balls.
Roll in granulated sugar. Place 1 inch apart on ungreased baking sheets. (cookies do not spread)
Bake 8 to 11 minutes or until edges of cookies just begin to brown.
Immediately press about 5-6 white chocolate chips into center of each cookie.
enjoy. enjoy. enjoy
(and maybe share)
– Full Recipe –
Ingredients
3 cups flour
2 tsp. Ginger, Ground
1 tsp. Cinnamon, Ground
1 tsp. baking soda
1/4 tsp. Nutmeg, Ground
1/4 tap salt
3/4 cup (1 1/2 sticks) unsalted butter, at room temperature
3/4 cup firmly packed brown sugar
1/2 cup molasses
1 egg
1/4 cup granulated sugar
1 tsp. Vanilla Extract
1 cup white chocolate chips
- Mix flour, ginger, cinnamon, baking soda, nutmeg and salt in large bowl.
- Beat butter and brown sugar in large bowl with electric mixer on medium speed until light and fluffy.
- Add molasses, egg and vanilla; beat well.
- Gradually beat in flour mixture on low speed until well mixed.
- Press dough into a thick flat disk. Wrap in plastic wrap. Refrigerate 4 hours or overnight.
- Preheat oven to 350°F. Shape dough into 1-inch balls.
- Roll in granulated sugar. Place 1 inch apart on ungreased baking sheets. (cookies do not spread)
- Bake 8 to 11 minutes or until edges of cookies just begin to brown.
- Immediately press about 5-6 white chocolate chips into center of each cookie.
If I had a million dollars
December 19, 2011 3 Comments
You know that Barenaked Ladies song that makes you hum so happily & gets stuck in your head instantly? (if you live under a rock. <— because apparently they never made an official video. it’s that cool.)
That song that allows you to sing along and fantasize about the luxuries one might indulge upon with a sweet underlining meaning, if a disposable million buckaroos appeared?
The other night I tweeted how lovely an in-house manicurist would be… amongst other never happening things. And it got me thinking…
If money was no object -
If you could let go and pretend financial limits didn’t hold you back-
What would you want in your life?
Rules of this imaginary game: charitable donations are already regularly occurring, medical research funding is happening via your bank account, and “happiness” and/or “peace on earth” cannot be bought.
Now while I wholeheartedly recognize how shallow this post appears, and is, let’s just play along…
How awesome might an in-house stylist, make-up artist, and personal fashion assistant be, to make you up to be your best?
A personal chef and trainer might enable you to achieve your perfect body!
No. more. cleaning. ever.
With all that time on my hands, I’d craft and shop and read and have bottomless lunch dates. I might even travel all over the entire world on one of those year long cruises. with my friends who I support? (ok, awesome yet not down-to-earth).
All pets at my shelter (because, duh, I have my own animal shelter/farm/foster care) could enjoy my company on a regular basis.
And um,… hrm. This sounds like I might be missing something quality & real about my life.
Maybe there’s a reason the lyrics sing of purchasing Picasos and monkeys and “your love.”
I guess I know what I’m not saying when the Gennie grants my 3 wishes…
(but still… how might your version of the song go?)
{image}
Sister Sister
December 16, 2011 2 Comments
We live hundreds of miles away yet use the same brand of deodorant & makeup without knowing it. Even though she looks like my mom and I look like my dad, we could be twins, save the years that separate us. And while she’s good at math and sciences, I thrive at the language based stuffs, we both have a common love of dance and performance art.
We are so different yet so similar, and that’s what I love about my sister.
She gives the best advice, even though we both hate to talk on the phone.
And she’s always there for me.
Plus she’s got a kick ace family and some darn cute kids!
Happy Birthday, Marlo! Love you to your toes!!!
Due to technical difficulties (aka my ignorance to WordPress and growing learning curve), this post did not go up on my sister’s actual bday. Happiest of days to my sis, always!
Matchy Matchy
December 15, 2011 2 Comments
The other night, as Mike and I prepped for a friend’s birthday party, he asked me what I planned to wear.
I stared blankly and replied, “Something nice?”
I thought about my wardrobe contents, the weather, and the two different places on the agenda. I came up with skinny jeans, a fancy black tank, and new booties.
Mike: So you’re wearing black, then?
Me: Yeah, unless that outfit doesn’t work out when I try it on….
Mike: I need to know since I’m thinking about wearing my black sweater.
Me: So wear it.
Mike: But I don’t want us to match.
Do you notice when couples wear the same color schemes? It’s not like we both headed out in the same sweater and same accessories. We don’t spend the whole time standing together, either. And heaven forbid we both want to wear our black leather jackets (of which his is a blazer & mine a bomber) — which you take off, anyways.
This bothers me not. But seeing a girl wearing the same dress as me doesn’t shake me, either.
So what says you?
Does it matter if a couple slightly matches, and/or do you notice?
Do you have this issue with your significant other too?
National Botanical Gardens
December 12, 2011 4 Comments
Saturday we ventured out into the first signs of winter (temps consistently below 50 during the day – I know…) and into the warm, lush greenhouses of the National Botanical Gardens. Having lived in DC for six years and never visited, we figured seeing their “Season’s Greenings” made for a good excuse.
Jingle Bells Poinsettia
Made with various plant materials, small creatures & mini-fairy houses with winding train tracks encircled the area. The whimsical tiny abodes made me click, click away with my dSLR.
We wandered through the different areas, exploring plants and admiring the different shapes/scents/textures.
We even got a little interactive with the plants….
And! Found *my* plant!
The Orchids. There are no words. (only a hard time choosing which pictures to share!!!)
Lastly, the most awesome part, the National Mall monuments creative out of botanical materials:
Who knew plants could be so fun?!
The Start of Something Beautiful
December 9, 2011 4 Comments
Um, do you do see what I see?
Do you see this new & improved, shiny, WordPress blog?!?!?
I made the jump to WordPress!
But you’ll have to excuse me while I tinker with settings and get things just right.
In the meantime, huge thanks to my girl, Ali.
She did this jump and did all that confusing html/hosting/computer mumbojumbo.
I am so lucky she is my friend!
YAY!
(and happy Friday!)
Happy 70th to my Dad!
December 7, 2011 4 Comments
I never hesitate to answer the question about the relevance of today’s date.
The anniversary of the bombing of Pearl Harbor?
Nope -
My dad’s birthday!
Apparently my grandma used to say that my dad was born when they dropped the first bomb on Pearl Harbor. (bad joke, but com’on - laugh)
And so today I tell you again that sure, it’s Pearl Harbor day, but it’s also the anniversary of the beginning of my dad’s life!
I get my blonde, fine hair (fingers crossed mine sticks around… sorry, Dad!), my allergies, and affinity for sweets from him. We have the same face, too. He taught me at a young age how to throw a curve ball and I still know how. If I had been a boy, my name would be akin to his. Basically I am my dad, in girl form.
I inherited his genuine desire for everyone to always feel comfortable, probably because he did a good job of taking care of me. And recently his acts of kindness brought tears to my eyes as I watched him hand a dollar to a veteran begging in the median of a highway. (Probably because city living calloused me to sadly ignore such people.) He goes out of his way to help others and if I can simply pass that on one day, then I feel a piece of him will always be with me (not that he’s going anywhere, anytime soon!)
Happy 70th Bday, Daddy-o.
Oh oh, in celebration of my dad’s 70th, today only I am offering free shipping on my Scentsy site. You must email me with the order & payment info for me to cover the shipping costs, though!
Wedding Highlights Video!
December 6, 2011 4 Comments
You might remember we debated hiring a videographer.
But if we didn’t, then you’d miss out on the awesome details of our wedding, me sighing dreamily during my husband’s vows, our first dance as we muddled through it, us on chairs for the Horah, and even some Rogge-Rabbit dancing action.
Need a pick me up and to smile all dopey-like?
Then there’s this (only 4.30 min long!):
which I love, love, love!
Also? I love my sister’s speech and am so glad he opened with it.
Comment Love