mVelope

Seattle Eating Part 4

2011-06-09T13:29:00.001-07:00

RoRo BBQ - I went to lunch with a friend here one afternoon. It's in the Wallingford neighborhood. It was really good, actually. Better than Gabriel's Fire, which is in a previous post and the only other BBQ place I'd tasted in Seattle before RoRo. (Sidenote, I drove by Gabriel's Fire the other day and it's shuttered. SAD! Not sad because their food was good but because the people who cooked and served there were obviously very proud of their food, especially their sauces. I'm just sad that a small business bit the dust.) Anyway, I got the pulled pork sandwich and a side of macaroni and cheese and Seattle Succotash (a snazzy little salad of corn and other things I can't recall). It was all definitely delish. The meat was moist and plentiful and served on a soft, buttery, chewy bun (a bun like that is hard to come by); the sauces were great and the sides were satisfying. I will go back when I want more BBQ.

Peaks Frozen Custard - Have mercy! Frozen custard! We need to rewind and do this one again because we did it wrong the first time. It was the end of a long Saturday and we just wanted to get the kids home and in bed so Adam dropped me off, I went in and got two "Cake & Eat it 2's" for us to go. Problem: "to go" custard is just a bad idea all around. They didn't have lids and it started melting immediately. We just need to go back and bring the kids inside because it has an awesome little corner with toys and tiny tables! Yes! Anyway, I got chocolate cake and chocolate custard with caramel sauce; for Adam I chose chocolate cake and cookies and cream custard with fudge sauce. Like I said, it was good, but would have been much better if we could have stayed there and enjoyed it instead of fighting traffic while fending off the screams of tired children. Will we ever learn?

Wing Dome - Meh. Places like this I'd rather not bother writing about, but whatever. Adam was hankering for some wings the other night, so we went to Wing Dome in Greenwood. It was packed and I was regretting bringing the kids. But we survived. He got a basket of 4 alarm wings and a basket of 5 alarm wings. Not being much into the wing thing, I got a blue cheese/peppercorn burger. It was pretty good, but pretty hefty and I couldn't finish it all. Plus Mr. Tiny Noah man had my hands all sorts of tied up, so the best I could do was shove in a few bites of salad and burger with my left hand. Nearly disastrous. Adam's report on the wings: He was sweating on level 5 but not on level 4. They go as high as 7 (can't feel your face). He didn't like them. Apparently other hot wing joints offer heat on whatever flavor you want. At Wing Dome they have a menu of flavored wings and a menu of hot wings, so the flavor you get with the hot wings is just hot sauce. To conclude: meh.

5 Guys Burgers - I took Sienna and Noah to their first movie in a movie theater recently! It was How to Train Your Dragon. Sienna didn't really care for it and instead played with the chair most of the time; Noah fussed; and I kept waiting for it to get less violent and break into some interesting colors. Too dark and the dragons too realistic and scary, if you ask me. But all the moms we went with had little boys, so they loved it of course. Anyway, with about 15 minutes left of the movie, Sienna was done, so we headed next door to 5 Guys Burgers for lunch. I knew she wouldn't be interested, but I was in the mood for a burger. And I'd heard these dudes deliver a fine burger. If you are in any doubt that these dudes deliver a fine burger, just read every piece of paper plastered all over the walls. Their decor consists of one theme and one theme only: framed newspaper reviews and quotes from all over the country going OFF about the fantastic burger you will be delivered at 5 Guys. No humility here. Anyway, yes, it was a good burger. The patty was hand formed, which is a major bragging point on the walls. A far cry from freezer patties with those harsh edges. Who wants one of those? Nobody, I tell you. Then you can choose ANY toppings you want. Brilliant. However, I got a little carried away and ended up with an awfully tall and messy burger (especially because one of the toppings I chose was grilled onions - trying to get my In-N-Out fix). They also forgot my cheese, which I didn't notice until I was almost done. Sad. Yet, a really good burger that I will be excited to eat again someday. Maybe at our next movie theater outing. Don't get the grilled cheese if you go, though. I got it for Sienna but ended up eating most of it myself. It was processed cheese (would that have been the same kind of cheese they'd have put on my burger? I shudder to think of it) and the bread was a mashed down, grilled burger bun. Whaaa? Notice they are not touting their famous grilled cheeses. Oh, and they need to sell shakes. Because I can't just have a burger without a shake. I mean. Come. On.

Veraci Pizza - Every Friday evening the nearby neighborhood of Phinney has a small farmer's market. I'll go with the kids to kill time before Adam gets home (late usually). Veraci Pizza is always there serving up individual slices out of their wood-fired oven. I've gotten a couple different ones and I can't remember either of their names but they were both AH-MAZING. Their pizza has a thin crust with lots of char and it's really wide so you fold it in half (or sometimes I have them cut it in half if I don't want to get too sloppy) and gobble it up. I do remember one kind I tried that had a blob of creme fraiche on it. WHHHHAT? AH-MA-ZI-HING. I crave their pizza on a regular basis and am always excited to go back to the market for this pizza alone.

Half Pint Ice Cream - This is another vendor that's always at the Phinney Market. Sienna looks forward to sharing my scoop of ice cream every time. "Ice cweam? Ice cweam?" I'll usually sample something and then give her the tiny sample spoon for her own tiny biting. She is still at an age where any amount (even the pitiful small spoonfuls she gets) of ice cream gives her a large portion of glee. I've tried the chocolate chocolate chip and the butter pecan. They always have interesting flavors that the lady makes up herself. One I sampled was Earl Grey chocolate (chocolate with a hint of tea flavor). The ice cream is made fresh and it shows! It's got the perfect icy to creamy ratio. I never feel heavy laden after eating it ... but NOTE TO SELF that does not mean I can continue to eat like this and expect to lose pregnancy pounds. Ah well, it's only summer for a short time and I love the memories we're creating as we sit in front of whatever live music act is playing and enjoy our collective scoop of "ice cweam."

Chiso Sushi - We always walk by this place in Fremont and finally decided to test it out. I was hesitant because it looked way too nice for our budget. But, surprise! It was not only affordable, but also kid-friendly. Double booyah. When we sat down to order, Adam stunned me by saying he didn't want to share rolls. We ALWAYS share rolls. After getting over this offense, I ordered two of my own darn rolls, thank you very much: the California and spicy tuna. Adam got a bowl of rice with several different kinds of raw fish on top. I know there's a term for that bowl, but I can't think of it right now. It was a little too fishy for him, I don't think he'll be going that route again. I don't blame him. It looked completely frightening. He had me try the caviar - my first time trying that. Weirdness. My rolls were good. I think we'll go again if we're wandering around Fremont and hungry for sushi.

Pie - This was our dessert after sushi. It's an adorable little shop that makes adorable little pies. Little pies! Did I say adorable already? My daughter especially liked watching the making of the pies; they even gave us a little mixed berry pie for free that was not perfect enough for sale. Adam was dying over it. I would never choose a fruit pie over a cream pie, but the mixed berry was definitely scrumptious. I got a chocolate peanut butter mini pie (the size of a silver dollar) and key lime mini pie. Adam got the chocolate cream pie. The little pies are about the size of a fist. I was wishing I had gotten a chocolate cream for myself because he didn't share much of it with me (what is with his stinginess lately?). One thing that would have improved the whole experience is eating them hot out of the oven. Oh, and a la mode.

Red Mill Burger - Listen, when you're voted the best burger in Seattle year after year after year, you'd better be freaking awesome. When I come with high expectations, you'd better just knock my freaking socks right off. If you're getting what I'm hinting at: Red Mill Burger was a big disappointment. I had the deluxe cheeseburger and it was just okay. I could have probably overlooked the stringy red onions, soggy lettuce and other slipping and sliding condiments if it just wouldn't have been so overwhelmingly large. I've had that complaint before - I think most burgers are just too big. But, yeah, Red Mill was just another big burger place. Nothing special. Am I missing something Seattle?

Scott's Dairy Freeze - Now THIS place probably has the best burger we've had lately. But, sadly, it's not in Seattle. It's in North Bend, about 30 miles east of Seattle. We stumbled upon it when we were passing through a couple months ago. We recently went back when we were visiting Snoqualmie Falls. Not the best customer service and the wait is really long. But it's worth it if you ask me. (If only because watching everyone around you huffing and puffing and rolling their eyes and looking at their watches is just solid entertainment.) It's nothing fancy, just a burger. And that's what makes it so good. Good shakes, good fries. Everything is just good ol' good. I can't explain it. It's just really freaking basic, greasy and good.

Mighty-O Donut - A hoppin' place on a Saturday morning in Wallingford! I was told to try the French toast donut and lemon poppyseed donut. Adam had an apple fritter. The French toast was a bit of a let down. If you hadn't told me what flavor it was, I couldn't have guessed. It was kind of just a plain, fried-tasting donut. I actually felt like it was very fritter-like, without the apples. It didn't blow me away. I liked the lemon poppyseed better. It was just true to the flavor, that's all. I heated up half of it when I got home later and it was a bit better. Why don't places like this (I'm looking at you Krispy Kreme) just sell all their donuts hot? Is it that hard to keep them at least warm? McDonald's can keep a burger warm all day under those heat lamps. Sure, it probably tastes like rubber at the end of the day, but I imagine you'd have a better outcome with heating lamps and donuts. Wait, no, try this. Just pop it in the oven for a sec when I order it. Like Subway and their toaster. There's got to be some perfect little donut-warming toaster out there, no? All I'm saying is: I want my donuts warm. The end.

Wild Mountain Cafe - I went here with my mom when she was in town after I gave birth to Noah. It's just down the street from me, I pass it almost every day on walks or in the car. I'd read good reviews about their Eggs Benedict, so that's why I got. My mom got tahini-stuffed French toast. Mine was delicious. Hers was not so great. And the place smelled like an old folks home. Grody town. Also, it's kind of cute on the inside (a remodeled house with quaintly mismatched chairs and tables), though an eyesore on the outside. In fact, it looks like a bar from the outside because the windows are all dark and they always have this fluorescent-lit martini glass in the window. Meh? We won't be going there again.

Bakery Nouveau - Did someone say I'm not taking pregnancy weight loss seriously? Hmm? Hmm? Let's just say it is a darn good thing this place is not closer to my house. It's a pretty big jaunt just to get this twice-baked almond croissant I'd been hearing about. But let's also just say it was WORTH IT. Oh, mother. I was proud that I was at least able to exercise some restraint and not order the twice-baked chocolate croissant to "take home to Adam." Yeah, right. Next time, next time. So, the almond number is actually quite similar to Honore's one. So, good job Honore! Bakery Nouveau is supposedly the gold standard of French bakeries in Seattle, so, yeah. Good job my little neighborhood Honore! (And curse you for being so close to my house!) Anyway: almond croissant. Crisp and buttery and salty on the outside with those little obligatory chards of toasted, sliced almonds, which give way to layers of soft sumptuousness inside. I can't talk about it right now. Must. Eat. Another. Soon.

Seattle Eating Part 3

2011-03-24T20:13:00.000-07:00

Flying Apron Bakery - My bakery companion, Jihan, took me here so she could finally enjoy something up her alley (gluten free). I did get a warning that everything would be too healthy to like, but who cares? If it says bakery in the title, I will be there. I got the Berry Flying Apron which was just a gluten free, vegan, everything-else-healthy berry scone. It was ite. I also got hot chocolate. Also ite.

Fresh Flours - Another bakery I had been eying for awhile and only went to because I was desperate for dinner one evening and couldn't wait until I got home. I got tomato bisque and a rosemary cheese scone. Can we just call scones what they really are already? Triangle biscuits! I am not a big scone fan, I don't know why I keep getting them.

Duke's Chowder House - We took my mom here when she was visiting because she was set on getting good clam chowder before she left. Unfortunately, this place did not wow us with the clam chowder, or anything else actually. Overpriced, too. Wah.

Trophy Cupcakes - Meh. Sprinkles is still my cup o' tea. And they don't have it here. Another Wah.

Cafe Besalu - Went here for my birthday with Jihan and Valerie and they were so nice to treat me to an orange brioche and hot chocolate. I do wish the food was as good as the company. It's a French bakery and I just kept comparing it to Honore (which is nearby), so it didn't really stand up.

Le Panier - Another French bakery. Can you have too many visits to French bakeries? NO! This one is right across from Pike Place Market downtown, so my mom and I went there when were were doing the touristy things. I had a chocolate eclair and then finished half of my mom's pain au chocolat, plus one bite of her pear tart. I liked the two chocolate pastries the most, the pain au chocolat especially killed me. I will be going back there specifically for that again.

Beecher's Cheese - A surprise find next door to Le Panier. You can look through big windows to see a bit of the cheese making process, which then draws you inside because at that point you are hankering for some cheese curds. Which were delicious.

O'shan Sushi - Adam took me here for my birthday. Yes, I'm a pregnant lady who is not afraid to eat sushi. Call me crazy! It became our new favorite nice sushi joint.

Dick's Drive-In - Have I covered this one before? Well, I'm back to say: I am converted. I often stop buy for their deluxe cheeseburger and a chocolate milk shake. All for 5 bucks.

Ray's Cafe - We took Adam's parents here when they visited us. We had a lovely view of The Sound at sunset. I had a terrible cold and sadly could not taste my spicey rock fish. So maddening. I kept having Adam try it so he could tell me what it tasted like.

Bainbridge Island BBQ - On our Bainbridge Island excursion with Adam's parents, we traipsed down main street in search of this place. Which was off the beaten path and took longer to find than we had planned. But we were happy with it overall. Nice barnhouse ambiance (with the indoor hay bales, rope lasso, and cow skull on the wall - eek) and no one else patronizing it, so it turned out to be a perfect place to spend the afternoon catching up. I had the pulled pork sandwich. It was huge. And pretty good.

Mora Ice Cream - I got the wrong address for this place which sent us searching for another long while. Turns out it was right by Bainbridge BBQ. Heh. I shared molten cake, with a scoop of chocolate and a scoop of vanilla with my mother-in-law. It was so rich, we were smart to share. Delicious, decadent stuff.

4 Spoons Cafe - When Adam had a couple weeks off school, we ventured here on a weekday morning to feast on brunch. It is a short walk from our house, so we'd been meaning to try it for awhile. I'm glad we went once, but we won't be returning. There just wasn't anything special about the place or menu. I had the French toast and Adam had the pancakes. A couple days later we were talking about it and he said exactly what I was thinking at the time: "I was wishing I was at Denny's!" That's kind of sad (but mostly because of more bang for the buck).

Simply Desserts - One night I was like, "I NEED dessert. And it HAS to be GOOD. I Googled "dessert in Seattle" and tah-dah! Simply Desserts. I would recommend this place without reservation. I had the chocolate white chocolate cake. Yes, chocolate overkill on the name, but here's what it was: chocolate cake with white chocolate frosting. It. Was. Simply. Incredible. Adam had the cheesecake and took home a brownie. Both amazing as well. Amazing I say! Go there!

EJ Burger - Adam hyped this place up to the nth degree. You see, he has been pining for In-N-Out burgers ever since we left California. And with EJs he swore he had found the perfect replacement. I went doubtful and I remain doubtful. But pretty good. I had a cheeseburger, fries, chocolate shake. It's not my $5 Dick's Deluxe (in fact it was almost double that price), but for The Ave, it's a good, greasy fix.

Honore - I've discussed this place before but it needs mentioning again because this visit I had the almond croissant. And I can't stop thinking about it. Flaky, buttery, dense, almond crunchiness, and I think powdered sugar. I'm not one to die over nutty things, especially if it involves the pitiful almond, but this is now something I crave. Shoot, as if I need that.

Palisade - We went here for our wedding anniversary and thoroughly enjoyed everything about it. Beautiful view of the The Puget Sound plus the Seattle skyline. Slow service which meant we got to relax and chat the night away. I had tiger prawns stuffed with dungeness crab. Need I say more? Finished off with a triple creme brulee sampler. Perfecto.

Seattle Eating Part 2

2011-01-10T15:13:00.000-08:00

Paseo: Revisited - In my previous Seattle Eating post you'll see that Paseo was the first place we tried here. It didn't thrill me. But I was determined to give it another chance. I stopped by the ghetto little pink (PINK!) stand on my way home from errands one day. I was starving and figured this was a good time to try it - anything is good when you're starving. Well, I was also in my first trimester and generally grossed out by meat. Paseo + pregnant lady who abhors meat = dumb idea. I got the Cuban Roast sandwich. A huge hoagie sandwich with mayo, pork chunks and giant shards of onion. I wouldn't be surprised if one whole onion was in that thing. And one whole pig for that matter. It was good for the first few bites - juicy, flavorful meat, crunchy bread. Then I just had to cry uncle and call defeat. This sandwich is not for me. For dudes? YES. Carnivorous male humans: go here. But I may be done with this place for good.

Taco Del Mar - I thought for a short moment that this place would be my Seattle replacement for Cafe Rio. Buuuuut, it's basically just a chain taco place, nothing special. The first experience was really good. I got the shredded pork tacos and ate them in the restaurant. It was one of those few times in a pregnant woman's life that a meal just hits the spot. The second time, same meal, was bad. I got takeout and by the time the food made it into our hands, it was soggy woggy. I appreciate moist meat, but squeeze it out next time, please. I have an urge to try their mondo burrito. Just cuz it sounds ridonculous.

Kabab House - It was the day before we flew home for Christmas, and I couldn't cook with a fridge full of nothing, so out we went to find something new. This place serves Pakistani and Indian food. In short: it knocked our socks off. Not like we're aficionados of this type of food, but now we want to be. I played it safe by ordering chicken tikka masala. OH MY. Creamy, spicy, chickeny, ricey marvel of a dish. Everything about it was perfy. Adam got lamb vindaloo. Vinda-who? It was more of a tomato based sauce. Plenty of interesting spices and tender lamb. He was a raving vindaloo-hoo, and if you read Dr. Suess, you'll know what I mean. We also had light and crispy garlic naan. Perfect for sopping up extra sauce. We will be going back for sure. I still can't figure out why we were the only people in the restaurant, though, and every time I've driven past it is empty. Well, secret's out now! Go there!

Chocolati Cafe - Have you ever stumbled upon the perfect hot chocolate on the one night of the year you most need perfect hot chocolate? I still can't believe our luck! It was an evening in December that we had designated for driving around to look at Christmas lights. We figured we'd stop at one of the trillion coffee shops in the area but didn't want to settle for Starbucks. We walked around Green Lake area because we knew there was some other coffee shop. That one was closed. Next door? The Chocolati Cafe! We didn't see the sign, and walked in and asked, "Hey, do you serve hot chocolate?" Stamp IDIOT across our foreheads. The whole menu is hot chocolate. Adam and I both got the house special and it was basically drinkable chocolate. I took home the ginger and wasabi chocolate (not very strong) and a sea salt something (can't remember it). I will be back for their hot chocolate for sure, especially because I just discovered one even closer to my house. Danger!

Gabriel's Fire - Adam was hankering for some BBQ and one Yelp reviewer said this place had the best meat in Seattle. Oh yeah? Try me. We got The Delicious Double which was a platter of a bit of everything for two to share. The meat was really good. Ribs were my favorite (but aren't they always?). The pulled pork was yummy, the chicken was very moist and the brisket was really good. How's that for some lame adjectives? The sides were not good. Corn bread was charred, baked beans were some funky flavor I didn't recognize, and the citrus dressing on the salad was too zingy. The macaroni and cheese actually did hold its own. We were disappointed with the much-hyped sauces as well. Nothing special about them. We'll probably be back for the occasional rib fest with one order of mac and cheese.

Robertino's - This cute little gelato place shared a space with Gabriel's Fire and there was an open door between the two, so we wandered in while our meat was smoking. Adam spoke some Italian with Alfonso (which always makes me weak in the knees), and we went back for hazelnut and chocolate gelato after dinner. Alfonso was very sweet and gave us each a double scoop for a single scoop price. The stuff itself was okay - I'm no expert in this area either - but I'd say it could have been creamier. However, a really fun end to the evening.

Honore Bakery - My new friend, Jihan, is also my newly designated Seattle bakery tour guide. She met me at Honore Bakery (next to Delancey, which I'm sure I'll be trying soon) and we nibbled French macarons. Right after my daughter smashed much of them into her own mouth. So there's a less dainty picture for you to imagine. It was my first time trying a French macaron. I believe I got the lavender and the sea salt caramel ones. They were lovely and, yes, dainty. I don't imagine myself craving them or anything, but I would love to try their other exotic flavors, like some hot pink thing that contained chili something.... yeah, they need some signage on those cookies. I also had the kouing aman. I liked Salt Lake's Les Madeleines' version better, but, still, you can't go wrong with buttery, salty, sugary, croissanty doughishness. Can you believe I'm not a food writer? You can't tell me these aren't all viable adjectives.

Macrina Bakery - And the following week we met at Macrina Bakery to try a Jihan-favie: Mexican hot chocolate. You're thinking: Sounds loco! But it wasn't even hot. Just a leetle nutmeg or all spice or cinnamon or something. It was perfect, actually. I had the morning roll as well. Think kouing aman. But better! It was more dense and flavorful and I liked the shape better. So, what, can't I like a food item because of its shape?

Thai Siam - Having emerged from first trimester food funkiness, I can now actually enjoy what I'm eating. This happened that magical night at Thai Siam. The place was packed. It was dim and smelled weird (wet cat?) (my olfactories are still heightened). We couldn't make sense of the menu so finally I asked the waiter to show me the curries. I picked the green one. It had green peppers and bamboo shoots and chicken, all over rice. There were some more lame adjectives uttered between groaning, "Mmm, this is soooo goooooood. Oh man, yuuuuuum, oh my gosh, so freaking yuuuummmm goooooood." And that's why dinner conversation with me is disappointing. Anyway, it was amazing, and I loved it as leftovers just as much. Adam got his usually spicy-out-the-yang Phad Thai. Yuck if you ask me - I have never been a Phad Thai fan. He said this one was ite. Not his best. They had such an extensive menu, I think we will be going back to try more.

Advent Calendars / To Do List

2010-12-02T14:31:00.000-08:00

I always love Oh Happy Day's reminder about advent calendars every year. The above options are my favorites from her post this year. Until I get one or make one, here's my December to-do list in no particular order (which I will turn to bold font once I finish them).

1) Make wassail

2) See Christmas Ship/boat lights

3) Make sugar cookies & cinnamon rolls

4) Play in the snow, go sledding

5) Exchange Christmas PJ's

6) Make advent calendar for next year
7) Buy tree and decorate it

8) Watch Home Alone

9) Watch Elf

10) Watch It's A Wonderful Life

11) Watch a new/old/different holiday movie

12) Go ice skating at Winterfest

13) Make stockings

14) Read a new/old/different holiday book

15) Dress up and take family photos

16) Email Christmas card

17) Go to A Christmas Carol play

18) Drive to see Christmas lights while drinking hot cocoa

19) Host a Christmas party

20) Make homemade gift for mom

21) Try new holiday-ish food or drink

22) Read Christmas story from Bible

23) Make Christ-centered goal for New Year's

24) Deliver neighbor/friend presents

25) Give presents to needy kids

Seattle Eating

2010-11-22T14:54:00.000-08:00

We are soaking in the amazing food scene here in Seattle. This is a whole new world to us because in California we NEVER ate out. I mean NEVER. For years. There was one month when we went to In-N-Out every weekend. But other than that, we were pinching pennies so hard that restaurants just didn't have a place in our life. Oh, actually, I gotta give a shout out to Pat and Oscar's. That was our weekend grubbery for awhile there, too. Okay, but other than that: NEVER. We even tried to turn over a new leaf one time and go to only non-chain restaurants. But, surprise! Those just didn't exist where we were. Boooo.

So now that you don't believe me about the NEVER part, I want to talk about the Seattle food scene. It rocks. You could visit a non-chain, local, hole-in-the wall restaurant every day for a year and just be scratching the surface of what is available here. So every weekend we try something new. Here is the list so far of where we've been and what I thought. Keep in mind I found out I was pregnant right after we moved here and 99% of all food is my enemy. But, hey, I still need to eat. And I found out the 1% of food that is my friend is sushi. Dang it!

Paseo - Cuban food. I had some shredded pork plate platter thingy. Wasn't super excited about it. Apparently you're supposed to get a sandwich. THEN your socks should be knocked off, I'm told.

Pho Big Bowl - This place was ite. Not our favorite pho place.

Tutta Bella - I was sharing the table with three people who had lived in Italy for several years and they all said it was pretty legit pizza. I believed it. I had something with arugula, tomatoes, mozzarella and something else? Can't remember. It was GOOD.

Oishii Sushi - This place was good and cheap. We always get one or two of our standard rolls: California, spicy tuna, and salmon. Then we add on one or two others. It was as good restaurant for our wandering child. That's always nice when you want to get out but don't want to commit to a babysitter.

Pagliacchi Pizza - This is the first place we ate when we moved here. It's a short walk from our house. Typical American style pizza. We had supreme and it was loaded with all those supreme things. Pretty good.

Bento Sushi - We've been here three weekends in a row. Oops. So much for branching out. It's a 5 min. walk from our house and it's cheap and waaaaayyy good. The rolls are big and they have this never-ending screaming deal - $7 for 16 pieces. I can't stop going there. Nevuh!

Monkey Bridge - Vietnamese food. I chose the pho. It was really good. Adam got some dumpling soup that he dubbed bland.

Chichetti - Italian food. It came in courses. The beet salad was my favorite. My trout was bland but came out in full fish form. Startling presentation, but I've caught and gutted my own trout before, so it was kind of a friendly reminder of my good old fishing days.

Fu Man Dumplings - This meal of steamed pork buns, pork dumplings and chow mein was better as leftovers for me because I was battling nausea the night we went.

Sweets:

Cupcake Royale - Meh. I've tried the salted caramel and red velvet cupcakes. Both kind of dry and unmemorable.

Fran's Chocolates - Some blog said I HAD to try Fran's chocolate covered gray salted caramel. I also tried the smoked salted one. Each was the size of a quarter in tiny rectangle form and cost $1.60. Was it good? H YES! Will I ever buy it again? H NO. But it will be on the top of my list of chocolate shops to frequent once I win the lottery.

Molly Moon's Ice Cream - This is a legendary homemade ice cream shop around these parts. I had the salted caramel ice cream with hot fudge, whipped topping and nuts and a cherry type thing on top. It was hecka good for awhile, but as I was nearing the end it was getting to be too much. Too much salt! Weird, eh? You usually get all sugared out at the end of dessert, but this time it was all that salted caramel. Get the small and you'll be juuust fine.

Stay tuned for more. I'm nearing the end of my first trimester and feeling somewhat better about the place food has in my life.

Halloween Costume for Birdie

2010-10-13T14:29:00.000-07:00

My daughter's nickname is Birdie and I've been wanting to get her in some kind of bird costumer for Halloween before she gets all into princesses. My friend sent me this picture and I think it's the one! Birdie is not even 2 and won't like walking on those yellow gloves or having that hat on, but maybe I could put together the main part (white leotard, 2 feather boas and yellow tights) and call it good? Ooooh, I am excited!

Cupcake Hunting

2010-10-11T19:56:00.000-07:00

I thought I was leaving behind a lot of things for good when I left California, one of them being cupcakeries. Not so! I visited my first today: Cupcake Royale and had this interesting concoction:
It was a wonderful, surprising flavor combo, but the cake was lacking. I still love Sprinkles the best, what can I say? A lot of people bag on Sprinkles, but so far, its cake is by far the best I've had. Good frosting isn't that hard to make - but cake! It's in the cake for me.

Another Blog!

2010-09-23T18:57:00.001-07:00

Well, folks. There is only so much time in the day for blogging and only so many blogs a person can blog. Since Cyndi and I are working on launching our interior design business, InCircle Interiors, I am going to pour a lot more time into keeping up that blog and marketing that business. Bop on over there if you want a barrage of interior design goodness, and I'll hopefully be stopping back here from time to time to keep posting on the rest of the things in life that continue to make me giddy. And in case you didn't catch that link: www.InCircleInteriors.blogspot.com.

Cookbook Full of YUM

2010-09-21T12:42:00.000-07:00

I get really tired really fast of typical American fare for dinner, so I have lately been trying the Mediterranean goodness in this cookbook I got awhile back as a gift. I have to say, three recipes down and I will not rest until every one of them is dog-eared. I made a golden lentil soup on Sunday for guests that had the most amazing flavors. A simple angel hair pasta dish with tomatoes, pine nuts and feta blew me away. I even tried an eggplant recipe for the first time - eggplant tagine. Eggplant is an acquired taste and needs to be cooked correctly to bring it any merit so I'm not sure I did it right, but the dish was chock full of all kinds of vegetables so it was still good. Even though I'm not an eggplant fan yet, I am encouraged to try more of it in her other recipes. Also, go eat at one of her restaurants if you're in Southern California. Heck to the yeah yum.

Spiritchal Thought for Ye

2010-09-20T10:52:00.001-07:00

I don't want to drive up to the pearly gates in a shiny sports car, wearing beautifully tailored clothes, my hair expertly coiffed, and with long, perfectly manicured fingernails. I want to drive up in a station wagon that has mud on the wheels from taking kids to scout camp. I want to be there with grass stains on my shoes from mowing Sister Schenck's lawn. I want to be there with a smudge of peanut butter on my shirt from making sandwiches for a sick neighbor's children. I want to be there with a little dirt under my fingernails from helping to weed someone's garden. I want to be there with children's sticky kisses on my cheeks and tears of a friend on my shoulder. I want the Lord to know I was really here and that I really lived.

- Marjorie Pay Hinckley

InCircle Interiors

2010-09-17T15:02:00.000-07:00

InCircle Interiors in duh house! Boom!

Our Facebook page is up. Search for us by typing InCircle Interiors in your search box at the top of FB and click LIKE. And give yourself a big thumbs up for doing so.

Our Twitter page is up. Follow us @InCircleInt. Give a squak after doing so. Because that's just a very enthusiastic version of a tweet.

Our email is InCircleInteriors@gmail.com. Email us any ol' time.

Blog and website coming soon with more information about EVERYTHING we know you have burning, itching questions about!

The Mighty Vanilla Bean

2010-09-16T09:39:00.001-07:00

I was exploring a nearby natural foods market yesterday when an open jar of vanilla beans caught my nose. I asked the lady snatching them out of the jar what she used them for. She said, "Oh, everything! I put it on my cereal, in my tea, sometimes on fish." Whaaa? Okay, well, but they're like $10 each, right? "Oh, no! They're 98 cents!" Whaaaaaaa? So now I'm all excited to experiment with them. Maybe an orange-vanilla bean cupcake or the classic vanilla bean ice cream. And who can forget this homemade vanilla extract tutorial? Also, let's talk about how freaky cool the vanilla bean looks. It scares and mystifies me and its withery skin gives me the heebie jeebs. And yet I can't wait to split it open and scrape it up. If it smells that good in a jar standing five feet away, what will opening it do for the scent in my kitchen? Ooooh wee, can't wait to find out.

Sienna Bee Earrings on Sale

2010-09-15T09:54:00.000-07:00

All earrings are $4 or $3 for the next month until they expire plus $1.50 flat for shipping. One of a kind, handmade, unique, quirky, cool, kitschy, neat, special, practical, awesome earrings for $4.50 or $5.50. You cannot find this kind of a mad deal in Target, Wal-Mart, Forever21, H&M, Claire's, or even Goodwill. I will not be replenishing them, so get them while they are hot. http://www.etsy.com/shop/SiennaBee

Stop the Madness ... No! Don't Stop It

2010-09-13T21:07:00.000-07:00

The world has officially come to an end. Bacon + Chocolate. In bar form. Sure, it's been done before ... on a donut. And sure, you've dipped your bacon into your pancake syrup at Denny's. But have you ever paid $7.50 for pure, unadulterated groan-fest in your mouth? I have. And I do not regret it. I made Adam try it blindly and he was horrified at the combination. He does not understand this serendipitous 8th wonder of our world. And for that I am grateful. Because that means I don't have to share next time.

Finishing Touches

2010-09-13T10:02:00.000-07:00

To finish setting up house I am shopping for a couple more things: a big art piece for my dining area and one or two chairs for the front room. I like this bird print from this house tour that I can't stop thinking about.As for chairs, we are looking for arms and comfort and style. Hard to find all in one? Yes! Do I really want a La-Z-Boy recliner instead? Yes! I am all about comfort. But I need something cool to look at, too. Here's an interesting option. This plain IKEA chair plus a slipcover in the fabric of my choice from JCaroline Home.
This wingback chair has already won my heart but doesn't have arms; plus, a floral pattern will never do in our unisex household.
I died over these chairs from a vintage shop found on Craigslist. I even drove there and sat on them. They are $500 for the pair but I'd buy them with the intent to reupholster. And to reupholster each would be an estimated $700. Yeehaw!

Paccar Hall

2010-09-10T11:58:00.000-07:00

Adam's doing a master's in business at UW and is lucky to be in the first class using a new building, Paccar Hall. He visited the old one for admit week awhile back and reported it was as depressing as a prison plus filled with all those plastic chairs attached to desk tops that you'd find in an old elementary school. Sad! I met up with him at Paccar Hall yesterday for a student/family dinner and the place took my breath away. It's that darn modern architecture that gets me every time. These are screen shots from a video so they aren't the greatest. They also don't show the amazing chairs - bright red scoop lounge chairs and lime green ones with wire mesh backing! Very Mad Men. I was about to haul off with those chairs in my car. Except I rode the bus. Shoot!

Thrift Time

2010-09-08T15:11:00.000-07:00

I can't wait to get into thrift store shopping in Seattle. This seems like the perfect place to do it. There's a great spirit about recycling and reusing around here (what with the 1.5 garbage cans and 4 recycling cans our triplex must share and the blaring signs in my neighborhood for Goodwill and Value Village). The thing about thrifting is that I don't have the patience and I don't have the vision to see potential for old clothing, especially if it smells weird. Alas, I have inspiration from the web to help me.

My friend Inez pointed me to this inspirational project. In the vein of Julie from Julie & Julia, this gal is turning a $1 vintage dress into something awesomely wearable each day for 365 days.

And my good friend Mim is always working some kind of magic with her sewing machine named ... what'd you name your sewing machine, Mim? Korinne II? (Her sister named her machine after my mom, Korinne. A good name for a sewing machine AND a mom who sews brilliantly.) Anyway, Mim turned this tent into a church dress that I yearn to borrow from her.

Look out Value Village. You. Me. Tomorrow. BE THERE.

Home

2010-09-07T18:45:00.000-07:00

I really like this quote

“[Home] is the center from which we define and understand the nature of everything we encounter in the world.

The home . . . is not one thing among many in a world of things; nor is it merely the product of a culture. Rather, the world of things derives its sense, and a culture its significance, from their relationship to the home. Without the home, everything else in the world or in a culture is meaningless.”

- David Patterson

(not the governor of New Jersey)

Peekaboo Tables

2010-09-07T09:18:00.000-07:00

I have furniture on the brain after hauling all of ours across three states and finally getting it into our new place. How much was I thinking about overall room design when buying most of this furniture as a newlywed? Not much. I'm dying to switch out either my TV console or coffee table for one of these clear beauties. So minimalistic and clean looking.

My Life in France

2010-09-06T09:39:00.000-07:00

We are just about settled in Seattle after having a wonderful August off to visit family and friends. I had the pleasure of reading My Life in France by Julia Child during my break. I didn't anticipate falling in love with her and her perspective on life. She was indeed a free spirit who loved friends and travel and good food. She made me excited to return to my own kitchen so I could pour some passion into my cooking again.

Moving

2010-07-21T14:48:00.000-07:00

We are moving to Seattle in a couple weeks for my husband to attend business school at UW and my calendar is getting super jammed with last minute friend goodbyes and packing and finding a place and working on le business (hint: interior design for the masses). So, until we get settled up there I won't be blogging.

I can't wait to live in Seattle for several reasons: I love the rain and gloom, I have been dying to wear flannel plaid shirts, and I have always wanted to own galoshes. These from Target are calling to me.

Umbrella Skirts

2010-07-21T14:47:00.000-07:00

In case you're wondering what dominates our TV every July, wonder no more. It's the Tour de France (pronounced "tore day fron say" if you're me). My husband's a cyclist and he never misses it. Sometimes I watch, sometimes I ignore. While I do think it's fun to learn a ton about an obscure sport (cycling really is kind of interesting), I like to watch for the other details in the sport, like fashion! I always have an opinion on the kits (the name for the cyclist's Spandex uniform) and I always like to see what the podium girls (the girls in the picture who hand over the trophy and flowers and kiss on both cheeks) are wearing. Their outfits always coordinate with the jersey being awarded. In this case it's the polka dot jersey for the "king of the mountain," the cyclist who made the best time in the mountain stage. My favorite outfit so far has been these polka dot umbrella skirts! They are literally umbrellas, right? And all I could think of while they were standing up there was, "What's underneath? And who's sitting lower and really enjoying the show?" Terrible. Anyway, love the skirts.

Mod Fireplace & Kitchen

2010-07-13T10:14:00.000-07:00

I've decided my home decor taste slants modern/contemporary. Marriage did it to me. I'm married to a man who loves being clean (bonus!) and who also cares a little bit that our home looks as if a woman AND a man live there. It befuddled me for a long time - how does a man and woman live in a house that a woman decorates without it looking too girly? My solution thus far is to lean modern - clean lines, a fresh uncluttered feel.

I've also been watching a lot of HGTV where there seems to be a theme among decorators: make the fireplace stand out. There are tons of freaky cool things you can do to fireplaces. I just found this idea from Caitlin Wilson Design. I don't really get it but boy do I like it!

Also love her contemporary kitchen.

Fresh and unisex.

Chevron Rugs

2010-07-12T11:35:00.001-07:00

I've been paying more attention to rugs lately and how they can really spice up a sad space, add a pop of color or just add interest to the boring beige carpet that seems to follow me into every apartment I live in. I've also been paying attention to their price tags. Yow!

Here are two really cool DIY chevron rugs. The top one was $30 and the bottom was $55. Cool.

SALAD MANIA!

2010-07-08T10:52:00.000-07:00

Remember when I said recently how I only like one salad? Well, as has happened many times in my life, right after I utter an emphatic statement proclaiming my dislike for something, I do a complete 180 and start liking that something. It happened when I said I was wholeheartedly against baby bows. I put a baby bow in my daughter's hair and declared I was mistaken. It happened recently when I, for the millionth time, said I was done with sunshine. We finalized our move to Seattle and now I am eating up all the sunshine I can get - and this week has been super gloomy. That's what I get.

Well, I'm back to talk more about salads. I can't get enough this summer. They are light and can easily go meatless, which makes them cheaper. With salads it's all about mixing and matching. Use what you love, nix what you hate. Change a couple ingredients around for a totally different experience. Not that I'm professing to have it figured out enough to just fly by the seat of my pants. I still need a lot of recipe guidance. But I think I'm finally understanding what I like and what I don't like, and the finishing touch always comes in the dressing.

Some salads I'm liking:

Chopped Chicken, Feta & Apple Salad - Romaine lettuce, feta cheese, pecans, Granny Smith apples, grilled chicken, Italian dressing

Greek Salad - Romaine lettuce, black olives, cherry tomatoes, garbanzo beans, feta cheese, cucumber, dressing made of olive oil, lemon juice, red onion, garlic, salt, pepper, touch of sugar

Mexican Chicken Salad - Grilled chicken, romaine lettuce, plum tomatoes, pepper Jack cheese, corn, black beans, dressing made of lime juice, cilantro, olive oil, garlic, onion, sugar and cumin

Classic Chopped Salad

One I can't wait to try Kate's Lunch Salad ... and looks like she has a lot of other good salad recipes.

Nursery Things

2010-07-07T10:28:00.000-07:00

I would like these two Andy Warhol prints to be a part of my daughter's nursery someday.
And perhaps this birdcage (found somewhere on Little Green Notebook). I wonder if I could make that out of old hangers?

Foldable Cribs

2010-07-07T10:18:00.001-07:00

My sister and I have had many a conversation about cribs lately. What to buy? What size? Should you bother with a bassinet? What's up with the toddler bed being the same size as a crib? Can I just skip the toddler bed and go to a twin? What if there was a crib you could stash out of sight easily? How to deal with two babies in one small room? What if I want my baby to sleep in the back room for naps so the leaf blower doesn't wake her up? So many questions.

Seems like many of them could be answered if all cribs were made like these Bloom Baby cribs. (Found from an old Design Mom post.) Why are not all cribs created this way? Huh? Hmm?

Laundry

2010-07-06T14:44:00.000-07:00

And while I'm browsing through old photographs, how about this one for my laundry room someday? Love it.

Dusty

2010-07-06T14:34:00.000-07:00

My favorite book of all time is The Grapes of Wrath and I just came across this iconic photo that reminds me the book. I never knew the back story 'til I read it here.

#6 Become a Feng Shui Master

2010-06-25T10:47:00.000-07:00

{my bagua map}

I'm almost done with the book The Western Guide to Feng Shui and I'm going to go ahead and say it has made me as much a feng shui master as I care to become. I have really enjoyed learning its principles but if I read one more thing about getting my Ch'i on (everything is alive with Ch'i, by the way), I'm going to start talking to my end table. And I don't even have an end table. But, seriously, you know how these ideas can be. They make sense if used in moderation, but I don't want to get to the point where I freak out in any house that has an imbalance of wood, water and metal. So here's my feng shui takeaway:

Bagua map: There are 9 quadrants to every house (see pink marker above) which you're supposed to lay over the blueprints of your home. The bottom row aligns with the entryway to your house. If you feel your life is lacking in any of those areas, you're supposed to look at the part of your house it covers and change something. The author has specific ideas as to what to change; you can add or remove items or organize the space better. One example is of a couple who had an empty courtyard where the "love & marriage" quadrant sat. They planted an olive tree to symbolize strength and longevity of love. Another person found his career lacking, so he installed a fountain (to symbolize the flowing of opportunities) in his entryway and immediately noticed an increase in success. I take all of her examples with a grain of salt. My thought is a) it never hurts to try something like this and b) if nothing else, it gets you to think about which areas of your home need decorating or de-cluttering. I feel pretty happy in all areas of my life, however, I thought it was interesting that my husband and I are both struggling with the career aspect of our lives and that area of our home is pretty bare and bleak. Also, the nursery closet under needs a lot of help. What does that say about my center? ACK!

Yin/Yang: Everything needs balance. There should be soft edges, rounded edges, straight edges, curved edges. There should be dark and light and high and low and, yada yada, you get the picture. If there are too many extremes in your home, you'll feel out of balance.

5 Elements: Every room in your house should have elements of wood, water, fire, metal, earth. Wood is wood (duh), plants, flower patterns, green/blue, column shapes. Water is water (yes), mirrors, black/dark tones. Fire is light, animals, triangles, red tones. Metal is metals (you know it), stone, circular shapes, white/light colors. Earth is adobe (can you say adobe?), ceramics, square shapes, yellow/earth tones. Phew. Can you remember that? Easy, right? I'm just going to remember not to paint a room red and have only red accessories inside it, you know? I think it's pretty common sense really.

Don't love it? Leave it: I alluded to this one in the previous post. I feel very strongly about this. Imagine having a conversation with each item in your home (see what feng shui does to you?). Because the truth is, you actually do this without even knowing it. Every time you look at something in your home, you have a thought or feeling about it. Everything you own has a back story. That story either leaves you feeling happy and calm or stressed and annoyed. Maybe you received a toll painting from Aunt Mary for Christmas. You put it up in your kitchen. Every time you see it, you unconsciously groan, "Uggghh. I would never choose that toll painting if it were the last toll painting on earth!" Then you think, "But Aunt Mary is so sweet and takes so much time painting one for each niece and nephew every year. I can't take it down or get rid of it because I'd feel soooooo guilty." Feng shui is here to say: Get rid of it. If Aunt Mary is dead, take a picture of it to remember her by. If Aunt Mary visits every year, stow it in the garage and put it up when she comes. OR, chances are Aunt Mary wouldn't remember her toll painting if it dropped in her lap. So toss it and wait for the worst. The worst may never come. Unless you keep looking at that stupid toll painting! Seriously, throw it away. Along with all the other crap you hate. Because your home should be filled with only the things you absolutely love. The end.

Safety & Comfort: Only buy furniture that is comfortable. Yes, it should look nice, but don't sacrifice beauty for comfort. It should be both. Watch the angles on all your furniture to ensure its kid-friendliness.

Organize, organize, organize: I love how with this author it's just a given that you would always live in a perfectly organized home. If you're like me, the universe is always out to undo any and all organization you have in place. So, I guess just try to be like the author and always just organize. Don't even think. Just organize. When you do, said universe will settle a bit and you will sigh and say, "I've got my Ch'i back."

Just Get Rid of It

2010-06-21T10:33:00.000-07:00

"No one has the right to give you something you don't want."

- Professional organizer/friend of my sister's

In other words, don't feel guilty about throwing something out that someone gave you. If you look at it and think, "I absolutely hate that" every time you see it, toss it.

That's it.

Goodbye.

The end.

It's bringing you down.

Say with me now: SAYONARA, STUPID STUFF!

*More feng shui principles to come ...

M.I.A.

2010-06-17T10:36:00.001-07:00

{image via Oh Happy Day}

I'm kind of hit and miss with this blog lately. Does that mean I have been without giddiness? you ask. Oh, no! Take this video on how to make a messy chignon. My hair is finally long enough to do such messy chignons. So I did it. And I thoroughly enjoyed it. Then there was some time spent on this video regarding how to create some sick beach hair. Logging that away for later. How about this article about what to get dad this Sunday? I'm actually buying some delicious homemade goodness (called wunderbars - chocolate and PB bars - enough said) from a girl I know who will donate the proceeds to some African charity. That's my kind of donation, I tell you. And my kind of gift (the kind in which I eat at least half). Some of my time has been spent pooling and beaching with my little almost-toddler cutie patootie. But most of my free time has been spent working on a business idea with some friends that makes me so giddy I almost faint whenever I think about it too much. I can't wait to unveil it someday soon-ish. For it will make you giddy, too. Until then, you may just have to find some giddiness elsewhere, like in a popsicle or under an umbrella.

Paper Mobiles

2010-06-15T14:00:00.000-07:00

I like these mobiles by Frazier & Wing.

Craftiness

2010-06-14T09:45:00.000-07:00

Although the boutique I attended last Saturday was not monetarily fruitful, I had a lot of fun putting together my display, hanging with friends and and meeting a lot of new people, even a bunch of other local Etsy-ers.

P.S. Lots of earrings still for sale!

A Fridee Quote

2010-06-10T19:39:00.000-07:00

I've been thinking a lot about this quote from this GOOP newsletter awhile back. The topic is being present with your children.

"... Don’t be afraid to be real with your children ... I’m talking about being transparent about what you truly love. For eighteen years my own mother managed, scolded, imposed manners, dragged us kids off to Sunday school, arranged lessons in necessary social graces, chaperoned parties and supervised homework. And yet, for all that gray blur of duty, the one day I truly remember from my childhood was the day she simply gathered up her beloved oil paints and marched us off to a local arboretum. As my brother and I explored the gardens, I watched her a short distance away, poised before her easel, golden sunlight streaming down her face, completely entranced in what she was doing. How I loved her in that moment! And the unspoken lesson on following your bliss has remained with me for nearly six decades."

- Cynthia Bourgeault

I had never really put it together before this, but when I think about my own memories of my mom during my growing up years, I often picture her in her sewing room. That was her thing. She was one of the best seamstresses in town. It always made me proud to see the same old ladies come to the door and gush about how my mom was the only person who could tailor their clothes right. There were young ladies who needed wedding gowns fixed or dreamy prom dresses whipped up. You should have seen the things hanging on her sewing room door in the 80s. Now she's a crusader for the arts in our small town. She was definitely a great full-time mom to six kids, but she was also a great example of making time for hobbies and interests that make you happy.

Voila Vinegar

2010-06-10T10:59:00.000-07:00

I was glad to remember this post from Progressive Pioneer when I unloaded my scummy dishes and utensils from my dishwasher this morning. I soaked my utensils in a pot of warm water with some Dawn dish soap and vinegar for a few minutes and then just laid them on a towel to dry and they are nice and shiny again. Voila vinegar!

{image from Progressive Pioneer}

Comfy Grey Pants

2010-06-09T13:38:00.000-07:00

Some people on Etsy are so talented it's frightening. That's what I think about Larime Loom.

If I had money, these pants would be the answer to my short lounge pants conundrum.

This Saturday

2010-06-08T09:41:00.000-07:00

I am busily crafting up a boatload of Sienna Bee earrings for this weekend's Summer Boutique. If you are in the So Cal area, this will be a super fun little Girls' Morning Out! Click here to see a sneak peek at what will be offered. This is my first foray into the world of crafty events and my brain is all a-funk with what to do for my display. And of course I dreamed about it last night. Just making things up as I go...

#94 Rock a Bikini

2010-06-07T10:25:00.000-07:00

I did this. And I liked it. And speaking of bikinis, I found this cute little bralette and bloomettes on Etsy. Who even knew those were words? They probably aren't.

#48 Make Perfect Chocolate Chip Cookies

2010-06-04T14:10:00.000-07:00

I've done this a couple times recently and I think it's safe to say I will be able to replicate them some more. I use the Nestle Toll House recipe with a few adjustments. I add just a skiff under 1/4 cup wheat flour and nix the nuts. Then I follow my mother-in-law's advice:

*Let the butter and eggs sit at room temperature for 30 minutes - no more or no less (I can't explain it, but this changed everything)

*Make sure each mound is exactly the same size (so they cook the same)

*Hand mix only, no mixer (too much air incorporated with electric beaters)

*Don't put dough on a hot sheet (it will cook the bottoms before you even get them in the oven)

*Keep your eye on them between 9 and 11 min and take them out when they are brownish around the edges but still look a bit doughy in the center

ShamWow!

2010-05-28T14:36:00.001-07:00

Hee hee. This post isn't actually about ShamWow towels, though I'm sure they're awesome, too. I just like saying SHAMWOW and thinking about the bleached tips on the guy who does the infomercial. He's special. I actually want to talk microfiber towels. I bought some awhile back from a dude at a gas station who sold me car wax, but I was more interested in the wax than the towels. Then my friend, Kelly, posted about her experience with ditching paper towels in favor of them. THEN another friend on FB said she had given up paper towels in honor of Earth Day. I was inspired by both of these people and decided it was time to fess up and tell the world: I am addicted to paper towels (especially those kind that perforate in half-sizes - genius). I use them for everything, and I mean everything. Oh - wait - I still use one sponge to clean the tub (which I've been cleaning lately with baking soda, which is going nicely). The reason for using all paper towels? I hate smearing germs around with old sponges. I like throwing out the germs along with the towel. But I know I can't carry on like this forever. If I do, there will be one landfill with my name on it that I have to answer for in a matter of decades. It just grosses me out to think of all those rolls of towels out there with my kitchen grime on them. SO, microfiber. The thing that most interested me about them was their reputation for not needing a cleaning agent. You're supposed to just use them alone and they will mop up anything. I used them on my counters today and am proud to report that they really do grab everything. I can't tell you how many times I'd wipe down my counter with a paper towel only to find crumbs right where I'd wiped. Goodbye paper towels. Hello microfiber.

#99: Run an Etsy Shop

2010-05-26T14:11:00.000-07:00

I have been busy at work on my first "My Life List" item (see right sidebar for complete list). I came, I crafted, I took pictures, I posted, I registered and it's finally ready: My Etsy shop. It's called Sienna Bee, after my daughter, Sienna, and the middle name I wanted her to have, Bee. Weird, hippie, dorky, yeah. But I really liked it. However, with a last name like Ware, you don't go around giving your kids middle names like Bee. Bee Ware. Get it? So, I finally found a use for the name in something inanimate that doesn't have the issue of dealing with last names. Sienna Bee. Oooooh, I love it.

So far my shop has earrings but I will be adding more things as fast as I can make them. The idea for earrings came from my sister, again, from whom all good things come. She gifted me with a pair of button earrings for Christmas last year and I look for every excuse to wear them even though they should only be worn with things that are red and green. I have long since given up dangly jewelry since Sienna's birth - her curious little hands can't not grab pretty shiny things. So studs are the answer. However, I've been dissatisfied with the minute selection of them, so it is with great excitement I bring you the delightful little duds at Sienna Bee.

Go check them out! SiennaBee.etsy.com.

Favorite Salad

2010-05-26T12:19:00.000-07:00

It's never been done before: me putting the words "favorite" and "salad" together. But thanks to my sister, I'm here to tell you that it's been done. Here's what you do:

Put in a bowl:

Spinach

Strawberries

Feta

Brianna's poppyseed dressing

Suck it down. Repeat.

I can't get enough of this thing. I threw in apples today. You can add mushrooms and red onions. Or your kitchen sink.

It's official. I will eat salad.

A Good Morning Scripture

2010-05-25T09:12:00.000-07:00

Speaking of airports, I was walking around a bookstore in one recently and came across a book called The Confident Woman. I perused a chapter or two and found one devoted completely to dissecting Proverbs 31. I re-read the chapter today, the part about "a virtuous woman" and really liked verses 25 - 28:

25. Strength and honour are her clothing; and she shall rejoice in time to come.

26. She openeth her mouth with wisdom; and in her tongue is the law of kindness.

27. She looketh well to the ways of her household, and eateth not the bread of idleness.

28. Her children arise up, and call her blessed; her husband also, and he praiseth her.

So that's what I'm thinking about today: having strength, honor, wisdom, kindness, no idleness, tending to my house, being the kind of woman who has the admiration of her husband and children.

Cute Airport

2010-05-24T09:41:00.001-07:00

I really, really, really, really hate airports. They are unfriendly, bleak places. Having spent some terrible days stuck in a few of them, I always dread visiting them, even though after leaving them I'm on to something better - visiting other places or coming home. After returning home last week, I had to turn around and drive my husband to the airport for his weekend checking out an MBA school in Seattle. This time instead of flying out of our usual airport, John Wayne in Santa Ana, he flew out of Long Beach Airport. His co-worker mentioned that going to this airport was like stepping back into the 1960s. I was excited to see what he meant. This is what he meant:

Would you look at that cute little thing?! It's like a cruise liner on land! I even saw a real live sailor (Navy?) standing outside in the whole get-up that sailors wear. I was excited to return to pick up Adam a few days later not only to see him but to see this building again. I'm booking my next flight out of it.

Finished My Life List + Thoughts

2010-05-21T08:40:00.001-07:00

87. Learn to make perfect pie

88. Get serious about one bowling game

89. Join a flashmob

90. Appreciate Shakespeare

91. Wear bright Spandex while running

92. Perfect my signature

93. Master thrift store shopping

94. Rock a bikini

95. Swim with dolphins in the Galapagos Islands

96. Hike Macchu Picchu

97. Wear sunscreen daily

98. Conquer all my kids' baby books

99. Run an Etsy shop

100. Churn butter

Now for some thoughts about My Life List.

*I was struggling on that last one, can you tell? Churn butter! Ha.

*Several will be life missions, like not judging people and wearing sunscreen, so someone will have to decide whether or not to cross them off posthumously.

*Many are about places I want to visit, but the truth is, I want to visit EVERYWHERE. If someone took me to New Mexico or Texas, both states I have yet to visit, I'd be SO excited. I just love going places I've never been and seeing things I've never seen, it doesn't matter where they are. New places inspire me, so basically every little dot or non-dot on the atlas of Earth is on My Life List.

*I have about twelve items on the list that are professions, like lifelong professions. Radio broadcaster, journalist, hairdresser, interior designer. I realize there is not enough time or money or energy to become all of these in one lifetime, but I'd like to try anyway. And if I just do one or two, or parts of one or two, like do someone's hair for prom, or do a voice-over for a radio commercial for a friend who wants to advertise her hair bows on her hometown radio, that's great! I made all these goals lofty because I want to reach far.

*I am putting this list on my sidebar so I can actively work on it and keep track. Like I said, even if I'm doing one part of something, I'm going to talk about it. My Life List will have to remain fluid and able to be added upon. What if someday I decide to get into sports? It's not likely, but never say never. I liked weightlifting for a period of time, so who's to say what interests I will have when I'm 70?

Back in Biznass

2010-05-20T12:16:00.000-07:00

I just got back from a two week vacation during which I connected with many female friends and family members who inspire me as well as make me laugh my little cart off. Women folk are the best kind of folk.

{image and quote from Carly}

As I get back into the swing of things at my casa (it is soooo good to be home), I'm trying to remember this:

"We women have a lot to learn about simplifying our lives. We have to decide what is important and then move along at a pace that is comfortable for us. We have to develop the maturity to stop trying to prove something. We have to learn to be content with what we are."

- Marjorie Pay Hinckley

I Agree

2010-05-04T19:23:00.000-07:00

Adam Lambert was named among the World's Most Beautiful People this year by People Magazine. I want to echo what he said in the mag: "The biggest faux pas is when someone looks at something and goes, 'Oh, that looks cool - but I couldn't pull it off.' The only thing needed to pull something off is the desire to pull it off. So if you like something, go for it!"

Decoding Vera Wang

2010-04-30T10:01:00.000-07:00

Everytime I see Vera Wang, she is in some roomy black tent of an outfit, and I just don't get it. Her image does not coincide with her wedding gowns. But then I saw her Simply Vera line at Kohl's yesterday and read up a little about her, and I think I'm beginning to get her fashion philosophy. Be elegant AND be comfortable. Other concepts from her line: chunky jewelry, layering, leggings, mix up the bags, black basics with colored tops. . Here are some looks I like from her Simply Vera Spring 2010 collection:

Grill Master

2010-04-29T12:05:00.000-07:00

Grilling is a man's job, no? That's what I thought, too, until I straight up mastered it the other day in one try. I didn't want to wait until my husband got home to grill some BBQ chicken, so I just marched down to the community grill (there are several on the premises of our complex), turned it on and grilled up some juicy meat. I'm proud of myself for these reasons: 1) I knew to brush oil on the grill instead of spray it from a can (fire hazard); 2) I guessed at grilling time and got it right, as in I've-never-made-juicier-chicken-than-this right; 3) I guessed at everything; the knobs have no numbers on them and turning it on and keeping it on was basically a miracle.

So here's what I made: my favorite BBQ chicken recipe of all time, as torn out of my old Everyday Food mag from a past summer.

{via Martha Stewart}

Start by rubbing your chicken with a mixture of 2 T. paprika, 2 T. chili powder, 2 t. salt and 1/2 t. pepper. You can also add cumin, oregano and/or chili pepper. I add oregano but haven't tried the others. I also add some olive oil to give the rub some moisture and make it easier to distribute. In fact I don't do any bare-hand-rubbing because I avoid touching raw meat at all costs; I just throw it all in a gallon Ziploc and let the chicken rub itself.

Grill the chicken as you would normally (by guessing, if your normal is like mine) and during the last few minutes, brush on your favorite BBQ sauce. I buy whatever's cheapest at the store, but if you want to make your own, follow the link to their recipe.

The secret's in the rub! And the guessing.

My Birthday Babies

2010-04-28T12:50:00.000-07:00

I have birthday cakes on the brain. This Saturday my husband turns 30 and next Thursday my baby turns 1. For my hubby's cake, I'm going to make a cookies and cream ice cream cake. In my online recipe search I didn't find anything I liked, so here's what I'm doing instead. In a 9 x 13 pan, start with a crumbly Oreo cookie layer; on top of that slather the softened cookies and cream ice cream; freeze. Meanwhile bake a chocolate cake and cut it into squares. That will go on top of the frozen ice cream (the only trick I remember about making ice cream cakes when I worked at Cold Stone). Then cover with ... I don't know. Whipped cream? Fluffy frosting? No idea. But I think it will be TDF.

For my baby's birthday, I'm going with a Sprinkles cupcake, probably red velvet. I can't stand to see entire cakes go to waste at the hands of messy 1-year-olds.

Watching the full-size cake dive is kind of cute to watch, but mostly just painful.

{via Jessica Lake Photography}

Ring Roundup

2010-04-27T13:05:00.000-07:00

I've been keeping tabs on a bunch of rings that tickle my fancy.

Top l - r: This Juicy Couture sparrow ring was on my friend's hand awhile back when she came to dinner and I couldn't stop staring at it. I finally asked her if I could please try it on. I really enjoyed those few minutes. I think this Etsy CZ ring would make a cool replacement for my stolen wedding ring. And I've never seen anything like this Circus ring.

Bottom l - r: This ring from Silver Cherry is similar to the bride's ring from that Portland wedding I went to recently. She found the jewelry maker at Pike's Market in Seattle and ordered one custom made. I love to see different types of wedding rings. I can't remember where i saw this Magpie Lovely ring. It's like a gobby sweater to wear on your finger. Cool. And finally, I came across some S.J. Mari button rings at the street market in Portland. I like them.

Off the Beaten Path

2010-04-20T14:41:00.000-07:00

If you've ever read Into the Wild, maybe you've had fantasies about really getting away from it all - I mean REALLY getting away from it all. I was just reading this New York Times article about today's Chris McCandlesses who live a life of solitude, for whatever reason. It's refreshing to think about such a life. Here are some of their dwellings (props to keeping nice interiors).

Spandex at its Finest

2010-04-19T10:38:00.000-07:00

My friend was rocking these blue leggings from American Apparel on our run this morning.

I just got over my sheepishness at wearing Spandex while running, and I will only wear black Spandex. But wouldn't it be fun to blow some people's minds by wearing some of these colors?

Maybe that needs to go on my life list: wear more colorful Spandex.

Two Words: Justin Bieber

2010-04-15T20:10:00.000-07:00

Watch this:

And then watch this:

Do you love him as much as I do?

Baking Soda Test

2010-04-14T10:07:00.000-07:00

The last time I tried a home cleaning solution from the pantry it involved vinegar and water for kitchen and bathroom floor cleaning. My house smelled like vinegar for the rest of the day and I figured that was the end of trying natural home cleaners.

Until yesterday when my stove top grime was staring at me so hard I knew I had to get serious. Without wanting to walk all the way down the hall for my Soft Scrub, I caught hold of my baking soda box and decided to put it to the test. That baking soda cut through the grit like nothing I'd ever seen before. And I was using a paper towel! I'm sold on baking soda. Next up: tub ring and toilet funk. I'll let you know how it goes.

Over-the-Ankle Socks

2010-04-13T11:14:00.000-07:00

At the wedding I went to last weekend, there was a girl wearing heels with purple ankle socks or, as I call them, over-the-ankle socks. At first I thought it odd but then I decided it was a trend I could get behind. Because how often have just my ankles been cold? Often. And then I go put on one of the two pairs of socks I own that reach just above my ankle (either my Valentine socks or Christmas socks) and I am back in the business of being warm. This trend is not to be worn with Valentine or Christmas socks, though. See here how it works:

Got that? Now go forth and wear socks.

SNL Photography

2010-04-12T13:43:00.000-07:00

I cannot possibly get enough of the smoky, quirky photographs that fill the space between commercial and the next SNL skit. I did some rooting around the Interweb and found the source: Mary Ellen Matthews. Now I can sleep at night. She is a genius.

To the City of Roses!

2010-04-08T10:44:00.000-07:00

I love weddings and I love Portland and this weekend we will be combining the two. In going through my photos from our trip there a couple years ago, I found these three that kind of sum up the city for me - old timey, foresty, colorful.

9 By Design

2010-04-07T10:27:00.000-07:00

I may or may not be watching 9 by Design next week.

I had heard about the Novogratzes when everyone was raving about their book.

I can't even begin to wrap my head around how they juggle it all. Good thing Bravo is here to show us the way.

Some Photos

2010-04-05T13:30:00.000-07:00

I don't even know how I stumbled upon this blog a long time ago, but I just like some of the images I found there.

My pots and pans rack would totally look like this:

This Weekend

2010-04-02T09:45:00.001-07:00

SLC Temple in spring (photo from here)

I'm super giddy about this General Conference and Easter weekend! I'm still trying to finish the talks from last session, my favorite being Love and Law by Dallin Oaks. That talk blew my socks off. If you want to get a better understanding of the nature of God and how His love supersedes EVERYTHING, read that one. As tradition, I will be making German pancakes on Sunday morning then we'll head down to see our friends in San Diego for meat grilling and strawberry shortcake. Woot!

Flying Items

2010-04-01T13:03:00.001-07:00

I'm dying over these photographs by Aaron Dyer.

Family Calendars

2010-04-01T12:30:00.000-07:00

My husband and I have been known to ask each other eight times what each of us has scheduled on any given day. I thought creating a post-it note calendar on our hallway wall (like this one below from Design Mom) would be a smart, cheap way to organize our combined lives. Didn't work too well. You definitely need a bulletin board because the adhesive is just not strong enough to stick to a wall.

So I've been doing some searches to find something that works. Here's what I've found so far...

Decal chalkboard calendars like this one always start out looking nice. Then you write on them and erase on them and after awhile you have a smudged mess that bleeds onto the walls.

This one, hmmm, I'm thinking. Maybe. It is simple and sweet and cheap and would work. I just don't think I'm totally in love.
I really like this one, it's clean and functional and you can easily tell just how many things fall on each day. However, I prefer looking at calendars that are in the traditional shape so I can easily see what week we are on in each month.

And I believe this calendar takes the cake for size and price. It's five feet high and five feet wide. It's $325. Looking at it would be like hearing your son yell, "I have soccer practice this Thursday!" I would like a smaller version of this.

My 3 Baby Carriers

2010-03-31T09:19:00.000-07:00

When I was about to have the below fuzzy headed morsel last year, I was perplexed to the max when it came to baby carriers. I read, asked, tried, bought, took back and finally settled on the below three which have served me well in each of Sienna's stages from age zero to one.

Here's my take on each one:

Sleepy Wrap

I try to buy most of my baby gear in unisex colors, so that's why it's green, which caused a lot of "What's HIS name?" and a growl from me. Oh well, I asked for it. This fabric is a dream to wear, it's both sturdy and soft which makes it comfortable for both mom and baby and also supports baby's floppy body nicely. You do get accustomed to the project that is taking it on and off, but it still made me annoyed occasionally because it is definitely a commitment once you get it on. It's hot to wear, which made it unusable for several summer months. This is the carrier you want when your baby is a mushy, needy newborn that is accustomed to being balled up next to you. It makes you both feel oh so cozy.

Baby Bjorn

There's a reason why "Baby Bjorn" is a household name. This thing is the model of efficiency. It's fast, fast, fast to throw on and take off. It can be used when baby can't support her head, but is best for when she can. I bought the Air (pictured above) because the black one seemed a bit too formal looking. Plus I'm a sucker for all things grey and mesh (just kidding about the mesh). When she was young, I'd face her towards me, then when she became more interested in her surroundings, I faced her forward. I loved having both of those options. I used this one a TON from the time Sienna could hold her head up until about 8 months when her legs were long enough to kick my crotch.

Ergobaby

I bought this one when Sienna was still tiny (in the wine color, above left) and waited and waited and waited until she was big enough to fit in it, around 10 months. Your child needs to be 15 lbs and able to wrap her legs around your waist to use it. You can get an infant insert (which I will definitely do next time), which allows a baby to kind of sit side-saddle in there. This carrier is very comfortable and allows your baby to face you in the front, or sit back-pack style on your back (as well as side, but who does side?). This may actually be the only carrier you need if you get that infant insert. Sienna is now 11 months old and this is the only carrier I use. I put her on my back for grocery shopping and while I'm teaching my boy scout troop and she is almost always completely content. My only beef is that she occasionally pulls my hair. That's gotta stop.

Bibs and Beds

2010-03-30T14:33:00.000-07:00

If I were to choose one mission to devote my life to, it could easily be punishing children's clothing companies for producing clothing that screams, "HI MOM! I'M A CUTE LITTLE PRINCESS PUMPKIN AND I LOVE YOU!!!" surrounded by flowers, butterflies, goblins, fairies, etc., etc. You get my point. I hate that crap. Doesn't mean I don't put my daughter in it if it's a gift, or if I can't find anything else, but if I had my choice, I'd get rid of it all. That said, I feel the same way about bibs. Then sings my soul once I discover, as usual, that IKEA got it right. Enter these bibs:I've had a good run with them, but it's time to put them away because my daughter yanks them off now. But thank you, Ikea, thank you. As usual.

And then there are these Ikea beds, one of which I'd like to own someday when we settle down.

I would definitely buy this one if I were a single person.

Stokke Strollers

2010-03-30T10:07:00.000-07:00

There are some beautiful (expensive) strollers in the world and every time I see someone with a Stokke , it's like my eyes breathe a sigh of relief, Ahhhhhhh. The lines alone are eye candy.

Toms for Chicks

2010-03-29T14:12:00.000-07:00

A couple weekends ago I was at Adam's bike race and became acquainted with a girl wearing Toms. One of the first things I said to her was, "They make those for women????!!!!!" Proceed girl gushing and admitting that she had 6 pairs. I would like me about 4 pair, these specifically:

My burning question that I was too bashful to ask: how is the foot sweat? Good? Bad? Doable? Cuz I hate the foot sweat thing.

France and Chanel

2010-03-29T13:45:00.000-07:00

After watching Julie & Julia and Coco Before Chanel over the weekend, I have France on the mind. I will keep this guide to Paris in my files for when I visit someday.

I also have Coco's fashion on the mind. Things gleaned from watching the show and my thoughts:

*Wear black and white all the time - I am not a fan of this thinking and it is reiterated to me every time I see Angelina Jolie. She wears black day in and day out and it just makes her look sad. Black does add instant elegance and makes you look sleeker and slimmer, but wearing it constantly just shows a lack of imagination to me. White is nice, it's crisp and clean, but makes me think of Jennifer Aniston which makes me think BLAH.

*Be comfortable - I agree with this wholeheartedly. It's why I can't wear huge heels, weird necklines and jeans 24/7.

*Keep it simple - Yes, yes. Simple lines, short hair, pants over skirts/dresses, fewer accessories.

*Let your clothes fit your shape - The corset could not have been eradicated fast enough, so thank you Coco!

Gwyneth on the Cheap

2010-03-25T15:36:00.000-07:00

I do enjoy that Gwyneth Paltrow offers some GAP and H&M alternatives for her spring fashion picks, but I found some of my own that she didn't offer.

This dress from Old Navy combines some of her flowery choices with that little white mini dress. Mmm, sweet.

Her royal blue dress was TDF, and this may be a decent alternative.

She's all about the skinny cargo pant this season, and I say YES PLEASE to that. These are from GAP. They are a cross between the boyfriend and skinny look and to these I also say YES PLEASE.

I just bought me this fine boyfriend cardi from Old Navy. Just in time for it to turn mega hot. Bleh.

Place Cards

2010-03-19T13:18:00.000-07:00

Our annual church women's conference is tomorrow and here's the place cards I made for our lunch table. They are blankety blank because we don't know who's at our table. It's been a crazy week.

I do know that Nancy and me are at our table. So, that's good.

The bags are filled with gummy bears. Who doesn't love gummy bears?

Crayon Holder

2010-03-18T11:16:00.001-07:00

Well isn't this the cutest thing to make for your little crayon-carrying kid? It is.

Shoulda

2010-03-18T10:47:00.000-07:00

Definitely shoulda done a photo series like this with my Bird.

Next time ...

From Ali Loves Curtis

Style Rookie

2010-03-15T13:40:00.000-07:00

One reason I love the blogosphere is that it makes the impossible possible. This 13 year old girl is Tavi, she has a blog called Style Rookie, and she's a phenomenon. I can't totally figure it out, but she gets invited to all the big fat style weeks, goes backstage, rubs elbows with all the big names in fashion, and has a bazillion readers. Amazing. Age 13. Amazing.

My Life List, Part 5

2010-03-05T14:12:00.000-08:00

81. Never say, "I'm too old for that"

82. Do a photo shoot of my hometown

83. Become a radio broadcaster

84. Learn screenprinting

85. Learn letterpress

86. Join an interfaith council

Well, it turns out I only want to do 86 things before I die. When I think of 14 more I will let you know. Because I hate unfinished lists.

My Life List, Part 4

2010-03-04T10:17:00.000-08:00

61. Chant with Buddhist monks in Thailand

62. Own a red volvo

63. Join the PTA

64. Buy and wear heels higher than 2 inches

65. Learn how to play chess again

66. Rent a beach house in Florida

67. People-watch at a cafe in Paris

68. Drive a mini-van with no DVD player

69. Raise chickens with my kids

70. Have a flourishing vegetable garden

71. Paint my front door red

72. Fix up a fixer upper

73. Attend the ballet in St. Petersburg

74. Turn vegan for a week

75. Understand Judaism

76. Learn to knit

77. Visit a Frank Lloyd Wright house

78. Record a story in an NPR StoryCorps van

79. Ride a camel in Egypt

80. Learn floral arrangement

Body Art

2010-03-04T10:01:00.000-08:00

I saw Alvin Ailey last night. They made beautiful body pictures all evening, including this one which I will never be able to get out of my head as long as I live:

This picture is from my favorite dance to "Fix Me, Jesus." Brought tears to my eyes. Incredible.

Entering the World of i

2010-03-03T13:09:00.000-08:00

I interrupt this series of life lists to wish myself a happy birthday and show you what I got:And iPod Touch. efj;iejaoifjdafiodvkajclkvjadifo! That is my exclamation at my entrance into the world of iThings. I have never been a techy person; I've only owned an iPod Shuffle and my troop of 10-year-old Boy Scouts asked me if I lived in the dinosaur age because of how old my phone is. But I have been drooling over these touchable iThings for some time. And my husband decided it was time for me to own ONE cool techy thing. Yes, yes, yes, yes, YES! Happy birthday to me indeed!

My Life List, Part 3

2010-03-02T09:38:00.000-08:00

41. Taste sushi in Tokyo

42. Have 4 - 6 kids

43. Take my kids to church history sites

44. Reupholster a chair

45. Climb mountains in Nepal

46. Take classes in meditation

47. Take salsa dance classes with Adam

48. Make perfect chocolate chip cookies

49. Own a business

50. Go to Mardi Gras in New Orleans

51. Put an I Love Jesus bumper sticker on my car

52. Have a compost pile

53. Own a home with a porch and backyard

54. Join a political protest

55. Go to hair school

56. Attend a bull fight in Spain

57. Run in a Ragnar relay

58. Attend someone else's birth

59. Take sailing lessons

60. Learn Photoshop

My Life List, Part 2

2010-02-28T20:55:00.000-08:00

21. Drive through the Smoky Mountains

22. See 7 Broadway shows in 7 days in NYC

23. Join a Cheese of the Month Club

24. Get a 6-pack

25. Attend Christmas Eve Mass

26. Live in Boulder, CO

27. Own a dog

28. Live in Portland, OR

29. Go on a mission with Adam

30. Join a modern dance troupe

31. Take a creative writing class then start a creative writing club

32. Join a book club outside my church

33. Hike the Grand Canyon

34. Become a certified yoga instructor

35. Learn to surf

36. Learn to throw pottery on a wheel

37. House swap with someone in Italy

38. Ride a motorbike across America

39. Go on safari in Africa

40. Learn to snow board

My Life List, Part 1

2010-02-26T14:11:00.000-08:00

I came across the Mighty Girl blog and while browsing through her tabs was most fascinated by her huge list of things she wanted to do before she died, her bucket list, if you will. She calls it her Mighty Life List. I really wanted to do one for myself but didn't want to copy. Then I read her exchange with another blogger, where she said she would be happy if everyone did one for themselves. Because creating hers was transformative. That word has stuck with me. Transformative. I have been feeling like something needs to change in my life so I feel more like I'm moving forward instead of standing still. So it was, in the middle of the night last night, I started my own. And I feel the transformative power of it already. Simply put, it has me psyched.

Here's part one of the 100 things I'd like to do before I die (check back Mondee for part dos!):

1. See the Taj Mahal

2. Go scuba diving

3. Visit Jerusalem, walk where Jesus walked

4. Walk on the Great Wall of China

5. Become an interior designer

6. Become a feng shui master

7. Learn Tai Chi

8. Re-visit Mt. Fuji, this time not just in a plane flying over

9. Become a journalist

10. Become a PR maven

11. Visit Skid Row

12. Go a year without TV

13. Read Les Miserables unabridged

14. Learn to appreciate poetry

15. Learn to sew clothing for my children

16. Donate money to fund surgeries to correct cleft palates for impoverished kids

17. Join Mothers Without Borders and go to Africa to help women

18. Read several Charles Dickens books

19. Stop judging others, period

20. Stop judging myself

(Did I mention this list makes me SO PSYCHED?!)

T-Shirt Thoughts

2010-02-26T13:52:00.000-08:00

My sister, Heather, and my friend, Mim, have me re-thinking my T-shirt wardrobe. They have repurposed a few of their Ts/cardigans and Mim even makes her own. I may never get to that point, but it sure has me thinking of searching out classier T types to wear on a daily basis instead of the basic, boring ones I always go for.

For Mim's slew of amazing T tutorials, go here.

Boy Mobile

2010-02-24T16:31:00.000-08:00

While I sit in my glider and feed my little one in the nursery seven times a day, I look at the paper crane mobile I made for her and wonder what kind of replica I could make for a little boy that I'd like even half as much.

And then I saw this photo on Color Me Katie and decided paper airplanes could be it.

Chocolate Party

2010-02-22T10:08:00.000-08:00

When Valentine's day was coming around I got this hair-brained idea that I'd like to take the chocolate consumption this year up a notch. So I held a chocolate party because .... why not?

I had everyone bring their favorite chocolate treat to share and then we played games. And it was fun! And I want to do it again.

I made Oreo truffles. T.D.F. Times a thousand.

And now I have chocolate leftovers for weeks.

Here's that recipe.

Oreo Truffles

1 lb. package of Oreo cookies

8 oz. cream cheese (not low fat), softened

1/2 t. vanilla

16 oz. Baker's semi-sweet chocolate

Crush 9 cookies in a blender, food processor or place them in a plastic sealed bag and crush them with a rolling pin. Set aside to use for later.

Crush remaining 36 cookies. Place in medium bowl. Add cream cheese and vanilla and mix well. Roll into 42 one-inch balls.

Melt chocolate in sauce pan or double boiler. Dip balls in chocolate and place on wax paper. Sprinkle with reserved cookie crumbs before they dry.

Refrigerate one hour until firm. Store covered in fridge.

Dots and Stripes

2010-02-18T20:04:00.000-08:00

I want this dress.

Bright

2010-02-18T19:56:00.000-08:00

Color Me Katie: One of the happiest places on the Interweb.

Mini Megaphone

2010-02-15T18:16:00.000-08:00

Keeping this in mind for next year.

Valentine's Dinner Menu

2010-02-12T10:30:00.000-08:00

Valentine's Day circa 2005, at the Harlem Globetrotters in Salt Lake City. We were about to get engaged. And then we broke up. (Long story.)

The way to my man's heart is still through his stomach, so for occasions like Valentine's Day, I usually plan on making a special dinner as my main gift to him. But I can't be bothered with making it too special, ie: slaving away in the kitchen all day. I'm not that kind of love slave. So I try to do only one or two new menu items but keep it all very simple.

Here's this year's menu:

Bill Bailey's Beef Sirloin Tri-Tip Roast in Western BBQ, packaged in marinade and ready to pop in the oven. LOVE this concept because I can't be bothered with making homemade marinade today.

Roasted Cauliflower with Pine Nuts, found from Googling "Valentine's Day Dinner" - brilliant, I know.

Steamed Green Beans, Adam's favorite vegetable in his favorite steamy style. SO HOT!

Icebox Butterhorn Rolls, the easiest roll recipe I've found. And the butteriest. However, I don't study many roll recipes, so it's possible there is another one that beats this. I substitute some of the white flour with wheat flour, too, and they still turn out great. (Leave a comment if you want the recipe. And believe me, you want it.)

CJane's CrockPot Chocolate Cake. Just when I was starting to sweat from the stress of baking the dessert I really wanted to bake, which entailed buying ramekins, which is a commitment I am just to timid to make right now, I stumbled upon the ever-lifesaving CJane. A cake in a crockpot? I can do this.

We are celebrating tonight because we are leaving town tomorrow to go see Adam's grandparents. I'm really excited to follow up this dinner with a good dose of sports - well more like a pre-cursor to a good dose of sports - the opening ceremonies for the Winter Games! I tell you, sports and food. Whoever said this was a woman's holiday has never been in our relationship.

Valentine Craft turned Goody Gift

2010-02-12T10:06:00.000-08:00

This was a surprisingly easy craft that turned into a little goody box to give the ladies I visit teach. It's filled with pink and white M&Ms.

Find how-to here.

Bedside Clockage

2010-02-08T14:49:00.001-08:00

Someday I would like to use something other than my cell phone to tell time, especially in my room. I have a rule about keeping as many intrusive electronic communication devices out of the bedroom as possible, but I've just never gotten around to buying a real alarm clock since I trashed the digital eyesore from college days. How about this blue clock

or this red clock from Urban Outfitters?

A Calendar for Ants

2010-02-04T14:19:00.000-08:00

This is the second year I've done this calendar from A Little Hut. It's fun and cheap and is a nice way to figure out what day it is in one glance. It's really tiny, though. Ant sized. So don't think you can use it for planning your life or anything (Heather).

This is my favorite page:
My other favorite:

Pure Food

2010-02-03T19:29:00.000-08:00

I still get no end of satisfaction from steaming, pureeing, freezing and repeating baby food. It can sometimes take over my life, especially since my daughter has the appetite of a sow, but it is worth it.

Today was introduce spices and herbs day! I was so excited I couldn't wait to start shoveling goop in her mouth. She had cinnamon in her banana/wheat mush for breakfast and sage in her potato/squash/chicken mush for lunch. It didn't register on her face that she noticed, but just wait until I throw in some curry powder any day now. Boom!

Feast of Spirit

2010-02-01T13:37:00.000-08:00

Yesterday was one of those fabulous Sundays where I got to read and read and read and read lots of spiritual goodness that filled up my soul.

Here was a quote that spoke to me yesterday from this article that I want to keep on reserve for when times get tough:

"One's life ... cannot be both faith-filled and stress-free ... Therefore, how can you and I really expect to glide naively through life, as if to say, 'Lord, give me experience, but not grief, not sorrow, not pain, not opposition, not betrayal, and certainly not to be forsaken. Keep from me, Lord, all those experiences which made Thee what Thou art! Then let me come and dwell with Thee and fully share Thy joy!' ... Real faith ... is required to endure this necessary but painful developmental process."

- Neal A. Maxwell

FHE Chart

2010-01-28T21:10:00.001-08:00

Someday, if I have an FHE chart, I want to make it like this:

Recipes

2010-01-28T10:01:00.000-08:00

I want to try these two recipes soon.

I have never been in love with any pizza crust recipe I've tried, so the fact that this one has the word "amazing" at the front - it's gotta live up to its name, right? If it doesn't I will be raging mad.

Amazing Whole Wheat Pizza Crust

from here

Ingredients

1 teaspoon white sugar
1 1/2 cups warm water (110 degrees F/45 degrees C)
1 tablespoon active dry yeast
1 tablespoon olive oil
1 teaspoon salt
2 cups whole wheat flour
1 1/2 cups all-purpose flour

Directions

In a large bowl, dissolve sugar in warm water. Sprinkle yeast over the top, and let stand for about 10 minutes, until foamy.
Stir the olive oil and salt into the yeast mixture, then mix in the whole wheat flour and 1 cup of the all-purpose flour until dough starts to come together. Tip dough out onto a surface floured with the remaining all-purpose flour, and knead until all of the flour has been absorbed, and the ball of dough becomes smooth, about 10 minutes. Place dough in an oiled bowl, and turn to coat the surface. Cover loosely with a towel, and let stand in a warm place until doubled in size, about 1 hour.
When the dough is doubled, tip the dough out onto a lightly floured surface, and divide into 2 pieces for 2 thin crust, or leave whole to make one thick crust. Form into a tight ball. Let rise for about 45 minutes, until doubled.
Preheat the oven to 425 degrees F (220 degrees C). Roll a ball of dough with a rolling pin until it will not stretch any further. Then, drape it over both of your fists, and gently pull the edges outward, while rotating the crust. When the circle has reached the desired size, place on a well oiled pizza pan. Top pizza with your favorite toppings, such as sauce, cheese, meats, or vegetables.
Bake for 16 to 20 minutes (depending on thickness) in the preheated oven, until the crust is crisp and golden at the edges, and cheese is melted on the top.

If there is such thing as a healthy cookie, I'd say this is it. I can't wait to see if it's actually good.

Whole Wheat Peanut Butter Chocolate Chip Cookies
from here

1 cup all-natural applesauce
1/4 cup all-natural cream peanut butter
1 cup honey
2 eggs
1 1/2 cup whole wheat flour (to start)
1 tsp baking soda
1/2 tsp salt
2 cups rolled oats
2 cups chocolate chips

Mix all ingredients well.

**Next, add enough whole wheat flour for a stiff dough. I ended up adding about 1 to 2 cups of extra flour. Total -- 2 1/2 to 3 1/2 cups of flour.

Drop by teaspoon on a cookie sheet.

Bake at 375° for 10 minutes.

Alternative Diamond Rings

2010-01-27T13:58:00.001-08:00

Wedding rings have been on my mind lately. Mine was stolen last summer by a DirectTV guy who came to install a satellite dish. He asked to use the restroom, yanked the ring from my jewelry tray, and I haven't seen it since. We also didn't get the satellite dish; something about our balcony facing the wrong direction. Anyway, I am in the market for a cheap replacement. I came across these radical Sarah Perlis rings, which are not a cheap replacement. Nevertheless, they are very cool and different. I'm all about alternative styles of wedding rings.

Found via Pretty, Pretty Paper

This Splendid Inconvenience

2010-01-26T11:12:00.000-08:00

I can't stop thinking about this painting and this story that goes along with it. Does this painting not sum up what mornings are like with kids? My daughter can't even walk yet, but you better believe she can yell. And she will do so until someone marches into her room for a rescue.

I love the children in this painting. They are expectant, seem somewhat patient, and ever angelic. Only one touches the edge, and the baby props himself up as best as he can. The dad is like, yeah, I see you. The mom is like, I'm pretending not to see you.

At some point, the adults have to rise to the task that is answering to their children. And it is a hard task every. single. morning.

May Books Never Die!

2010-01-20T13:01:00.000-08:00

I really hope books never go away. I was reading this article the other day and realizing in my daughter's world, she'll be online all the time, as this article says. Not that I won't set up rules, but it's times like these I want to do less Internetting myself and more interacting.

To join the "pledge to read more printed stuff," go here to add a button to your blog.

Found from Frolic!

Tablecloths

2010-01-19T20:10:00.000-08:00

Jordan Ferney always has the cutest tablecloths and she makes them herself. Now that sounds like a sewing project even I can handle. (Over the weekend I made the fugliest thing for Sienna's room with my sewing machine. I was all excited to post about it, but it turned out to be an embarrassment. Just imagine that something truly horrid is on her wall at the moment. I try not to stare at it in the middle of the night cuz that's when I can get reeeeal crazy.)

Green stripey fabric from Ikea

Brown polka dot fabric from ReproDepot (although I don't see it now ... it was a long time ago when she posted this one)

Preg Pics that Rule

2010-01-18T16:33:00.000-08:00

I first saw this series of pregnancy pics on Design Mom when I was pregnant and thought it was pretty much awesome. Now I guess the guy is doing another series. Anyway, I love this series and can't wait to see more of what is to come.