pssst...

a couple new garlands in the shop

...and the daffodils are blooming!

1.26 to 1.27

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pop!

This is brown paper bag popcorn that is super duper easy to make and very delicious.

A friend recently told me about it, and now that I have tried it I've made it for four days straight.

Just put a 1/4 cup of kernels in an opened brown paper bag. Fold and crunch the bag closed at the top, leaving plenty of room for your corn to pop. Lay it sideways in the microwave for 2 minutes on high. Take it out and dress it however you like and EAT!!

Then make some more tomorrow. 
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outside my door

Little everyday beauties that looked even prettier after the rain and in the evening light.

On another pretty note, this morning I read a post on Erin's lovely blog, Reading My Tea Leaves, and thought about it later wishing I could come upon those sparkly steps myself.

1.23 to 1.24

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Pin It

found

whiskers...in my bed

a sleeping Tiny Dancer
raindrops

flavored olive oils and balsamics (from Santa Fe, a souvenir that was shipped home)

one snuggled up Hermie and a new favorite Chuao bar (my other favorite is the Firecracker one)

comfort.

It is always nice to go away but even better to come home.

1.19 to 1.22
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enchant me

a little self reflection

Case and I headed to New Mexico this weekend for work and play. Our first night was in Las Cruces where we stayed with friends and were treated to homemade pizza, games, frozen custard and warm memories. (Thank You Kenneys!!) From there it was off to Santa Fe.


A light drifting of snow welcomed us in Santa Fe. It was perfect sweater big furry coat warm by the fire later weather... which I enjoyed every second of. The shops were abundant with beautiful jewelry, blankets, art and more jewelry. Our bellies were soon full from The Shed and Pasqual's. A little history exploration at the New Mexico History Museum and then crepes and a nap (for me, Case had conference meetings).

As I rode to the airport this morning the sunrise was like no other I have ever seen. One side of the sky was bursting with bright yellows and oranges while the other was glowing a soft pink and lavender. I didn't even take a single photograph, I just took in the beauty and wanted to remember it forever.

So yes, I was easily enchanted by the snow, colors, shapes, people, history, pueblo architecture, food and art all around me in this land just a quick plane ride away.

1.13 to 1.18

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good morning

muffins

chocolate chip espresso ones

A delicious recipe tucked in the back of a recent Cooking Light. I didn't have plain old coffee granules so I substituted espresso ones and they are (I ate three today) quite good!

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ugh.

migraine all day...

with this little face, it wasn't so bad

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lately...

I've been eating berries + freshly picked oranges, reading a new book, drinking salted caramel hot chocolates in my pjs, organizing new ideas for the shop, making a custom onesie for a four day old (only took two tries), finding monkeys in the bed, brushing Ladybug's fluffy fur, running in the morning chill, eating rice noodles, planning 2012, discovering the sweetness of the delicata squash and wanting to stay in bed just a little longer.

How about you?

1.6 to 1.10

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hello

Resolutions, goals, things to get done, things to feel proud of, places to see, people to love...I'm ready.

Since it is 2012 I thought it'd be fun to have a "twelve" themed goal. I had planned on having more but kept scratching all but one, so this is it and I can't wait to bake all twelve (or more) of 'em!

* bake twelve new pies I've never baked before in 2012 *

Feeling as if I've failed before I've even started by a list of "things to do" for the year I'm just trying out some for the month of January then I'll see what I want to accomplish in February and so on...

* do yoga once a week, bonus if I make time for more

* read a book...I miss all the reading I used to do

* make album of Italy trip from August (oh dear, has it really been that long!)

1.2 to 1.5

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on holiday

Waking up to a new year this morning did not feel like a new year at all.

I'm not quite ready to cheerfully greet 2012.

Along with all of the wonderfulness of the holiday, and it was amazingly full of family, love, warmth, laughter, pajama days and Disneyland all wrapped up in a bow under twinkly lights...

Our family has lost one kitty, dear Kiki who was nineteen years old and quite the little lady. Then just yesterday we found out heartbreaking news about sweet Wheetie...Mom's love, her orange and white
boy who was dreamed of long before we heard his purr and Mom nuzzled his pink nose.

So 2012 is here, and with quivering hearts we begin.

12.24 to 1.1.12
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