a christmas in two places December 31, 2009

my (d’s) christmas was spent partly in seattle and partly with my family in new jersey.

it was double the fun that way!

The weekend before Christmas was spent in Seattle, being cozy at home by Matilda and exchanging gifts with friends.   The girls all went out for our annual dinner to exchange and celebrate.  {i was so excited about giving my presents i could barely sleep the night before!}  We had much to be thankful for, much to celebrate!  You will all see this coming year how big 2010 will be for friends of ours!

{I have planned some posts for the new year that include some crafty how-tos for some of the things I made for family and friends.   It has been so hard to wait to share them, but I didn’t want to ruin any surprises!}

B and I also saw the Christmas Ships near our house.   We stood on the banks of the lake where luminairies glowed, and listened to the Northwest Girls choir sing while riding upon ships adored with lights.  It was like magic.

I then carefully packed my remaining gifts into my luggage and boarded a plane. {and all of them arrived still looking darling this year!}

I spent a week in NJ visiting with family and friends, having a white Christmas, seeing West Side Story in the City, baking some Molly chocolate chip cookies, playing board games I received.  It was quite delightful, yet busy.  {and i ate my weight in stuffed shells and sauce and rice balls and cheese, yumyum!}

My family now opens presents on Christmas Eve {i just know that Santa delivers to our house early as continued thanks for all those great cookies we fed him all those years…} 

and as usual, i got some very thoughtful, neat-o, spledid things.  {you might even see pictures, if i ever unpack} ….But, much like my Seattle Christmas, I simply love giving gifts.

I love how excited i feel, when I know what’s in that box, when I imagine what the recipient will do when they finally lay eyes upon it.

Because Christmas is all about reminding us, all of us, how great gifts are.  How one day, a long time ago, we all received a gift of far greater magnitude then we can even realize.  Because of that gift of love, we are called to GIVE to others.  Not just on Christmas, but though gifts all year long.

we wish you a very happy, content,  peaceful, cheery, fulfilling new year.

Mark your Calendars! December 30, 2009

[can you tell i'm booored at work this week? boss is gone, phone isn't ringing, and while i should be working all i want to do is blog instead]

IT’S TIME FOR ROLLER DERBY!

For those of you who have been before or who went to see Whip It this fall, you know the zany crazy fun of a roller derby bout. Well, the Rat City Rollergirls are back for their 2010 season starting January 31st. I’m sure we’ll be organizing an outing so pencil it in. Roller Derby is SUPER fun.

Also, i think we should be CRAZY and go to this ‘away’ bout in Bremerton. I mean, the Wild West Showdown? How can you resist?

Make sure to get caught up on all the rules and regs so you can come prepared for a night of cheering and jeering All images from Rat City Rollergirls on Flickr

My Christmas Morning December 28, 2009

This was the view out the window on Christmas morning when we woke up to clear skies and fog over the water. So pretty! This was taken looking over Sinclair Inlet past Bremerton toward the Olympic Peninsula.

We had such a beautiful Christmas weekend with sunshine, clear skies, and lots of Vitamin D! Seeing the mountains rise over the fog so pink and pretty was a real reminder of the meaning of the day and the splendor of the Earth that was given to us.

Photo Credit: My dad!

What we gave, Part 1 December 28, 2009

Santa was really too, too good to me this year. I received several very thoughtful gifts and my craft docket is full until about 2014. However, for both D and I, the joy of Christmas lies in seeing people open the gifts we’ve spent time scouring for or making ourselves. Here are a few of the gifts I gave this year in hopes of inspiring you for gift giving in 2010:

Vintage 1890 Rhubarb Lithograph (via etsy seller Bananastrudel who carries many MANY amazing prints ranging from architecture to botanicals)

Hand dyed yarn from Juniper Moon Fiber Farm (their blog is awesome for cute pics of sheep, goats, and puppies)

Beautiful unglazed ceramic planter from Pigeon Toe Ceramics

Sweet Life in Paris (the perfect companion to Molly’s book)

 

POWER GRID. We are Serious game players around here, always on the lookout for the next late-night bout. I thought this game would be so fitting for Erik, my sailor man who just spent 2 years studying nuclear power. The best part is that Norfolk, his duty station, is on the power grid map, so when we’re playing without him we can put a little picture next to Norfolk and pretend he’s right here with us! Also, this game board is reversible, so its essentially 2 games in 1. score!

There were several other vintage and one-of-a-kind things that i of course forgot to take pictures of before i wrapped and gave away, but that gives you a good idea. D will be back with Part 2 and a lot more homemade gifties (she was QUITE the crafter this Christmas)

merry christmas, merry christmas! December 25, 2009

hope you are having a great day, filled with family and friends, cookies and cocoa, and smiles in exchange for presents!

both of us are out this weekend, visiting with family…

but, here is our photo with santa this year with some friends… taken the weekend we got Matilda….

o tidings of COMFORT and JOY December 18, 2009

Now to the Lord sing praises,
All you within this place,
And with true love and brotherhood
Each other now embrace;
This holy tide of Christmas
All other doth deface.
O tidings of comfort and joy,
Comfort and joy
O tidings of comfort and joy

In Bethlehem, in Israel,
This blessed Babe was born
And laid within a manger
Upon this blessed morn
The which His Mother Mary
Did nothing take in scorn
O tidings of comfort and joy,
Comfort and joy
O tidings of comfort and joy

From God our Heavenly Father
A blessed Angel came;
And unto certain Shepherds
Brought tidings of the same:
How that in Bethlehem was born
The Son of God by Name.
O tidings of comfort and joy,
Comfort and joy
O tidings of comfort and joy

“Fear not then,” said the Angel,
“Let nothing you affright,
This day is born a Saviour
Of a pure Virgin bright,
To free all those who trust in Him
From Satan’s power and might.”
O tidings of comfort and joy,
Comfort and joy
O tidings of comfort and joy

The shepherds at those tidings
Rejoiced much in mind,
And left their flocks a-feeding
In tempest, storm and wind:
And went to Bethlehem straightway
The Son of God to find.
O tidings of comfort and joy,
Comfort and joy
O tidings of comfort and joy

And when they came to Bethlehem
Where our dear Saviour lay,
They found Him in a manger,
Where oxen feed on hay;
His Mother Mary kneeling down,
Unto the Lord did pray.
O tidings of comfort and joy,
Comfort and joy
O tidings of comfort and joy

God rest ye merry, gentlemen
Let nothing you dismay
Remember, Christ, our Saviour
Was born on Christmas day
To save us all from Satan’s power
When we were gone astray
O tidings of comfort and joy,
Comfort and joy
O tidings of comfort and joy

 

Anytime Tablescape December 17, 2009

love love LOVING this tablescape from the 2nd issue of online Lonny Mag. It would be pretty and relevant anytime of the year. I think the slate placemat tablets really help ground it and bring in an industrial edge to keep it from looking TOO woodsy.

The Holidays Around Here… December 17, 2009

Thanks to everyone for the sweet birthday wishes and love.  I had so much fun enjoying friends, Seattle Christmas wonder, and the comforts of home.   I have a post about the story of my birthday ornament coming up for you.

But before we get to all that, I want to share with you what currently graces our {new coral} front door.

B made it, isn’t she crafty?

Seriously these past few weeks we have been crafting bunches but its hard to tell you… because we will spoil some surprises for our friends and family!

But when B spotted this wreath on domestifluff she just had to make it for our door.   And we already had the perfect green felt….

Go HERE for a full tutorial.

ps, if anyone knows of a FELT cutting - circle cutter out there, let us know.  It’s not too late to tell Santa!

A birthday of birthdays! December 14, 2009

 

Birthday Princess Cuteness

   

 Today is a big day. And i mean, really big. Our darling D turns 25. And grand fashion i might add! Here is a visual recap of a wonderful holiday, birthday, festive weekend. Everyone wish D a fabu 25th year!  

 

whoa, fire!

  

First stop: Viscosity Studios for a glass-blown Christmas ornament workshop. Read more at Jo’s blog.

 

Half Birthay, Half Christmas!

  

anna joyce table runner

 

  

 Followed by some gifties

 

Lights through our glasses

  

  

Greenlake Pathway of Lights

  

 And walking around viewing some holiday twinkle with these awesome glasses that turned every point of light into a star or “Merry Christmas”

 

Birthday Chicken!

  

And then day-of Zuni Cafe Roast Chicken and. . .

Fabulous sticker for a fabulous lady!

  

Make a Wish!

 Cupcakes (while wearing the perfect sticker for the smart, exciting, and good-looking birthday girl. 

Happy Birthday, darlin! Here’s to a great 2010 ahead. 

sing with me! December 13, 2009

And on the second day of Christmas,

my true love gave to me,

two cookie recipeeeeeesssss!

Enjoy!

Both courtesy of Martha Stewart, of course!

FIRST

Better than a GirlScout Thin Mint:

INGREDIENTS:

• 1 cup all-purpose four
• 1/2 cup unsweetened cocoa powder
• 1/4 tsp baking powder
• 1/4 tsp salt
• 6 TBS unsalted butter (room temp.)
• 1/2 cup sugar
• 1 large egg
• 1/2 tsp vanilla
• 12 oz. semisweet chocolate chips (I like using the mini chips for melting ease)
• 1/4 tsp pure peppermint extract (a little bit goes a long way–trust me)
• sprinkles (optional for decorating)

INSTRUCTIONS:

1. Preheat oven to 350 degrees.  In a medium bowl, whisk together flour, cocoa, baking powder and salt. Beat butter and sugar until light and fluffy, then add egg and vanilla.  Mixing on low, add in flour mixture. Form balls of dough (about 1 tsp) and place on baking sheets.  Take a glass, dip the bottom in flour, and press the balls into 1.5-inch rounds (about 1/4 inch thick).
2. Bake until slightly firm, 8 – 10 minutes.  Transfer to rack to cool completely.
3. Make the chocolate coating: Place chocolate and peppermint extract in a large heatproof bowl set over (not in) a saucepan of simmering water.  Heat, stirring occasionally, until smooth, 2 – 3 minutes; remove from heat.
4. Martha then says: “Line a baking sheet with parchment or waxed paper.  Set each cookie across the tines of a fork, dunk in chocolate and tap the underside of the fork on the side of the bowl to remove excess. (This isn’t as clean of a process as you’d think it might be, so don’t be concerned if your fork stays covered in chocolate.  Get as much off as possible, then slide the cookie to the pan).  Decorate with sprinkles if desired and refrigerate at least 30 minutes.  Store in the refrigerator.”                 I instead just dunked the top of the cookie in the melted chocolate and used a knife to spread.  Then i red and white sprinkled…

 

SECOND:

Jam Filled Cream Cheese Cookies:

ingredients:
8 ounces bar cream cheese, at room temperature
1/2 cup (1 stick) unsalted butter, at room temperature
1/3 cup granulated sugar
2 cups all-purpose flour
1/2 tsp. coarse salt
1 large egg yolk
1 1/2 cups jam, jelly or preserves

directions:
1.  In a large bowl, using an electric mixer, beat cream cheese, butter and sugar until light and fluffy.  With mixer on low, add flour and salt; beat until combined (do not overmix).
2.  Divide dough into 3 portions; flatten each into a disk.  Roll each disk to 1/8-inch thickness between sheets of parchment paper — but sprinkle some flour on the parchment before you start rolling to avoid your dough sticking.  Stack dough (still in parchment) on a baking sheet; refrigerate 20 minutes.  (To store, wrap in plastic and freeze on sheet, up to 2 weeks.  Thaw until pliable before using.)
3.  Preheat oven to 375 degrees F., with racks in upper and lower thirds.  Mix egg yolk with 1/2 tsp. water.  Working with 1 dough sheet at a time, peel off parchment (save for baking).  With a 2-inch star cookie cutter, cut out cookies.  Spoon 1/2 tsp. of jam into the center of each and brush exposed dough with egg wash.  Shape cookies by folding point of the star into the center (see notes below); arrange, 2 inches apart, on two parchment-lined baking sheets and refrigerate 20 minutes (re-roll scraps).
4.  Bake until cookies are light golden brown, about 15 minutes, rotating sheets halfway through.  Let cool completely on wire racks.  (To store, cover and keep at room temperature, up to 4 days.)