May 1, 2011
April 23, 2011
Sharing
There are so many things I want to share. I want to share that we are back from an amazingly relaxing week in Mexico, but that I wore a ton of sunscreen, so it won't seem like I went at all. I want to share that it was beautiful yesterday in Seattle, and I managed to consume 3 of my favorite foods: a double shot latte, frozen yogurt (a new favorite), and pizza. I also want to share with you my deep happiness that today is Easter, and that perhaps more than ever, I am understanding the significance of this day, mostly because of what it means for my life...and for yours.
Music has transformational power. Sometimes I try to explain my faith myself, and it just doesn't come out right. But then, I hear a song and the lyrics are exactly how I am feeling, or the melody touches me and makes me feel deep happiness...or sadness.
I want to share a few of these songs with you. To me, they are what Easter is about. Faith. Love. And sharing this love with others.
Music has transformational power. Sometimes I try to explain my faith myself, and it just doesn't come out right. But then, I hear a song and the lyrics are exactly how I am feeling, or the melody touches me and makes me feel deep happiness...or sadness.
I want to share a few of these songs with you. To me, they are what Easter is about. Faith. Love. And sharing this love with others.
April 10, 2011
10 on 10: April
April 9, 2011
Crispy Treats
When it comes to snacks, I always choose sweet over salty. Steve is the opposite. When I saw this recipe for salted brown butter crispy treats (ok fine, not a snack, but a dessert), it seemed like the best of both worlds. Pretty easy to make (although waiting for butter to brown, not burn, took some focus) and really yummy too. I chose to use a little bit less cereal so that they would be extra marshmallow-y. And since I know my husband likes salt, I sprinkled a little extra sea salt on top too.
Salted Brown Butter Crispy Treats
via Smitten Kitchen
makes 16 2 inch squares
1 stick unsalted butter, plus extra for the pan
1 10-ounce bag of marshmallows
Heaping 1/4 teaspoon coarse sea salt
6 cups Rice Krispies cereal
Butter (or coat with non-stick spray) an 8-inch square cake pan.
In a large pot, melt butter over medium-low heat. It will melt, then foam, then turn clear golden and finally start to turn brown and smell nutty. Stir frequently, scraping up any bits from the bottom as you do.
As soon as the butter takes on a nutty color, turn the heat off and stir in the marshmallows. The residual heat from the melted butter should be enough to melt them, but if it is not, turn it back on low until the marshmallows are smooth.
Remove the pot from the stove and stir in the salt and cereal together. Quickly spread into prepared pan. Let cool.
March 12, 2011
Vacation in the Desert
If you would have asked me a year ago where I would be for my February mid-winter break, I would have said "Hawaii! For my honeymoon!" When we planned our wedding last year, we decided to delay our tropical honeymoon. An escape during the cold, gray season in Seattle sounded like a better idea than leaving in July. But as winter drew closer, we realized that a trip this year was probably unlikely. I'm sure someday we'll go to Hawaii (we've both never been) but we chose Arizona instead.
Steve had been having dreams of driving through the desert, and I've always been a fan of cactus and sunshine. So that's what we did. We stayed with my grandparents in Mesa, and went to a spring training game. And even though the weather was unusually cool, it was warm enough to sit outside with t-shirts and sunglasses.
The ballpark hotdogs were especially good with jalapenos, so we each had two, and then I had a stomachache (luckily a quick nap on the lawn cured it).
The following day, we took a mini road trip to Tucson and stopped at Saguaro National Park. We picked out a hike that was described in the trail guide as "easy" (it's not like we couldn't have chosen "strenuous" but hey, we were on vacation) and I took a bunch of pictures of plants and cacti.
See? A lot of cacti.
And then I took some video. This is the first time I've used my new camera for capturing video, and it was pretty fun. I decided to edit the clips together because I realized-- these will become our family's home videos some day.
In some ways, this short trip was our delayed honeymoon. It was the first time we had traveled by plane together, just for fun, since we've been married. We ate good food, relaxed and slept, laughed at hair hats and wolf fleeces (only found in Arizona swap meets), and even wrote our initials in the sand. Overall, it was a great vacation.
Steve had been having dreams of driving through the desert, and I've always been a fan of cactus and sunshine. So that's what we did. We stayed with my grandparents in Mesa, and went to a spring training game. And even though the weather was unusually cool, it was warm enough to sit outside with t-shirts and sunglasses.
The ballpark hotdogs were especially good with jalapenos, so we each had two, and then I had a stomachache (luckily a quick nap on the lawn cured it).
The following day, we took a mini road trip to Tucson and stopped at Saguaro National Park. We picked out a hike that was described in the trail guide as "easy" (it's not like we couldn't have chosen "strenuous" but hey, we were on vacation) and I took a bunch of pictures of plants and cacti.
See? A lot of cacti.
And then I took some video. This is the first time I've used my new camera for capturing video, and it was pretty fun. I decided to edit the clips together because I realized-- these will become our family's home videos some day.
In some ways, this short trip was our delayed honeymoon. It was the first time we had traveled by plane together, just for fun, since we've been married. We ate good food, relaxed and slept, laughed at hair hats and wolf fleeces (only found in Arizona swap meets), and even wrote our initials in the sand. Overall, it was a great vacation.
March 10, 2011
February 17, 2011
Adjectives
I'm an adjectives girl. And when it comes to design (which I actually know very little about) I like to test my vocabulary and describe the "look" in 1-3 adjectives. When my sister's fiance, Josh came out for the holidays, I think he found this interest of mine a bit strange. Could it be because, as we surveyed wedding vendors, I was constantly trying to define the style I thought he and Robin wanted as "rustic modern" or "tuscan vintage chic?" Yep, I think he thought I was crazy.
But really, it's so easy to feel like a budding designer with all of the informative design blogs out there. Recently, I came across Inspired Design Daily and Linsi Brownson's online home store, Redefine Home. In particular, I find the "shop by style" category to be quite pleasing. Just look at those great adjectives: "casual coastal" "new traditional" and "steampunk lite." Here are some of my favorites (and my best attempt at adjectives) ;)
Oh, and have you come across the blog, A Creative Mint? I'm not sure what I love so much about it.
Actually I do. Leslie posts beautiful photos of projects she's working on, designs, artwork...and lots of adjectives.
There's something calming about scrolling through her pretty color palettes and found objects around her home. Talk about finding beauty in everyday things.
Finally, if I lived in New York, I would visit Moomah every day.
From what I understand, Moomah is a cafe, a playspace, a crafting center, and a third place. It was started by Tracey Stewart (wife of Jon Stewart) who writes:
Moomah was created to give parents, children and caregivers an inviting space to nurture creative stimulation, not over-stimulation. The color palette was inspired by nature and the seasons. You won’t find wacky clowns with oversized eyes and primary colors and you won’t be forced to listen to “kids music”. Moomah is a space where both parents and kids can bond over a great song, a fun project or new treat. A place where you can just be together.
I love this idea. In fact, if I were to start a business, this is what I think I would do.
But alas, I'm not a business woman (nor a designer). I'm a teacher who needs to get to bed, so here I go. Wishing you a happy, inspiring, exhilarating, productive, peaceful, blessed day! ;)
But really, it's so easy to feel like a budding designer with all of the informative design blogs out there. Recently, I came across Inspired Design Daily and Linsi Brownson's online home store, Redefine Home. In particular, I find the "shop by style" category to be quite pleasing. Just look at those great adjectives: "casual coastal" "new traditional" and "steampunk lite." Here are some of my favorites (and my best attempt at adjectives) ;)
{vintage urban graphic? too many adjectives?}
Oh, and have you come across the blog, A Creative Mint? I'm not sure what I love so much about it.
Finally, if I lived in New York, I would visit Moomah every day.
Moomah was created to give parents, children and caregivers an inviting space to nurture creative stimulation, not over-stimulation. The color palette was inspired by nature and the seasons. You won’t find wacky clowns with oversized eyes and primary colors and you won’t be forced to listen to “kids music”. Moomah is a space where both parents and kids can bond over a great song, a fun project or new treat. A place where you can just be together.
But alas, I'm not a business woman (nor a designer). I'm a teacher who needs to get to bed, so here I go. Wishing you a happy, inspiring, exhilarating, productive, peaceful, blessed day! ;)
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