Happy New Years Weekend and the Lost Art of Mixed Tape CDs

This weekend is gonna be a good one.  I can just feel it!

We are heading down to San Antonio for New Years Eve to celebrate with our group of close friends.  It is going to be awesome.  This is my group of friends that I will know til the  day I die... The kind of friends that movies are about... Think St. Elmo's Fire meets Steel Magnolias meets Big Chill - but without all the dying and sex shenanigans.  They take me as I am and still come back for more.  And for that, I love them so.  I am so excited, it makes me feel like this!

And in honor of the weekend, I am making a Mixed Tape CD.  My friends and I have a tradition of making Mixed Tape CDs for each other.  And yes, I said it right... Mixed Tape CD.  If you just say "mixed tape", anyone over the age of 30 knows what you are talking about but has not seen one since high school.  And if you say "mixed cd"... well, that just sounds stupid because it does not capture the essence of all the time and pain-staking attention to detail that goes into making one.

Making a Mixed Tape CD is a disappearing art form and is not for the weary.  If you don't believe me, go watch the movie, High Fidelity.  There are rules to making a proper mixed tape CD.  You have to group together tunes to create a theme.  You have to create the right segue from fast to slow, upbeat to sad.  One bad song selection and you just killed the mood of the party.  Remember that lame tape that your middle school boyfriend made you once.  Ugh!  But when you pick just the perfect mix of songs that feed off of one another and keep the listener wanting more, then you know that you have graduated to the top tier of Mixed Tape CD creators.  And if you are ever so lucky to actually receive a mixed tape CD to call your own, treat it with respect.  Run (don't walk) home and listen to it.  Try to discover the hidden meaning in the songs, a message that was custom-made for your ears.

Well, now that I have gotten that off my chest... as I said, I am presenting another Mixed Tape CD this weekend in honor of New Years Eve.  The theme... "F*&% 2010, 2011 will be heaven".  Cheesy title - yes.  But it does seem to capture the overall message very well, I think.  It is the perfect blend of "kick 2010 in the ass" and "2011 will be amazing with a big fat sigh of relief on the side".

This weekend will be legendary.  One for the memory bank, for sure.  So on that note, I am out until the new year.  But I want to know from you, what will your 2011 Mixed Tape CD theme be?  Leave me a comment and let me know.

I hope you have a fantastic and safe New Years Eve.  See you in 2011!

Images via Snippet & Ink, Unknown

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The Literary Goddess Challenge

As most of you know, I have a love-affair with books.  They make me happy.  I read all sorts of books - historical fiction, murder mysteries, the classics, biographies... I love them all! 

In writing my thoughts about books on this itty-bitty blog here, I have realized that there are quite a few of us book-lovin' folks out there.  And that just makes my smile even bigger.

So friends, it is time to step up and claim our love of books in the form of the Literary Goddess Challenge.  An idea that actually started a few years back as a New Year's resolution, the Literary Goddess Challenge is a way to bring books back into your life in whatever way works best for you. Whether you are a long-time bookworm or have forgotten what a book looks like, this is your chance to fall in love with books all over again.

Maybe this is the year that you try to read something other than the latest smut magazine.  Or maybe you want to check out that so-called-public-library thing that everyone keeps mentioning, try to read at least 10 classics, or trade in your romance novels for some non-fiction.  It could be that you just want to see how many books you can read in one year.

When I first gave myself this challenge a few years ago, I was barely reading at all... well at least not for fun.  I had this weird block of years where reading became lost in the shuffle.  Not on purpose of course.  It just kind of happened.  David and I had moved into together, I was busy busting my butt in my career, and my social life was rockin'.  But one New Years day, it occurred to me that I had lost my reading ways and how much I missed them.

So with that, a resolution was born and I decided that I would renew my friendship with stories.  But I did come up with a few game rules. 

1. I would not force myself to finish a book that I could not get into.  This is because of two strong opinions that I have - Books are meant to be enjoyed, not force-fed.  And I believe that you are meant to read certain books only when you are ready to, when you are at the right place in your life to receive their words.  
2. I would be diverse in my reading selections.
3. I would find other people that enjoyed books as much as I do.

I am happy to say that I accomplished my resolution that year and have been going strong ever since.

To all my literary comrades out there, I invite you to join the Literary Goddess Challenge this year.  Leave me a comment and tell me what your Literary Goddess Challenge will be for yourself.  And to show off your participation, feel free to grab the Literary Goddess button here to put up on your blog.  This page is where I will also be updating the list to track everyone who is participating.

So excited.  Happy reading!

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Bits of our Christmas

I don't know about you, but our Christmas was whirlwind.  I am exhausted.  I am feeling a bit chubby due to overindulgence.  My house is a mess.  And I could not be happier.

On Christmas Eve Eve, we went to an impromptu dinner of ham and cheese grits at our good friends' house.  It was awesome.  We were met at the door with champagne, which is always a great start to an evening.  And while the kids ran wild, the adults talked, laughed, and ate until our tummies could hold no more.  It was the best of evenings in that there were no preconceived notions, the food was potluck, and the kids stayed up way past their bed times.  So  much fun was had that night that Christmas Eve Eve may need to become tradition.

On Christmas Eve, David and I began playing out our tradition.  A simple day.  Dinner with wine and Maryland-style crab cakes from Quality Seafood.  Driving around looking at Christmas lights. And to top it all off, even though we said that we were not going to get each other gifts, David presented me with the most amazing Adirondack chair that he made himself.  It is awesome.  I am so in awe of him.  I feel like a high school sophomore with a crush on the hot senior guy all over again. 

Christmas day brought David's family into town. Little B loved playing with all of her gifts, including a handmade doll from her abuela.  We dined on ham, mashed potatoes, Italian sausage stuffing and two homemade pies.  I am still full.

And now that the calm after the storm is settling in, we are taking a quick breath before we head down to San Antonio to bring in the new year with close friends. Drinks will be had.  Babies will be passed around and loved on by all.  Food will be delicious.  And the laughter will be in abundance.

This holiday season is a good one.  And while it will be coming to an end very soon, I am savoring these moments.  Because folks, this is what memories are made of.

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Baby, it's cold outside

Holy smack!  Baby, it is cold outside.  I love it!

Though I may have forgotten what box we have all of our scarves, hats, and gloves stashed in.  I have a little digging to do.

I love this time of year.  When it is fun to get all bundled up, before the novelty of it all wears off.  Cute hats to wear.  Hand knit scarves and pashmina wraps to keep my neck toasty warm.

Now if only I could get it to snow here.


Images via Lovely Clusters, Veselina, Pennyweight

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Merry Christmas!

Merry Christmas!  I hope your day is magical.

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Happy Christmas Eve!

 

Image via Ikea

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Yes please

Pie in a jar!  Why didn't I think of this.  I love jars and I obsess about pie.  Count me in.  All Jarred Up, you are brilliant.

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This week I am loving...

• "The River" by Robert Downey Jr. - heartbreakingly beautiful
• Homemade almond puffs that are from a top-secret recipe that my mom created
• Little B falling asleep in her highchair during lunch - it is so pathetically cute
• That my Christmas will actually be cold - that is a big deal in Austin!
• Paperbackswap.com -  I am so hooked on this site.  I love it.
• My morning walks with my friend, Sara - these walks keep me sane, people
• David getting home from work early in the evening
• Reading time - lately, I have been quite the bookworm, enjoying my evenings curled up with a good book.  And I am on a good streak these days with books.  All of them are so good.  I hope the streak does not end anytime soon.
• Watching Little B play with her new tea set, a gift from Grandma and Grandpa.  I think I may be up to 57 pretend cups of tea today.

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Introducing Horse

Little B received a wonderful Christmas present this week from my Aunt Marci, Uncle Bruce, and cousin Dylan.  And oh boy, does Little B love her new horse.  In fact, her new baby (pronounced with a very southern drawl) has been quite busy since he got here.

He has been loved on....

He has been walked around the entire house and introduced to Elmo, the tea cups, and Wrigley (our dog).  Little did Horse know, but in this picture he was about to get a diaper change from Little B.   She kept putting the diaper on his head though.  Not sure what that means.

And of course, Horse has been enjoying quite a few afternoon snacks.  Hope he likes Cheerios.

Oh yes, Horse has become part of the family.  There have been a few temper tantrums when Horse was not allowed in the bath tub or to play outside.  But overall, his life here is good.

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Homemade Nutella

As this is the season of glee, I feel that Danielle from Bon Vivant wrote her post featuring Grown-up Chocolate Hazelnut Spread (aka Homemade Nutella) just for me.

This recipe fills me with such sweet, glorious anticipation.  I have so much baking and cooking and preparing to do for the Christmas festivities that I can not possibly tackle this recipe now.  But come 2011, oh-baby-yeh, this will for sure be whipped up in my kitchen to kick the new year off right.

Grown-up Chocolate Hazelnut Spread (Nutella) (adapted from David Lebovitz and Su Good Sweets)
Makes about 14 ounces
10 oz/ 300 grams hazelnuts, toasted and skins removed
2 oz/ 60 grams cocoa nibs
1/2 to 2/3 cup/ 60-70 grams powdered sugar
7 teaspoons unrefined hazelnut oil
1/2 teaspoon espresso powder
To toast the hazelnuts, preheat your oven to 300F and spread the nuts on one layer on a large baking sheet. Toast the nuts for about 15 minutes until golden brown, then rub their skins off with a clean cloth. Set aside.
Toast the cocoa nibs by placing them in a saucepan over medium heat, stirring occasionally until they darken and are slightly shiny. Remove from heat and set aside.
Place the nuts and cocoa nibs in a food processor and chop them until they liquefy. Your processor will sound as if it’s throwing a hissy fit and about to implode, but keep your finger on the pulse button until you get a thick, lovely dark chocolate hazelnut butter. The nuts and nibs will first gather into a ball before turning into butter. To help move things along, you may need to scrape down the sides of the processor bowl to ensure that everything is pulverized.

Add the sugar, oil and espresso powder and pulse again, scraping down as needed until everything is well incorporated into a lusciously thick sauce. There will still be chunks of nibs remaining which will give a slight crunch to each spoonful.
Store the spread in clean and dry airtight containers/jars and refrigerate. Bring the spread to room temperature before using.

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Festive & Delicious

Well, doesn't this look festive and delicious all at the same time.  I would love to hang something like this on my house, but I fear the marshmallows would be picked off one by one.

Image via oh hello amy

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Meal Planning Monday

The week of Christmas... Woohoo!  Lots going on this week, so I am keeping things simple. 

Monday: Meatloaf and sauteed spinach with garlic and butter
Tuesday: Grilled pizzas
Wednesday: Pasta with fresh red peppers, mozzarella, spinach, and mushrooms
Thursday: Quesadillas
Friday:  We are making our traditional Christmas Eve dinner that we enjoy every year - Huge crab cakes with some fresh fish, followed up by peppermint hot chocolate carried in travel mugs as we go off to look at Christmas lights.

Photo by Jonny Carroll

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From my bookshelf: The Island

The Island by Victoria Hislop
My rating: 4 of 5 stars

This book was good. I read it in the car to and from Dallas and it was perfect for that. Compelling enough to keep my attention, yet I could put it down when I needed to.

The story is about the Petrakis family that lives in a small Greek village just off the coast.  Next to that village is an island called Spinalonga, where the government houses a leper colony.  And when Eleni Petrakis is sent to live on Spinalonga in the 1930s, a force is sent in motion.  Four generations of Petrakis family will be haunted by that island in some shape or form.

I never knew that much about leprosy and this book really puts a fascinating historical fiction spin on it.  I would love to read this for book club.  I think the conversations would be really interesting.

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Starting to look a lot like Christmas

It's beginning to look a lot like Christmas around our house.  Now if we  could just get rid of this 80 degree weather, it will really start feeling like Christmas.

More often than not, I am catching Little B in the act of pulling ornaments off the tree.  I guess it just goes with the territory when there is a toddler around.

That chair is my favorite spot in the house these days.  Perfect for reading at night while sitting next to the Christmas tree.

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The quest for a family photo

I do have something on my Christmas wish list that I really do hope Santa brings me this year.  I would like at least one family photo that includes David, me, and Little B all smiling and looking in the general direction of the camera at the same time.  No stains on our shirts, no hair in face, no temper tantrums to be seen, and no bra outlines anywhere.  I don't think that is too much to ask at all.

We have a few pictures of me and Little B, quite a bit of David and Little B and tons of just Little B.  But none have all 3 of us.  And it is not for lacking of trying.  Here a few outtakes from our last attempt.  And let me just mention... these are the better ones.  My husband would kick me to the couch if I posted the "other ones".

 

I now realize why people send out Christmas cards with a family photo on them.  It is a form of bragging rights that comes through the mail!  It is a fellow mom rubbing it in my face that not only can she get her entire family to look good and smile all at the same time, but she can also some how work her magic where everyone is wearing the same exact clothes while surrounding by merriment.  She probably wants to fool me into thinking that her family is that way all the time.  I am not buying it for one bit.   And I am okay with that... I just want to her share with me what form of bribery she used to make it happen.

 

Between David's "Chandler" face, Little B's squirminess, and my lack of photogenic aptitude, I am so worried that we never be able to send out a Christmas card with our photo on it, much less hang a family photo on the wall. 

I figure I have at least one year to figure it out before the next Christmas card competition begins.  And if I don't, I am going to take Little B to see Santa and while she is screaming her head off in protest, I am going to take a picture of it.  And that, my friends, will be next year's Christmas card - A picture of a screaming kid.  Why don't you take that and put it up on the fridge!

But a girl can dream and therefore the quest for a decent family photo continues.  Any tips and tricks out there that you want to share with me?

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From my bookshelf: Radical Homemakers

I picked up this book, Radical Homemakers: Reclaiming Domesticity from a Consumer Culture, on a whim.  There was a line of the back cover that pulled me in - something about "if you ever wanted to quit your job to grow tomatoes..."

While I don't agree with all the views in this book, it offers a really interesting perspective.  Everyday things that I had never thought of in that way before.  The premise of the book is that of people rejecting endless paid labor in exchange for a more simple, self-sufficient way of life.  It is fascinating.  By becoming more self-sufficient, these people are better able to find that work-life balance, healthier way of living that we all want.  The views in this book are unconventional and a little granola, but definitely thought provoking.

This book made me question many of my own things and actions in life - things that I thought were really important, but in reality are not.  And while I may not go out and immediately sell my car and start making my own clothes, I do embrace the idea that maybe I can eat better, cut down on those trips to Target, and rethink what I want out of a work life.

This would be a great book club book.

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Meal Planning Monday

 
This week I am craving comfort food.  It is chilly outside.  We have been battling the never-ending battle of sick that happens this time of year.  And it is times like these that you want good ol' fashion, stick to your bones, warm you up food.

Monday: Turkey pot pie
Tuesday: Roasted winter vegetables (my favorite go-to-dish this time of year)
Wednesday: Chili
Thursday: Meatloaf with roasted brussel sprouts
Friday: Macaroni and cheese

What are yall eating this week?

Image via Bon Appetit

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Beautiful bottle of goodness

We had a busy, but awesome weekend!

We celebrated with David's family in Ft. Worth as his sister graduated law school.  We beamed with excitement knowing that David's brother and sister-in-law are expecting a little one this summer. We pigged out at this hole in the wall Italian restaurant.  It was so delicious.   We met up with my brother, Chris, and his family in Dallas.  Little B got to play with her cousins, which is always super fun to watch.  And to top it off we hung out with my friend Jess.  How I needed some good friend time!

And of course, during all of this, the Christmas season made it all extra special.  There were conversations about Santa coming down the chimney.  Beautifully wrapped Christmas presents were exchanged. And everyone seemed to smile a little more than usual.

We received so many wonderful gifts.  Some in the form of homemade food - always much appreciated by David's sweet tooth.  Others made us smile knowing how much fun we will have using them.  Many made us so grateful knowing that they are just what we need right this moment.  And others just took our breath away with their abundant generosity.

One such gift came in the form of a beautiful bottle of goodness.  I have always wanted a bottle of Jo Malone's Orange Blossom fragrance.  But it always seem too extravagant when compared with everything else on the want-to-buy list.

So imagine my surprise when I open my gift and there lies this beautiful bottle of goodness.  This stuff is like that good-hair-day-while-looking-amazing-in-your-jeans-feeling in a bottle.  When you spray it on, you just feel awesome.  Thank you, thank you, thank you to my dear friend, Jess.  You are my fairy godmother this Christmas season!

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Warm winter drinks

I am in a warm winter drink kick these days.  Does not matter the drink - so long as it has steam coming off the top, I am one happy girl.

 

A few of my current favorites...

• Spiced Apple Cider
• Peppermint Hot Chocolate
• Chai Latte

So do you have a favorite warm winter drink?  If so, please share it!  I would love to try it out.

Images via Happiness Is

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Happy Wednesday!

Not too much time to write today.  I am off on a mini-road trip to San Antonio to see my friend and her brand spankin' new baby girl.  I can not wait to get my hands on the little cherub and soak in her new baby smell.

Happy Wednesday!

Image via Mary Ruffle

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Cranberry almond bread

Little B is fighting a bit of a cold today.  All the plans that we had for today have been exchanged for a lazy day at home listening to Christmas music and staying in our pajamas way later than we usually do.  And that is just fine by me as I have had an urge to bake all week. 

So today, I whipped out the baking dishes to make Cranberry Almond bread!  So good.

Very easy and it makes the house smell wonderful with the scents of orange, cranberry, cinnamon and nutmeg all whirled together.  And it makes just the perfect amount so that I could make 1 large loaf for us and a smaller one that I am going to take to my friend that just had her baby.

And while I baked, Little B played dress-up, putting on her finest accessories, mixing and matching to find the perfect combination.

So while today is not going as planned, it is still turning out to be a great day anyways.  What are yall up to today?

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A simple Christmas season

I saw this article over on ZenHabits and it really hit home.  It is all about cutting down on Christmas presents, the clutter, and the stress of the season.

For us, Christmas presents are going to be slimmed down quite a bit this year.  That is one of the side effects of   me going back to freelance work in order to spend more time with my family.  But I am surprisingly okay with it all.

This year our Christmas is going to be simple, yet probably more enjoyable that previous Christmases.  We are getting back to basics.  I am not stressed out about what to buy everyone.  I am not staying up past my bedtime wrapping presents.  And I am not racking up any credit card debt, either. Our gifts won't be extravagant or expensive, but instead will be homemade and filled with sentiment.  We are focusing our energies on the experiences of the season - making cookies, spending time with those that we love, drinking hot chocolate, looking at Christmas lights and appreciating all that we have.  I am pretty damn excited about it, actually. 

I am keenly aware that we are building Little B's future memories of what Christmas is really all about.  I don't want her to think it is about presents and last minute sales.  No way.  I want her to know that it is about Grandma's homemade pecan pie, seeing friends that we haven't seen in a while, walking into a house that smells like Christmas tree, taking food to those that don't have any, sitting on Mama's lap watching Christmas cartoons while all snuggled in footed, fleece pajamas, putting up Christmas lights with Daddy, and stocking up on so many hugs and kisses from her family that she is set for an entire year.  Plus, what does she care about Christmas presents anyways when the pulling paper towels off the roll is so much more entertaining.

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Meal Planning Monday

Monday: Slow Cooker Pork Tacos
Tuesday: Spaghetti with garlic bread
Wednesday: Pizza with tomato and red pepper soup
Thursday: Homemade tamales made by David's mom - YUM!
Friday: Dinner out with family


Image via Fine Cooking

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Happy Christmas Tree Weekend

 
This is going to be a good weekend!  Lots on the to-do list, but all fun.

• Picking out our Christmas tree, bringing it home, and decorating it.  I have to remind myself that all fragile ornaments go up high this year.  Too many curious, chubby hands that will be very intrigued.
• Brunch with our newlywed friends.  We get to check out their newly remodeled house.  So excited.
• Watching a Christmas movie with my guy.
• Hiking with one of my girlfriends.
• Celebrating a 2-year old birthday of one of Little B's friends.
• Continued anticipation for the arrival of my friend's baby girl!

What are yall up to this weekend?

Photo via House and Home

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Silly baby

Always making me laugh.  She is such a ham.

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First shiner

Check out this shiner that Little B got a few weeks ago.  Stupid chair just jumped right out in front of her. It is already looking better in these pictures.  At first it was lovely black and blue shade.

Her first shiner ever!  Hopefully, it is also her last.  But since she has inherited my clutzy grace, I seriously doubt it.

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