next year.

happy new year! first, let me say that new years eve is not a big deal to me. i've never understood the hype, i don't know what the baby is all about and i've never wanted to go outside because of my fear of getting smacked by a drunk driver. last year mike and i actually missed welcoming 2010 because we were watching episodes of glee on dvd. when we realized that midnight had already passed, we stopped, gave eachother a kiss and had a glass of sparkling cider. that was it! however, what i do love about new years is everyone's commitment to achieving personal goals. i have a lot of personal goals. and i mean a lot. so in 2011, i will knock a few off the list!

make a kite and fly it at cannon beach.
hold a 10 minute conversation entirely in french. proper french.
have my website up and running.
bake zuccini bread.
to forgive and forget.
teach winston the funny walk.
audition for the portland mormon orchestra.  
go to a boise state broncos football game.
save someones life.
make an apple pie. alton brown style.
take pippin to a childrens hospital to make them feel better & smile. 
come face to face with a clown.

last year my resolution was to go on an adventure. i moved up here to portland (without my husband for six weeks!) i house hunted, navigated (& got lost) and survived. all on my own! i'm definitely counting that as my adventure! what are your resolutions this year?

i hope you all have a fun, safe and beautiful new years!


*photo courtesy of huffingtonpost.com

the giver.

have you ever read this book? if the answer is no, please take the time and read this amazing story. it takes place in a world where there are no judgments, crime, poverty, injustice or inequality, where peace and simplicity seem to be just a way of life. but of course, that is not the true story. i read this book for the first time when i was in elementary school, then again in jounior high but i didn't fully appreciate it until i was about 18. i have read this book probably a good 15 times and still lose myself in the pages.

"...but when he looked out across the crowd, the sea of faces, the thing happened again. the thing that had happened with the apple. they changed. he blinked, and it was gone. his shoulder straightened slightly. briefly he felt a tiny sliver of sureness for the first time."
- chapter eight

rainy day mixtape

i love the rain. the perfect time to snuggle up on the couch, read a good book or grab some crayons and coloring book (my favorite rainy day activity!) and groove to some music. speaking of music...there is a list of songs that i LOVE to listen to when its raining. amazing, soothing, feel-good songs that should be shared! 

Rainy Day Mixtape

• sunday drive by the early november
• running away by hoobastank
• cannon ball by damien rice
• so much by the spill canvas
• frontin by jamie cullum
• singin in the rain by gene kelly
• gone by nsync
• i'll catch you by the get up kids
• you don't know me by michael buble
• more than a feeling by boston
• this time is the last time by mae
• dream a little dream of me by ella fitzgerald & louis armstrong
• think of me from the phantom of the opera
• you make me high by jason mraz
• quando, quando by michael buble & nelly furtado
• volcano by damien rice

the perfect holiday treat!

besides spending time with family and friends, my favorite holiday tradition is baking yummy treats to share. this year i let my imagination (and stomach!) take me where ever it wished...and boy am i glad i did. the final product? chocolate-peppermint cupcakes!

[[cake]]
1 box betty crocker super moist german chocolate cake mix
3 eggs
1 1/4 cups water
1/2 cup cooking oil (this is more than called for on the box but trust me. it makes it even more moist!)

bake as directed, except underbake the cakes by about 1 or 2 minutes. dry cupcakes are not good cupcakes!

[[frosting]]
8 tablespoons butter
4 cups powdered sugar
6 tablespoons cream (or milk, but cream is best!)
1 teaspoon peppermint extract
1 teaspoon vanilla
4 drops red food coloring
15-20 peppermint hard candies, crushed (for the topping)

using an elecric mixer to cream the butter. gradually work in sugar, alternating with the cream and beating well after each addition. Add vanilla, peppermint extract and food coloring. Mix well. If the frosting is too thick, add a bit more cream one tablespoon at a time.
**makes 24 cupcakes**

these cupcakes were so well-loved that mike and i didn't even have any leftovers for ourselves! enjoy!