merry, merry

merry christmas to all and to all a good night

tradition

i have so many fond memories of spending the weekend before christmas with my sweet grandma. we would bake dozens of the most delicious cookies to share on christmas day. i know my very favorite was her batch of springerle. a centuries-old, anise-flavored german christmas cookie made using a decorative, carved wooden rolling pin. and my second favorite, for sure ..... sugar cookies. i just love the frosting and the sprinkles.

its a marshmellow world

cranberry goodness

i know the sweetest, little, eighty-three year old german woman named ursala who is an amazing artist in the kitchen. each and every tuesday, i pick up five mason jars of her homemade soup to share with my friends. the best part is when she invites me to stay for a cup of espresso made with goat's milk and treats me to a slice of her delicious spelt breads or pastries. i was really lucky today to find her putting the finishing orange zest glaze over her christmas bread. pure melt in your mouth delight made with spelt flour, ground almonds, fresh cranberries, gee and a whole lot of time and love. thank you ursala.

sneak peak

winter are you really this close? i woke up to a white blanket of snow covering everything.

bravo one

before heading to the airport and saying our sad goodbyes to portland, b and i decided to make one last journey into downtown. we happily discovered stumptown coffee roasters on division street next to the famous ace hotel. my latte was a amazing. the best i've ever had, really.

gate b1. home again. hello salt lake. hello sweet little grace. i have missed you so. today, i'm believing in the hope and promise of america on this election day. a very important day in our history. obama bravo!

fall falling

sweet sugar

still thinking about this early morning breakfast from Blue Scorcher Bakery Café. a charming little cafe set up on astoria's hillside with huge windows that look out to the columbia river. all of their pastries are made from scratch with organic ingredients. two pieces of challah bread soaked in eggs and cream. so, so yummy. portland, puglee, two tarts and zuki. pure sweetness all day long.

wow

the mister and i enjoyed this amazing seafood dinner at clemente's on the corner of marine drive in astoria. thoughout our entire meal, b just keep saying..."wow...wow." he was so happy and this made me happy. a perfect end to an incredible day spent at the ocean.

headed for the beach

up late night packing for portland and a trip to the ocean.

oh my

i'm patiently waiting for these two beauties to arrive in my anthro store. i can already feel them hugging my neck and keeping me warm on those cold wintery salt lake days. are you coming? i'd like to meet you soon.

reddish orange

i bought my first pumpkin pie today. the first of many! i have to admit its one of my most favorite treats. i'd happily forgo any of my three meals to just have a generous wedge of pie. its that good.

free fall

nature always has a gentle way of reminding me to embrace change and gracefully let go. little by little i've been noticing the slow transition from green to yellow. and then all of a sudden...overnight...the cityscape is golden. its time to press on, breath in the beautiful warm light and look forward to new ideas and growth. "stay gold, ponyboy, stay gold."

so good

i've had this recipe on my baking list for such a long time. hence, when i was gifted a large bag of blueberries last night i knew i couldn't delay any longer. buckwheat blueberry bundt cake goodness. it was so delicious...i had to make two. one to keep and one already posted to special loved ones. don't wait. make one tomorrow. thank you molly.

hello october

oh, autumn. your warm colors have me dreaming of pumpkin pie and hot apple cider. i have beening patiently waiting for you. i'm noticing yearnings for warm bowls of soup, homemade bread and cups of evening tea. its necessity to greet your crisp, cool mornings and evenings with wool scarves, hats and gloves and time to pick out a new pair of winter boots.