December 9, 2014

Cranberry Brie Bruschetta

I know I normally post snacks on a Thursday but I have my dad’s favorite cookies coming up on Thursday and I really wanted to get this little snack idea out to you! I made my own cranberry sauce this year for Thanksgiving and had some leftover so I made a little bruschetta with it. Toast some crusty bread with olive oil (I did this in the oven) add some soft cheese (like a Brie!) on top (I used Cowgirl Creamery’s Mt. Tam cheese (not a brie!)- but a favorite!) and top it with a big dollop of cranberry sauce. It’s perfect pick me up for the afternoon in between lunch and dinner. Actually… it could be eaten for breakfast/lunch/dinner!

recipes

December 8, 2014

Homemade Mulling Spice Mix

The holidays are all about scents. Fresh cut pine, cinnamon, burning wood in the fireplace, cloves, orange spice, hot apple cider are some of my favorites. During this time of year I like to have a little mulling spice infusing something on the stove when we’re hanging out at home on a weekend. It really sets a mood—even if there’s no intention of mulling cider or wine, I still like the aromatherapy. Sometimes just having some lemon peels, orange peels and mulled spices is enough. Mix that smell with the scent of oatmeal raisin cookies and I am all yours.

With the holidays coming up, I thought it would be nice to share a little recipe for DIY mulling spices. Most of the time I just eyeball it, but if I’m giving it as a gift, I make a large batch. In my version I add dried orange peel and a little candied ginger. It adds a nice spicy sweetness to whatever you are mulling (can we use this as a verb?). Let’s mull it over (had to).

Inspiration

December 7, 2014

And I Quote:

my everyday life, Photography

December 6, 2014

My Everyday Life: Week 49

Here’s what this past week looked like:

COOPER LOST HIS FIRST TOOTH!

The tooth fairy is left handed.

DOUGH.

Golden.

Before they all fell off.

December 5, 2014

I love lists, Friday!

This star garland is adorable.
It’s amazing what a little paint can do to a kitchen.
I love a no-sew project.
A good reminder that we never know how much time we have.
Take it away, CATS.
How top designers tell clients that their taste sucks. Haha oh boy.
Decadent Hot Chocolate Mix. Totally making this.
What a beautiful home!
Oh Mariah….
Most Instagrammed locations of 2014.
So much satisfaction in here.
Let’s read about internet addiction.
This photo series is so sweet.
Times were different. These photos prove that.
Nature is pretty incredible.
My Mind’s Eye. Fascinating!
Movie scenes in real life situations. This pleases me greatly.
I want to do this in my house!
Marsala. Hmmmmm. Not my favorite.
Give your brain an O. This makes me all tingly.
My dad always stressed the importance of #4

recipes

December 4, 2014

Grilled Panettone w/ Blackberries & Mascarpone

Panettone. Oh man. I have such a weakness for the stuff. I usually don’t have it in my house because I will eat it all. Trust me on this. NO LOAF IS SAFE. The other day I was reading through the Eat: The Little Book of Fast Food by Nigel Slater (really good btw!) and I found this simple recipe/idea to be intriguing. You grill (or toast) some panettone (if you want to limit yourself, get one of the mini panettone loafs), smear mascarpone on the warm bread and then top with blackberries and a drizzle of honey. It’s wonderfully decadent yet kinda light and simple. Mascarpone has less fat in it than butter so LOAD IT UP, people. Also…panettone french toast. Get it.

recipes

December 3, 2014

Apple Cinnamon Infused Bourbon

Apple Cinnamon Infused Bourbon

Hey……me again..just infusing more booze over here. I swear…once you get started, it’s kinda hard to stop. And this one might be my favorite infusion yet! We take dried apples and a few cinnamon sticks and infuse bourbon (my favorite!). After a few days, you get a syrupy/spicy sweet/STRONG concoction. I’d drink it straight on the rocks…or maybe add a little mulled cider to it….or make myself a toddy with it. Heck, I’d even consider putting it in caramel. I think I like it a little toooooo much if you know what I mean. I’m serious about that caramel. Somebody do it.