So You Think You Can Bake?
Mar 1, 2010 A House is a Home, Life
Every year I host an Oscar party for my family. While I’d love to have a dinner that stays completely in theme, I’m not an event planner. I just don’t have the whole vision.
This year I decided to take a stab at least at planning a themed dessert. Now if I could bake, I’d follow the expert advice from Bakerella. Man that girl can bake! I’m bookmarking the movie popcorn brownies for next year. This year, I’m sticking to a movie themed desserts: licorice, caramel popcorn, and perhaps come cake pops. OK, the cake pops aren’t a traditional movie theme dessert, but I’m intrigued by Bakerella’s cake pops. Bakerella makes baking look so easy that even I think I can bake. Before you know it, I’ll be baking this red velvet cake.
I’ll let you know how it goes. With a bit of luck, my camera will cooperate and I’ll get some good pictures.
Black Friday
Nov 27, 2009 A House is a Home
For me, Black Friday is all about shopping with my mom, grandma, aunt, and cousins, a regular girls day. We avoid all the doorbuster sales and avoid the HUGE crowds by hitting the mall. We let my grandmother buy us a Christmas presents. She’s always willing to indulge our impulsive decisions. I love to watch her and a cousin look at purses. They love large purses that can carry everything including the kitchen sink. I’m all about simply purses. So seeing them select purses is entertaining for me.
I did get one small Black Friday deal, new fleece gloves. We hit Sears. Land’s End fleece was 40% off. Now I have a nice pair of purple fleece gloves. They’ll match the hat and scarf that I’m attempting to make, emphasis on the word attempting.
The real find of the day awaited me at home. Last year for a Christmas present my brother offered to install two outdoor outlets in our front yard specifically for our Christmas lights. Well today was installation day. Living in an old house equals frustration at fishing wire.
So there are a few new holes in the walls that need to be patched. Tomorrow my dad is going to wrap up the loose ends and connect the final wires and help patch the wall. I knew the walls in this area needed to be painted. I guess I know what I’m doing with my time during Christmas break. Before we know it we’ll be able to light our Christmas lights without stringing extension cords from the backyard. Safety is always a good thing.
I’m So Full
Nov 26, 2009 A House is a Home
I can’t imagine I’ll ever be hungry again. Yes, I know it’s not possible. None the less, I’m stuffed to the gills.
For myself, I want to take a moment to express my gratitude. I live a life of privilege. I’m married to a man that loves me and wants to reach for his dreams. He inspires me to let go of my fears and jump. We live in a beautiful house that fulfills one of our many dreams. I love that it’s old and that it has a life beyond mine. I hope that it survive my own life and is a dream house for the future. I even love the constant need for fixing something. I’m always learning something new.
I’m thankful for my creative talents. I find joy in making things, experiencing the creative process, and enjoying the results. I look forward to using these talents throughout my life. I’m thankful for my family. My parents raised me and my siblings to love one another. Of course this wasn’t apparent while growing up. Yet, now as adults we enjoy one another as friends. I look forward to seeing my sister (in Michigan) and brother (in Seattle) over the holidays. Thanks goodness for airlines.
I’m thankful for my job. I work with good people. For the most part, I enjoy the work I do. Right now the company is doing well, despite the global economic challenges. And really, this makes a huge difference in my life. I know being unemployed is a huge emotional and financial drain.
With this feeling of gratitude, I embrace the holiday season. I look forward to celebrating with friends and family over the next month. It’s a source of true joy.
New Pie Crust Trick
Nov 25, 2009 A House is a Home
I should say at least new to me. After getting my pie crust looking perfect with a nice ruffly edge, I followed the directions and put it in the freeze while I prepared the filling. Then when I cooked it, the edge stayed nice and ruffly. I can really see the difference on my pumpkin pies. I only had room in the freezer for one pie. I put the second one in the fridge. When I cooked the pie, the edge lost some of its shape.
Now my pies are starting to look as good as they taste.
My Magazine Subscriptions
Nov 24, 2009 A House is a Home
My interest in various magazine subscriptions changes all most as often as the seasons do. Currently, I subscribe to three: Martha Stewart Living , Sunset, and Dwell.
Even if you don’t like Martha Stewart, you have to admit that she does it like no other. While at times I think who has the time (or staff) to plan for every holiday, she motivates and inspires me to make my home a reflection of our family.
Don’t those cookies look delicious? Sunset is a fairly new magazine for me. Shortly after buying our home, I started to look for landscape design and gardening books. Many of my favorites were published by Sunset. Then I found the magazine. I really enjoy browsing this magazine each month. The ideas are realistic for a western lifestyle, especially the gardening suggestions. Also, the magazine reminds me of all the great things in my own backyard or nearby. I don’t need to travel far away to have good travel experiences.
I used some frequent flyer miles from Continental Airlines (non-preferred airline) to get my Dwell subscription. It’s inspiring to see homes being built with green construction methods. I just wish I could see the same construction methods in non-modern homes. At the end of the day, I’m fairly traditional. I can say that I have warmed up to some modern design. I just think modern homes are missing cozy fabric things.
A White Winter
Nov 23, 2009 A House is a Home
The official start of Winter is still a month away. Regardless we received our third snowfall of the season on Sunday afternoon. The ski resorts are thrilled. When I woke up this morning, I found a large branch from out maple tree laying on our driveway.
I’m afraid our tree’s day’s our numbered. We lost another branch during a summer storm. The tree is about 65 years old, which isn’t too old for most maple tree. However the hot desert summers take a toll on them. Our neighbors have already lost their trees. So for now, I’m thankful for all the beauty it provides.
