Sherlock Holmes

Today was movie theater day. We went with the family to see Sherlock Holmes. I loved it for many reasons. It was a great adventure movie. Sherlock and Watson were very lovely. However, that is not what had me drooling. I want tweed. I am wondering now if they make tweed pillows and I am fairly positive that my wardrobe is lacking a tweed pencil skirt. Also, I loved and I mean loved the set design. Gorgeous cobblestone streets, amazing lanterns, gorgeous architecture etc etc. My favorite was a lantern that had the street numbers of the house on the front of the glass. I want it. Restoration Hardware has some similar lanterns and I am thinking a little vinyl lettering would have a similar effect. It really was so classic. I loved the cobblestone and can't wait to make a cobblestone path driveway. I would love to remember to do these things when we have a proper house. I want to see this movie again!

A new year: 2010

I am looking forward to 2010. 2009 has been one of the very best years and also one of the most difficult. Here's hoping 2010 is a little more even keeled. I have a few goals I want to reach in 2010. Hopefully this list will help me keep track of what I want/need to do this year.

Projects:

• Get Pregnant
• Make hooded towels for nieces, nephews and project 1
• Nursery (are we seeing a pattern?!?)
• Aprons
  
• Natural cleaning products
• Lotion Bars
• Handmade pillows
• Molding and paneling
• Wrap around skirt (get your martha on)
• Recipe box
• Invent new recipes
• Wedding pictures organized
• Thank you's
• Backyard: add character
• Christmas stockings altered from Pottery Barn
• Embroider something
• Large white mirror
• Long curtains (find ones that I like) for living room and kitchen
• Quilted silk blanket
  
• New favorite recipes
• Plan dinners each week
• Get a library card
• Clean and organize office, guest room and closets
• House features that I love organized and categorized
• Find inexpensive nice ceiling lighting
• Metal tiles
• Invite more people over to our house
• Make homemade ice cream
• Plant herbs
• Front porch plant: Oversized terracotta pot with boxwood bush inside
• Book page wreath (domestic notebook)
• Wall in bedroom (pictures, sconces, shelves...)
• Headboard
• Goalboard for our family
• Take pictures of delicious meals
• Make a dress out of the ivory raw silk for Easter
• Homemade mustard and pretzels
• Cardtable "House"
• 72 hr kits
• Felt pockets for Tissues (MS blog)
• Go camping
  

Other:

• Dates with the hubby 1 x per week, atleast
• Get in Triathalon shape again (if not preggers). Otherwise continue to workout atleast 5x per week
• Triathalon in July
• Start running regularly (4 times per week)
• Practice piano for 45 min daily
• Read folio edition of Emma (my wonderful Christmas gift from Sarah)
• Read Scriptures daily
• Temple once per month
• Save $
• Take care of family
• Treasure friends
• Remember to breath, smile and laugh
  

2010 Motto:

"We must look for ways to be an active force in our own lives. We must take charge of our own destinies, design a life of substance and truly begin to live our dreams."

-Les Brown-

Christmas Decorations

We have had the best Christmas!!! Such a wonderful season full of new traditions. I want to remember our first Christmas and how we decorated the house.....here are a few picture reminders for next year. I need to remember to take a picture of the front of our house before I take it down. What an amazing time of year to celebrate the birth of our Savior and the blessings we all have.

Mom G Crescent Rolls

We love homemade breads. Mom G makes the best rolls during the holidays. She shared the recipe with me. Everyone loves to eat hot homemade rolls. These are delicious and really easy!

2 c. warm water
4 1/2 tsp yeast
1/2 c. honey
2 eggs, room temp
1/2 c. oil
1 c. mashed potatoes, room temp
1 1/2 tsp salt
6-7 c. white flour (can also use wheat flour)

Mix warm water and honey together. Add yeast, let mixture proof. Add the eggs, oil and mashed potatoes. Mix. Add the salt and flour. combine and knead until mixed. Dough mixture will be sticky. Cover dough and let it rise for about 1 hour.

Put dough out on a floured surface. Divide into 3 equal parts. Roll out one part of the dough into a 13- 14 inch circle and slice into 12 equal triangles. Roll into a crescent shape. Place on a greased jelly roll pan. Let rolls rise again for about 15-20 min. Brush with butter or egg wash. Bake in a 375 degree oven for 20 min or until golden brown. Enjoy!!!

Thanks Mom G !!!

little holiday treat...

Turned out really cute.

a new tradition

Last night, I was surprised by a new tradition from my handsome husband. He lit candles in the kitchen, poured a sparkling Christmas drink, turned on the Christmas scent (thank you Sar) and laid out the checker board. (We have recently taken up the ever so nerdy hobby of playing checkers together over dinner, while watching tv, etc etc.) It was so sweet and a perfect way to celebrate Christmas Eve Eve. Way to go baby!!! Loved it!

...day before christmas eve

Christmas eve is nearly here. Tomorrow will be a busy day making white snowball cake pops (thank you bakerella), homemade crescent rolls and pistachio cheese logs. I wanted to do something a little relaxing. Tonight was perfect. I sat by the Christmas tree and read Pride and Prejudice while I ate milk chocolate Lindt balls with my own Mr. Darcy. Absolutely idyllic.

Kitchen must remember courtesy of Anthropologie

There are a few things right now from Anthropologie's kitchen section that I absolutely need to remember. I really want these...perhaps my loving husband will remember them for my birthday, anniversary, etc etc....

Personal Letterpress...what a great idea!!!

I love this personal letterpress system. Who doesn't want this? Such a classy way to personalize cards, gifts, everything and anything. I saw something similar on Sarah's blog. Really a great idea! Love it.

Work Desk

Last night, I saw this gorgeous work desk at Pottery Barn. It is the Bedford Project Table Set. I don't want to forget it. I started imagining all the things I could do: wrap presents, cut out fabric patterns or organize projects. If I had this, I would even happily do laundry. Love the simplicity and functionality. I all ready have the lamp in the picture...I am just saying... I am half way there.

Homemade Tree Skirt

With only one budget, I am trying to be frugal with my holiday decorating. I LOVE how everything turned out. It feels like Christmas. One of my favorite things is my tree skirt. I used some thick white and silver pottery barn napkins (a wedding gift from Sar and Em) that were about 22 inches wide and stitched them together, leaving one seam open to fit around the tree. Presto. I have a really clean and classic square tree skirt that looks like I bought it in an expensive boutique. (This pic is using my camphone. Not so good, but he who shall not be named lost our camera.)

NOTE: He who shall not be name did not misplace our camera. My deepest apologies for the mistake. I have added a slightly better picture from our recently found camera.

watson kennedy

Sooooo.....I happened upon a new store while we were in Seattle. Well, actually many stores, but there was one that I loved and I don't want to forget it. Today I was dreaming of visiting Watson Kennedy. It was gorgeous. I had to stop myself and remember to breath. You cannot order items directly from the website, but the company keeps the site update and you can call the store to ship the items. I liked Watson Kennedy because the fella started a shop full of things he loves and it is perfect. I was so excited to see that he even had a set of the Gramercy classics. I guess was just a little envious. Maybe someday, I will have a shop of things I love. A gorgeous, fun and creative shop. Well done Mr. Ted Kennedy Watson!

am in love....

I found this adorable hat on etsy....I can't stop thinking about it. Unfortunately, it is just for the knitting pattern and I do not yet knit. So cute. Would have been lovely on little Sam.

Apple Butter: Thanksgiving Gifts

A domestic triumph. These turned out really cute. A perfect warm inviting fall gift....picture to come shortly.

• 5 1/2 lbs, apples peeled and finely chopped (Braeburn and Granny Smith makes a great butter. You can also do half apple, half pear)
• 2 1/2- 3 cups sugar
• 2-3 teaspoons cinnamon
• 1 teaspoon pumpkin pie spice
• 1/4 teaspoon salt

In a large bowl mix sugar, cinnamon, pumpkin pie spice and salt.Pour over apples and mix well.Place in crock pot, cover and cook on high for 1 hour.Decrease heat to low; cover and cook on low for 7-8 hours or until thickened and dark brown.Stir occasionally. If desired, whisk until smooth. Spoon into half pint jars, leaving 1/2-inch head space. Follow hot-water jarring method to seal jars.

Snowflake Dollies

Love this from Martha....just simple doilies soaked in fabric stiffener. What a cozy white winter wonderland....great for even after the holidays.

Beechers Macaroni and Cheese

In Seattle at Pike Place Market, I ate the most outstanding macaroni and cheese at Beecher's. Martha Stewart had the owner on her show awhile ago. The recipe is posted on her website: Beecher's Mac and Cheese. The atmosphere in the store is classic, clean and calm. You can sit with your delicious cup of macaroni and cheese and watch the cheese being made. Make sure to go to Beechers while in Seattle! I am not kidding...the BEST mac and cheese!! Will make this for the hubby when we get home.

So it begins....

After leaving a working girls life for the blissful domestic realm, I wanted to start a journal type blog of all of my domestic triumphs and catastrophes whether it be in baking/cooking, cleaning, decorating, sewing, gift giving etc. It will be a reference of my successes (the pearls) and also lessons learned.