praying for snow

J and I snuck away for some snowboarding over the weekend in Lake Tahoe.  Despite what you're heard, there is snow in the Sierras albeit man-made.  No complaints here.  Snow is snow no matter how it's made, and it is perfectly ride-able, there's just not a lot of it.

Like surfers praying for big waves, skiers, snowboarders, and snow enthusiasts alike are praying for snow.  We were completely spoiled last season with the over abundance of snow (and I totally wasn't complaining then either).

Still, it was a fabulous weekend!  Loved every minute on the mountain, despite the wind and the cold.  Loved that it felt so easy, almost like second nature. 

Guess I need to step up my snow dances if we're going to get any snow before Spring kicks in!

Happy Wednesday!

fresh start

I'm nursing yet another cold!  Not the ideal way to usher in the new year, but it is what it is.  Despite the running nose and congestion, I love the beginning of the new year.  It's like a blank canvas on which to create.  I'm really looking forward to whatever 2012 has in store for me and J.

Feeling | Optimistic for 2012

Wearing | Comfy sweatshirt & sweatpants

Drinking | Honey & lemon tea

Eating | Ferrera Roche, I can't seem to resist chocolate and hazelnut together.

Watching | Natalie Kalbach's Creative Jumpstart Day 2

Enjoying | The company of my two sweet pups

Excited | About starting Project Life and hoping I can keep it going to the end of the year!

Wanting | To cast-on for the Damson hat

on the needles

Not exactly, at least not yet.  What I do have, however, are two skeins of yummy Manos de Uruguay yarn in Adobe already wound and ready to go. 

This yarn is simply gorgeous.  The silk and merino blend is so soft to the touch.  It's going to make for a warm and pretty Eleanor cowl from the Knitty Deep Fall 2010 issue for my sweet mom.  She and my dad are coming for their second visit this year (mostly to raid my persimmon tree).  Soon.  Like in a couple of weeks.  And that means I have a quick deadline.  I told you my November was going to be crazy!

Did I mention that this yarn is just gorgeous?  I'm almost tempted to keep it for myself when I'm done.  Of course I would never do that.  I'll just have to knit one for myself in another colorway, perhaps Moss.

I'm hoping to cast on before the end of the week and post and update this time next week!

hello november

Was that a bullet train or October just speeding by?  I'm through the roof excited that it's November.  So much good stuff coming up this month.  Napa, Tahoe, parents visiting, Thanksgiving. It's going to be a good kind of crazy.

And I'm finally going to do a challenge I've been meaning to do for a couple of months now: 30 for 30.   I read about it here.  The concept is to choose 30 pieces of clothing (including shoes) then mix and match those pieces for 30 days.  Love.  This.  Idea.  And to make it more challenging: absolutely NO SHOPPING!

Part of the reason I'm doing this is to help me simplify my life.  I get caught up in the material things of life instead of focusing on what's real. 

Want to join me in this challenge?

on the menu

Happy Halloween! This year I gave up giving out candy because with commuting we just don't get home early enough.  By the time we normally get home it's just the teenagers who scare the living you know what out of me.  The upside: no candy!

No, this is not our lunch for the week (although this would more than make up for not having any Halloween candy!).  It was supposed to be for a potluck at Jay's work, but he conveniently "forgot".  This is my go to dessert because it easy and simple.

Rum Cake
1 cup chopped pecans
1 package Duncan Hines yellow cake mix
1 package French Vanilla instant pudding
4 eggs
1/2 C dark rum
1/2 C oil
1/2 C water

Glaze
1/4 C butter
1 C sugar
1/4 C water
1/2 C dark rum

Preheat oven to 325 degrees.  Butter and flour bundt pan.  Sprinkle nuts in bottom of pan.  Mix remaining ingredient will.  Pour into pan over nuts.  Bake for one hour.  Cool inverted onto serving plate. 

For glaze, melt butter on low, then stir in sugar and water.  Boil for 5 minutes, stirring constantly.  Remove from heat and stir in rum.  Cool the glaze slightly then drizzle evenly over top and sides.

friday faves | a little bit of this, a little bit of that

TGIF!  It's been a good week except for this cold I seem to have developed.  Oodles of awesome stuff this week, from paper crafting to knitting, and everything in between.

Who doesn't love a garland (or two)?  Especially with the holiday season creeping up on us.  A Beautiful Mess features several fun ideas.

This DIY tutorial for a bag using u-shaped handles was too cute to not share.

Perfect for fall and winter, this cowl will be keep you very cozy.

It's still fall so I'm still obsessed with pumpkin, but only if it is paired with chocolate.  Here, instead of chocolate chips, it's a chocolate pumpkin cupcake.  Yum!

And my sweet tooth just can't let this one go, just too divine.

Looking forward to the weekend and crossing my fingers I won't spend it in bed sick.  Have a great weekend!