autumn anticipation

As I was doing a little online window shopping I became completely inspired by all the things I love about fall... Just look:

I'm trying as hard as I can to patient and wait for autumn to get here. Technically speaking the first day of autumn or Fall as many call it begins next Tuesday, the 22nd. But for me, I start thinking about all the alluring autumn goodies as soon as the calendar says September 1st. Everything about this season makes me warm, cozy and happy inside. I love the leaves changing into warm, rustic colors. I love the deep browns and bright red and orange shades of all the fallen leaves on the ground; the pumpkin patches, apple picking, comfy sweats, new leather boots, apple cider, jack-o-latterns, thick wool sweaters, hiking through piles of crunchy leaves with more leaves changing color over head.. *sigh* I just love and embrace all of it..

Alrighty, well that's all for today. I just wanted to share my little collection of fall. Enjoy the weekend!

lake wenatchee camping trip

Evening All,

Still recouping from our camping trip... We took a nice little weekend trip over the mountains to Lake Wenatchee.

We packed up the car and left Friday morning(ish), got some breakfast and arrived at the campgrounds by 1:30pm (we really good time - about 2 hours total). We spent the rest of the afternoon & evening just relaxing at our campsite; setting things up and getting the fire going. Saturday we spent a few hours at the beach - I read (& finished my book) and Hubby swam/spalshed water at me from the Lake. Thanks to PCC's bean soup mix we had a nice big bowl of yummy soup to warm up with that evening. Sunday we made some pancakes and reluctantly packed up. We figured we had two choices: one choice to go home, or drive about 40 more miles East to Sonic... Needless to say we decided on a trip to Sonic Drive was in order considering 1) It's the closest one to where we live, 2) Hubby's have withdrawls from their Route 44 Cherry-Limeades, 3) I'll never been!! One word to say: YUMMMMMMM!

Back to camping.. We had a great time - we always do but being home is always nice. (We missed the kitties!) The weather was perfect and we had a pretty good campsite! Plus the in-laws are looking to buy property over in E. Washington so they actually came by the campsite we were at and visited for a while Saturday evening.

Rather than write all about our trip, I figure I'll just post pictures: Enjoy!

Notice the little picnic table condiment holder... FREE at a garage sale! Soo cute!

Our beautiful camp fire the hubby built.

Lake Wenachee view from the beach.

Lake Wenatchee again.

The Lake, again.

Leavenworth, Wa. We drove through on our way to Sonic.

Maypole in the center or Leavenworth.

One of my favorite pictures.

...and we're back!

Alright, well, it's been over a month since my last post and today's a lazy day at home (GO Labor Day!!) for us so I decided to use this time to do something productive... like blog.

I was actually supposed to be at the bakery today but weaseled out at the last minute because hubby had it off and we were needing an "Us Day". So we woke up at a semi-decent hour this morning and went for a walk to the coffee shop and then out to breakfast for omelettes (Yummmm!). Once we got home we curled up with our new books, (& the kitties) and read for a while then decided to go to some thrift stores...

Lord what a mistake that was. We first went the local Value Village; as we drove by we saw that they were having a 50% sale today. Score, right?! WRONG everyone else beat us there. There wasn't a parking space for atleast a mile I kid you not. So we decided to go to the Goodwill instead... Gotta love the Goodwill. The people who work there are far nicer than VV and I personally think you can kind more treasures there. We did from this horrific plaid comforter that is probably the most comfortable thing I've ever felt. It's a cali-king size so plenty to curl up with. We bought it specifically for camping and it is not to be seen any place other than the campsite or in the car being transported to the campsite. I also found four cute placemats. They're just a simple golden yellow, floral cotton print. Easy to clean :)

After all the people and parking lot battles we decided to call it a day and head home. I've been working on a painting for our living room the past two days so I spent some more time on that.

Then I got an inspiration to make peanut-butter treats. They're in the fridge right now cooling so I can't honestly guarentee they'll taste yummy but when you look at the ingredients it's a pretty sure bet they're gonna be yummy. Recipe below:

3/4 c. peanut butter (I was at the bottom of the jar so I used more like a full cup)
3/4 c. maple syrup
3/4c. trailmix (I got mine from the bulk bins at PCC... it's full of sunflower seeds, crystalized ginger and mango, cranberries, cashews, almonds and raisins)
1 c. cereal (Ideally I would have used rice crisps but we're out so instead I used hubbies Kix cereal)
1/4 c. chocolate chips (optional!)

This should be sweet enough but if your trailmix doesn't have the fruit try adding some agave nectar :)

Heat the peanut butter and syrup in a small saucepan on LOW heat. Takes about 5 minutes to get the peaunt butter melted and gooey. Either line muffin tins or prep a small casserole dish so the bars won't stick to it.

Once the peanut butter and syrup have melted and melded together (You should see some small bubbles rise from the mixture), add the trailmix and cereal, stir to combine & cover. Then add your optional chocolate chips and stir again.

Spoon into the muffin tins or pour into the casserole/baking dish. Toss into the fridge are resist for about an hour. Then enjoy!

I'm thinking of making another batch of these for the weekends camping trip... It'll like a trailmix treat bar - Enjoy! I'm off to the fridge for a treat and then to paint!

BIG weekend so far & it's only saturday evening

Alrighty, well like always the husband and I met at our favorite date-night spot on Friday night - Johnny's Sports Bar + Grill. The service is excellent (we usually get the same waitress), decent beer choices, the food is pretty good for being a bar & grill and you have a front row seat of the trains rushing by if you sit on the patio. Plus with $5 appetizers during HHour, how can you go wrong?!

It's always so refreshing to know we've started the weekend on such a great note. After a few beers and TONS of food, we headed home, I worked on a little craft/art project for our living room and the hubby read his new book. All of sudden hubby saids "We should think about getting another cat..." Needless to say forty-five minutes later we were off to PetsMart*.

[* A note about PetsMart & Purrfect Pals - When we looked into getting our first cat, Ike, we went to PAWS but were treated so rudely we vowed to never go back. We ended up at PetsMart. PetsMart allows Purrfect Pals Adoption Company/Organization to run their volunteer based program out of PetsMarts doors. We were floored with how great Purrfect Pals was and how in touch they were with their "sponsers" (adoptive parents). Each cat/kitten adopted from Purrfect Pals is spayed/neutered, given all shots, a micro-chip, treated for fleas & worms and has tested negative for FIV & Feline Leukemia. Purrfect Pals also confirms with each sponsers landlord, if necessary, to make sure a pet deposit has been paid & the animal is welcomed in the apartment. Also, they're 100% against declawing and before adopting all applicants are required to sign a statement vowing to not declaw. Purrfect Pals spends an average $375 per cat; but only require a $100 adoption fee. Donations are greatly appreciated. For more about Purrfect Pals, please visit their website: http://www.purrfectpals.org/indexTemp.asp]

Anyhow, I fell in love with 19 week kitten, whereas Hubby liked the "Mini-Ike" (black hair, bright green eyess) who was about 7 months old. After holding the kitten, and after she licked his chin, husband changed his mind and we filled out the paperwork right then and there. The conversation between us to decide if we should get her consisted of him holding her and saying "I think we need her"; I was convinced from the moment I saw her.

According to her paperwork she was 1.48lbs when she was 11 weeks old and I swear she can't be more than 2.5 now - she's just about all black with white on her chin, whiskers, all four paws and a white strip on her left back left which winds up her ankle - how cute!!

While I was at the bakery today he went over and picked her up. Now the only thing is to see how big brother Ike likes having a new little one around.... (NOTE: It's not been going well so far and I've only been home for an hour).

In other, more serious news.... my little sister was taken to the emergency room around 4am this morning. After 5.5 hours, 1 CT scan, a ton of pain meds, and an ultra-sound, the doctors concluded she had Appendicitis. She is now appendix-less and awaiting the chocolate-oreo-pudding pops I just finished making. Hugs + kisses to my little sister who's been a champ through all of this! We were suppose to go get her nose-pierced (18th birthday present!) this coming week but we'll have to see now.. Nonetheless - Keep your fingers crossed for a speedy recovery!

I'll share the pudding pop receipe (and more pictures of Princess Isla!) another day... It's almost my bedtime and I still need to shower, play some guitar hero with the husband and figure out what to serve for dinner tomorrow evening with my in-laws... Wish me luck!

seattle heat wave

Morning All,

What a crazy few weeks it's been. Right after my last post we celebrated my little sisters 18th birthday (Happy Birthday again little girl!), the husband finished the shed at my mom's and then my mom & grandparents decided to have a garage sale.

THE MOVE:
Amongst all that excitement, we were getting ready to move. Not a far move, just across the sidewalk courtyard actually. Forty-five steps if I counted correctly. It's just a little bit more per month for about two-hundred additional square feet. Talk about a steal of a deal. We made the move this Monday, though we have/had until the 31st to get all the way out, the husband wanted to do it in one fell swoop. Looking back now I'm glad we did it all in one day, especially considering the heat since then.

Yesterday just about completed the unpacking, the bathroom, bedroom & kitchen are unpacked and useable & functionable now and the living room is coming together nicely with the exception of the media center causing the husband some trouble. Not to mention me causing him chaos regarding the placement of picture frames.

However my craft area is looking like a hurricane hit it. There are paints and fabric swatches littering the table and drawers strewn about... it's really quite a mess. Though I've decided from the moment I'm back from the gym Monday morning to when it's 100% completed it'll be the only thing I work on.

THE HEAT:
When I drove down to the bakery about an hour ago my car said it was eighty-three degrees outside which actually means it's about seventy-eight. But even time the door swings open I catch some of that warm air and I'm thinking it's gone up quite a bit since I've been in the lovely air conditioned bakery. Ooh, the reason I'm here isn't because I'm working, it's simply because our tv & internet provider can't get out to our apartment to reconnect whatever is needed until next Friday... So I was "borrowing" wifi from our lovely neighbors (Not stealing! - I was planning on baking them some cookies as a thank you later...) when suddenly it cut out. Unfortunately for me they're the only ones with an unprotected network, unforuntatly for them it's wayyyy too hott for me to bake cookies today.

I've found out that though I think I can handle heat and higher humidity, in actuality I can't. I'm miserable. I only like to sweat when I'm burning some calories and not when I'm merely hanging photo frames.

Though I've haven't written about it yet, here are some photos of green beans & chives at our old apartment, these were taken about 6 weeks ago:

I have more plants now, some sunflowers, roma tomatoes, wild flowers, moon flowers and some oregano but no photos yet. I promise I will take some as soon as it cools off around here.

Monday, the day we moved, it was ninety-seven at two in the afternoon, needless to say we took a break from moving things from the old apartment to the new and just stayed in and unpacked a little but my poor plants... they burned. I mean litterally burned. The leaves look like they've been set on fire. Our previous apartment faced the North and was shielded somewhat from the East but our new one faces the South and is shielded a bit from the West but gets a large amount of morning sun and doesn't get a break until about 5pm. Finally, yesterday I got a dark sheet out and drapped it across the balcony and put all the plants underneath; our poor neighbors probably think we're hillbillies drying our sheets on the porch :) I've also been setting a timer every ninety-minutes to remind myself to check on the poor plants to make sure they're not drying out. Monday I checked them in the morning aruond 8:30am and the soil was dry so I watered them A LOT and by 11:30 when we took a mini-break to rehydrate, my plants needing some rehydration too. So far checking every ninety minutes seems to keep them somewhat happy.. as happy as plants with burnt leaves can be... Speaking of which, I should probably head some to my internet-less apartment and check on those babies!

For all you in the Northwest experiencing this temperature change, good luck to you - keep watering your plants and YOUR SELF! :) Adios!

sunday evening supper

Alrighty, well first of all, forgive me if I'm somewhat out of practice; it's been a few days since my last post. I was at the bakery the past few days. So it's good to be back at home with some free time to blog away.

Anyhow, I started to miss the weekends the husband & I used to have together so I took today off to have a hubby+wife date-day :)

We started off by sleeping in and just enjoying a cup of coffee together on our patio. Then we headed off to Pike Place to get some new lavender, veggies & gorgeous flowers.

Afterwards, we were off to the Bite of Seattle and enjoyed some good food. I had a tasty but typical gyro and the husband had a combo from Bama Buza with yakisoba, chicken skewers & fried rice. But the dissapointment was no "bite" - I've been to the Bite before and remember booths with three dollar sized portions so you can really nimble & sample and not get full off a huge entree. Nonetheless, great weather, fun people and like seven beer gardens! We're easy to please. (Here's a great article expressing my opinion on the Bite: http://seattletimes.nwsource.com/html/entertainment/2008058779_bite18m.html)

We did a little shopping afterwards for Sissy's birthday (it's Tuesday!) then headed home. Typically I don't cook too much on the weekends, especially not anything from scratch but maybe it was being in Seattle around creative people or downing two beers before two-pm but I decided to make a super supper for hubby & I.

Here's the menu of the evening: (recipes below, if you're interested.)

Breaded Sweet Porkchops

Apple & Pear Chutney for on top

Dill & Pea Red-Potatoe Salad

Citrus & Cranberry Green Salad

Needless to say, it's been a great night. We polished off dinner around 7:30, sat on the patio again, this time with a glass of wine and then headed down for a walk on the beach.

Nighty Night all, Good Luck with your Monday morning.

Recipes...

[I would recommend making the porkchops along with the chutney.. It'll give you a great sauce for the wash used for the porkchops.]

Apple & Pear Chutney - this is such an easy recipe, lots of ingredients but SO simple.
4 tart apples; peeled & chopped into small-ish chunks

3 firm pears; peeled & chopped into small-ish chunks

2 - 2 1/2 c. packed brown sugar - start with 2 c. first.

1/2 - 1 c. granulated sugar - start with 1/2 c. first.

juice of 1 lemon & 1 orange.

1/3 c. apple cider vinegar

1/4 c. brandy

1 teasp. sea salt

2 cinnamon sticks

1/2 teasp. ginger

1/2 teasp. allspice
1 teasp. dry mustard

1 1/2 c. golden raisins.

After cutting the apples & pears put them in a bowl of water to avoid browning.

Drain out water before adding to pan.
In large, shallow saucepan add all ingredients except the raisins.

Bring to boil, lower heat to med-low.

Cook for 20 minutes until fruit has reduced.

Add raisins & cook 10 more.

Taste and adjust sugar, vinegar & spice if necessary.

Spoon out 1/2 c. sauce if making chutney.
Remove cinnamon sticks and pour into bowl.

Cover and chill if saving. If you're serving the meal soon, leave on the counter to let cool a bit.

Breaded Sweet Porkchops : yields 6 servings
6 - 1/2" thick porkchops
1 c. seasoned breadcrumbs
1 c. all-purpose flour

1/2 c. sauce from chutney

In large skillet, heat 2-3 TB. of olive oil.

Add porkchops to flour, then sauce, and into the breadcrumbs and into the pan to crisp up.

Repeat for all chops.

Dill & Pea Red-Potatoe Salad : yields 6 servings.

2lbs. red-skinned potatoes, cut in 1/2" chunks. I kept the skin on for vitamins & color but you can peeled them off if you like.

1 teasp. salt

2 hardboiled eggs - peeled & chopped
1/2 c. finely chopping red onion

1/2 c. peas - fresh or thawed frozen.

2/3 - 1 c. mayo

2 TB. sour cream

2-3 teasp. mustard

salt & pepper.

1/4 c. chopped fresh dill

Place potatoes in saucepan & cover with water.

Add half dill and 1 teasp. salt to water.

Cook until tender.

Drain and transfer for med. bowl, add chopped eggs, peas & onion.

Cover & refridgerate until chilled.

After cool, add 2/3 c. mayo, sour cream & mustard.

Gently stir mixture until blended.

Taste and add salt & pepper to taste.

Citrus & Cranberry Green Salad

1/4 head purple leaf lettuce

1/4 head curly leaf lettuce
1/4 head romaine lettuce

one bunch medium spinach

1/3 c. dried cranberries - look for them in the bulk foods area not the packaged. You'll save $$$

1 orange peeled and cut into sections

1 grapefruit peeled and cut into sections

Dressing:

1/3 c. honey

1/3 c. orange juice

1/4 c. Dijon mustard

Toss all the greens and fruit together, whisk dressing ingredients together and serve immediately.

DIY glass marble magnets

Morning All,

This project is sooo simple & inexpensive, you really ought to try it yourselves. Though if doing this with kids, I would look for a substitute adhesive...Super glue + little kiddos don't mix well.

Above is the finished product.

Here are the supplies you're going to need:

• Old magazines you don't read anymore - (be happy you've found something to do with them all!).
• 1/2" - 3/4" mini magnets - you can find these in nearly every craft store. I found mine back near the wood crafts oddly enough.
• 1/2" - 3/4" glass marbles/beads - They should be flat on one side for this project. Typically found near the floral arrangements & vases.
• an adhesive of some kind - Look for something fast-drying, permanent, & crystal clear. Though mine says "crystal clear" right on the tube, I did end up with some teeny air bubbles. I think it's inevitable.
• a drafting/drawing circle template - (or if you're good enough, just draw the circle freehand... I stole mine from the husband!)
• a pair of scissors
• a marker - permanent works best on the glossy magazine paper.
  

1st, thumb through your magazines and look for anything you might want to use.. I tended to look for patterns & smaller details due to the small nature of the glass marbles. If you're not sure how the print will work, use the circle template and one of the marbles to see what it'll look like. If it's blurry or doesn't fit in the circle, you won't want to use it.

If it works, trace around the template with your marker & cut out the circle.

I love the flower in her hair, and the best part.. it fits perfectly on to a marble!

2nd, lay the number of marbles you’re using on their backs (rounded side) and apply glue/adhesive. Quickly place your clipping on the adhesive and press down; don't worry if glue squishes out the sides, you can always pick that off with your fingers or an xcto knife once it dries.

left side: marbles with clippings glued to them. right side: the backs of my clippings on marbles.

After the glue has dried and the clippings are securely stuck on place another dot of glue and add your magnet. Once the magnet is added, I like to flip mine over to let the weight of the marble smoosh the magnet on. Wait for these to dry 100% before adding them to your fridge. I picked 'em up and place them on the fridge without waiting and the marbles popped off!

With such an easy project like this it's hard to just make a few.
Wouldn't these be great as a gift?! Place a few in a decorated tin and tie 'em up with a bow, how cute.. I make just have to do that next.