Sometimes, you just want to feel sexy.

Stuart Weitzman 50 50 Boots

This is a love story about a pair of boots. I love, love, love these boots. I saw them on a friend and I just had to have them. They are sexy, sexy, sexy. And goodness knows that we all need days to feel exactly that.

So the day I went to the store to pick them up, I dressed myself in black leggings and a long sweater (so I can try them on in an outfit that matches), lugged my cranky 2 year old (who was coming down with an ear infection but didn't know it just yet) and headed out. As I waited while the sales clerk retrieved my boots, I looked at myself in the mirror and noticed a large (noticeably LARGE) yogurt stain on my rear end acquired from breakfast (thanks to my 4 year old son for spilling some on the chair). And I have to say that yogurt goes SO WELL with black. So I slip them on and well, it was love at first sight. I felt glamorous despite the yogurt stain and the now cranky - turned - screaming toddler grasping my sweater saying "Up-py!, Up-py! Up-py!" at the top of her lungs.

So out the door I went with my two precious cargos (screaming toddler included) in tow. And I couldn't be happier.

A perfect lazy afternoon.

It's hard to see but there's still snow falling on the ground

It's one of those days today. Peyton is sick with an ear infection and we actually had a little snowfall this morning so we decided to make today a lazy day. It's beautiful outside - I couldn't help but take a couple of shots.

Wendy the wonderdog napping in her favorite sun spot in

the living room

Can't have a lazy day without being in your jammies and watching

Yo Gabba Gabba

And if you haven't tried these cookies yet - they are super yum!

These were the last pieces and they were gone soon after

this picture was taken!

I will be working on some new items to put in the shop later. I will post some pictures as soon as they are done. And oh, to celebrate my 500th sale, there will be a contest/giveaway starting next week! Stay tuned!

Have a playdate - make cookies!

What's better than having a playdate with a friend? Making cookies WHILE on a playdate! Skylar brought her friend Katarina (a.k.a Katka) home for a playdate last week and all the girls wanted to do was to make cookies. I happily obliged. We decided to make some simple chocolate cookies - crunchy on the outside and chewy on the inside. Yummy. I like to make my dough with Ghirardelli's sweetened cocoa instead of the usual unsweetened kind. Although it makes it a tad sweeter, it gives it a brownie flavor which is oh-so-yum! But you can do it either way.

Katka and Skylar decorating their cookies

While baby sister Peyton waits patiently (with a bowl of mini M&M's!)

The future pastry chefs at work!

stopping for a hug and a smile

a view of our corkboard art wall

Brrrr - it's cold outside! See the snow on the deck?

Almost done....

Done!

Simple Chocolate Cookies

1 3/4 cup granulated sugar

1 stick butter (softened or room temperature)

1 egg

1 tsp. vanilla

1 1/2 cup flour

1/2 cup Ghirardelli sweetened cocoa powder OR

unsweetened cocoa powder OR Dutch process cocoa powder

1/2 tsp. salt

1/4 tsp. baking powder

1/8 cup milk

optional toppings: sugar sprinkles, chocolate chips, mini M&M's

1. In mixer with the paddle attachment, beat sugar and butter until fluffy.

2. Add the egg and vanilla.

3. In a separate bowl, whisk together flour, cocoa powder, salt, and baking powder.

4. Add slowly to the sugar/butter mixture until crumbly.

5. Slowly add in the milk until the dough sticks together (you don't have to use ALL the milk)

6. Chill for 15-30 minutes until firm.

7. Preheat oven to 350 degrees

8. Roll out dough on to floured surface into 1/8 inch thickness. Cut into shapes with cookie cutter and place on a parchment paper lined cookie sheet.

9. Add optional toppings.

10. Bake for 10 minutes if you want it a little chewy on the inside. 12-13 minutes if you want it crispy all the way through.

ENJOY!!!

Running, running, running.

Wish me luck as I train for my first half marathon.
I will be running in the Stratton Faxon road race
at Jennings Beach on
June 27, 2010.

Yikes. Yikes. Yikes.
I am excited and nervous at the same time.
Especially since the most I've ever done was 4 miles.
So yes - this is a BIG challenge for me.
It'll be painful but I know I can do it.

Anyone else interested in joining me?

Blue is NOT my color - a 90's flashback.

I came across this video and was immediately transported back to the 90's.
Back to the days of poofy hair.
Large earrings,
Oversized shirts and leggings.
Babydoll dresses.
And to this group - Expose.
One of my favorites.
And this song, which reminds me of a boy.
Who broke my 15 year old heart.
Who promised the world, sun, and moon.
Then went to college and - well, you know the rest.
But it is because of this heartache that opened
my heart and eyes to ANOTHER boy.

Who's been there from the beginning.
Only I was too blind and naive to see that he was the one.
My soul mate. My love.
And now, after almost 17 years together, we are still
in love, going strong, living our wonderful life with
our three wonderful children.

He's proven to me that I will ALWAYS be his baby.

And he's here to stay.

Everything in life happens for a reason.
It's true. I believe it. I've lived it.

Saying goodbye to the holiday season.

(left to right: Peyton's hand print, Skylar's poinsettia, Peyton's wreath)

The holidays and festivities are finally over and it's time to pack up the holiday decor. The kids are a little sad. They did a lot of wonderful handmade crafts at school that are proudly displayed around the house. I thought I'd snap a few pics before they are put carefully away in boxes for next year.

Our christmas card wall in the kitchen

Deacon's star picture ornament

This was Deacon's present from his teachers last year - an origami picture ornament

Deacon's wreath 2009

Skylar's wreath 2008

Skylar's toy soldier

Deacon's star made out of dough

Peyton's version of the dough-star

Peyton's egg carton bells

Deacon's graham cracker house - we had to put it up high so our dog Wendy doesn't eat it!

Skylar's sock snowman from 2008

Deacon's popsicle stick frame from last year 2008

A penguin family ornament from my friend Tina - my favorite

Looking forward to the next holiday season 2010!

Care to share a favorite holiday memory?

Rugelach

I made and gave away a bunch of these yummies to friends and family over the holidays. They are wonderful to make all year round. I made them two ways this year - apricot preserves with chopped figs and strawberry preserves with mixed raisins. I love this recipe because you make your own crust - which really takes the rugelach to the next level (you can use store bought crust - but why not make your own?). I promise that you won't be disappointed.

Rugelach

Some essential tools for the crust:

pastry mat

rolling pin

pizza cutter

Crust:

1 package (8oz) cream cheese

2 sticks (1 cup butter)

1/4 cup granulated sugar

1 tsp. vanilla

2 cups flour

Filling:

apricot and/or strawberry preserves

1/4 cup granulated sugar

1/4 cup light brown sugar

1 tsp. ground cinnamon

1 cup chopped walnuts

1/2 cup chopped calimyrna figs

1/2 cup mixed raisins

* For the filling, mix together the sugars, cinammon, and walnuts. Divide evenly into two separate containers and add the figs to one and the raisins to the other.

Topping:

2 tbsp. granulated sugar

2 tbsp. light brown sugar

1/2 tsp. ground cinammon

1/4 cup milk

* For the topping, mix the sugars and cinnamon together.

1. In your electric mixer with the paddle attachment, mix the butter and cream cheese until creamy.

2. Add the sugar, vanilla and flour. The dough may be a little lumpy but if you mix it by hand a little bit, it will start to form a ball. Shape dough into 4-5 balls roughly about the size of a tennis ball and cover each with plastic wrap. Refrigerate for about 2 hours until firm.

3. On a pastry mat, cover the dough with the plastic and roll out with a rolling pin to 1/8 inch thick being careful not to get the edges too thin.

4. Use good fruit preserves for your filling. It makes a big difference. I use Bonne Maman. Spread a thin layer of the preserves on the rolled out dough.

5. Top with the desired fruit/sugar/ walnut topping. In this case, I put the figs with the apricot preserves and did the raisins with the strawberry preserves.

6. Using your pizza cutter, cut the dough into 12 slices starting with 4 quarters and cutting each quarter into 3 slices.

7. Roll each slice from the outer edge inwards like a croissant and place the rugelach on a cookie sheet lined with parchment paper with the tip on the bottom.

8. Brush the top of the rugelach with milk and sprinkle with the sugar/cinnamon mixture.

9. Bake in the oven at 350 degrees for about 15-20 minutes or until the rugelach turns a light brown.

ENJOY!!!

Happy New Year 2010!

2010 ring by NinaGibsonDesigns

WISHING YOU A HAPPY YEAR!

Enjoy.
Eat cake.
Drink champagne.
Celebrate.
Shop.
Bake cookies.

Enjoy your family.
Here's to 2010.