Dundee

Lucky for us that we live 30 minutes away from Oregon wine county. In my opinion, it is every bit as gorgeous as California's more famous regions.

Sunday, we met my in-laws at the newest restaurant in Dundee for breakfast. Farm to Fork was amazing and we can't wait to go back. Sadly, we were finished eating by 9:30 which is too early for even us to wine taste.

Baskets

I love having an organized home. That somebody person doesn't quite embrace the organization orgasm as much as I do. Therefore, I had to find night stand baskets that he could easily slide his kindle and books into without a lot of hassle. Found the perfect solution from Home Goods for $7.99 a piece. I realize these are not drastic before/after photos ... but like I said, I love to organize and donate. Less really is more ... unless you're talking about orgasms.

Before:


After:


psst ... this is my nightstand. He puts up with a lot around here but think he might draw the line at flowers on his side of the bed.

Kindle

We've never been early adopters. In fact, we typically get on the bandwagon about the fourth for fifth generation. Last year when we discovered this new device called the Ipod (wink), we were over the moon. How did we ever travel without them? Screaming kids on plane, no problem! Annoying loud gym talkers at 5:30 a.m., piece of cake!

We each bought a Kindle last month and while that somebody person loves it, I have yet to fully embrace the reader and give up on books. While it's great to lay in bed and buy a book in less than 2 minutes, I miss holding a real book in my hands ... the smell of the pages, the cover photos, checking to see how much of the book is left to wrap up the story ... it's not the same to see a % at the bottom of the screen ... I need the visual. I think I'll keep my Kindle on reserve for traveling when you want the variety of several books without the hassle of actually taking multiple books on the plane. Meanwhile, that somebody person is on his fourth book in less than a month ... unreal for someone who typically considers himself a slow reader.

It's The Little Things

I have a friend at work who organizes several volunteer activities a month. She and a friend were hosting a family day on January 13th for low income migrant workers in our area. The day was to center around learning activities while also spending quality time together. There was a first aid station, a crafting table, family portraits and cooking classes available. I participated by donating 2 bags of yarn for the crafting table.

When I arrived at work the following day, she presented me with these adorable cards that some of the kids had made for me. It literally brought a tear to my eye when I read their sweet little notes inside. 2011 is the year for me to volunteer again. I took last year off and am realizing how much I miss it.


Life's most persistent and urgent question is, "What are you doing for other's?" - Dr. Martin Luther King Jr.

Day Hike

Living in the Northwest, we take every opportunity to be outside when the weather is dry. Sunday, we hiked through a State Park that is about 5 miles from our house. It was a clear day with mild temperatures around 53 degrees ... warm!

Marionberry Jammers

I've been wanting to try this recipe for quite some time but never had the opportunity. Saturday my parents came over and I knew I could quickly whip these up before they arrived. Served warm from the oven they were crazy good. The recipe is from one of my favorite cookbooks titled The Grand Central Baking Book. Almost all the recipes call for buttermilk which I never seem to have. So I tried the 'make your own' recipe I've seen a million times of adding 1 T. vinegar to 1 c. milk ... it worked!

Steak Salad

We're about to build an ark. It's been raining for close to 48 hours ... non stop. There is nothing appealing about leaving the house ... not even food could temp us to leave. This salad was composed of items I had on hand and it turned out to be one of the best salads I've ever made.





I sauteed green beans, mushroom and sun dried tomatoes. This warm mixture wilted the mixed baby greens ever so slightly. Topped with seasoned flank steak and shavings of ricotta salata cheese. I tossed the greens with one of my all time favorite dressings:

1 shallot
1 t. salt
1 t. sugar
1/4 t. curry powder
1/2 t. pepper
1/4 c. balsamic vinegar
1/4 c. rice wine vinegar
1/2 c. olive oil
1/2 c. canola oil

Mix in blender

Pumpkin Scones

I love Sunday mornings and they tend to be the day that I indulge in baking a breakfast treat. I don't make these very often ... mainly because I end up eating the entire batch ... albeit not in one sitting! They are the perfect combo of moist and delicate. I added a maple glaze that was the perfect touch.

Winter

I have had these two huge pots flanking our garage doors for at least seven years. They were a bear to get home and feel lucky they have lasted as long as they have ... The Northwest is not exactly terra cotta weather conditions. We'll have to figure out what to do until Costco starts carrying their glazed pots in the spring. Yet another reason to be sooooo over Winter!

National Championship

SO PROUD OF OUR DUCKS! They fought hard!!!

Bring it!

GO DUCKS!!!

Go Ducks!

These photos were from the 2010 Rose Bowl. This year we're playing for the big one baby ... National Championship on January 10! woot woot! Sadly, with ticket prices hovering around $800.00 - $1,200.00 (and higher!), we'll be rooting from home. I'm pretty sure they'll hear us in Glendale.

Winter Centerpiece

I found a new blog that I am loving. Jennifer's designs are so inspiring and creative that I spent the better part of a day mesmerized. When I spied this centerpiece, I knew I had all the supplies to create my own ... something new without spending a dime.

Happy New Year!

I'm a little behind schedule since we've been sick around here.

We celebrated with:



And had a lovely dinner:



See those little votive candles? I just picked them up at Crate and Barrel and love them. I've always thought fake candles were a little cheesy until I spied these ... I think they look more realistic with the little burned off wick. Their true purpose is for my built in cabinets where I can't burn real candles and so far visitors are fooled!

Komet

I've eaten komet as long as I can remember ... in fact, I'm not even sure of the accurate spelling. It's a recipe that was handed down from my Mother's parents who immigrated from the former Yugoslavia. They were from a region that would later become known as Macedonia. It's basic ingredients and quite easy to make ... although a little labor intensive with rolling out 24 layers of dough. As with most family heirloom recipes, it was never written down with accurate measurements. I forced my mom to do so a few years ago while she taught me how to make it. I've made a few tweaks over the years and am happy to carry on the family tradition. Every time I make it, I wish my Grandmother could have lived long enough to know this ... and share her version of the recipe.




Crust:
3 c. flour
2 T. oil
1 t. salt
warm water (enough to bring dough to a ball)
Let dough rest 30 minutes

Seperate dough into 24 balls. 12 layers will become the top crust and 12 layers will become the bottom crust. Roll each ball into a 6-8 inch circle. Brush melted butter on each layer before adding the next. Leave the twelfth layer of each stack dry as this will become the top of your bottom layer and top of your top layer. Roll each 12 layer stack into the size needed for your baking sheet (I use a 1/4 sheet pan size).

Filling:
12 eggs
32 oz. cottage cheese
1 t. salt
1/2 t. pepper

Whisk together and pour into bottom crust. Add top layer of dough and crimp bottom and top layers together. Brush generously with melted butter. Place in a preheated 450 oven for 15-20 minutes (until top is lightly browned). Reduce oven to 350 and bake until done (approx. 30 min).

Exchange

Every December my friend hosts a "Make, Bake or Create" party. The idea is to make handmade items for a gift exchange. It's really an excuse for a bunch of girls to get together, drink wine and chat. This year I made cookies ... which is a step up from last year when I merely watched the exchange. The little snowman is filled with hot cocoa and marshmallows.

Christmas Trees - The Lazy Version

When I was not in the mood to drag out all my holiday decorations I copied an idea from my in-laws. They placed a tree on their patio decorated with colorful lights. Festive and instant gratification accomplished in under 30 minutes!





This year we have two trees outside ... we're thinking we need three for next year.

Christmas Tree

This is the first time in about 3 years that I've decorated for Christmas. The backstory is that we were in remodel for a while ... then I didn't want glitter all over my new house ... then 'someone' had his hip replaced ... then I didn't want to drag all my stuff out ... then we weren't having any parties ... we don't have kids ... blah, blah, blah.



This year, I put up my fake, 3-ft pre-lit tree the day before Thanksgiving. And I am loving it. For a nod to one of our favorite places on earth, I added this single figurine.

Origami Tree

My sweet niece made me a stock pile of beautiful origami for our tree. She made so many that I put the miniature ones on our dining room tree. So sweet and colorful. They reminded me of Hawaii so I added the hula girl in place of an angel.

Wine Tasting Thanksgiving Weekend

We kicked off our holiday season by going wine tasting Thanksgiving weekend. It's so festive and relaxing. Thanks to black Friday, the wineries tend to be pretty quiet. One of our favorite wineries had the caves open for touring and tasting.



Fun day with good friends ... even if one of them was a little tired ...