I was in Hollister the other day and the clerk was showing me the men's body sprays. Each one she picked up and tested smelled way strong and wrong, just wrong. We would wrinkle our noses and wave our hands in front of our faces to try and get rid of the nasty smell. I bet we were looking pretty hot right about then ;-).

We did find one that was good..... Manhattan Beach, Mmmm.

Holiday Mug

I want a cup of hot cocoa with a peppermint candy cane dipped in for that "minty" flavor. Of course, it would have to be this pretty little mug..... I think I talked myself into buying a couple tomorrow!

Spy Watch!!!

 

Look at this cool spy watch from Pottery Barn Kids. I think this may be one of the stocking stuffers this year.

Features include a world clock, night vision light, sight with crosshairs, stopwatch, alarm, decoder screen and motion alarm with time stamp.Two safe-drop message capsules and special spy paper add to the secret fun.

Volleyball Tournament

Volleyball tournament in Seaside Oregon. This was just after the event. Notice all the endless nets....It was a huge event!!! Click on the image to see a larger size.

Lake Photos

Some of my personal photos of one of our fave small lakes. A rather well-kept secret.

Assorted Color French Cups: Pier One Imports

I want a set of these!!! 

This is a back door that led into the grand room at the lodge. I thought it was a great shot for a black and white photo.

Healthy Pancakes

Earlier today I was talking on the telephone discussing healthy food, pancakes in particular. Something that I love to do when making pancake batter is to throw in a tablespoon or two of bran ( sometimes I will use oats, gluten, etc. Really whatever I have on hand). If you don't use too much it won't the change consistency or flavor, but you will sure boost the health content of your flap jacks :-)). I would only experiment with one extra item at a time to ensure you do not ruin the entire batch.

I like Bob's Red Mill. Maybe just because he has a store and restaurant, so you can shop around and then enjoy a seriously healthy breakfast, or maybe because I remember seeing the old mill with the big grindstone!

I store my bran in the freezer and it keeps forever.

My Fave Quote Of All Time

"DEAR SANTA,
   
                 I CAN EXPLAIN...

Caramel Latte (Macchiato)

I love my espressos and lattes, but I am the only one that drinks anything with the word "coffee" in it. Everyone loves the smell, but the taste is a complete turn-off. I have to admit that I am not one of those everyday I have multiple cups of coffee people, so to invest in a real machine and grinder is just not something I can bring myself to do.

I have the humblest of equipment, but I do not forfeit a wonderful tasting cup of Jo because of my old friends Mr. Coffee and Kitchen Aid! Instead, I have come up with a process that gives me a product I am satisfied with. In my opinion, I like just as well as the major shops (and maybe even better).

Here is my ancient espresso maker. Notice the Asian tea cup that serves as an interim for the now missing little pot that came with.

Old Pal coffee grinder. I try to grind enough for one day, but sometimes I get extra. It will last for an additional day or two. I can get the fine grind I want by getting a coarse chop in about 15 seconds, then I pick up the grinder and gently shake back and forth for another minute or so.

While on the topic of grounds, I should mention that it is very important to get the right consistency. If you quit while still coarse, you will get a weak bitter flavored coffee. Imagine turning on a garden hose over gravel. The water would drain way too fast. Same with the coffee.

I wouldn't be concerned about too fine of a consistency with anything but the best of grinders. There is

only so far one of these like mine can go.

place the grounds in the basket and press down with a tamper or your finger. I like mine to be pressed down, but not too firmly. This way the water can drain through nice and dark.

One step that is VERY important:   Make sure to pour a bit of milk into the freshly brewed coffee. This keeps away from the bitter flavor that lurks in so many a cup.

Now for the steamed milk and foam. Place the stem in the milk before turning on the steam. I don't move the cup around or lift the stem out of the milk.This is not the usual pattern, but it works best for that dense foam to produce. I turn the steamer knob slowly on. It is on low (I judge by the sound, no auto here). Remember to keep the stem touching the bottom of the cup.

I love to make a caramel sauce, but working full time and then housekeeping, does not always leave enough time for a homemade batch. There are shops that sell a great substitute for a reasonable price and it keeps well.

Pour in as much caramel as you like and Voila!

 

*I just purchase the house brand beans @ my favorite grocery market, but I do not grind at the store.

Fall Leaf

This leaf can't decide if it wants to turn yellow or stay green ;-)

Sun Drenched Flower

Vacation Tote, etc

I have added a couple more things to my shop. I am having fun making things out of my head and actually building them. This Vacation Tote is really pretty. I am thinking of keeping it ;-).

I recently stopped at a yard sale full of a bunch of nothing. The selection was really a "lets see if we can sell our junk" type, but there was one box that held treasures to include this vintage blue Thermos. When I asked about the items, the woman told me her aunt was just too old to live alone any longer and that this box was holding some of her "stuff". I was so excited to pick through it and find a few things that were really neat. I found an old book, a cupcake tin (which I had been looking for) and a few other things.

 The best part is I only spent pennies for most of it.

Miami

   

Trump Miami Resort in Sunny Isles

This is a beautiful resort and offers a myriad of activities. Right now, they are running all sorts of specials including a night free with a four night stay. Florida residents get a large discount and AAA/AARP have great discounts took. I recommend the Bay View Room with two queen beds and a kitchenette. The view of Biscayne Bay and the city scape are stunning and the rates are best on this unit type.
Not only is it a wonderful place for adults to relax, but Trump Miami also offers Planet Kids!
Check it all out here.

I had a lot of fun making these cute little animals on Friday. They make such a cute gift for baby or even a great decorative piece in a children's room.

Fall Quilt

I made this cute quilt just in time for Fall. You can take a look at it here.

Winter Travel Deals

East West Resorts - Big Sky is currently offering some amazing deals for the winter season!
Check out their website for more information. They offer professionally decorated Cowboy Cabins and luxurious penthouses in the Moonlight Lodge. One of the coolest options is to get a ticket for both sides of Lone Mountain.

If you decide to call, ask for Shelley ;-).


STAY AND SKI FREE PACKAGE
Stay 3 nights, get the 4th night FREE and ski 2 days at Moonlight Basin, get the 3rd day of skiing FREE!!!
What’s better than free lodging and free skiing?! East West Resorts and Moonlight Basin are offering you both this ski season.


The total package includes 4 nights of lodging in one of our fabulous ski-in / out accommodations and 3 fun filled days of skiing at Moonlight Basin for as low as $75 per person per night (based on quad occupancy) when you stay anytime between Dec 11 & 24, 2010 or March 26 & April 11, 2011. Get the same deal when the snow is abundant and you have the mountain to yourself, Jan 2 – Feb 12, 2011 for as low as $89 per person per night (based on quad occupancy).

Apples

Craig pointed this tree out to me the other day, so I grabbed my camera and walked back to this vacant lot with a long forgotten apple tree. To think that I can purchase apples for up to $2.00 a lb when these beauties are rotting away!

They made for fun photos though.

Soccer Clinic With a Pro

The boys were able to participate in a soccer clinic with this pro player. They had a bundle of fun.

Hot Chai

The other day I had a bright idea. Make my own chai from scratch!!

Cup of milk
Tea bag
Little sugar
Pinch of cinnamon
1/8 tsp Nutmeg

It is so simple to make and I can add or delete ingredients to fit my mood for any given day.

Check Out This Recipe

I found this recipe online, but have not tried it yet.



Chocolate Bread

One 9-inch (23 cm) loaf

Use very good cocoa powder; here I used Valrhona, since I think the darker color and strong taste are important in the loaf. But another brand of Dutch-process cocoa should work fine, too.


If you don't have the coffee powder, you can leave it out. I like it since it add a subtle boost to the chocolate flavor. This recipe works best with bread flour, but if you can't get it, all-purpose flour works well, too. I've made a few notes at the end of the recipe about yeast and flour substitutions.


3/4 cup (180 ml) whole or low-fat milk, heated until just tepid

1 envelope active dry yeast (1/4 ounce, or 2 1/4 teaspoons)—see Note

6 tablespoons (75 g) sugar

4 tablespoons (55 g) butter, salted or unsalted

3 ounces (85 g) bittersweet or semisweet chocolate, coarsely chopped

1 1/2 teaspoon instant coffee or espresso powder (optional)

1 large egg

1/2 teaspoon vanilla extract

3/4 teaspoon sea salt

2 cups (280 g) bread flour

1/4 cup unsweetened Dutch-process cocoa powder


3/4 cup (3 1/2 ounces, 90 g) chocolate chips or coarsely chopped bittersweet or semisweet chocolate

1/2 cup (70 g) toasted pecans, walnuts, almonds, or hazelnuts, coarsely chopped (optional)


1. In the bowl of a stand mixer or in a large bowl, sprinkle the yeast over the milk. Add one tablespoon (11 g) sugar, then set aside in a warm place for 10 to 15 minutes, until bubbles form on the surface.


2. While the yeast is activating, in a small saucepan, melt the butter and 3 ounces (85 g) chocolate over a pan of barely simmering water. Stir occasionally, until the chocolate is melted and the mixture is smooth. Remove from heat.


3. Once the yeast mixture is frothy, mix in the remaining sugar, the instant coffee (if using), the egg, vanilla, and sea salt.


4. Stir in half the flour and cocoa powder, then the melted butter and chocolate, then the remaining flour mixture, stirring until well-incorporated. If using a stand mixer, attach the dough hook and beat for five minutes, until smooth. If making by hand, mix vigorously with a flexible spatula for the same amount of time. The dough will seem quite moist, resembling sticky brownie batter when ready.


5. Cover the bowl and let rise in a warm place for 2 hours.


6. Butter a 9-inch (23 cm) loaf pan.


7. Stir in the chopped chocolate and nuts, if using. Then use a spatula to fold the dough over on itself in the bowl for about thirty seconds, then transfer it to the buttered pan, pressing a bit to spread it to the corners. Let rise in a warm place for one hour.


8. Ten minutes before you're ready to bake the bread, preheat the oven to 350ºF (175ºC.)


9. Bake the bread for 35 to 40 minutes, until it feels done and sounds hollow when you tap it. You can stick an instant-read thermometer in the bottom if you're unsure; the bread is done when the temperature reads 180ºF (82Cº).

Magazines

I received this email with a deep discount on magazines, so I was able to save a little money on the SI Kids. Ranger Rick is the other magazine I ordered while I was at it today. I think this is the first magazine my boys will have in their names.

Barns

I went out barn hunting the other day and found a few beautiful prospects, but the the roads around here really make finding a parking spot near to impossible. The pavement ends and the shoulder of about 6" begins, just before dropping off into a huge ditch. Cars are rushing by on their way to important destionations and here I am blocking their passage. I have my car pulled over to the side of the road as far as possible, but still halfway in the lane. It doesn't make them any happier when they see me peeping through the roof with my camera propped on top trying to hold my breath when I click a photo of some really neat old barn. I only tried this a few times before deciding to find a less busy location for my next photo shoot.

Quilt Time

I think it may be time for a quilt, no?

Design*Sponge » Blog Archive » emerson15

This will be me soon enough. Although, I may have to rent a little piece of land to house a few hens!!!

Design*Sponge » Blog Archive » emerson15

Fisherman

I caught this man down at the beach fishing and thought it was kind of neat.

Knit Hat

Here is the hat I knitted a little over a year ago when we were in Bend.

Thanks to my model :-)

Little Church

The weather here has been so dreary I thought I would try and get out with my camera and catch some of the fog and water saturated scenery. You sure forget that ya have to get out even in this nasty weather or else the doom and gloom attacks ;-)




This photo was taken on a rainy Willamette Valley day. It was almost dark, so I took my tripod out and took some shots. The boys ran around and got soaked and Craig held my big winter coat over the camera and me.
I couldn't tell which color I liked best. The original or one with just a hint of color. What do you think?
Yes Kelly, I think I remember those shots we took years ago at this church. Where are those photos anyway?


Mom I need some family photos so I can show T and C. They wanted to know what I looked like when I was little. The cute ones please! I hope to find one of me out in Dickey Prairie with all my wild clothes and the dresses over pants, or even better yet when I had the red rain boots with the little white (I think they were white) things on the side. I know for sure we have one on the back of that Dodge somewhere.

Love all my family!