Topsy Turvy

{ummm. tornado in Oregon today. what?}

It's Tuesday and I'm still recouping from yet another busy weekend! Hello laundry and cleaning day! The craziness that ensued. Friday, I was shopping with Em and getting her all glammed up for a romantic weekend with her hubby, then trying to get myself pulled together and heading to Salem for the MyFight benefit concert. They sell tshirts that YOU design, then in turn give microloans to people in third world countries. Significant steps to eradicate a huge poverty problem worldwide.

{MyFight}

We may or may not have gone home that evening and played some SuperMario on Wii. Such a frustratingly funtastic game. Saturday, Daniel and I braved the crowds for some serious Christmas shopping, and then proceeded to buy one gift. Somehow we already had gifts for almost everyone in our family though, so we celebrated by making a pit stop at Auntie Anne's. Carbs and cheese. Need I say more?

And we hadn't had anything to eat since Friday, bad us, so we were definitely ready for dinner with some of Daniel's college friends at Rock Bottom Brewery. BBQ Bacon Cheeseburger for me, and the 2:00AM burger for him. (it involves hash browns, bacon, and an egg, oh my). We ended our evening with drinks at Oba, eating the most freshly-made -delicious guacamole ever, and catching up with a dear friend who lives in California now.

{Oba!}

{miss. her.}

Sunday involved football, of course, and a Future of Forestry concert in the evening. It was the Advent Tour, so they played a bunch of Christmas songs with their own little twist. They love to hop around and play different instruments during songs, think MuteMath. Insanely talented.

{Future of Forestry}

Finally some sleep, and then another late night Monday in Salem with a goodbye dinner for some lovely family friends from South Africa.

Sorry all of that was a whirlwind to read. (Whirlwind/Tornado= no pun intended). It was a whirlwind to do! Such fun though. It's all about community and celebrating Jesus this month.

xoxo

{Bon Bon}

Tuning in

My taste in music is eclectic. to say the least. It is a mixture of this and that and here and there. Although mainstream is fun, preferably on the radio or busting a move on the dance floor I rarely will download anything from Ryan Seacrest's Top 100 or whatever he is hosting these days. For anything lasting, I usually have to investigate for myself. New Artists on the Rise/Rolling Stones/SXSW/.

Growing up listening to Deep Purple, Phil Collins, Led Zeppelin, Pink Floyd, U2, (all thanks to my Dad)and The Cranberries, Dave Matthews Band, Wilco, dare I say it...Tupac and old school Missy Elliot, (thanks to my brother), I have turned into a music snob of sorts. And for awhile thought I was a gangster...well, it actually was my whole highschool volleyball team, senior year. You know who you are!

AND junior high did provide a lot of love for NSYNC and Britney Spears. I think I survived that period of my life though, somewhat unscathed. phew.

The mass- marketed-fizzy- bubblegum- pop- electronic-auto-tuned stuff just doesn't cut it for me.

I like music that makes me feel. Makes me think. Memorable. oh. and is chock full of true talent.

Here's a little sneak peek into my Ipod if you want

Mindy Gledhill

{"Anchor" Music Video}

She has adorable music and plays the keytar. That's pretty much all I need.

Enjoy!

xoxo

{Bon Bon}

Crave: Buttermilk Biscuits

{breakfast club}

One of my favorite little traditions that Daniel and I have started is something super convenient for us, fun, and of course involves food. Here's how you can enjoy it too.

Step 1. lazily roll out of bed on a Saturday morning/afternoon

Step 2. drive to the only big red building with a mill attached to it in Portland

Step 3. read the menu and try to decide what to order. it all sounds so delicious and is all organic/many whole wheat and gluten free options/etc.

Step 4. eat. perhaps wave hello to Bob. maybe play some cribbage, that's how we do it.

{Bob's Red Mill}

Seriously. I am like a little kid when we go there. And if I were still a little kid, Bob would give me tokens when he visited my table. He's that cool.

My absolute favorite thing to eat there is the amazing biscuits. My stomach always forgets that I can barely eat two of them, and I try and talk Daniel into buying me four. Yes. Four. He always laughs at me, but ends up getting four. Then we pig out and never even finish all of our food. Gotta love traditions!

If you want to try them out, here's the top secret recipe for those perfect biscuits. Top secret meaning, I asked a BRM employee and they fetched me a paper with the recipe typed out on it. I guess I'm not the only carb lover who was seeking out the holy grail of biscuit concoctions.

Enjoy!

Bob's Red Mill Buttermilk Biscuits

Ingredients:

1 lb. 3 oz. Bob's Red Mill Unbleached White Flour

1 lb. Bob's Red Mill Whole Wheat Pastry Flour

2 Tbsp. Baking Powder

1/8 tsp. Baking Soda

3 1/2 oz. Evaporated Cane Juice

1/2 tsp. Sea Salt

8 oz. Butter, unsalted

3 1/2 cups Buttermilk

2 Tbsp. Bob's Red Mill Flaxseed Meal

Preheat oven to 450 degrees. Mix unbleached white flour, whole wheat flour, baking powder, evaporated cane juice, sea salt, and baking soda thoroughly. Add butter and mix until evenly distributed. Add buttermilk and evenly mix until dough forms. Roll dough out on a floured surface, sprinkle on 1-2 tablespoons of flaxseed meal, and cut with a 2 1/2-3 inch cutter. Place biscuits on a baking sheet and bake in oven for 10-15 minutes, or until golden brown.

Makes 2 dozen biscuits.

Eat. Freeze. Share. Eat some more. Whatever.

So delicious!

xoxo

{Bon Bon}

Let the Good Times Roll

December is in motion. Each day I am reminded of how much I love this time of year. Add a husband in the mix and our two lives full of family and friends colliding makes for an even busier and more fantastic season.

We had a whirlwind of a weekend, which apparently has become the norm in our neck of the woods. Would I have it any other way? No way! A little tired. perhaps. But I'm definitely feeling alive in the heart region. Pardon the cheesiness. Sometimes the truth is cheesy. I've learned to embrace it. It's who I am.

Thursday evening Em and I went to meet little miss McKenna Ruth at the hospital. A 7 lb. bundle of joy. Mama Megan is a dear friend that lived right down the street from me growing up. We had play-dates from age 4 to age now. wow. Love her. Afterwards, I went to see Em and her husband Joe's new place. We hung out eating soup and talking. Love her.

Friday night,(aka D's 24th birthday), Daniel and I got all gussied up and went to the lovely RiverPlace Hotel for his work Christmas party.

We ate lots of yummy food, drank some fizzy drinks, and played some high-stakes casino games.

Somehow at the end of the evening, Daniel won a gift card for dinner here

Hello date night!

Then it was off to the Thirsty Lion for some birthday drinks with a lovely group of people to celebrate Kourtney's 21st. Party train moved onward to XV for some dancing. So thankful for a husband/bodyguard. Hello creepers!

6pm-3am. Raising the roof. So fun!

4am-12pm. Beauty rest. So needed!

Saturday morning we were up just in time to watch the Civil War game and then head to my parents' house for a family birthday party for Daniel. Lasagna and ice cream cake. Grabbed a few Christmas decorations, headed home, and watched our wedding video. Loved it. Such a great way to remember things I didn't even see or forgot about. Also, it's definitely some good blackmail material on a few people.

Sunday it was time for church. Recently we've been attending The Well. Check it out here. Seems like a good fit so far. Great speaking, welcoming community, kind of a gospel/jazz style worship set, and very mission-minded atmosphere. Made a quick Starbucks trip, then headed to my grandparents' house for birthday party #3. My grandpa's 75th.

He is so precious.

Always a fun time with the whole family and full of such amazing food. Coffee punch, sparkling cider, shrimp, chicken cordon bleu, salads, rolls, pecan pie, german chocolate cake, and banana pudding. I could eat banana pudding for days.

If you are from the South or have ties to the South, you know what I'm talking about.

We said our goodbyes, and rolled out the door. Back home, where I promptly fell into a food coma.

It's fun. this living life thing.

xoxo

{Bon Bon}

Happy Birthday: Daniel

I so wish I would've known you when you were a chubby little bubba. We probably would've been great little pals.

We could have lost our front teeth together too, maybe helped each other pull them out? And I wouldn't have made fun of your ears either.

Perhaps you would have serenaded me with a little Latin music?

{sigh}

But then I met you and that's all that matters

HAPPY 24th Birthday Peep!

{i love you}

Happy Thanksgiving

Shopping, cleaning, and baking are done for the day, and our cozy little apartment is warmly filled with scents of apple, pumpkin, and a sprinkle of cinnamon. I kinda love this time of year. Food, family, and friends. The simple things are amazing things. God continually blows me away with His provision and love for me. Now me and my husband. Us. My daily challenge to myself is to never take any of it for granted.

"It" being: A husband who loves me and loves living the marriage adventure daily with me. Family who support us above and beyond. Friends we can be in community with. The perfect timing in God's plan for us even when we can't see it. Jobs and financial blessings. A place all to ourselves, that we've been able to make into a home.

I'll stop there before I write a book.

This year as I hear about health battles, money troubles, and desperate times, I am reminded of who I put my trust in.

God is good all the time. All the time God is good.

He shows up in those little things.

and the big things.

And He loves us.

In the cold times.

and all the darkness.

And He loves us.

I'm most thankful for that. Love.

So tomorrow, and especially long after the turkey has been turned into sandwiches and soup, give thanks. Those everyday little things all add up. We have so much to be thankful for.

What are you giving thanks for this year?

xoxo

Crave: Sweet Potato Bake

The recipe posted below, for the dish of pure joy pictured above, is going to be my edible contribution to this year's Thanksgiving feast at my parents house. Is it bad that I was asked to bring a vegetable dish, and mine somehow became a "vegetable/practically a dessert" dish? Just don't think too much about the sugar, butter, and heavy cream involved. At least that's what Miss Paula says, and I believe everything she tells me. Maybe I'll do green beans too.

Paula Deen's Sweet Potato Bake

Ingredients:

3 cups mashed sweet potatoes

1 cup sugar

1/3 cup butter, melted

2 eggs

1 teaspoon vanilla

1 teaspoon ground cinnamon

1/4 teaspoon ground nutmeg

1/4 cup heavy cream, half and half, or whole milk

Topping:

1 cup brown sugar

3 tablespoons butter, melted

1/3 cup all-purpose flour

1 cup pecans or walnuts, chopped

Mix together with fork; sprinkle over top of casserole.

Directions

Preheat oven to 325 degrees. Mix all ingredients together except for cream. Beat with an electric mixer until smooth. Add cream;mix well. Pour into greased casserole dish ( 1 1/2 quarts). Add topping. Bake for 25 to 30 minutes.

What are you making for the big day?

xoxo

Friday Favorites

There are just too many pretty and interesting things in the world these days. This week's "Friday Favorites" is focusing on: Jewelry. Sub-category:"Pretty Little Things." How about a smorgasbord of happy objects? trinkets? gadgets, gizmos a-plenty, whozits, and whatzits galore...you want thingamabobs? I've got twenty! but who cares. no big deal. i...want...moreeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeee!

That was me singing to you. Don't even worry about it. I just got a little too excited and channeled my inner-Ariel. it happens. especially whenever you're swimming somewhere with a rock or a ledge to hoist upon, you know the scene. don't judge.

Ok. Back to the good stuff. Here are a few lovelies and here's to hoping you feel inspired, intrigued, and plain ol' elated. break out in your own song perhaps.

(this rose cut/golden brown/diamond ring of love)

(ok, definitely wishing on this one. it's so sparkly and dainty)

(grabbing my best friend now and splitting these lovelies)

(I've been meaning to jump on the boyfriend watch bandwagon. Here is an option done in a soft feminine hue)

(speaking of "The Little Mermaid": this was fate stumbling upon the Disney Couture line. You can have your very own Ariel-inspired freshwater pearl cocktail ring like this beauty)

(love how dangly and wispy these are)

(would love this paired with a plain white tank)

(a mixture of different elements: metal and leather in a softer style like this bracelet)

(dainty rings are my weakness. Daniel did fantastic with the ones on my left hand...now how can I get this one on my right?)

(the ultimate pretty little things: bows and pearls make up these sweet earrings)

{to all the above: heart flutter}

xoxo

22 Things To Do Before 23

March 19th. I turn. 23. Years. old. Ok, first of all, let's change the "old" to "young." That is a true statement and I'm sticking to it. 23 years young. Getting married this year and slowly becoming an adult, (in some aspects...in others, I'm still comparable to a 14 year old, more on that later), I realize how much of the world I have yet to see and how many experiences I have yet to live. My feet still have a lot of earth to cover, if you know what I mean. Especially before...dun dun dun...kids! I might just have to strap them on my back like they do in Africa, and keep galavanting along. In honor of marriage, new adventures, and the likes, I have decided to venture on a "bucket" list of sorts each year to accomplish before my next year of ME a.k.a. my birthday...hmmmm...what to call it since I'm not literally "kicking the bucket." I guess the "Cake" list: fits within the theme of things and ironically, it shouldn't be a "piece of cake" to accomplish. Oh I am full of clichés. This year my Cake List leaves me only about 120 days or so, (correct me if I'm wrong in my calculations: math is not my gifting, a fact I am reminded of daily while living with my engineer-genuius hubby, and pretty much daily living in general), meaning, I need to get on it! Here goes.

In no particular order:

1. Surprisingly simple DIY tote project found here

2. Go to this concert in January

3. Read one new book a month: Maybe start with this one?

4. Support a child through World Vision or Compassion International or both...too many little faces to love

5. Finish decorating/furnishing apartment

6. Conquer all things post-wedding related: wedding pictures, thank you cards, etc.

7. Trip to Seattle

8. Make sushi

9. Write letters to closest friends and family

10. Have a spa day

11. Cook a turkey

12. Watch "The Unsinkable Molly Brown" (just because).

13. Begin learning a new language

14. Go wine tasting

15. Make feather earrings

16. One day of using candlelight only: a small experiment after watching "No Impact Man"

17. Build a successful fire in our fireplace: successful meaning it is indeed a fire and doesn't smoke us out or burn down our apartment. minor details.

18. Cook a Rwandese meal: cabbage over rice with chips, beans, and a tiny bite of goat meat. amazing.

19. Decide on a church/get involved

20. Have a fondue party

21. Read more about politics

22. Figure out some more life

OK. so that last one is a bit general and a work in progress but everything else is seemingly doable in the next few months.

Piece of Cake! right? right? Right! Positive thoughts!

What's on your "Cake List?"

xoxo