Like I mentioned yesterday morning, I’ll be heading to PA for the second time in less than a month tomorrow. This time it’s to celebrate Orthodox Christmas with my mom’s side of the family. And did I mention just how early my flight is? Before the sun comes up early. Before human beings are supposed to be awake early. So early that I will literally be in physical pain for the rest of the day. Early. But I adore this side of my family and am looking forward to drinking copious amounts of alcohol, sharing family stories and gossip, and being with people who make me feel loved.
What is it about the new year that makes us take stock of our lives and ourselves? Time inevitably moves forward no matter what we do, but there’s just something about throwing the old calendar out and starting the new that makes us all take a closer look. After making my yearly goals (not resolutions) I found myself reading Erin‘s post about the exact opposite – non-goals. And I started thinking about the things that I manage to accomplish fairly well and would hate to change about myself.
Keep finding amazing friends. You have a knack for knowing who you’re going to gel with immediately.
Keep putting family first. They’re always there for you in the end.
Keep having a soft spot for animals. They need you just as much as you need them.
Keep up with the mad organization skills. They always pay off.
Keep on learning, even from the most down and out circumstances. Life is a series of lessons.
Keep trusting. (Maybe just listen to your gut a little more this year.)
Keep taking risks. Even when they seem like safe bets to others.
Keep taking naps. You’re really, really good at them.
Keep staying true to yourself.
Keep not settling. You’ll only regret it if you do.
Happy first Monday of 2011! I hope your year is off to a rousing start. This week is going to be a bit front heavy I’m afraid, Wednesday I’ll be heading back (once again) to Pennsylvania for Orthodox Christmas. That means things should officially be back to normal around here beginning next Monday. I can’t wait.
Truth be told I had some bigger things planned for New Years on the blog but, well, life sort of got in the way. (As life tends to do.) You might recall that in past years I’ve been a staunchly anti-resolution girl. And I can’t say that that’s changed for 2011. What I can say is that I have some things I want to pay a little bit more attention to.
1. Volunteer more often.
2. Get a new hobby. Like boxing.
3. Become involved in more creative collaborations.
That’s it. Three things. Three things that I actually want to do. And with that… beat it 2010. You sort of sucked.
PS: Thanks for hanging around for another year and reading Design Crush. It brings me more joy than you know!
I’m signing out for the week and heading home to the snowy hills of Pittsburgh for Christmas! Plenty of time will be spent going to old haunts, visiting with friends, and spending QT with the family. Blogging will be a little spotty over the next few weeks, but I’ll be popping in here and there. Until next time, have a splendid holiday no matter your plans. Take some time for yourself, enjoy the magic this time of year brings, and don’t forget to smile.
Love, love, love this ornament mobile that Megan from not martha put together in lieu of a tree this year. It doesn’t take up much space, it feels nice and airy, and there’s still room for presents underneath. Learn how to make your own here.
Hi there, this is Kate from Framed Cooks. Framed Cooks started as a two week photography project, and two years later here I am, still trying to cook with teenagers and dogs constantly underfoot, still taking pictures of my supper, and still writing about my kitchen escapades for anyone who wants to listen to me! My basic rule of thumb is this: everything I cook needs to be easy enough to make when you only have about 30 minutes to get dinner on the table… AND it needs to be something you haven’t made a million times before, because suppertime is so much happier when the food is interesting.
‘Tis the season of eggnog, and I love eggnog just a little bit too much for my own good. I am SO happy to buy that first carton that shows up on the supermarket shelf, but after I have a glass or two I start getting that little annoying voice in my head that reminds me that eggnog is about one million calories a glassful, and that’s before you start eating the Christmas cookies that go along with it.
This cookie is the answer to all of that. It’s a light and delicious little treat with just a hint of eggnog flavor in it (there is only 1/4 cup of eggnog in the whole batch), and those little brown flecks on the top of the cookie? Yep, nutmeg. It’s like having a cup of eggnog AND a Christmas cookie, all in one scrumptious package. Plus they are a snap to make.
And, if you have any eggnog left over after all that, you can make this.
The end.
Except for the recipe, which I snagged from the always fabulous The Cooking Photographer’s blog – LOVE her.
• 1/2 cup unsalted butter, softened
• 1 cup sugar
• 1/2 teaspoon salt
• 1/2 scant teaspoon mace or nutmeg
• 1 1/2 teaspoons vanilla extract
• 1 egg
• 1/4 cup full fat eggnog
• 1 teaspoon baking soda
• 2 cups all-purpose flour
1. Line cookie sheets with parchment paper. Preheat oven to 350 degrees.
2. Beat the butter, sugar, salt, mace and vanilla extract together until fluffy. Mix in the egg and eggnog. Mix in baking soda, and then beat in flour until just combined.
3. With a standard (size 50) cookie scoop, scoop the batter and place on sheets 2 inches apart. Sprinkle dough very lightly with mace and bake for 10 minutes, or until golden around the edges. Let rest for 2 minutes on sheets then move to cooling rack.
It’s funny to say, but dish towels are a big trend right now. Beautifully designed ones are everywhere. And any time there’s a clever way to squeeze more art into my life I’m on board. Charlotte Farmer partnered with To Dry For on these, the latest (maybe slightly too late) addition to my Christmas List. {via Eat Drink Chic}
