A song for Monday: Auld Lang Syne

One of the most festive songs performed by one of my faves:

Have a very happy New Year!

Trish

Make your own winestopper!

Happy Friday friends!!  I'm finally feeling a bit better from the mysterious poison that entered my body over the weekend.  Ruined my effing Xmas!

Anyways...... here is an easy and exciting little DIY for you.  Any gifts you haven't given yet?  This is IT!

That's it!  You may need to scrape a bit of extra globby glue off before washing and giving away (or keeping for yourself!)  Unfortunately, we gave this goldie away before I could snap a pic.  The finished one above is one that Jerdy made me last year. :)

Hope you enjoy friends!  And happy weekend!

Trish

Happy thoughts: Snowflakes for Sandy Hook

What's better than a paper snowflake?  One that is hand made for a very special cause!  A very thoughtful Erica posted this post about Snowflakes for Sandy Hook.  My heart just about melted.  The Connecticut PTSA is hoping to create a winter wonderland for their new school, and everyone is welcome to help. 

Here is a brief statement from the Connecticut PTSA website:

Connecticut PTSA is deeply saddened by the tragedy that has struck our Newtown community. We have met with the PTA and community leaders in Newtown and Sandy Hook Elementary to offer our assistance at this very difficult time.  They have asked us to spearhead the following efforts on their behalf:

Snowflakes for Sandy Hook 
Please help the students of Sandy Hook have a winter wonderland at their new school! Get Creative!!  Make and send snowflakes to Connecticut PTSA, 60 Connolly Parkway, Building 12, Suite 103, Hamden, CT  06514, by January 12, 2013. Snowflakes can also be delivered to CT PTSA.   Please call us before for office hours at 203-281-6617.

To find out more about how to help, visit http://ctpta.org/About-CT-PTA/SANDY-HOOK-FUND.html

Amidst the heartbreak of the recent tragedy at Sandy Hook Elementary, kindness is shining through. My happy thoughts this week are definitely bittersweet. I wish I had the words or the means to make everything right, but these snowflakes are a sweet way to show support. I've got more hand made snowflakes than I will ever need, and two hands, some scissors, and some paper. That's all it takes.

Thank you, Erica, for sharing this. :)

Trish

This girl's goals: Winter 2012

It's that time of the year again!  A new beginning.  A fresh start.  A new year.  New resolutions.  New goals.

My goal's from Fall seem like a faded memory, and SO much has changed since I made them.  We were on our journey to buying a house then, but since I kicked that life-sucking job's ass out of my life that has been put on hold.  My goals this season are much more quality of life oriented, the way it should be right?

1. Get a handle on planning my wedding:  YES!  I am engaged!  I am getting married this August, and although I've been engaged for almost a year now, the plans have yet to really start.  Jerdy and I have already talked about sending the save the dates, booking hotel rooms, etc.  We've got our location and our food, but that's it.  Now for the exciting stuff!  The dress, the crafts, the details. :)

2. Find a job that doesn't eat my soul: Unfortunately, I HAVE to work.  We just can't afford me crafting and cooking all day.  But, I have a plan to utilize my accounting skillz at a temp agency and bounce around until I find something that really fits.  This goal also includes taking a much needed month or two off from working so much.  I need time to regroup, time to get my life back.  I'm excited to spend some quality time with myself, figuring out my next step.

3. Open my Etsy shop.  And get crafty!!!:  I've got soooooo many ideas for my shop.  I've got a handful of hand made wine stoppers (like this one) already made, and am really looking forward to spending some time on this while working on #2.  If you've got any tips for me, I would LOVE to hear them!

4. Have weekly date nights with Jared: This is the one that I most look forward to.  With my sinking depression from my job (wait..... my OLD job!), a lot of our romance took a back seat.  I miss my fiance, and I know he misses me too.  He is so supportive and amazing, I'm devoting a date night every week.  Whether we just hang in and watch a movie, or go out on the town together, it's gonna happen.  No excuses.

I would  love to hear your goals for this season!!!!  I've got about a thousand little New Year's resolutions too, but these are my bigguns.

Here's to a wonderful winter friends. :)

Trish

Stupendous Wednesday: 12/26/12

Well hello again friends!  I hope everyone had a very merry Xmas. :)

I ended up getting a pretty raunchy case of food poisoning on Monday afternoon.  Oh man, it was AWFUL!  I am still nursing some tea and water on the couch today. ugh.  Not the best Christmas after all this year.  The last few weeks leading up to my disgusting bodily rejections were SO festive and gorgeous though. 

Here are some shots:

Well...... I'm off to get some more rest and fluids and try to recover. :(

Have a lovely week!

Trish

All is calm, all is bright

Merry Christmas friends.  I wish you all a very happy and safe holiday. :)

Trish.

I'm dreaming {of a white Christmas}

We were teased with the idea of snow here this week, but alas, just rain.  Lots of rain.

I am soooooo dreaming of a white Christmas.  To wake up on Christmas morning and turn on the tree lights with snow falling outside with a cup of hot cocoa in hand.  Oh my, that would just be like a dream this year.

For now, I'll turn on this song, gaze at pics, and daydream.

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This last one is so gorgeous!!!  A  lit up tree covered in snow.  One of my favorite sights to see.

Fingers crossed and eyes tightly closed (that's some serious hoping) for a snowy white Tuesday morning. :)

Trish

Weeknight supper delight: Winter root veggie soup

Soooooo, I absolutely adore Seattle, but OH MY FREAKIN GOSH friends.  It has been pissing rain for about a week straight now.  The gray depressing kind of rain that really gets  you down.  I've been trying to lift my spirits with holiday goodness, but it's been an uphill battle.  I've also been battling some things with that awful job I quit a month ago...... yep....... still battling that demon.  Ah sigh.... well, this time tomorrow begins our WEEK of loved one visitings.  I can't wait.  I need it so so badly this week. :(

Anyways........ enough downer talk.  Let's make some soup!!!  Although the rain is tough to take, the winter root veggies here are suuuuuuuper tasty.  After years of getting our organic veggie bin, I am still trying to find new ways to use up these tasty gems.  Got any ideas???  Shoot them over!  I'd love to hear them! 

The stars of the show!

The begger

The finale

I like this soup with butter, cream, and chicken stock, but it is very easily made a vegan soup by subbing olive oil, veggie stock, and omitting the cream.

Here's your recipe:
Makes about 6 large servings

Ingredients:
1 smallish yellow onion, chopped
3 cloves of garlic, crushed
1 tablespoon of butter (sub with additional olive oil for vegan)
1 tablespoon of olive oil
4 carrots, peeled and chopped
2 parsnips, peeled and chopped
2 yams, peeled and chopped
1 tablespoon crushed red pepper
3 cups water
3 cups chicken stock (sub with veggie stock for vegan)
1 tablespoon black pepper (or less if you like it less peppery)
1 cup heavy cream (optional)
green onions (optional for garnish)

Warm butter and olive oil in a large soup pot over medium heat.  Add chopped onion and garlic.  Saute until onion is translucent, stirring occasionally, about  3 minutes.  Add carrots, parsnips, yams, and red pepper to pot.  Cook about 10 minutes, stirring often,  just until veggies begin to soften.  Add water and stock, bring to a boil.  Boil until root veggies can be easily mashed with a fork.

Using an immersion blender (or a regular blender in batches), blend soup together until smooth.  Add pepper and cream and blend again.

At this point, taste your soup.  It should be mildly spicy and peppery, but very creamy and earthy.  I don't like to add a lot of spices to this soup, because I love the taste of the root veggies to come through, but it would great with some rosemary and thyme.  I also don't add salt, because it is salty enough for me with the chicken stock, but you may need more salt added. 

Once the flavor rocks your world, pour soup into a bowl and garnish with chopped green onion.

This is a wonderful winter soup that I like to make in large batches to freeze for easy dinner nights.

Enjoy friends!!!

Trish