Moved by the Spirit

On the morning we left Yakima Valley, our family finally got together for a group picture, and also to show off some pumpkin carving artistry, namely from my dad.

It's been years since we carved pumpkins together, so I was pretty happy that we got it together enough to even get the pumpkins.

My dad has a puncture-holes-around-the-pattern-then-connect-the-dots approach, which is very effective with complicated designs.

I let him trace mine, but kept my batman logo pretty simple.

We found a great spot on the patio to show them off.

And just when I thought pumpkins were the greatest thing ever grown, I fell in love with the apple tree in the front yard, weighted down by its own branches and kissed by the lawn mower.

Happy Halloween and happy fall!

Happy Easter!

Looking for five minutes of fun? Dye Easter eggs! This was literally the fastest, most low key egg dyeing session I've ever participated in, from my week with my bestie in the Midwest.

It's been a while since I did the classic egg dye kit- but it sure is a heck of a lot easier than the glittery, tie-dyed, kaleidoscope variations.

Happy Easter!

Happy Valentine's Day!

I was this close to feeling the sting of singleness this Valentine's Day until my roommate, Sugar, knocked some sense into me with a reminder of how the love in your life is not dictated by your relationship status.

So instead of getting lonely, we watched Don't Tell Mom the Babysitter's Dead (how did I survive childhood without ever seeing that movie?) and made valentines. At last, I found a use for the intricate paper cuts I brought home from China!

Dad, can you guess which one is yours? 

As if Sugar wasn't already one of the most talented and driven ladies I've had the privilege to know, she's also a tremendous artist. This was her valentine to her parents, which moved me to tears. Yep, I'm a gal with a lot of feelings. (Of course, Sugar humbly declares she's had little experience with portraits.) 

Wishing you lots of love today and every day.

Happy New Year!

Happy new year! I hope everyone had a safe and fun evening last night, and that you are as excited for 2012 as I am. I'm ready for lots of great stuff this year.

As for my night, I had a mellow evening at my local watering hole. I met a slew of locals I hadn't met during my brief foray at the coffee shop. I drank beer out of a can, played pool with some ranch folks, and told jokes with some crab fisherman. It was lively and pleasant, and it cleared out by 11 and we all went home. All in all, a perfect New Year's.

The highlight of my night was watching some of the old timers taking jello shots. We had to keep reminding them they aren't meant to be sipped. I put in a request for grape ones for my next big night out.

Any resolutions this year? I was going to do something practical like trying to be on time, but I really just want to be more kind this year. I want everything I do to be in kindness and try to draw it out in others.

How about yours? List in the comments!

From the Fireplace Channel

Happy holidays from me and my friend, Max, keeping it classy.

Merry Christmas!

Have a wonderful day surrounded by loved ones and lovely lights!

Egg Nog Cheesecake

I'm going to a Christmas party tomorrow and was at a loss as to what to bring.  I did the pie thing at Thanksgiving. There are wheat allergies, so gingerbread is out, and I'm tired of the same old chocolatey mousse stuff I bring every year. Sorry, I can't skip the wheat completely for this occasion, but I'll cut it down with a little cheesecake.

In the spring, I made the most delicious cheesecake, from one of the most delicious recipes here. This is my take, with an egg nog twist.  Keep in mind, the secret to great cheesecake is for all the ingredients to be the same temp, so make sure the cream cheese and eggs have the chill taken off before you start.

You need:
- half a stick of butter
- 1 package of Trader Joe's eggnog cookies
- 24 oz. cream cheese (3 packages)
- 4 eggs
- 2 T flour
- 1/2 c. sugar
- 1/2 c. egg nog
- 1 t vanilla extract
- pinch of salt

1. Preheat oven to 350.
2. Make crust. I used egg nog cookies instead of graham crackers. Combine entire package with 1/4 c. melted butter (1/2 stick). No need to add any sugar, the cookies are sweet enough.

If you don't have a food processor, a blender works well. (Needs to be quite powerful for cream cheese mixture.)

3. Pack crumb mixture into the bottom of a greased springform pan, pulling the edges up the sides. Chill while you mix the filling.

 4. Mix cream cheese, sugar and flour in a food processor. (I keep my sugar in a jar with dried vanilla pods for more flavor and a heavenly scent.)

 5. Add eggs, egg nog, vanilla and salt. Mix until combined.

6. Pour into prepared crust.  Bake at 350 for 40 minutes or until center jiggles when the pan is wiggled.

Another great piece of advice from the joy of baking- slice around the edge of the pan as soon as you take it out of the oven. It prevents the surface from cracking as it cools. I forgot to do this and my cheesecake has a huge crack in it; too big for me to photograph the final! Luckily, an ugly duckling cheesecake still tastes delicious.

Happy Halloween!

I'm a little late since I'm still recovering, but Happy Halloween!  I went out with my sister-in-law and her buddies, who kindly lent me a costume.

Thought I found my brother Superman, but realized he was actually Sloth from The Goonies.  Oh well.  At least there are lots of Superman fans out there.

Hope you had a great one!