300 Days of Sunshine

It started off as a normal Sunday.  Jaycob and I both had the day off, and he suggested that we hike the Hyde Park Circle Trail, which was the first hike we did when we moved to Santa Fe.  We slept in a little, got the bags packed, and started off in the late morning. One of my favorite parts of the Circle Trail is the spectacular lookouts, providing gorgeous views of Santa Fe and the Jemez mountains to the west. After a continuous uphill climb, the trail leads to a picnic table at a lookout point.  On this particular day, there was a bottle of champagne, two champagne flutes and a card with my name on it, surrounded by pinecones on the picnic table.  I saw the card and looked at Jaycob.  He told me I should probably open the card because it did have my name on it after all.  The card read, "Turn Around." I turned around, and Jaycob was down on one knee.  How told me how much he loved me and how much our relationship means to him.  He ...

The past week has been so wonderful!   I love Thanksgiving and all the delicious food and warm camaraderie that accompany it.   We had a picture perfect “friendsgiving” with our good friends in Santa Fe.   Everyone brought something delicious – chipotle seasoned turkey and gravy, homemade stuffing, green bean casserole (hot dish if you’re from the north country), mashed potatoes, sweet potatoes, apple pie.   Did I mention there was wine and Baileys?   I’m so thankful to have met such a great group of friends here. I’m not going to lie, I was pretty impressed with my own contributions to the Thanksgiving feast as well.   I baked my Pumpkin Cheesecake Cake that is probably the yummiest thing to every come out of my oven.   It was a little lopsided this time around, but just as delicious!   I also made some homemade walnut-crusted wheat bread and baked cranberries with apple and coconut.   I could eat these every day!...

In the bleak midwinter Frosty wind made moan, Earth stood hard as iron, Water like a stone; Snow had fallen, snow on snow, Snow on snow, In the bleak midwinter, Long ago. Earlier this month we welcomed our first big snowfall of the year in Santa Fe.  I absolutely love waking up to a dusting of powder and gazing up at the white capped mountains in the distance!  I couldn't wait to get up to the hiking trails and create some tracks, and I think Kua was even more excited than me! Beginning the Winsor Trail The dogs are loving it! Yum Snow beard!  I think I am ready for winter and I look forward to lots more hiking, snowshoeing, and cross country skiing!  

I can see snow in the mountains!   Winter is here!   I was planning to hike today but the blustering winds and ominous clouds encouraged a stay-inside-drink-coffee-read-books type of day, which was greatly welcomed after a long three weeks at work.   I have been house sitting this week for our good friends vacationing in Hawaii, which made my schedule doubly busy, but also provided me with the perfect opportunity for a staycation.  (Staycation: "A neologism for a period in which an individual or family stays and relaxes at home, possibly taking day trips to area attractions.  Staycationers achieved popularity in the US during the financial crisis.")  In between dog walking and attempted cat befriending, I relaxed in my pajamas, read magazines, and finished up some crochet projects.   Here are some pretty things I made: My first afghan! Close-up Kua approves Slouchy hat in Golden Rod Slouchy hat in Cranberry ...

I’ve been baking up a storm lately!   (I guess I shouldn’t use the “s” word so lightly in the wake of Hurricane Sandy… but regardless, I have been baking a lot.)   I was so excited to make cupcakes for a Halloween party last weekend, and I decided to repeat my St. Patrick’s Day cupcake recipe because those delectable delights are just too delicious for one holiday.   I bring you: Irish Car Bomb Cupcakes. Side note:   My mom laughed when I told her what I was making.   I didn’t realize an Irish Car Bomb was a real thing (beside the drink, of course).   My generation can be so naïve. You start with chocolate cupcakes made with Guinness.  Then you mix of some ganache (a fancy name for filling) with Jameson. Scoop the middle out of the cupcakes and spoon in the ganache. Last comes the icing.  Buttercream frosting with Baileys.   This is by far the best part!   (Especially if Baileys happens ...