Category Archives: Wonderful

Surprise 35th Anniversary Party Cake

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Last Saturday we celebrated our good family friends’ 35th Wedding Anniversary.  They got married in February of 1978 with their reception at the Tacoma Sportsman Club.  When I asked their daughter what I could help with, we agreed on dessert.  I asked her to send me a pic of their cake and told her I could probably re-create it.

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In quite possibly my greatest cooking feat to date, I did that.

I ended up using a different cake recipe that what I had originally tried because the vote had been that the cake was too dense. That was maybe my only mistake. #humblebrag  The layers came out very moist and delicious, but I had troubles flipping them out of the pans.

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After not 1, not 2, but 3 cakes I flipped stuck into the pan and crumbled as I tried to save them, I gave up and tried something new.  I made Ina Garten’s Chocolate Cake for the bottom layer.

For the filling, I used my mom’s homemade Raspberry Jam, a Blackberry Jam, and Nutella, because why the heck not get a little crazy and surprise people.

For the frosting, I used Sweetapolita’s Whipped Vanilla Frosting Recipe. It was the perfect consistency for both piping and spreading and not overly sweet

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S had the cake flowers done by Ballard Blossom.  She said they were super helpful and worked with her to make them look exactly like the originals.

I am very proud of how it came out.

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Boom!

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Original compared to mine.

xx

-h

Tuesday Shoesday: Sorel Slimpack

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I’ve talked about Sorel a couple times here. I have no shortage of love for the classic brand (my friends will attest to that).  When I lived in Utah, I wore my Joan of Artics and Tivoli Plaid pair almost daily during the winter.  R recently surprised me with a pair of the tall Slimpacks and I couldn’t love them more.

sorelslimpackOn sale right now on Sorel (not many sizes) for $156 also on Zappos for $165.

They have the classic Sorel rubber base perfect for sloshing through rain or snow, but the grey (or tan) leather shaft lends itself to street wear as well.  Plus a bit of a heel makes you stand up straighter to strut your stuff.  These will for sure be in heavy rotation this spring.

xx

-h

Superbowl Snacks!

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Growing up, our family was not much a football family. Now that I’ve married into a serious football family, I have upped my football interest.  Plus, Beyonce performing the half-time show and the commercials are added bonuses.  Need some snack ideas, here are a few options, plus a couple new recipes I can’t wait to try this year.

1. Jalapeno Jam

2. Bloody Mary Bar

3. Homemade Tortilla Chips

4. Pretzel Dogs

5. Crockpot Meatballs

Looking forward to making this Hot & Spicy Buffalo Shrimp Dip (skinny style) and these Veggie Nuggets (recipe for kids, PSH, whatevs).

xx

-h

Vintage Finds: Chesterfield Sofa

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I’m borderline obsessed with the chesterfield sofa style (flashback to this blue one).  The leather ones remind me of old style country club’s mens’ lounges.  I’ve mentioned to R, my future sis-in-law, S, and probably everyone that I want a man cave complete with a leather tufted sofa that smells like scotch, cigars, and many leather bound books.  Even though R and I aren’t in the market for a couch right now, I regularly search craigslist for “chesterfield” or “tufted” in the hopes that someone won’t know what they’re trying to get rid of.  Homestead Seattle knows what they’re doing though. and when I recently saw this one listed, I couldn’t help but share.

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Available for delivery in the area, listed for $2,995.

I can imagine curling up with a cozy throw for a nice game of cribbage.

xx

-h

2013: The year of the wedding!

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S and I don’t typically do super personal posts on here, but we do talk about goals. So…I think this fits…

My good friend from growing up just asked me to be a bridesmaid in her wedding! I am soooo excited, and makes the number of weddings that I am in for 2013 – 3. Yes, I will be in 3 weddings this year.  On that note, I know my family and friends have heard me say about a billion times that I want to get fit, lose weight, look hot. Blah, blah, blah. But this year, you guys, I’m serious. I have to do it. When R and I got married, I felt good. I was strong, and my dress was flattering. So my goal is to get back down to that weight-ish.

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In the past couple of years I’ve realized several things about myself, all of which, are road blocks that I’ve created myself that prevent me from getting to the goal weight I want to be.

1. I love sweets.  I’ve always worked out, I have to for my sanity. But I also find myself mentally unprepared to turn down any chance to nosh on a bit of chocolate, cookies, or dessert.  My love of baking contributes to this.  Plus, R doesn’t eat sweets, like, at all.  He’ll eat his token Reeses Egg at Easter time, but that is it. No jokes. He just doesn’t crave it like I do. So when I bake something, it’s strictly for myself, and I usually end up taking it to work or my parents house to share with them.  I have to be able to limit my sweets intake.  Just because you hit the gym for an hour or two, means you refuel with good food not sweets. #getitgirl

2.  This….
bodyjournalBefore the wedding (we got married in 2010) – I used My Fitness Pal to drop some lbs. Find me here.  Also, over the summer, I purchased a food scale.  I’ll be honest – I bought it so I could weigh out ingredients for baking. BUT, it’s a cross-over tool. So – #weighitgirl

3.  I’ve never been happy with my body, but I’m getting older. It’s time to buck up and accept my curves. For Christmas, my parents gave me personal training sessions at my gym. I’m going to take what I learn from those sessions and push myself.

Goals:

– I’m currently at 27% BMI, I would like to get to 24% by July 3 (my 26th birthday).  I’m going to concentrate on losing weight and gaining muscle. The reward for 24% – LuLuLemon Pants!!!

– Feeling happier and more confident.

– Planning meals and snacks for the week so I don’t dip in energy/willpower mid-afternoon.

xx

-h

P.S.  I’ve been following Mama Laughlin‘s blog for a while, which led me to Elle Noel. Feeling super motivated by them.

Tuesday Shoesday: Sydney

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It was foggy for a solid week and then the rain came and it’s grey. This is the time of year, where all the stereotypes about Pacific Northwest weather are true.  What I would give to soak up a little sun, to feel the warmth.  Needless to say, I’m dreaming about summer.  When I made my way over to the Sole Society page for the first time in awhile, I was delighted by all the new options. Animal print, boots, flats, heels, and these summer casual wedges.

sydney-gingersnap__400_2 sydney-black__404_1Sydney in Black and Gingersnap – $49.95 on Sole Society

The hard part is deciding which color I like more.  Leg elongating nude or black with a tribal punch.

xx

-h

Custom Wood Headboard

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You guys! My brother made this headboard and it turned out amaze! He is taking custom orders right now if you live in the Seattle area.

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You can contact him: NathanCharlesBowling@gmail.com

He can make it any size and stained any color! I’m thinking an over sized version ala this room from La Dolce Vita would look so chic white washed with a upholstered neutral headboard in front for a monochromatic scheme.  Or with a bold color in front for something more dramatic.

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xx

-h

Liz Lemon becomes Lemon-Honey Tart

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When R and I bought the house, I knew that I wanted to get a lemon tree. I stalked our local hardware store until they arrived in April and convinced R that it would be the perfect “housewarming gift” to ourselves. We painstakingly looked through all the lemon and lime trees in the store to find the perfect Meyer Lemon varietal, the tree had 5 established lemons already growing and looked promising. We spent the day transporting the tree, which I promptly named Liz Lemon, home and planted her in a beautiful pot. She spent the summer in our sunroom, where 2 out of 5 of the tiny lemons survived the traumatic move.  All summer, R and I doted on Liz Lemon like she was our child.  Slowly, but surely, the lemons grew larger, but stayed green. At one point, I expressed to R that it was taking so long maybe we had gotten a lime tree on accident instead.

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Finally, about a month ago, the color started changing, and I knew I had lemons. They slowly turned totally yellow, and dropped off the tree.

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I was ecstatic. That weekend we had some people over for game night and cut into one of the lemons to garnish our drinks. The inside was nearly orange and smelled very sweet. Oh my gosh, did I get a orange tree instead? All night, everyone discussed the great lemon tree mistake of 2012.  The next day, I googled meyer lemons and refreshed my memory to the fact that the meyer type is actually a cross between a mandarin and a lemon, it boasts all of the lemon flavor with much less tartness. Phew.

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In hindsight, using one of my lemons to garnish vodka-sodas might not have been the best use of this quality ingredient. I knew that with my 2nd lemon, I needed to make something that would emphasize it’s best features.  This Lemon-Honey Tart with Salted Shortbread Crust highlighted Liz Lemon’s delicate flavor perfectly.

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We brought Liz Lemon inside near our dining room window that gets lots of light for the winter. A lot of her leaves have fallen off, which I read can be normal when the tree goes dormant. Here’s to hoping Liz Lemon will grow lots this spring and double her production next year!

xx

-h