Sweet Dahlia Memory

Posted on August 24, 2012 by Hannah Hanley

My colleague’s 94 year old father brought in 3 big bunches of dahlias the other day. He raises them on his 4 acres of property and delivers them to his remaining friends. He joked that most of his friends are gone now and that his stops include their kids and grandkids along with several “old people homes”.

His comments reminded me of a good friend in high school; his grandmother doted on her dahlias, bragging about them regularly and showing off her garden.

Which reminded me of a walk this time last year with my mom and grandmother (98 years old now). We meandered through the gardens in the retirement area of the home she lives in. There were yellow dahlias as big as my head and she liked feeling the petals and talking about the colors. We reminded her of the house in Tacoma on Vassault, that grows the most gorgeous flowers every year and has a sign that reads, “Dahlias for Sale”.

Dahlias remind me of when I was volunteering at The Children’s Center in Salt Lake City and one of the girls in the class was the cutest, sassiest, little thing named Dahlia.

-h

Homemade Ice Cream Sandwiches

Posted on August 22, 2012 by Hannah Hanley

Last week S and I were tasked with providing dessert for a “Meet New Baby” party. We started brainstorming ideas and decided on homemade ice cream sandwiches. Given the temperatures last week in this area (90 plus) transportation was a little difficult for these babies, so if it is going to be hot I would suggest serving these for a party that does not require moving them from freezer to freezer. Melting and re-freezing aside, I loved them. We made 3 types all in mini form: chocolate chip cookie/coffee ice cream, funfetti cookie/vanilla ice cream, and pineapple cookie/pineapple coconut ice cream. I missed my chance to snap a photo of the pineapple ones but I did manage to capture the other two flavors.

I used this recipe for the Funfetti Cookies, and they turned out fantastic. Once the cookies cool, place a small scoop of ice cream and sandwich, we rolled the edge in sprinkles like a tire for a bit more detail.

I consulted All Recipes for the Chocolate Chip Cookie Recipe, and swapped mini chips for normal ones since we were shrinking the size, I also skipped the nuts.

Other flavors we considered making – peanut butter cookie/strawberry ice cream, ginger cookie/peach ice cream, sugar cookie/lemon sorbet. My mouth is watering thinking of the endless possibilities. Summer isn’t over yet!

-h

PSY – Gangnam Style

Posted on August 21, 2012 by Hannah Hanley

Am I the only one who hasn’t seen this yet? It’s awesome.
[youtube http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=9bZkp7q19f0]

Hahahaha.

-h

Tuesday Shoesday: Smoking Slippers

Posted on August 21, 2012 by Hannah Hanley

Everywhere we look right now, booties are getting credit for being this fall’s shoe of choice. We’ve already discussed those, so I think today we’ll let the smoking slipper shine today. Perfect for the transition of fall to summer, I mean who are we kidding it seems like it’s hot through September these days. Here are the ones I’m deciding between.

Steve Madden ‘Chaufur’ – $89

Vince Camuto ‘Lilliana 2’ – $97

BCBGeneration ‘Dashi’ – $88

I’m digging the prints, sparkles and studs for this style to add a little pop to your outfit.

-h

Modern Day Victory Garden!

Posted on August 16, 2012 by Hannah Hanley

In the 1940’s the Department of Agriculture created a huge campaign to fight food cost inflation called the Victory Garden. The concept was backed by the thoughts that gardeners would feel empowered by their contribution of labor and rewarded by the fruits of their labors – literally.

I’m not sure if it is because I’m getting older, but it seems like more and more of my friends are planting their own gardens. In the same victory style concept but now, less to fight food cost inflation but more to support farm to table style dining. And more because of the fear of what the pesticides in our food could mean for our future generations. Organic farming is the new victory garden.

I think I mentioned before that I joined a CSA for the first time this year. Every week I pick up a small share from Terry’s Berries in Puyallup, WA. I’ve been getting so much produce, paired with the things from my own garden that I’ve had to split the small share with my parents. If you do have too much produce from your garden and you’re tired of freezing, canning, or prepping, most food banks are happy to take them as donation.

Think organic products can’t be as big as normal ones? Check out this spinach leaf.

Are you growing a garden this year? Organic or not? Involved in a CSA?

-h

Currently Coveting: Cabin Cozy

Posted on August 10, 2012 by Hannah Hanley

Just saw this 700 square foot cabin from Mountain Living, and instantly fell in love with the property. The views, the coziness, but the brightness from those windows. I read a book a while ago that was written from Ernest Hemingway’s first wife’s point of view, called “The Paris Wife”. She writes about spending time in the mountains and feeling healthy, fit and happy from breathing the fresh air daily, eating well, and drinking wine in the evening by a fire. This cabin makes me think of cozying into a blanket, reading a good book, and sipping tea in the morning. I picture hiking, and fly fishing during the day, and then drinking wine and talking around the fire in the evening. Everything about this small foot print space is gorgeous (the styling certainly helps with that).

Get the cozy look with these blankets.

Pendleton Rainier

Pendleton Basketmakers

Pendleton Glacier

-h

Public Art: Melting Ice Cream Truck

Posted on August 8, 2012 by Hannah Hanley

Love this Melting Ice Cream Truck sculpture by The Glue Society. It reminds me of hot summer days, hearing the music miles away and begging our parents for money for a Choco Taco!

(via Honestly WTF)

-h

Designer Tuesday

Posted on August 7, 2012 by sarahvbowling

In Lieu of our usual Tuesday Shoesday, I thought I would highlight a designer purse that I have been coveting. Dooney and Bourke reminds me of my mom because when we were kids she had this classic Dooney green purse with a matching wallet and coin purse that my dad had given her one Christmas. At the time I didn’t realize that it was a timeless beauty, but I liked the duck emblem.

I’m going on a trip to Kenya in the fall and have been looking for the perfect natural colored bag to bring. I can’t help but picture myself with this:

Dooney & Bourke ‘Florentine’ Vachetta Leather Satchel

Probably an inappropriate choice for my travels, but I’ve never been one to conform.

xoxo

-s

Blue Angels at Seafair

Posted on August 6, 2012 by Hannah Hanley

The first weekend of August in Seattle brings Seafair, featuring hydroplane races, the Navy and Coast Guard, and of course, the Blue Angels. S and I spent Saturday on our friend’s boat checking out the festivities on the north side of the I-90 bridge. As a native Washingtonian, I have to admit, this is the only way I’ve experienced Seafair. The crowd was in great spirits, the weather was absolutely perfect, and the fly overs were deafening. All with “Highway to the Danger Zone” playing in the background.

-h

Tuesday Shoesday: Anniversary Sale Booties

Posted on July 31, 2012 by Hannah Hanley

It’s no secret that S and I have an affinity for shopping at Nordstrom. So, when the anniversary sale comes around every summer, we do our best not to get too carried away. This year, I’ve been scoping out booties. I mean, I already have my fair share of tall boots. But these would truly round out my collection. Plus, they are totally spring/summer wearable, right?

Aldo ‘Fastrost’ Boot – $86.90 during sale, $129.95 after