2011

We had a fabulous Christmas, a wonderful trip to Colorado to visit my brother and sister in law and my sweet little niece and now we just arrived home to ring in the new year with some good friends! Welcome 2011, I have big plans for you and big dreams too!!! I welcome you with open arms....xoxo

Have a Happy New Year and please be safe!

Do you have any cans of pumpkin lying around that you need to get rid of? If you were like me and bought enough cans of pumpkin puree to feed an army, then you are going to need a recipe to finish them off...
I made this last week and it was so scrumptious...It is from the Gourgeously Green website. Her book is great too!(*Note, it says to use fresh pumpkin and I used canned pumpkin and it turned out great. Also, I would not use as much red chile flakes as it was pretty spicy. Maybe 1/4 teaspoon instead)....enjoy!!

Creamy Pumpkin Soup with Brown Rice and Swiss Chard

2 tbsp butter

1 onion, chopped

2 cloves garlic, finely chopped

1 tsp ground cumin

1/2 tsp red chile flakes

7-ounce pumpkin, seeds and flesh removed, chopped into 1-inch cubes

3 cups chicken or vegetable stock

3 cups whole milk (vegan: soy silk)

Sea salt and freshly ground black pepper

1 cup chopped green Swiss chard, stalks removed

1 cup cooked brown rice

1 tsp ground cinnamon

Melt the butter in a heavy stockpot over medium heat. Add the onion and garlic and sauté until softened, about 5 minutes. Add the cumin and red chile flakes and cook for 2 minutes. Add the pumpkin, stock, milk, and salt and pepper to taste, and bring to a boil. Turn down the heat and simmer for 20 minutes, or until the pumpkin is tender. Purée the soup with an immersion blender until smooth. Add the chard leaves and simmer for 5 minutes. Spoon into warmed soup bowls, add a mound of rice to each bowl, and dust with the cinnamon.

Ahh-mazing!

Sarah Bareilles rocked it! Such an amazing show. The venue was gorgeous, her voice was beautiful and she is a pretty funny gal. Can't wait to see her again someday. Raining Jane opened for her and they were pretty amazing too! Sarah (yes, we are on a first name basis now) did a cover of Radiohead's "Nice Dream"...it gave me chills...WOW! Well, now it's back to the mad week before Christmas rush!!

Excitement!

I get to see her tonight in San Francisco...I am soooo excited!!!

address please?

Here is the ole' Christmas card this year! I love getting Christmas cards in the mail everyday...it is the one thing that brightens my day. I especially love the ones with photos to see how people have changed over the year, especially the little ones! Merry Christmas!

I wish...

Here are a few of the items on my wishlist this year...

Maple Falls Bedding from Anthropologie
Vintage Thermoses from Nerdnest on Etsy
Shoes from Steve Madden
And media stand and record player from Urban Outfitters
Aren't they all so dreamy???
A girl can wish!
What's on your wishlist?

Cherish the moments

I know, it's been awhile, I do apologize. We actually had a family tragedy on Thanksgiving. My uncle had an anurism and then ended up dying the following Monday. It was a shock; completely sudden. I still can't believe he is gone. So with that, I have been feeling a little unmotivated. Not to mention that I have had a sinus infection for the past 2 weeks, had to throw my husband's company Christmas party and just dealing with the holiday bustle.....which really is nothing compared to the loss of family. I feel a little absent minded. I must say, if I have learned anything from these past 3 weeks, it is that LIFE needs to be taken seriously and that there is no room for useless relationships and that family truly is THE most important thing! You never know when someone could be taken from your life...so cherish those that you have and relish in the memories of those that now watch over you.

So, on another note, here is a picture of my hubby and I from a family photo shoot we did recently...mmm, I love him!
Oh and my son just threw up...lovely...it is going to be a long night, but it is okay because this is what being a mother is all about!!!

Sorry for the randomness, I'll get it together soon!