pretty presents
Posted: December 26, 2012 Filed under: Girl Talk | Tags: Christmas, christmas morning, falling snow, holiday, home, presents, snow, winter 1 Comment »We were happily surprised by the gift of falling snow on Christmas morning. We didn’t even check the weather forecast, so we were all smiles when we looked outside.
After exploring the snow a bit, I warmed up with hot chocolate and turned my attention to under that tree. Wrapped presents are so pretty underneath the tree. I have to admire each one before I open it, so they know that I think they are pretty. But I try to imagine that they are just bursting with excitement for me to open them, because they know I will be so happy with what is inside.
A picture perfect view
Posted: December 24, 2012 Filed under: Guy Talk | Tags: Gorge, holiday, Mountains, Perfect, Trees, View, Washington Leave a comment »I just got back from spending some time up in the northwest with The Girl’s family for the holidays and it was a great time as always. I have to admit though, I don’t think I will ever get tired of the view from up there as it’s completely epic.
snow day
Posted: December 23, 2012 Filed under: Girl Talk | Tags: Christmas, christmas tree, diy, garland, holiday, snow, snowflakes, winter 1 Comment »Ahhh! Its snowing inside! 
silver and gold…. no, just gold.
Posted: December 22, 2012 Filed under: Girl Talk | Tags: Christmas, craft, decorations, diy, gold, holiday, lanterns, pinecones, pumpkins, special occasion, spray paint Leave a comment »Who said pumpkins are just for fall?
We spray painted all the things gold. For the pumpkins, we spray painted them, cut some decorative holes, and made them into festive lanterns. We also gold-ified some squashes, pinecones, and branches. They all made lovely decorations for a very special occasion.
crazy christmas trees
Posted: December 16, 2012 Filed under: Girl Talk | Tags: 24 diner, atx, Austin, Christmas, christmas tree, creative, creative holiday, decorations, holiday, holiday surprise, Lights, upside down Leave a comment »I appreciate creative Christmas decorations. The guy and I had a late lunch at one of our favorite spots, 24 Diner, and they went and put Christmas trees upside down on the ceiling. It was such a fun, creative holiday surprise.
the season of christmas cookies
Posted: December 15, 2012 Filed under: Girl Talk | Tags: Baking, Christmas, cookie, dessert, eat, Food, holiday, list, recipe 1 Comment »I have the best memories of baking with my ma at all times of the year, but holiday baking is always special. There is just something about a big plate of beautiful cookies at Christmas that bring out the warm fuzzies.
If you are in the market for some cookie recipes, check out my list of 100 cookie recipes here. Now that I am looking through the list, I might make a batch of these animal cookies to give to the little ones I babysit.
window shopping
Posted: December 10, 2012 Filed under: Girl Talk | Tags: art, Christmas, Fab, gift, holiday, print, shopping 1 Comment »When I first heard of Fab, I thought, oh great, another one of those sites that will send me 500 emails. But I was wrong. They are awesome. I get to see all kinds of products and designers I wouldn’t normally see. And they are cool. For instance, I probably wouldn’t have seen these beautiful prints if it weren’t for Fab:
Cool vintage-style world prints.
Fun and simple city prints, like this one of Austin.
Sweet collection of infographic style prints, like a map of culinary tools.
the great whoopie pie experiment
Posted: December 9, 2012 Filed under: Girl Talk | Tags: bake, chocolate, Christmas, cookie, dessert, eat, Food, gingerbread, holiday, oops, whoopie pie Leave a comment »I received some lovely whoopie pie pans for my birthday. I had super grand plans for some holiday whoopie pies. I wanted to make these chocolate ones, but rolled in gold sprinkles, and these gingerbread ones, with the crushed peppermints. In my head, they were going to be beautiful.
Instead, the tiny whoopie pies baked to look like tiny muffins, I had to cut the tops off to make them look right, and I got frustrated and filled them with some leftover frosting instead. Not quite what I had in my head…
But after all that, its kind of hard to mess up a cookie/frosting sandwich. Tasty mistakes.
my first pecan pie
Posted: December 4, 2012 Filed under: Girl Talk | Tags: bake, cooking, dessert, eat, Food, holiday, pecan pie, perfect pie crust, pie, pie crust Leave a comment »My reasons for making a pie were threefold:
- We just got engaged, so we can do whatever we want.
- My fiance’s favorite kind of pie is pecan pie, and I need to learn how to make one for him.
- I have been having trouble with my pie crusts, and after watching the master make turkey day pies, I really thought I could conquer the crust.
I wish I could say that it was equal part all those reasons, but I won’t lie. It was mostly because I wanted to make a perfect pie crust.
I know. I could weep with joy. It turned out exactly right. The pecan part of the pie wasn’t too shabby either.
no fireplace?
Posted: December 4, 2012 Filed under: Girl Talk | Tags: Christmas, decoration, fireplace, garland, holiday, home, mantle, stocking, winter 1 Comment »
No problem. (found here)
