Things We Did Today

I  have this beautiful book of amazing illustrations set to a calendar, and each month there is a new recipe. I truly love this book, but the entry for March is kind of hilarious. I want to know if anyone is actually willing to make these cookies. And don’t forget, you can always add more prune juice!

Actually, I not-so-secretly love prunes, but as you might imagine, Tanner won’t touch them. There are many, many foods he won’t touch (sigh).

Here’s to trying something new in the month of March… prune cookies and beyond!

Tanner and I decided that instead of going out for breakfast last weekend that we would stay in and cook the best breakfast ever (inspired by the semi-famous “classic” breakfast at the Manhattan restaurant, The Chef).

If you have figured out how to make delicious hash browns that don’t completely stick to the skillet, please let me know. I am very nearly scared off of making hash browns ever again. In all other aspects, the meal was a success. Oh, and please feel free to join us for breakfast anytime!

As the season of Valentine’s approaches, I can’t help but think of all the love notes being passed in the playgrounds across the world. I happen to have a note of my own, confiscated from an actual student (name withheld) from my classroom a few years back.

With whom would you like to go out and have that kiss with? Here’s hoping your Valentine prayers are answered.

Whoa. We’re a month into 2012 and for some reason our New Year’s fun is just now being posted. I’m sure Tanner can some how be blamed for this. Yeah, Tanner. Way to go (Love you!).

Julie throws a really nice party. Lots of snacking.

Yes, these are delicious Rice Krispies.

We hope your holidays are filled with smiles, cookies and hugs.

Love, Ami and Tanner

We had the most fun with Julie and Brett when we met them at Worlds of Fun during the scariest time of year. During the day, the amusment park is normal, with some festive decor of the season. After dark however, it turns into several haunted “houses.” We didn’t take any pictures of the “London Terror” haunted walk we did because well, it was too scary. I’m serious: there was mucho creepy stuff going down. I’m pretty sure I saw Sweeney Todd, Jack the Ripper and Jacob Marley, amongst other apparently escaped inmates from the asylum. If you’re into this sort of thing (which I’m not, actually– please don’t make me do this again, guys!), we highly recommend.

What are you revelling in?

Reading: Just finished The Giver, in the middle of Beauty and The Magician’s Elephant

Listening: Bluegrass goodness (kind of Alison Krauss-esque) by Sierra Hull

Revelling: getting photos published in The Hype Weekly (link shows some photos, but the print edition has others)

Creating: Recipe books for dear family members (details to come!)

I’ve been TREASURED! …Isn’t Etsy the best?

If you’re not familiar with Etsy, being treasured basically means an item from your shop has been selected as part of a collection by someone else. People make treasuries of favorite items, but mainly they make groups of things that go together, or are similarly-themed. But enough Etsy talk… go check out my feature!

My cousin, Jordan, congratulated me with a Happy Birthday, but then was quick to add that I had joined some sordid-sounding club called “Dirty Thirty.” I suppose I have. Tanner and I drove down to my hometown for a quick trip of birthday fun. My mom really got into the spirit, by getting out all my baby toys I hadn’t seen in years (younger sister Julie said, “whoa, they are vintage now,”). She also brought out the dog-shaped cookies, which I had to post. In Hutchinson, the preeminent cake-and-cookie-maker is without a doubt Kathie Girst. She is always booked, but if you schedule ahead, you get the best sugared-goods in the state. My dad made the fried tacos, Julie gave me 30 wrapped gifts (yes, I typed that correctly), and it was really too much fun. So fun, I forgot I had just gotten another year older.

George and Annabelle- the two best toys a gal could hope for.

Bichon Frise Birthday Cookies

What a beautiful day for a birthday!

Two of our favorite experiences from our week in Oregon were visiting the Chinese Gardens and the International Rose Test Gardens.  We went to the the Chinese Gardens first. It was so quiet and serene there, we could have stayed for hours. I think admission cost something like $10 and was a little off the beaten track, but was so very worth it.

The second place we went was to the Rose Gardens.  This was just across the way from the Chinese Gardens, and was completely free of charge– it’s a public park! I couldn’t get over how something so gorgeous and scenic could not cost anything at all.  We took our time wandering about, and I wouldn’t hesitate to return.  This is a must-see if you visit the Portland area.

This was one of many exquisite views from the Chinese Gardens. Truly transporting.

Olfactory and visual beuaty prove a delight.

"In a sky so clear and blue"