-h
Category Archives: Wonderful
Fire Christmas trees!
We spent this weekend at the cabin, which is on Priest Lake in North Idaho. We were there for some friend’s wedding and also to help my parents close the cabin down for the winter. Part of the clean up included a massive beach fire to get rid of a pile of fallen tree remnants. I was tossing big pine cones into the fire and they were burning to look like tiny flocked Christmas trees. Awesome.
Did you guys have a good weekend? Spend any time outside?
xx -h
Inspiration
-h
Gurgle
What do you do when you’re feeling blue? From now on, I’m going to bust out my gurgle pot because it makes me smile.
photo: gurglepot.com
This pitcher doesn’t just pour liquid, it also makes a wonderful gurgle noise as you pour it. Maybe you’ve seen these before, maybe you haven’t. But for me, clever decorative items like this make me giggle.
-h
Ombre for Fall
I love a great transition piece and right now, I can’t stop looking at ombre items, both inside and out. It all starts with a scarf, and before I know it, I’m noticing ombre dahlias too.
Scarf - Nordstrom, Shirt - J.Crew, Jeans - Madewell, Boots - Frye, Necklace - JohnLewis.com, Tote- Banana Republic
Interior, exterior, between ombre, chevron print, and stripes, I’m getting excited about transitioning into fall. New season, new beginnings.
photo: hh
I think it’s the bajillion years of school, but fall truly means getting back in a routine. So bring it on, and bring on the ombre transition pieces because they are inspiring.
-h
Lightning Speed Garden Growth
Summer might be winding down a bit but that doesn’t mean it’s time to close up shop on the gardening. There is still time to plant a few colder weather vegetables. I took advantage of some space in my mom’s planters (she has to use planters in the front of the house because one of their dogs loves to munch down some of his favorites including the herbs, and it’s a good way to avoid slugs). I decided to pick up radish, beet, and arugula seeds. I planted them last Friday and low and behold, they’ve already sprouted!
photo: hh
Radish sprouts!
photo: hh
Arugula sprouts! With my mom’s thriving basil and a couple of rogue pansies.
Is there anything more exciting then watching something grow? It can be as simple a plant, or as complex as a child, growth is wonderful.
-h
There’s no place like home
It has been almost a week since I left Park City and moved back to the Pacific Northwest. People keep asking me why and how the hubby and I came to this decision. And the majority of it is that, there truly is no place like home. In the past week, I’ve spent more time with my family and family friends then I have in a very long time. I already miss Park City, but I know that all of the amazing friends that we made while we were in Utah will visit us, and we will visit them. We will stay in touch, it’s pretty much mandatory in the digital age.
In the mean time, I’m soaking up all things Washington right now including wine country (this view is from Windy Point Vineyards in the Yakima valley).
photo: hh
Happy hour (we didn’t have those in Utah) – last night it was at Purple Cafe and Wine Bar in Seattle where I got to drink L’Ecole’s 2009 Semillon. I’ve heard that the spot used to be a bank location, now they use the big circle center staircase as wine storage/display and as the bar location.
photo: hh
And views of the water.
photo: hh
Change is good and there really is no place like home.
-h
Remember these?! I do…
I may or may not have been stalking this pair of Michael Kors shoes since March….(I have, there is proof.)
What arrives at the doorstep today?!
photo: HH
A BIG FAT SURPRISE FROM S!
There is nothing more wonderful then a surprise, whatever it may be. Something someone says, a bouquet of flowers, breakfast or coffee already made when you wake up, or a pair of shoes that you have been stalking for 4 months. You may be the type of person who snoops until you find out what you’re getting for Christmas or your birthday (I am) or you may be the kind of person who accepts the surprise aspect of it (I respect you). I’m going to start making a conscious effort to let surprises be surprises from now on, because that is what makes them wonderful.
xoxo
-h
Oh wonderful Caprese Salad….
If there is anything I am more obsessed with right now then stripes (I’ve been trying to tone it down, but ever since I was introduced to Pinterest, I had to make a whole stripes board) it is the caprese salad! The caprese is the perfect summer snack or meal.
So let’s talk… tomato, we’re at the tail end of regular tomato season here in Utah. It is short lived in these parts, first they come from the southern part of the state, and then from the northern part, and then they are done. That is…until it’s heirloom tomato time!!! So, for your caprese, take your thick tomato slice, OR if you want to do a cute app, your plump little cherry tomato.
So you have your tomato, and then you take some mozzerella… big thick slices OR your ball of cheese.
Then you take your basil, mmm basil, and top it on your big think slices OR skewer it with your cherry tomato and ball of cheese.
Drizzle with a little olive oil, a little balsamic, a little salt and pepper…as S would say “muy deliciouso!”
Via Pinterest - http://terristable.blogspot.com/
But don’t stop at eating this for just an appetizer, I like to pair it with an over-medium egg for breakfast. (Is there anything better then an ooey-gooey egg yolk?)
photo: hh
Or for lunch or dinner, throw it onto some Italian bread and make it a sandwich or panini! Anyway, hit up your local farmer’s market, grab some tomatoes and basil and if they have it mozzerella, and commit to a wonderfully delicious, fresh, and local appetizer or meal on these hot August days.
-h
Aren’t Neighbors the Best?
Neighbors. Sometimes they can be real rotten. Maybe it’s the one that lets their dog do their business in your lawn and plays loud music into the wee hours of the night. Maybe it’s the one that has managed to find every car that is broken and doesn’t run in the county to park in their lawn. Or maybe it is just a grouchy neighbor that doesn’t seem very neighborly at all. In my experience I have come across a few rotten neighbors, but even more truly outstanding ones. It doesn’t take much. Maybe an invite here and there to BBQs and Birthday Parties. Maybe a quick stop by to say “Hi, how’s it going, we made some zucchini muffins and thought you might like some”. Tonight I experienced something spectacular from a not-so-spectacular situation…
I was minding my own business, cutting a watermelon when a felt a quick pinch to my thumb and looked down to find my hand covered in blood. In a panic (I don’t handle blood so well), I did the only thing I thought to do: Call Mom. She proceeded to called our neighbor to come over and check on me. Within seconds I heard a knock at the door. Our generous neighbor sat with a blood soaked towel wrapped around my finger tightly while making casual and comforting small talk. She even finished cutting up my watermelon and cleaned up the knife and cutting board. After I pulled my rattled self together best I could, I said I could take it from here. Although I admit, I was trying to act like an adult and the moment she walked out the door tears began to stream down my cheeks again. The bleeding had slowed but certainly not stopped. An hour later our neighbor was back over with a plate of cookies, fresh band aids, a smile and hug. Each one of these things really covered the key basics I needed.
It wasn’t much, but in a time of panic, I was really appreciative the neighborly act. It really is the littlest things that can be the most wonderful.
http://wisdomthruwords.blogspot.com/2010_04_01_archive.html
-S