One Rare Bird

I Don't Know What These are Called

but they make smart girls stupid.

{quote via Corina Writes}

Out with the Old, In with a New Nose Ring

Magic 8 Ball

House Plant

It's Hot Outside Batman

"Mad About Art"

I just spent this past weekend working and attending Clay Ball - the second-largest event put on by my new employer: Salem Art Association. I started working for SAA in December and I love my job so much that it hardly feels like work! On Saturday I woke up early and spent the day with some wonderful co-workers and volunteers setting up for the event; I then went home and got gussied up in 1950's/late-60's Mad Men-style vintage, and proceeded to enjoy an evening full of fabulous art, good food & wine, stimulating conversation, and my favorite part: the photo booth sponsored by local photographer Erich McVey. The theme for the evening was Mad About Art in honor of one of my favorite shows, Mad Men, so I found a gorgeous blue wool suit in honor of Joanie Holloway and accessorised with my handsome fella...

We look pretty good if I do say so myself!

Looking Back at 2011

As I mentioned on Monday I don't want to get too far away from 2011 without sharing some of the things that - when pieced together - made up my life this past year. So today I'm sharing some of my favorite images and moments from 2011. Every year I can't help but look back on the previous year with gratitude for what has been and also for what's to come. Here's looking back...

January to July...

August to December...

Here's to looking forward to what we'll be looking back on one year from now. Happy 2012!

A Smash Success

This year we celebrated our first Halloween in our new neighborhood, and it couldn't have been more fun! Our particular street was so full of people that we ran out of candy in less than an hour, and unless you wanted to skip some of the best-decorated houses you had to queue up with other families on the sidewalk to wait for your turn at the front door. Brannock only lasted an hour before he wanted to go home, but Haven kept going. She raked in candy like there was no tomorrow and now we're up to our bloodshot candy eyeballs in mini Skittles and Milky Way.

Oh, and while I'm at it, I can't help but share one of my most favorite Halloween pictures from when John and I were first married. I think it needs a frame!

Learning From My Mistakes (and Subsequent Fiascos)

I believe the most dramatic post I've made to date is when I shared my obsession - that lead to full-blown mania - over finding a 2011 calendar at the end of last year. Well, I'm happy to report I've learned from my mistakes and ordered my new 2012 Frankie Calendar just moments ago. Not only am I overcome with feelings of elation because I know I'll be avoiding a repeat of last year's fiasco, I have the added benefit of dismantling my 2011 calendar and framing the images (many by my favorite artists) to display around the house for virtually $4 per print. What more could a girl ask for year after year from a calendar?

{this year’s calendar features works from artists: Elisabeth Dunker, Ashley G and Drew, Pin Pals, Donna Wilson, Catherine Campbell, Amanda Blake, Anke Weckmann, Nancy Mungcal, Ana Albero, Marjorie Liucci, The Black Apple and Sarah McNeil}

Pantone Apple Pie, Oh-My!

After eyeing this Pantone-inspired pie pan at Anthropology for the past few months, I finally lucked out and found it on sale last weekend. I couldn't wait to get home and bake my favorite apple pie, then slice into it and see all the pretty colors appear in the void that was once apple pie. Granted this pie is delicious even without my new pie pan, but I'm certain the pan played an intricate role in our devouring the entire thing in only 8 hours!

Apple Cider Pie

Ingredients:

• 2 cups apple cider
• 1/3 cup sugar
• 3 Tbl cornstarch
• 2 Tbl fresh lemon juice
• 2 tsp vanilla extract
• 1 1/4 tsp pumpkin pie spice
• 3 pounds cooking apples ( peeled, quartered, and cut cross-wise)
• Store-bought Pillsbury pie crust
• 1 large egg, beaten
• 1 Tbl sugar

Bring cider to a boil until reduced to 1/2 cup (approx. 20 min). Let cool completely. Combine cider, sugar, cornstarch, lemon juice, vanilla, and spices. Stir apples into cider mixture.

Preheat oven to 450⁰. Spoon mixture into prepared crust. Place top crust over the mixture, fold edges under and flute. Cut 6 one-inch slits into the top. Brush with egg and sprinkle with 1 Tbl sugar. Place pie on a baking sheet and bake at 450⁰ for 15 minutes. Reduce heat to 350⁰ and bake for an additional 45 minutes. Remove from oven an place on wire rack to cool before slicing. (Serves 10).

Enjoy!