Thursday, January 31, 2013

U.S. Pond Hockey Championships.


I wanted to share some more photos from the U.S. Pond Hockey Championships that happened two weekends ago.  It's just so Minnesotan.  Enjoy!







Zubaz!!






Might be figuring out a way to display this ice art in our house.  #totalfilter

P.S. Where the hell did January go?!

xoxo,
Alex

Wednesday, January 30, 2013

Chocolate Chip Peanut Butter Cookies.



I had a revelation in the kitchen the other day.  I was about to start baking, and I started worrying about taking pictures in my ugly kitchen.  It's not the most gorgeous kitchen, a little outdated, but it functions.  And here's my revelation:


You don't need a pretty kitchen to make delicious food.

Pretty life-changing, eh?  So I put those decorating/renovating thoughts out of my mind and set to work baking some delicious gluten free goodies.




Chocolate Chip Peanut Butter Cookies
adapted from Penzeys Cooking recipe book

1 cup creamy peanut butter
1 cup brown sugar
1 egg
1 tsp baking soda
1 tsp vanilla
1 tsp cinnamon (optional)
1 1/2 cups chocolate chips

Preheat oven to 350*F.  Mix all the ingredients together and then fold in the chocolate chips.  Scoop dough onto  cookie sheets and bake for about 10 minutes.  Don't over do it if you like soft gooey cookies.  Bake a little longer if you like your cookies a little crispier.


These cookies are so delicious and they are gluten free to boot!  And they are boy approved.  I made these babies in December for my brother and future sister-in-law's engagement party in December.  My brother's friends were hovering near the table and I asked them if they liked the cookies.  Here's what I got: "Are you kidding?  I've had about four."  Every baker's dream answer!  Success!  I made them again this weekend and K gave a rousing endorsement too, so these cookies are officially man-friendly!

Bake away!

xoxo,
Alex

Monday, January 28, 2013

A Weekend in Minnesota.

Last weekend, Kait came to visit.  Partner in crime from college, sorority sister for life, and I'm a bridesmaid in her wedding this spring!  It was a much needed visit with an old friend.  Plus, our new guest bedroom was crying for it's first visitor!  Lucky for Kait, she made it just in time for one of the coldest weekends we've had  in a long time!

She didn't get in until late Friday night so I spent the day putting the finishing touches on the guest bedroom.  After all my travels, I have a pretty good idea on what makes a welcoming and comfortable stay for guests.


While we waited for her to land, K and I watched the Gophers crush the Sioux in a huge rivalry match!  It was the start to our hockey weekend in Minnesota!


The Saturday of Kait's visit happened to be one of my favorite days - Hockey Day in Minnesota!  We watched the morning high school game and then prepared to face the chill at the U.S. Pond Hockey Championships at Lake Nokomis.  I had never been but it was amazing!  Hundreds of people were out there to cheer on the game as it is meant to be played - on the pond.  I wish my brother could have been there though.  He would have loved it!






After the game, we headed over to St. Anthony Main to grab burgers at Tuggs Tavern.  Here in Minnesota we have this lovely little concoction called the Juicy Lucy.  Restaurants battle it out to claim they have the best cheese-filled burger.  K has personally done a taste test of pretty much every version and his favorite is the Stuffed Saloon Burger with tons of bacon and cheddar cheese.  So, went to Tuggs to introduce Kait to the Juicy Lucy.

The sun was out, but the wind had started to pick up and it was freezing!  Hello there, Minneapolis!


Back at home, it was time for a nap before we headed out on the town to my favorite restaurant, Chino Latino, for Kait's birthday.  I know it's probably cliche around here, but I love Chino.  It has great food, an awesome atmosphere, and s'mores for dessert.  What's not to love?!

Birthday girl!
S'Mores!
My hilarious fortune.
On Sunday, Kait and I went to church at the Basilica so she could see our amazing "little" church.  During college, Kait and I were church buddies so it was fun to be able to continue our little tradition.  The next time we're in church together will be for her wedding!

At home, Kait celebrated her birthday by blowing out the candles on her very own Wuollet's Enormous Lemon Bar.  It looked so delicious!

We continued our hockey weekend in St. Paul to welcome the Wild back to Minnesota after the lockout.  We grabbed dinner and drinks at Tom Reid's before the game.  It was just good for hockey to be back.  You can just feel the relief in people.  We won and Zach Parise scored his first MN goal!


Kait and another native Minnesotan, Snoopy!

So blurry but K and I at the game!
On Monday, we said goodbye to Kait and thanks to our lovely weather, she may never come back.  -11.  And that's not even counting the windchill.  Ugh.


Thanks for an amazing weekend, Kait!  

xoxo,
Alex




Friday, January 25, 2013

Tidbits: 1.25.13



Completely inspired by badass bike tourer Wendy Law Suart.

I'm reading this book next.


I am dying for a gallery wall.

Lazy Lasagna?  Yes, please!


Make something this weekend!

What you may have missed: Marquee lights are my current obsession, I made Campfire Bananas because I'm craving summer, Thursday inspiration, and my favorite skin care products for winter.

Have a fabulous weekend!  I'll be back next week with a yummy new recipe, a recap of an epic weekend in Minneapolis, and some other random things I love.  Ciao!

xoxo,
Alex

Thursday, January 24, 2013

My Ship.



I am not afraid of storms,
for I am learning how to sail my ship.
-- Louisa May Alcott



Wednesday, January 23, 2013

Campfire Bananas.


Confession: This is not actually a recipe.  It's more of a craving.  The other day, I was dreaming of summer which led to thoughts of campfires, which led to thoughts of s'mores and bananas and by then it was too late.  I had a craving for Campfire Bananas.


Campfire Bananas

1 Banana
Chocolate Chips
Caramel Sauce (I'm loving Trader Joe's Fleur de Sel Caramel Sauce)
Marshmallows (I didn't have any but you make it work with what you have!)

Heat the oven up to 450.  Peel back one side of the banana and cut down the middle.  Be careful not to cut all the way through.  Stuff your toppings in the banana (the more the merrier!).  Cover it back up with the peel and wrap with aluminum foil.  Stick the banana in the oven and let it roast for about 10 minutes to let it get really gooey and melty.  Then, devour!


The caramel sauce is what takes this to another level.  Just divine.  What's your favorite campfire treat?

xoxo,
Alex

Tuesday, January 22, 2013

Dreaming of Marquee Lights.

Every girl dreams of seeing her name in lights one day.  Well, two weeks ago, my dad and I went on a little adventure.  My grandpa sold his office and is currently going through the process of clearing it out.  In November, my dad causally mentioned this news to me and my immediate thought was that we needed the sign.  I don't even really know how I remembered what the sign looked like but I knew it was perfect and that I had to have it.  Well, my parents had to have it.  (My dad and his siblings outrank me when it comes to calling dibs!)



So what do we plan to do with the lights?  Well, we're still kicking around a couple of ideas, but I immediately envisioned marquee lights.

Have you heard of the Picker Sisters?  Basic premise: Tanya and Tracy drive around rural America and when they see a yard with lots of junk in it, they stop and try to buy the stuff from the owner.  Once they buy it, they send it to LA to their contractor Alan who transforms the junk into amazing unique pieces for your home.  It's so addicting.  And inspiring.  They're tips for picking are spot on.  You just never know when you are going to find something amazing. 

One of my favorite episodes involved, you guessed it, a marquee light!  Ashley, over at 7th House on the Left recapped the episode but they basically find this old sign and turn it into this amazing marquee complete with a cow:


I. LOVE. IT.  It's weird, it's quirky, it's one-of-a-kind.  If I had a loft or fun work space, that baby would be mine.

Anywho, to say I've been dreaming of marquee lights ever since is an understatement.  And they are everywhere these days, from my local Anthropologie, to television series Smash:

My local Anthropologie


And the best news, they are an easy DIY!  I've rounded up a few of my favorite projects for you:






And if you're not into DIY, no worries - Sideshow Sign Co. sells amazing marquee lights:


Or you can always shop around on Etsy!


Marquee lights - I just can't get enough!

xoxo,
Alex  

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