Thursday, December 31, 2009

Bring it on!



Flying by to wish everyone a Happy New Year's Eve & Day!!

Don't forget to make a resolution for the New Year.  Looking forward to seeing you in 2010, with more adventures to come  :-)


Tuesday, December 29, 2009

The Simple Woman's Daybook - December 29th


FOR TODAY, Tuesday, December 29th

Outside my window... It's finally getting cold again, the snow has stopped melting & we now have an ice rink in our driveway.  Hopefully we will get more snow to cover up the ice!

I am thinking... That I can't believe its the end of the year, 2010 here I come  :-)

I am thankful for... My trusty SUV.  I had hoped to get a new vehicle this year, but had to make other priorities instead.  It's kept me safe the last 6 years.  Go baby go!

From the kitchen... The counters are over run with holiday goods, there is no way that the two of us will eat it all, so I will bring some to work to share with friends. 

I am creating... Break from crafting for a while, until I get the holiday clutter under control!

I am going... To get ready for work, sometimes I enjoy having more time in the morning before I have to work, & other times it would be nice to have more time in the evenings. 

I am reading... Digital books on my Iphone. 

I am hoping... To take down the holiday decorations this upcoming weekend.  We always do this after the first of the year. 

I am hearing... The microwave, heating up some water for a cup of tea. 

Around the house... We have a 4 day weekend so will put away the christmas decorations as well as reclaiming our second bedroom that has become over run with wrapping paper & boxes. 

One of my favorite things... Looking forward to a fresh start to a new year, & a new year's resolution.  I've had mine planned for a while now, do you?

A few plans for the rest of the week: Coast through work, enjoy the evenings with Kyle watching some movies, & catching up on some housework.

Here is a picture thought I am sharing...



A wintery view of downtown Anchorage.


You can visit Peggy over at The Simple Woman's Daybook for more daybook entries.


Monday, December 21, 2009

Welcome!



Here's some Holiday Scenes from around our home. 



Close up of the door swag complete with red jingle bells.  And our fireplace Mantle. 



Full view of the fireplace complete with stockings & Christmas Tree reflection.  Counting down the days with our Advent Calendar.




Our most precious gifts underneath the Christmas Tree.


Wednesday, December 16, 2009

Let it snow, let it snow, let it snow...




Enchanting snow covered trees outside my office this morning, with the falling snow twinkling in the cameras flash.   Isn't it beautiful?!?
In the last two days we've had between 17-22 inches of new snowfall.  This will definitely be a white christmas  :-)


Tuesday, December 15, 2009

Holiday Baking; Almond cookies

These aren't really a holiday type cookie, but this is the only time of year that I seem to bake them. 

Almond Cookies
Cream Together;
    1 C Butter - softened
    1 C Granular Sugar
Then add, mixing after each addition;
    2 Egg yolks
    1 C Almonds - ground fine
    1 tsp. Almond Extract
    2 1/2 C All Purpose Flour

Dust hands with more flour, & roll dough into 1 inch balls.  Place on ungreased cookie sheets, use the bottom of a round glass to flatten balls (dip bottom of glass in flour so dough doesn't stick). 

Bake 350 Degrees, 9-15 minutes. 


Icing
    2 tsp. Instant tea (not flavored)
    1/4 C Butter - softened
    1 1/4 C Powdered Sugar
    2 Tbsp. Milk

Cream together butter & tea.  Add in powdered sugar & milk, stir until smooth.  Ice tops of cooled cookies. 



*If you want to be fancy, decorate the iced tops with a slivered almond or two.


Sunday, December 13, 2009

Holiday Baking; Mexican wedding cookies

This is an adaptation of my mothers recipe.  I also call them sand dollars.



Mexican wedding cookies
1/2 C Butter* - softened  (no substitutes)
1/4 C Powdered Sugar
1 tsp. Vanilla extract
Pinch of salt
3/4 C + 2 Tbsp. All Purpose Flour
1/2 C Walnuts - chop fine

Combine softened butter, sugar, & vanilla. Add in salt & 3/4 C flour.  If dough is too wet, add in remaining flour.  Add in walnuts, the smaller the pieces the better.  Let chill 1 hour. 

Roll dough into small balls & place on ungreased cookie sheets. Bake 350 degrees, 12-14 min., or until the tops are firm and the bottoms are golden. 

Take warm cookies & roll in more powdered sugar.  This works well in a ziploc bag, or in a large bowl. 

*If you use salted butter, just omit the pinch of salt.*

Friday, December 11, 2009

4 Seasons

Wow, what a crazy years its been for our household!  We've had a ton of activity & it seems that the last year has breezed by.  Here's a peek at our memorable moments of 2009.

Spring:
* Started the year with a bang *literally*, the numerous eruptions of Mt. Redoubt finally made its impact in Anchorage with a dusting or two of volcanic ash! 















* We watched the ceremonial start of the 36th Annual Iditarod Sled Dog Race. 





We took our spring pilgrimage to Valdez, its become an annual tradition, & our visit always falls on Memorial Day weekend & early enough in the year so that we can still enjoy the many waterfalls that dot the mountainsides around Valdez.

















Kyle had to take a business trip to Seattle & I was able to join him for several days & extend the trip into a few leisure days of fun. 









Summer:
A short day ride south of Anchorage, we travelled the tram to the top of Mount Alyeska for a view of the seven glaciers surrounding the resort. It was a nice afternoon trip & I am hoping next year to paraglide from the top!





Just two weeks later we travelled to California for a mixture of business & leisure.  We spent 4 days in Anaheim then travelled, for work purposes, to Apple Valley for another 5 days.




 












Fall:
* We squeezed in a trip to the U-pick farm.  We were rewarded with warm weather & a bountiful variety of fresh fruits & vegetables.

















* The perfect weather for picking berries in Arctic Valley!  We were a bit slow to harvest, but enjoyed the trip nonetheless. 


















Winter:
Time for celebrating with parties & lots of tasty food!  Our company Christmas Party.  Always enjoyable, a fun evening of food & entertainment, & a reason to get all dolled up.  I kept the pics to a minimum, between socializing with co-workers, I thought it would be a bit rude to walk around taking a bunch of pics, so you'll just have to believe me when I say it was a great party!