We spent New Year’s Eve at the cabin this year. We invited a few of our friends and caravanned up the mountain just in time for a mini snowstorm. ^^^My favorite spot in Idyllwild (pic taken by a sneaky photographer – thanks Dany, u da best). With hot cider in our mugs we hiked up to the lookout rock to enjoying the view of the canyon before the rain and snow came that evening.
^Our lovebird friends that are moving to Nashville to finish pharmacy school. We are so stoked for you guys, but we’ll miss our weekly hangs and tasty excursions. I hope we can keep a yearly vacation going… just 3 more years until you move back to us! And we can’t wait to see you in Nashville for that White Coat ceremony!
^^^Babes
I woke up early on New Years day to check out the snow before it melted away. What a gorgeous morning – the perfect way to start my 2017. Then D and I made buttermilk pancakes, eggs and bacon for the crew.
I pray that you have a wonderful New Year filled with all the best that life can bring. Health, happiness and love to you and your families.
Holiday
A Weekend At The Cabin
Pics from our weekend at the cabin. We were supposed to go camping in Morro Bay. The waves were good and the boys were excited to get some chilly surf in. I had visions of jiffy-pop around a campfire and wine tasting with Av, but the weather turned grumpy and tent camping in mud didn’t sound fun anymore. We decided to switch it up and head to the mountains instead of the beach. It turned out to be a magical weekend; with a hike to the grotto, the first snow of the season and an unexpected town center Christmas tree lighting complete with hot cider and caroling. It was a perfect way to kickstart the December feelys.
^Av, Dan and Kelsso leading the way to the grotto.
Made it to the top! What a view of the valley!
Lumberjack Dan (with boardshorts) haha. We hiked down to the grotto. In the springtime the snow melts and fills the grotto with icy cold water. It’s mostly dry during late summer and fall, so there wasn’t much flowing. It was fun to check it out and feel that cold breeze rush down the canyon crevasse.
Big dark storm clouds rolled in the next day and brought snow – perfect timing for the town Christmas tree lighting! Mike showed us how to play with flashlight photography.
On our way to the town center for some festivities!
Waiting for the Christmas tree lighting and huddling around the town fire pit, trying to keep warm and shield the kiddos from the wind and snow. Light that tree, light that tree! I can’t feel my feet.
We ran into the local grocery store to warm the kids feet and order hot pizzas for the walk home.
Happy, warm and fed.
Creampuff baby
Gift Guide for Her
Let the holiday countdown begin! We spent the weekend at the cabin enjoying a hike and the first snow of fall/winter! I needed a snow storm and the town Christmas tree lighting to kickstart the holiday-feels. December is just days away and the gift-giving season is here! This is a little “Gift Guide for Her” your mom, sister, friend etc. Last week I posted a “Gift Guide for Him” to give you a few ideas to run with! Happy Holidays!
Mango thick sweater / Anthropologie opal earrings set / ChloBo mid knuckle ring / Tan floppy hat / Kate Spade eyewear / Aerin Fragrance Coffret / Estée Lauder Gardenia Tuberose / Egyptian Magic face oil / Aesop skincare / Flower Balm Lip Tint / African Black Soap / Herbivore body cleanser / Herbivore Coco Rose / Novica cotton hammock / Turkish cotton bath towel / Trapp Candles No. 7 Patchouli Sandalwood / Kate Spade Pillow / Brass Pineapple Tumble / Anthropologie Cheese Board / Olive wood cheese board / Teal Blue Agate Bookends / Geometric glass terrarium / Sur La Table Twig Spoon / Rustic Wooden Ladder / Organic Hawaiian Spirulina / Navitas Naturals Organic Pomegranate Powder / Zojirushi Stainless Steel Mug Cinnamon Gold / Tava Vanilla Bean Ghee / Luxardo Cherries / Montagne Bleue Signature Tea Blend from Paris
Jord Watch & A Day at the Cabin
We thought some fresh air and a hike would be good for our souls. That view of the rainstorm rolling in was fantastic… it even matched my Sandalwood & Smoke Frankie Watch. I’m partnering with Wood Watches by Jord this month for a fun GIVEAWAY. One lucky winner will receive a $75 e-gift card and the rest of you will get $20 off your purchase just for entering. Win win! Christmas is around the corner and these natural wood watches are a stunning gift for your loved ones (or yourself)!
What I love about my Jord Frankie series watch:
This particular watch is listed in both men’s and women’s watches on Jord’s website, so Daniel and I can share it! Although, I caught him adding an extra link to fit his wrist, so it looks like he’s planning on stealing it. Someone was very eager to claim it as his own! I’ll just have to get one for myself. More about the watch… I love the simplistic style, smoky grey face and rich sandalwood strap. You can tell that Jord takes pride in manufacturing their one- of –a-kind wooden watches. The watch arrived in the beautiful branded wooden box – wrapped around a mini burlap pillow. There is even a tiny magnetic drawer to safely keep a cleaning cloth, extra links and pins for resizing. If you’re wracking your brain to find a gift this holiday season (or anytime), look no further, this is it. The presentation is thoughtful and the watch is gorgeous.
–>ENTER HERE<—
GIVEAWAY CONTEST will end on DEC 4th!
Good luck friends!
This post was sponsored by JORD who kindly gifted me this watch to wear, test and review. However, all opinions are my own.
Spiced Black Tea Poisoned Apples
I really dig Halloween, it’s the kickoff to all the fun holidays! The nights grow cooler and the leaves change colors. I don’t know why, but the air smells better to me when fall comes around. I’ll throw on my jacket and take a nightly walk around the neighborhood with D, just to smell the air and feel the electricity. Maybe it’s finally cool enough to cook at night and every home has something yummy in their oven. Who knows…but I love it. Cool air and sweet smells. It’s just perfect + I love all of those adorable kiddos in costumes running around with their families, carving pumpkins etc.
I made these for a couch-full of friends last night. We carved pumpkins, drank whiskey ciders and watched Children of the Corn for the first time. Does Isaac (the leader of the kids) remind anyone of Joffrey from Game of Thrones or is it just me? Same guy! And I’d punch both of them in the face if I had the chance. Gawww ;)!
I thought some sultry moody poisoned apples would be a fun treat to keep the Halloween vibes going . This was my first attempt at making candied apples. They’re fairly easy to make (just be patient when waiting for the 300F boil). I’d advise only dipping the apples once! You want to achieve an ultra thin crunchy cinnamony shell on top of the red delicious apples. I dipped mine a few times too many. Oops.
Ingredients
6 red delicious apples
6 branches from your yard (washed and dried)
2 cups granulated sugar
1 1/2 cups brewed black tea
1 cup light corn syrup
1/4 cup beet juice
5 drops cinnamon oil
Silpat mat
candy thermometer
Directions
-Insert the branches into the center of each apple. Set them aside.
-In a small saucepan with candy thermometer attached, bring sugar, (filtered) black tea, corn syrup and beet juice to a boil over medium high heat. Do not stir until the thermometer reaches 300F.
-Carefully add 5 drops of cinnamon oil. Stir until combined.
-Remove from heat and dip each apple into hot syrup. You may need to turn your pot on an angle to dip the apples deeper. Let each apple drip for a few seconds over the hot syrup to create a thin shell. After each apple is coated, place it on a cookie sheet lined with a silpat mat (non-stick) and allow to cool until the shell is hard and slick.
