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.
Holidays
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 Ideas for Him
I can’t wait to get our Christmas tree next week! The holiday season is upon us and with that comes gift giving! It can be hard to find the perfect gift for your guy… so I’ll be posting gift ideas for both men and women this week. The Hub helped me curate this one, so here are some fantastic gift ideas approved by an actual guy! Great gifts for the men in your life (husband, brother, father etc). Links are listed below.
And Enter Here for a chance to win $75 towards a wooden watch by Jord. There is still one week left to enter the contest! Ends Dec 3rd! Just enter you email — super easy! Good luck!
Woolrich mens pj pants / Jack & Jones men’s canvas shoes/ Spyder Steward Henley Long Sleeve Shirt / Diesel men’s backpack / Fossil men’s bifold wallet / Burton men’s beanie / Polaroid / Perry Ellis men’s grooming kit / Acqua di Parma men’s skincare / Braun shaving / Kent men’s hair brush / Jack Black men’s grooming / Prospector Co men’s hairbrush / Clinique Facial Brush / Detroit Blackout Razor / Men’s Patagonia Torrentshell Ash Tan Jacket / Le Labo fragrance / Wood watch / Ray-Ban sunglasses / Eno hammock / Wild & Wolf stainless steel travel mug / DeLonghi Espresso / Ole Smoky Tennessee Moonshine Apple Pie / Multitools / Fitbit / iPad Pro / GoPro Touch Camera LCD Screen / Bose Speaker / Black Diamond Headlamp / Bodum Pavina Double Wall Glass
Vanilla Bourbon Pumpkin Pie
The silkiest pumpkin pie you will ever eat. That bit of bourbon gives it a sultry edge – helping cut through the sweetness and highlight caramelly nutmeg flavors. This is not your Grandma’s pumpkin pie…
Ingredients
Store bought piecrust (or if you are feeling extra zealous –> pie crust recipe)
2 (15oz) cans of pumpkin puree
1 cup brown sugar + 1 tbsp extra for crust
¼ cup white sugar
½ tsp salt
4 tbsp unsalted butter (melted)
1 tsp ground cinnamon
¼ tsp ground nutmeg
½ cup sour cream
3 eggs
2 egg yolks
2 tbsp Bourbon
1 tsp vanilla extract
Directions
-Oven 350 degrees F.
-Bake piecrust first. Make a few slits in the middle of the pie dish, so the crust doesn’t bubble when baking. Follow making instructions for store bought pie crust.
-Sprinkle the bottom of the pie crust with 1 tbsp of brown sugar. This will turn into a sweet nougaty layer when is bakes with the pumpkin filling.
-In a food prossecor, blend all ingredients together until smooth.
-Pour the bourbon pumpkin pie mixture into the cooled pie crust. Bake until edges are firm but center still jiggles slightly, about 45 minutes. Don’t overbake or the pie will start to crack on top.
-Let pie cool before serving
For added excitement top with…
Bourbon Whipped Cream
1 cup heavy cream
1 tablespoon bourbon
1 tablespoon powdered sugar
1/4 teaspoon vanilla extract
* Beat with an electric mixer until soft peaks form
Spiced Apple Pecan Bourbon Cider
Spiced apple pecan bourbon ciders tonight. Sipping something cozy on the couch this golden October evening.
-Apple Pecan Bourbon Cider-
4oz Unfiltered apple cider
1.5oz Old Bally Castle Ginger by Powell & Mahoney Craft Cocktail Mixers
1oz Bourbon
1oz Laird’s Applejack
1 Tbsp roasted pecan syrup (recipe below)
Combine all ingredients into a cocktail shaker with ice. Shake and strain into a glass with ice. Garnish with apple slices and a pinch of cinnamon.
-Roasted Pecan Syrup-
1/2 cup classic gum syrup
1/2 cup roasted pecans
Blend both ingredients in a blender until smooth. Scoop into a mini sifter and use the back of a spoon to push the syrup through. Add 1 Tbsp of the creamy roasted pecan syrup to your drink. Put the rest of the syrup in the fridge for later. Discard the nut paste or keep it for toast in the morning 😉
*Gum syrup is a rich simple syrup (2:1 sugar:water) combined with gum Arabic, an all-natural resin harvested from the Acacia tree. The gum, which is comprised primarily of fiber and protein, acts as an emulsifier in the syrup and ultimately in your cocktail. 
