Friday, December 30, 2011

Missing In Action

How was everyone's holiday? My Christmas was amazing, Carlos (my boyfriend) surprised me with everything that was on my wish-list (Julie and Julia DVD, Scrabble, and Betsy Johnson perfume just to name a couple things). My parents also spoiled me with cookbooks, and lots of new items for my sewing machine. Other than a great holiday, I have been working a ton this week, and with my Grandpa's birthday on New Years Eve, I am excited to have dinner at my grandparents house, then coming home and drinking wine, cocktails, and/or beer while watching the New Years Eve specials and possibly talking Carlos into playing a game of scrabble. I am taking a class over winter break which starts on the 3rd and I am less than excited to have my break cut 2 weeks short, but you have to do, what you have to do...

Happy New Years!!!
-Jamie 

Thursday, December 15, 2011

Christmas Stockings


Yesterday, I took the train to my parents house where my mom gave me my first sewing lesson. While, it was a very simple pattern, my mom explained every step to me, ensuring my understanding. It took about 3 hours to make two stockings. It has only inspired me to make more things on my wonderful new sewing machine (my boyfriend is the best)! What should I make next? Let me know!
-Jamie

Saturday, December 10, 2011

Enjoying the Nutcracker



Having a great time, getting in to the Christmas spirit! What do you guys do to get into the Christmas spirit?
-Jamie

Thursday, December 8, 2011

Flakey Biscuit Apple Bake

Sprinkle raw sugar on the biscuits :)

Tonight, I decided to mess around in the kitchen and throw something sweet together, and this is what I came up with! 

Step 1:Preheat oven to 375 degrees warm up a small sauce pan. Cut one apple into slices.
Step 2: Add 3 tablespoons unsalted butter to pan.
Step 3: As the butter is melting add 3 tablespoons brown sugar, and let the two melt together. Bring to a boil.
Step 4: Add all but 3 or 4 slices of the apple to the pan.
Step 5: Add about 2 teaspoons cinnamon, more if you like.
Step 6: Stir, and keep at a simmer. Add about 3/4 cup of half & half.
Step 7:Add 1 teaspoon cream of tarter. Bring to a high boil for approximately 5 minutes, and continue to stir.
Step 8: Turn off stove, and open one package of flaky biscuits, flatten them and spread them out on a 8x8 pan, pressing them all together to form a crust.
Step 9: poor all of the mixture into the center of the dough.
Step 10: Fold the edges over the mixture to "hold" the apples, add the remainder of the apples and sprinkle cinnamon on top.
Step 11: Bake 20 minutes, Broil for 5 minutes, ENJOY!

-Jamie

Wednesday, December 7, 2011

Pink & Silver


Writing a blog post should be last thing that I am doing right now, but I have drawn a complete blank when it comes to my paper on Colombia (3 pages to go). But after I saw this nail tutorial from Ruche, I couldn't help but try it! I opted for a much brighter color than the black they used, and I love them. My left hand turned out 100% better than my right, but I can't wait to try this again! 

-Jamie

(Both nail polish colors are from Urban Outfitters.)


I started with a vibrant silver nail polish. 

Never worry about nail polish you may get on your skin, it will come off in the shower! I always paint my nail in the evening, just for that reason.

Ta-Da!!! What do you think?

Bloggin'

picture via closetcooking.com 

Recently, anytime I have down time at home, or decide to procrastinate I have been doing something that involves blogs. Whether it is writing a blog post, reading one of my favorite blogs, looking for new blogs, or reading Julie Powel's book (Julie and Julia) on her blogging experience... blogs are everywhere right now! But, today I need to get off the internet and finish writing a couple papers that are due tomorrow. 

So, I decided to pose a question: Do you like coconut? 

My boyfriend hates it, and I love it! I love making coconut macaroons because not only are the delicious, but they are one of the easiest, fastest recipes that yields a large amount. 

-Jamie   

picture via squidoo.com 

Monday, December 5, 2011

Astonishing


Do I even need to say anything about this? Stay warm everyone!
-Jamie

Winter Weather

With the last two weeks of school coming to an end, I have been avoiding a total of 30 pages I need to write for multiple classes, and a final exam I need to take tonight for an online class. The past four days it has snowed, and the high as of right now is 15 degrees! Finally it feels like Christmas! I have had my Christmas tree lights on all day as I work on papers, and have had Christmas music playing in my car nonstop. Now, once I finish my exam I plan on wrapping presents to put under the tree. My boyfriend's mom will be sending us biscochitos, and I have been checking the mail box everyday in hopes they will be there. I love how this time of year brings everyone together! What are you guys doing this year for the holidays??

-Jamie

(I forgot to mention, that I hate, hate, hate cold weather...)