snow day

(carrot muffins)

(birthday carrot muffins + cashew frosting) 

(my singer) 

(pickling green beans)

monday we had a snow day. the roads were so bad, we actually had to turn around and come home. i think our entire town closed down. i made carrot muffins for j's upcoming birthday. they are pretty healthy, with the icing made up of mostly cashews. i am not sure how i feel about cashew cream. maybe i really need a vitamix to know for sure. 

i also pulled my sewing machine out from the basement. dusting it off was as far as i got. and i am into pickling these days. it is really easy, and all you need are some jars, vinegar, sugar, spices (pepper, dill, whatever). i loosely used this recipe for carrots and green beans. they are really good. and i'm pretty sure pickled stuff is really good for you. but don't quote me on that. 

12 simple things i want to do in 2012

1. learn a little french (with books on tape during our long work commutes)
2. run my first 10 K
3. make a garden in the summer in our backyard (tomatoes, zucchini, cucumbers, anything else easy to grow)
4. see more of newfoundland via hiking, camping, biking, canoeing, road trips
5. make more food at home (granola, muffins, treats, nut butters, vegan ice cream, maybe even nut milk)
6. buy less stuff (we are already pretty good with this...)
7. reduce my debt load a little (via #3, #5, # 6, and maybe working a little more)
8. read more (especially for work)
9. try snowboarding (i tried it over ten years ago, but i think it's time to give it another shot)
10. learn to use the used sewing machine collecting dust in our basement (starting with something easy like  pillow covers)
11. chill out a bit (i am pretty hard on myself)
12. all the usual things: drink more water, drink less alcohol, visit the gym 3-4 times a week, eat healthy, take my vitamins

i already love 2012. i think it is going to be the best year. a big event is in my future

orange slice ornaments

j and i are loving christmas right now! our tree is up, and we are decorating it, DIY style. yesterday we made orange slice ornaments: slice up some oranges, place in a 225 degree oven for a few hours, string with dental floss or fishing line. so easy, and really so beautiful.