A Crafty Christmas

Hours were spent at the breakfast nook as a little girl creating gifts for my family out of odds and ends found around the house. One year I creating a village for mom out of a gift box lid and McDonald's Happy Meal toys. My father still has all of his gifts filed away in his study.

This year I'm skipping the malls in exchange for crafting on our big table to the tune of Mariah Carey's "Merry Christmas". It's not easy. Fashioning meaningful gifts that aren't too reminiscent of the ones I created as a child is a challenge. But an enjoyable one.

Best Ever Pecan Pie

I'm always giving away my best kept secrets. I'm a sharer, what can I say. This pecan pie is good, and I mean really really good. It's sans the weird jelly filling and incredibly simple to make. Even the non-baker can easily whip this together and surprise the family tomorrow.

Ingredients

1 cup light brown sugar
1/4 cup white sugar
1/2 cup butter
2 eggs (the ones from free range chickens are the best cause they add more body)
1 tablespoon all-purpose flour
1 tablespoon milk
1 teaspoon vanilla extract
1 cup chopped pecans

• Preheat oven to 350 degrees F
• In a large bowl, beat eggs until foamy, and stir in melted butter. Stir in the brown sugar, white sugar and the flour; mix well.
• Last add the milk, vanilla and nuts.
• Pour into an unbaked 9-in pie shell. Bake in preheated oven for 10 minutes at 400 degrees, then reduce temperature to 350 degrees and bake for 30 to 40 minutes, or until done.

(recipe and photo via allrecipes)

Mix Master Mark

It's astonishing how many bands have recorded at The Tone Shoppe in the few months that it's existed. Mark is adding our friend Alyssa's band, Churches Burn, to the list this week. I was only half awake yesterday when Mark was explaining something about recording a microphone attached to a drill. Point being, it will sound crazy and amazing and I can't for you to hear it.

Tiny Vegan Pies

Tiny pies are back! This time in vegan form. Flavors include Lemon Blueberry, Maple Pecan, and Rosemary Apple, all for my favorite vegan's birthday.

Check (sort of)

I successfully finished the headwrap from the lovilee wool yarn but I did not so successfully learn the "plait" stitch. I poured through youtube tutorials for hours knitting the yarn into a big mass of tangles and eventually admitting defeat. I relearned that valuable lesson that you can't become an expert overnight, it only comes with experience.

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9:21 a.m. - woke up with an excitement hangover from an impromptu girls night that included two free tickets to CATS and a late night dinner at Tip Top.

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...from my favorite book.

I heart Columbus - Downtown

This once dead little cluster of buildings has begun to resuscitate into a thriving metropolis. It's still in the beginning phase. There are clusters of construction and open soon signs. Most restaurants still close at 3pm but those that stay open are packed in the evening. New galleries like OSU Urban Artspace, the endless list of theatre events, and cool hangouts like Dirty Franks all help to bring our downtown back to life.

Dear Indoor Herbs

Thank you for letting me bring you inside despite my long history of killing indoor plants. Please give this a chance and not die on me. I will talk to the cats about their never ending attempts to knock you down.

Thanks,
Michelle

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There laziness is inspirational.

If I was rich...

I would buy this clever fox scarf from Donna Wilson and these hand made Guatemalan slip ons from Osborn Design.

100% wool

How lovilee is this yarn? I'm expanding my very limited knitting skills to include the "plait" stitch. Hopefully I will have a nice end product to show you soon.

Little Seafoam Dress

This gorgeous little number is forcing me into the gym every morning. It is my very own J. Crew dress which I used Sara's wedding as an excuse to purchase. I loooooooove it and it's the only thing thats been able to inspire me enough to work out.

21c Museum Hotel

I have been obsessed with booking a room at the 21c Museum Hotel since my aunt and uncle sent me an article about it being the number one hotel according to Conde Nast. It's also a museum that is open to the public and features artwork from the 21st century. How cool is that?

Watercolors

...because I really need yet another hobby.

Faves

...favorite season that is. Isn't Columbus gorgeous? Most of these pictures were taken along the bike trail which I just discovered is a the end of my street.

Today

7:46 a.m. Got my official "I have a right to complain" sticker.

Made with Love

Some of my favorite gifts are ones that were made by hand. This year I'm trying to do more handmade gifts for others.

Ties for Mark and a blouse for my Mom.