Exploring the new backyard.

It's springtime at the big house. Each day we are discovering new things out in the backyard. We haven't touched any of the plants yet - just waiting to see what's out there and what will grow. So far it's mostly green with a little bit of magenta. Plus a little bit of Bella. Love it.

And ps. I haven't been blogging much because I'm posting on tumblr. Check it out:
http://2012bestyearever.tumblr.com/

And pss. Yesterday I joined twitter. Follow me:
@robyncraftygirl

Sticky orange cake with marmalade glaze.

First of all, don't you love the word marmalade? It's fun to say!

And second, I found this recipe on pinterest which of course is everyone's new addiction.

Sticky Orange Cake with Maramalade Glaze.
I've found so many good recipes through thekitchn. And a bonus - this recipe is vegan!





You have to zest an entire orange for this recipe. That would be easy if I had a zester. However, I discovered that this old peeler is a pretty great substitute. And you can't tell from the photos, but the cake ended up very concave. In part because of the plate I served it on, but also because I think I opened the oven when I shouldn't have during baking. Oh well - the cake still tasted great. I served it with chunks of organic dark chocolate.

follow me on tumblr!

I've converted.
http://2012bestyearever.tumblr.com/

I think it will be easier to post the photo a day project to tumblr. Enjoy!

buzzed.

I like a good buzzed haircut.

cleaning out the freezer.

Banana Muffins.
I made two loaves of banana bread too. I had to use up those frozen bananas one way or another!
Canon Powershot.

yellow

Banana puff pastry dessert.
It should be noted that this was the second dessert of the evening.

January 6

Okay, I already missed a day. But all day Thursday I was in a meeting and then that evening led to dinner at a lame restaurant. There wasn't anything 'photo worthy'. So I made up for it on Friday and tried Chick-Fil-A for the first time ever. Not bad at all.

photo from January 4

No access to wi-fi the other day so this photo is late to be posted.
View from the plane, iPhone.

chop.

Swiss chard, carrots, onion.
nikon d7000.

packing.

Spent most of today packing for the move to the big house.

iPhone.

starting now.

Happy New Year 2012!

I've decided that starting now I'm going to post a photo for every day in 2012. Typically this is referred to as a 365 photo project and I'm following in the shadows of many bloggers who have done the same.

The logistics of my project will get ironed out as I go along. Specifically I need to figure out the most efficient way for me to post a daily photo. There are so many options - I could post right here on the blog or I could use flickr or tumblr or a combination of all of those. Regardless of how I post I know I'll be using one of my three cameras. Of course I have my iPhone 4 camera and the instagram app. Then there is my shiny new Nikon D7000. And finally, the camera that lives in my purse is the Canon Powershot SD1200.

I am full of anticipation for 2012 and so I thought this project would be a great way for me to capture the year (and hone in on my photography skills at the same time). I may or may not write a description with each photo, but 2012 is sure to bring some great visuals. Watch for a new home and a wedding!

Today's photo:
A self portrait on the way back to MN from Wisco.

Santa's Nice List.

Earlier this month Luke and I were in Chicago for a fun holiday weekend. We walked by the Macy's display windows and look what we found! It's Santa's nice list and it includes Luke, Eli and Me (although Santa spelled my name wrong).

guess who's coming to town?

before and after.

I finally completed my tv stand project. I think it only took me a year and a half. Ha!
I'm happy with the end result.
The darker stained wood matches the other end tables in the living room.

I made this.

Congrats to Emma on completing nursing school. All celebrations of such accomplishment should involve big pieces of cake!
You can find the recipe here.

I can't stop staring.

Here is our Christmas Tree, it's just as lovely as can be!

still my favorite sign.

coffee

Last week I had a notion that I should stop drinking coffee.
Guess how long that lasted?
One day.
I went one day without coffee.
It's just so good.

how it's made.

Thanks to a link from Jenloveskev I found a great DIY art project.

Then I teamed up with my friend Jackie and we began our crafty adventure. Our goal was to end up with a work of art worthy of serving as our wedding present to our friends Jake and Emily.




We chose the lyrics from the Hall and Oats song because that was the song Jake and Emily had in their wedding ceremony.
Art project = Success!

fall.

Houston Nature Center
Houston, MN