Enough Pinterest.

This is going to be quick. I need to kick myself off of pinterest for the day.
( I truly haven't been on it for awhile so it would be easy to loose an hour staring at my computer screen)
So... I am going to share a few things with you and then move on to my other list of chores. Organizing my desk, finishing unpacking, etc.



Something I could make...

                                                                     Source: anthropologie.com via Britta on Pinterest




 Something to collect...

                                                                            Source: alifeofblue.blogspot.com via Britta on Pinterest

Something to eat...

                                                                      Source: afarmgirlsdabbles.com via Renee on Pinterest

Something to laugh about...

                                                                               Source: Uploaded by user via Beth on Pinterest

Now I'm off to be productive.  A few Christmas pictures coming soon....

 

Merry Christmas to You and Yours

For to us a child is born, to us a son is given, and the government will be on his shoulders. 

And he will be called Wonderful Counselor, Mighty God, Everylasting Father, Prince of Peace.

- Isaiah 9:6

Giveaway from Snail Mail

Red with white bows. Silver and gold accents. Striped gift bags and polka dot wrapping paper...

The only thing more fun than giving or getting a present is giving or getting a pretty present! 

Do you have a Christmas wrapping "theme" this year? Snail Mail Designs would love to see and hear about 

it. Please post your photos and/or descriptions on our facebook page to be entered into a contest to win a 

set of 10 Triangle Tree Gift Tags to tuck away for next year's wrapping supply! 

Please make your submissions by Christmas (or earlier for those of you who are allowed to open before Christmas morning)!

Thanks for stopping by! Now I need to get back to wrapping a few last presents myself...

2012 Calendar

We just added this beautiful little desk calendar to our shop.

I couldn't wait to hang one of them on my desk area. Suddenly my to-do list seemed a little easier to tackle ;)

Thanks for stopping by. Hope you are having a wonderful beginning of the week!

Christmas Photo Adventure

Last weekend at my parents' cabin we finally took some pictures for our Christmas card. We had to do it in the morning before we left on Sunday, so the sun was quite blinding with all the snow on the lake. The wonderful part was that it was so warm out that standing without proper coats was no big deal. I can handle with 40 degree winter weather. My mom took all the photos for us. Thanks mom for putting up with my awkwardness of being on the other side of the camera for once and Ben's inability to keep his eyes from squinting. Here is a good selection of the photographs below, but the photo we chose for our cards is not included. You'll have to wait for that ;)

Lights & Coffee

So this morning I got a call for a substitute job and I thought I accepted it but it turns out someone else must have have snatched it up before me. (It is a automated system)...

So here I was fully dressed and ready for my day at 7am with nothing to do. I decided how to fill my time rather quickly. I brewed myself a fresh cup of coffee and curled beneath a handmade throw on the couch. I also decided to turn our Christmas tree lights on because there are very few quiet mornings where I get to simple enjoy the lights (& my coffee) rather than rushing around to get ready for work.

I hope you were able to enjoy your coffee this morning too...

A Bridal Shower

This past weekend I was in the cities to help throw a bridal shower for my friend Justine. It was a brunch shower so we did most of the decorating and cooking/baking the night before. I managed to take a few photos of the day, but there were many details that I didn't get a chance to catch.

Details of the day:

Make your own paper bag and book page flowers.

Mini German Pancake Recipe with Triple Berry Sauce

Chocolate Truffles  (I added peppermint to the recipe)

Homemade Coffee Creamers (we made the peppermint mocha & the pumpkin spice)


It was a wonderful morning filled with wonderful people and delicious food.

Hello Salted Caramel Cheesecake!

I am thankful for so many blessings this year...

my wonderful sweet husband

being able to spend Thanksgiving at our apartment with Ben's mom and sister.

being able to take a walk before dinner (this weather is lovely!)

our bright colorful Christmas lights decorating our patio

surviving Black Friday shopping

getting a full 8 hours of sleep after shopping

my hot cup of coffee

my warm cozy apartment

and...I am thankful that I send the rest of our Thanksgiving dessert with Ben to work. 

Why you ask? 

Because it was way too delicious. ( I'm not just saying that because I made it)

SALTED CARAMEL CHEESECAKE

The recipe was originally found on Joy the Baker. The original recipe is to be made in a pie pan. I however, wanted to use my spring form pan so I tweaked the recipe a bit. I listed below the ingredient changes I made for the larger spring form pan size. (I think mine is a 9" pan) The directions on Joy the Baker are very detailed and include pictures so I won't do that here. Follow the same steps, just use the different measurements here.

CRUST INGREDIENTS 

2 1/2 cups ginger snap cookie crumbs

2 tablespoons brown sugar

pinch of salt

3/4 stick unsalted melted butter

CHEESECAKE INGREDIENTS

20 oz cream cheese (at room temp) 

1 2/3 cups granulated sugar

1/2 tsp. salt 

2 1/2 tsp. vanilla extract

2 large eggs (at room temp)

3/4 cup heavy cream

1 tsp. lemon zest (I'd say optional...but it truly adds a lot)

CARAMEL INGREDIENTS

1/2 cup granulated sugar

2 tablespoons water

2 tablespoons light corn syrup

1/3 cup heavy cream

2 tablespoons unsalted butter

1/2 teaspoon sea salt

It's seriously delicious. That's why it had to leave our apartment. A whole cheesecake sitting in our fridge is dangerous. 

Introducing...Snail Mail Designs

The secret is out.

My sister and I have opened up our own etsy shop that specializes in uniquely designed paper goods.

Right now in our shop you can find Christmas cards, gift tags, birthday cards, prints,  and thank you cards. In the weeks and months to come you will start seeing wedding invitations and many more cute things!

Here are a few samples of some of what you will find...

Check out our Etsy Shop: SnailMailDeisgnShop

Find us on Facebook and "like us" to keep updates on the wonderful additions coming to the shop.

An Early Birthday...

My lovely friend Bekah was in town so she helped us celebrate my Birthday a few days early...

complete with a nice dinner at one of my favorite restaurants. 

Next up, was a Pumpkin Bundt Cake (recipe here), Vanilla Bean Ice Cream,and Champagne.

To be perfectly honest though we were all way to full from dinner so we actually lit the candles just to take photos. (um...twice...my camera's battery was dead the first time)

We then covered the cake and promised to devour it the following afternoon. (which we did).

It was delicious. 

Oh and we also fit in some remote control helicopter flying competitions, and party edition Pass the Pigs.

I couldn't have asked for a better evening. 

Thank you friends.

You make growing old easy ;)

Wednesday Words

  Source: Uploaded by user via Gaby on Pinterest

Where has the week gone?

Sorry for my lack of posts. I've been busy. busy. busy.

The good thing about my business however is that the week has flown by, and I get to start my weekend tomorrow at 2:55pm when the school bell rings.

I also have something to show for all the work I've been doing. 

But for now I must leave you in suspense. 

Minneapolis Restaurant: Cafe Ena

Last weekend we had the opportunity to try out this amazing restaurant in Minneapolis...Cafe Ena. It is described as a Latin Fusion Cuisine. The food was delicious. I am actually getting hungry just looking at the photographs again. 

we started out with some fresh guacamole...

I had this delicious fish entree...I don't even remember what it was called but my plate was quickly cleared.

I was spoiled furthermore when the meal ended with some coffee and churros served with cinnamon ice cream.

The restaurant has a great cozy atmosphere...

some city lights (out of focus) on our way home.

so good.

Well I'm off to enjoy my Saturday, and by that I mean fill up my coffee mug and read.