Best of 2011

I made some

"that's a keeper"

meals this year.

Here are a few

of my favorites...

Pear Upside-Down Cake

Fall Apple Cake

 Split Pea Soup

Chicken Pot Pie

Guinness Cupcakes

Cinnamon Rolls

Cup of Garden Soup

Coconut Ice Cream

I'm excited to see

what 2012

has in store

for my taste buds!

A look back at 2011

I love looking back at the year passed

to see what has come my way.

The changes,

the surprises,

even the heartaches.

Here is a little look back

at Wuthering Iris...

January was kicked off

with a new bathroom!

(and a broken back for Micah)

Our bathroom went from this...

to this...

Even as I look at that picture

I can see all the changes

and deco that I added to

the new place. 

February was my

30th Birthday!

 

And in March 

we realized just how

gigantic Silas was!

I came down with a cold in April,

so I stayed in bed and

watched The Kennedys.

May was special

because I was able to

vacation in California

to see my friends

and family.

 And Kelly threw a

beautiful garden party!

 In June, Micah and I were finishing up

our adoption application

and having some photos taken

to send to the agency.

(no baby news yet though...sigh)

July was full of fun!

Coffee

Gardening

Vintage Fairs

and

Cupcakes!

And I can't forget

the sailing!

August was so busy...

I didn't blog once!

But I gave a little wrap

up in September.

Camping...

Gardening...

Harvesting...

And party planning...

 October, my favorite month of the year,

was time to go to the

pumpkin patch!

And I also hosted a

Fall Soup Swap!

And 30 days later,

I hosted a Halloween Party!

In November, I was able to

travel to California again

to celebrate Thanksgiving.

And in December,

we ended the year in Portland

celebrating Christmas with family. 

I can't help

but be excited

at what this new year

will bring!

New Years Eve

What are you doing?

Hunter Boots

Looks like

it's going to start

to rain and snow again.

Which makes me

want these

Hunter Boots 

to keep my feet

warm and dry.

Image Via: Cupcakes and Cashmere

Nancy Straughan Textiles

I saw this over on
Design*Sponge
and had to
share it with you!

I would love to learn
more about creating these
beautiful fabrics.

These were created by
Nancy Straughan

Copper

This is
why I love

copper cookware...

It's gorgeous!

Via: bloom & anthropologie

Christmas Festivities

How was your

Christmas?

Ours was wonderful!

Waking up to presents

with the family...

Enjoying our traditional

Tea-Ring... 

The most amazing 

Quiche for Brunch...

Drinking coffee from my new

Anthropologie Mug...

Opening a special present 

from the parents...

A Vintage Children's 

Christmas Book 

and Anthro Ornament!

And enjoying some 

sister time...

 

Merry Christmas

I hope your holiday

is filled with the true joy

of the season.

Merry Christmas Eve

I hope your Eve

is filled with the

anticipation

of the

celebrations

to come.

 Via: Flickr

Felt Ornaments

I need these 

felt ornaments 

on my tree!

I wonder

if I could

make them?

via: fairyfolk

French Cards

I love these French Cards
from Rifle Paper Co.

Breakfast Out

Micah and I

went out for breakfast

yesterday.

Thanks to the wonderful

Christmas gift

from our friends

Andy & Janet!

Thank You!

 

Apricot-Pistachio Sticky Buns

My first day of
Christmas Vacation
started yesterday.

Oh how I love
the feeling of waking up
with absolutely
no work to do at all!

So I decided
to lounge around the house
and make these...

Apricot-Pistachio Sticky Buns

Adapted from Pioneer Woman & Martha Stewart

1 Batch of my basic Cinnamon Roll Dough Recipe

6 tbsp Apricot Jam (more if needed)

1/2 cup chopped Pistachios
1 cup butter, melted
1 cup brown sugar

1. Once you have made the cinnamon roll dough, roll it out of a floured surface.

2. Spread the apricot jam over the top making sure to distribute it evenly. 

3. Drizzle the melted butter over the dough, then sprinkle the chopped pistachios and brown sugar on top. 

4. Roll the dough up and cut into 1 inch slices. Bake according to the Cinnamon Roll Recipe directions.