I drive a Chanel car

Here's my logic:

My car:

And:

Official Endorsement:





Ergo: I drive a Chanel car.  My reasoning is flawless and I see no reason for debate.  Period.  :-)

Craving...

Egg Salad Sandwiches

makes 4 sandwiches

8 hard boiled eggs, peeled and cut in half

heaping 1/4 cup mayonnaise

heaping teaspoon whole grain mustard

1 teaspoon finely chopped tarragon

2 teaspoons chopped flat leaf parsley

2 tablespoons finely diced shallots

2 teaspoon fresh lemon juice

salt and pepper to taste

bread

Making egg salad is super easy.  Once the eggs are hard boiled and peeled, and the herbs and shallots are chopped, dump everything into a medium bowl.  Use a fork to break up the egg whites and yolks and incorporate all of the ingredients.  Add more mayonnaise if you’d like it more creamy.  Add salt and pepper to taste.  Spoon onto good bread and enjoy.  Store egg salad in the fridge for up to 4 days.

From: joy, The Baker

Goodness, Truth, Beauty

Can't remember where I found it.  Probably one of the blogs on my blog-roll. 

Merry Christmas!!!

*****

Happy Travels

******

2010 New Year's Resolutions

I posted a list of resolutions at the end of December in this post.  Did I keep them?  Let's take a look:

1. Find a career that makes me excited to get up every morning;
2. confront and accept the things that happened in the past;
3. recognize and cultivate the healthy relationships in my life;
4. cook a great meal at least once every two weeks;
5. get up and get moving; and
6. face the scary stuff.
   

Number one:  I found a career that I will love, it's just going to take me a long time to get there.  I say yes, I did keep this one.

Number two and six: I have been working very hard on dealing with the past.  It's hard and takes a lot of twists and turns, but I'm doing it.  It's still a work in progress.  But, I still say yes, I've been doing this.

Number three:  No ifs, ands or buts about it, I have accomplished this goal.  And it feels absolutely fantastic.  Not being friends with people just to be nice is very relaxing.  If I like you and I want to spend time with you, I do.  If not, I don't.  I don't have to pretend with the people in my life.  It's all natural. 

Number four:  They may not have been great, but I have been more experimental in my cooking and I'm very happy with the results.  So, yay!  Go me!

Number five:  I failed miserably at this one.  There is always next year, right?

Now, I wonder what should be my 2011 resolutions? 

Guess what?

I've had over a thousand hits on my blog.  How cool is that?  Big shout out (yes, shout out), to the following countries:  Canada, South Korea, Brazil, UK, Netherlands, Germany, Taiwan, Spain and Portugal.  I have readers in South Korea.  That is awesome.  Feel free to add me to your blog roll, Google reader, and any other blog content delivery thingies  :o)  And, I would be happy to add some of you to mine if you leave me your blog info in a comment.  I'm all for sharing....except with food.  Not so good with the sharing of food.  

In honor of reaching 1000 hits, I will remember to post at least 4 times a week, or offer a valid explanation why not, follow through on my published future plans, and find completely awesome things to post about (most of the time).  Girl needs a creative break every now and then, right?
Just to give you a little indication of the possibilities over the next year, feast your eyes on these puzzle pieces:

 

 

2011 is going to be filled with lovely, new experiences.  I am so excited for the next year of my life and I cannot wait to share the  high points along the way. 

P.S. I heart Spain and I just found out I'm of German and Swedish descent, so hello.  Nice to have you in my tee-tiny corner of the Internet.

Monique, you've stolen my heart

Monique Lhuillier is hit or miss with her collections.  The pre-fall 2011 collection is definitely a hit and it has stolen my heart.  At least for the pre-fall season.

And, for my personal favorite:

I want....

this dress:

 

If you know where it came from, please let me know.  I can't find the designer anywhere.  

DIY: a tiny gingerbread house that perches on the edge of your mug.

I love searching the web for awesome DIY projects.  I must have a hundred projects saved in my Bento box.  But, every once in a while, I'll run across something that is absolutely brilliant.  Today, we have one of those items. 

 

Aren't they amazing?  Maybe I just think they're amazing because it took me about four hours to put this together:

Pitiful, right?  Gingerbread houses are an art.  They are difficult and I'm happy that I at least finished one, even if all the pieces came from a box. 

Over at Not Martha, who could definitely be Martha, you can read the full instructions on how to DIY your own tiny gingerbread house that perches on the edge of your mug.  She even got spunky and added a chimney to some:

One day, I will be brave enough to try another gingerbread house.  Maybe I'll even get spunky and make these tee-tiny versions for my next Christmas party.

Blur

Sometimes we focus too much on the future and life starts to whiz by in a blur.  Today, stop and appreciate the life you have now, good or bad, for it is all you are guaranteed.  

If only I had an awesomely formal holiday party to attend this year....

Gift Guide

TomKat Studio Holiday Gift Guide

I found it really useful and fun.  Hope you do, too.

Chronicle Books

Chronicle Books is hosting a giveaway!

1. make a list of chronicle books valued at up to $500 that you love and would like to win

2. post the list to your blog and you'll be entered to win your list of books!  BETTER NEWS:  one of your readers who comments on the post will also win your list of books too! 

See rules here.

Here's my list: 

 

$40

$19.95

$14.95

$24.95

$16.95

$35

$14.95

$16.95

$24.95

$16.95

$27.50

$12.95

$14.95

$35

$18.95

$14.95

$19.95

$35

$12

$12

$18.95

$40

10.95

Total:  $498.75

All of the books I chose (and you can choose) can be found at Chronicle Books. And, if you want an opportunity to win my books (should I win), leave a comment!!

Fun Gift #3

$13.60 at Amazon

A beautiful book with great shelf appeal.  It's a gift that says I think you're smart, you deserve pretty things, and Merry Christmas all rolled into one attractive package.  It's perfect for pretty much anyone, male or female, close friend or dog walker, and even old and young.  A timeless gift sure to be enjoyed.

Fun Gift #2

It's $99. Can you even?  I'm a Mac girl through and through, so this is right up my alley.  However, I think it's just fun enough that others will love it, too.

Apple TV

HD movie and TV show rentals

Netflix and YouTube streaming

iTunes music and photos from your computer

802.11n Wi-Fi

Apple Remote

And, as a bonus, you can get this nifty gift wrapping: