a midwinter's drive

Andy and I went to visit his grandparents in Hood River on Sunday. It was a gorgeous wintry drive; cold and desolate, but we were snug in our little Honda with coffee, and ipod, the heater, and our newest little gadgets: courtesy my parents (the gps) and Andy's parents (the camera). After attending church, we ate at the Riverside Grill overlooking the Columbia and then headed home to beat the 10 inches of snow Hood River was expecting that evening. But NOT before we looked through Grandma & Grandpa's records and books! I have 6 new George MacDonald books to read, yay! Between that and the Gilmore Girls, I think I need to quit school.

Do you see the blurry white rectangle on the left side of the picture, amidst the trees? Apparently there was a landslide years ago that completely took the house out. There have been landslides in Portland lately that have destroyed a couple of houses. Scary!

Christmas crumbs...

Snow is falling in Portland once again as we prepare for another 10 weeks of classes starting tomorrow. Remind me again what possessed me to sign up for an 8am class during winter?

I finally finished filling out my Christmas Memories book. I think I wrote on almost every single line trying to squeeze it all in...

...

I'm very happy with the results.

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These were my only decorations out this year. Since we spent the majority of the holiday in Medford, it didn't make sense to get a tree, etc. So we just built a little shrine on top of our bookcase :) Mom gave us the nativity scene last year and it's my perfect style - vivid colors and kinda vintage-y. Plus it's all in one piece so I don't have to worry about losing any important characters! The tree topper is held up by a spatula in a canning jar and the berry strand and tins were on clearance at Joanne's last year. I used some linen and sheer gold fabric which is actually keeping more true to the Christmas story because Jesus was born in the desert, not in the snow. I think we all know that.

My evenings have been consumed by the Gilmore Girls on DVD, seasons 3 & 4. It's really addicting and I should have started it sooner so it won't get in the way of studying, but I know it will...maybe I should just pull an all-nighter and watch every episode so I can get on with my life? But that doesn't sound as fun as a few episodes every night.

a pleased-as-punch christmas.

Hello again, I hope you had a wonderful Christmas. I know I sure did. There were moments of stress (both Andy and I were working) but our family-time was high-quality and memorable which left us with smiles on our faces and love and gratitude in our hearts. We were and are very blessed to have such loving families.

How can you put such precious times into words? It's hard for me to do that, it's as if one can't quite convey the gravity of meaning within the bounds of the English language. My mom gave me a beautiful engraved Christmas Memories book last Christmas that takes me forever to fill out because I have to choose my words so carefully. I want to ensure that we remember each year with some clarity, even 40 or 50 years from now, and when our kids read it, they'll be able to imagine what it was like.

All the traditions I love were still alive and well, although they have begun to take new shapes and forms. Our traditional Christmas Eve basic tomato soup became Barefoot Contessa's Roasted Tomato Basil, Christmas Day was spent mostly with my in-laws, and both families came together in the evening to see a Christmas movie (Marley & Me). Even though traditions are changing a little bit, my mom reminded me that my 11 year old sister is still in the prime of her Christmas-memory-making years, and that we have to be just as excited about new traditions as we are about the old ones. She already loves family tradition just as much as I do.

I treasure my memories and laugh out loud when I think of them (boingers), and now leave you with some snapshots taken with borrowed cameras that will hopefully bring a smile to your face too.

I loved this. Andy's grandma's tree had frames with family photos. I am definitely going to borrow this idea.

Our cookie party was a hit! As you can see, someone has snatched a few from the bottom left corner. I think they were pumpkin chocolate chip...

One of my best gifts! My sister (the one with the hands over her face to hide laughter) bought me awesome pink slippers! The consensus is that I look like a muppet...I adore them! It was so good to see my little sis - I stayed a few extra days after Andy went back to Portland and she and I slept together like old times, when we were younger we shared a bedroom and a bed for many years - lots of sleeptalking and drooling :)

Grandma Beaman's vintage angel tree topper, what a doll!

Christmas Day Coffee - I had at least six cups and was feeling a bit feverish by the end of the day! I think Andy's dad and I probably drank a few pots between us. With flavors like Coconut Creme and Chocolate Hazelnut, how can I resist?

Cookie Coma.

Welp, my camera is offically busted, so I have to post pictures that don't belong to me to illustrate my points. (See above: courtesy Martha Stewart)

We are leaving for Meddy on Saturday, weather permitting, and all the girls are planning on getting together for a cookie swap party on Monday night. I'm so excited! Last year we had so many cookies that it was almost painful to finish them all (don't worry, it didn't stop us)

I watched a slideshow on marthastewart.com on HOW to throw your own cookie swap party. Like I need directions? Bake cookies, eat some, bring them to party, eat more, send the rest home, eat the rest! I will say, however, I always appreciate her attention to details. If you'd like to host a cookie swap and want to do it Martha's Way, you should take a moment to watch this lovely slideshow. Take Notes. For notes, you'll need a beautiful fountain pen, a lovely sheet of fine linen stationary, preferably monogrammed, and put on your best cashmere sweater. Delightful!

http://www.marthastewart.com/how-to/cookie-swap?xsc=stf_MSLO-HOWTO

I'm planning on borrowing someone's camera to document our cookie fete, so hopefully I will be able to post pictures next week.

14 days 'till Christmas!

Mission Cookie-Obsession Accomplished.

So continues my exciting Candy Cane Joe-Joe's saga.

Returned a very gross bottle of wine to TJ's and exchanged it for another box of Joe-Joe's. Yipee! I said it was to take home during Christmas to share. Ha!

Andy and I went to do homework today at the Ace Hotel in downtown. I took a few Joe-Joe's wrapped up in foil and dipped them in my stumptown coffee...heeaaavennnn!

danger, danger, daaaangggeeerrr!

Bought a box of these yesterday. Oh my goodness. Have made quite a dent already, all by myself. They are addicting - the candy cane flavor leaves a hint of mint in your mouth that lingers oh so delicately and sends the message to your brain that YES, you need another...and another....

I've read around the web that they sell out fast...I think I'll just pick me up another box, you know, to last through Christmas, of course. In fact, I'd better, because I am not sharing this box, I just decided. It's mine, mine!

Somebody help me! This obsession leads to major overuse of, commas, !

Pumpkin Chocolate Cheesecake

My Thanksgiving contribution consisted of a pumpkin chocolate cheesecake, requested especially by Andy. Here is my first attempt. There are changes that I'll make for sure, it wasn't sweet enough or cheese-cakey enough, but it was met with satisfaction from the family so that's good! We spent our holiday with Andy's family in Medford, and had a VERY relaxing day, so much to be thankful for. I forgot to take a picture of the sliced pie too, whoops!

Another silly thing to be thankful for - I got to use my parent's kitchen which has 3x the counter space and an amazing oven. So baking was actually fun! Hope you had a great holiday!

GINGERSNAP CRUST

(Used Trader Joe's Gluten-Free Gingersnaps)

CREAM CHEESE FILLING

SPRINKE CREAM CHEESE LAYER WITH CHOPPED CHOCOLATE

SPREAD ON PUMPKIN LAYER

BAKE! Pumpkin Chocolate Cheesecake Pie (BH & G)

1 pie shell (I made a gingersnap pie crust w/crushed gingersnap, melted butter, and cinnamon)

12 oz. cream cheese, softened

1/4 c. sugar

1 egg, lightly beaten

3/4 c. semisweet chocolate, finely chopped

15 oz (1 can) pumpkin

2/3 c. brown sugar

2 tsp. pumpkin pie spice

4 eggs, lightly beaten

3/4 c. half and half or light cream

chopped chocolate for garnish

Bake and cool crust (unless already prepared). Heat oven to 375 degrees. In medium mixing bowl combine cream cheese, 1/4 c. sugar and 1 egg; beat on low speed until smooth. Spread cream cheese mixture in the cool crust. Sprinkle with the chopped chocolate. In a bowl combine pumpkin, brown sugar and spice. Stir in 4 eggs. Gradually stir in half and half. Slowly pour pumpkin mixture onto the chocolate layer. Cover pie edge with foil so it will not burn. Bake 60-65 minutes or until a knife inserted near the center comes out clean. Cool on a wire rack. Refrigerate within 2 hours. Top with more chopped chocolate if desired, and serve with homemade whipped cream.

breakfast for dinner and Madame Récamier

Family Traditions are something I take very seriously (hence the capital T). In fact, I can get un peu scary about it, just ask my poor family, and their unsuccessful attempts to modify or suggest new traditions. Not happening! One year - my heart rate still rises when I think about it - we went OUT for Christmas Eve dinner! It was terrible! Not because eating out on Christmas Eve is a bad thing, it's just that it is NOT our tradition.

But this isn't about Christmas...yet...this is about breakfast for dinner. Sunday nights growing up were church nights, so to placate her children (I like to think) my mom made breakfast for dinner. Pancakes, eggs, and bacon with lots of syrup and OJ to top it off. There's just something about the way each family cooks breakfast and how it has a different taste to it. Have you ever noticed that? I think I could pick out my mom and dad's fried eggs in a lineup, blindfolded.

I can hear my parents finally exhale after all these years, because I don't really have a monopoly on holiday traditions anymore. It has only taken me one year and six months to come to terms with it! I have a new last name, new family members, and a husband who doesn't freak out as easily as I do. So we have our own traditions to create - we can make completely new ones or borrow from family and improvise.

All this to say, we borrowed a family tradition from both sides - breakfast for dinner. Last night it was waffles with peanut butter (sunflower butter for me), eggs, butter-fried potatoes, orange juice, and a big juicy pomegranate. Now a Kimmelshue family tradition.

Mom, if you're reading this, don't get any ideas!

Just thought I'd add this on to brighten your day. Jacque-Louis David, 1800.

Madame Récamier, Courtesy of Le Louvre (www.louvre.fr) Magnifique! Mystérieuse!

Dinner, Simplified.

Sometimes the last thing I want to do on Thursdays after a 2 hour exhausting dance class is make a complicated dinner. That's where this dinner combo comes in. It's fairly new to our reperatoire, but it has become a favorite. You'll need 4 simple ingredients:

Chicken Thighs, with skin and bone

1/2 to 1 pound fresh green beans

1/2 to 1 pound mushrooms

French bread OR rice, your choice

Preheat the oven to 450. Ground fresh black pepper all over the chicken, use a little more than you think you'll need. We use chicken thighs because of their superb flavor, and the great way the skin crisps. Cook till browned and crispy, 30-45 mins, turning once.

While the chicken is cooking, wash the green beans and remove the stems. Clean and quarter the mushrooms.

10 minutes before the chicken is done, cook the green beans. Use LOTS of butter (We use Kerrigold Cultured Irish Butter, unsalted) and add some fresh minced garlic to the pan. Cook to your preference (we like them crunchy). Cover and keep warm. Right before serving, squeeze a little fresh lemon juice, a generous grating of Parm. Regg., and add a little sprinking of Celtic Sea Salt.

On to the mushrooms. Cook, like the green beans, in butter, to your preference.

Serve the chicken, mushrooms, and green beans with rice or french bread.

Colds and "The Round Ones"

Maybe it's the transition to a place with a greater density of people...maybe it's the damp-ness...I don't know! But I'm sick again, ugh! And so soon, I just got over the nasty thing going around. Congestion, headache, tired-ness, it's all back. Yech.

The weird thing about colds is that I get VERY hungry. After an impromptu three hour nap and a skipped class, I stumbled into the kitchen for some homemade chicken noodle soup that I had made a few days ago. HM chicken stock, brown-rice fusilli, carrots, celery, onion, and garlic simmered together, with an addition of creamed coconut for a little flavor and fat. Heeeeaaven!

On a happier note, my parents came into town for my sister's soccer tournament last weekend. We hadn't seen them since we moved and it was so fun to show them our apartment and the downtown area. We ate dinner at McMenamin's Hotel Oregon in McMinnville on Saturday night, the whole soccer team was there too, so naturally the wait was long. Andy suggested we pass the time by playing pool - quite a spectacle! At one point, my mom said, "Are we going for the round ones?" 'Nuf said! Love ya mom!