New Years Homebodies

The phenomenon of New Year's Eve is a bit over-rated, at least that's my feeling about it.  I recently watched a news story on how "kissing at midnight betters your good fortune in the new year"..."New Years Eve is the 007 lisence to kiss anybody."

WHIMSICAL BULLSHIT.

What did I do to celebrate?

-drink my favourite beer (at home)

-organize my apartment

-(watched Brendan) make apple porkchops

-"Paranormal State" marathon...

Hells yes.  That's how we roll.

Here's some photos: 

**This beer is amazing.  I don't drink much, but when I do I pop one of these open.  I quite enjoy the cherry and raspberry variations. **

**Christmas sales=More "twinkle lights" for the apartment. **

(That light in the above photo is actually a Chinese Food take-out box turned light I found at a second hand store, along with my beloved Maneki Neko.)

**I drew on Brendan's arm for funsies.**

Hopefully 2011 will kick ass.  If not, I want a refund.

~E

Turn it up!

I've fallen in love with this cover by Ellie Goulding.  Lovely voice, and cute video too.

~E

Delightful Boxing Day Find

Boxing Day.  Chaos.  Crowds.  WHY???

I actually did go out for a bit on Boxing Day with my mom.  While on our little outing I came across this awesome Christmas ornament. I've never seen a retro TV-turned Christmas wonderland before.  Apparently it plays Christmas carols as well.  There was only 1 left, no box, no bar code, and somewhat damaged.  I instantly fell in love with it and had to buy it.  At 60% off, it was hard not to nab it up.  Brendan is an engineer & brilliant at fixing things, so I thought it'd be a fun little project for him to work on.

{I heart retro}

 

I'm crossing my fingers that we can get it going again.

~E

Ghostly Christmas Tree

I have to steer away from my "Photo Challenge" blog posts to write about our super awesome/cute Christmas tree.  I decided this year I wanted a ghost-themed Christmas tree.  

Why you ask?  

Well, I saw that this year there was ghost garland available to buy around Halloween (not sure if that's a regular thing or not), and also I had some old ghost lights that hadn't been in use for quite some time, so I thought the combination would be perfect for a unique Christmas tree.  Plus, I love me some cute ghost knick knacks.

Another thing I like about the tree is that it lacks ornaments...Benji is at the stage in his toddlerhood where nothing is off limits and it's fun to throw and hide mommy's things.  I would rather skip the ornaments this year and just keep it simple -- lights and garland.  He's still intrigued by the tree, but it seems less appealing to his curious little hands this way.

Take a peek!

~E

Post Secret

Whenever I have a lot on my mind, I tend to look up different PostSecret postcards.  For some reason it helps me put things into perspective.  I absolutely adore PostSecret, and I think it's such a wonderful project.  For those of you who aren't familiar with  PostSecret, here's a short back story:  It was created by Frank Warren as a mail art project where people can anonymously send in their secrets, usually on a hand-made postcard.  I absolutely love anything do to with snail mail and mail art, and some of these postcards just make you stop and think.

Here are a few PostSecrets to ponder over.... 

(WARNING: IMAGE HEAVY)

 

This one seems the most suitable to end on.

 

~E

Calm

I wish I could tag people's names to this picture, but I don't feel like hearing their wrath.

I keep hoping that next year will be better.  That's not to say 2010 wasn't a good year.  It was definitely a turning point in my life, and I'm grateful for all I've experienced.  I've learned to become more positive, though some days I struggle.  I've learned that things happen for a reason.  I'm so fortunate now to be with someone who loves me a lot and tells me yes, I am worth it.  He is worth it also, and I make sure he knows every day.   

The past few years have been some of the worst of my life, and along the way I've become rather cynical about hope.  That's not to say that I don't hope or wish or dream, I still do.  I've just become more jaded than I thought I would be.  I have my reasons why.

This past year has taught me a lot about friendships, and in my case, how easy it is for some people to easily toss others aside.  Maybe they don't realize their actions.  I'm not one to blatantly say "You're doing it wrong", but I've found that I've become the kind of person to tolerate more than necessary.  And I've finally come to a breaking point in my life that no, I can't keep doing that.  

I can't keep saying ok when I don't feel ok.  

I always use to try to make others feel happy, meanwhile sacrificing my own happiness.  I can't do that anymore.  I can't keep giving myself to people who are consistently negative, who feel it's too much of a bother to say 

"Hey, how was your day?  I miss you."

Before I use to think this was selfish.  I wanted others to be happy.  I wanted to make others laugh.  I wanted to be there for them, to know that they were always in my thoughts.

But was I really in any of theirs?

I've always struggled opening up about my thoughts and feelings.  Maybe that's the tomboy in me.  I know it definitely has to do with my upbringing.  

This upcoming year, I'm going to practice putting my foot down.  I'm going to practice asserting myself.  

I'm going to practice not putting up with bullshit.  

I'm going to practice the art of having faith in myself.  It became so easy to be my own worst critic, and now it's something I need to turn around.

Hell yes.

Fuck Yeah Cake!

I swear I made the most delicious chocolate cake EVER last night.  I've been in a baking mood for quite some time, and Brendan was sweet enough to buy me a form-spring pan for baking.  

I found this recipe through the Canadian Living site, and I must share it with the world!

**Chocolate Layer Cake**

Ingredients

Chocolate Cake:
1 cup (250 mL) butter, softened
1-1/2 cups (375 mL) granulated sugar
2 eggs
1 tsp (5 mL) vanilla
2 cups (500 mL) all-purpose flour
1/2 cup (125 mL) cocoa powder
1 tsp (5 mL) each baking powder and baking soda
1/4 tsp (1 mL) salt
1-1/2 cups (375 mL) buttermilk 

Chocolate Icing:
1-1/2 cups (375 mL) Unsalted butter, softened
1/2 cup (125 mL) whipping cream
1 tbsp (15 mL) vanilla
3 cups (750 mL) icing sugar
6 oz (175 g) Unsweetened chocolate, chopped, melted and cooled 

Chocolate Cake: Grease an 8-inch springform pan and line bottom with parchment or waxed paper. Set aside.

In large bowl, beat butter with sugar until light and fluffy. Beat in eggs, 1 at a time; beat in vanilla. In separate bowl, sift together flour, cocoa, baking powder, baking soda and salt. With wooden spoon, stir into butter mixture alternately with buttermilk, making 3 additions of dry ingredients and 2 of buttermilk. Spoon into prepared pans, smoothing tops.

Bake in centre of 350°F (180°C) oven for 30 to 35 minutes or until cake tester inserted in centre comes out clean. Let cool on racks for 20 minutes. Remove from pans; let cool completely on racks.

Cut each cake horizontally into 2 layers.

Chocolate Icing: In bowl, beat butter until fluffy; gradually beat in cream. Beat in vanilla. Beat in icing sugar, 1 cup (250 mL) at a time. Beat in melted chocolate until fluffy and smooth.

Place 1 layer, cut side up, on cake plate. Slide strips of waxed paper between cake and plate. Spread cut side with about 3/4 cup (175 mL) of the icing; cover with remaining half, cut side down. Spread top with another 3/4 cup (75 mL) of the icing. Repeat with remaining layers, spreading remaining icing over side and top. Remove paper strips.

In my case, I ran out of butter and had to use margarine for the icing.  At first I was leery, but it turned out pretty damn good actually.

And now...cake photos. (Forgive my shitty shirt, I was quite lazy that day.)

Jen helping to cut the cake.

You gotta make this cake.  For reals.

Smooches,

~E