We planted some winter veggies a couple months ago. They are still growing away, but we had a mini harvest of arugula! Not quite enough for a whole salad, but we shared some on homemade sourdough toast with cheese for breakfast. You can definitely taste all the love and care in it.
Doubling up on vitamin C here, and getting our greens in! I am a big fan of tomatillo salsa lately.
Usually muffins are more of a breakfast or snack food. But the heart wants what it wants. And who said that muffins can’t be dessert. I certainly didn’t say that.
What a happy coincidence that we happened to have 3 old bananas. Before and after pictures:
I am sewing my first shirt! It is a button-up shirt, with a yoke, and sleeves, and everything. I love the idea of sewing some of my own clothes, so I am pumped to start practicing! I am instagramming some of the different stages, if you want to follow along. I got my fingers crossed that it will actually fit once I am finished!
According to the internet, we were probably supposed to get some adorable professional photos taken for Christmas for our newlywed year. And then we were supposed to send out a sweet holiday card to everyone that would arrive the week before. But instead, we spent the most of December attending parties, and then skipped town. No regrets.
But I do love a good Christmas card. And I know that I can only use wedding photos for so long before other people get tired of them. Solution: happy new year cards
I made them in similar style to our wedding invites, and used one of my favorite photos from our wedding. I love them, so I hope our family is happy to see them in the mail soon! I will have a slightly similar pattern of card available in my etsy shop soon!
My goal is to make at least one loaf of bread a week. Last week, I made 3 loaves of sourdough bread. Not because we went through it that quickly, but it took me three tries to get the hang of it. What do they say about that third time?
My ma and I grew our own sourdough starter last November. I brought half home with me, so we share it. I love that its alive, and I have to feed it, and make sure its happy.
The first loaf was very flat. It was a good first try, and I started to get the hang of the 3 proofs, and the timing, but I don’t think the starter was active enough. I also decided that kneading is a great workout.
The second loaf was better, but I think it needed more flour maybe? I attempted a round loaf, and it kinda just went everywhere on the pan. It did have some bubbles in the bread, but it was still very flat.
At least I learned from all the mistakes! The third loaf looked much different after the dough proof. I tried it in a loaf pan again, and the dough actually came up to the top! I am having a hard time making the slashes in the loaf before baking, and need to find a better tool for that. It keeps exploding on one side. But the slices look like real bread, and taste like it too!
I am excited to see how my next loaf turns out, and can’t wait to try some variations!
On this day, we drove about 11 hours or so through northern California, all the way up Oregon, into Washington. The southern Oregon part was the worst, since it was dark, the roads were curvy, and it was rainy. Only time it rained on us the whole trip. It was a long day of driving, but now I just remember all the laughing.
Northern California is gorgeous. Love me some mountains and trees.
We kept joking about how disgusting it was outside. Just really awful to look at.
History lesson number one: The guy says that this is the mountain where all bald eagles are born. And of course, the only cloud in the sky is covering the mountain at the same time that we get to the viewpoint.
History lesson number two: This is the mountain where all vultures are born. Because it is dark and sinister looking.
When we tell people about our trip, they always ask what we did to pass the time. Well, we talked to each other. Commented about the scenery. We sang along to road trip music. We just genuinely enjoy each other’s company. Makes me want to go on another road trip right now!
I whipped up this trio of clutches right before Christmas, and they made perfect little gifts. Especially if you put a couple extra fun things inside each one. The fruit one went to my sister, along with an apple pie plate. Because I am clever like that.
I used this pattern here (for free!), and they came together really fast. I might make up a couple more with some extra fabric, to have on hand in case I am in a giving mood!
While we were in San Francisco a couple weeks ago, we stopped at the Boudin Bakery. I have a slight obsession with making sourdough bread, so I was a little bit excited.
We ended up eating dinner there so we could go on the tour for free. More soup in breadbowls for us!
Where all the magic happens.
I was mildly interested in it, I guess.
They make animal shaped bread!
You can find a little video of our tour here!
Our big goal stop for the trip was San Francisco. We had to actively try not to fall in love with it. Who wouldn’t love a city that put a prison on its own island.
Christmas lights also make everything look more magical. Super festive.
We knew the streets were slanted and all, but it was like intense upward hiking to find this.
We couldn’t get a decent picture together in front of the bridge because the sun was attempting to burn holes in our eyes.
A very nice gentleman offered to take our picture in front of the bridge, and told us to stand here, but bless his heart, there is no bridge in the picture. He did tell us that pictures and memories are very important, and I do believe he is right on that one. 
I half want to and half don’t want to go on an Alcatraz tour. I don’t want to end up being used in a hostage situation.
What is more festive than chocolate?
Excuse the blurry night picture, but we are young and in love.
We sensed there was a theme to this hotel, but we couldn’t quite put our finger on it…
Next is a drive through northern California, featuring history according to Mr Sander.
In the midst of the cold winter, let the cute cactus cards remind you that the sun is coming! A set of 3 cactus cards is new in the shop this week. A quick, fun craft for chilly evenings.
guy and his girl 