fashion crushes.

I started a new job at a new ad agency a few weeks ago. It's been great! New people, new projects, a new atmosphere and a fresh start. Not only am I meeting some awesome young people, but I'm truly enjoying what I do. Now that I've been here for 3 weeks, I've noticed that everyone does a pretty good job of dressing themselves. People aren't pretentious about it and snobby, but just like to express themselves with their clothes. There are 2 people that I've met so far that I have MAJOR fashion crushes on. Just such fun, tasteful styles. I'll blog about some of their looks here and there mostly so I can remember them and then modify them to be my own :) You can too!

Today, Fashion Crush 2 (FC2) was wearing an amazing red winter coat with black buttons but instead of your regular matching read tie around the waist, she had a fun leopard scarf tied in a big bow in the back with the ends dangling down. So cute and Joan Holloway-ish!

jam.

This weekend we had a huge snow storm- 6 inches of heavy, wet snow, but it was beautiful. Woke up to the thickest flakes just pouring down outside my windows Saturday morning.


I also decided to make jam- blueberry jam, that is. A photo-journalistic view of the delicious spiced blueberry jam family recipe coming to life. wouldn't have turned out without matt and becca helping me out!


Jars cleaned and ready for sterilization.




Judy's Spice Blueberry Jam




The berries.




Everything prepped and ready to go.




Double double toil and trouble, fires burn and cauldrons bubble...




Becca just jammin'




Filling the sterilized jars.




Nice and thick.


Matty showing us how to make a ninja face mask out of a t-shirt. china was good for something!



Look at these beauties...ready for labeling and their little cloth covers.




Jam!

almost snow.

Winter shadows touch the river cane.
The cold is coming. We look up
into a cobalt sky, and there,
as if an emissary on assignment,
a Bald Eagle floats overhead
close enough to bless us
then swiftly banks sunward
and is gone.

-Ken Hada

preserves.

i am inspired. inspired to preserve, that is. I stumbled upon a delicious new blog called "saving the season" (www.savingtheseason.com) and was immediately drawn into the recipes and processes for canning and preserving. My sister, Katie, gave me a few jars, labels and cloth for my birthday (preemptively anticipating my desire to can things) but I just need a recipe to start on. How wonderful to have canned peaches or homemade blueberry jam in the fridge?! This could be the perfect fall weekend adventure. I'll let you know how my attempts go...

the cable guy.

I got cable and internet installed this morning. at first the cable guy was pretty salty, but once he found the cable jack, we were fast friends. mostly talked about the Twins and our shared love of Vikings football (he was impressed with my knowledge which amused me). The highlight of the morning came when he put both hands up in the air and yelled "ranndyyyyyy!!!!!!! he's back!" and got super excited. He then fist bumped me about Randy Moss' return- not just a fist bump, but a bump, pull back and explosion. I laughed, he laughed, then he gave me a deal on my installation. Just goes to show that knowing about your local sports teams pay off! And man do I love our Minnesota team! My new cable guy friend also cleaned me out of my seasonal candy dish- apparently he's a fan of reese's and took about 6 of them. Thanks cable dude. HE'S BACK!

new place.

a preview of my new home!

first signs of fall.

a tree full of color.


pumpkins hidden in pots.


apple cider just asking to be heated up with cinnamon sticks and cloves.