Just a Saturday

A little secret:  One of my favorite things to do during a Saturday morning with no plans, or errands, is to lay in bed and watch a film with the director's commentary.  During college I would do this about every weekend and recently I've kind of forgot about my love for it  (I choose trashy reality TV instead I suppose).  But the commentary is so interesting to me - to know "why" and "how".  I took one film class in college and I'm hooked.   

Today I spent my morning with Zach Braff watching an old favorite.  I fell in love with it all over again.

Rainy day adventure with Zia

rain: check

old shoes: check

 

 

 leaves (for zia) + self-timer (for me) = absolute excitement (for us!)

Success! 

...Walkin' home

Daydreaming

It's beautiful outside.  And it's November.

   photo from StGrundy

I kind of want to skip work today, steal Ryan, and find a yellow-leaved tree to lay under on a blanket... with books, and a picnic basket, and our camera.  All day, with no worries in the world.  Like fear of being fired after we both just skipped work!  Ah, yes.  This what I'm dreaming of today.

Sewing 102: Groovy Hostess Apron

That's right, sewing 102(!) - I've advanced, friends. 

Val and I cut the pattern and fabric last week and whipped up this cute lil' apron Sunday afternoon via Skype (she lives across the country, don't you just love technology?)  Also, I only messed up TWICE.  I love how calm Val stays while I freak out to the web cam.

Anywho... this is it:

I really like the fun fabric.  

A few changes to the pattern/instructions:

We choose 3 different fabrics instead of 2 (to spruce it up a bit more).  We added another pocket,  1 just wasn't enough, of course.  And if you want to make your apron REALLY special, cut the material right down the middle, like I did!  Yeah, that was mistake #1.  

I think it turned out really cute though, mistakes and all.

Where do we go next?

Planning is underway for the next annual girls' trip!  We're thinking some place... beachy.  In previous years we traveled:

San Francisco, CA in 2010

and

 Scottsdale, AZ in 2009

With many many trips in between (but those weren't our "official girls' trips").  Tricky, right?  We just like to travel, what can we say.  And love traditions!  We might have 1 more friend experience the greatness of the girl's trip with us next year, too.  We really hope to keep this tradition going for a very long time.

Ryan of course will take a "boy trip" to Colorado or New Mexico.

In the Kitchen: Mini Pumpkin Pies

The mini pumpkin pies were a huge hit at the last gathering we hosted at our apartment.  We let everyone add as much Cool Whip as their little heart desired (I chose none, others chose a lot) and nixed the "nut topping" all together.  We followed this recipe and everything worked out perfectly... and tasted delicious!  Easy recipe for non-bakers like myself.

What you’ll need (makes 36 bites):

1 can Libby’s 100% pumpkin

3 store bought pie crusts

3 tsp cinnanmon

1 tsp vanilla

2 eggs

1/2 cup sugar

1/2 cup evaporated milk

pinch of salt

whipped cream

nut topping

:: Preheat your oven to 350°.
:: Roll out your pie crust. Take a circular object, like a glass or can, and cut out 36, 2-3 inch circles.
:: Place the circles in your mini-muffin pan to form little cups.
:: Mix the rest of your ingredients together and scoop into your pie crust cups.