tuesday

a smorgasbord of stuff headed your way:

1. i need to start baking artisan bread. i've been meaning to do this for months. here is the best recipe (click here).
2. i would also like to start making granola that will last me for a week of breakfasts. HERE is the best recipe for that.
3. i've found my favorite chocolate chip cookie recipe (for the time being). i add a little sea salt (yummmm). if you want this top secret recipe, you have to ask:) this one's too good to let go so easily.
4. tonight is LOST party. yeah! if you have a LOST party of your own, or want something quick and easy to make for the super bowl, THIS is my favorite dip and it takes about five minutes start to finish.

the end.

happy lost watching:)

right now

right now, i am sitting in our tv room. we all have a tolerate/hate relationship with this room, as it proves to be a dumping ground for sloth-like behavior and week old food (not so lovingly referred to as 'the dungeon'). generally, the only thing that brings me in this room is the dvr. most fridays around lunch i can be found here watching grey's anatomy from the night before. i have a very small number of episodes left to watch while i still live in the same city where it fictitiously takes place. back when grey's anatomy used to be a good show, seattle seemed all coffee-filled and cozy, you know because of all the rain, and i thought people wore chunky sweaters and ate soup 365 days a year.

honestly, my perception of seattle isn't crazy far from that after living in the area for almost a year. though, i will say, puyallup is a long way from seattle. or maybe, more accurately, reality is a long way from primetime drama.

today:

• our new girl moves from room to room so that she is never sitting in the same room as me. i have to think of it as funny. 
• one of my favorite bloggers came back to her blog today, after several months of recovery after a plane crash. check NieNie out.
• i have not showered yet, and am still in my clothes from the run i went on last night.  
• i am drinking cold coffee.
• still looking intently for a job.
• found a cute little duplex in charlotte.  in my price range, in a great neighborhood, now i just need a way to pay for it:)

BAKED update:  jess and i tried out two new recipes from the baked cookbook, they were awesome.  the brownies were the best i've ever tasted.  email me if you want the recipe:  lehogan@gmail.com

bake yourself a bit of happy.

so. i love to bake. more accurately, i really love finding funky new/rarely healthy recipes. there are SO many great baking blogs that are crazy inspiring, and FUN. i've never been able to bake as much as i have here at new beginnings, because we have huge pantries full of supplies. it's been really fun to experiment and find new recipes from nienie, pioneerwoman, bakerella, and now my new favorite: BAKED.


i really love rustic, simple recipes, and this book is full of those types of recipes. so far, i've only admired the book at barnes and noble, but i hope to buy it soon. i've tried a few of their recipes i've found online, and they're great. also, it turns out that they've just opened their second store in charleston, south carolina. so, carolina friends, you should go! (their flagship store is in brooklyn).

my secret dream is to open a really tiny little bakery, with big chairs, a fireplace, and lots of good books. so until i get an unexpected windfall, it will remain a dream:) but for now, i can pretend in our nice big kitchen:)

i. love. christmas.

just a little something to get you in the spirit.

rosie thomas--

christmas time is here

regina spektor--

my dear acquaintance

otis redding--

merry christmas baby

number one thing i'm looking forward to for christmas this year:

making coffee for josh and myself, and sitting in comfy sweaters all day staring at my fam.  and doing lots of cooking and baking.  lots.