Merci, Grazie, Danke, Obrigado, 謝謝, Спасибо, Thanks...

My mom stressed good manners on me. One of her lessons that carried over is the thank you note. I’m admittedly a little behind on my notes for Christmas gifts. So I took a little time during the Jets-Pats game to catch up. (Sidebar: Tom Brady, if you or Giselle ever read this blog, keep the long hair. It gives you personality. Also, you are not Capt. America.)

 

My thank you notes have a winter theme this year. Maybe, because I have snow on my mind. I used snowflake printed papers and kept the color theme to cool blues, silvers and whites. And no card is complete without a little sparkle. I added my special pixie dust (prisma ultra-fine glitter) with a little spray adhesive.

While I got some great things for Christmas, lots more to be thankful for that presents in New Year. I am blessed to be surrounded by wonderful people in my life… and a couple crazy schnauzers.  

Classics… Football and Cupcakes

Big game is coming up on Sunday. Seattle Seahawks vs. Chicago Bears to decide who plays for the NFC Championship. This is match-up is a tough one for me. Love the home team, love the underdog, but my team has always been “Da Bears.” I think it started out with a fascination with Jim McMahon’s headbands, led a laugh about Ditka’s tirades and finally a total respect for Payton’s runs. And c’mon the Superbowl Shuffle – a classic. I lived with a 1985 Super Bowl Champions sign on my wall for most of my younger years.

I decide to honor the “big game” with a few cupcakes. Since I didn’t want to get run out of the city of Seattle for treats devoted to the Monsters of the Midway, I opt’d for a more neutral design. (Don't worry, I am sure I will get plenty of boos for my sweatshirt this weekend.) Football is made out of piped chocolate. Goal post are candy sticks used to make lollipops and the like.  

Now, cupcakes have officially made it on People magazine’s “not hot” list. Shine.com is calling them a fad equivalent to truffle salt. I have never had truffle salt (or bubble tea for that matter), but I do remember eating cupcakes as a little girl at about every grade school birthday party I attended. I remember making them on mommy-daughter Saturday afternoons. I separated the liners and was in charge of the sprinkles. Yep, that’s right. I was the sprinkles manager. Granted the number of “boutique” cupcake shops is a little out of control, but cupcakes are not a fad. They are a classic, same as diamond studs and cashmere…. and of course the Superbowl Shuffle.    

Resolutions and a Recipe

Happy 2011 everyone! Hope everyone rang in the New Year with fun and a little gusto.

Last year I set some resolutions for myself for the very first time in my life. Overall, 2010 was a tough year for me and it got a little easier seeing the resolution list get checked off. I accomplished everything from moving (twice… ugh) to an Irish adventure to starting up my own blog. For the fun of it, I worked today on my 2011 goals…

1.     Blog more. I know there are some concerned fans out there (Jason!). December was not my best month as a far as blog posts. I had great intentions, but too many Christmas parties, fun with friends, a trip to San Diego and then another killler New Year's Eve bash got in the way. I promise 2011 won’t disappoint. Stay tuned.

2.     Finish house projects. Let’s see I got a TV room to furnish, a spare bedroom to paint, a closet door to install, a backyard to revamp. The list goes on…

3.     Ski lots. After for the most part taking last year off, I want to hit it hard this year. I realized how much I love to ski. It forces you to test your limits. It forces you to figure out challenging situations (how am I getting down off this cliff?). It makes you feel free. The more runs I can get in this year, the better. Whistler, anyone?

4.     Run a marathon. Alright so this is the only 2010 resolution that had to be rolled over. I didn’t make it. No excuses this year.

OK, now since the last two goals involve a lot of early mornings and exercise, I thought I would work on this little recipe for a sweet early morning kick-in-the-pants energy treat to get me going. These may replace Diet Pepsi… wait who am I kidding?

Corn Flake Peanut Butter Balls

* Ingredients *

1 cup light corn syrup

1/2 cup sugar

1 cup peanut butter (I used reduced fat… December weight gain plan is now officially over.)

6 cups corn flakes

* Instructions *

1. Bring corn syrup and sugar to boil on stove. Remove from heat.

2. Whisk in peanut butter.

3. Pour over corn flakes and gently stir.

4. Pour a bowl of cold water and wet your fingers. Make ball with corn flake mixture and place on parchment paper. Repeat until all of the corn flake mixture is used.

5. Allow balls to cool completely. Drizzle with chocolate if desired.