TWELVE

Did you know that 12 is "my" number? Not sure why...something about 12. Anyways so it's 2012. I changed my phone number to a local number finally. I tried to get a 12 in there, but no dice- I've got a 22 though and 22 (of course has 2s which is part of the joy of 12 for me) and it has an 8 (which is another good number for me). So ya, the point? Well I had this feeling that 2012 was going to be a great year- that something was to come from it. So far so good- new job that I'm loving, still settling into the home, our impending Euro trip...and whatever else may be. A year of good and a year of change.

I thought I'd branch into Pinterest as well.... https://pinterest.com/joalikes/

Not sure how relevant it will be, but it sure is nice to save some of those images that inspire me, rather than bookmarking or saving everything to my hard drive.

My dog turns 2 on Wednesday.

I don't have any related pictures to this blog....

So I will just post some of the fave's from my collection- I love this little hat. Are women at all this feminine anymore?

You decide every moment of every day: who you are & what you believe in. You get a second chance. Every Second

.

Also, I got a new camera for my birthday- you've been warned. Prepare for some epic Euro pics (epic for me lol).

Pay Me for This

I love the Avene products- I use the anti wrinkle serum and eye cream and I want want WAAAANT the Thermal Spring Water. I used to swear by the Evian line of moisturizing spritzers etc. and I imagine this product to be perfect during a long day of travel or sun bathing;)

And here is my happy image of the day- I wish I had this type of storage problem.....

Francois Harlard for Vogue

A Little Bit of Something, but Mostly True Pride to be an Albertan

I'm tired of everyone who has no right to an opinion, sharing one. My home, Alberta, is the most beautiful home in the world and this very clip is honest to God, true to what Alberta looks like. Save for a little blob up north where we process oil that is naturally found in the sandy soil of the riverbanks, Alberta is all natural and all beautiful. I challenge everyone to do their research to learn all the products that oil is associated with. I challenge everyone to visit the oil sands reclaimed forests- that is, new forest growing in the very spots that were once "evil tar sands". I want you all to recognize that while the oil sands produce some negative environmental effects, the negative effects of coal, and over-consumption are far greater concerns.
I don't want to go into a great rant- I have many points to negate anti-tar sand activists' points. BUT I do want and expect everyone to form an opinion based on their very own experience- from fact. Remember to Breath;)

Holy Random Batman!

I'm cleaning out my OLD work computer...that's because I have a NEW job! WHOOP WHOOP!
SO here is a nice up-do I want...

Easy School Hair Styles

And here is a picture of the beloved and missed Hickstead- because he was an amazing horse and I'm still so shocked at his passing. Look at that air!

I Don't Typically Like to Bake But....

WOW

http://madebygirl.blogspot.com/2012/02/food-cookie-hearts.html

This dessert is made out of cashews for the cookies and is layered with a creamy banana cocoa mousse. Perfect for those chocolate lovers at heart like us. And any amount of chocolate screams Valentine's Day right? These may look difficult to do but promise they are not. An exquisite looking healthy dessert that anyone can do! Just our kind of recipe! We pulled out our Valentine day heart cookie cutters and decided to use 3 different sizes to make a cookie stack. 

We love desserts with layers. What about you? Recipe: Cashew Banana Cocoa Mousse Triple Cookie Heart Stacks prep-time: about 10 minutes the amount of cookies it makes varies depending on what size cookie cutter you use.  

Cashew Cookie Ingredients:

• 1 cup cashew pieces
• 1/2 cup coconut flakes
• 1/2 tablespoon vanilla extract
• 1/2 cup cocoa powder
• 1/4 cup agave nectar (maple syrup or honey would be fine, or even a few pitted dates)

Directions: Place all your ingredients into food processor and pulse till combined. You want the batter to be holding together but without being to wet. 

Place cashew cookie batter onto a cutting board and roll out. We used a rolling pin. You can use your hands.

Once the cookie dough is rolled out grab your cookie cutters and start cutting into the shapes.

Set aside the cookies. And the hard part now is trying not to eat them all.

Now time to make your banana cocoa mousse for the filling. Banana Cocoa Mousse Ingredients:

• 2 medium bananas
• 1/4 cup cocoa powder
• 3 tablespoons coconut oil
• splash vanilla

Directions: Place bananas, cocoa powder, coconut oil, and vanilla into a blender and blend till smooth. Pour filling into a bowl and let sit in fridge for 5 minutes to set. This makes it easier to use on cookies for layering. Once you have everything ready time to begin building the stacks. We got three stacks with a few extra cookies. 

Place one cookie down on the bottom and top with some mousse. Repeat layers till you get a stack of 3 cookies. With our cookie stacks we did 3 different sizes of hearts so we started with the large cookie heart on bottom followed by the medium size heart and then topped with the smaller heart.

We feel with the 3 different sizes really helped give this dessert more personality and depth. But if you only have one size cookie cutter that is totally fine too. The stacks will still look amazing!

After building all our stacks we placed them in fridge and let them set for a few minutes. This makes them a little easier to eat. 

RECIPE THANKS TO www.pure2raw.com 

 

Psh...a TRUE Classic

Every design blog I see, at SOME point, addresses their deep desires for a Hermes throw (or blanket)....seriously? a $2,000 blanket? Lame. They aren't even all that nice...I'd much prefer a $500 cashmere blanket from the Hudson's Bay Company...more character, and for a Canadian, so much more story behind it....

This?

http://new-ist.blogspot.com/2011/01/wish-list-hermes-blanket.html

 or THIS

http://tartanscot.blogspot.com/2012_01_01_archive.html

 The difference I suppose, is that with the purchase of one, you have a dopey blanket no one can actually snuggle with or get to close to the fireplace with....the other, you have left over money for a pair of fur leg warmers, a snuggly sweater, maybe a pea coat, some home accessories, maybe another blanket....well you get it- sky's the limit folks.

Dreaming....of Superficial Things

My "want" list has grown exponentially in the last few months- in part (okay, honestly I blame wholly) on my job situation. I'd become accustomed to buying what I wanted (outside of vacation villas lol), when I wanted it (give or take a single pay cheque). Now, I have a hard time filling my car with gas.

I keep telling myself that as soon as I get back on my (financial) feet, I will buy this and buy that, but I need to face the truth, which is that, I live pay cheque to pay cheque with little to no money left over to pay off my credit card let alone save or splurge. Thank goodness for the boy in my life, but I don't feel comfortable relying on him that much (I could, but I'm independent dammit!)

So what is it that I want exactly? I guess confessing couldn't hurt- you know, to help me prioritize....

So in no particular order:

I don't even bake all that much but I WOULD, had I this mixer in robin's egg blue (to match my le cruset kettle)

Botox- come on, I'm turning 30. My forehead moves around too much and I always look grumpy.

Dark Hair (or lighter hair for that matter)- I'm naturally blonde, but without the natural sunlight lightening the blonde, it gets ratty in the winter. FIX.

I'm happy that the Canadian Seal Hunt seems to be on the decline, but at the same time, I'm a little panicked to get myself a new pair of mukluks (they have seal skin soles that are a MUST in winter to prevent slipping), before they stop making them.

Tory Birch "Killian" Flat

I don't necessarily care if I get THESE particular shoes, but I want WANT WAAANT new summery shoes, especially for my impending Monaco Vacation.

Moving on....book shelf for our den- I have a LOT of books. Boy doesn't= he'd never go for it on his own.

I'm going to just break home items into one singular want: living room area rug, galley rug for kitchen, 2 side tables for bedroom, plus side table lamps for said room, twin bed for spare room #2, rug to protect carpets under drafting table, reading chair for either spare #2 or bedroom, 2 stools for kitchen island, new dishes as I've ruined my set after smashing a few items on granite counters (need to get used to the new surface) and some drapes for living room and bedroom.
I'd also like a really pretty yard come spring- landscaping's going to be a bitch!

New car, Snowflake is trying her best, but she really wants to just stop.

New horse- and then I could move Pepsi some place warm and lovely for her retirement:)

Costume JEWELERY! (and I don't mean cheap Claire's stuff either)

A Dabney Lee personalized Lucite tray

http://www.dabneyleeathome.com/catalog.php?item=26

 

With a single "J" of course...

An outside dog house for Harvey, as well as a set of new dog dishes (one broke and they must match the interiors duh)

A massage and a facial! A pedicure!

Okay, so you get the point. I'm totally hooped. Oh well, it could be worse and I recognize these all as #firstworldproblems ;)

http://surpasscircumstance.blogspot.com/