YOGA + SNOW =

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GEORGIAN WINE

It's a vino kind of night...


Snow on the ground and still falling, a documentary (actually about wine! - Blood into Wine)... A 3 day weekend ahead.. A new year not far behind. My husband introduced me to a fantastic wine the bossman asked him to buy... Khvanchkara, Georgian Semi-Sweet Red Wine. Absolutely scrumptious.

DENVER HAS SNOW!

It has been a while. It really has. We were predicted to have snow and we are still getting it!!! We will be getting it at least into tomorrow night the weather people are saying... I am absolutely psyched! The roads weren't bad, just had to be careful. I am sure Baci was surprised by the snow when I let him out after work seeing that there hadn't been any this morning (if dogs think that way! ;)

We are headed up to Silverthorne for New Year's weekend!! We are staying at a friend's condo with a group of friends, so it should be FUN times had by all :) I will be taking my first downhill ski lessons ever (I say "downhill" because I have skied cross-country ONCE. In New York. Not sure if that even counts ?!) Happy Happy!

FILM - BLACK SWAN

My itty bitty review of the really big movie... Black Swan...
I hadn't watched a scary movie in YEARS!! I love them, because I love not knowing what is about to happen. Black Swan was more of a psychological thriller. This movie was intense, reckless, graceful, twisted, lovely...! Nominated for five Golden Globes, the dancing was phenomenal; the acting was sensational. The film stars Natalie Portman, Mila Kunis, and Vincent Cassel. Natalie's role Nina Sayers is a member of a major ballet company out of NYC. She desires the leading role of the play Swan Lake, a role in which she must play both the White Swan - innocent and graceful, and the Black Swan - more sensuous and wild. She fits the White Swan's role perfectly, but needs to find the Black Swan within herself. The movie shows us a struggle between the two roles... I cannot say another word... Go see it!

NEEDTOBREATHE

I have been going nutso over this amazing band... NEEDTOBREATHE! They really do amaze me - their entire album is a true work of art. I can sincerely say I LOVE every song off "The Outsiders" album. Some may consider it Christian Rock - that is fine if that what it is - I just consider it AWESOME and SOULFUL... It is truly a rare occurrence when I can listen to a band's album over and over without getting over it quickly!! I cannot wait to see them live!

Here is "Something Beautiful"...

In a day dream, I couldn't live like this 
I wouldn't stop until I found something beautiful 
When I wake up, and all i want i have 
You know its still not what i need something beautiful 

PATTERNS OF FA-LA-LA

EVENING NAP

A WINTER RIDE ON PAVEMENT...

Sooo one question. Why is it snow-free in Denver and snow-crazy everywhere else in the US ?! This is so strange to me and I had to take advantage. We didn't have a white Christmas, but we will be skiing NEXT weekend, so we will definitely see snow before the end of the year, thank goodness!!!


OK - so back to taking advantage of this mild winter weather.. It was sort of warm out for this time of year. So, we decided to go for a ride on the trails! I was a bit chilly at first, but after a while it was PERFECT :) The ride was short - 90 minutes, but it was amazing to get so much fresh air right outside our door! I have been taking a break from running so this was oh-so-nice for the lungs...


One more thing to note - we were approaching a horse and its rider along with another cyclist. Right as we pulled up about 100 yards back, the cyclist seemed to spook the horse and the rider was whipped off the horse. He calmed the horse down while we waited behind, but I have to admit it was a bit scary out there for a moment! I am just glad the horse's owner is OK!!


Everyone have a FABULOUS final week of 2010!!!!

LET EVERY DAY BE A HOLIDAY

The holidays have been wonderful - yes, we have missed our families immensely, it wasn't the same with out them - but we had a lovely first holiday together as "newly-weds" or whatever you want to call us! Hope everyone had a blessed holiday!!

Blessed is the season which engages the whole world in a conspiracy of love.  

~ Hamilton Wright Mabie

CHRISTMAS EVE EATS

I was in charge of Christmas Eve dinner, kind of the prelude of what is to come for Christmas Day dinner, which hubs is in charge of. I always try to make something Justin has never tried before....


This year I came up with a vegetarian meal - Caprese Salad and Sweet Potato and Gruyére Turnovers... I knew Christmas day would be more "carnivorous", so this is where the vegetarian part came in...

Sweet Potato and Gruyére Turnovers

1 medium onion, grated

3/4 pound sweet potatoes, peeled and grated

1/4 cup olive oil

1 bunch Swiss chard, stems discard and leaves chopped

1/4 pound Gruyère, grated

1/2 tablespoon fresh thyme leaves

kosher salt and black pepper

2 refrigerated rolled piecrusts

1 egg


1. 
Adjust oven rack to middle position and preheat to 400°F. Pour the oil into a medium 
saucepan and heat on medium high until shimmering. Add the onion, and cook, stirring 
frequently, until soft, about 8 minutes. Add the swiss chard, and cook until wilted, about 5 minutes.

 



2.
 Transfer mixture to a large bowl. Mix in the grated sweet potatoes, Gruyère, fresh thyme, 
1/2 teaspoon salt, and pinch of black pepper. Let cool for a few minutes.
 



3.  Cut the pie crusts in half, so you have four half circles. Spoon about 1/2-cup of the sweet 
potato mixture on one side of each half circle, leaving 1/2-inch border. Fold the dough over 
and crimp the sides. Using a knife, slice three openings on the top of the turnover. Repeat 
with the other three half circles. 



4.  Crack the egg into a bowl, and whip with a fork. Brush the top of each turnover with                     
egg. Line a baking sheet with parchment paper, and place the turnovers on top. Bake in the 
oven until the turnovers are golden brown, 20 to 25 minutes

1/2-c mixture per turnover...

egg wash...

applying the wash...

waiting for turnovers to cool!!!

Sleepy hubs is excited for his main course ;)

HAPPY HAPPY!

{ETSY} GIFT IDEAS FOR HOLIDAYS & BEYOND!

2011 Flora Calendar from Miles of Light

Screen Printed Glassware from Vital (DENVER Find)

Antique 1891 Handpocket Watch from A Vintage Obsession

Sea Glass Pendant Necklace from Seashaped

Biohazard Clock I from All15Designs (for The Science Geek, aka my husband!)

HOLIDAY ART

Though I am not a huge celebrator of Christmas, I do really love some of the design elements that represent the holiday. We have a tree every year, though I am more of a WREATH gal!! This year, we finally have our very own homemade Williamsburg wreath on our front door.

If you wish to create your very own WW, check out this Southern Living Article. Here are some more Willamsburg wreathes that are just so detailed and beautiful. I believe there should be a wreath for every season!! Everyone have a HAPPY holiday!!

SL

The Daily Press

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PHOTO OF THE DAY

POINT REYES, CALIFORNIA

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