weekend.

tennessee valley fog + farm stand.

SRB sent me this totally awesome mug earlier in the week. i love it. aptly timed in many ways.

1) it was a hard week.
2) i remembered how much optimism has helped me though rough times.
3) i frequently wonder where my hearty optimism comes from.

coincidentally, today is MOTHER’S DAY. who is the most optimistic, positive, shining light of a person i know? my mom, that’s who. thanks, mom, for teaching me to always see the glass half full. love you so, so much.

xo

(and thank you, SRB for the lovely gift from pigeon toe!)

by popular demand, here’s my little invite for our upcoming chili cookoff. champions to be announced on the 11th. stay tuned.

what better way to kick off the new year than with a group jump shot?

(thanks, NZ for the photo)

sun valley‘s never looked so cool. check out this post over on not cot. “sun valley in a box” from the folks at eleven. i love everything about this: the packaging, the presentation, the videos. makes me awfully proud to call this place home.

(images via)

david, andy and ashley. three freaking bad*ss folks. watch all the videos here.

home sweet home.

i knitted an emerald infinity scarf for the delightful V, who brings a smile to everyone she sees. i think this color was made for her!

if you’d like to make one of your own, here’s the pattern (so simple):

size finished scarf measures about 54″ around and 8″ wide
yarn madeline tosh merino dk in forestry
needle US7 24″ circular

cast on 230 stitches. make sure all stitches are facing down and make one twist. place marker and join ends.
round 1 k1, p1
round 2 p1, k1
repeat rounds 1-2 until scarf measures about 8″ wide. cast off loosely and weave in ends.

currently drooling over this mini bundle of liberty florals from purl soho.

ah, the holidays (i.e. BAKING-days in my universe).

these post thanksgiving treats will go splendidly with a cup of coffee. they aren’t super sweet, but the fall spices give this basic sugar cookie a little something extra. recipe from real simple magazine.

spiced sugar cookies

1/2 cup (1 stick) unsalted butter, at room temp
1/2 cup sugar
1 egg
1 teaspoon vanilla
1/2 teaspoon salt
1/2 teaspoon cinnamon
1/4 teaspoon ginger
1/4 teaspoon cardamom
1/4 teaspoon nutmeg
1 1/4 cup flour

beat butter and sugar until light and fluffy. then beat in egg, vanilla, salt and spices. gradually add the flour, until just combined. refrigerate for at least 2 hours. heat oven to 350f. on a floured surface roll out the dough until about 1/4 inch thick. use cookie cutters of your choice! place 1 inch apart on a baking sheet. bake for about 12 minutes, or until edges begin to brown. let cool on a wire rack.

enjoy!