obsessed

I love food.  I love food a lot.  There are moments in my everyday life that I realize this more than others.  Take today, for instance.  Every Saturday Dave Mac and I go hiking, sometimes they are a bit more strenuous than others but usually nothing I can't handle (occasionally I pick and choose when he has two or more hikes or activities planned).  Today, however, as I climbed into his Trailblazer (so fitting) I noticed two sets of snowshoes stashed in behind his seat.  After one failed attempt at getting into a parking lot for the Bald Mt. hike (snowed in up to the windows) we went up to Mt. Pleasant.  As I was getting out of the car, my intuition told me to grab that bag of granola I had stashed in my bag as I ran out of the house to go meet him.  Stuffing it into my pocket I strapped on my snowshoes and headed over the snowbank.  

This hike, it turns out was straight up one side and straight down the other.  Then you get to the bottom turn around, and go straight back up and straight back down.  Now, on my second straight back up I found myself looking for my happy place, which, turns out to be a nice cozy little cafe, with good espresso, tasty pastry, and a fireplace.  Not so out of the ordinary. Now, the moment I realized my profound love (and desperate need) for food was when Dave Mac, about midway up was telling about the yummy chocolate espresso beans he had in the car for me when we got back if I could just hang in there (from my silence he knew...hunger + jess = disaster).  However, when he looked back he found me, mittens in pockets, CHOWING on a bag of granola that I had, to him, magically summoned to the top of this mountain.  So when he noticed the bag of granola, I kindly told him that I had a snack with me (mouth full of granola)... and as much as I didn't want to, asked if he wanted any.  To my relief he was all set till we returned to the car.  Me, I couldn't wait another minute.  

I secretively stashed a bag of snacks in my jacket and when I was hungry, I secretively consumed that bag of snacks in hopes of not having to share any of my gold mine with the one I love.  Now, for those that don't know me, normally I am pretty good at sharing (well, my food at least!) but I realized when I was caught red handed that the hunger in my belly overcame any and all thoughts concerning others possible need for nourishment.  I am truly and officially obsessed.

(for those worried about Dave Mac malnourishment on our hike, he did in fact survive and no harm was done to his appetite)

j.may

I love these!

For a couple of gals that love love love to be movin', these earrings are perfect!  They are handmade with maps by pica pica design on etsy.  She takes special orders so you can wear your favorite locations dangling from your ears!

http://www.etsy.com/view_listing.php?listing_id=20213701

the sassy radish...

 Today, between walking Finn five hundred times (yes, you heard... five hundred) I rediscovered a  little blog that I had bookmarked a while back and forgotten about (Miss Clay, perhaps this was one of your findings??)  Anyway, I clicked away and found myself swimming in yummy recipes and delightful photography.  I have printed a couple of recipes that struck my fancy...I highly recommend a peak:

j.may

another blustery day

Wrapped up in my cozy blanket in the cottage waiting for Dave Mac's birthday cake to bake, I am having flashbacks of an upgraded college day.  While times are tough we have stocked up on Thai Kitchens just-add-water soups.  Today it is Ginger.  Yesterday, Spring Onion.  Almost everyday around one o'clock I find myself boiling water and reaching into the cupboard for that little plastic bag of dry noodles.  However, today, while it sits steaming in front of me, I feel cozy and comfortable in my space.  

After a huge snow storm last night we woke up to a scene straight out of Narnia's The Lion, The Witch, and The Wardrobe.  A complete white wash which I have found to be quite calm and serene.  Chopsticks in hand, the noodles are soft, all I need is a warm fireplace to make the moment perfect.  Which reminds me...I need to pick up candles.

j.may

Espresso + waiting for cookies to bake = this...

So Phil has traveled off to Western Carolina for work and left me with no camera, so the other morning while making cookies for he and the boys to take on their 3hour journey, i started playing around with the PhotoBooth on our Mac. Jess and i had some fun with hers when she was visiting back in october and it turned out to be such fun i thought what better way to pass the time in between batches..now mind you, we have an Apt. sized oven in our place so when i bake cookies, i can only bake THREE at a time on the small sheet pan that will fit in it..that’s right folks..and i only have one sheet pan that is the right size for it so it obviously takes some time to accomplish this task..it really is amazing what i’ve accomplished in this kitchen with what i was provided with…it’s all about determination and creativity really…

a.clay

sweet bella..

Kittens can make knitting a very difficult task…good thing she’s so darn cute

a.clay