Xmas Cookies

I'm made my favorite Xmas cookies last night. This is my first attempt at making them and they're not nearly as pretty as the ones my Mom makes, but still really yummy. I got the recipe out of my hand-me-down Betty Crocker cookbook that is probably older than I am.

Here it is!
Russian Teacakes, makes about 4 dozen

What you'll need:
1 cup of butter, softened
1/2 cup of powdered sugar
1 tsp of vanilla
2 1/4 cups of all-purpose flour
3/4 cups of finely chopped walnuts
1/4 tsp of salt
some extra powdered sugar

Heat oven to 400ºF
Mix the butter, sugar and vanilla together. Stir in flour, nuts and salt until the dough holds together.
Shape dough into 1 inch balls and place on an ungreased sheet about an inch apart.
Throw it in the oven for 10-12 minutes, until they are set but not browned.
Remove from oven and let cool for a bit. Roll the warm cookies in powdered sugar, let cool. Roll again when cool.
Then Enjoy! Yum!

Yogi Tea

I love tea, all kinds. I've especially been hooked on Yogi Tea's just plain old green tea. I think what I really love about Yogi Tea are the little fortunes that come on the tea bag. This weeks have been extra good. Todays is: "Your greatness is not what you have, it's what you give."

Mr. Murray

I'd really like to think that this is all one big prank, how great would it be if it was?

http://www.nypost.com/pagesixmag/issues/20081207/Bill+Murray+NYCs+New+Party+Boy

Paige Russell

An old friend & former band mate has been popping up all over the place lately. I've seen her wonderful work on some of my favorite blogs and magazines. I have such a love for ceramics, especially ones that are so unique and thoughtful, which hers most certainly are. You can view her work on her website or if you want to buy you can find her locally at Hermitage or Life + Limb.

Some of my favorites:

Way to go P, can't wait to see what's next!

SGIF

Every Friday morning before we get out of bed, either Robb or I will say to each other "SGIF!".
Today I'm especially so glad its Friday. Enjoy the blue skies today and have a happy weekend!

Recipes

I've been meaning to post some recipes for a while now. I"ll post one of our favorite recipes once a week. Feel free to share any of your faves with me!

Fish Tacos, serves 4.
We had this originally with our friends Jeff & Jess. Jess is from Australia and this recipe comes from the Australian chef, Bill Granger.

1 cup of roughly chopped cilantro, leaves & stems (one of my FAVE ingredients)
2 tsp of paprika
1 tsp of cumin
1 small red chili, seeded & chopped
1 tsp of sea salt
fresh ground pepper
zest of 1 lime
1/3 cup of olive oil
1 lb. of firm white fish, cut in strips (we usually use cod)

Place all ingredients except the fish in a blender or a food processor and blend until it forms a paste. Place the fish in a bowl and stir in paste, marinate for 15 mins. Heat a non-stick frying pan over a high heat until hot, add the fish strips in a single layer and cook for 2 minutes. Turn and cook on the other side for 1 minute, or until the fish is fully cooked. Place on a serving platter and garnish with lime wedges.

I usually serve this with some shredded cabbage & lime mayo. The recipes for the lime mayo is as follows:
1 cup mayonnaise (this makes A LOT, you could cut it in half even for 4 ppl)
finely grated zest of 1 lime
2 Tbsp lime juice
1 tsp sea salt
Then just mix it all up and put on top of the tacos.

We usually use the small soft corn tortillas and just warm them up in the oven before putting the fish it. Easy peasy.

Thanks.

Thanksgiving might just be my favorite holiday. Cooking, eating, drinking friends, family... Does it get much better than that? There's no pressure of gift buying, crazy holiday shopping, it's all just about coming together with the people that are most important to you and being grateful for what fortunate lives we all live.
This will be our second year hosting and we can't wait. I love the feeling of having our home filled with our greatest friends, everyone so happy to be together, all the yummy smells from the kitchen. I know, I know, I'm totally cheesing out right now, but it really is such a wonderful time. There will be 12 of us this year which is perfect considering that's about all our table can hold. Everyone is bringing a tasty dish or 2 and a bottle of wine for the table. Robb & I will be heading up the turkey & mashies (Robb's a master mashie maker) again this year, sure to be yummier than ever!
So wherever you are and whomever you're with, Happy Thanksgiving from Mia, Robb & Mona!

Get in here...

Robb says this to me all the time. Whether he's referring to getting into his sweatshirt for a hug, under a blanket for a movie or into bed for a snuggle. I saw this and thought of him...
via Oh Joy

Wedding Pix

We were finally able to finish looking thru our wedding pix the other night. They are so amazing and we couldn't be happier with HVK as our photographer. She & her assistant Heather were so great with all of us and captured some wonderful shots.

Just a few of our faves:

Nemo First Friday

My talented husband will be exhibiting new work this Friday November 7th at the Nemo 1st Friday group photo show. The show is titled "Thanksgiving" and is a silent auction to raise money for the Oregon Food Bank. The artist's only direction was to shoot something they are grateful for.
Should be a really interesting show, I love seeing how other people interpret what something means to them.
I'm also really excited because this is the first time since we moved to Portland that Robb is showing new work. I'm so proud of him and I'm totally in love with the piece he submitted.
Come and check it out for yourselves! Nov. 7th, 6pm-10pm @ Nemo 1875 SE Belmont St. PDX