Sabino Canyon

My husband and I spent a few hours in Sabino Canyon last weekend on his day off.  It was really nice to get outside and enjoy the desert.  We took the little tram that you can ride into the canyon and enjoyed the late evening there.  This would be a great thing for people to do that don't like to hike or can't hike very far.  It is almost 4 miles to the top of the tram line if you take the Sabino Canyon Trail. There are nine stops along the way and you can get off and on at any one of them.  You can also take the Bear Canyon Trail.  It runs all day, so my suggestion is to go early and enjoy the afternoon in the canyon.  Maybe have a picnic, or just relax by the stream.

The tram is 2 cars long.  You can get the schedule on-line here.

I never would have thought Arizona would look like this.

Look at all the Saguaro sticking up across the hills.  

One of the many areas that would make a good spot to rest.

Thimble Peak

I am totally loving being outdoors.

We went in the evening, so we got to see a bit of the sun going down in the mountains.  I love the colors during this time of day. So beautiful!

You can learn more about the canyon and the tours on their site.  I would highly recommend it to anyone visiting Tucson, even if you don't like walking or hiking.  If you like the outdoors, you will love their tours.  Plus, you can pretend you went hiking.  Nobody will ever know the difference.

New Honda Fit!

Well... you may remember when I had a minor accident with my Civic earlier this year.  I had to say goodbye and stick to the moped until we moved.  I recently got a Honda Fit.  I love it!  It is compact, yet roomy, drives smoothly, is great on gas, and is so cute.

Here I am driving it off the lot.  Cody went with me and we spent the day at 2 different places.  There was only one white one left...  I wanted it.  The other colors are kind of ugly, so I was pretty happy that they still had one!

The inside is really cool.  It is all back lit and easy to use.

I love the side windows in the front, they remind me of my old bug.  Except they don't open and create "air conditioning" like my bug windows did.  I also love that it has 57 cubic feet of space when you put the seats down.  The seats also go up, and you can slide your bike or large item right in the back door.  Pretty sweet!  No awkward lifting, and it is really easy to put the seats up or down.

So far I LOVE it.  :)

Soft Pretzel Recipe

A few nights ago I was craving mall pretzels.  You know, the super soft cinnamon sugar ones that you used to get all the time in junior high when you went to the mall with your friends?  (and MAYBE you still get them when you go just for the pretzels...)  Anyways, it was 9:00 at night, no pretzel stands open, and I had to have one.  So I found this recipe on allrecipes.com and made some for myself.

Cinnamon Sugar Pretzel Bites

My favorite part was eating the first batch while I kept rolling and baking the others.

Pile of unbaked bites.

When they come out of the oven, brush them with butter and them top them.  I tossed them in cinnamon sugar, but you can salt them, dip them and leave them plain, or make up your own.  Parprika and garlic, parmesan, garlic powder, icing, etc.

RECIPE: 

4 tsp. active dry yeast

1 tsp. white sugar

1 1/4 cups warm water (110 degrees F)

5 cups all purpose flour

1/2 cup white sugar

1/2 tsp. salt

1 Tbsp. vegetable oil

1/2 cup baking soda

4 cups hot water

butter for brushing on top

1. In a small bowl, dissolve yeast and 1 tsp. sugar in warm water.  Let stand until creamy, about 10 minutes.

2. In a large bowl, mix together flour, 1/2 cup sugar, and salt.  Make a well in the center, and the oil and yeast mixture.  Mix and form into a dough.  If the mixture is dry, add a tsp or two of water, if it is too wet, add a little flour.  Knead the dough until smooth, about 7 or 8 minutes.  Lightly oil or spray bowl, place dough in it, and cover with seran wrap.  Let rise in a warm place until doubled in size, about 1 hour.

3. Preheat oven to 450 degrees.  In a large bowl dissolve baking soda in hot water.  

4. When risen, turn dough out onto a lightly floured surface and divide into 12 equal pieces.  Roll into a rope and twist into pretzel shape or cut into bite sized pieces.  Dip each pretzel into the baking soda solution and place on a greased baking sheet.  

5.  Bake in preheated oven for 8 minutes, until browned.  Brush with melted butter when they come out and top with salt or cinnamon sugar.

These were super easy.  I made them while I watched tv.  I froze over half of them and when I want to eat them, I just pop them in the microwave and top them as if they were fresh from the oven.  They freeze great and are nice and soft when they are warm.

If you have any questions, feel free to leave them below!  Happy pretzel making!

Arizona Sonora Desert Museum

We went to the Desert Museum again last weekend, it was the perfect day to go.  The weather wasn't too hot, they had a reptile talk with a Rattlesnake and Gila monster, and my husband was off work.

The hummingbirds are so beautiful.  The area with all the birds in it is one of my favorite.

"Oh, so cute!  Cody look at that duck.  He's whistling!"  Duck then turns his little bent down body towards me and charges while whistling.  You would have thought the duck was shooting bullets the way I jumped and ran...

Big Horned Sheep

Hello there HANDSOME.

What a HAM!  This beaver totally swam up, paused for a picture for the lady next to us, and then swam away.

Totally wouldn't see these guys in the wild until I was waist deep in toads.

My favorite pic of the day.  The prairie dogs and I seem to have a lot in common.  Snacking and lounging.

Mountain Lion.  Hey buddy.

I want to print some of these and frame them along my big entryway wall.  Any votes?  I am partial to the beaver, the prarie dog chowing down, and the hummingbird.

Poundcake and Strawberries

I woke up this morning to a hungry belly and amazing options for breakfast.  Last night I was madly searching for a favorite recipe and couldn't find it.  So I settled for a poundcake.  Settled is not the right word, I was on a rampage.  I knew I had seen the recipe, but I have no idea where I put it.  So I searched for another hour for something my husband would possibly eat.  I will eat anything with sugar in it,  I am easy to please in the dessert area.

I found this poundcake recipe in one of my many baking books.  Simple, buttery, and so good with berries and whipped cream.

I whipped up some heavy cream and added powdered sugar to taste.  If you know me, you know I have a ridiculous love affair with whipped cream.  No waffle, french toast, or strawberry is safe.  They will be smothered in whipped cream.

I'd say I settled for something amazing.  I no longer feel like I settled, but like I found a new favorite.  My husband even had some!  That is a serious compliment.  He pretty much only eats lemon bars from a box, brownies, and cookies from a log.  Expanding his desert flavor palette is my secret goal.  1 point for the baker!

Recipe:  Pound Cake

2 cups ap flour 

1 tsp. baking powder

1/4 tsp. salt

8 oz. unsalted butter at room temp.

1 cup sugar

4 large eggs at room temp.

1 tsp. vanilla

-Preheat oven to 325 degrees.  Butter a 9 by 5 or 8 1/2 by 4 1/2 inch loaf pan.  Put the pan on top of 2 sheet pans to bake.  This will keep the bottom from getting too dark.

-whisk flour, baking powder, and salt together

-cream butter and sugar for 5 minutes until pale and fluffy with a paddle (in a stand mixer)

-scrape down and add eggs one at a time, scraping down between additions and mixing for 1 - 2 minutes after each egg (this creates volume and air in your poundcake)

-add the flour and be careful NOT to OVERMIX.  mix just until incorporated on low speed

-scrape into pan and smooth top

-bake 45 minutes, then check.  it needs between 70-90 minutes to bake, if it gets too dark, tent the top with foil.  check with a knife, when it comes out clean, it is done.

[Recipe from Baking From My Home to Yours]

The book I got this recipe from is Baking { from my home to yours }, by Dorie Greenspan.  I also have her Paris Sweets book which is awesome.  If you are interested in free recipes and more information you should definitely check out her site, this link will take you to her recipes.  Not a baker?  Not to worry, she has recipes from starters and entrees to salads and side.  She even has a new app for ipod.

Sweet Sunny Day Shops

I have been busy crafting and creating and I wanted to share a few things!  I have also been trying to start filling up my shops, slowly it is all coming along.  I try to list at least one thing a day.

I made this nook case out of soft flannel and layered it with some batting to protect the reader.  I take my kindle with me everywhere, so I thought this would be pretty awesome.  It even has pockets for cash/IDs.  Sweet!

I added a few items to my accessories shop...  More knits to come.  I have knitting fever with winter on the way!

I also added another cute set of coasters to my home shop today!  Pale yellow quilted anime coasters.  These would look banging in a dorm...  Or at your computer desk!

To top the day off, I added a few pairs of earrings to the jewelry shop.  Bracelets and more to come tomorrow.  

Remember the SECRET SHOP SALE going on NOW!  25% off at any of my shops from now until Oct. 30th.  Just enter SHHHH at checkout...  I will combine shipping costs too, just convo me after purchase and I will refund the difference!

Quilted Table Cover

I have been really loving my craft room since I got it all set up and ready to go.  One of the first big projects I made was this quilted table cover.  It is made with strips of fabric and is backed with 2 large pieces of fabric.

Here it is in the planning stages. I knew I wanted something green/gray/brownish, but I couldn't resist adding extra color!

The top is all finished and looking good.  I really like this style of quilt.  So fast and simple.

Here it is on my table.  The coffee table is glass and we needed something to protect it from scratches, chipping, and damage.  This seems to do the trick.

Already well used, I really like the colors in the living room.  SUCCESS.

Here is a peek at my creative desk.  It is where I do most of my projects.

HOOOOOO....  My owl and yarn sit together nicely.

Bird Nerd on Etsy

One of my favorite etsy artists is BIRD NERD.  I love the colors, shapes, and subjects that she works with.  

I love this owl print.  So cute, yet spooky.  This would look cool in any home.  Get an 8 by 10 print for only $20.  

Don't have any room for art right now?  Check out this awesome note cards.  She hand makes the envelopes out of magazine pages, and the little bird can say whatever you want!

Want a teeny tiny original?  This little hummingbird is 2.5 by 3.5 for $45.  Wouldn't it look cool on your desk or framed on a small wall?

Christmas is coming up and these little plush birds would be a cute gift for a bird lover in your family. Put it on the tree or hang it in your personal space to add a touch of color.  So snazzy.  

Those are just a few of my favorites.  Start stocking up for Christmas early and you will miss the mad rush and actually enjoy your shopping!

{All images are taken from birdnerd.etsy.com}