12*28*10

We got to visit Georgia.

We went on a Sunday and not a dang thing was open.

So we went back to Florida. The "sunshine state". Where just a few hours earlier it had been snowing. For real.

12*25*10

12*24*10

Today my sweetheart and I are flying to Northern Florida to visit his family for Christmas. With all the packing and cleaning and beer bottling (I've finally found someone whose procrastination exceeds my own), we had a very busy night last night. We got about 3 hours of sleep before our 6:20 AM flight.

One of us sleeps like a baby on planes. One of us doesn't.

Hehe. Good thing he never reads this blog. But then again, neither does anyone else.

Oh wait, Hi Mom!!! And Dad!!!

Anyhoo.

Thanks to Delta's free wifi during the holidays (YAY!!!) I've been doing lots of internet browsing and found some pretty rad stuff. I think you'll like it:

Hippies, we already knew that 'Shrooms Sent Santa and his Reindeer Flying.

Have you ever heard of a Pavlova? They look like a little piece of heaven!

I've always been impressed with people who are ambitious enough to do a one-a-day project. This guy makes and wears one mask a day.

Want to make a statement with your gingerbread house? How about a gingerbread crackhouse? Or homeless dwelling?

And while we feel grateful most of the time, sometimes you've just gotta bitch about a bad Christmas gift.

Oh! And I almost forgot! You MUST MUST MUST check out the new show on IFC, Portlandia. It starts January 21st... and its gonna be AWESOME!!!

12*23*10

I'm exhausted. I made most of my Christmas gifts this year.

Yeah.

Next year I'm going to the mall.

Kidding. I would never go to the mall.

I've cleaned out all the old beer bottles to get them ready for a nice 'n hoppy, homebrewed pale ale.

I bottled vanilla extract. Its a project I started about 3 months ago.

My very favorite homemade gift: vanilla bean marshmallows!

They go perfectly with the homemade graham crackers.

It all gets tied up with ribbons and bows... or how about hemp twine? Thats how the hippies do it.

12*20*10

You know who's cute? My friends Javier and Harmony.

They're so freaking adorable. I just want to eat them up. They're getting married too. Which is totally rad because they're letting me design their invitations.

They recently had their engagement photos taken by Kimi Kolba. She does some very beautiful work. When I look at it, I feel giddy.

I took some of those photos and I used them to make save-the-dates. I designed them to be 4x6 postcards. There's nothing better than getting a postcard in the mail. Especially when it has these two lovebirds on the front.

12*18*10

The weather was pretty fantastic yesterday. That doesn't happen much in Portland in December. And by fantastic I mean sun. I am not at all referring to the high winds or low temperature.

So I dusted off my road bike and pumped up the tires.

And took off down the Springwater Corridor. But it was cold. And there was a strong headwind. And I'm out of shape. So I didn't last long.

But it was fun. Word.

12*17*10

I had an interview yesterday.

For a job that I really want.

I prepared.

I did lots of research about the company. I reviewed typical interview questions. I dusted off my portfolio. I put on some nice slacks and a pretty sport coat. I washed and straightened my hair and put on my hipster glasses.

I took the bus downtown. I met with a really awesome woman that knows way more about graphic design and being awesome than I could ever hope to know.

And then I opened my mouth.

I don't know what's wrong with me. I am so awkward.

I'm not saying it went poorly. In fact I think (and hope) that it went really really well. But I'm not exactly the best speaker. Especially when I'm nervous.

And I can't help but imagine that perhaps she would have been just a bit more impressed with me if I'd brought her these cookies. They're really good cookies. Maybe I would have made a really good impression. I would have explained to her that I would be bringing in baked goods like these all the time. Whether my coworkers liked it or not. Just because I think my coworkers are so rad.

These cookies are tasty because they're sweet and salty...

...and crunchy!!! Thanks to some value corn flakes.

Sweet, salty, crunchy, awesome!

Spanish Peanut Cookies

• 1 1/2 cups flour
• 1 1/2 teaspoons baking powder
• 1 teaspoon baking soda
• 1 cup brown sugar
• 1 cup butter, softened
• 1 egg
• 1 cup rolled oats
• 1 cup flaked coconut
• 1 cup salted peanuts
• 1/2 cup corn flakes, finely crushed

For Icing:

• 2 tablespoons unsalted butter, melted
• 1 cup powdered sugar
• 1 tablespoon warm water
• 1 teaspoon lemon juice

Preheat oven to 350.

Cream the butter and sugar.

Add egg and beat well.

In a separate bowl, combine the flour, baking powder and baking soda.

Add the flour mixture to the butter and blend.

Add the remaining dry ingredients, combining well after each one.

Drop batter by the rounded spoonful onto a cookie sheet.

Bake for 12-15 minutes. Allow to cool.

Beat together icing ingredients, and drizzle over cookies.