Coconut Crepe Cake

My friend, and wedding photographer, Briana recently invited me over to make this delicious coconut creme crepe cake with her. On a snow day I rode the T over to her house where we drank cups and cups of tea while creating this masterpiece. Between every crepe is a layer of whipped cream and coconut jam, and every once and a while you sprinkle sugar over the whole thing. 

Yum doesn't do it justice. 

So she, being a photographer, took pictures while we were making it. Then she submitted it to be published by Emma Magazine (an online publication) and guess who's hands showed up in all the pictures!? 

Yup, mine. It makes me feel a little bit special. 

Congratulations on getting published again Bri!

To see the full post: www.emmamag.com

Good Morning Sunshine

Brown eggs--I love them. I also love breakfast. My sister can sleep in until ten and then not eat until noon, she's crazy. The moment I wake up I start thinking about eggs and toast, fruit and coffee. James is on winter break this week, which means we get to wake up late and eat together. This morning I made sun toast with a heart shaped cookie cutter my gram gave me. We love to rub a little fresh garlic on the bread to bring out the savory flavors. Breakfast in New York was chocolate chip pancakes with berry compote. Monday was cinnamon rolls. Though the default lately is usually soft boiled eggs and toast. 

There's always coffee. 

New York, New York

 Mikey and James

Sunday morning we got up at 5am and packed our snow-covered car with overnight bags and our coffee tumblers--New York bound. As I had never been to the city I was actually full of anticipation and wonder at the unknown. We arrived on Mikey and Kristin's doorstep just in time for breakfast before church. Their little New York apartment is tiny but feels completely like home. After church we wandered from Times Square down through The Plaza and Central Park, popping into shops along the way to warm up for a bit. It wasn't snowing but it could have been--it was freezing outside! But the lights, the people, the exploring, and conversation were worth it to endure the cold.

In the afternoon we met Am and Cliff and continued exploring with them (I think the Mulligans went home to take a nap). We got dinner, walked some more, chatted with and got to know Cliff, and then headed down to see our favorite band, Branches, play at Rockwood Music Hall. There we met our friends Sam and Jayde (who had stayed with us last week on their way back from South Africa). Branches put on an awesome show, as always, and after we loaded up their instruments and took a cab back up to 181st Street.

After unloading the equipment we finally fell into bed, and slept soundly until about 8. The best part about sleep-overs is your friends are still there in the morning--I would know, we woke up with friends all week! Coffee, breakfast, good conversation--it seems that happens a lot at the Mulligan's. We packed up (all Branches' stuff actually fit in our car!) and drove north, back to Boston. We quickly dropped off the instruments and James dropped me off at work. The end of our adventure.

It won't be the last time we take a whirlwind trip to New York--but next time I think we'll chose warmer weather.

This New Semester

The morning James and I left Dana Point we all went down to walk along the beach. On days like today, when we wake up to snow falling outside in Boston, I think of this.

Spring semester has begun, and I keep telling myself--as I don my feather-down snow jacket--that at the end I will be wearing sandals and short sleeve shirts to class. This semester I am taking Book Editing and an Applications of Print Publishing class. They should go well together, editing and learning the computer programs that we use to build books. My Book Editing class is taught by one of my favorite professors so far, even though he gives an abundant amount of homework. I'm actually avoiding that homework currently, writing this. But I'll consider it my warm-up.

Lately, as always, I've been trying to find beauty in the small things. I'm enjoying hot coffee, my new calendar, a journal I only doodle in, fresh flowers in our house, the sunset out our living room windows, warm blankets, soft boiled eggs and toast for breakfast, my friends at work, waking up before the sun, wool socks, pictures of Laurel's babies, time to read, and game nights.

A Cozy January Day

I had the day off today. So, naturally, it was full. 

I spent the morning finishing Howard Schultz's first book, Pour Your Heart Into It. A story about the beginning of his company, my company, and the process of growing it from one small retail store into a global corporation. Reading about the decisions he made, how hard he worked, and the team of people he leads Starbucks with was inspiring. I appreciate Howard's vision and how much he cares about me as a partner. 

In the afternoon I went to New Covenant School, where James teaches, to help lace up ice skates. The kindergarten teacher is also a friend of ours, and she asked me if I would help her with her kiddos today. Even though I haven't ice skated since high school, I was ready. Kindergarteners have such tiny feet! Tiny skates! I enjoyed watching James help and encourage his students. They all call me Mrs. Pierce--love that.

For dinner I made cauliflower soup, a creamy, onion and potato based soup from one of my favorite cookbooks. It has mustard and olive oil croutons that go with it, topped with sharp cheddar cheese. Perfect for a rainy evening. 

Fireside Games

 My munchkin face.

James woke up this morning and said--

Ash we've been home two whole weeks and we haven't played Munchkin once. 

Complete with a pout face. 

Am got this game for James as a Christmas present. The moment he opened the box and began to read the rules he was hooked. James likes games with complicated rules, and it seems he also likes games with rules that can be played randomly, trump other rules, and used by other rules to win. Confused? Me too. I'll admit it took me a while to understand what I was playing. The best part was hanging out with my siblings and giggling at the silliness of it all. It also helps that we use peanut butter cups as markers for our levels. Miss spending time with these guys. 

I think we'll have a game night here soon.

On the Water

 Dana Point

Billy!

 James jumped in. 

Cousins. 

The day after Christmas James' uncle Dave took us out on their boat, the same boat on which James proposed. We went out of the Dana Point Harbor, and cruised up the coast to the Laguna Beach area. We ate Tutor and Spunky's (an awesome sub shop in DP) for lunch on the water and enjoyed the sunshine. My sandwich was packed with avocados. The ocean was smooth that day, and I was so thankful to stand in the midst of it. James swam a bit--of course--and reported it was cold. 

Most of our trip I became a sunshine sponge and on this day I definitely got my fill. 

What I love most about these pictures is that our blue eyes match the color of the Pacific. 

Christmas in California

Four years ago, when James and I were dating, he wrote me a letter on Christmas day. In it told me about his family's Christmas traditions and the things he loves about spending that day with them. 

This year I got to experience it in person. 

James and I, still on East Coast time, woke up around 5:30 and went downstairs to get some tea and start a fire. Everyone arrived for breakfast and after that we spent time opening gifts. I love how thoughtful each gift was, and the time spent together was the sweetest gift of all. 

We spent the afternoon at grandma and grandpa's house, where we ate dinner (twice), played games, and relaxed together. Most of our trip was like that actually, exactly what I needed. 

Family Dinner

The more genuine and deep our community becomes, the more everything else between us recedes. 

--Dietrich Bonhoeffer

Dinner for twelve in our tiny apartment. 

This is the first time we've hosted so many and guess what--it worked!

We Have a House Guest

This is Shamus. 

He's hanging out with us while his owner is traveling for a few weeks and I'm loving every moment. Growing up my family had cats, my favorite one still lives with my dad in northern California. Cats are good to play with, to read with, to cuddle with, to keep you company. I know not everyone shares my sentiment--James doesn't even--but for the next few weeks we get this little pal. I'm excited.