The turkey’s in the oven filled with cranberry walnut stuffing. I snuck in some kale. Shhh, don’t tell. The green bean casserole is prepped. Cranberries are crackling on the stove. The rolls are rising. And my dad is smoking the other turkey outside in the Texas snow. You read that right. Texas snow! It’s a Christmas miracle no doubt. Read more
If you live in the U.S., you know what today is. The day those defaming political ads quit running on TV. Maybe today is a bit hopeful, but tomorrow—I’m counting on you. The recent days have been too dark.
In high school I painted. My schedule was filled with art classes. I liked it that way. We learned about complimentary colors—something I probably learned as a child but didn’t really understand. Complimentary colors are funny. They sit across from each other on the color wheel. Some may say they’re complete opposites. But when you put them next to each other, they are brighter and more beautiful. They’re complimentary. Read more
We made it. Halfway across the country. With our loot and car attached. We said goodbye to our old home and hello to a new one. We unpacked globs of boxes, put together stupid amounts of Ikea furniture, and painted some of it too. High stress situations don’t always lead to the smartest decisions. Needless to say, I’m banned from painting furniture and reading Young House Love for awhile. They give me way too many ideas. Read more
One of my favorite people in this world is my sister. Based on our childhood, though, you would never have guessed that we’d grow up to like each other. I was the older leave-me-alone sister. Don’t play with my toys. Get out of my room. She had a habit of cutting the hair off of all her dolls so I had good reason to keep my doors shut and my pristine dolls safe. I wont even mention the time she stabbed me in the foot with a sharpened Little Mermaid pencil. Or the time I let her get in trouble (big trouble) for something I did. No, I wont mention those times. Read more
I’m writing this post as fast a my warm swollen fingers can type. I’m not telling you anything new when I say it’s hot out. Horribly hot. And I hate abhor the heat. The only thing that can make it better—iced coffee.
So stop what you’re doing right now and start making this. It has to sit overnight. You’ll thank me later, I promise. Your mornings will be happier and cooler. Your forehead will perspire a bit less. And your freshly pressed (Huh? Not me.) shirt wont stick to your damp back. It’s a christmas miracle in July.
No brewing is involved. I’ll explain below.
Drip, drip, drip.
With a dash of cream.
All better.
Iced Coffee
recipe from Smitten Kitchen, makes about 6 drinks
1 c. coffee (medium-coarse grind)
4 1/2 c. water
1. Pour coffee and water into a bowl. Cover and let sit for 12 hours.
2. Pull out your coffee carafe and filter. Place filter in the opening of the carafe and pour coffee mixture. Once strained, you have your concentrate so to speak.
3. Fill glass with equal parts concentrate and water, plus ice cubs. Or if you’re like me, just add ice cubes to the concentrate. I like it blacker than black. Store leftover concentrate covered in fridge.
4. Celebrate the lack of perspiration over your morning cup of joe.
5. Finally, friends don’t let friends drink hot coffee in the summer. Spread the word!
