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Welcome to 2010! I am looking forward to the year ahead!

Is it really December 16th? This month has been passing unbelievably fast! I am nearly finished making this year’s Christmas gifts – much sewing has been done over the past few weeks. It is a good feeling to have the time and resources to give handmade gifts this year. I forgot to photograph most of the pieces before they were wrapped, so I’ll have to hope for photos from the recipients (hint, hint).

I’ve been going on frequent hikes, which is a welcome respite from the city bustle. Here are a few photos from those hikes:

Here is an amazing rainbow that appeared outside of our window. Really lovely! Yes, it does rain in LA on occasion.

Our dear friends Cory & Matt were able to come over on Thanksgiving. We had a fun day about the city!

A few weeks ago I was able to spend a few hours downtown with my friend Shaerie. We had some delicious miso ramen, sweet buns, and browsed a bookstore that carries all varieties of books… most importantly Japanese sewing books! I have a few on my list — someday soon!

Have a good end of the week!

While looking through some boxes this morning, I happened upon an old notebook of mine. Flipping through led me to realize that while the details of my life have changed, at the core I am very much the same person. Here is the first entry:

12/29/04

The start of this book. It will be dedicated to any sort of thought, whether it be about school, life, art, etc. So don’t be intimidated. Just write what you think. Don’t worry about being deep or intellectual. Just be yourself. By doing this, the book, when complete, will be outstanding. –HAC

Ps. Don’t forget the back pocket!

It’s a good morning when you wake up to homemade pumpkin scones, Trader Joe’s Winter Blend coffee, and delicious scrambled eggs.

Our friend Jos came to visit. We went on a nice hike up Echo Mountain. We saw some cool old stuff:

We ate a tasty sandwich:

And the sky was pretty:

I also decided to create a 2010 Calendar with some of my watercolor paintings. I just sent it to print this morning, which was a big check off on my to-do list. I’ll be posting photos when they arrive.

I have several sewing projects that are meant to be Christmas gifts – I hope to finish them all in time!

Lastly, I have been searching for a creative muse of late. What inspires you?

Birthday parties are a good excuse to glam up for an evening!

Just started another dress – same pattern, different fabric. I am tweaking where the waist of the dress sits on my waist, so we’ll see how this one comes out. I’m also starting another dress (new pattern), which I’ll post more about later.

I’m really looking forward to the fall season. We had our first pumpkin pie last night, in honor of Neal’s birthday. It was so delicious. I used the leftover pumpkin puree to make some pumpkin scones this morning. And it is raining in L.A. Sounds like fall to me!

Pumpkin Scones

Mix:
1 1/2 cups flour (any kind)
1/2 cups rolled oats
1/3 cup packed brown sugar
2 Tbsp baking powder
1/4 tsp baking soda
1/4 tsp salt
1 Tbsp ground flax seed
1 tsp cinnamon
1/2 tsp. ground ginger
1/4 tsp. ground allspice
1/8 tsp. ground nutmeg

Cut in:
3 Tbsp cold butter
until mixture resembles coarse crumbs

Add:
2/3 cup pumpkin puree
1/3 cup nonfat plain yogurt or buttermilk (I added a bit more of this after mixing a bit to add some moisture)
1 tsp vanilla

Pat into a 8″ circle with well floured hands, onto a greased baking sheet. Cut into 8 wedges and sprinkle top with 2 tsp. coarse sugar.

Bake 20–25 min at 375 degrees until golden.

It’s hard to believe that October is already in swing! This summer went by so quickly, but ended with a lovely trip to Oregon. Our friends Jason and Megan got married, we saw lots of family and friends, and ate a lot! It was a really great trip. I used the wedding as an excuse to make a new dress (but who really needs an excuse – it’s a new dress!). Here is a photo of me and Neal:

And now we’re back in L.A., getting back into regular life. Design work, teaching, basketball, social engagements are on my agenda. Hmm… what to sew next?