Friday Things
1. In the week between Christmas and New Year’s, we more than made up for our lack of snow accumulation in Pittsburgh last year. We had two significant snowfalls within four days, and I couldn’t have been happier. There’s nothing more relaxing that watching the snow fall quietly to the ground, and then enjoying the pristine white view for days to come. I hope we have more days like this!
2. Right after Thanksgiving, my mom and I sat down and made a list of all the holiday recipes we had hoped to make before Christmas. We fell far, far short of our goal. We only ended up making about one-fourth of the the recipes on the list. Although, to be fair, a couple were made more than once ;-) How did you fare with your holiday baking list? Do you have any secrets for getting everything done?
3. The day after our first snowfall, I saw two buck prancing through my Chief Culinary Consultant’s backyard. Luckily, they were slow enough that I was able to grab one good shot of the larger one. I grew up having deer pass through my backyard, but I’ve never seen a buck, and never so close to the house! Such a beautiful animal…
4. I see an awful lot of New Year’s resolutions floating around the web. Please tell me I’m not the only one who hasn’t made them. Maybe I should set “goals” – that seems like something that could be more doable. I do this this approach that Ree took, using the letters of the word to define broader objectives and then more actionable goals. Although the words “goals”, “objectives” and “actionable” give me nightmares about my previous corporate, cubicle life. I’m not sure I could do that either. I need to work on this.
5. If you have made some New Year’s resolutions and they have anything to do with adopting a healthier lifestyle, check out The Healthy Living Manifesto. I’d imagine that adopting any number of these could help you work toward your goal (more detailed information on each one in link)…
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6. Last year, I posted my 2012 Foodie Resolutions. While I didn’t do a separate post this year, there are definitely some kitchen and food-related tasks that I hope to accomplish in 2013:
- Make sourdough bread.
- Expand on my canning experience and begin preserving seasonal fruits and vegetables.
- Make fresh, homemade pasta and sauce and keep in the freezer for easy dinners.
- Master sfogliatelle once and for all!
- Continue experimenting with more ethnic dishes.
What about you? Do you have any food or kitchen-related goals for this year?
7. I have been craving a new pair of boots and Mom-Santa generously gifted me with a Nordstrom gift card for such a purchase. I’ve been eyeing up Sorel boots for the winter, but can’t decide between the Tofino Boot (on the left) or the Joan of Arctic Boot (on the right). Do any of you have either pair? Reviews? I like the Tofino, they would match my new winter jacket, although the Joan of Arc boots look more heavy duty, but have heard they can be a little clunky. I have short legs, so that plays into my decision as well. If you have either pair or have tried them on (neither were in stock at my local Nordstrom the other day), I’d love to hear your thoughts!
8. The NHL is still locked out, and I’ve been missing my hockey fix. As part of my Christmas gift, Chief Culinary Consultant-Santa gifted me with tickets to the Three Rivers Classic, which was a college hockey tournament held over the holidays at Consol Energy Center here in Pittsburgh. We got to watch a double-header of Robert Morris University vs. Penn State and Miami University vs. Ohio State. It was great to watch some hockey at the arena, get my token souvenir cup, and even better that the hometown team, Robert Morris, ended up winning the entire tournament!
9. I’ve really fallen off of the reading wagon, and badly. I’m hoping to do more reading in the coming months, although I haven’t checked out any fiction books in a long, long time. What was the best book you read in 2012? I’m going to start a to-read list!
10. TGIF! I hope you’re all recovered from any New Year’s Eve shenanigans!
My favorite book was The Gift of Rain by Tan Twan Eng
I haven’t made any resolutions either. I don’t like making resolutions because it seems to make them easier to break but I’m always looking to better myself. I hope you had a wonderful time bringing in the new year!
I had the same debate and ordered both to compare – I ended up going with the JOA’s. Both had their ups/downs – the biggest thing that swayed my decision was that the “fur” on the top of the Tofino’s felt very fake compared to the JOA’s and was not colored as nicely. I will say though, the JOA’s are a bit heavy/clunky and the lack of 1/2 sizes is a miss. I find that I’m having the heel rubbing problem that others describe, but wool socks are comfy and mostly eliminate the issue. The JOA’s are very warm, look great with skinny jeans and are soft and cozy. I’m only disappointed that Chicago hasn’t gotten the snow to make them quite “necessary” yet! Bottom line – if you’re looking for a boot to throw on and run errands, the Tofino (with its lighter feel and sneaker fit) is probably the better idea. If you’re going for style or serious winter warmth, I’d go JOA :)
I had two resolutions…1) to be more organized which, sadly, is already broken, as I figured it would be. The other is to remain calm. So far, so good on that front! And I need to lose the 8 pounds I put on over the holidays, but that’s not really a resolution, it’s a must.
I really want to read Gone Girl and Unbroken. I didn’t read many books in 2012…just tried to keep up with my magazine subscriptions. Since I sifted through those, I figure I’m ready for some actual reading now. It must be the weather…
Happy Friday!
Gone Girl is an excellent book, but the very best book that I read last year is Wild by Cheryl Strayed.
That snow is SO beautiful. I miss it so much since I moved south!
I can’t thank you enough for your sugar cookies with royal icing tutorial. My cookies for my Very Hungry Caterpillar party were amazing. (Sorry, I can’t figure out how to post a picture.)
I, too, have the Joan of Arctic Sorel’s and although they can be classified as a lil clunky…… I LOVE them!!! Very warm and waterproof and I can drive in them just fine. I highly recommend them!
I want to learn to bake nice french crusty baguettes at home. That is my culinary resolution. It is so hard to find good baguettes in stores so I decided I need to learn to make my own.
I’ve had the Joan of Arc boots for a few years and they are bit bulky but I love them. I was a diehard Ugg wearer prior and I have to say I love them both. Uggs are great for running to the store and they are easy to slip on. However, the Joan of Arc boots are much sturdier. They do get more comfortable as you break them in, but I highly suggest trying on the pair you buy because some of the boots tend to dig into your ankles. Yes, it’s annoying but different pairs seem to fit differently! They will most definitely keep your feet warm and dry and you’ll look good in the process! I highly recommend if you’re looking for a more durable but fashionable boot.
I’m having the same dilemma between these two boots. I did try on the Joan of Arctic boot and it was clunky, I also didn’t like that they don’t come in half sizes. So I’m still debating! You’ll have to let us know which one you end up buying.
Please, please stop with the wishing for more snow!! If we never get another flake in Pittsburgh this winter I will be a happy camper. Your perspective on snow is different when your daily work commute is 45 minutes plus each way and involves both parkways. On the holiday baking front I made pretty much what I planned but had to add another cookie after the recipe I submitted was featured in the Post-Gazette holiday cookie article and everyone I knew asked for them. However that does not mean I used up all the baking supplies that somehow made their way into my shopping cart during November and December :-)
I love newly fallen snow too, but unfortunately we don’t get as much down here in KY as when we were in OH. The hockey games sound like a good time, but I would have been rooting for OSU. Go bucks!!!
I never do New Years Resolutions either. I like to set some goals though and some of mine for 2013 are: Master macarons, utilize the sourdough starter in my fridge more, donate more of my time to a worthy cause, and start taking sewing classes.
I love the elephant picture!! I hope the poor little guy is OK:)
I live in Iowa-cold & super long winters. I really wanted the Joan of Arc too, but thought they were too chunky when on (I’m 5’10”), so I got the shorter Tivoli style instead. Really warm/waterprooff & super easy to slip on and off! Best book I read in 2012 was “Unbroken”, one of my top reads ever! “Gone Girl” was another great read this year or the author’s other 2 books were good too!
My favorite book of the year was “Rules of Civility”. I work in a bookstore part-time and I recommend this book often. Everyone has loved it. I also enjoyed “The Art of Fielding” and if you like John Irving, try his latest, “In One Person”. I’m on a search for the perfect pair of boots too. Just ordered 2 pairs from Zappos but I’m thinking I might just go with a shearling lined pair of LL Bean boots. You’re so lucky to get that gorgeous photo of the buck!
Happy new year to you from Mignardise!
Great books I’ve read (if you are into love stories):
Anything by Julie James (she writes smart legal romance)–I really liked “About That Night,” but you have to read “A Lot Like Love” too to understand everything. ALLL was the first book, ATN the second. I read them backward, but obviously it doesn’t matter :)
I also liked “Hopeless,” …it’s about a teenager who discovers that she’s not who she thought she was. It got great reviews which is why I bought it. It verges into teeny-bopper land in some respects, but overall the plot is great.
My final recommendation is for the author Sarah MacLean. I don’t know what kinds of books you (or your fans) like, but I love historical romance and she’s always a perfect 10. Her newest book will be out in a few weeks and I’m on the edge of my seat waiting for it!
Hope you have a great weekend! :) Steph :)
I don’t need boots where I live in AZ. Enjoy your recipes. I enjoyed Gone Girl this year. Also The Unlikely Pilgrimage of Harold Fry.
I bought my mom the Tofino boots for Christmas, and she LOVES them! Highly recommend!
Hi! I have the Joan of Arc boots, as does my officemate, and we both love them! They are admittedly a little heavy, but they are so great for trekking through snow and roomy enough to allow space for heavy socks. They’re also really warm! My feet have never been cold in them, and I hail from Wisconsin :) Good luck in your decision! Happy New Year!
Hey – I’ve never tried Sorrel boots, but 2 years ago I got the Ugg Adirondack in black & gray and I would highly recommend them. I don’t wear socks with them & my feet have never gotten cold. They can be pretty stylish when worn with skinny jeans and the tops turned down. It looks like they make a tall Adirondack as well. Check them out!
Reading – I read all of Kate Morton’s novels this year & really enjoyed them. Start with the House at Riverton, her first. They kept me glued to each page. Good, clean story with lots of twists & turns! Happy New Year!
No resolutions for me, so you’re not alone! I just bought the Joan of Arctic boot last week, and they are still sitting in the box unworn. I’m still not sure about them as I feel they are a bit clunky, and I have read about people complaining about blisters on the heel. I really like the tofinos, I might have to give them a try!
I had the exact same boot dilemma 2 weeks ago! I ended up going with the Tofino boots in Dove, and I’m so happy I did. I hate snow boots, and think they look awful, plus, they’re awkward to walk in. After moving to Pittsburgh 2 years ago from Hawaii, I was in complete denial and didn’t think I needed snow boots. I really didn’t since the winters here have been pretty mild … until the day after Christmas when I was walking through 6 inches of snow in flats. These boots actually look really cute with skinny jeans! Besides that, they’re warm and comfy. Bonus: they’re almost as narrow as a regular shoe, so they’re easier to walk and drive in – not awkward at all! Good luck with your decision. Love your blog!
The best book I read recently was “Peaches for Father Francis” by the same author of Chocolat. Although I didn’t read Chocolat, I did see the movie, so I was able to read this book and not feel lost. I highly recommend it!
I like the Joan of Arctic Boot! Love the photo with the deer. The snow fall is so pretty, that is one thing I miss about living in Buffalo, but honestly I don’t miss the snow!! Or the cold!! Have a great weekend!!
Best book I read last year was Gone Girl. Then proceeded to read all of Gillian Flynn’s books(just 2 others). Dark, but great. Paris Wife great also.
I have Joan of Arctic boots & love them. They are a little clunky, but I got used to it. They are WARM & cute! Love your blog.
I heard Gone Girl was great too! Everyone I know has said only good things.
I had the Joan of Arctic when I lived in Northern New York and I HATED them. They are really heavy and there is a spot that would always hurt the top of my foot and give me blisters on my heel if I wore the wrong socks (basically where the rubber stops and suede begins, there is a really hard, unlined ridge. I suffered through them for two seasons since they were not returnable where I bought them (stupid, I know). I do not recommend them!
You are not alone in lacking resolutions! Not only did I run out of time to make most of the holiday stuff I also am still formulating my plans for 2013. And at this rate my “holiday” cards are gonna be “happy summer” ones…
Love seeing the snow-living in LA is great but I grew up with snow and miss it!
I love the healthy living manifesto, particularly no. 5 pick exercise you enjoy, I’ve recently found that is the only way I’ll ever exercise, and the two regarding getting rid of negativity and negative people. I wish I had a reason to buy those boots, but not in Aus, I only need to wear socks 3 months a year at most. I always enjoy reading your Friday things, have a good weekend.
My daughter and I both have Sorel boots and LOVE them! Our feet are never cold when we are shoveling snow here in New England, and they even keep our legs warm when we are doing outside stuff (why it is that the day we have to take down all our exterior Christmas lights and decos, the wind chill factor always dips below zero?) Have fun looking for your new boots and Happy Winter!
LindaD
PS Does Einstein have snow boots? ~_+
Haha! Einstein does not have snow boots, but my mom did buy him a rain slicker a few years ago ;-)
I also have the Joan of Arctic, which Santa bestowed upon me just a few weeks ago. They are on the cumbersome side, but I think they are amazing. So warm and they look great with skinny jeans tucked into them. I walked around NYC all weekend in the cold wintry mix and not once did my feet even feel a breeze. And they weren’t stuffy or constricting either- my feet could still breathe and didn’t hurt at all after a ton of walking. They do restrict ankle movement a bit, though, which is something I noticed while driving. However, they’re snow/rain boots- not driving loafers :-) I definitely recommend them!!
Oh and I absolutely LOVE your blog- I read it almost everyday! Keep the recipes coming… My New Year’s resolution is going to require a lot of cooking and smart eating. Happy New Year!
Hi Michelle,
I have the Joan of Arctic boots and absolutely love them. I bought them last season (in Australia) and they are so warm and comfy. I just wasn’t a fan of the quilting look on the Tofino. I find they are quite wide, but a thick pair of socks help. I don’t think they are too tall either, but they are a little clunky. I adjusted pretty quickly to them though. I wore them for our whole winter – snow and rain – and never had any trouble. It’s best to try both on though! Good luck :)
Sarah x
I’ve had my Joan of Arctic boots for three years. They are heavier and can be clunky if you’re not used to them BUT they are warm as all get out. Never ever have cold feet at all and manage to drive in them and wear them all about in winter after getting used to them.