the s’mores cookie

I found the perfect s’mores cookie recipe!

Even the instructions are perfect. I found myself collecting s’more recipes, here and here (both I have yet to make). This past weekend I went rafting on the Deschutes River and knew the rafting party would appreciate some home baked goodies, so I whipped them up the night before we left. They were all eaten in 24 hours. Delish! Slightly toasted marshmallow on a cookie surface is something I will experiment with in the future. Maybe all cookies need a little mallow. I will be making these again and again and again.

matchy matchy

Not my style. I think before now I was hesitant to hone a style. Not that I think I’ve grasped just what it is exactly, but I’ve found spaces I respond to best are eclectic—in the best way. Maybe it’s because my boyfriend and I are house hunting and the thought of designing interiors (and being able to do whatever I want to them) excites me more than regaining the ability to jump. [ACL tear in May surgery in August] And my sense for all things interior decorating is very sensitive—thanks in large part to my blog library (see list at the very bottom of this blog) and Anthropologie.

I have a random collection of Anthropologie napkins. I get them on sale for $3.95 (orig. $8). I also have a more broad brand collection of dish towels. So I’m thinking why not start collecting various plate designs. The set of dinnerware I have now are white with a light blue strip on the edge—pretty neutral. I picked them up from Goodwill for $20. Mostly dinner plates so I need to supplement. Anthro usually has a lot in their sale room… here’s hoping a few of these gems go on sale.

I in no way take credit for these photos or the design behind them. They are only a random fraction of the inspiration I’ve been collecting from other’s blogs. Texture-graphic-bold pattern—makes me very happy.

spirit bear

There were many reasons for naming my blog bear. Turns out I also secretly want one for a pet—a pet that would live in the forest (natural habitat) and I’d frequently visit. Okay maybe more of a friend less of a pet. I receive National Geographic’s newsletter and today I discovered something new: spirit bear. Isn’t he/she lovely? I’ve seen a few wild bears in the forest surrounding my hometown, Halfway, OR. Once, while working for the Forest Service we drove by (and stopped, I did not get out of the truck—I could sense mama was close) a few cubs and once while enjoying the Snake River (from the opposite side of the river). Lovely creatures aren’t they? Now I need to travel to the Great Bear Rainforest in Canada and see me one of these lovelies.

Note: My personal computer has a coma and I am in the process of waking her up—but how… If anyone follows this blog to the extent they've noticed I do apologize. I have a few posts in the works, soon to follow.