We rang in 2013 in India, ate dinner under the stars and danced around the bon fire until we were too tired to stand. This New Year's Eve was not quite so exotic, but just as full of light and love. Excited to see what adventures await us in 2014.

Happy Holidays

Hope it's merry and bright.

Deck the Halls

Besides the christmas tree, I think the wreath is my favorite holiday decoration. We always get one all made of succulents from my parents.

It's the best, because after it's done hanging on our door, we can plant it in the garden and enjoy it all over again.

All Dressed Up

There's nothing like getting all done up for a night at the ballet to get me into the holiday spirit. We went to see Mathew Bourne's Sleeping Beauty at the LA Music Center during it's short run. It was a little strange, like all his work, and completely marvelous. 

My how the time flies (& and a note about maple pumpkin pie)

One day I was making Thanksgiving dinner and the very next my emails were shouting at me about last minute holiday shopping. I made two perfect pies for our feast. Ian fell so all in love with them that I promised him I'd make a pie a week, and promised myself I would share the recipes here. So far, I haven't made good on my promises. But I intend to. Starting with this here pumpkin pie. It's made with 1/2 maple syrup and 1/2 brown sugar for a silky texture and complex taste. Here's the recipe.

You will need...
• 1 basic pie crust (I use a 1/2 butter, 1/2 shortening recipe)
• 3 large eggs
• 1 c. light cream
• 1/2 c. pure maple syrup, preferably dark or grade B
• 1 tsp. vanilla extract
• 1/2 c. firmly packed brown sugar
• 1 and 1/2 tbl. all-purpose flour
• 1 tsp. ground ginger
• 1/2 tsp. ground cinnamon
• 1/4 tsp. ea. ground cloves & nutmeg
• 3/4 tsp. salt
• 1 15 oz. can or 1 and 3/4 c. fresh pumpkin puree (I'll admit to using canned here as it is so much easier that cooking and processing the pumpkin and there are some good organic options in the can, man)
• Fresh Whipped cream, for garnish (optional, but who doesn't want whipped cream?)

Here's what to do...
Make the crust, if you haven't already and partially pre bake it according to your best recipe. Set it aside to cool completely before you add any filling. Heat oven to 350˚.

Beat eggs in medium bowl. Whisk in milk, syrup and vanilla. Combine dry ingredients in a small bowl then add to wet mixture and stir until it's completely combined. Lastly, add the pumpkin mush and whisk it all together. The mixture will be very soupy at this point, but since it's a custard, it does all the magical thickening while it bakes.

Place pie in the oven on a center rack and bake for 25 minutes. Rotate the pie 180˚ and bake for another 25 to 30 minutes or until the filling is set. The edges of the filling will likely have puffed a little when the pie is done, and there will be a slight sheen, but not in the center. In fact, the center may wobble just a touch even though the custard is set. Careful not to overcook as it will cracked (see a Cracked Custard holiday pie here).

Cool for at least an hour before serving and that's it! Serve it warm (it should still have a little warmth even after an hour of cooling) or at room temperature or chill covered with tented aluminum. I think this pie gets better the day after it is made when all the flavors have had a chance to really meld together. And, while it's good all on it's own, a scoop of whipped cream is a perfect garnish. Hmmmhmmm. My mouth is watering just thinking about it.

Tradition

Our handmade Valentine tradition continues. These bear a strong resemblance to last year's love notes.

everyday is Valentine's Day with you, dude

Mr. C and I have no grand plans for this Valentine's day. He works. I work. Maybe we'll exchange hand made cards, as is our tradition. We really have so many great days together... any random Wednesday could lead to a lovers adventure. It's like everyday is Valentine's Day.

Also, today is my ma's birthday. So she gets our love and attention too.

Turkish Delight

Doesn't Istanbul look absolutely dreamy in these photos? I can hardly wait until Spring.


Happy Friday folks. I hope this weekend finds you dreaming of far away places.


{photos by Allison}

planning to fly away

I think we really are going to Turkey this Spring. We've been sort of scheming and dreaming for some time, with a wouldn't-it-be-nice kind of attitude. Now that we've got a book it feels official.


PS — Do you Instagram? I'd love to follow your photos if you do. I go by moody_is_my_cowgirl_name. Come find me.

another trip around the Sun

I don't make New Year's resolutions, but I do so love to hear other people's. Did you resolve to make any great changes in 2012?

{photo found here}

as the sun sets slowly in the west...

... I'm savoring the last moments, dreaming of my future adventures, blowing farewell kisses to 2011 and wishing you a happy New Year.

What are you doing New Year's Eve?

Just when my Zooey Deschanel fatigue is at it's most acute, my sweat heart shows me this. Totally adorable. 


So what are you doing New Year's Eve?

a gift that keeps giving

For our Christmas tree (Hanuka bush) this year we got a Satsuma mandarin orange. It's leaves are lovely and it smells of citrus blossoms. I can't wait to plant it in our yard.

Merry Christmas!

May all your wildest holiday dreams come true.

hearts & crafts

I gotta say it was a good day. Not only did I have my heart warmed by little singers at Oak Grove School's Winter Assembly, but we had some of our Little City pieces bought by a lovely shop in Ojai. 

The store is called Modern Folk Living and it has a perfectly curated selection of clothing, decor and gifties, all consciously & carefully made. Wanda, the owner, purchased some of our new organic scarves and organic ladies scoop neck Ts with the wintery Horned Beast design. 

I'm most excited that she's taken our newest hearted hoody designs. These we don't even have these in our Etsy shop yet so they are EXCLUSIVE to Modern Folk. The deep red patch above is what we used on these new pieces, stitched with gold thread on black heather, organic blend hoodies. They're precious, if I do say so myself.

So if you're in the Ojai or Ventura area, and have always wanted to see Little City's organic lovelies in person, now your chance! Maybe I'll see you there as I plan to do a little holiday shopping at this wonderful lil' shop. Click {here} for more information and directions.

New Coat

Mom gave me an early Hanuka present. Oooh I just love my new coat. I feel a bit like Lady Hawk when I put the hood on.

{these photos are from my Instagram collection. Do you Instagram? Maybe we could be photo sharing pals. My handle is miabot. Come find me.}

Polaroid Holiday

Now available in Little City Design's Etsy shop. Click {here} to browse.

beginning to look a lot like Christmas

I found an amazing collection of old Santas while I was downtown last Sunday.

I think I'd like to wander through the antique malls again this weekend, see what other old timey holiday treasures I can find and photograph. Maybe there will even be a little time to make our bungalow seasonally festive. 

What about you? Any Christmas or Hanuka decorating in your near future? Whatever you plans, I hope your weekend sparkles like tinsel and smells like fresh pines.

Bloomin' Heart Scarf

Brand new in Little City's Etsy shop... our Bloomin' Heart scarf. Completely original, hand printed design, 2 sided styling in delicious plum and deep burgundy jersey with contrast stitching on the edges in a gun smoke gray.



This scarf is so soft and so luscious. A perfect holiday giftie for a stylish some one. Click {here} to shop.

P.S. 'Board' readers get 15% anything and everything in our Etsy shop with code THEBOARD.

artful weekend

Our weekend started off with a creative bang at Oak Grove's High School Showcase. It was amazing! I always stress before these events and worry and fret about every little thing. And then I see the art up on the walls, classrooms transformed into galleries, and my fears melt. My students never cease to impress me. Some of their work is pictured above.

Saturday, rather than recovering and reflecting on Friday's Showcase, Ian and I woke up with the sun and printed new shirts and scarves and hoodies for the Handmade Holiday Bazaar. Above is a photo of one of the designs in progress, being cut from rubylith for our old fashioned, hand pulled, screen print process. The new stuff's for sale, of course, in our Little City Etsy shop.


The Bazaar was great fun and we got to spend the day with other talented local artisans. I hope to show off some of their works on The Board in the days leading up to Christmas.


How did you spend the weekend? Was there art? Or holiday shopping? Maybe both?


P.S. There's a Little City coupon just for you lovely readers. Use code THE BOARD at checkout to receive 15% off your entire purchase. Happy shopping!