Feast for the Eyes

A trip home for a hidden sister must include a trip to Chaps.

This cowgirl's paradise for dining and decor always leaves us full...of great food and ideas.

We hadn't been since they added on...Cake...the most delectable bakery. Oh my, it was good!

And on this trip, they had decked the halls in the most inspiring ways...

With things like this jolly old elf...

And a tree dressed in silver and gold.

Are there places you always visit when you make the trip home?

A Misty Harbor

While one Hidden Sister was counting falling snowflakes in a frosty field this Thanksgiving...

the other was counting sailboats in a sleepy harbor.... 

...listening for the faint sound of foghorns in the distance

...and buoys bobbing up and down in the water.

Wherever you might have found yourself this Thanksgiving,
we hope that you spent it with the ones you love.

Blizzards

Sometimes the blizzards bring the most beauty...

And the hard work they require, helps us grow and makes us strong. So that when the Spring comes...and it always does...we are ready for it and grateful for the storm.

This Moment

This Moment - A Friday ritual. A single photo - no words - capturing a moment from the week. A simple, special, extraordinary moment. A moment we want to pause, savor and remember. Inspired by soulemama

Giving Thanks

Happy Thanksgiving from the Hidden Sisters.

We are thankful on this day {and everyday} for...

filled coffee mugs . pink cupcakes . red wine . blue skies . cold rivers .
sleepy Saturday mornings . family . laughter . little ones . creativity . health . 
early morning runs . starry night skies . the wisdom of our parents .
the smell of rain . sisters . brothers . babies. sandy beaches .
happiness everyday .

What are you thankful for this year?



Going Home

The car is stuffed to the gills

{you better believe we packed the spiced rum cider mixings on top for easy unpacking}

and the Hidden Sisters are hitting the road for Thanksgiving.



Are you traveling this year?

We wish you a safe journey as you head over the river and through the woods.

Owl That We are Thankful For...

There is really so much to be thankful for and the upcoming holidays are a wonderful time to celebrate it all. Here's a project that littler ones in your family can do this season...

{Owl We Are Thankful For Banner}

1. Create a template with an owl body, a wing and face.
2. Trace onto scrapbooking papers.
3. Glue together and add eyes and other fancy duds for your owls.

    4.    Attach your owls to a small branch (staples from the back work well).

    5.    Have your family and loved ones write notes of thanks on gift tags and attach.

Hang and let it be a wise reminder of the joys you've shared and the surprises this season has waiting...

Wish List for Snow...

The first snow of the season has gotten us to thinking about things we might need to be prepared...

{image from nordstrom}

Like snow angel from philosophy...

{image from nordstrom}


Like these warm & dry snow boots from the north face...

{image from nordstrom}

Or this darling juicy couture bracelet... 
Is there anything on your wish list for winter?

Listening: Zee Avi~No Christmas For Me

The hidden sisters cannot wait for all the holiday music...and just had to share this adorable song...

Blooming Apples

Today we are savoring every moment of this lazy Saturday with these blooming apples.

We also may or may not be cheating and listening to Christmas music a little early while we're at it.

Shhh. Don't tell our husbands.

Blooming Apples
apples
whipped cream
caramel
walnuts
{Inspired by the beautiful Apple Blossoms we saw over at Pretties and Posies}

We sliced our apples about 1/3 of the way down with an apple slicer, and then removed the core.

We topped our apples with whipped cream, caramel sauce, and a sprinkle of walnuts.

Okay, time to confess.
Have you secretly listened to any Christmas music yet too?

This Moment

This Moment - A Friday ritual. A single photo - no words - capturing a moment from the week. A simple, special, extraordinary moment. A moment we want to pause, savor and remember. Inspired by soulemama

The Kid Table

Pretty hard to believe Thanksgiving is only a week away, isn't it? This week we've been searching for ways to dress up that often forgotten tiny table in the corner of the kitchen...the kid table.

These turkey pinecone place settings couldn't be any easier to make.  

We found ourselves thinking of our own Kid Table memories fromThanksgivings of the past, sitting in the kitchen wedged between dozens of cousins,
stealing bread rolls and slinging green beans across the table.

 

These days the dozens of cousins have scattered across the state,
the Hidden Sisters will be eating turkey at dinner tables 400 miles apart,
and the dangling feet at that tiny table in the corner of the kitchen belong to one of us now.
It's funny how some things change...yet some things always remain the same, isn't it?



What's your favorite Thanksgiving kid table memory?

Look What the Wind Blew In...

These blustery days of autumn carry so many things in the wind...

Sometimes, if you have moment, you can catch a few.

And tie them on a pretty ribbon.

Then you'll have something to remember these cool, crisp days...

and the good things that kept you warm.

Finding a Spark...

Today the gray days of November left me feeling a bit pale blue. To remedy this, I headed out with just $10 dollars and the hope that I would find something to inspire me.

First, I found a little cup of joy to warm me up. ($3)

Then, two tiny mittens to remind me of the adventures that December will bring. ($1)

A glistening snowflake that hints of the beauty that always comes with the winter. ($3)

Two jingling bells give an inkling of the joyful sounds that come from my two little ones. ($2)

A small blue light...a telltale sign of the fun we'll have enjoying the sparkle of the season. ($1)

And suddenly, I found myself smiling and happily anticipating the full, happy days that November and December will bring. Here's to hoping you are finding inspiration, too!

Creamy Apple Dip

  You may thank us for today's recipe.

Then again, you may not...because once you try how incredibly addictive this Creamy Apple Dip is you may not be able to put it down.

We think this is the perfect dip to have out for friends and family on Thanksgiving while the big feast is being prepared and guests are looking for something to snack on.



Creamy Apple Dip
8 oz. cream cheese
3/4 cup brown sugar
1/4 white sugar
1 tsp. vanilla
{recipe also found here}



Around our house it is also a big hit to create Creamy Apple Dip gingersnap sandwiches.

 

 So delicious.

Do you have a favorite Thanksgiving Day snack?

Spiced Rum Cider

This weekend we took a break from watching the leaves fall, unwrapped our scarves, kicked off our boots, and came inside to warm up with a cup of steaming hot spiced rum cider.

As our favorite recipe filled the kitchen with the comforting scent of cinnamon and nutmeg,
 we couldn't help but smile as we poured in the final {secret} ingredient into our cider.

Psst. Okay we'll share our secret, but only with you.
{The Kraken Black Spiced Rum}
Trust us, don't make any substitutions.

Spiced Rum Cider
1 quart apple cider
1 cup dark rum
1 tsp. allspice
1 tsp. nutmeg
1 tsp. whole cloves
2 cinnamon sticks

Combine cider and spices.
Simmer 10 minutes.
Remove from heat.
Mix in rum
Enjoy.

Best served alongside a crackling fire.

What's your favorite fall drink to warm up with?

{secret ingredients welcome}

Chocolate+Cookie=LOVE

We have loved these cookies for many years...to the degree that a drive across town to a bakery that had them was never out of the question. We made a recent discovery - a place that had our cookie...as well as amazing coffee. As I was expressing my love for them, a friend mentioned she had the actual recipe! And gluten free to boot?

Oh, heavenly!

François Payard’s Flourless Chocolate-Walnut Cookies
(recipe also found here)

2 3/4 cups walnut halves
3 cups confectioners’ sugar
1/2 cup plus 3 tablespoons unsweetened Dutch-process cocoa powder
1/4 teaspoon salt
4 large egg whites, at room temperature
1 tablespoon pure vanilla extract

Preheat oven to 350. Spread the walnut halves on a large-rimmed baking sheet and toast in the oven for about 9 minutes, until they are golden and fragrant. Let cool slightly, then transfer the walnut halves to a work surface and coarsely chop them.
Position two racks in the upper and lower thirds of the oven and lower temperature to 320. Line two large-rimmed baking sheets with parchment paper.
In a large bowl, whisk (or combine in an electric mixer on low speed) the confectioners’ sugar with the cocoa powder and salt followed by the chopped walnuts.
While whisking (or once you change the speed to medium), add the egg whites and vanilla extract and beat just until the batter is moistened (do not overbeat or it will stiffen).
Spoon the batter onto the baking sheets in 12 evenly spaced mounds, and bake for 14 to 16 minutes, until the tops are glossy and lightly cracked; shift the pans from front to back and top to bottom halfway through to ensure even baking.
Slide the parchment paper (with the cookies) onto 2 wire racks. Let cookies cool completely, and store in an airtight container for up to 3 days.

Baby, It's Cold Outside

This week at Hidden Sisters we sure seem to be feeling a cool crispness in the air.

When we came across The Crafting Chicks arm warmers,

we couldn't resist making our own pair to add a cozy extra layer.

We started with a simple $2 pair of knee high socks from Target.

For a little bit of added length we opted to cut a small thumb hole in the heel of each sock.

Then we snipped off the top half of each foot. We love the relaxed look of the unhemmed edges.

This length is perfect for layering, whether under a favorite 3/4 sleeve tee or button down cardigan.

What's keeping you warm this fall?