Soft Gingerbread Cookies

3 cups flour
2 tsp. Ginger, Ground
1 tsp. Cinnamon, Ground
1 tsp. baking soda
1/4 tsp. Nutmeg
1/4 tap salt
3/4 cup (1 1/2 sticks) unsalted butter, at room temperature
3/4 cup firmly packed brown sugar
1/2 cup molasses
1 egg
1/4 cup granulated sugar
1 tsp. Vanilla Extract

Mix flour, ginger, cinnamon, baking soda, nutmeg and salt in large bowl.
Beat butter and brown sugar in large bowl with electric mixer on medium speed until light and fluffy.
Add molasses, egg and vanilla; beat well. Gradually beat in flour mixture on low speed until well mixed. Press dough into a thick flat disk. Wrap in plastic wrap. Refrigerate 4 hours or overnight.
Preheat oven to 350°F. Shape dough into 1-inch balls. Roll in granulated sugar. Place 2 inches apart on ungreased baking sheets.
Bake 8 to 10 minutes or until edges of cookies just begin to brown.

Spiced Pumpkin Dip

1 (15-ounce) can pumpkin puree
1/2 peeled orange
1 (8-ounce) package cream cheese
1 cup powdered sugar
1 tbs pumpkin pie spice
1/4 teaspoon fresh ginger
2 tbs brown sugar

Place all ingredients in blender in order listed.  Blend until smooth.  Viola!  The most deliciously sweet dip!
(I also like to use this with sliced apples or as a spread on fruit quick breads)

Have I ever mentioned how much I LOVE our part of town?  It’s a ten minute walking commute for Mick, the Design Center happens to be on the same street as his office.  (Yes, I truly believe God led us to where we’re living.  It’s perfect for our family.)  It’s pretty residential, so there aren’t many tourists trafficing up our day-to-day lives.  I love walking through the design district and seeing the amazing window displays…it’s great inspiration.

This is our street.  I love the view of downtown.  Some days it’s so foggy you can’t see anything, other days it’s crystal clear.  On Friday, there was a storm brewing.

Sam asking with his eyes if could have a sip.  Somehow he’s already a fan.

]]> http://www.eleganceredefined.com/2010/10/27/friday-night-date/feed/ 6 http://www.eleganceredefined.com/2010/05/14/sf-baby-shower/ http://www.eleganceredefined.com/2010/05/14/sf-baby-shower/#comments Fri, 14 May 2010 16:24:36 +0000 Rachel Hagen http://www.eleganceredefined.com/?p=2418 A week ago was my beautiful baby shower.  I’m so lucky to have made friends here and to have such a strong support group.  The host, Tracy, did a fabulous job with the food and drinks…

and games…

{sadly, this is the only picture I have of me and the host…}

there were some great gifts given…

like these adorable Uggs.  These will be perfect for the cold SF summers.

All three of us are due within three weeks of each other.  It has been really nice being able to talk with someone else who’s going through the same pregnancy process.  I can’t wait for all our little ones to play so we can have fun play dates!!

This was taken at one of the aforementioned girls’ shower, but these are some of my close friends here in the city.   V and H, you girls are great! :)

I had a blast at my shower and was literally showered with great company and much needed gifts for our little guy.  I never thought I’d have such a strong support group after just recently moving to a new area.  The girls here are great.  Thanks to all who came!!!

PS. Ashley and Kelsee, I’m still waiting for those pics from the AZ shower…

Dear Mick,

I know you’ve been busy all week. I know we’ve had a total of 30 minutes to talk this week.  I know you miss me like I miss you. Thanks for the treat last night. It made my day. Let’s catch up soon.

Mwah

The fruit you eat. Not the “hot color of 2009″ you use to accessorize with.  As previously blogged.  My parents live in Mesa, AZ and have 32 citrus trees on thier property. Can you imagine waking up every morning, walking outside, and picking a juicy orange?  Luckily they include their far-away kiddos in this pleasure by mailing us a big box of these little bits of heaven.  Unfortunatly we just finished our last orange.  Sad.

With all this talk on elections I thought it’d be interesting to highlight the White House. All presidents have made their mark: William Howard Taft put in the Oval Office, Franklin Roosevelt contributed the White House movie theater and an indoor pool (in which Nixon covered), and Harry Truman added a balcony to the back of the house. I like this quote from our current First Lady, Barbra Bush, when talking about what kind of rug George W. wanted in the Oval Office:

“George said he knew this was going to be a job of decisions,but he didn’t realize he was going to have to make a decision on what kind of rug to have in the Oval Office. So he did what he thinks is the smart thing for a leader to do—he delegated it to me.”

In 2004, Architectural Digest did an article entitled:

Nancy Reagan and Jacqueline Kennedy:The Private Quarters of Two First Ladies During their Reigns at the White House

It was a very interesting article describing the process the two women went through with the interior renovations of the white house. Both hired designers and both made their special niche in American History with their changes.

The First Lady’s Dressing Room

The First Family Bedroom with Chinioserie Hand painted-Wallpaper

Jacqueline Kennedy wanted the West Sitting Hall to resemble her Georgetown living room, hence the nice sitting area by the window.

This is Nancy Reagan’s office. She wanted to keep the existing furniture, but refurbish it (already thinking Green). The only two new pieces are the mirror and day-bed. I love the botanical prints.

It’ll be interesting to see what our next First Lady will do.

There’s always good stuff to find on Flickr.