Best Music, to my ears

At the end of each year, we’re bombarded with a multitude of best-of lists; movies, books, crazy celebrities, news stories (half of which are on both the crazy celebrity as well as the top news story lists). I can certainly do without the celebrity gossip but I’m a big music fan. But alas, I can never quite find the one list that matches all my own personal favorites. To remedy that, here’s my first very own Favorite Albums of 2009 List. Hope you find some of yours on here too, or discover some new things you might like:

Bill Callahan
“Sometimes I wish we were an eagle” (Drag City)

Lightning Dust
“Infinite Light” (Jagjaguwar)

Phosphorescent
“To Willie” (Dead Oceans)

Various Artists
“Dark was the Night” (4AD)

Devendra Banhart
“What will we be” (Warner)

Whitetree
“Cloudland” (Harmonia Mundi)

Atlas Sound
“Logos” (Kranky)

Here We Go Magic
“Here We Go Magic” (Western Vinyl)

Cass McCombs
“Catacombs” (Domino)

Little Dragon
“Machine Dreams” (Peacefrog)

On another note, Olive offered me this perfectly olive-coloured cowl neck warmer she made. In return, I’ll make her some mix tapes, so she can sample the musical discoveries above. Wool warmth = musical warmth.

Happy New Year, everybody!

fresh from my local chilean bakery, to share with the family tomorrow at lunch.

Trimmings

Trimmings for the tree

As I hang the decorations on my little tree I am thinking about Olive holidays.    That lady loved a party and the jewelry she wore was kind of elegant in an outrageous way.  It’s the kind of bracelet which will be brought out for every annual event.  As I wear it, I think of rye and ginger-ale highballs and a lampshade on the head (no kidding) .

Heavy splendour

Olive had good taste and this necklace has a timeless beauty.  It also served as a place to hold the matches for those many cigarettes smoked until dawn.  Happy partying!

Take a match from inside this pendant and strike at the bottom. Pretty and functional.

Holidays are on their way

sharpen your shovels

first big snow of the year

the warmth of baking!

my famous ginger molasses cookies

The holidays are almost here, bringing the office parties to life, crafty glue guns out from the closet, and keeping the baking trays in busy rotation. We’re doing a lean version of Christmas this year; centering around classic delicious meals with family. I’m working on a couple of homemade things for a few people, but can’t show pictures yet because the recipients are likely going to see this post! Afterwards…

Ginger Molasses Cookies

1/3 cup softened butter
2/3 cup packed brown sugar
1 teaspoon baking soda
1-1/2 tsp ground ginger
1/2 tsp ground cinnamon
1 egg
1/4 cup dark molasses (or a bit more…!)
1-1/2 cups all-purpose flour
1/2 cup whole wheat flour
1/4 cup granulated sugar

Directions:
Spray a couple of cookie sheets with nonstick spray or line with parchment paper; preheat the oven to 350 degrees.
In a large mixing bowl, cream the butter.
Add the brown sugar, baking soda, ginger, and cinnamon; beat until combined.
Add the egg and molasses.
Now this is where you really get to work those arms! Add the all-purpose + whole wheat flour.
Shape dough into 1-inch balls, then roll balls in sugar and place 2 inches apart on cookie sheet.
Bake for 10 to 11 minutes or until set and tops are cracked.
Cool on a wire rack. Makes about 4 dozen. Enjoy!