Serendipity

Serendipity is when someone finds something they weren't expecting to find.  A "happy accident" or "pleasant surprise".

When you hear this word what comes to mind?  For me, I immediately think of the famous, delicious and creamy, frozen hot chocolate from Serendipity 3 in New York City!  A few years ago we stood in line for almost two hours in freezing January temperatures in NYC to taste this frozen treat.  Let me tell you it was worth the wait, we were not disappointed!

I fell in love with this sweet bowl of delicious chocolate and have been a fan ever since!  We have even gone as far as purchasing the mix on-line and replicating the frozen treat at home, though I have to say that the experience is even sweeter at Serendipity 3.

Last November we were in Las Vegas for a weekend to see Garth Brooks and as we were driving down Las Vegas Boulevard I noticed the bright pink banners of Serendipity in front of Caesar's Palace!  It had been a couple of year's since our last trip to Vegas and this was a surprise to me.  Of course we had to try it!  And I was pleased to find that it was just as good as I remembered it to be in NYC. 

So last week I had the opportunity to travel to a Gift Show in Las Vegas.  One of the things I had looked forward to most about visiting Las Vegas, outside of the work I was there to do, was getting a chance to eat at Serendipity and share my favorite chocolate frozen drink with two friends who had never tried it before.  It was a hit!


Some of you might also remember the movie Serendipity with Kate Beckinsale and John Cusack.

"Two people meet while shopping for gloves in New York. Though buying for their respective lovers, the magic was right and a night of Christmas shopping turned into romance. He wanted to explore things further but she wasn't sure their love was meant to be. They decided to test fate by splitting up and seeing if destiny brought them back together..."

I'm a big fan of this movie.  It's a great story, has a lot of humor, and is set in New York City.  What's not to love?

So now I have this great idea to plan a girls night to watch this movie and drink home made frozen hot chocolate!  I think we'll plan this for a night during "mud season".

For those of you not familiar with the Fraser Valley, "mud season" is what we call the time of year before and after winter.  It's rainy and snowy, but the snow is barely starting to stick because the temperature is still too warm, so the roads are wet and muddy.  There isn't much to do in town because businesses close, there aren't many tourist visiting, and there isn't any activity going on at the resort.  So we have found that this is a month to travel and to come up with fun activities to get through this season.

Here's to a night of Serendipity!

Words of Inspiration

While browsing Pinterest today I came across these verses.  Instead of just pinning one and moving on, I did a little searching to find out where these were created.  I was excited to find LampLightArt.com.  I pulled this bit from their mission statement to share with you:

" LAMPLIGHT exists to bring Gods word into your dwelling place. To write His truth on our doorposts and on the tablets of our hearts. To hide His word in our hearts that we may not sin against Him. That we would be transformed by the power of the Holy Spirit. To seek Him first and His kingdom, and place Him on the throne of our hearts. To discern what His truth is......and LIVE IT! "

What inspiration!  I'm in love! 

Please go check out their website.  www.lamplightart.com

I'm sure you will be in love too!

Sooner Saturdays

Gearing up for game this weekend...OU at Florida State Saturday night.  But the best part is that this game is the home of ESPN College GameDay this weekend and we'll start to experience the excitement Saturday morning on the show!

I usually have a game day shirt that I wear throughout the season for most Saturdays, but I have yet to find one for this year.  So while on Polyvore the other night I started playing around and looking for one.  I still haven't found one, but I did have fun coming up with this set.  I actually own about half of these items and think it's a look I would wear.  I just need to buy that tank top!  Too bad this featured tank is $155 from Harrods, in the UK.  I'll keep looking at Forever 21.

I just grabbed this quick tid-bit of information from www.soonersports.com that I thought you might like to know.

Q. What is OU's history with Florida State?

Since a 36-19 loss in the first meeting with Florida State in 1964, Oklahoma has reeled off five wins in the series (5-1, OU). Included in that streak are three Orange Bowl victories at the end of the 1979, 1980 and 2000 seasons. Aside from that first meeting, both teams have been ranked in every meeting. Although the Sooners have played the Seminoles four of six times in the state of Florida, OU has never played FSU in Tallahassee.

I still vividly remember watching the 2000 Orange Bowl against Florida State. It was a cold winter night in Oklahoma and I gathered with a few friends to watch it from home. We were so excited to see the Sooners crowned National Champions! It was the icing on the cake to an undefeated season for the Sooners and my Freshman year at OU.

Here's to another undefeated season...BOOMER!

Choose Joy

Found this on Pinterest.  It is a good daily reminder.  (Especially when it starts SNOWING in September.)

Onion Soup

With the arrival of cooler temperatures I find myself looking forward to warm, comfort food and soup is one of the first foods that comes to mind.  One of my all time favorite soups is French Onion. 

I have been a fan of this soup for a long time, but since our trip to Paris I can't eat it without thinking of sitting in a cozy bistro, warming up on delicious "Soupe a l'Oignon au Fromage" after day of walking from one museum to the next in the rain.

The ingredients available in the US, and especially here in Fraser, cannot compare to France. I've yet to completely replicate the flavors of Paris.  But in a pinch, for a quick and easy meal, I default to the recipe on the back of the Holland House Sherry Cooking Wine bottle.

French Onion Soup

4 Tbsp. butter

2 medium onions, thinly sliced
1 Tbsp. flour
½ cup Holland House Sherry Cooking Wine
1 quart low-sodium beef broth
 
Country style bread, cubed and toasted
Gruyere or other cheese that melts easily
 
In saucepan, brown onions in butter and sprinkle with flour.
Simmer over low heat, 20-30 minutes, stirring occasionally.
Deglaze with wine.
Add beef broth to onions and boil slowly until onions are tender.
Pour soup into bowls.
Top with bread cubes and cheese.
Melt under broiler until golden and bubbly.

Serves 4

Welcome Fall

Fall is here in the mountains. The aspen trees are turning golden yellow, the air is crisp, and it is smart  to watch more carefully for wildlife on the road.  If you are lucky, you might even run into a family of moose.  In town there are very few cars on the streets, and if you desire to eat out, you might have to try two or three restaurants before you find one that is open.

It is also that time of year when I start dreaming of the perfect pair of boots that I will wear with every outfit. I will begin to search for jeans, and sweaters, and dresses, and tights to complement these boots.

I have been longing for a pair of Frye boots for quite a while now, but because they are such an investment I have yet to take the plunge. A couple years ago I was lucky enough to walk into Target and come across a version of the Frye Harness Boot and scooped them up for $50.  I've worn those boots out!  Literally, I just pulled them out of the box the other day and was reminded to find a cobbler in Denver to replace the heel that I've worn through.

So in honor of my favorite season for shopping I created a set on Polyvore.com that I hope you enjoy.
Both of the boots pictured in this set are by Frye and top contenders for the Fall 2011 Dream Boot.

Here Goes Nothing

 Endless hours I have spent on my computer perusing my favorite blogs.  I easily spend an hour or two most evenings looking at design ideas, delicious recipes, fashion trends, and updates on life.  Now I'm stepping out of my comfort zone and putting myself out there for all to read, so here goes nothing...