This Thanksgiving I’m on baking duty: specifically cookie duty.  Not everyone is a huge pie person; wait, let me restate that.  I’m not a big pie person and only recently learned to like pie, but only apple, blueberry, and fruit-of-the-forest… no pecan or pumpkin for me (my sister would call that complete crazy talk).  With past Thanksgivings in mind where pie was the only option, I’m making some finger food desserts that are sure to please everyone, one of which will be oatmeal raisin cookies.  I have a great recipe already, but this one from Smitten Kitchen is making me think perhaps I can try an alternate.  My brother-in-law has been asking for me to bake oatmeal raisin cookies for about two years now, so they’ve got to be good (or else).  I think with my most recent recipe from Smitten Kitchen being a success, this one will definitely do the trick.

Thick, Chewy Oatmeal Raisin Cookies (via Smitten Kitchen)

{image shown belongs to Smitten Kitchen}

With fall winding down and cooling into winter (it’s not that far off), I’m enjoying these atmospheric images from bloom-grow-love’s Flickr group, Harvest.  Alicia Bock is such a talented photographer.  Check out her Etsy shop too.

{images shown belong to bloom-grow-love and Alicia Bock}

I am in awe of these photographed portraits of jellyfish, captured by Guido Mocafico (found via paper tastebuds).  He also has some stunnning images of snakes and incredible interpretations of traditional still lives.  Definitely look through his entire portfolio.

{images shown belong to Guido Mocafico}

Looking outside the trees are bare, the sky is grey, and the wind is howling.  But inside, I am toasty warm and cozy, thanks to my cup of fantastic hot cocoa.  I’m on a kick lately with making things from scratch, cutting out preservatives and any unnecessary ingredients, and hot cocoa is one of those things that is so simple to make I’m almost embarrassed I used the packet-stuff for so long.  Sugar, cocoa powder, and milk… that’s it!  I have a few cocoa powders that I love: Green & Black’s, Lake Champlain, and Droste (from Holland).  The following recipe is from the Droste box:

• 2 tsps cocoa powder
• 2 heaping tsps sugar
• 1 cup milk

Mix cocoa and sugar in a cup or mug.  Add just enough milk to stir into a paste.  Add hot milk and stir until mixed.  (*I heat the milk in a small saucepan on low heat, stirring constantly so the bottom doesn’t burn).

This is a super quick and easy way to make a fabulous cup of hot cocoa.  I’d say for me I have a cup in about 3-5 minutes, about the same time it takes to boil water for the packet-stuff.  I also use a battery-powered electric whisk to mix everything well and get a perfectly frothy top.  Definitely treat yourself to the good stuff… you won’t be going back.

{for more of my cooking photos, check out my Flickr}

Some stunningly gorgeous images from the Toast Autumn catalogue.  The colors of each photo are so beautifully paired, you’d think a painter worked as the photo stylist.  Not only am I daydreaming of wearing all of these clothes, but I will be forever lusting over a pair of dark green Hunter wellies… (sigh) someday.

{images shown belong to toast}

Had an amazing walk through the woods this afternoon and brought my camera along with me to capture the moment.  Foliage season is definitely over, but there’s plenty to still see.  Thank goodness I managed to enjoy the warm weather (it was 70°F!) while it lasts… temperatures should be going back to their normal chilliness by Thursday around here.

{for more of my november woods photos, check out my Flickr}

I’m currently checking to see which movie theaters near me are showing Bright Star, after seeing some gorgeous and atmospheric images of the movie via all the mountains.  IMDB synopsis says it’s “a drama based on the three-year romance between 19th century poet John Keats and Fanny Brawne, which was cut short by Keats’ untimely death at age 25.”

If you know anything about me by now, it’s that this is exactly the type of movie I am beside myself to watch.  Period drama, gorgeous costumes and locations, the UK, romance, and heartbreak.  Le sigh.

{images shown via all the mountains; Bright Star released by Apparition}

Have to agree with Oh Joy! that the styling of these photographs of Anthropologie accessories are really unique.  I love the forms of the ice crystals and how they interact with the product…

{images shown belong to anthropologie}

I had posted about Suann’s very cute invitations for her son Ike’s third birthday party, and today there are lots of images of the party on her blog as well as on Real Simple.  Every detail is perfect, from the photo stand, to the signage, to the boxed lunches and cake.  Suann has done it again!  She has such a great eye for detail.  I’d like her to design all of my parties!

{images shown belong to simplesong design and Suann Song}

I haven’t written a Flickr Finds post in quite some time and Mrs. French’s set, “A Thing for Horses” is really beautiful.  I was never one of those “horse girls” growing up… you know the ones that had horse posters and toys, dreamed of taking riding lessons, and was caught up in the story of Black Beauty.  However, I’ve always been drawn to horses, perhaps because my grandfather grew up on a farm where his father broke in horses (among other things) for a living.  I love the calmness and stature of a horse in a field, content to simply roam and graze.  I slow down when I drive past a farm and am the first to point out in exclamation, “Look! Horses!” and wish I could pull over and go talk to them.  I love how their eyes always seem so expressive, and in a way seem to connect with you on an unspoken level of communication.  In these photos, I love how close she gets to the horses; how much their eyes are really the subject of the images rather than the overall animal.

On second thought, maybe I’m really a horse girl after all…

{images shown belong to Mrs. French}