christmas carbonara.

Photo taken from MarthaStewart.com. I know, pathetic that I didn't take my own picture. 

Once I realized I wanted to, my bowl was already empty.

I used her Everyday Foods recipe as a base for this one.

A blog isn't a blog without a recipe here and there, am I right?


Carbonara. Carb being the keyword here, people. But, with the holidays coming up, you may as well eat up with all the other Christmas sweets. Enjoy!


Carbonara al la Hobson
Angel Hair pasta                  Peas, frozen and thawed
Bacon                                       1 Shallot, halved and sliced
2 or 3 eggs, beaten                   1 Cup Half and Half (maybe more depending on how you like it)
Cook pasta as directed. Meanwhile, cook bacon on a skillet on the stove. Once bacon is cooked, remove and drain grease. Place Peas and shallots in the same skillet (this part is important.) so that all of the yummy bacon flavoring still on the pan gets onto your peas and shallots. Saute and then add Half and Half. Bring to a boil and then turn down heat to a simmer, stirring all the while. Let sauce start to thicken. If pasta is done, drain but keep about 1 cup of the leftover pasta water and set aside. Place pasta back into the pot and coat with a little of the pasta water (not all of it). With the sauce still hot (thats important too), add beaten eggs, sauce and pasta all together -- all at the same time. Since the sauce is hot still, it will cook the eggs. Mix very well. If you need to, add a little of the leftover pasta water you saved, but not a lot if it has cooled off, or the eggs won't get cooked. Add salt and pepper and bits of bacon. Serve!

I hope everyone has a great Holiday Season, filled with really good food!

mindy gledhill.

So, as many of you know, I work at Justin Hackworth Photography. This past week we had an amazing customer appreciation party, with a private show by Mindy Gledhill. She is amazing. If you don't know her, you should. Her latest cd is magic. Yes, I am bragging that I got to go to this private concert, but the truth of the matter is, Justin's clients are some of the coolest, realest people I know. It was so fun hanging out with them and I'm so glad that I could have been a part of this really great night! If you want to see more about the evening check here.

Photographed by the one and only Justin Hackworth

tomato. tomäto.

I took this image 3 years ago...almost to the day. I was just messing around in the kitchen.
Its one of my favorites, even 3 years later.

I'm thankful.

I had the great privilege of hosting Thanksgiving this year. We had so much fun eating Ryan's tasty barbecued turkey (and countless other tasty dishes), playing Beatles Rockband (with Heather singing, "Shove it up your jumper!" and Logan yelling, "My fingers have blisters!"), standing in Black Friday lines in the freezing cold, taking the train to see the Christmas lights on Temple Square, and the typical McRae pastime...eating yummy treats while watching movies. It was so much fun to have all the family over and I can't help but reflect on all of the great things I'm thankful for.
I'm thankful for my family. Yes, even all of the dogs that go along with it. We always have so much fun when we're together. I love Ryan's family, too. I'm so glad we got to spend the summer with Kellie and Callen. We love you guys! I'm thankful for my husband who is fun, energetic, and determined. I'm so happy that he decided to go to Grad school, and I'm thankful that he got in when he did. I'm thankful for all of the amazing friendships I've been able to have this year. I love you all!! I have really learned so much about friends, and I hope I am as good to you as you have been to me. I'm so glad that I'm graduated and I have this whole new outlook on my life now. I have so much to learn and accomplish! The list could go on and on. I hope everyone had a fantastic Thanksgiving! We all have so much to be grateful for.

chic 'do.

For a while now I've been having thoughts about cutting my hair. I actually did a few weeks ago, making a completely spontaneous trip to the hairdresser. (Sort of how I roll when it comes to my hair.) Now I'm talking about really really chopping it off. I've wanted to do it for a long time, and after seeing these simply amazingly chic pictures of Emma Watson from Marie Claire and Vogue, I think I'm convinced. Granted, I'm no Burberry model, but I don't think I can resist. Maybe I'll celebrate the new Harry Potter movie with a new Emma Watson inspired 'do?? Thoughts?

vegas in black and white.

More from Holga herself, but with black and white film.

holga vists vegas.

Just going through some film. Here are some gems from our last trip to Vegas...taken with my Holga.