up & running.

How was your holiday?!

Ours was fantastic. Not sure how my mom does it year after year, but Thanksgiving dinner just keeps getting better. (Mom, next year I plan to help with the bird!)

Now, on to Christmas. Ah, December...my favorite month there ever was. We are up & running over here. But honestly, it didn't take much. Last Friday we were so excited to get started on decorating. Danny went out to the garage to get our Christmas box. He brought it in and we took out 1 string of lights, 5 ornaments, 1 candle, and 2 stockings. & we were done. We couldn't help but laugh.

So, we braved Target on black Friday night. Luckily it wasn't too bad over here. Did you all see the 8 pack or ornaments in the $1 section?! Score! Our tree (real!) is now fully ornamented and lighted. Nothing like the smell of pine.

All that to say, I am a happy lady. 4 more class meetings & then I will truly party. Until then, this blog might be a little sparse. I'll be busy writing, reading, editing 3 photoshoots worth of pictures (!), and trying to stay warm in our heaterless house (which has proven to be nearly impossible).

I'll be sure stop by here and there during the next couple weeks. I have some pictures, recipes, and holiday love to share.

Peace!

4 day weekend.

Gosh, never have I received so much birthday love from the people in my life.

I had a wonderful day. Coffee & shopping at Anthro with mom in the morning, work in the afternoon, and a Thanksgiving progressive dinner with 90 of my favorite teenagers at night (why don't we say "in the night"?). Top it off with cool whip, voice mails from the sweetest little voices ever (my nieces and nephew), and a few gifts from my Danny, and it was the best birthday yet.

Thank you.

Husband & I are off to celebrate my birthday with a 4 day weekend.

We'll be doing stuff like this, this, this, this, this, and this.

Be back Monday. Eat cake this weekend for me!

(make it lemon.)

twenty-four.

Today I awoke to a new year. I'll call it twenty-four.

So, here's who I am at 24.

If I could have a constant supply of anything on earth, it would be fresh flowers and rugs. As much as I tell my husband that I am "not a flower person", there's nothing like a vase of fresh flowers on the table. Perhaps this is enough to make me a flower person. And rugs? How beautiful are they? I mean, really... I'd love to cover more of the flooring in this old, little blue house. (Preferably those that a little red dog hasn't attempted to consume.)

At 24 I think there is nothing kinder and more profound than smiling at a stranger. Nothing. I am going to try to do it a lot this year.

I feel beautiful at 24. I've struggled with feeling beauty, well, for a lot of my life. But there is nothing like being married to give you a self-image boost. When I wake up with messy bangs and squinty eyes, Danny tells me I am the most beautiful woman he has ever seen. And I believe him. I actually believe him. So at 24, I am feeling beautiful in my own skin. For perhaps the first time ever.

At 24, I still desperately need my mother. I almost lost my mom this semester. I was so afraid I would be left an orphan. Who would I call when my baby wouldn't stop crying? What would I do when I forgot the banana bread recipe for the thousandth time? Who would I scour the Target clearance racks with? Who would I call when I didn't know how to soak beans overnight? All of those things and many, many, many, many more went through my mind for days. I was so scared. And I struggled through it with my big sis & husband by my side. That week rocked my world. So at 24, I love my momma & I am so thankful she gave me life.

I feel as if I can change the world. I don't have a good grasp on reality and idealism mostly rules my life. And I really like it that way. So, who knows, maybe I'll change the world at 24. Or maybe I'll change one person's world. That counts.

At 24 I will fall even more madly and deeply in love with that man who I call husband. I never thought life and marriage and love could be so good. At 24 I will love Danny with all that I am. I will receive his love and offer it with abandon. I will serve him and allow him to serve me and it will be even more beautiful than last year. And we will be open to any new adventure we're presented with.

At 24 I will graduate. Just the thought of that day has brought me to tears a few times now. These past 3 years have stretched me the most in just about every way possible. The thought of it ending is both beautiful and tragic. I love to learn and my relationship with God looks different than what I ever thought. I feel like I know so much, yet I know so little. All I know is that I love to love God with my mind. It's wonderful.

At 24, my life will be sweeter and fuller than ever. I will laugh and light candles often, even the really good smelling ones that I don't want to run out. I will not worry and I will pray. (oh, will I...) I will be light hearted and not take myself too seriously. I will smile at strangers and love them as myself. I will eat and not count calories. I will be joyful, regardless of circumstances. And just like last year, I will appreciate my life because I think God would be pleased to know he gave life to someone who enjoys it.

24 hours make a full, whole day. So for this year my goal is to make each day a full, whole day. Here's to the first of 365.

Here I was at 23.

Roo's 1st Birthday

Our beautiful niece Austyn Rae turned 1 this weekend!

Her Uncle Danny & I bought her a custom-made kangaroo, since her nickname is "Roo".

This Roo was made by my dear friend Kaylyn over at Dunlap Love

Head over there and get your custom-made stockings and stuffed animals! So cute.

Happy birthday, Roo...we love you so!

a 2-day youth retreat + 12 students + 5 leaders + hide & go seek in the dark =

Wah-wah.

I believe this would have been break #11. But thankfully, it is just a bad sprain. I hear they are more painful, though, and I'd have to agree.

But really, so glad it was me rather than anyone else. My students took really good care of me...carrying me, my purse, my crutches, etc. Plus, Danny made spending 2 hours in the ER in the wee morning hours as fun as it could be.

Other than pain medicine, sore armpits & blistered hands, this week is going to be wonderful.

Emily Henderson's p.o.v.

Emily Henderson wrote to me about my chair!

(I, of course, wrote to her first...but HEY!)

In her opinion:

That's crazy. $600 is i'm sure amazing quality, but a really high price. It might depend on where you live. In LA, there are so many cheap upholstery places that do everything from shoddy to amazing work and you can bargain with them a lot. A wingback like that could cost me $450 at a really respectable big company, but at a small weird off the beaten path place in LA it would be $300. The foam, tufting and piping all cost so that is why wingbacks are more expensive. A slipper chair is a lot cheaper.

Hope this helps!
I would get quotes..
xo

So let's all take a little trip to LA, shall we?

I love Emily Henderson. I'd be willing to get cable just to watch her show.

pumpkin & white chocolate. who knew?

Today I introduce...

The Pumpkin Chocolate Chip Muffin

adapted from Joy of Baking

1 1/2 C flour

1 t baking soda

1 t cinnamon

1/4 t ground ginger

1/4 t ground cloves

1/4 t ground nutmeg

1/2 t salt

1/2 C unsalted butter

1 C white sugar

2 large eggs

1 t vanilla

3/4 C pumpkin puree

a few chocolate chips, here & there

(the wonder of baking @ my mom's is that she has all these ingredients!!!! I can't wait to grow a spice rack like hers...)

Prehead over to 350 & line 12 muffin cups with liners or spray.

Sift flour, baking soda, spices & salt in large bowl.

In an other bowl, cream butter & sugar until light & fluffy. Add eggs one at a time & beat well. Beat in vanilla.

Fold in chocolate chips.*

Put mixer on low & alternately add flour mixture & pumpkin.

Fill muffin cups and bake for 18-20 minutes.

Makes 12 bundles of joy.

*My mom was out of the regs. So, I thought I'd sprinkle the tops with a few white chocolate chips, you know, so I could pick them out if they tasted gross. But oh my goodness, pumpkin & white chocolate? I love you.

Enjoy!

last ever.

This is what it looks like to be advised for my last. semester. ever.

I'll never forget my first advising session...looking at all those empty lines...I thought I'd never get there. And now they are full. Man, oh man...

PS A name change is in the works...

my weekend's find.

This weekend Danny and I were driving to my mom's, but we only got a few houses away when I yelled, STOP!!!!

Why? Because of this beauty:

I think it's an incredible chair. He thought it was a piece of junk. So we stood at a garage sale and debated it for a good 20 minutes. (I think the lady thought we were crazy)

The deal was we could buy it as long as I really would take the initiative to get it covered, rather than just let it sit there.

So we bought it for $20. $20!!!! And carried it home. (& the matching ottoman which is not pictured!!!)

Yesterday I followed through with my end of the deal and got a quote.

$600, not including fabric.

WHAT?!?!?! Is that NORMAL?!?!

So the search for a re-upholsterer continues. If you have any leads, send them my way.

(Am I crazy or is this chair totally worth it???)

M&R&E

These are our friends Matt & Robyn, and their baby girl Emma Laine. We all waited in anticipation for this baby, no one knowing if it was a boy or girl! I couldn't have been happier to get a text from my dear friend 2 short months ago that "it's a girl!"

Robyn is such a beautiful mother- I had no doubt she would be. And Matt? Oh, it's just so evident that he is crazy about his little girl. This is one happy family. It is a such a joy to call them our friends.

If you're interested in family photos for the holidays and are somewhere in Southern California, please let me know! I've got a few projects lined up & would love to add to it.

You can contact me at kaylynmachelle@gmail.com

Here's to another great week!

(Where does the time go?)

Friday, I'm in love.

This weekend consists of:

loads of baking at my mom's. (you know, to make up for the last 2 months of no oven.)

the Laker game. (& perhaps some Laker gear for yours truly.)

late night walks. (cause we can.)

early morning talks. (we decided sleeping in is overrated.)

Sufjan Steven's holiday mix on Pandora. (it's time.)

a photo shoot. (of one of my favorite little families.)

i love, love, love weekends.

happy weekend to you- don't forget to fall back!

T&J.

So a couple of our friends introduced us to this place...

Treasures & Junk

& boy were we thrilled.

It's an antique mall with all different dealers. We can spend hours in there- hours, I tell you! There are so many different kinds of furniture & decor. We bought a really cool end table there the other day & it has become one of my favorite pieces. Some things are pricey, but a lot of things are really affordable. Right now my "want" list includes a cuckoo clock, vintage rings, artwork, vintage plates & old wedding pictures*.

Please go there soon and just enjoy all the different treasures and, well, junk. It will make you smile- I promise.

Located off of San Antonio & Holt on the east side of the street.

Is it weird that I want a pictures of anonymous brides and grooms in my home? I told Danny that I hope someone has our picture one day & talks about how we look madly in love!

flowers in the window.

its such a lovely day.

thank you, my love.

voluminous.

Enter scene: L'Oreal Voluminous Naturale. (how fancy!)

Chosen mostly because it was on sale.

Because that's how we do things in the Unterkofler house.

Well, I'm no makeup girl. Don't get me wrong, I love a good blush & mascara, but that is often where it ends.

That said, I fall for every. single. mascara ad. So it's no surprise that I fell for the one claiming "clump-resistant, bold, dramatic lashes".

Ha.

But in all honesty, I really love it.

No clumps.

Defined lashes. (the brush is all plastic- no bended-clumpy bristles)

Stays on all day without flaking.

I give it two thumbs up.

our poor little bear.

we've got a peanut butter allergy on our hands.

you say tomato, i say tomato.

here you have it...

Tomato Soup

(for those who hate tomato soup*)

-2 T olive oil

-1/4 C red onion

-1/2 t chili pepper

-1/4 t oregano

-1 clove garlic

-2 cans chicken broth

-1 can tomato puree

-4 oz. (half a bar) of cream cheese

Heat the oil in a saucepan and saute onion for 5 minutes until soft & transluscent. Remove from heat. Add spices, garlic & broth. Return to heat & bring to a boil. Simmer uncovered (believe me.) for a good 5 minutes.

Take out 1/2 C of the liquid mixture & add it to bowl of cream cheese. Whisk until its nice & soft & smooth. Return to pan & add puree. Simmer for another 15 minutes.

Pour into bowl & serve with a toasty cheese sandwich. (ya ya, its grilled, but I've never really caught onto that. we call it toasty cheese in our family.)

Now be careful, make sure you get puree & not sauce or paste. They are, believe it or not, very different in texture & will make it a different consistency.

Oh, and when you make it, be sure to snap a picture. We were too eager to eat it.

*fyi, my husband no longer fits in this category.

have an update or 8.

-Took last week off to recover from midterms. May 6 (graduation day!) is getting closer.

-I have a few recipes stocked up to share. Creamy tomato soup (for those who hate tomato soup), white bean & chicken chili, & chicken pot pie. Fall food!

-My oven is non-functioning. That means we are missing lots of really great baked goods this season. But maybe that's a good thing, right? (Oh, but how I long for pumpkin muffins & cookies & scones & pie &...)

-We weren't sure if the little blue house would get any trick-or-treaters, but man were we busy! They come in groups of thirty-somethings, I think. & apparently Nerds are the cool candy- isn't it ironic? We were the "cool" house.

-I was trying to explain Halloween to one of our new students who has recently arrived from Africa. She was so baffled. It really is a strange deal.

-I've hit the mid-semester wall. It takes everything inside me just to get out the door to get to class.

-We've started Christmas shopping!

-We bought a duvet. For $9.99. Not exactly the print we were expecting, but we couldn't pass up the deal!

Up this week: tomato soup for non-tomato lovers, a mascara review (because I fall for every commercial & have finally found a winner) & 2 really great places to go for you Southern Californians.

PS Danny woke me up this morning by saying "Happy birthday month, honey!" Hip hip!