rudolph the red nose.

[i wear flowers in my hair.]

[this one care of one of my favorite ladies.]

[thistinylife.esty.com]

it is raining in nashville. it makes me want to do nothing more than lie in my bed, watch amelie. and sleep. and sleep. and never wake up. but, alas...i have to work at ten in the morning. so, at some point, i will have to wake up and make lattes. 

this past tuesday marked the one year anniversary of my grandma passing away. my heart is still heavy thinking about old times and thinking of how new times fly by. it is amazing to think of all that has happened in one year. of all the heartbreak and tears i could have shared with her. of all the joys she could have par taken in. she would be so proud of my baking. i think it would make her overjoyed to know that i finally have direction for my life. that i have found a passion. that i finally know what i am going to do with the rest of my life. to know that i am just plain happy would make her happy.i wish we could have baked just one more time together. 

one of my best friends in the world is coming home from germany tomorrow for one week. i wish there were words to describe how much i miss her. i wish there were words to explain how genuinely happy i am that tomorrow at six in the evening i will be hugging her. i cannot wait. it will be a day to remember.

christmas is coming soon. and christmas at starbucks is coming even sooner. this week to be exact. tonight we had our annual holiday meeting and i was commisioned by my store manager to make cupcakes. i guess word is spreading....i decided to live it up. so....i made rudolph the red nose reindeer cupcakes. he sure is a cutie. i would totally be his friend. 

i stuck with the red velvet theme, seeing as it is christmas and all. but, this time i added nutmeg to the mix! it added such a good spicy holiday flavor. these are by far my favorite red velvet cupcakes ive made ever. i topped them with a cream cheese frosting. i also added some nutmeg to the frosting just for an added kick. i think the frosting was everyones favorite part.

ok....now for the fun stuff. i made rudolphs nose out of red blow pops. two of my favorite things. cupcakes and candy. the nose was huge and really got the whole rudolph theme out in the open. i made little smiles out of red food coloring. eyes out of chocolate chips. and antlers out of pretzels. these little buddies turned out super cute and super delicious. if i was a cupcake, i would want to be friends with these buddies. 

[pre baking. 1950's style.]

[like a light bulb.]

[super buddies.]

[the only apron i could find.]

[it says partner of the month.]

[i wear it with pride. even home alone.]

[work clothes. work meeting. work cupcakes.]

[saving these for someone.]

i have been listening to the mellowist of mellow music lately. maybe it is the heartache. maybe it is the change of seasons. maybe it is the fridgid cold. maybe it is just who i am. 

rudolph the red nose reindeer playlist:

1. all and everything ever written or recorded by  [mindy smith] 

[listen to down in flames. it is the new theme song of my life.]

[listen to hurricane. you'll feel it in your bones.]

[listen to one moment more. i cannot listen to it without crying.]

2. my newest love....[bon iver.]

[listen to re:stacks. it will bring you to tears. intensely beautiful]

[listen to skinny love. so simple. so lovely.]

[listen to bon iver. the most beautiful. intense. emotional music ive heard in a long time.]

ps. i miss you.