10 on 10: December

Stayed at home with a cold today so I was really thankful for 10 on 10 today.  It gave me a chance to appreciate the beauty that my husband and I have created in our own home.  The holiday season always seems to make the house feel just a bit warmer inside.

Enjoy more sets here.

X-Rays Before and After

Unfortunately some residual swelling is still lingering so I don't have great pictures of myself before and after, however I was able to take some before and after shot of my x-rays.  The picture on the top is before, and the lower is after surgery.  You can see the plates and screws that will remain in my lower jaw and the splits that were cut into the bone.  It is amazing to me how a slight change can make such a difference in my bite.   The 5mm+ overbite that I had prior to surgery is a thing of the past.

I'm still recovering and relearning how to talk, eat and smile.  Overall I am really happy with the result and looking forward to finishing up this two year long process.  

 

Here is a close up of my left jaw.
 

Seattle Dog Photography

My closest friends and let's just say most acquaintances know about my love of dogs.  A great day for me would include sleeping in, a great cup of coffee, a few great meals and a fun activity with my pup.  Kaya brings Scott and I so much joy everyday.  We find ourselves scheduling play dates, day care, and daily activities all to ensure that each day is a great one for her. 

Through this journey of being a "dog parent" I have discovered that I really love to photograph dogs.  I started with a few of Kaya's friends and have actually made a few of my own while taking photos in the dog park.  Here is just a taste of my hobby!

All of the below pictures are unedited and shared without the use of Photoshop in any way.  If you are interested in having me photograph your furry friend, please do not hesitate to contact me.

Pumpkin Donut Muffins

Alright, I have made these little devils for a few years now and this year I have been asked for the recipe enough times for me to warrant a blog entry.  These plague our family every fall, several times.  When these come out of our kitchen October 1st, it truly feels like fall to us!

Even for those who don't enjoy desserts of the pumpkin variety, this is the dessert for you.  Not too pumpkin-y, we promise! Everyone I've ever made these for are BIG fans!

So, with my compliments and Martha's - Enjoy! 

Ingredients

• For The Batter

  • - 10 tablespoons (1 1/4 sticks) unsalted butter, room temperature, plus more for pan
  • - 3 cups all-purpose flour (spooned and leveled), plus more for pan
  • - 2 1/2 teaspoons baking powder
  • - 1/4 teaspoon baking soda
  • - 1 teaspoon coarse salt
  • - 1/2 teaspoon ground nutmeg
  • - 1/4 teaspoon ground allspice
  • - 1/3 cup buttermilk
  • - 1 1/4 cups pure pumpkin puree (from a 15-ounce can)
  • - 3/4 cup light brown sugar
  • - 2 large eggs

• For The Sugar Coating

  • - 3/4 cup granulated sugar
  • - 2 1/2 teaspoons ground cinnamon
  • - 1/4 cup (1/2 stick) unsalted butter, melted

Directions

1. Preheat oven to 350 degrees. Butter and flour 12 standard muffin cups. Make batter: In a medium bowl, whisk together flour, baking powder, baking soda, salt, nutmeg, and allspice. In a small bowl, whisk together buttermilk and pumpkin puree. In a large bowl, using an electric mixer, beat butter and brown sugar until light and fluffy. Beat in eggs, one at a time, scraping down bowl as needed. With mixer on low, add flour mixture in three additions, alternating with two additions pumpkin mixture, and beat to combine.
2. Spoon 1/3 cup batter into each muffin cup and bake until a toothpick inserted in center of a muffin comes out clean, 30 minutes. Meanwhile, in a medium bowl, combine granulated sugar and cinnamon. Let muffins cool 10 minutes in pan on a wire rack. Working with one at a time, remove muffins from pan, brush all over with butter, then toss to coat in sugar mixture. Let muffins cool completely on a wire rack.

One week

Well we are one week away from my surgery date.  A day that I have always felt was a ways off, and one that I have not mentioned much on this blog.

In one week I will be having Orthognatic surgery.  Technically speaking I will be having mandibular osteotomy with advancement.  The lower jaw bone will be cut and re-aligned, then held in place with either screws or plates and screws. Orthognathic surgery can also be referred to as corrective jaw surgery.  This cool little video below better explains the procedure.



Thankfully my friends have been kind enough to say that my profile does not look like the lady in the animation.

This whole process began with noticing that a few of my teeth were out of place even though I had braces when I was younger. After quite a few consultations, the one tooth I felt was out of place, was actually the only tooth in the correct position.

Although the news was a little discouraging, it was just the start. We later learned that the location of my lower jaw was causing more damage than misaligned teeth. On top of the severe damage I was doing to my teeth from grinding (bruxism), the misalignment was the major source of my daily migraine headaches and causing damage to the joint. Awesome.

So after a year in braces I will now be heading into the next step to attain a "perfect bite." Wednesday is the big day and I will be going under the knife. Surprisingly I do not have a lot of anxiety in regards to surgery but rather am looking forward to the end result.   I know that life will suck for a while, but the long term goal will definitely be worth the suffering.

10 on 10: September

This time of year is too busy for me to lug my camera with me, so here is my 10 on 10, instagr.am style.  So much fun seeing everyone's 10 on 10 all day on instagram:

Christmas in September

work appropriate?

concrete jungle

this is what my brain feels like after doing taxes all day

lunch

wish i had enough time in the day to sit and enjoy this

last to leave. 

so happy we are home

saturday celebrations

thoughtful friends

see more sets here

10 on 10: June

This was the best Sunday I've had in a long time.  A play I've waited a long time to see, an awesome lunch (not pictured) and a last minute stroll around a city I love.  All of this was spent with some wonderful people and a little sunshine.

Enjoy!

Find more great sets here!

10 on 10 (on location)

A day late, but I was so excited when I realized the 10th was during our recent trip to Kaua'i.  Beautiful setting for May's set.  Please view other sets here and enjoy a little "aloha" spirit!!

Don't worry my friends.  A true vacation blog will be coming shortly.