Big W and I are spending time this morning working on his biography report on Martin Luther King Jr. He was not assigned this great man. He chose to read about him. While researching important quotes for his project, we came across these simple words. “Life’s most persistent and urgent question is, ‘What are you doing for others?'” He didn’t choose to use this quote, but it stayed with me. When it comes right down to it, this says it all. Be good to each other. Simple and beautiful.
Earlier this week I found myself with some free time and decided to bake my all time favorite cookie. My grandmother used to make these cookies for me. I am not sure if anyone else in my extended family liked them, but she knew I loved them. At some point I asked her for the recipe. She dug out the cookbook and gave it to me. I consider having the cookbook a blessing. As I stood in my kitchen reading the directions, I knew she had done the same-years before. And she had done it just for me. Share your love through small gestures. {She taught me well.}
Trust me. These are the best cookies on the planet. And I do not exaggerate. Take them to a large gathering and spread the love {and the calories}. It may seem like a lot of ingredients, but they are simple to make.
CRUST
1 1/2 cups flour
2/3 cup firmly packed brown sugar
1/2 tsp. baking powder
1/2 tsp. salt
1/4 tsp. baking soda
1/2 cup butter, softened
1 tsp. vanilla
2 egg yolks
3 cups miniature marshmallows
TOPPING
2/3 cup corn syrup
1/4 cup butter
2 tsp. vanilla
2 cups peanut butter chips
2 cups crisp rice cereal
2 cups peanuts
Heat oven to 350 degrees. In large bowl combine all crust ingredients except marshmallows until crumb mixture forms. Press in bottom of ungreased 13×9 pan. Bake at 350 for 12-15 minutes or until lightly golden brown. Immediately sprinkle with marshmallows. Return to oven for 1-2 minutes or until marshmallows just begin to puff. Let marshmallows completely cool, then prepare topping. In large saucepan, heat corn syrup, butter, vanilla, and peanut butter chips just until chips are melted and mixture is smooth, stirring constantly. Remove from heat; stir in cereal and nuts. Immediately spoon warm topping over marshmallows and spread to cover. Chill; cut into bars.
Recipe from Pillsbury Holiday Classics II (1983)
Last weekend my girlfriend invited me over for a glass of wine and a sneak peek at all of her newest Stella and Dot baubles. Comfy in my sweats and my hair pulled into a top knot, I played dress up- trying on samples from the Spring 2014 Collection. These new arrivals make me long for warmer weather and lighter clothing!
I quickly compiled a wish list in my head. Upon review they all had a common theme: yellow + gold. It is official. I am gold crazy {more gold postings here, here and here}! The yellow is what is surprising! I don’t own anything yellow. Come to think of it, I am not really sure if I look good in yellow. All rational thinking went out the window when I laid eyes on those gorgeous chandelier earrings. I mean really! Love at first glance.
Bright and Bold. {Possibly my spring mantra?}
My Yellow + Gold collection:
1/Norah Chandelier 2/ Double Clutch-Citrine Perf 3/Cleopatra Studs 4/Jackie Link Bracelet 5/Somervell Necklace-Peach
Take a peek around at the rest of the Spring Collection. The Norah Chandeliers are my favorite. What is yours?
It’s all the rage. Grab a gallon of chalkboard paint and pick a wall. I have to be honest. I love the look, but I am a skeptic. I worry that the idea of the wall is so much better than the reality of a wall you cover with messy chalk. I don’t live in a magazine. I am not an artist nor have I mastered hand lettering……skills that would make a chalkboard wall awesome. I am a bit of a control freak. Disappointment looms.
So, I have to ask. Chalkboard wall. Yes or no? Do you have a chalkboard wall in your home? Is it just how you wanted it? How do handle the messiness? Do you clean it often? Where is it located? I want to be convinced it is a great idea. It is just paint after all.
Yesterday the Internet was down at our house all day. (Winds and a very large tree proved too much for little cable lines.) I had grand plans to get ahead of the game yesterday, but instead I found myself idle.
No streaming Pandora music, no editing pictures with an online tool, no new posts, no searching Pinterest for inspiration, no access to sign up my boys for baseball, no sending email to a teacher, no searching for new recipes or airline flights. Nope.
So, after a few moments of bewilderment, I remembered there is plenty to do that doesn’t involve my computer. I listened to my own playlists, spent time reading my stack of magazines, made cookies, folded clothes, made a pot of tea, cleaned out a junk drawer, and filled a bag for donation.
It was an incredibly, enjoyable afternoon. I am certain I should do it more often. Just push away from the computer, leave my phone in my purse, and fill my time with activities that don’t involve a screen. We expect our kids to do it, don’t we? My computer is in my kitchen, so I always have access to it. Even though I am not sitting in front of it all of the time, I will just “jump on for a minute” to check this or that. Wow! That is kind of scary, isn’t it? I am adding to my list of things I would love in 2014: Less time wasted in front of my computer.
So, what activities do you LOVE to do when you aren’t “connected”? I am eager to hear. What do you do with idle {screen free} time at home?
Image: Birds on a Wire Photo Art
I have an incredibly intense sweet tooth. After dinner I am always looking for a little something sweet. While trying to avoid the Oreos, I often will slice an apple and sprinkle cinnamon sugar on top. However, this baked grapefruit is perfect for cold, January nights. With only three simple ingredients, it is a quick and easy treat. I used Ballard Bee Company honey and a red grapefruit. Baked at 350 degrees for 15 minutes-it comes out warm and bubbly. The perfect combination of sweet and tart. Plus, at only 6o calories for half of a grapefruit this treat is also virtually guilt free!
In the Kitchen-A Weekly Plan is one of my favorite series to write. We all have to put dinner on the table. I find when I have a plan my family eats better, I am calm(er), and meal time is less of a chore. I primarily search for recipes that are healthy, quick and easy, use basic (whole) ingredients, and are gluten free. If you are like me, you dove into the holidays head first and are now ready to return to the land of healthier eating. Our meals this week had a theme: comforting. Blame it on the weather and the time of year. Kale was in two recipes this week and we sort of love it!
I hope you find at least one meal to add to your weekly menu. Have a lovely weekend!
1. Spiced Pumpkin Seed and Cashew Crunch
Not a meal unto itself, but this crunch was super in late afternoon. If you are able to enjoy yogurt, it would be awesome to throw a handful of the crunch with some fruit on top in the morning.
2. Quinoa with Mushrooms, Kale, and Sweet Potatoes
I served this delicious hardy side with broiled salmon. We had left overs and it was great for lunch the next day. Tons of “great for you” ingredients in this dish.
I have featured this soup before. A great tomato soup and entirely dairy free as well. We all need a super easy dinner. Serve this with grilled cheese and call it good.
4. Slow Cooker Cuban Braised Beef and Peppers
I like to use my slow cooker once a week. Fix it and forget it! Serve with warmed corn tortillas and avocado. My kids gobbled up the steak served without the tomatoes and peppers.
5. Bean and Chicken Sausage Stew
A hearty stew cooked on your cook top. Using fully-cooked sausages, this stew took less than 30 minutes. There is that kale again.
6. Pan-Steamed Chicken and Broccoli
From Gwyneth Paltrow’s Goop: Warming Winter Detox menu, this was dinner super yummy. Little Man devoured the chicken {but took a pass on the broccoli}. Using gluten free soy-sauce and chicken broth-this recipe was naturally gluten free. No need to adjust ingredients on this one!
I hope you eat well next week and you have at least one enjoyable family dinner together.
Little Man received Putty Creatures as a gift during the holiday season and it was instantly kid approved! A small tin of Thinking Putty {made with silicone-based inert non-toxic synthetic rubbber} can make any creature imaginable! The eyeballs were his favorite! Each tin comes with one set. Make your creature, push in some eyeballs, and call it awesome. When you are done creating- simply squish the putty back into the tin and put the lid on it until next time.
I loved that it was a gift he wanted to play with right away. It involved no screens, yet he was engaged and having fun. I think I am going to order a few of these and keep them on hand for birthday gifts. We are always looking for a unique present to take along to friends’ parties without breaking the bank. This is it. Putty Creatures, a pack of gum, and some candy in a clear goodie bag. Done and done.
I may have a problem with Netflix. I recently started watching the series Parenthood {from the beginning} and I cannot get enough. I love the characters in this show. They are all flawed in someway, but that is what makes them so interesting and funny. The beauty of discovering a series, well after its start, is being able to watch {stream} one episode after another. With TV series available on Netflix, AmazonPrime, DVD, and OnDemand- TV marathons are possible whenever you may like! {BE WARNED! It is a slippery slope and can cause anti-social behavior.}
I have watched a few others series just like this. I immersed myself in Gossip Girl, Downtown Abbey {Seasons 1 and 2}, Homeland, Sopranos {Seasons 1 and 2}. I got to thinking. If I hadn’t watched shows from the beginning, which of my favorites {past and present} would be good to watch as a marathon. My suggestions are: Friday Night Lights, Mad Men, West Wing, Six Feet Under, Breaking Bad, House of Cards {Netflix original} and Orange is the New Black {Netflix original}.
It won’t be long until I have no Parenthood episodes left to watch. I need something in my queue. How about Sherlock? Scandal? The Tudors? I need your suggestions.
Almost every day I use basic, neutral makeup on my eyes. I don’t have the time {or interest} in doing more than just the basics: shadow, liner, mascara. Today I am sharing the products I have used for years and one new addition!
Step 1: Brows
Don’t underestimate giving your brows attention! I love {LOVE} the Anastasia Brow Kit. This handy kit comes with stencils, tweezers, brow powder, a brush, and brow gel. It sounds a bit high maintenance- but I got the hang of using the tools and now it takes less than 30 seconds. Really. I use Brunette/Dark Brown Brow Powder Duo.
Step 2: Shadow
My lids are very dark, so I use MAC Paint Pot in Rubenesque to even out the color. Some days that is all I wear. Other days, I either use Stila eye shadow in Kitten{a shimmery nude pink} or shadow from my Too Faced Natural Eye Neutral Eye Shadow Collection. I adore this little palette. It comes with 9 shadows and three instruction cards with step-by-step application instructions. I call that “Eye Shadow for Dummies” and it is awesome.
Step 3: Liner
For years I have used shadow as my liner. Using an angled brush, it is easy to get a thin or thick line-whatever your mood. Most days I use the shadow Sexpresso in my Too Faced palette. For Christmas, Santa brought me Stila Stay All Day Waterproof Liquid Eye Liner in Black. I really like how easy it is to apply and it doesn’t smudge at all. Super excited about this addition to my basics.
Step 4: Mascara
A quick curl of the lashes and a swipe of mascara and I am done. My favorite is they’re real! mascara by Benefit. It is truly amazing what it does for your lashes! The dark, dark black color really makes your eyes pop. Be warned: you will need makeup remover to get it off at night.
All told, it takes about 2 minutes to do my eye makeup. Quick, easy, and somewhat presentable.
