Mid-August

Hello everyone!  I hope you are enjoying the summer.  It's really hard to believe it's mid-August.  We've stayed close to home this summer with a few day trips here and there, but mostly home.  I'm definitely missing normal life, and I hope that next year brings more normality our way.  I'm planning to homeschool our daughter for fifth grade.  We are going through an online classical Christian school program where she will have live classes throughout the week.  This will start up in September.  I'm excited for this new adventure.  We feel that it is the right choice for her and us for this upcoming school year.  

I made a strawberry cake, which was just delicious!  I ordered a new lampshade and matching pillow cover from Peony and Sage.  I just love it!  Also, you will notice in the last photo that little Rosie had her first grooming appointment and got a nice summer haircut.  She's feeling much cooler now, which is nice since it's 90 degrees almost every day.  

 

Take care and stay safe!

 

February

It seems like January came and went fairly quickly this year.  I have to say that I really like the month of January.  It still feels like winter here as it should - no snow, but cold and blustery. 

 Charlotte is already thinking about Valentine's Day, as you can see below.  She made this sweet heart for me to display on the front of our refrigerator door.  We will probably go shopping for Valentine's cards next week for her school friends.  I love Valentine's Day!  It's just such a sweet day.

For the past few weeks, I've treated myself to some lovely tulips for the kitchen table.  I really can't tell you just how much I've enjoyed them.  They make me very happy! 

I've also been baking a lot lately.  I made a Meyer Lemon Cake, Raspberry Crumble bars, which have been perfect for breakfast or with a cup of tea in the afternoon, and a Chocolate Cake with Cream Cheese Frosting, requested by Charlotte.  I love to be in the kitchen.  It's definitely my happy place.

I'm making Chicken Wings, Nachos, and Brownies this weekend for Super Bowl Sunday.  We don't really watch the game; it's just an excuse to make yummy Super Bowl food.  Have a great weekend! 

Last photo: Charlotte got to take a break from her school uniform for Country/Western Day at school this week.  She looked adorable!

Holiday Baking

The first week of December, I decided to bake cookies for some family and friends just as a little early Christmas gift.  I ended up with eighteen dozen cookies and four dozen bars.  I made Chocolate Crackle Cookies, Gingerbread Cookies, Coconut Meltaways, Frosted Sugar Cookies, White Chocolate Cranberry Blondies (my favorite), and Chocolate Layer Bars from the new Smitten Kitchen Every Day book.  It was so much fun and made the start of the holiday season feel extra special!

What are you baking this holiday season?

Catching up

Hello friends!  It's been a while since I've had a chance to update my blog.  Life has been very busy since Charlotte started back to school last month.  We are back into our routine which feels nice.  Third grade has been a big transition from second grade for Charlotte and myself, really.  The children are expected to be much more independent this year.  She seems to be happy and adjusting well.  

I've been cooking/baking quite a bit which has also been very nice.  One of my favorite places to be is cooking away in my kitchen!  I made our favorite  chocolate cake and topped it with buttercream icing.  Twice a month, during the school year, I make this chicken noodle soup and stash it away in the freezer for school lunches and a quick dinner here and there.  I also made these delicious pumpkin cupcakes with cream cheese frosting.  I'll definitely be making them again this fall.  And the granola bars are a weekly staple in our house.  I almost always have these on hand.  They are perfect for a quick breakfast or snack. I add chocolate chips, raisins and pumpkin seeds to mine.  I also made dutch oven bread to go along side spaghetti and meatballs last week.  Lately, my lunch several days a week has consisted of leafy greens with olives, pumpkin seeds, Dubliner cheese and a big scoop of quinoa topped with lots of olive oil and it seems to keep me full all afternoon.

Hopefully, fall is beginning to arrive where you are.  We are still waiting on cooler weather, as it has been hot here since May.  Once it fully arrives, it will be much welcomed.  I am not a hot weather person.  Fall and winter suits me just fine!

Hurricane Florence has been making her way through our area over the weekend with just some off and on rain and wind - thank goodness.  I made brownies and cozied up on the sofa last night to watch a new Hallmark movie and it was delightful.  Yes, I'm a Hallmark movie junkie!

Snow Day

We enjoyed another cozy, snow day this past week, our second one this winter.  I love to watch the snow fall.  We are having a true winter this year and that makes me very happy!  So, basically I cooked and baked the whole day.  I made a big batch of homemade chicken noodle soup and a yummy chocolate cake with cream cheese frosting topped with fun sprinkles per Charlotte's request!

Also, I found an adorable new lamp at Target last week and I found the perfect spot for it.

  We are headed to Crate and Barrel tomorrow to pick up a few new things - dish towels, a new pot for a house plant, a white serving platter and maybe some other fun things.  And to Paper Source, so Charlotte can choose some cute Valentine cards for her classmates.  I'm excited!  Hope you are having a great weekend, too!

Lately

Hello!  I'm still here.  Just super busy with life and my six year old.  We've celebrated Charlotte's sixth birthday and Easter since I last posted.  Here are a few photos from the last several weeks.

I'm waiting for the weather to dry up and warm up so I can start gardening again.  I'm itching to get my hands in the dirt!  Be back soon!

It's My Birthday!

I am celebrating my 38th birthday today!!!  Charlotte and I baked yummy strawberry cupcakes and topped them with this delicious frosting (be sure to double the frosting recipe).  My hubby is out picking up chinese food for dinner and a movie.  I am looking forward to a relaxing evening at home with my family.  Tomorrow, we are headed to Asheville for the day to celebrate again!

Hope you all have a lovely weekend!

All decorated and ready to enjoy!

Christmas Cookies

We've been baking...yummy sugar cookies!  Ok, I cheated and used store bought sugar cookie dough, but I made the glaze and we added the fun sprinkles.  

So pretty and festive and delicious, too!

Charlotte did a great job decorating the cookies.

Easy Cookie Glaze:

1 cup confectioners sugar

2 tbsp water

1/4 tsp vanilla

Mix well until smooth!

Ghiradelli Chocolate Chip Cookies

After Charlotte's nap today we decided to whip up a batch of our favorite cookies.  Charlotte loves to bake with me.  They are not on my diet, but are so delicious.  I limited myself to only a few.  Here is my go-to chocolate chip cookie recipe.  This recipe yields four dozen, so be sure to share with friends and neighbors!

I've Been Baking... Again!

With all of the extremely hot weather we are having I am spending a lot of time indoors.  And what does one do? Well she bakes!  I found this yummy recipe on Pinterest and knew I had to try it.  I love anything made with fresh orange juice and zest.  They are just slightly sweet with a nice, fresh orange flavor... just delicious and perfect for summer!  I am looking forward to enjoying one in the morning with a hot cup of coffee!

The glaze makes them perfect!

Enjoy!

Cupcakes!

 We stopped by Sur La Table on Monday and Charlotte picked out these lovely polka dot baking cups and fun sprinkles.  I used a box cake mix and made this yummy Cloudburst frosting.  The frosting was deliciously light and fluffy, like clouds.  

Love the polka dot baking cups.

Charlotte patiently watching the batter mix.

The finished product.  A beautiful, sprinkled cupcake!