Spring planting

Mia's art easel.  I hate to leave the chalkboard canvas empty when it's not in use!

 

 

I try to use every bit of space I have

I planted lots of tomatoes, artichoke, sweet peas, green beans, brussel sprouts and eggplant.

Everything needed to make salsa

A perfect hiding spot

Our weekend breakfast

Mia's new favorite breakfast is Eggs Benedict.  When we are not hitting up a good brunch spot (and I sure do love me some Champagne Brunch) we make this at home.  Sometimes we make it for dinner.

who took the cookie from the cookie jar?

A little Valentine lunchbox treat.

Starts with this

sugar cookie dough

cut out your perfect shapes and bake

with super simple super yummy coconut frosting tucked in the middle

1-lb. box of Powdered Sugar

 1/2 cup softened butter (1 stick)

¼ cup of cream

and 3 tsp. of coconut extract

Blend it all together

and end up with

and happy lunch boxes!

Our MaD HaTTer TEa PaRtY

This year is the first year we had our daughter's birthday party at home.  We are blessed with so, so, so many wonderful friends it was very hard to limit our invites.  I felt so bad that we couldn't invite many of the people that have been celebrating our daughter's birthday with us the last seven years.  We definitely reached our maximum capacity that day

I originally wanted something quaint, a little Mad Hatter Tea Party in the patio.  Maybe we will do the park next year...

Heart Suckers from The Idea Room

For Renee

Cookies and Cream Cupcakes

These turned out really good!

For the cake I used this recipe
chocolate-butter-cake-recipe

For the frosting I used this recipe

1-lb. box of C&H Pure Cane Powdered Sugar

simply add 1/2 cup softened butter (1 stick)

¼ cup of cream

and 1 tsp. of vanilla

and 6 crushed up  trader joe's vanilla bean joe joe's

Blend 

and I topped each cupcake with a cookie

Christmas just flew by...

The month of December was the busiest, fastest month of 2010.  It really just flew by.  The first day of 2011, and one resolution is to cherish the moments, because they are gone in the blink of an eye.

and Happy 7th Birthday to our daughter Mia

It's starting to look a lot like Christmas

I know, I know 

Thanksgiving has not even arrived yet and I'm already making Christmas cookies?  

This is the first batch with many more to come.  

This is the best recipe!

Sugar Cookies

I measured and packaged the dry ingredients to store in my pantry for the holiday season.  

Mia and her friends had a great time decorating cookies this afternoon.

I have also started putting up my Christmas decorations.

 Of course it would have to have my flair...