~mini lemon loaf cakes~

We are going to a lot of potlucks this Fourth Of July, so I am getting prepared and making things I can freeze. If you make these and freeze them, add the glaze after they have thawed.

These are so good and I love lemon when it's hot out, so refreshing!

I picked up the little mini loaf pans and flags at my local craft store.

~enjoy~

xoxo

~clean coconut brownie bites~

The kids will never know these are somewhat healthy!

Enjoy!

xoxo

~eat your veggies~{yummy squash recipe}

Even though we hiked and walked a ton in Hawaii each day, I still managed to pack on the pounds thanks to pina coladas and fabulous local food.

I don't like to "diet" on vacation, I like to enjoy the local cuisine and sample a little of this and a little of that, and if I want a cocktail at 10 am by the pool, no ones stopping me!

With that being said, it does feel good to be back home and cooking healthier foods.

I do feel better when I eat healthy.

With little time for dinner last night, I whipped this up and it was so good, so I am going to share it with you.

All I did was cut a spaghetti squash in half and scooped out the seeds.

Then I brushed on olive oil and placed face down on a baking dish and cooked for 40 minutes at 375 degrees.

While that was baking I sautéed fresh spinach, diced onion, and garlic in a bit of olive oil.

When the squash is done baking, fill the centers with the spinach mixture and top with fresh grated parmesan cheese.

Return to the oven and bake for an additional 15-20 minutes.

Enjoy!

xoxo

~blueberry scones~

Enjoy

xoxo

~things you can buy from our kitchen~

Whenever I see a room I love on the internet, I always want to know where to purchase the items in it.

Not that you are just dying to know where I buy my things, but in case you are curious, I have come up with a list.

The door decal of our address I bought off etsy years ago and I don't remember the seller.

You can find similar here.

The urn that the lilacs are in is one of my favorites.

It moves room to room, and it comes in various sizes. You can find mine here.

The barn wood framed photos are from here.

I have had this clock for about 10 years and it moves from room to room.

It's huge, love it's scale.

You can find it here.

The vase below is antique but similar ones can be found here.

This rug runner is super.

It actually burned when our dishwasher caught fire, and I need to replace it!

It's funny how it's sometimes the small things that make a space.

This hand soap has the freshest scent and while it is a little pricey, I say it's worth it!

These barstools came from Pier One years ago and they don't carry them anymore.

However, I found similar ones here.

And they are on sale!

{I painted mine}

Every time I go into Anthropologie I pick up another one of these mugs. 

Love, love, love them.

I have two kinds here. 

These and these.

They are really fun to spell out words too like "love" and use them as vases!

This mug rack is vintage but you can find a really inexpensive smaller version here, 

which I have as well.

To read more about our kitchen and for more details, go here.

Happy weekend!

xoxo

~paleo broccoli salad with cashew cream~

I made this the other night to go along with almond chicken, 

{recipe coming soon}

and it was so good I had to share.

To get the recipe, go here.

xoxo

~curry chicken with cauliflower rice~

I have been trying really hard to eat healthy.

I just feel so much better when I do, and I know it is the right thing to do for this one body that I have.

I have been experimenting with some different recipes.

Some are better than others.

This one did not disappoint and I was very hesitant about the cauliflower "rice" tasting good,

 but it was amazing.

Not only is this good, but it's super easy to make.

~Crockpot curry chicken with cilantro lime cauliflower rice~

Happy Friday!

xoxo

~date balls~{a healthy snack}

I made these for the Super Bowl with the intent to try to stay on track with eating healthy.

Instead, I ate them, along with cheetos, skittles, meatballs, egg rolls, well~you get the picture.

What can I say? It was a sad game and I ate my feelings.

This recipe is adapted from here.

Bowls from here.

Enjoy!

xoxo

~garlic butter shrimp quinoa~

I made this recipe last night to go along side prime rib and it was delicious!

Find the recipe here.

It's so good, and kid approved!

xoxo

~8 delicious holiday cookie recipes~

Tis the season for holiday baking!

Making Christmas cookies is one of my favorite things to do, and for the first time this year we spent one whole day making cookies to gift to friends.

It was so fun and they turned out so cute, I thought I'd share them with you in case you want to make them all, or just some.

I wrapped them up in white boxes from the restaurant supply store. 

In between the layers of cookies inside, and again on the top, I cut down these paper placemats.

You could also use parchment paper inside and scrapbook paper on top.

I tied the top with twine and added a little sprig of cedar.

I also added the recipe cards.

Not because I think so highly of my cooking skills, but more in case people have allergies and need to see whats in them.

At the very last minute I added a candy cane to the top, drove around and delivered them to my friends!

It was a fun day baking with the kids and it really only took one full afternoon. 

A lot of these recipes have chill times in the fridge, so it allows you to get started on others while they are chilling.

And just in case you wanted to do something similar, I've created the recipe cards for you as well. All you have to do is right click on them and save them to your computer, then insert them into a word document.

{or copy and paste in a word doc}

For reference, I made my recipe cards 3 1/2 x 5 and printed them on card stock.

The paper place mats I cut down to 7 1/2 x 5.

Happy baking!

xoxo

~edible snowflakes~{& a Starbucks event}

Here is a fun dessert, or in our case, an after school snack for the kids.

Start with plain flour tortillas.

Warm in the microwave for about 20 seconds to make them pliable.

Fold in half, then in half again to form a wedge shape.

Using clean kitchen scissors cut each one out like a snowflake.

{this is fun for the kids to do too!}

Brown them in a ton of melted butter over med-low heat.

They cook quickly, so watch closely then flip.

Use a spatula to remove and transfer to a plate.

Sprinkle with a mixture of cinnamon and white sugar.

Enjoy your edible snowflakes!

I also wanted to let all my local readers know of a event coming up this Friday evening,

 December 12th.

Last year I was lucky enough to host one of these events. You can read about it here. 

If you have never been to a Starbucks Evening, you will love it.

Wine, great appetizers, and you can still order your coffee if you like!

You've got 3 days to gather your girlfriends for a girls night out.

Details below.

Join the team at Starbucks Woodinville II as we celebrate our 1 year anniversary with the Evenings Program!

You’re invited to a casually elegant evening of wine

and coffee tasting accompanied by one of our local musicians.

If you haven’t tried the Starbucks Evenings menu,

you are in for an amazing treat of savory small plates

and irresistible desserts—which all pair beautifully with

our wine, coffee, tea and espresso offerings.

We hope you will join our Starbucks partners and Woodinville

community members at our 1 Year Anniversary Celebration! 

---

Friday December 12^th

6:30pm – 8:30pm

Starbucks #3229 Woodinville II

13780 NE 175^th St, Woodinville  WA,  98072

xoxo

~peppermint kiss cookies~

First of all, thank you for all who took the time to go through our holiday home tour yesterday.

You guys blew me away with your sweet comments!

Thank you, thank you, thank you.

Today I wanted to share with you some yummy cookies that my son and I just made.

They are really simple to make and a fun recipe if you are doing a cookie exchange.

And don't forget, the holiday house walk continues today too!

To see today's lineup, go here.

xoxo

~triple chocolate muffins~

Sprinkle with sugar before baking.

~enjoy~

xoxo