what are you seeing these days?

on photos -

i take hundreds of them.  i capture countless photos of so many things. 
i snap whatever has caught my attention at the moment.

then later, the photos remind me of the beauty of a particular instant.

if we don’t see our lives in all the mundane moments and snippets of joy, we don’t really see it.

in capturing those moments i get to hold on to that beauty forever.

what you see is what you get.

 

 

 

 

 

 

love sent, xo

recent finds...

my new season favorites.

my days are filled with work, play, eating, sleeping, repeat.  winter is having a hard time letting go but there are sure signs that spring is near. 

 

 

just wanted to share some things i am loving lately.

 

 

 

 

bobbi brown bronzing powder.  great for the sun tanned look without the sun  and this stuff lasts forever.

l'oreal paris extra-volume collagen mascara goes on great doesn't smudge.

clinique chubby stick moisturizing lip color balm, whole lotta honey is the perfect nude shade and gives a nice moist mouth without any sticky shine; i seriously love this stuff.

 

purex crystals  i'm a sucker for great smelling laundry and i've used the downy version of this product which cost more money. i think this purex product has more scent than the downy unstopables.  it's amazing. i highly recommend it if you like fresh smelling laundry and who doesn't.

 

izze sparkling juice  there is not excessive carbonation, but rather the light carbonation of the water tends to enhance the flavor of the juice itself.

 

homemade with love  “this is more than a cookbook.  it’s a love song; an ode to family and life on life’s terms, and the nourishing and healing power of food prepared with joy in the heart.”  

love sent, xo

 

 

butter sugar flour

this is seriously one of the best coffee cakes i have ever had.  if you have a chance this weekend you
should make it. you will love it.  it's almond scented and sprinkled with raspberries.  the beauty of this is,
you probably already have all the ingredients in your cupboard.

raspberry almond coffee cake.

for the streusel topping:
1/3 cup chopped almonds
1/3 cup packed brown sugar
3 tbsp. butter

for the cake:
1 1/2 cup all-purpose flour
2/3 cup sugar
1 tbsp. baking powder
1/2 tsp. salt
5 tbsp. cold unsalted butter, cut into small pieces
1 large egg
1/2 cup milk
1 tsp. almond extract
1 cup frozen raspberries

preheat oven to 350 F. grease a 9 x 5-inch loaf pan.

to make the streusel topping: In a small bowl, combine almonds, brown sugar and 3 tablespoons butter. using your fingers, work the butter into the sugar and almonds until blended.

to make the cake: whisk together flour, sugar, baking powder, and salt in a large bowl. add the 5 tablespoons of butter. using either your fingers, a pastry blender or two knives, work the butter into the flour mixture until it resembles coarse crumbs. don't allow the butter to melt or form a blended paste with the flour.

in another bowl, whisk together the egg, milk and almond extract. pour over the flour mixture, and stir until just barely combined. add the frozen berries, and fold in until just mixed through.

spoon batter into prepared loaf pan. top with the streusel topping, distributing evenly. bake for about 55 to 60 minutes, until a toothpick inserted in the center comes out clean. cool on a rack for ten minutes.


enjoy.
love sent, xo

                            

travel...

my "places to visit" list has always been a bit one-dimensional. any dream location for me consists of cobbled streets, architecture built prior to 1910 and a smattering of sweet cafes where i can spend endless hours drinking wine and watching the locals go about life.  this to me sounds like heaven. 
most of my vacations however have been sunny spots with beaches (which i do love) but ever since my first trip to europe i have always dreamed about going back.  now i will get the chance and i can not wait. 
counting the days...

love sent, xo

short quiz...

i have always thought of myself as an extrovert but after taking this quiz i am not so sure.

certainly i have a lot of characteristics of an extrovert but lots of the questions made me wonder
whether i truly am an extrovert.
are you an introvert or an extrovert?
find out here

you know who you are...

                                             you are moving forward. 

                                                  one step at a time.

"expect to have hope rekindled.

expect your prayers to be answered in wondrous ways.

the dry seasons in life do not last.

the spring rains will come again."

it does get better. it never fully goes away. but, i can tell you with certainty... it gets much better. 

mostly I don't know how it happens.

evenutually it just passes.

 the changing weather will help.

spring signals many things, change -  and most importantly, a renewed faith of what might be.

believe that you are ballsy and adventurous and unyielding in your desire to just live. life. better. (which really means living. life. fuller).

take chances.

             you have to be more courageous than you think you have any right to be.

you have so much to offer. i wish you could see yourself as i see you.

                                                   soon we will be drinking wine on your new rooftop deck and laughing about old times.

  (we are totally doing this)

mostly, things will get better with the passing of time. and just seeing it through.

 

love you.

it was a very good day ...

 

we were so lucky to spend easter with our family.  it was a beautiful day filled with amazing food and lots of love.

 

 

 

 

 

specialty cake by braelyn