April Faves and Craves

1. I have had some peeps ask where I've gotten my cabochon earrings. I have made them myself, but also have some from here at Erica's little shop.

2. I've really been missing my Volcano candle from Anthropologie. I really like this one. Perhaps an anniversary gift to myself.

3. Looking to expand our mid century colored glass vase collection. I'd love to have a full spectrum. My eyes are always hunting for them at thrift stores.

4. Want some rugs for the house that aren't just carpet remnants.

5. I'd love to get myself some nice sunglasses. Unfortunately I think I'm too irresponsible for them. I mentioned to Easy that I could just get a hard case. He said it would need a lock on it....from me.

6. How cute are these sandals? Curses to my high arches!!

7. These Bremudas were a steal last weekend at ON's Stuff-and-Save. I should have bought 2 pair.

8. I want to live everyday in a Maxi skirt. Mine is from here.

9. So so so grateful for my Chacos. They kept my arches in check this last 2 weeks while nursing my Plantar Fasciitis. I have two pair. One is going on 5 years and the other 4. I've accepted the fact that I can never wear another kind of flip.

Out Back

“How strange that nature does not knock, and yet does not intrude!” -
Emily Dickinson



- Posted on the Go

Awe Baby!

Rosie the escapee. April 23, 2012.

It dawned on Easy the other day that Miss Rosie looks like a Muppet. Big fuzzy hair, round eyes, button nose, and a large toothless mouth.

Now almost every time I look at her that is what I think of.

Little Muppet!

Off Air

Sorry things have been kinda hit or miss around here. I've been having some issues with my iMac and am going to be performing some major maintenance on it the next couple of days to get it back into tip top shape.

In other news:

We are trying to make our summer plans which will include a trip back west, a trip to St Louis, and perhaps a trip to Austin. I'm so excited!

I have been running for almost 3 months straight. Fixed my knee problems with a patella band then just last week as I was running my 5k route I injured my foot. It seems that my plantar fasciitis is back with a vengeance and I may not be in running the race I was prepping for this weekend. :( Super sad face. In the meantime I'm resting my foot, wearing my Chacos nonstop, and stretch stretch stretching.

Our 9 year anniversary is in 10 days and


I turn 30 in a month.


Yes that's right.


30




- Posted on the Go

#1 Fans and a Birthday

Just after we got home from FL we were visited by the girls' #1 fans: G&G Gardiner

Easy finished off his Paternity Leave for the week and I feel like we did almost absolutely everything there is to do in NW Ark with these guys. We hiked, visited the square, went caving, ate yummy food, visited War Eagle Mill, went to Crystal Bridges, and celebrated Easy's 32 birthday.

The girls also stole the iPad whenever possible.

And they taught us the art of making Gardiner Green Drinks.

It's not for the faint of heart.

Ingredients: apple juice, broccoli slaw (mix of shredded broccoli, cabbage, and carrots), kale, romaine, parsley, cilantro, lime, cauliflower, and crushed ice

Down it fast!!

And we slowly devoured this baby. Slice. By. Slice.

Chocolate Cake with Coconut Milk by Sheena at The Little Red House

2 ounces fine-quality semisweet chocolate
3/4 cup unsweetened cocoa powder
3/4 cup boiling water
6 TBS butter, melted
1 1/2 cups sugar
2 large eggs
1 cup coconut milk
1 1/4 cups all-purpose flour
1 teaspoons baking soda
1/2 teaspoon baking powder
1/2 teaspoon salt

Preheat oven to 350°F.
Line bottom of pan with round of parchment paper, butter paper, and sides of pan.

Finely chop chocolate and in a bowl combine with hot water and cocoa powder. Let mixture stand, stirring occasionally, until chocolate is melted and mixture is smooth.

Into a large bowl add flour, baking soda, baking powder, and salt. In another large bowl with an electric mixer beat butter and sugar until combined. Add eggs (adding one at a time) until thickened slightly and lemon colored (about 3 minutes). Slowly add coconut milk, and melted chocolate mixture, beating until combined well. Add flour mixture and beat on medium speed until just combined.

Pour batter into pan, and bake in middle of oven until a toothpick inserted in center comes out clean. 20-25min.

Cool cake completely before frosting.

Chocolate Coconut Buttercream

6 TBS butter
1/3 cup cocoa powder
1 1/2 cups powdered sugar
3-6 TBS coconut milk,
1/2 tsp - 1tsp pure coconut extract, depending on how coconut-y you want it.
(be sure to get pure coconut extract, and not imitation, or your cake will taste like sun-tan oil.)

Beat butter, cocoa, powdered sugar, and coconut extract, and add coconut milk a little at a time until you reach a consistency you like.

5 months

Easter

I keep meaning to post about Easter.

But it reminds me that I didn't get a picture of all of us together. Which reminds me of how I need to and then I think about getting the girls all back in their dresses when Blondes is home from school and Rosie is up from her nap. I would force smiles out of them and get super frustrated because we all know there is no way they are going to cooperate.

We can just imagine Roo pulling her dress over her head showing off her bare chest, MaeMae sticking her tongue out, Rosie screaming her head off, and Blondes stressing out over holding the screaming baby.

I guess I don't need that after all.

These few will work.

It was a wonderful day preceded by all the typical festivities including egg hunts, egg coloring, crafting, and visiting friends. I was blessed on Sunday to attend church and celebrate the love of our Savoir with the people in Arkie that are most dear to me and then we were able to enjoy a fabulous dinner.

So, there it is.

Picture or no picture.

Insta (Weekend) Grams

Perdido Key, FL --->

After spending 3 days in and out of the car I'm sure the girls figured we were never getting to the beach. When we arrived they couldn't get down to the sand fast enough.

And that is where they spent the next three days building sand castles, digging forts, chasing birds, and enjoying the waves lick their feet and legs.

After all day on the beach in the sun we went exploring around the natural parks in white sand of the dunes.

Roo enjoyed the sand most and would sit for hours sifting it through her fingers. Her olive skin quickly bronzed in the sunshine and she held on tight to fingers as the waves raced up and down the shoreline after her.

Miss Rosie slumbered away with the sounds of the ocean lulling her to sleep. Poor baby endured a tiny sunburn on her face the first day and I felt like a rotten mother for the rest of the trip. She kept on smiling though.

This girl belongs at the beach with her long limbs and bleached hair. She was brave in the waves and turned out to be quite the digger. She also has an eye for finding the most perfect shells.



And then there is my adventurous one. Chasing seagulls, climbing to the top of the lighthouse with her dad, digging digging digging, and finally touching a Portugese Man of War to endure a stinging finger for hours.

Our whole trip we ate good! My secret? An app call iWant. I have been sold on it since my little trip to San Diego a year ago.

Shrimp and Grits at Fisherman's Corner

As for Easy and I - I'm pretty sure we didn't stop smiling the entire time. It was so magical having no agenda, snuggling our chickies nonstop, and exploring the south together.

If we are still in Arkie next spring you might just find us in the Perdido Key again!

Goodbyes from condo balcony.