February 11, 2015

Valentine’s Day Menus

While everyone is giving you templates for Valentine’s Day Cards ( Oh gosh how I love them!), I’m here to give you templates for Valentine’s Meals you can cook at home. Valentine’s Day is on a Saturday and that means you can take the time and put love into the food you make. You can save a ton of money and not have to worry about parking. There also isn’t a restaurant pushing you out so they can get the next group of lovers/diners in. Take your time…light a candle…make things romantic and watch a movie while you’re at it.

I’m pairing food with movies. It gets weird. Just go with it.

recipes

February 9, 2015

Brownie Roll-Out Cookies

Sometimes you just need to roll out some dough…you know?

And sometimes you need to melt some chocolate and turn it into art.

Edible art! These cookies come from The Smitten Kitchen Cookbook. Deb has shown us how to make a brownie that’s a cookie and a cookie that’s a brownie. I picked this recipe because it’s a perfect way to knock out 36 little treats if you have some little party or school function for Valentine’s this week. I made these little sandwich cookies two years ago and last year these cinnamon sugar hearts (made with tortillas!) were a real hit. But really, how can one resist chocolate and sprinkles?

Inspiration

February 8, 2015

And I Quote:

my everyday life, Photography

February 7, 2015

My Everyday Life: Week 6

Here’s what this past week looked like:

I love purple. I found a lot of it this week.

Purple + Pink

The sky was pinkish purple.

Find the crack.

The one that’s not like the others.

Knocker.

February 6, 2015

I love lists, Friday!

This 30 Day Minimalism Program interests me!
Someone please make me this constellation table runner? Thanks.
Coconut Curry Mussels. DANG.
Creepiest things to do on Facebook. Oh boy.
I’ve always wanted to make my own preserved lemons.
I can’t believe people don’t know who Missy Elliot is.
44 Worst People in Every Restaurant
These struggles were REAL. I can’t believe Cooper will never know them.
Frances McDormand is my hero.
This is pretty sweet.
You had me at ALMOND!
These homemade Valentines are CYOOOOOT!
I liked reading this interview about couples in the kitchen!
Currently craving these enchiladas.
How much sleep do you need? Also- How to wake up earlier.
Do you think you could take the No Jeans Challenge for two weeks? I’d do it!
Some helpful tips on how to make grocery shopping easier (NUMBER TWO–I forget ALL THE TIME)
How the Pomodoro Method can help your work week!
Why Millennials don’t want to buy stuff. (a very good/fascinating read)
If only you could have seen the smile on my husband’s face when we watched this.

There’s a new Joy the Baker Podcast!!! We recorded while we were on the cruise ship– Check out the Captain’s Log(s)! It’s weird…and weird things happen to you when you don’t step foot on land for a few days. Enjoy!

Also! This week I’m on the Elise Gets Crafty Podcast sharing how I’ve Built/Struggled with Creating Creative Routines

recipes

February 5, 2015

Super Quick Garbanzo Bean Salad

Fun Fact: I have a can of garbanzo beans in my filing cabinet at work because you never know when you’re gonna need some protein in the afternoon or in your lunch salad! I also happen to have a small jar of red wine vinegar and olive oil. Oh! And of course I have a can opener…Always! If you mix the garbanzo beans (I try to rinse them in a bowl at work!) with a little bit of vinegar, oil, salt & pepper (here I added chopped parsley!), you can make yourself a very satisfying protein packed/gluten free/vegan snack in the afternoon. Maybe next time I’ll bring a lemon to work…and a jar of marinated artichokes…

To see more of my Thursday Snack Ideas, follow my Pinterest Board!

recipes

February 4, 2015

Bittersweet Chocolate Malted Milkshakes

New recipe alert! Bittersweet Chocolate Malted Milkshakes

After being with my husband for almost 16 years, (married for 9 this March!) the one thing I’ve learned above all else is that it’s so important to you / your relationship to make time for each other. When there are ebbs, the only thing that will make things flow again is open communication and making your relationship your #1 priority.

A few years ago, my friend Ashley and her husband Gabe of Not Without Salt started a series online called Dating My Husband where they made a meal + cocktail for a date night at home together after putting their kids to bed. Chances are you’ve already seen their inspirational posts but now they’ve turned their concept into a book— Date Night In: More than 120 Recipes to Nourish Your Relationship. I think it’s FABULOUS. Every chapter gives you the blueprints for an entire dinner, dessert and cocktail!!! After reading this book, you’ll be reminded that dating your spouse/loved one at home is such a healthy/ helpful way to celebrate the relationship you have and grow it into something more. It’s also extra special if you have children because you’re creating a space and time together where you can have open dialogue without constant interruptions. Those interruptions can make things so dang complicated!

Every Valentine’s Day, we opt to have dinner at home. It’s an easier, much more intimate experience, not to mention it costs us way less and we’re in charge of our own time. I usually come up with some type of grilled meat situation and potatoes while dessert is always something chocolatey. This malted milkshake from the Date Night In cookbook is phenomenal and would be such a great way to end a dinner of Chicken Parmesan and Creamed Spinach. In the book, Ashley pairs it with her special burger and baked onion rings (yum!).

The malted shake rich and creamy and so indulgently decadent. The shot of espresso (I didn’t have espresso powder) adds a nice richness and depth to the chocolate ganache. Oh! There’s malt powder up in the mix and I smashed a few Whoppers and added them to the top because more is MORE!

Milkshakes are definitely my husband’s love language. Garlic bread is mine 🙂