Valentine's Day treats and a bit about love.

But the fruit of the Spirit is love, joy, peace,patience, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, gentleness, self-control.  Galations 5:22

A huge part of sharing our love for each other is making things.  For some it is big things, like building a house, or making it into a home, others smaller like baking and cooking for each other, building swing sets for our littles to play on etc...  Since making things takes love, kindness and patience, why are we led to believe that Valentine's Day is about BUYING things?  I love flowers, don't get me wrong, but these jewelry commercials can take a hike!  (that's what birthdays are for) heehee, only kidding, I'm kind of not into expensive jewelry, as I prefer cute costume jewelry from target, etsy and on rare occasion jcrew and anthro.  Anyway,   when we were little it felt so great to give homemade gifts, so when did that feeling end?  For me I don't think it has,  I love making, baking, and all things re-used.  My point is, I hope we can show our loved ones more peace, love, kindness, gentleness, and LESS commercialized things.  For Jeff I grabbed his favorite licorice candy at fleet farm because I found his stash and ate it, so I felt guilty...  I also baked him delicious sugar cookies with butter cream cheese frosting.  He will be thrilled, and I loved making them.  I do NOT have self control when these are around.  

Super soft sugar cookie recipe

1 cup butter softened

1 cup sugar

1 large egg

1.5 tsp almond or vanilla extract

Combine above ingredients in bowl

3 cups flour

1.5 tsp baking powder

.5 tsp salt

mix these ingredients together and combine with sugar mixture 

measure flour carefully or you will have dry dough.

roll out dough on wax paper, and use a canning jar lid to cut into thick circles.  Bake at 350 for 10 minutes.  

Frosting

1 stick butter softened

4 oz cream cheese softened

1 tsp vanilla extract

4 drops food coloring

2-3 cups powder sugar

mix together and frost

I have never refrigerated my cream cheese frosting, it is always fine for a day.  I googled it and you get both sides of the story!  Enjoy!

My son and niece in my studio! xoxo

Play dough and living intentionally as a mother.

Today after I picked my smallest child up from his auntie's house, I looked in the rearview mirror at him, and just couldn't stop staring, staring at the wonder in his eyes as he looked out the window, him glancing up at me and smiling.  I felt a rush of sadness, even though he is smiling, why would I feel sad?!  I guess that's the thing about being a mom, you literally wear your heart on your sleeve.  I felt sad because every day I tell my kids I love them, and I make dang sure they have a good day, and happy life, but am I doing enough to make our time together memorable?  Is reading books, tickling, and doing puzzles memorable?  I don't really think so, I think it's fun, it's part of being a good mom and spending time with them.  But what I want to do is create lasting memories that are just a step out of the ordinary, like buying balloons just because, and having silly photo shoots in our pajamas, making play dough, using all of the kitchen utensils to cut out gingerbread families, or playing Ninja together.  (not ninja turtles, I am talking about a weird 4th grade boy game where you pretend karate chop each other, but after using whichever limb to do so, it is frozen, leaving you to hop around looking like a fool, pretend karate chopping with no legs, and one arm, yep- told ya it was weird) but by doing this, it creates time for us to talk more, and time for me to slow down as a mom and cherish their littleness. 

I adore the above image of two of my sons feeling the warm play dough, they were so anxious to play.

 I have felt a great peace come across me lately.  I know they will get big, I've just now became okay with that as long as I know with every piece of me that I cherished them when they were little.  I prayed for this peace in my heart, because I have been uneasy watching my baby turn 5, wondering if I'll ever have a baby or toddler again. 

 p.s  Thank you children's place for making such cute footie jammies in size 5T, and they are on mega clearance, $6 each after coupon codes + free shipping!

This play dough it super silky and smells great!  
In a sauce pan, mix 1.5 c water, 1.5 c flour, 1/2 c salt, 2 tsp cream of tarter, 2 Tbls vegetable oil.  Stir constantly on medium high, adding food coloring and essential oils as desired.  (if you don't use have essential oils, use vanilla or orange extract.  Remove from heat once dough is forming and pulling off the sides of the pan.  

I thrift for treasures.

Okay, so maybe they are not real treasure, but you never really know when you may find one!  I love thrifting.  You can find the most adorable, affordable and great finds for only a few bucks.  I wanted to share some of my favorite finds.  There are so many more, but these were near me.  ( I am not a junk collector)  there is a HUGE difference!  Check out these adorable genuine leather bags I found recently.  The cross body fossil purse is brand new with tags.  I payed $8 and found it on zappos for $128.

This Lane wicker love seat I picked up for $25 it was tan with floral cushions.  I spray painted it, and made slip covers for the cushions, I just love how modern it is.  I picked up the striped fabric at Walmart for $5 per yard.  The total cost of sofa, paint, and fabric was $65. 

Just today I went to the salvation army in Fridley and found this 1967 model Polaroid 250 land camera, complete with bulbs for flash, and film.  I payed $19.99.  It is in mint condition and as a photographer it is so fun for me to play around with a piece of history.  I mean, who's was this, where did they live, and what kind of amazing moments were captured by this beauty?  Those questions seriously go through my head!  It is 100% manual, you tear the film out, and let it sit,  after a few minutes you peel it apart and have a beautiful image!  You would be surprised the quality these old camera have.  I have an old Polaroid 600se that is my favorite instant, and also my new Hasselblad 501c, which I have yet to get my film scans back.  Both of which I found on craigslist and ebay.

And of course one of my favorite thrift store finds is old frames.  This one had a awful painting in it, but I saw the beauty, brought it home, and put a coat of gold spray paint on and it is now my favorite thing in our home!  Photos are by the lovely Gina Zeidler.  They are printed by Artifact Uprising.  

There are so many great reasons to buy used, and recycle and re love vintage things.  I will always love the thrill of finding treasures.  Our family is heading to Naples in a few weeks for vacation, and I am really looking forward to checking out the thrift stores there!  YAY.

double delicious chocolate cake

If you are anything like me, you will drool just by looking at this chocolatey goodness!  Apparently when I was a baby, I refused my baby food, so my mom gave in and fed me pudding.  Thanks mom, I will forever be grateful!  Sometimes on cold days, I walk into the kitchen and throw a cake together.  You almost always have the ingredients, sugar + cocoa = chocolate incase you are ever in a pinch, and a few other ingredients of course!  Here is a recipe I have had trials and errors with, and now it is perfection.  Enjoy

cake: 1 3/4 cups flour
          2 cups sugar
          3/4 cup cocoa powder
          2 tsp baking soda
          1 tsp baking powder
          1 tsp salt
          1 cup sour cream or greek yogurt 
          1/2 cup vegetable oil or applesauce
          2 large eggs
          1 tsp vanilla extract
          1 cup freshly brewed hot coffee
preheat oven to 350, line two 8 inch round cake pans with parchment paper, and butter them, also dust with flour.  Mix dry ingredients together in one bowl, and wet in the other, mix both well, then mix together.  Add hot fresh brewed coffee, mix until fully incorporated.  Split batter into pans, and bake for 35 minutes. Let cakes cool for 30 minutes in the pan.  
frosting:  2 blocks of cream cheese (softened)
                1 stick of butter (softened, not melted)
                1/4 cup cocoa powder 
                1/2 cup melted semi sweet chocolate chips
                2 cups powder sugar
                1 tsp vanilla extract
Whip these ingredients together with a mixer, and set aside.
When the cake is fully cooled, tip out of pan, peel of parchment paper, and frost, add 2nd layer, frost full cake, sprinkle and enjoy!

Food photo tip- stick your lens in manual focus, and have fun.  I love the bokeh that the sprinkles created in these images!  

WINNER

Well, 4 entered so the odds were pretty good.  Random.org drew #3 Melanie Egge.  Melanie, enjoy your new bottle of Lavender oil!  xo, Crystal

A cowboy Steak dinner with tomato relish!

Do you want to make your significant other fall in love with you all over again?  Make this!  You will not be disappointed.  (and if you are, you are not my kind of person) kidding!  There is zero chance of disappointment! 

Recipe for two:
1 large new york strip steak, or 2 small.
cherry tomatoes
jalapeño pepper
purple onion
balsamic vinegar
ground coffee
ground coriander seed
cilantro
lime
*side dish 
I chose to use up some pesto on noodles.  They were delish.

Directions

Tomato relish:

Wash and dice up a small container of tomatoes, chop your jalapeño, deseeding for less heat, chop 1/2 purple onion, chop a 1/4 cup cilantro.  Throw all ingredients into medium bowl with about 1/4 cup balsamic vinegar, 1 Tbls olive oil, a squeeze of lime juice, and salt & pepper to taste.  Let this sit and get happy while you cook the steaks.

cowboy steak:

In a small bowl, mix 1/8 cup ground coffee, 2 Tbls ground coriander, 1 Tbls corse pepper and a dash of sea salt.  Rub this into both sides of your steak.  Make sure to massage it into it pretty well. Preheat your oven to 375.  Heat up your  ovenproof skillet on high with a few Tbls of oil, then sear the steak on both sides to lock in the juicyness and flavor.  ( about 30 sec on each side)  Now put your steak and ovenproof pan in the oven for about 10 minutes, depending on the thickness of the steak.  We eat ours medium rare.     Slice up your steak and scoop your tomato relish on top.  Add a pesto noodle side dish and there you have it, my favorite dinner!  The first time my husband made it for me, I told him I want this to be my birthday dinner for the rest of my life!  It was love at first taste.  (note- I made a lot of tomato relish for this photo, because I ate half of it waiting for the steak)  

Fun and affordable finds.

I love finding inspiring finds on the internet that don't break the bank, and make you feel great! These scripture cards from http://laracaseyshop.com are the perfect little things to have on your desk or give to friends!  I just ordered myself a set, and can't wait to get them! I met Lara at Pursuit 31 last fall and heard her speak, she is so inspiring and really does make things happen!  She also has some beautiful free phone/computer wallpaper downloads available. http://laracaseyshop.com.  I chose the anchor one, shown here.

I also adore these super huge balloons from https://www.shopsweetlulu.com they are perfect for photo shoots or fun for any occasion.  I have ordered the 36" circle ones before and had pictures with my sons taken at our local county fair.  Photo credit: Nicole Lasse, Special Focus Photography.  These cost only $6 each.  (beware, find an affordable place to get them filled with helium, as some charge and arm and leg)

Next is this beautiful wood calendar from Artifact Uprising.  They cost $28.99 and are simply lovely.  http://www.artifactuprising.com  I am due for a new one!

I hope you enjoy these things as much as I do.  The three shops listed above are all amazing businesses,  with great people behind the products!