coffee treats

A friend of mine gave me a one cup bialetti espresso maker at my baby shower after Ezra was born, and it has been everything a new mother of three should have.(or mother of one, or two, or 10 for that matter.) I've been making iced coffee with it since we are in the middle of a heat wave. So delicious. Also, this homemade biscotti goes with it perfectly. Want to come over?

Biscotti
1/4 cup lt olive oil
3/4 cup white sugar
2 tsp vanilla extract

1/2 tsp almond extract
2 eggs
1 3/4 cup flour
1/4 tsp salt
1 tsp baking powder

Cranberries pistachios chocolate chips whatever
Preheat oven 350. Mix oil and sugar well. Add vanilla and almond extract. Beat in eggs. Mix dry ingredients well. Gradually stir into egg mixture. Mix cranberries and pistachios by hand.
Divide dough in 1/2 and form 2 logs 2" x 12" If dough is sticky wet hands with cool water.
Bake on parchment paper cookie sheet. Bake 35 minutes or til
light brown. Remove from oven and cover with kitchen towel. This helps the tops not crack, set aside for 10 minutes.
Reduce oven to 275. Cut logs on diagonal.
(Slow pressure when you are cutting makes for smooth edges) One inch thick, lay on side on the parchment paper cookie sheet again. Bake again 8 - 10 minutes until dry, cool : )

this moment

this moment- a friday ritual. A single photo no words- capturing a moment of the week. A simple, special, extraordinary moment. A moment I want to pause, savor and remember.
Amanda Soule

farmers market goodness

We like to go down to our local farmers market on Saturday mornings for meet with folks and buy the goods all around us. I haven't really gotten a full grasp on eating local,( I love Costco) or organic.


Don't get me wrong, I love getting our milk eggs bread and produce and even body care locally, but there are still a few staples that I get elsewhere. I'm very happy with the balance. And so are our bodies and wallets.


Do you guys go for organics? How about local goods?

GOOP

I have been enjoying Gwyneth's website more, and more. Especially the food videos.
Oh and the fashion section.
I absolutely love the bedroom she had designed for her kids in a vacation spot.

She's in the August issue of Vogue looking as wonderful as usual.
Do you like Gwyneth Paltrow as much as I do?

hiding out

We are staying inside for as much of today as I can.
Mostly because its over 90 degrees out. But also, because after a busy weekend, our neglected house needs some reworking.
Also, I scored a free couch that has some nice lines. So my mom is schooling me on upholstery.
I hope to have a before and after picture sometime this week.

Also have you seen Mila's day dreams?

8 months yesterday

Ez is on hyper drive, he would like to skip walking and go straight to running. Would someone please tell him crawling is enough. really.

why?

Ten of the worlds strangest snacks.

I'm sorry. I just thought you should see it.

our nanna had a birthday

We love her so much! She threw herself a birthday party, and we all celebrated another year for her and the fact that she now lives here with us in Idaho!! We are a spoiled crew. She bends over backward for us every chance she gets. God couldn't have blessed with a better mother or friend.

nursery inspiration

As I get close to finializing ideas for a nursery redo, I feel the need to hold off. We are contemplating finishing our attic space. This could mean two new bedrooms. If this were possible, I'd be able to set up a girls room and a boys room completely separate from each other. I could then be gender specific and more, and more doors open. All kinds of new fun can be had.
What types of idea do you like, or have you used?

photo found here

Happy Weekend!

We have baby showers and birthday parties to attend this weekend. And of course we'll walk to the farmers market, and peruse the aisles for fresh produce, local food, and goods. Its become such a favorite. How do you plan to spend your weekend?

(photo of our hike two weeks ago at a nearby park)

strawberry salad

So much of this salad is being consumed over here. Strawberries and fresh greens are in season, so it makes getting this to the table super easy. We also add grilled chicken if we feel like bulking it up. It equals super delish. That's all I'm sayin. Also you should try it some time.

Strawberry salad

fresh washed baby greens
1 pint of ripe strawberries cut into small pieces
1 cup of whole walnuts
2 oz a fresh chevre

Balsamic vinaigrette

2 T honey
1 T Dijon mustard
3 T balsamic vinegar
1/3 c olive oil
salt and pepper to taste

Oh I forgot to mention, that I made the cheese in this picture. Sounds grand, but really it was a little less that satisfactory. I'll try again another time.

summer fun

We are off to the beach today. In my mind this is the perfect beach. Yes, its the island of Capri. This is not where we are going. But I think we'll have a grand time anyhow.

Hope you have some summer fun today too!

cousins

Aren't they darling?

shoe love

love these soaps

Orchard Farm soaps is a company run out of Idaho. They make soaps, candles, lip balms and lotion bars. The soaps smell delicious, and use only the best ingredients. Here is her Etsy shop.

Portland, we like you

We went to Portland for what seems to be our annual fourth of July trip out west. We stayed at a fun little hotel on the river with a warm little pool very close to where we planned on worshiping Sunday morning. I was lucky enough to get a latte from Stumptown, which is right next to the Ace hotel. One of these days we'll try to stay there. Maybe.

Want to know a great place to eat? Pine State Biscuits! If you are in the Portland area, run, don't walk here people. Order the McIsley. You won't be sorry. We also ate at the Doug Fir again. ( we always do) I made the mistake of not ordering the smoked salmon hash. :( Shame on me.

Shame on me.

We had an awesome time, but coming home is always sweet.