3 years ago today...

Three years ago today I married my best friend. 

 

I look at this picture and smile, remembering the amazing day we shared with family and friends. It's hard to believe how quickly the time has gone, but at the same time, it feels like we've been married for a lifetime. The last three years have been an adventure I never could have imagined, and I wouldn't change a single moment. Peter, I am so thankful for your love, your support, and your endless patience....particularly when it comes to picking up scraps of fabric, thread, and ribbon...or washing essentially waterproof bowls of butter cream frosting. :-) I could not ask for a more perfect partner. I love you!

"Tomorrow morning if you wake up
And the future is unclear,

I will be here." 

-Steven Curtis Chapman

Faux Chocolate Bunnies

Here comes Peter Cottontail, hoppin' down the bunny trail :-)

With the Easter Bunny on his way, I'm sure we would all appreciate a calorie-free treat!  

 

These little cuties are made of an inexpensive fabric (left over from a costume I made for my sister) that I painted "chocolate" brown. This was a really quick and easy craft, which made it even more enjoyable! One tip I have to share: Be sure you enlarge the pattern enough..the smaller bunny was really hard to stuff. I used the basic pattern from here, but ignored the legs to make the bunnies look more like their chocolate cousins. 

They almost look good enough to eat!

I think I'm going to try some Peeps and eggs next...hopefully before Easter, hehe.

Hippity Hoppity Easter's on its way!

Hazelnut Mocha Cupcakes

With only two people in our home, I find it difficult to try many of the recipes I would like to...because I don't want to be the one to eat it all! Now, I've got a pretty big family, many of whom are more than willing to help me out here...but there are only so many occasions to make cupcakes and sweets.

Well,  thanks to my high school science teacher, I've fallen into a lovely situation! I now have my very own group of "taste testers!" My sister is taking a class taught by my Mrs. D and I asked if she would like to bring something in to share with her friends. Well many of them loved it and the teacher said any time I want to bring something in...the kids would be thrilled to eat it. (Surprise, surprise!) Well I hope Mrs. D knows what she's getting herself into! I can now make whatever I want and don't have to worry about who to send it to! Yippy! I can't even tell you how excited this makes me.

I've had these cupcakes in my head for a while now and finally had the chance to make them....and send them far far away from my home. Now, I'm not ready to share the recipe just yet. They were good, really good...but they still need some work. For now, just enjoy some calorie-free eye candy! 

 I promise to share the recipe as soon as it's done! Promise! 

Covered Button Earrings

It's amazing outside! 65 degrees and sunny....SO much better than yesterday's 35 and raining! I'd much rather 75, but I'll take what I can get ;-)  I can't wait to sit on the playground and let the kids go wild! It's been way too long since we've been able to play outside. Waaaayyy too long! 

What are you going to do on this beautiful day?!

I'm getting back into the swing of my crafting after a MAJOR organizing month! I gutted closets, donated bags and bags of clothes, and bought Target out of baskets and giant plastic bins. I decided to get my Spring Cleaning done early so I can actually enjoy the Spring! I always feel like it goes by too quickly and I don't get to enjoy the warm...before the HEAT returns. So this year, I've cleaned, I've organized, and now I'm ready to spend my evenings sitting outside with an iced tea and a good book. 

Success!

I have been mildly obsessed with covered buttons this week. I have been trying all different ribbons, fabrics, and laces. Pete's probably super sick of my scraps by now. hehe What a patient man. 

The Pretty in Pink earrings below are actually made from some fabric left over from our wedding decorations.

And I have a pair of the Tiffany Blues on right now!

Thoughts?

Low Fat Banana Nut Cookies

So last week I made a claim that I found "The One." The best low fat cookie I had ever tasted. One worthy of my time and the calories. Well friends, I'm pleased to say that this next recipe is the Mother of all Low Fat cookies. I mean WOW. These babies are so good I decided not to tell hubby they were low fat and he didn't suspect a thing! They are seriously addictive though, so be warned.

(Secretly) Low Fat Banana Nut Cookies

(Recipe adapted from Skinnytaste.com) 

• 1 cup all purpose flour (Wheat/White mix worked well)
  
• 1 tsp baking powder
• 1/2 tsp baking soda
• 1/2 tsp salt
• 1/2 tsp ground cinnamon
• 2 tbsp light butter, room temperature
• 1/2 cup sugar
• 1/2 cup unpacked brown sugar
• 1 large egg
• 1/3 cup mashed ripe banana
• 1/2 tsp vanilla extract
• 2 cups quick oats
• 3/4 cup chopped walnuts
• 1/2 cup dark chocolate chips
  

Preheat oven to 350°; line two baking sheets with parchment paper or use a silpat.

In a medium bowl, whisk together flour, baking powder, baking soda, salt and cinnamon.

In a large bowl, with a mixer, cream together the butter and the sugars on medium speed.  

Add the egg, followed by the mashed banana and vanilla extract.

Working by hand, stir in the flour mixture and the oats until just combined and no streaks of flour remain; stir in the chopped walnuts.

Drop heaping tablespoonfuls of the dough onto prepared baking sheets. Bake for about 10-12 minutes, or until cookies become light brown at the edges.

Let cool on baking sheet for 3 or 4 minutes, then transfer to a wire rack to cool completely.

Store in an airtight container so you don't eat them all in one sitting!

Makes about 30 cookies.

I only made a few changes from the original...The little bit of chocolate is almost necessary :-) And the light butter evens it out, right? hehe I would love to see a little more banana taste, so I'm going to try an extract for next time....I'll let you know how it goes!

You absolutely MUST try these today! 

I'm not kidding. 

Do it. 

:-)