Lifestyle
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Delight of the Month: February Flowers
If someone asked me to describe the smell and colors of LOVE, my response would be a Red Rose. This year, this month, my husband Dave and I celebrated our 20 year wedding anniversary. We have shared a life filled with ups and downs, 3 beautiful children, several moves to find our home, careers, frustrations, joys, laughs, and always Love. I still remember the moment I knew Dave was proposing to me. I had followed a series of clues that took me to places we had gone as we were dating, with the final clue leading to Kingsbury Hall in Salt Lake City where we had first met. It was…
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Flower arrangement of the Month: January
This year I’ll be falling for FLOWERS! What I mean is, that after posting a cookie of the month each month in 2024, I found that I enjoyed this little challenge of sharing something in a bit different category than crochet each month so this year will be a year full of monthly flower arrangements. This is also the year of my 20th anniversary with my husband, Dave. Early into dating, Dave knew that he had a “girly girl” on his hands and that every occasion is a great one for flowers. He made it a point to spoil me frequently with bouquets including a GIANT bouquet of Red and…
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Exploring the Eastern Coast of Oahu
Our first day on Oahu, we discovered that one of the magical parts of a trip to Hawaii is in the beautiful drives all around the island. After landing in Honolulu and loading our luggage into our car, we made the drive along Highway 83 to the North Shore. With Jack Johnson playing and the windows rolled down, we breathed in the salty, misty air and felt the warmth of the island sun as we made our way along the winding, view filled highway roads. Coast lines and beaches, jungles and mountains, this drive enchanted us with our first views of Hawaii. We had dreamed of this and it truly…
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Merry Christmas!
One of the highlights of Christmas for me is to see the family pictures that my friends and family share as a Christmas card or an online update. For me, Christmas has always meant family, including the friends that we love so much that they become the family we choose for ourselves. This year, we hosted a Christmas morning pajama breakfast, followed by gift giving and stories shared around the Christmas tree. I also have felt more keenly aware this year of the friends and loved ones in my life who need my help and I hope I can always be responsive to the needs I see. This Christmas season…
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A beautiful Pearl
When grit becomes a beautiful Pearl, it’s time to celebrate!
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September Cookie of the Month: S’mores Bars
When the leaves are starting to rust and there’s a crisp and smoky scent in the air, the timing is perfect for a cozy campfire where friends and family gather around and share memories and stories in quiet tones that erupt into laughter. I will always cherish these campfire moments and the treat that so often brings everyone together. S’mores of course! I couldn’t really do a cookie of the month every month of the year without including one of everyone’s favorites. If you’re not a fan of S’mores yet. Come to my campfire and we’ll make you a believer. This version is actually a bar cookie so there’s no…
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Peaches and Cream Crumble Top cookies
Augusts Cookie of the Month highlights Peaches as the star of the show as they enter their crowning harvest season. This cookie starts with a Soda Shop cookie as the base. There are many recipes for these delicious cookies, so use your favorite one or follow the recipe below. If you love peaches as much as I do, these cookies might be about as irresistible as it gets. The soft and chewy sugar cookie balances the crisp, tartness of the Peaches, while the whipped cream frosting adds a rich creaminess and the sweet and nutty crumble topping brings a tiny reminder that Autumn is coming, so enjoy the last moments…
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The Perfect Party Sandwich for Every Occasion
Need to feed a crowd? Looking for great party appetizers? Want something simple and Delicious for a Holiday Gathering? What about if your kids or family are a little bit picky? Need to make something ahead to keep you your prep time simple? These amazingly delicious party sandwiches check all the boxes. They will keep your party planning simple and your guests will ask for the recipe. Trust me, you want to make these. Mini Baked Sandwiches 1 Package of Kings Hawaiian Rolls Deli sliced Turkey -Smoked Gouda Deli Sliced Black Forest Ham- Baby Swiss. Sauce: 2 Cubes Butter 4 TBSP Brown Sugar 2 TBSP Mustard, not dry 2 TBSP…
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Haleiwa, the surfer town of dreams
This summer, after a lifetime of wishing, our family was able to visit Hawaii for the first time. We spent a week on Oahu at the North Shore, and after hearing so much about what to expect and the many things not to miss, now we understand why everyone’s eyes light up when they talk about Oahu and the memories made there. I’ll share some of our adventures on Oahu here, and some of the experiences that we loved. Whether you’ve been for your first time or still hoping to make the trip, I hope you’ll enjoy the pictures and feel some of the Hawaiian magic. A Day in Haleiwa…
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Cookie of the Month for July: Retro Peanut Blossoms
Let’s keep it Classic this month by sticking to the basics. Nothing fancy, just a crumbly, chewy peanut butter cookie topped with chocolate. You might recognize these from your childhood. They’re an old recipe I grew up with and the pairing of chocolate and peanut butter is a match made in Heaven. These delicious treats will be a recipe you pull out of your recipe box again and again for their simple, pantry staple ingredients, quick baking with no chill time and crowd pleasing flair. They’re a little bit perfect, just like all retro throw backs. Don’t you think? Give them a try:) Ingredients: 1 3/4 cups All purpose Flour…
