Beauty in the Simple

I came across this blog not too long ago...and was just stunned at the beautiful photography...let alone the amazing recipes.  It just makes me feel relaxed every time I look at it.  

The other day while SW was napping... J asked me to make some cookies....we didn't have a whole lot of time...so ....I decided these French Breakfast Puffs would be the perfect substitute....not too many ingredients, not too time consuming, and yet something that would be easy enough to allow my toddler to participate.

We had so much fun making these little guys together.  In fact while dipping the finished puffs in the melted butter, J told me he wanted to be a chef and needed a hat!

I'm so glad I stumbled upon El's blog.  I love how she can make even the simplest things beautiful.  And even more beautiful are her sentiments.  When I read her post about these muffins, she mentioned how important she thought it was to invite your children to bake alongside you in the kitchen.  I couldn't agree more.  I hope my children will learn to love to create with their hands and I hope our time together in the kitchen will be something they remember for a lifetime.

Hoppy Valentine's Day!

Our Valentine's Day this year was pretty low key....I hate to admit...but the sleep deprivation forced me into "store-bought" Valentine's mode this year.  Uggghhhhh I normally love making Valentine's with the kids...but this year we changed it up a bit...and went for the good old store bought...and of course the kids loved it just the same!  S did, however, bring these home-made cookies to share with her classmates!  Chocolate cookies seemed the perfect cookie for Valentine's Day!

It's raining BOYS!

Seems like we have been celebrating lots of baby boys these days!!! These cookies were for a baby boy shower!  One day I was oohing and ahhing over one of my favorite cookie blogs, and I fell in love with the colors of these cookies.  I had to try them out myself!  Still think I like Bea's colors better....but these turned out pretty cute!  Check out Bea's blog....her work is amazing!!!!!

Congratulations to this new mama to be!  Your world will be turned upside down before you know it...and you will be completely in love!

I am already head over heels over my new little guy...

and who can resist these baby feet?:)

A new kind of sweet...

So I am a "sweetaholic"....love all things sweet.
Chocolate chip cookies are probably at the top of the list....
Followed by warm fudgy brownies accompanied with a scoop of vanilla Haagen Daz.
And of course in addition to eating these things... I love to bake them!
I could spend hours in my kitchen....rolling out cookie dough....
Decorating cookies with an assortment of frosting colors....
Kneading dough for cinnamon rolls....
Making S's favorite mini cinnamon muffins
When the kids are in bed...my kitchen is where you will normally find me.

I love all things sweet.  But today I get to introduce you to a new kind of sweet.
It's not something you eat....It's not even something I can make in my kitchen....
But it is definitely something made for me.

A few days ago we were blessed with this....

 Meet Mr. S

So, as you can see.... it looks like I will be doing a little less baking in the next few months and a little more baby duty.  Can't wait for this little guy to meet his big sister and big brother!

THREE

My favorite little guy turned THREE a few weeks back.  I still can't believe that my baby boy is sooo big!! We had a super fun train themed party....with cookies, cupcakes, cake....and a trip to a local eatery famous for the trains that bring you your meal!!! My little guy was in LOVE with this place!!!

And here is the special birthday boy....he is the cutest THREE year old I have ever seen!!!!

Hope you had a very special day....little J!!!

Saturday Breakfast...

Here's what we will be eating for breakfast tomorrow at our house...

Cranberry- orange muffins.....can you smell that citrusy orange zest???

It's been a cold and snowy week here in Kansas....I'm starting to get the winter blues...  Thought we needed something to "wake" us up...out of our normal breakfast rut!

I found the recipe on one of my favorite sites...And you can find many more fabulous recipes and creative tricks on Glory's blog.  These were so fun to make....and smelled so good...that even my little "non-fruit" eater begged me for some of the batter as we were mixing!

I think they might just be the perfect accompaniment with that morning cup of coffee!  Happy Weekend!

Mermaids

Whew... the holidays are over and my little guy's birthday has come and gone!  I think I can almost breathe now:)  So, I am just now getting to posting some cookies.  This order was for a very special little girl.  I have known Miss M's mama since I was in college.  Her mama is one of the sweetest, gentlest....kindest people I know.  We ended up teaching at the same school together for a bit....and she was the best mentor I could have asked for!  It seems like just yesterday that she was pregnant with Miss M.  But oh how time flies ...because Miss M just celebrated her 8th birthday... and I got to make her cookies!!! I was thrilled!

The birthday girl chose a mermaid cookie....I have wanted to make mermaids before but never found the right cutter and was a bit nervous to design my own.  Luckily I finally found the perfect mermaid shape I was looking for....and here is the end result!

I realized once I had sent the order off... that I hadn't taken good pictures of these cookies...I always like to get a few once they are tied in their bags and bows..  Maybe next time:)

Hope you had a TERRIFIC birthday Miss M!  Thanks for letting me be a part of your special day:)