Happy Birthday AMERICA

Wow this summer is flying by and I have hardly found anytime to make a post! I miss it so much. I have a fun new bread recipe I will be sharing later this week.   I just wanted to check in and post a few pics from our 4th of July. I hope you had a fun and special day! We took our kids to the parade and then had a BBQ with friends in the evening and watched a big firework show.   I am proud to be an AMERICAN!  

5 minute afternoon s'mores

Can we officially call it summer? It has been raining a lot and I don't know about you, but I have the camping BLUES!

One of my favorite summer night activities has to be sitting around the camp fire with family and friends and enjoying a good old fashioned s'more.

 

This afternoon I was craving them so bad so I had to whip up a quick batch! Here is my recipe for 5 minute oven s'mores, in case you don't have a blazing fire handy. (Insert wink here).

 

 

 

LET THEM BE LITTLE: Tricks to taking better pictures of your children

Over the last few years I have been learning more and more about photography. I started really loving photography after food blogging and learning how to stage pretty pictures and work with natural light. The more I used those tricks on my food, the more they spilled over into my other "everyday life" photography. The pictures of my kids started looking better. I wanted to share these tricks with you, so that you can better document the life around you that you never want to forget!  

Raspberry rhubarb delight

Comfort food at it's finest, with a twist. My original rhubarb crisp recipe is from my Grandma, the flavors are tart with a sweet crispy crunch from the oat and brown sugar topping.

I planned to make this recipe for my brother on his birthday, but when I noticed I was out of a few of the ingredients, I improvised and realized that I loved the result so much I had to document it! 

If you have some guests coming for dinner, this dessert is a sure crowd pleaser.

It was a special compliment to me when my brother walked in and said "Hmmmm it smells so good in here Em, it smells like Grandma's house"...

15 minute Wonton Tacos

 

 

Are you ready for the quickest taco dinner you have ever made? These are so easy and such a fun twist on regular hard shell tacos. In just 15 minutes your kitchen will be filled with the scents of cilantro and lime, and your table set up for a colorful family fiesta!  

Rosemary and Lemon cream scones

These scones are delightful! After making two batches this week and sharing with friends, I knew I wanted to document this gem of a recipe and share with you!

Hope you enjoy them as much as I did.

Spinach and asparagus pasta with white wine cream sauce

 

This is a quick dish with a classy taste. You will have dinner whipped up in less than 20 minutes and there's a little something for everyone.

 

 

No bake carrot pudding pots

 

 

These little nuggets of fun are perfect for a quick treat or spring dessert. Kids can help make them and they are sure to be a hit!

Crafting with kids- DIY 3 ingredient ornaments

 

 

Crafting with kids: easy Easter egg paper art

  Welcome to day 3 of my Crafting with kids week, gearing up for Easter this Sunday. Did you see our paper daffodil flowers or butterfly snack baggies? My little man has come down with a cold, so we have been spending our mornings around the kitchen table with construction paper, glue sticks, paints, and anything we can find to help us create. It has been so much fun and it has definitely boosted his spirits.   Today we made some Easter art for the refrigerator, and a small banner with eggs and bunnies. There are endless possibilities for this art! We used all paper but using ribbons, yarn, watercolor painted paper or finger painting would be so cute as well. Have fun and let your kiddos use their imagination!

Crafting with kids: DIY butterfly snack bag

 

Today is day 2 of my week of Easter crafts. Be sure and check in with me on my INSTAGRAM so you don't miss out on any extra goodies I may only post on that account.

I am having so much fun already making extra time to craft with my little ones. If the words "craft" or "DIY" scare you, fear not! These are simple activities that I have my 2 1/2 and 5 year old doing mostly themselves.

I love giving my children reasons to use their imagination and creativity. In this day and age there is so much brain drain with TV, electronics and toys with instant gratification and entertainment.

I love to watch my children's faces as homemade projects come together and they are so proud of their work.

 

DIY Easter daffodil kids craft

 

 

This morning my little man woke up with a cough, so we cancelled our busy day and stayed home. He still has lots of energy so I thought it would be really fun to make some Easter crafts. We started out with some paper daffodils, and we had so much fun. We wanted to show you how, so you can make some too!

 

Creamy broccoli medley

 

 

Recipe: Creamy Broccoli cheese medley

Recipe source: Emmy in her Element

 

Better than store bought ALMOND ROCA

 I promise you this almond roca is better than the kind you get at Christmas from your work office party! And the best part is, it is super easy to make at home! Only 4 ingredients and you will have a batch whipped up to share with friends or hoard for yourself (like me).  

DIY baby shower on a dime!

This past weekend I hosted a baby shower for a sweet friend of mine. She is the most beautiful girl, inside and out. She is a strong mother who has quiet a story to tell. I was excited to share this special day with her. I wanted to share with you how I put together this party start to finish in case you are hosting and need some ideas!   Luckily Rachel agreed to let me take her maternity photographs so that I could design my own invitation. This was really fun and I loved the practice! Here are a few of my favorites...

DIY easy yarn tassel for decorating

 

This past weekend I hosted a baby shower for my friend. Being the thrifty chick I am, I tried to make as many decorations from scratch as possible, saving me money and giving my party a unique and original look.

Sweet cherry Pocket Pies

 

 

Recipe: Sweet cherry pocket pies

Recipe source: Emmy in her Element

 

What you'll need:

1 can cherry pie filling

1 batch homemade pie dough or store bought dough

{For homemade dough you will need: 2/12 cups all purpose flour, 1 cup Crisco shortening, 1 teaspoon salt, and about 8 tablespoons ice water}

1 beaten egg

 

A heart shaped cookie cutter

 

Free Baby shower invitation template and floral wreath clip art

 

  Good morning friends! I have been busy designing a little invitation for a baby shower I am throwing in a few weeks. After making it, I decided I would clean up my version and make a generic card for you to use if you want!

Anniversary Questionnaire

Today is my anniversary! My handsome is taking me out to breakfast and I had an idea come to mind about starting a new tradition. I thought it would be fun to come up with a little "Anniversary Questionnaire" to document feelings from each year shared together. Feel free to (right click) save this to your picture library and print for your own use. I think it will be really fun to go back and read these memories when we are 80. Ok by then we will probably rather have a nap.  

Luscious Layer Bars

 

 

Want to know what treat I have been making lately that I can't keep my hands off of? These delicious layer cookie bars that are full of chewy sweet addictive flavors! I mean, anything with chocolate, butterscotch and a sweet caramel topping can't be bad right?

These are super easy to make, and sure to gobbled up at any party or event you take them to.