favorite things

Loving Lately

Be My Vital-tine ❤️

Chocolates?

Flowers?

Nah, BUTTER. I can’t think of anything I’ve been loving lately more than Vital Farms butter. (#notsponsored) It’s smooth, creamy, and tastes so rich it makes Jeff Bezos the jelly. And if you haven’t been eating it, it’s because you don’t know any butter.

Quality is key…The ingredient list is simply this: cream (milk), and sea salt. That’s it. And the cream comes from pasture raised cows, which means they are able to graze on grassy pastures to their hearts content. The butter does not carry the “grass fed” label, but don’t let this discourage you! With their ethical efforts, Vital Farms focuses on humane treatment of the “ladies” and sometimes that means a diet including corn and hay for their well-being. Made on American farms in small batches, this butter carries the high butter fat content, (we now know promotes heart health) and is hormone and antibiotic free. It’s keto friendly, full of vitamins, and recent studies show grass fed butter may reduce the risk of heart disease. (#sponsorplease)

So if you’re trying to butter up your Valentine, I’d suggest Vital Farms (and I know butter than you). Granted it’s a little pricey at around $8 for a half pound, but you butter believe it’s worth it! You can find it at Whole Foods (the first to carry it), Kroger, Target, Walmart and even Amazon! And I want you to buy it, because it’s amazing (and I want them to lower the price).



P.S. If you’ve never topped your steak with a pat of butter, give it a try… It’s SO good. And I dare say, a tablespoon blended in your coffee isn’t just for KETO. It can increase brain function- now that’s love.

Last 2 image courtesy of a greeting card










Loving Lately

It’s holiday-season crunch time… the last inning… the homestretch… the- you get the point. Decorations are up. Plans are set. Presents are bought, made, and wrapped (well, in some homes- not mine yet). There’s only one thing left to do… eat! Which in reality is numerous things; shop, prep, cook, bake, serve, clean, etc. But don’t think you have to do it all by yourself. I love that these days we have so many easily accessible handcrafted options; just a click or phone call away! And if you’re looking to put dessert over the edge and wow your guests (even if it’s just your kids, because let’s face it, they are the most important), have I got a tip for you: Baking Bros!

Birch Buck Cake

You know I love my home state of Michigan. And there is nothing more I’d rather do than showcase local talent. Baking Bros, of Lansing Michigan, is loaded with it. Founders, Stephen (the recipe guru) and Andrew (decorator extraordinaire), began their side business baking for co-workers, friends, and family. Of course, with ability like this, it’s only fair that they let the rest of us have a turn in line.

BakingBros Starting Lineup! Funfetti, Chocolate Peanut Butter, Red Velvet, Carrot Cake, and Lemon Blueberry

If you catch the tagline on the Baking Bros Facebook Page, you will see that they are categorized as a “Cupcake Shop” -which is fantastic… but can I just take a moment to showcase these macarons? 

Grey and Gold Chocolate Macarons

Because, I think they could just as easily refer to themselves as a “Macaron Shop”. And incidentally, how cute would those be served at a New Year’s Eve party?

What about a Christmas ham?

Thanksgiving Ham Cake!

Just kidding. That’s cake.

Really, it’s colored fondant.

I swear!

It’s true that holidays are in the forefront this time of year, but as I have mentioned before this is also birthday season for many of my friends. And I actually wish one of my kids was having a birthday right now, because I have a great idea. It’s so good, I can taste it. And it tastes like dirt (just go with it). It sounds like hammer and chiseling. Or maybe brushing? It sounds like exactly whatever archeologists do on their sites; because we are digging for dinosaur fossils! (I don’t know about your kids, but my boys love dinosaurs.) For this hypothetical party, I would order some fake bones, from like Amazon or something, and bury them in the beach area of our back yard (a good sized sand box would work too.) I’d have to make up some wild story about how a T-Rex must have had an epic battle and ripped this [insert dinosaur name here] limb from limb! (How else would the pieces get scattered around?) I’d have a big tarp where we would lay out our pieces, as we tried to put the puzzle of bone shapes together. Eventually, after a successful dig and fossil assembly, we’d be starving… we would wash up, eat something tasty and sensible (TBD), and follow it up with the perfect cake. Can you see it? I can. It looks like this:

Dinosaur Dig!

Are you kidding me! Is that the cutest dinosaur cake you’ve ever seen? Yes, it is. And I am seriously going to order it, as soon as I can talk one of my kids into a dinosaur birthday party. Coincidentally, it is Andrew’s birthday today, the artistic genius behind that idyllic cake. Happy Birthday Andrew!

As much as I would love to plan this party (and I would), I need to focus. Christmas morning is almost here! And do you know what would make that morning extra special? A cup of freshly brewed coffee and these Double Iced CinnaMuffins from Baking Bros. If you are lucky enough to live in the mid-Michigan area, they deliver! (The rest of you keep on the look-out for shipping options in the future 😉 )

Double Iced CinnaMuffins

Thanks to Stephen and Andrew for being so fun to feature! 

For more information and ordering options check out:

Baking Bros

828 Powderhorn

Lansing, Michigan 48917

www.thebakingbros.com

(908) 246-2626

All images in this post are courtesy of Baking Bros. and used with permission

Loving Lately

This is the time of year that every baker (home and professional) thrives on. I get totally blown away by the creativity; the elaborate pie crusts… the eggnog flavored, well everything. If you are, or live with a baker, you totally understand the refrigerators full of butter (or countertops full, because they are softening to room temp); you are not surprised by perhaps multiple 10 pound bags of flour; you don’t get shocked anymore by copious amounts of powdered sugar. It’s par for the seasonal course. My kids probably wouldn’t think anything was out of the ordinary if I said “tonight we are trying out new bundt cake recipes for dinner!” (That’s a good idea, actually.) However, in spite of all of the options, right now I am totally obsessed with Gingerbread House Cakes. Totally.

Courtesy of Pinterest

Never mind that WordPress changed all of their formatting and this already technically challenged blogger is completely thrown. Does anyone really know what they’re doing? …Of course, I am ecstatic that Tiffany Thiessen introduced me to perfect mashed potatoes in her new cookbook, Pull Up a Chair. I am completely disheartened that the Chicken Pot Pie recipe from Magnolia Table turned out more like Chicken Pot Soup. (Side note: did anyone else try that recipe?) But nothing compares with my excitement of the fantastical world of fairy tale inspired, elegant and simultaneously rustic, sweet and scenic, modeled confections known as Gingerbread House Cakes. Nothing. 

Pink Gingerbread Dream House Drip Cake by Veronica Arthur.

Gingerbread House Cakes are perfect all winter long. The epitomize the the spirit of the season without being too specific to one day. They seem so special, and at the same time so approachable. If you can slather on some white frosting, and assemble even a store bought gingerbread structure, maybe rinse and dry a few winter greens, and sprinkle a little powdered sugar… well then, you too can participate in this beautiful trend!

Image courtesy of Pinterest

Naturally if one big centerpiece isn’t your thing, or maybe you have a classroom of 24 little people to accommodate, you don’t have to feel left out.

Image courtesy of alittlebitofsillinessreally.tumblr.com

Maybe you are willing to make cookies, but nothing else! Hmmm…. Here you go!

Image courtesy of taste.com.au

If you’re looking for the whole effect with a real shortcut, Nordic Ware has you covered. Shoot, you can even buy it from Williams-Sonoma with a mix! (There’s no shame in that game.)

Image courtesy of Williams-Sonoma.com

But just consider this:

Image courtesy of @cgoedke

It’s (almost) magical. 

I’ll be in the kitchen.

Featured image courtesy of Postcards and Pretties

Loving Lately

I love when the chilly outdoor air permits the perfect reason for a roasting fire inside. It’s something I wait for all summer long. I can get by with bonfires, on the beach or a backyard on a chilly night, but there is nothing like getting cozy with the kids, when all is calm and well, in front a the crackling warmth of a fire at home. I like to make tea, the kids beg for cocoa, and for the moment time slows down like in the days of old.

By the Fireside – Poem by Robert Browning

How well I know what I mean to do
When the long dark autumn-evenings come:
And where, my soul, is thy pleasant hue?
With the music of all thy voices, dumb
In life’s November too!

I shall be found by the fire, suppose,
O’er a great wise book as beseemeth age,
While the shutters flap as the cross-wind blows
And I turn the page, and I turn the page,
Not verse now, only prose…

Image courtesy of James P. Jordan

As a child it’s awe-inspiring; the heat, the danger, the excitement. As an adult… it’s just as awesome.

My baby, contemplating the phenomenon of fire

In the latest issue of the Magnolia Journal, Joanna Gaines shares her excitement about the season in an article titled Anticipating Nostalgia, “…I see Chip and me fireside with all of the kids snuggled in around us, gazing at the lights till our eyes are too heavy to keep open…”

Ideal.

It’s just a classic tale that never gets old. You don’t “outgrow” having a fire.

Image courtesy of classygirlswearpearls.com

Traditional Irish House Blessing:

God bless the corners of this house
And be the lintel blessed.
Bless the hearth, the table too
And bless each place of rest.
Bless each door that opens wide
To stranger, kith and kin;
Bless each shining window-pane
That lets the sunshine in.
Bless the roof-tree up above
Bless every solid wall.
The peace of Man, the peace of love,
The peace of God on all.

-courtesy of appleseeds.org

I love that, “bless the hearth, the table too…” I don’t take being warm for granted.

Image courtesy of nature.desktopnexus.com

Here’s to enjoying life’s simple pleasures, and hoping you are staying warm on these chilly nights.

Love,

Sadie

 

Featured Image courtesy of townandcountrymag.com (which also has quite a few more cozy pics if you are interested!)

SaveSave

SaveSave

SaveSave

SaveSave

SaveSave

SaveSave

SaveSave

SaveSave

SaveSave

SaveSave

SaveSave

SaveSave

SaveSave

SaveSave

SaveSave

SaveSave

Loving Lately

Serendipitously, I’ve been reading books containing other people’s quotes. While reading a Pete the Cat book to my son, we came across this nugget:

“To begin, begin.” -William Wordsworth

There is so much wisdom in the simplicity of that! Regardless of the situation, just start; you’ll work your way through it… I love that. And I saver the moments I just want to dwell on someone’s words (hoping the wisdom is also sinking into my children). Of course, the book of Proverbs is a great place to start.

“A soft answer turneth away wrath; but grievous words stir up anger.” Proverbs 15:1 KJV

Infinite wisdom. Choose your words wisely!

…So much choice to be had.

 

And some people just seems to really get why;

“The pen is mightier than the sword.” -Edward Bulwar-Lytton, 1839

The whole notion that hope is worth living for… It’s powerful. Inspiration is priceless. Faith. The belief you are meant for more. Purpose…

 

Inspiring, right?

Undoubtedly, words do more than inspire. There really is nothing like someone saying the perfect thing, the moment you needed to hear it. There is so much comfort and healing in compassion, understanding, and kindness. There is so much to be said for timeless wisdom, the words and truisms that get passed down from generation to generation. And often it doesn’t have to be lengthy and drawn out; just to the point.

“If you cannot explain it simply, you don’t understand it well enough.” -Albert Einstein

Genius.

Thankfully, there are also humorous writings, often my personal favorites. Things can be serious, my family often (not always) tends to deal with such things with comedic relief; like Fried Green Tomatoes and Steel Magnolias. I’ll never forget years ago while my father was having a heart attack, his chronically painful knees gave out at the bottom of a set of stairs entering the garage. I was a mess at the time, hating to watch my dad suffer and in shock by the fall. Then he looked at me and quoted Tommy Boy, “Could’ve done without that.”

I envy people who have the strength to take things in stride.

Image courtesy of lifehack.org

This week I was reading, Tea at the Mary Jackson House by the Milford Historical Society. In it are a variety of citations and facts that I think I enjoyed reading even more than the recipes… well, they probably enhanced one another. Anyway, one of the informative quotes that stuck out the most was this:

“Things not to be forgotten at a Picnic… A stick of horseradish, bottles of mint-sauce, salad dressing, vinegar, and made mustard, pepper, salt, good oil, and pounded sugar. If it can be managed, take a little ice. It is scarcely necessary to say that plates, tumblers, wine glasses, knives, forks and spoons, must not be forgotten; as well as tea cups and saucers, three of four teapots, some lump sugar, and milk, if this last-named article cannot be obtained in the neighborhood. Take three corkscrews. Beverages – three dozen quart bottles of ale, packed in hampers, ginger-beer, soda-water, and lemonade, of each two bottles; six bottles of sherry, six bottle of claret, champagne a discretion, and any other light wine that may be preferred, and two bottles of brandy.

Isabella Beeton, Book of Household Management, 1861

I chuckled out loud at the ‘beverages’ part. How many people were going to that picnic? Because it sounds like a plan to survive the prohibition. It’s good to laugh.

“A merry heart doeth good like a medicine: but a broken spirit drieth the bones.” -Proverbs 17:22

Image courtesy of Instagram @oak73

 

There really are so many great sayings. I wish I was full of them. And I’d really like to be able to say it to you the moment you need it…

In the meantime, I can share other people’s goodies.

Image courtesy of boomsumo.com

 

Featured Image Courtesy of resilientapp.com

SaveSave

Loving Lately

I was a teenager when the first 24 hour superstore, Meijer, came to our hometown. It was a marvel, unprecedented and life-changing. You could buy anything, groceries and a poster; a bean bag and a gold fish; a movie and an air popper popcorn maker. And the best part was that it was open all of the time! Maybe a Friday night football game victory lead to a celebratory cheeseburger at the local McDonald’s… And then you remember that you were supposed to grab donuts and juice for your little sister’s slumber party! Gone were the days that your hometown grocery store that closed by 9 (on a late day) was your only lost opportunity. Just drive over to Meijer! You couldn’t miss it, the store was gargantuan and the parking lot was lit.

Kids these days will never know what a world of opportunity that opened up. It didn’t matter if you worked the night shift, you could still stop at the store on your way home from work. And, the rural nocturnal people finally had a destination complete with cafeteria. Be that as it may, it is 2018 now and there is only one name you need to know, Amazon.

From the comfort of my easy chair in my non-judgmental (and quite acceptable) pajama wearing living room, I can order just about anything I want; products even my neighborhood Meijer may not carry, and it will be delivered to my doorstep in about 2 days. (I am certain that within a few years that too will seem archaic, because those little drones (or devices I have yet to imagine) will have it delivered in “30 minutes or less, or it’s free!”) But for now, with a little planning, I’ve got it made.

This week alone, I ordered my middle schooler’s mask and accessories for his Drift costume (whatever that is),

Za’atar and other organic spices not found at my local grocer,

the Cash and Carter Family Cookbook, because obvi,

as well as, ahead-of-my-usual-game Christmas gifts and other miscellaneous items… Because, yeeaaahh! I don’t know why it took me so long to get on board? But currently my Prime floodgates are wide open… and at the moment, I am loving my Amazon.

Featured Image courtesy of Silver and Rust

Loving Lately

I’m a mess this week, a walking inconsistency- like the weather in Michigan. I don’t know if I should turn on the heat or the air conditioning. Should I take a nap or go for a walk? I want to bake and lounge reading a book. (I really should vacuum out the crumbs in my car.) The only constant is that I am 2 years behind on discovering more fine stuff. I finished Parks and Recreation on Netflix, it was a good show. And I just read Molly On the Range by Molly Yeh, food blogger and creator of My Name is Yeh. So. much. fun. Who knows what I might discover last next? So exciting- and I’m sleepy, all at the same time.

Image courtesy of Pinterest

I finally got my haircut. I have mixed feelings about it. It’s fine… but, I have discovered that I can still put it into a pony tail- which is a comfort and an annoyance. I really wanted to be more mature than that, but not so much that I didn’t cover up my gray.

Image courtesy of birthdaywishes.expert

In other news, my friend Pinterest, who knows me so well, has randomly selected vintage pictures of things like Volkswagen Beetles and Fiats, etc., to post on my feed. How did they know? I love them! They’re happy. Not like the boho-chic park it at Venice Beach VW’s, like classic carefree vintage I want to go on a road trip, drink an espresso, and ride a Vespa. Whatever. I’m digging it.

Image courtesy of thefancy.com

Of course, I’m always into food. How cute are these (very thematic) black and white donuts by the aforementioned Molly Yeh?

And how great is this Volkswagen Beetle playing peek-a-boo behind this wall? (…I’m sure it’s a phase.)

Image courtesy of Pinterest

So the graffitied wall is a little out of character, but the shiny turquoise vintage bug still makes me want to buy a new pair of high heels in a primary color! (But seriously, who am I trying to kid? A pair of fuzzy Ugg slippers are so much more pragmatic.)

I’m going back to bed… or getting a cup of coffee.

Featured image courtesy of blogcelianeri.wordpress.com

Loving Lately

There is nothing like feeling uncomfortable, literally in your jeans that are getting too tight, than going full bonkers in a delicate-state-of-mind-moment and changing your appearance unrecognizable to your family and self to: A. Inspire you to make those changes that push you forward and make you grow. Or B. Accelerate the inevitable bout of upcoming depression. Either way, I’m all about the short hairstyles lately and my appointment is set for next week.

The key for me (which I have painfully learned through past experience) is not to do a drastic cut and color change at the same time. Pick one or the other. If you decide to go with a drastic color change (and you are not a spy or on the lam), may I also suggest from painful past experience to slowly transition into newly lightened or darkened hair with highlights or lowlights, etc to get accustomed to the changes rather than fully regretting your spontaneity. That said, I am also one to encourage others to go for it. You might love it!

Currently, I am cringe-in-the-mirror worn out with my ridiculous folded-pony/bun, lack of any style go-to. It’s just so easy and natural for me to do. Therefore, I have decided to make sure the hairstylist cuts it short enough that it is impossible to even reach a ponytail. I am forcing myself out of my comfort zone, in hopes that I will be inspired to make changes all around. Would I like it to look like the “face-slimming” style above? Yes. However, I realize that it also requires work, which I am likely not to do.

Ideally, my newly cut hair would just fall into perfectly coiffed place, and would accentuate my obviously small waist like the photo above (courtesy of eshorthairsyles.com). But for my daily routine of chauffeur, chef, housekeeper, etc. I really need a wash and go- or something equally as effortless. (I am incorrigible.) I think I would be happy with this (courtesy of stylendesigns.com):

Cute, right? Seems doable.

In my hair dreams, my artsy, pulled together, boho-chic, creative writing self would style it like this (courtesy of hercampus.com):

But if I don’t take the time to braid my long hair, what is the likelihood I would braid my short hair? Ultimately, I am certain that my hair will end up with a variation of what I know best. But I am set in my heart that even this will look better and more stylish than my current situation. (Photo below courtesy of byrdie.com)

I’ll let you know how it goes… Maybe I’ll even be brave enough to post a before and after? (Don’t hold your breath, I doubt it.)

Featured image courtesy of byrdie.com

Loving Lately

So many things to love lately.

  1. Let’s start with deep dish (square) BBQ Chicken Pizza from Jet’s because it’s the best. Grilled chicken, red onion, and barbecue sauce on top of their perfectly balanced crispy crust with a little soft chew. I just can’t get enough of it lately. Towards the beginning of summer my in-laws came over and ordered one… and for a moment everything was right. Genius! It’s summer pizza, and “ba-da-da-da-da I’m lovin’ it.”

2. Haircuts. We’re getting ready for back-to-school over here. Look at those little hoodlums with their tight lines. (I really don’t know why they gave the scowls. They remind me of some Irish ruffians from the local football (soccer) club hanging out at the neighborhood pub.) Love ’em.

Number 3. True story: I’d been eyeing this popular blogger cookbook, hugely successful, awarded and recognized… and I like to support my fellow bloggers (even though they have no idea who I am). But, it’s kind of pricey. And because I have more cookbooks than I could ever really make all of the recipes, I really try to bargain hunt. But this one boasts recipes made by specific farmer’s market ingredients from like avocado to zucchini or something- so I splurged. (And on my way out I grabbed the bargain, Cook’s Country Cookbook– every recipe from every season.) When I got home I went through every page of my new collection of recipes. I quickly realized that the whole book was vegetarian, which is okay I don’t mind a “meatless Monday” now and again. Except to me the whole thing seemed like uninspiring side dishes. I don’t know how many vegetarian tacos I could eat? Then I opened my ‘bargain’ book- the first recipe was that mac n’ cheese with tomatoes pictured above. (Coincidentally enough it’s vegetarian.) It jumped right out at me and immediately I wanted to eat it. My mom used to bake tomato slices on top of her homemade mac n’ cheese! I love how the bursts of tomato and their little acidity gave a burst of juice and complimented the cheesiness. That was just page one, and the awesomeness didn’t stop there. Needless to say, I returned the pricey ‘popular’ book. Loving Lately: The Complete Cook’s Country TV Show Cookbook.

Quatro. I love Michigan summers. I’m sure most people who live in regions with similar climates (cold and snowy winters) love this time of year. Everything is green and the sky is blue. But I am so partial to Michigan! Our lakes and waterways get so much play and appreciation right now. The picture above is from the Tahquamenon River just a couple weeks ago, and for a minute I was in a time warp. It was so peaceful and could have easily been fifty- or one hundred- or so on- years ago. I love those little connections where we seem so small and insignificant and get to enjoy such vast timeless beauty… and I love summer in Michigan.

I really could go on. Right now the kids are healthy, I’m not stressing over pulling weeds or school clothes shopping. (I probably should be.) I’m trying new recipes and enjoying the prospects of writing… I’m just loving.

Loving Lately ?

I know, I know… Once again, I have vanished into the great unknown. This time I have been making my way through a literary universe spanning hundreds of years. I really can’t remember the last time I’ve allotted this much self indulgence. For the first time since my children started attending school, I actually feel like I’m taking a summer break. It’s fantastic.

In the course of the last week alone, I have read (or re-read) A Tale of Two Cities, Loving Frank, Cheaper by the Dozen, and The Grass is Always Greener Over the Septic Tank. I have contacted two universities in a tempting pursuit of a Master’s Degree in Creative Writing. Simultaneously, I have become obsessed with store fronts. (I don’t even understand myself.) I only know that I am on a perpetual trail of self discovery… and I am certain that one day it will all make sense.

Courtesy of Pinterest

I don’t think it is a coincidence that I have a strong attraction to store windows filled with colorful book covers. Like a moth to a flame, I suppose, they are magnetic rectangles of various size and illustration beckoning me with their stories and works unknown. There is something so deeply comforting about bookstores, knowing that everyone is welcome and they behold treasures for people of all ages and interests. Of course, the romantic side of me likes to take it a step further- imagining scenarios and happenings… I mean, can’t you just envision yourself ducking into this store on a cold rainy day to escape the elements and the immediate welcome of relief and inspiration?

Courtesy of Pinterest

Although, I can’t say I’d be disappointed to find my way in this store either.

Courtesy of Instagram @andybailen

For all of the colorful old world charm books and bread have to offer, this girl can also be easily persuaded to enter almost any (seemingly trustworthy) establishment advertising with such words as “pastry” or “cake” or “biscuit”…

Image courtesy of Vogueolosophy

I find the terms “café” and “coffee” just as appealing. (Daydream… sigh… ahhh)

Image courtesy of @sophiemaxiemae

I really don’t even consider myself a cat person, but I could see me being a regular if this store was nearby.

Image courtesy of smallbusiness.chron.com

Naturally, my curiosity would get the best of me with such an artistic appeal as this:

Image courtesy of maddie.co.vu

Basically, if a store front boasts of books… or food… or drink… It has my attention. But, think of all the money I save our family on shoes and clothing!

So many places to see and books to read, so little time…

Until we meet again ❤?☕

Featured image courtesy of nerdtacular