24 Days of Spice | Day 4 - Creative Cocoa
Keeping it short and sweet today, quite literally!
Day 4 was not-so-creatively named “Creative mix for fruit desserts.” The ingredients list anise, ginger, cinnamon, dill, star anise, and spearmint. While I have made a fall fruit crisp in the past that used these ingredients, I really had a taste for hot chocolate and craved a little surprise in flavors.
24 Days of Spice | Day 3 - 5 Peppercorns Mix
This 5 Peppercorns Mix was a lovely blend of cracked peppers.
24 Days of Spice | Day 2 - Smoked Sea Salt
I lucked out with a quick recipe search for using smoked sea salt. One of the first recipes was a delicious Focaccia with Smoked Sea Salt and Rosemary from Little Delish. I went with real, full-gluten bread flour, but subbed sorghum for spelt.
24 Days of Spice | Day 1 - Chimichurri
Yesterday was Day 1 of my Spices advent calendar. For the next 24 days I’ll be sharing the fun spices and recipes that I uncover each day. I’m using it as an opportunity to bring a little zest and fun back into my cooking (pun most definitely intended).
Easy Homemade Linen Dinner Napkins
In an effort to create less waste, I’ve transitioned to cloth napkins. And I have to admit, I love it.
I bought my first plain set from Crate & Barrel or Pottery Barn, one of those where everything looks the same. I’ve received a few prettier sets as gifts to up my collection (GREAT gift idea, by the way). Last Christmas I cut down a too-big Target tablecloth into a smaller tablecloth and some coordinating napkins. They’re a little wonky, but fun nonetheless. I’ve since upped my game.
Make Your Own Cross-Stitch Patterns in 3 Easy Steps
Step 1: Set Up the Spreadsheet
I like to use Google Sheets for my patterns. It’s free and accessible on my phone, which I use for most patterns. Start by creating a Template tab. I keep the height of the cells as-is, and just adjust the width to match. Click the top left square to highlight all cells (yellow below), then drag Column A to the width you want. I just eyeball a square.
You’re now ready to start creating your pattern!
How To…Catalog Your Fabric Stash
If you’re like me, you appreciate a cute fabric, you have lots of ideas, and you have no time to actually complete these projects. The result? An ever-growing fabric stash.
Southern CA Day Trip: Calico
I challenge myself to go new places alone. It gets me out of the house and I feel like it helps maintain a bit of my waning sanity. The main thing is it cannot be considered an errand, something about the solo trip needs to go beyond a “chore.” I like to call my little outings “Solos.”
For the Love of Local Bookshops
If it wasn’t already evident, I’m an avid reader. It’s my escape. My chance to view the world through someone else’s eyes or to imagine a different world entirely. There are books that make me see my life in a new way, books that make me question history and society, and books that just make me smile and tingle inside.
10 Must-Have Dog Essentials
This is for you if you’re a new dog owner, a seasoned expert, or a lover of a furry special someone in need of some ideas.
Sola Wood Flowers….are they worth it?
Marie Kondo asks “does it spark joy?” Gretchen Rubin created “The Happiness Project.” The Danes have hygge. I ask myself “what sets my soul on fire?” It’s a global desire to find and amplify that which makes us feel good, makes us smile, and brightens our day. As I try to add more mindful moments, I’ve starting making note of what I enjoy and what I don’t.
It starts here…
Welcome! I’m so glad you found me. Let’s get the nitty gritty of how I ended up here out of the way. You’ll also get a little preview of what is coming up this month.