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Gooooood Morning! It’s Friday! 

Sooo…I’m wondering. How did donuts ever manage to get the “breakfast food” distinction, while just-as-sweet treats like cakes, cookies, etc. were snubbed and called “dessert only”? I’m not sure who decided that. Give me a banana, cheese stick, and piece of chocolate cake for breakfast, and I can power through the day. Granted, I do NOT indulge for breakfast very often, and do not think it is necessarily the best way to start my day, but being an adult does have its advantages. Like eating cake for breakfast.

 I just remembered: this was Kate Spade’s adorable advertising/motto earlier this year! 

Amazing and so much fun. How cute are those outfits?!

Have a great day!

Birthday cakes are the picture of happiness. Sugar-overload, celebration-happiness baked in a pan and served with a smile. I just love to bake a cake, putting little touches here and there (such as handmade birthday bunting flags), and to offer it as a gift and celebration of friendship, of life, of good things that have been and good things that are to come.

Gluten-free chocolate cake with vanilla buttercream frosting…with organic strawberry milk.

It makes me happy. 

How could it not?

Sending so many good wishes for the coming year to the birthday girl! 

Happy Birthday and Lots of Love!

xo!

So. 

There’s this chance I have developed a bad habit. 

By bad I mean, utterly delicious. Watermelon sherbet with Cool Whip.

Nightly.

No, it’s not a bad habit, really. 

It’s sherbet! Less fat and fewer calories than ice cream!

Right? RIGHT? 

+++++

Oh, how we can rationalize to our hearts’ content. See, here’s the thing: God calls us to take every thought captive. Every word, every deed, everything in our hearts–to take it captive. To pass it through the sieve of the Holy Spirit, so that we can make every thought/word/deed obedient to Christ. 

But–well, we’re really good at RATIONALIZING.

I’m equating my rationalizing a “bad habit” of sherbet with sin, just for effect.

Because the problem is, sometimes sin tastes delicious.

It feels good. 

It might make us feel alive for a minute, or dulls our pain for a minute, or maybe we think it’s just plain fun. 

And that never hurt anyone, right?
Wrong.

It hurts God’s heart. It hurts him because He is Holy. He detests sin and unrighteousness. And he LOVES us. He WANTS us. 

Next time you find yourself rationalizing sin, remember: God detests that. He loves you. And that is enough. 

That is always enough.

{azaleas, still a bit wet}

It’s sunny this morning! It’s sunny! I feel like harps and trumps and angels should sing!

I’ve already been up and inspired with this lovely sunshine streaming in—I potted some beautiful fuschias for my front step.

Fuschias are one of, if not totally, my ABSOLUTE favorite flowers. Well, they are my favorite non-bouquet flower…they are just so incredibly beautiful, fun, girly, and colorful. They come in all different color combos, some more fancy and layered/ruffled than others. 

I’m pretty sure they are just about the most perfect Natalie flower you could ever find—they are fairy flowers, ballet costumes, cupcake toppers, just flirty, girly, and FUN FUN FUN.

Whenever I’m feeling happy and lovely, I put on my flat ballet shoes or pointe shoes. I haven’t actually danced en pointe for many years, so I just dress-up in those 🙂 But my flat shoes…oh yes, I dance! Dancing makes my heart feel so much lighter, more beautiful…and expressed. How often do we get to feel that our hearts are fully expressed and poured out? I feel that dance can absolutely be worship too–I put on some praise music, and dance my heart out before God. Oh it is so beautiful. 

Well, those are the things for this happy Friday morning!

xo, my dears!

Natalie

This isn’t new, but it’s new to me. And it might be new to some of you, so I had to share. This story and song really spoke to my heart tonight.

This goes out to all of those who have given their lives to fight for our country…and to their families. I drove past many cemeteries this weekend and it stills my heart for a moment, and yet uplifts it, to see a small American flag placed near the graves of veterans. 

Please don’t neglect to reflect on, honor and remember those who have lost their lives in service to our country.

But of course, I would be remiss if I didn’t also suggest you try this recipe:

Mmmmmm, talk about yum-ness! I used sweet potato fries, because it’s what I had handy, and it was still incredibly delicious. I’ve made these twice so far this weekend alone. And yes, there’s a gluten-free hot dog buried under them to catch all of the wonderful leftover seasonings! 

Click the link under the picture for the recipe.

Peach Lemonade

Enjoy the rest of the weekend and stay safe, my dears!

There are a lot of really good things in life.

Like fair-trade certified “Heavenly Chocolate with a Heart” in gold packaging.

And a scalloped yellow bowl full of organic strawberries & rhubarb from a friend. 

The sunlight streaming in to illuminate a round of scones, bursting with happy flavor, ready to be baked.

Again, natural light to illuminate the golden-brown of some irresistible baked goods.

And sometimes, when you take that chocolate, and drizzle it over the scones, it’s like, EVEN better. 

This is my pretty new Kate Spade heart ring that I’m loving! It’s been on my list for awhile to “up” my gold jewelry stash. I seem to have fallen into a definite silver-only jewelry rut.

One of my best friends and I have been fiddling with a gluten-free scone recipe, trying to get it to mirror the glory days of our regular, gluten-involving past baking (sigh). These are definitely yummy, but too dense for a traditional scone. Alas, we haven’t nailed it yet, but here is my most recent iteration, which you’re welcome to try.

3 cups Pamela’s Baking Mix (almond/gluten free flour mix)

1/3 cup sugar

2 1/2 tsp. baking powder

1/2 tsp. baking soda

1/2 tsp. salt

1/8 tsp. xantham gum

8 TBSP.s butter

3/4 cup light cream

1 egg

1 1/4 -1 1/2 cups chopped strawberries and rhubarb

Soooooooo how many scones do you think is TOO many for breakfast? Three?

😉

xo

Oh rain, rain. It seems to have become a trend here in New England to rain all week, and become sunny on the weekends. While I certainly won’t complain, lest it reverse its tactics, rain does make a workweek a little tough to get through. So tonight I’m sharing some of my favorite movie & snack pairings! These are the favorites I reach for on a rainy night…

1953

Snack Choice: Gelato or chocolate ice cream while snuggled up in a warm blanket on the couch (fire optional), so you can pretend it’s a warm summer day in Rome.

1965

Snack Choice: Wiener schnitzel and apple studel would be top choices. Barring that, grab a box of Pepperidge Farm frozen apple turnovers (I loved these before I was GF). A nice rich hot chocolate topped with whipped cream is a nice treat, too. Or try the pink lemonade that so bemused Max and the Captain!

1965

Snack Choice: This is a good movie for some good old-fashioned buttery popcorn! Grab some Newman’s Own..it’s my current favorite.

2001

Snack Choice: Anything pink, sweet, and sugary! 

Snuggle up and enjoy!

xo

Good morning, lovelies! Into the week we go—big mug of black tea in hand, and my new leopard-print sunglasses on my head! {gotta love the dollar bin at the thrift store!}

“Lord, I want to yearn for You, I want to burn with passion over You, and only You.”

Have a great day!

xo

Natalie

It’s almost Mother’s Day! And that means it’s time to whip up a special treat for the beautiful women in our lives. 

This is a quick and fun project that turns out so cute! A relaxing bath is a rare luxury in just about any household, and one that is sure to be savored. Encourage a moment’s peace with these sachets of relaxing herbs for the bath; they are affectionately termed Chamomile-Lavender Tub Teas.

Gather your supplies: Fabric scraps, thread, needle, scissors, parchment tea filters, ribbon, and herbs of your choice. I used chamomile & lavender for a relaxing blend. You could also use mint & lavender, dried lemon peel, dried rose petals, etc. to create your own blend. You should be able to buy these ingredients in the bulk department of a natural foods store.

Fill the tea filters with your herb mixture. Then, carefully fold the top down by pulling the two corners in to create a point. Then tuck the point under, and fold once more, like a tea bag top (keep one out for reference, if you need it!). Quickly hand-sew a long length of ribbon (long enough that it can be tied to the faucet of the bath and be in the water) in place at the top of this fold, securing the fold as well. 

Then, cut out hearts or use your pinking shears to cut little square fabric “tags.” I did some of both. I recommend using cloth as opposed to paper, since it might get wet. Sew this tag to the other end of the ribbon. Voila! 

Time to package them up! I used my favorite little waxed paper bags and washi tape to recreate another ‘tea bag’ feel for the outer packaging. 

I’ll send these along with a few spa goodies: luscious lip balm, cucumber makeup remover wipes, lotion, and a candle. {click the linked words for my suggestions!)

You could also make a tea-themed gift, with tea to drink, a cute tea infuser, and a good book. Why not throw in a Dayspring mug, too? I love Dayspring’s cheerful, encouraging mugs, and they are only $10! 

Make sure to include a note for mom that these teabags are to infuse a lovely, luxurious bath soak. 

Call your mom, pop a letter in the mail (now so you don’t forget!), or craft up a cute little weeknight project to lavish the love on moms! They deserve it.

xo