Coffee Shop Drinks at Home

If you're anything like me, you love coffee shops and all they have to offer.  But let's face it, we don't always have the time (or the money) to go that often.  I've never invested in fancy coffee makers (aside form my espresso pot) or those hand-held frothers so I couldn't believe how awesome this latte turned out today. 

TO MAKE:

1. Make espresso on stovetop (or brew strong coffee in a coffee pot)

2. Heat 8 ounces of evaporated milk (I used 2%) in the microwave for 2 minutes

3. Pour heated milk into blender & mix on high for 1 minute (letting steam out the top as it froths)

4. Combine the espresso & milk, spooning foam on top

That's it!!! You can add caramel or chocolate sauce to the evaporated milk before microwaving for added flavor.  I prefer my coffee less sweet so I just added a little sugar to the blender mixture.  You could also add any flavor coffee syrups to this drink as well as sprinkling/drizzling anything in your pantry to the froth if you are feeling creative.  This tastes amazing iced, as well!! Enjoy.

Holiday Art Print

I have been working on designing our Christmas cards this year- as in, I am creating the artwork for said card in Photoshop.  I finished the design and loved it so much I went ahead and turned it into an art print available in my Society6 and Etsy shops. This would make a great gift for a buddy or to put on your own holiday wish list.

Cheers!

Bat and Owl Buddies: Printable Tracing Templates

Greetings friends! There is nothing too spooktacular (sorry!) about the owl and bat that Eugene and I created one rainy afternoon.  However, I like them because it is a good reminder of how simple materials such as paper, glue, scissors and sequins can come together to result in an awesome, fun project.  Not very crafty?  Not to worry, here are free printable bat and owl templates you can trace to make this project even easier.  Cut a bunch of these guys out and make Halloween garland to hang around your home.  Enjoy and have fun getting creative, friends!

DIY Clay Pumpkin Patch

Most days lately, Eugene excitedly runs to the doors that open to the art/activity supply storage extravaganza and yells, "MAKE, MAKE!!" until I agree that it is indeed time for a creative activity.   He also happens to be obsessed with pumpkins currently.  Almost every day he insists that we make or draw something pumpkin-y.  Today we made these clay pumpkins.  Eugene helped by rolling the clay into pumpkin shapes and coloring a few of them orange with oil pastels.  Eugene helped me find a little stick from outside and then helped paint it white.  After the stick was dry, I simply broke it into a bunch of tiny pieces which became the stems for the pumpkins.  This is an easy, fun, fall activity to do with or without kids. Enjoy!

Paper Bag Owl Craft Project for Children

This is a pretty self-explanatory activity to do with your littles.  It turned out really cute and was easy enough that Eugene, who is 22 months old, was able to help.  I started by tearing two holes where the eyes would go and tearing the wings out from some scrap paper.  Eugene and I used a glue stick to attach the wings.  I let him go crazy with the pink paint (acrylic...gasp! It's not washable but we were careful, sort of).  I let Eugene scribble all over the owl and I added the details using a black Sharpie.  Any number of materials can be used, including kid-friendly ones.  You could get über creative and add sparkle, sequins, feathers etc...

The Ultimate 10 Minute Hummus

I know what you are thinking. You have made homemade hummus before and it always turns out grainy. Or hummus tastes better store bought. Nonsense!! Not only is this recipe super easy and fast (10 minutes, tops) it turns out rich and velvety. How, you ask? The microwave! Nuking the undrained chickpeas with their skins on and with the garlic cloves makes for an amazing hummus. You will want this in your party repertoire to impress all your people! I am not kidding. Enjoy!

***If you have extra time and want to bring this hummus up to an eleven, take a square of aluminum foil, throw some olive oil and 4 cloves of garlic inside it, fold it into a ball and proceed to roast in the oven for 45 minutes on 375. Add this roasted garlic to the hummus instead. Or you could add roasted red peppers, Greek olives, cilantro or roasted jalapenos to the hummus.

Father's Day Gift Guide

1. Boots 2. Bottle Opener Case 3. Tie 4. Best Coffee Ever 5. Tool Box 6. Camping Pants

Father's Day Caramel Pecan French Toast

Father's Day is this Sunday! Do you need an easy, delicious brunch idea for dad?  This french toast is awesome and will be sure to wow your dad/husband/anyone.  Both my dad and my husband love sweets and this recipe gets nothing but praise from them.  It is basically your regular old french toast with some pecans, powdered sugar and warm caramel sauce thrown on top. You can also butter the toast if you dare!  For the caramel sauce I just use the microwaveable Breyer's caramel sauce that is intended for ice cream. Super easy and so yummy. Of course if you are feeling super ambitious feel free to make some caramel sauce from le scratch. That is not happening over here. My no fail secret for the best french toast is to use good bread.  Do not go with that cheap white bread nonsense. Instead, go to a bakery or the bakery section of your grocer and buy the crusty, fresh, expensive (not really, it is like $3.75) bread. Get a nice sized loaf and if you ever find a pecan loaf buy that. You can thank me later. Happy Father's Day to all you awesome dad dudes out there. You all rock!!

Mother's Day

It finally warmed up a bit in Wisconsin so we ended up having a picnic outside along the shores of Lake Michigan to celebrate Mother's Day.  Elsa slept the whole time, Eugene played on the playground, we all went for a walk along the harbor, we picnicked and thoroughly enjoyed the sunshine.  We only got yelled at once by the rent-a-cop for not having Cali, our dog, "on our person at all times." Laugh, cough.  I would say all in all it was a beautiful day celebrating motherhood.  I hope you were blessed as well!  

Mother's Day Brunch

Mother's Day is quickly approaching so why not show mom some love by throwing her a Mother's Day brunch!  I have put together some ideas to make a pretty, easy and affordable brunch for mom. Enjoy! 

1. Lavender Lemonade 2. Lantern 3. Ranunculus 4. Festive Straws 

5. Letterpress Card 6. Napkins 7. Lavender Cake

Men's Holiday Wish List

If you have a special man in your life take a look at this gift guide I created of quirky, fun presents to give to your husband/brother/dad/uncle/cousin/son. 

 

1. Coat 2. Belt 3. Scarf 4. Tape Measure 

5. Lantern 6. Canteen 7. Ashtray Lamp  8. Gas Can 

 

I hope this finds you in the holiday spirit, if not this might help:

 



 

A Eugene Photoshoot

 

Hello friends!  I hope you all had a fantastic Memorial Day weekend!  I wasn't feeling the best prior to the weekend, but forced myself out of the house on Saturday with Josh, Eugene & Cali in tow.  Our intent was to get a cheap lawnmower from a coworker who was selling 3 of them at his rummage sale.  En route to rummaging we got sidetracked by an estate sale.  We entered in a giddy manner & left a bit disappointed as it turned out to be more of a junk sale than anything.  As we were trying to find the "lawnmower sale" we passed under a rusty train bridge juxtaposed from an old salt factory.  I instantly felt inspired by all the architecture, the blue & brown paint splotches & the rusty exposed frames of the bridge.  All I could think about was going back to this street for a photoshoot while Josh was laughing & telling me to look at the huge lawnmower sale.  I looked & all that sat before us was a very empty driveway/garage/yard with not a sign, lawnmower or person for miles.  We doubled checked the address & the quiet looking lot for any sign of a sale.  How strange.  Well, we never did find a lawnmower, however we did have a successful photoshoot.  I hope you enjoy it!  I am off to find a grass-eating animal to help with our 2 foot tall grass issue. 

 

Xoxo,

Heather

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Snow Gently Falls

Wherever this may find you & yours,

I hope that it is the merriest & that you are getting into the spirit of this

Christmas & holiday season.

May your day be bright & festive, friend.