Things on Toast

 

I have a weakness for carbs, and sourdough is my all time favorite. It makes me weak in the knees and I always give in. It was grocery shopping day yesterday and I decided to get creative. I suppose Pinterest always inspires too!

This was YUM, and I'll make it again and again! 

Things on toast:

2 slices of wheat sourdough toast

4 grape tomatoes; chopped.

a handful of sprouts

1 silver pack of The Laughing Cow light garlic and herb spreadable cheese

Toast bread, add spread, sprouts and tomatoes! 

"Mama can we have some more snores?!"

It's been beautiful the last couple of days, and with summer approaching nothing is better than a bon fire out at the beach! I remember when I was little and looking forward to the weekends when I could bundle up, get things for s'mores and enjoy a carefree night out with the family. My best girlfriend was in town from Santa Monica for Mother's Day and that meant some quality time together and with the kids. Up until about 8pm it was smooth sailing, but then little man about had it and was ready for sand to be off his toes, his bed and a baba. Personally, I think he was just upset he couldn't enjoy a marshmallow with us, hehe.

HAPPY MOTHER'S DAY TO ALL YOUR BEAUTIFUL, HARD WORKING, LOVING, GENUINE AND INSPIRING MAMA'S!!! 

Homemade Vanilla Almond Coffee Creamer

Store bought coffee creamers get a bad rep, and I understand why. Whenever I turn the bottle around to read the ingredients, wait let me back up... TRY to read the ingredients, half the words I can't even pronounce. I'm sooo guilty for continuously buying them even though I know how bad they are for you. I've read article after article actually explaining to me what those words I can't pronounce are, and what I'm consuming every morning is 100% artificial to the max. SO. VERY. BAD. 

But honestly, how good is the coffee mate sweet cream? 

So I've tried a bunch of things, soy creamer (which still isn't good for you), coconut creamer (even the flavored kinds), half and half with cinnamon and honey (and that just gave me the poops because I don't do dairy), almond milk, lactose free milk...

Guys, I even tried giving up coffee entirely. RIGHT.

I wasn't satisfied. Nothing made it creamy enough like the old fashioned artificial junk. I wasn't about to give up though. I searched and searched for the perfect mixture of sorts so I could go to the store and try to create it myself. There were a lot of different ways to go about making your own, but some included sweetened condensed milk and I wanted the least amount of ingredients as possible, along with something somewhat natural and healthier for me. Well guys, I think I perfected it. 

Say hello to...

Homemade Vanilla Almond Coffee Creamer

You will need:

1 can unsweetened coconut milk (I used Thai Kitchen)

2 tsp 100% pure vanilla extract 

2 tsp 100% pure almond extract

1 pack of stevia in the raw 

Mix all ingredients together and walah! If you like it a bit more sweeter, you can add another pack of stevia. Liquid stevia works as well.

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One for me + One for wee

For awhile now I've wanted to create a series for this little here blog, and since I've started it I've tried several things all to which have failed. Mostly because the things I chose either a) cost money to keep up on or b) I simply forgot to document to post. Derr. So as I was lying in bed last night worried about my husband driving to San Francisco by himself during the wee hours of the night, I started thinking... What could I do that could give back to my readers, be inspirational (to a sense) and intertwine my creative sense? Then I got sidetracked (big time ADD) and started browsing through Pinterest on the iPad. I had remembered I had some chicken defrosting in the fridge and thought maybe I'd get lucky with an easy crock pot recipe. Nothing peaked my interest, so then I ventured over to Instagram. Seriously, social media is downright crazy in this world. But I'm addicted, so what. That's when it hit me. People love photos with quotes on them. They're all over Pinterest, Facebook, Instagram... why not create my own with my own photos? At that moment I REALLY wanted to get out of bed and hop onto the computer to start playing with pictures, but then I realized... eh... the kids... on a Saturday... no husband... I need energy. I waited for the "here" text from the hubs, and fell asleep. 

Now, here I am typing this post on a Saturday evening with a jar of peanut butter and a sliced up apple as my dippers next to me. Desperately missing my husband, BUT completed and presenting my first of the series; one for me + one for wee. Hoping to base this upon inspiring women to be strong, confident and beautiful beings, but also for those who are mothers. Parenting is my life. I live for my kids and want nothing but to be the best, give them the best and have them live their lives the best. 

Hope you all enjoy!

    For me

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   All sizes download here

For wee

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All sizes download here

THERAPY

Nothing says therapy like a walk on the beach. Last night after dinner we decided to go enjoy the sunset and some fresh air. It was BEAUTIFUL out! Can you tell? I always cherish moments like this with my husband. Even though it doesn't entail doing much but walking, it also gives us the opportunity to breathe and enjoy what beautiful surroundings we have. I'm ever so lucky for what I have been blessed with.

As for an update, my freelance design company has BOOMED! I seriously still am in awe as to all the women I've met and been honored to work with. It's been an awesome experience so far and I can't wait to see where it goes. THANK YOU to all the ladies who have helped me get to where I am along the way. Also, and I'm so incredibly excited for this... I've recently became a contributor to the Flourish Retreat! What an amazing opportunity to be able to be apart of these beautiful, and empowering women. You can read my very first post: here.

Life is great, God is wonderful. No complaints here!

Lots and Lots O Photos!

We woke up and the sun was shining, the birds were singing and I was tired. Yup. When Ava woke up at the butt crack of dawn and wanted nothing more but to go to the barn to feed the goats, I wanted nothing more but to roll over and say we weren't doing a darn thing today. I don't know why, but I was such a crab this morning. After a much needed cup of coffee, no shower, and a brush of my teeth, I got the kids and myself ready and out the door in 20 minutes. I don't know how I did it, but I was determined to get out of my mood and get on with the day. 

There is a local barn that I like to take the kids to that has an array of animals that you're able to hand feed, fresh corn on the cob, tractor rides, fresh local fruit and vegetables, pies and sweet treats. Homemade ice cream and candy, and the most delicious bbq I've ever had! The tri-tip sandos are aaaamazing! So, we took a ride out there and cruised around. It was early morning and not many people there which kind of relieved me. It was peaceful and serene and exactly what we all needed. Except for pool bubba, his little cheeks are nice and red from the heat. 

After the barn we traveled north to go feed the seals, get some lunch and some ice cream. Ava rode her scooter around, Nolan hung out in the good ol b.o.b and I snapped some photos here and there. It was such a pretty day outside, and nothing is more pleasing than seeing your babies happy! Have a good weekend, friends!

P.S. For any of your who may be interested, I recently launched my design site! If you are looking to re-vamp your blog I'm offering FULL blog templates for a way, way, way, discounted price. Spots are filling up quick and are limited. Please contact me if you're interested!

Golden Rays

That is a bouncy, blurry and feverish baby. We've been fighting something over here for the past week, and unfortunately the little dude succumbed to it. He has been sick more than Ava has in her entire life, and I blame it on him being three weeks early. Eh? I don't know, but that's my theory. Thankfully today, we woke up a happy boy with a cool head! 

When we bought our house, we were lucky to get a gigantic empty backyard along with it. A huge project though to say the least! Over the last couple of weeks there has been a lot of thought back and forth between Tyler and I as to when/how we are going to start the process of getting it done, and making things happen! Well, the process has begun and now it just takes money, time and extra hard labor to start seeing changes.

With Spring upon us, it's been sooo nice having a little extra daylight in the evenings. Yesterday, with the sun going down I couldn't help but to step into the backyard to take a few shots. There wasn't a cloud in the sky and the trees were motionless. I've always been one to enjoy gloomy, cold and rainy weather but lately I can't help but to throughly be a happy camper when I wake up to some golden rays.