Almond Butter Banana Rice Cakes

Glory, glory. I'm going to pass out these are so good. 

When this is breakfast, this is love.

And if love is all you need, then you're set. I guarantee it.  

Almond Butter Banana Almond Rice Cakes

2 Rice Cakes

1 Banana

2 Tbs Almond Butter

Sliced Almonds

Cinnamon

Set out rice cakes, lather spread the almond butter on top (1 Tbs each cake).

Cut banana into bite-sized pieces, place half on top of each rice cake.

Sprinkle sliced almonds on top if you want more crunch.

Season lightly with cinnamon.  

He will be my husband, I will be his wife.

My dear friend Lauren came up to Seattle from California to take these shots for us. We are so blessed. Check out her work here.  

DIY Scented Hand Scrub

Step 1: Select your jars. Any size will do. 

Most craft stores should carry them in the canning section.

Step 2: The labels. 

- On your patterned paper, cut an oval, and make sure the size works for the jar.

I used Microsoft Word for the white labels, and cut them to size after they printed.

- Using Mod Podge, paint the back of your paper, place it on the glass surface, and adjust it to the curves of your jar.

- Cut out your word labels from your computer document (or label maker), and adhere to the patterned paper with Mod Podge. After both layers are down, cover the entire label with Mod Podge, going slightly over the edges, to make sure your label sticks.

- For the cap, trace upside-down along your paper, and cut out. Adhere paper to cap using Mod Podge. Paint on the top of the paper as well, to give a nice finish.  

- Set both pieces aside to dry.

Step 3: Begin mixing your hand scrub.

- In a small mixing bowl, combine all ingredients, and stir.

- I added the essential oil last. About 20 drops, to cover the olive oil scent.

Step 4: Fill your jar.

Step 5: Add embellishments to jar.

- Loop your twine or hemp around the small spoon three or four times, leaving about six inches to continue to wrap and tie.

- Tag a small note or message before you tie your bow. 

- Tie a bow and position off to the side for beautiful aesthetic!   

Poppy Seed Muffins

If you don't know how marvelous poppy seed muffins are, you're about to find out.

I hope you treat yourself. Because what's a morning without a tasty muffin?

Just like every other morning? HA. No. You have to be kidding yourself if you think that. Plus, it's so simple. Everything goes in the bowl, and you mix. SIMPLE.

A morning with a poppy seed muffin is like a morning in dessert heaven. It exists. 

Taste this, and you will experience dessert heaven too.

Seriously. We're talking nothing short of Delicious with a capital 'D'. 

The ones above are mine, but the recipe was found here.

Poppy Seed Muffins

(Makes about 24)

3 cups all purpose flour

2 cups sugar

1 Tb. poppy seeds

1 1/2 tsp. baking powder

1 1/12 tsp salt

3 eggs

1 1/2 cup milk (I used with buttermilk)

1 cup oil (can sub with applesauce)

1 1/2 tsp vanilla

1 1/2 tsp almond flavoring

Directions:

Mix all ingredients in a mixing bowl.

Fill greased or lined muffin tins with batter.

Bake muffins at 350 degrees for 20 to 25 minutes or until done.

Cool in pan 10 minutes before removing.

Canada and Celebration!

Hello everyone! Here's been the 'haps' as of late:

-Zach and I went to a pre-marital conference in Canada last weekend (Sunshine Coast, on Keats Island - near Gibsons). It was so lovely. The speaker focused on communication and conflict resolution. Both of which Z-man and I benefited from greatly! 

ALSO, Fiance finished his last day of school yesterday! Until August, that is. 

Some celebratory muffins were in order, because it was his half-birthday too! 

I'm so proud of him! 

He finished his first year of going to a private university, debt free!

Working three jobs to make that happen, while still spending time with me and helping prepare details for the wedding. Goodness, he is so hard-working! He also made time for his family by coming home every weekend to catch up with them, leaving school assignments on the back-burner. I am so incredibly blessed by him, his work-ethic, and his encouragement! Way to be, Zachary!

Holler at your girl, she's got photos!

Want to know what I've been up to?

This is what I've been up to:

Spending time with my loooooove!

Cheryl's work is displayed here. She does such a marvelous job.

Awkward and Awesome

A day late! Oh well. Cheers!

Awkward:

-The smell of fish sauce. And oyster sauce. Where? In my hair.

-Telling a customer at work when she complimented my hair, "Actually, I stopped using shampoo three weeks ago. Let me tell you about it..." I go on to explain all the benefits, and how I go about the process. All the while, she stares blankly at me as if a human being couldn't possibly be anymore outrageous. (I'll update you guys on this topic soon.)

-Deciding I have no shoes that go with a specific outfit, and listening to Zach convince me to wear rain boots. So I wear my wellies, right? And then the sun makes an appearance and decides to stay a while. Guess who wishes she would have brought an extra pair of shoes?

Awesome:

-Bon Iver. Always beautiful.
-Deciding on a whim to purchase the next train ticket out to visit my sister in Vancouver, Canada.
-My wonderful sister finishing the front of our wedding invitations.
-My dearest friend Aubrie (talented graphic arts genius) beginning and finishing the back of the invitations, all in one sitting. They look so incredible.
-Watching a little boy get upset at his scooter, proceeding to pee on it.
-Homemade -Blackberry and peach pie.
-Slacklining. It's so challenging! I received one in December, but this last week has been the first time I've been able to test it out. And my-oh-my, all I can say is that I have a newfound respect for all tightrope walkers.
-Putting $1.00 into the machine for water. Pushing the 'coin return' button to get my money back, only to receive $1.25 back! Penny saved, penny earned. Winning.