good morning friends!
it feels so good to be back in this space after a bit of an unexpected break. we’ve had some technical difficulties here with a computer that is on it’s very last leg. i finally purchased a new computer after months of saving & i cannot tell you how good it feels.
when i arrived home after a weekend in austin, luke surprised me with fresh bouquets around our home & little origami hearts poking out from those beautiful flowers. he knows the way to my heart- flowers & crafts!
i am a valentine’s day girl. i love a day spent being intentional about showing your love to those handful that are dear & near to the heart.
with about $10 i made two valentine’s day gifts for luke’s younger siblings. i purchased candy from target along with a handful of items from the dollar bin. so fun & easy.
i also made these pop flowers, completely inspired by my sweet friend sara. i poked the cupcake liners with the pop sticks & scrunched them up to the top. i added a bit of washi tape to keep the liners in place & added a little kraft heart with “you are loved” stamped on it. tied with baker’s twine, this makes a sweet & inexpensive happy gift.
what are some of your ideas for this fun holiday? please share!
love,
natalie
good morning, friends!
it’s our second snow day this week. yesterday morning was so beautiful on the farm with a thick layer of glittery snow covering every surface.
our friends, rachel & josh of poppy & fern, were stuck here for another day due to the snow (no complaints! we love them!) so we stepped outside in the early morning to say hello to our sweet animal friends.
this might be the first year i am not craving spring by february. i am savoring this slower pace of living that only winter & colder days can bring.
we will soon start seeds & till the ground. bulbs will begin blooming & projects will begin on the farm. spring will come soon enough.
for now, let’s celebrate this quiet season.
love,
natalie
hello, friends! today i thought i’d share some of our new favorite recipes found online.
+ this crockpot chicken enchilada soup is AMAZING. we paired it with tortilla chips, but you could easily add a bed of spinach to the bottom of your bowl for a healthy swap. this recipe could also easily be made vegetarian (& cheaper!) with an extra boost of beans.
+ the whole family loved this quinoa salad with pear, fresh spinach & apple. we served this as an entree with sauteed garlicky green beans.
+ we are a big soup family. it’s economical, warm & filling. i love chicken noodle soup, but soup from a can is out of the question in our home. this crockpot chicken noodle soup recipe is delicious with additional herb seasoning. it’s so easy, too. i love making this recipe during a busy day when we need a bit of warmth & a bowl of comfort food. paired with homemade biscuits makes this meal just right.
+ nacho night! nacho night is perfect for a fun friday night meal. we grab a bag of tortilla chips, shred sharp cheddar cheese & sprinkle it on top of the tortilla chips placed on a baking sheet. broil it for just a few minutes until the cheese is fully melted. grab the baking sheet out of the oven & serve with additional toppings like salsa, avocado, lettuce, sour cream (yogurt is a delicious replacement), refried beans, black beans & spinach!
+ i know i’ve listed quite a few crockpot recipes, but they’re perfect for short winter days. here’s a favorite link to 50 vegetarian crockpot recipes that are delicious. we’ve tried quite a few & love them.
+ this is a simple chickpea curry recipe that we have recently started making & love. it’s more economical when you cook dried chickpeas. making a big pot of chickpeas means you have leftovers for homemade hummus!
+ the one pan pasta is our go-to recipe on busy nights. have you tried it? it’s delicious! paired with a big salad makes this meal balanced.
what are some recipes that you’re loving right now? please share!
love,
natalie