A Room for a Princess....or is it a Swimmer...

                                                       We recently re-did my daughters
                                                    bedroom.  It came out really nice, we
                                                    are still looking for the perfect desk and
                                                    a new dresser....but here it is so far.
                                                    I moved the little chandelier from our
                                                    living room and it is perfect over her bed.

                                                    Found the Snuggle pillow and had to have
                                            it for her, as she loves to be cozy in her bed.  We
                                            have had very early morning swim practices that
                                            started this week, with me getting up a 4am to wake
                                            up with a coffee (or 2 !) before she gets up and has
                                            to be at the pool at 5am to 6:30am. Then home and
                                            ready to go back to school at 8am.  This is 3 days
                                            a week, with 3 hour after school practices 5 days
                                                                    a week as well..
                                                             and Saturday mornings....
                                           No, she isn't training for the Olympics,  its Varsity
                                                            High School Swim Team !!!

                                                    We hung vintage Disney mini posters,
                                                photo booth props, and from twine over her
                                                window are black and white photos of her
                                                friends, hanging by small white clothespins.
                                                     She spends a lot of time in here, she's
                                                                             15.

                                                    This was taken a couple of years ago,
                                           I just love it because I was laughing so hard at her.
                                                               She is very funny !
                                           She is an amazing, smart, sweet and talented girl
                                           who can do a beautiful back stroke and butterfly !
                                                            I am so very proud of her.

                     
                                                                Have a Blessed Day,
                                                                           Amy

Adorable and Amazing Cakes....

                                                         A tiny cake..filled with flavor !

                                                    I have made these wonderful cakes a few
                                                    times. This occasion was my sister's birthday
                                                    so I stacked them on a cake plate with candles
                                                    at the top ! Just want to share the recipe with
                                                                              YOU.


Mini Olive Oil Cakes with Lemon Glaze 

Ingredients
for the Cakes:

1 tablespoon unsalted butter, melted
1 cup all-purpose flour, plus more for dusting
1 1/3 cups granulated sugar
2 tablespoons grated lemon zest (from 2 lemons)
2 large eggs
1/4 cup extra-virgin olive oil
1/4 cup whole milk
1/2 teaspoon baking powder
1/2 teaspoon salt
1 teaspoon finely minced fresh thyme, plus sprigs for garnish

For the Glaze:
1 1/2 cups confectioners' sugar
1 1/2 to 3 tablespoons lemon juice (from 1 to 2 lemons)
2 tablespoons unsalted butter, melted.

Directions:

Position a rack in the middle of the oven, preheat to 350 degrees.
Prepare cakes:  Brush a 6 or 12 cup mini Bundt or muffin pan
with melted butter. Lightly dust with flour and shake out excess.

Pulse the granulated sugar and lemon zest in a blender until combined. Add eggs one at a time,
then gradually pour in the olive oil and milk, pulsing until emulsified into thin batter, about
30 seconds. Don't overblend or the cakes will be too puffy.
Whisk 1 cup flour, the baking powder, salt and 1 teaspoon thyme in a small bowl. Add to the
blender in 2 batches, pulsing lightly until just combined; stop to scrape down the sides of the blender
as needed. Pour the batter into the prepared pan. Bake until the cakes just begin to pull away from
the sides of the pan and spring back when lightly touched,  28 - 30 minutes for a 6 cup Bundt pan
and 22 - 25 minutes for a 12 cup Bundt or muffin pan. Cool in the pan for 10 minutes, then loosen
the sides with a small knife and invert the cakes onto a rack.

Meanwhile, prepare the glaze. Whisk the confectioners sugar, lemon juice and melted butter until
smooth, adding more lemon juice if the mixture is too thick. Drizzle over the warm cakes and garnish
with thyme sprigs. 
Note:  *I double this entire recipe, because you will want more ! and this lemon glaze is good
                  on anything !

                                                                    Bake and Enjoy !


                                                                Have a Blessed Day
                                                                           Amy

The Sweetest Card EVER....

                                          As the story goes....right before we moved from our
                                   1st home, one evening I carved this heart in the white birch tree
                                   in our front yard. We had planted it together years before. I took
                                   a picture with my phone and sent it to JC at work.  Almost 7
                                   years later he made it into a Valentines Day card for me !!!
                                   He made a few different versions before the final card. I plan to
                                   frame it and hang it somewhere ( if I can find a blank space, may
                                                                 have to move something !)

                                              This is the final card. Its just precious to me.
                                                               Best Valentines gift ever.



                                                            Just had to share this with you.

                                                                 Have a Blessed Sunday,
                                                                               Amy

Treasured Finds....

                                                A collection of old Insulators were found in
                                            the shed at my mother in laws home.  She asked
                                            if we wanted them....JC said "No"  I said " Yes ."
                                            Ran them through the dishwasher and they are
                                                                     sparkling clean.

                                                             
                                                        I got busy making a prototype!
                                                      Little hanging planters for a kitchen
                                                            window or outside patio.

                                                             
                                                        Used some twine and planted
                                                         succulents from my garden !
                                     
                                               

                                                            How amazing is this !!!
                                            A boiler pot from the farm in South Dakota !
                                            (Another  huge "NO" from JC and definite
                                                                "YES"  from me.)
                                            Cleaned it up, lined it with fabric and it is
                                                                 the perfect.....   

                                            .... place to store all of our cozy fleece blankets
                                                that my Mom makes for us.  It is now a great
                                                addition to our family room.  Love how
                                                rust marked it is, it matches the room perfectly.


                                                           
                                                        Have a Blessed and Creative Day,
                                                                          Amy


Just so you know...when my husband says No, he is kidding, as he knows I have a creative vision !

TRUST ME....

                                                                    Jesus Calling


                                            Trust Me enough to spend ample time with Me,
                                            pushing back the demands of the day. Refuse to
                                            feel guilty about something that is so pleasing to
                                            Me, the King of the universe.  Because I am
                                            omnipotent, I am able to bend time and events in
                                            your favor.  You will find that you can accomplish
                                            more in less time, after you have given yourself
                                            to Me in rich communion.  Also, as you align
                                            yourself with My perspective, you can sort out
                                            what is important and what is not.

                                            Don't fall into the trap of being constantly on the
                                            go.  Many, many things people do in My Name
                                            have no value in My kingdom.  To avoid doing
                                            meaningless works, stay in continual communication
                                            with Me.  I will instruct you and teach you in the way
                                            you should go; I will counsel you with My eye upon
                                            you.

                                                                          Psalm 32:8
                                                          I will instruct you and teach you
                                                                in the way you should go;
                                                         I will counsel you and watch over
                                                                              you.


                                              
                                                                  Have a Blessed day,
                                                                              Amy

        

    * From Jesus Calling by Sarah Young pg. 43

Happy Valentine's Day to YOU !

                                                     
                                                      God's gift of Love is all you need.

                                                          John 3:16 spells out Valentine.

                                                                      He will never
                                                                        leave you,
                                                                            nor
                                                                         forsake
                                                                            you.

                                                   Jesus Christ is your Forever Valentine.

                                                                  
                                                                 Have a Blessed Day,
                                                                            Amy

Something I spied...loved...and didn't buy !

                                                 I saw these coffee mugs at the car wash!
                                             They are so cute, would be a great Valentines
                                             gift for my JC, but they are too much money,
                                             and they are the kind of ceramic that chips !!!
                                            Just so you know, I am pretty rough with things.
                                             Especially when I am trying to be really careful,
                                                        that's when I break everything.
                                         

                                          

                                                   So the nice thing about having a phone
                                               is taking a photo and sending it to JC, who was
                                               happy by the way that I didn't spend any money!
                                                        Its the thought that counts anyway.


                                                                   Just had to share.
                                                                           Amy