a photo ode to may

May 31st. Thirty-first. Because spelling it out makes it a reality that tomorrow is the beginning of June. I'm sure I sound like a broken record, but I'm going to say it anyway...how did this happen? It's practically summer!

So in honor of the month that was, here's a random collection of photos from my camera. Enjoy!

What's a birthday without a little OwowCow...

With a side of homemade mocha cupcakes with espresso buttercream?

farm sitting 101

Friends, it's been quite the week. We spent the last nine days farm sitting for my parents. It was a busy week of cute animals, stinky muck, pouring rain, and glimpses of sun and spring. Here's a little recap of the week that was...

My city boy hubster has become quite the country man. Down to the flannel, muck boots, egg collecting, and steer tending.

We raided the cheese drawer and treated ourselves to a cheese fondue dinner.

Sneaky sheep. They let themselves out to graze in the yard.

Averted basement waterfall disaster after 4 plus inches fell in a day. Thank goodness for sump pumps, replacement hoses, and a Dad on call in Cali.

Thankful for an evening of sunshine after all that rain.

Easter greetings

Wishing you all a very Happy Easter! Here's a few photos from our beautiful spring weekend...

A Good Friday evening by the lake.

Beautiful sunset. Old giant trees. Hubster made dinner. Perfection.

Buzzzy bee! Ha.

a recap of life lately

Hey strangers! I'm backkkk! And ready to get cooking, crafting, and blogging again. But before I jump back into normal posts, let's recap life lately.

I'm home from the land of big sky. If you missed the reason for my trip to Montana, you can read my quick note about it here. This is the view my brother and sister-in-law have from their backyard. It's mind-blowing. every. single. time. I've also learned that it makes the chore of washing the dishes a whole lot more exciting.

ice ice baby

Monday: an abundance of snow.

Today: an extreme ice storm.

It's stunningly beautiful in a nasty...no power...watch-out-for-the-falling-trees-and-icicles kind of way...

I think that about describes it.

Stay warm and safe, friends!

january life and a move

A little glimpse of life lately in photo moments. Food. Snow. Fun. Food. Repeat. 

Oh sweet, sweet goodness. Words fail me.

Pa's birthday bonfire!

An easy peasy egg recipe coming soon.

I know so many of you miss the green, but truly there aren't many things more lovely than a still, quiet snowfall.

If you like experimenting with whole grains and love breakfast, read Whole-Grain Mornings: New Breakfast Recipes to Span the Seasons! Find her blog here.

And the real reason behind my silence lately....

Moving madness in all its ugly glory.

We've moved to a little old farmhouse apartment! It's quaint and old with vintage glamour. The real truth: peeling floral wallpaper with pheasants (why???), a lake view, a crackerbox kitchen with barn wood cabinets, real heat, tiny bathroom, limited cell service (read: the closet has become our office), and no dishwasher (eek!). We've optimistically decided this will be quite an adventure. I'm pretending I'm living in a vacation cabin. It makes me feel better about not being able to squeeze our mattress box springs up the inky, dinky staircase. And the other day, when the pipe to the sink broke and sprayed the kitchen (and us) with water, my mom told me to think of it as fuel for my writing. Thanks Ma.

And so friends, expect some interesting stories and certainly more decor diy project solutions for our little vintage, storage-less place. Back to unpacking!

the festivities

It's been a week of pure Christmas joy! Full of family, friends, food, fun, and love! Here's the festive highlights:

this cookie recipe - I'd recommend rolling them out thick and pulling them out of the oven after 12 minutes for a chewy graham cookie

an unseasonable warm night to catch the Christmas lights

woah! a true gingerbread house artist!

Mom's famous gingerbread

paper rose template found at this fabulous craft blog

Christmas morn'

a brilliant Christmas sunset

world domination - family settler's style :)

celebrating at The Melting Pot!

Hope yours was just as beautiful, bright, and blessed! 

fall happenings

Hello and happy Monday! No new recipe today, but I promise I've got a few new delicious eats coming your way this week. For now I'm sharing a glimpse of the gorgeous fall beauty we witnessed this weekend.

a tribute to summer

Well, friends this is the week that we've been waiting for...school's out and sweet, sweet summertime begins! In honor of one of my favorite seasons (let's face - they're all my favorite seasons...I'm just a four-seasons-kind-of-girl), I present a collection of summer beauty seen through the eyes of a lens. Enjoy!

an alfresco snack on the deck - homemade brioche bread topped with Ma's applebutter

meandering walks through history

 picnics in the park (note for all you history buffs: this is quite literally the spot where Washington crossed the Delaware)

 sweet daisies - it's impossible not to feel a little happier in the presence of such bright, little flowers

 green thumb success! the peas are growing!

 tomato season...there's nothing quite like a sun-warmed tomato right off the plant

walks through enchanted woods...minus the ticks...

the golden light of an evening on the farm