-Saturday-

   So, there is nothing special about this post... no cool recipes or craft projects.  Just a little note to say, "Enjoy your rainy weekend!"

   Mine for now is filled with cinnamon hazelnut coffee w/ half and half.  In bed, listening to the rain and enjoying this semi-cool weather.

   Will soon be going to Town Talk for the first time to explore with my husband.   I've heard so many great things about it and the main things I will be looking for is almond meal and tea bags.  It seems like we go through both really quickly.  :)  Then he will be taking me on a lunch date to I don't know where.  hehe... I love surprises!  Then we will enjoy a quiet evening at home, probably playing a game or reading our currant book that we are going through together (will have to blog about that soon).

   My main reason for posting though is to encourage you to enjoy your weekend with the ones you love.  I know that Saturdays look different for every family, but no matter what you are doing enjoy the gifts that God has given you.  For now God has greatly blessed me with a wonderful husband who loves me very much, a comfy little apartment, coffee, the ability to go out to eat every once in a while, and so, so much more.  How blessed our little family is!  :)

~Praise God for your weekend!

 

Strawberry Shortcakes

   Okay, so, I might be a little biased, but this might just be the best thing I have made with almond flour yet.  It is so good!  Even if you are not doing almond flour, you should really try this.  It is a good and healthy alternative to wheat and a great healthy dessert.  You won't feel guilty about this one! haha.

They were perfectly golden.  And so very light and fluffy!

I will put the recipe below.

We also made our own whipped cream. So there was no sugar and no wheat in this dessert!

Layton loved this dessert.  And I enjoyed the fact that it was very light.

Strawberry Shortbread

Cup Cakes:

  1/2 c. agave

  1/2 c. yogurt (I used greek)

  1 t. vanilla

  2 eggs

  pinch of salt

  1 t. baking soda

  3 T. butter, melted

  2 c. almond flour

Whipped Cream:

  2 T. agave

  1/4 t. vanilla

  1 c. whipping cream

• Preheat oven to 310.
• Ina bowl, blend yogurt, eggs, agave and vanilla together.  Then add melted butter after cooled to touch.  Blend well.
• Add dry ingredients and mix well.
• Grease a muffin tin and pour about 3/4 the way full with batter.  Makes a dozen muffins.
• Bake for 20 minutes or until toothpick comes out clean.  Will be slightly browned.  Don't worry if they have shrunk a little in the middle.
• Whip the cream, agave, and vanilla until creamy!
• Put on top of shortbread with strawberries...
• Enjoy!  It is amazing!  Probably a new favorite.

Doesn't it just look amazingly good!

~Enjoy your cooking!

Kitchen Decor

   So, since I have only been married for almost three months, the apartment is still getting put together little by little.  I feel like it is mostly done, mostly ours, but there are just a few more things that need to be done decoration wise and practically speaking.
   Well, yesterday I decided to work on one of the ideas I have had in my head for quite some time... I made these little "labels" out of scrap paper that I had.  :)

I think this one is my favorite. :)

   Not too bad, if I do say so myself.  I'm enjoying them and how they brighten up my kitchen!

   Happy Cooking and Crafting!

Saturday Breakfasts

   So, here I go... blogging again, except this time it is about my simple life as a wife and all the fun that Layton and I have together.

   I have started experimenting with almond meal since Layton and I are not doing wheat anymore.  I have tried a few things so far... biscuits, chicken pot pie, cookies, and best of all pancakes.  Layton is absolutely in love with pancakes and when we had to go off wheat I felt terrible that he wouldn't get to have pancakes very often anymore.  So with the help of Google, I found a wonderful recipe, though it took a few times to find one worth keeping...  :)

   The finished product!  They were really good!  Layton loves them... they are very satisfying and very healthy.  I tease Layton that he is eating a thousand almonds for breakfast.  :)  

(I will post the recipe below for anyone who is interested.)

   Layton made homemade butter while I was working on pancakes.  It was really good!  I had tried before with raw milk and this time we made it out of heavy cream which, I think, worked a lot better.

   Our breakfast table!  :)  We also had almond butter and homemade whip cream to put on the pancakes and then agave instead of syrup... though I have recently bought 100% pure maple syrup that we will try next time we have pancakes.  :)

   Happy Cooking and Happy Living.  May you always keep your eyes fixed on Christ during the mundane things of life!

Almond Meal Buttermilk Pancakes

• 1 1/2 c. almond meal
• 1/2 t. baking soda
• 1/4 t. sea salt
• 3 large eggs, room temperature
• 1/4 c. buttermilk
• 1 T. butter, melted
• 1 T. maple syrup or agave
• 1 t. vanilla extract

Combine flour, baking soda, and salt.

Separate egg whites from yolks.  Set aside egg whites.

In bowl with egg yolks whisk in butter (make sure butter is cooled to touch).

Add buttermilk, maple syrup and vanilla. Then add dry ingredients, there should be no lumps.

With a clean whisk, whisk egg whites until very foamy (2 minutes).

Use whisk to fold in egg whites to batter.

Cook in a lightly greased pan, but keep heat low.  They will burn easily without cooking all the way through.  I usually turn the heat on medium and then once it is heated up, I turn it down to medium/low.

ENJOY!  :)