The thing I crave the most is anything creamy. You know, that cheesy, hot, home cooked dish that reminds you of Thanksgiving. Since learning those things are hard on my gut I’ve had to get a bit creative. I found a recipe for creamed spinach and tweaked it to be paleo friendly! It’s soooo good! I added a secret ingredient that makes it UNREAL! If you’re not into the paleo thing, I get it! I added ingredients you can easily sub! Enjoy!

​​I N G R E D I E N T S

• 2 tablespoon Coconut Oil or ghee
• 1 medium Onion chopped finely
• 2 cloves Garlic pressed or finely chopped
• Fresh Ground black pepper
• Sea Salt (I use Himalayan pink salt)
• 1 Bag of Organic Spinach or baby kale
• 1/3 cup coconut milk (canned) or heavy cream
• 1 teaspoon grated, fresh nutmeg (SECRET!)

Note: You can also use raw heavy cream and/or add parmesan cheese if desired!

It’s all things bunnies on the book shelf this time of year and we love it! Most of our books for this reading list involve bunnies (or other animals disguised as bunnies) but we also made sure to include a couple books about Jesus. We hope you enjoy our Easter book favorites! Do you have a favorite that we’re missing? Let us know in the comments. Enjoy!

R E A D I N G L I S T

1. Stuck
2. Wolfie the Bunny
3. Guess How Much I Love You
4. Audrey Bunny
5. When Spring Comes
6. The Good Egg
7. Yoga Bunny
8. The Wonderful Egg
9. Marshmallow
10. Cat and Bunny
11. Bunny Roo I Love You
12. The Country Bunny
13. Tiny the California Easter Bunny
14. P is for Peter
15. An Easter Egg Hunt for Jesus
16. God Gave Us Easter
17. Too Many Carrots
18. You’re My Little Bunny
​19. The Runaway Bunny
​20. Flora the Flamingo

Everley’s Romper | Hey Little Scout
Everley’s Bow | Indy and Pippa
Carrot Garland | Pearl and Jane

After I made the white chocolate covered pretzels for Valentine’s Day I was hooked! These Ghirardelli White Chocolate melting wafers are so easy to use even with the kiddos AND so delicious! I’m usually a milk chocolate kind of girl but white chocolate on pretzels definitely has my heart! Everley loved placing the lucky charms on the pretzels (and in her mouth haha!) So fun to do with the kids!

I N G R E D I E N T S
​
-White Chcolate Melting Wafers (I prefer these)
-Pretzel Rods (We used the honey wheat ones from Trader Joe’s!)
-Lucky Charms
-Gold Sprinkles (I used Edible Accents Gold Stars)

S U P P L I E S

-Parchement Paper
-Medium size microwaveable bowl
-Spatula

D I R E C T I O N S

1. Follow the directions on the melting chocolate package
2. Dip your pretzels about 1/3 or 1/2 half way and place on your parchment paper. I like to do one at a time because the chocolate does dry pretty quickly!
3. Sprinkles!
4. Place your favorite lucky charms on your pretzels! This is the part that Ever liked to do with me the most. I didn’t just throw lucky charms on as I was a little more strategic with it, but you totally can! They’ll be delicious either way!

E N J O Y !

Ever has been showing interest in helping me in the kitchen a lot lately. To encourage her love for cooking, (I’m so proud haha) I often try to come up with fun recipes and projects she can help me with.

White chocolate covered pretzels are one of my favorite treats. I’m a sucker for anything sweet and salty. And the white chocolate just gives it that perfect touch.

We were so happy to work with Daydream Society for this project. We used cups and temporary tattoos from their Love Notes Collection. I wish I could say it was planned but I didn’t even know there were pretzels on the cups. That was a cute little surprise! They couldn’t be more perfect. You can check your local boutique party store to see if they carry these (I know some that do in San Diego!) but you can use any cup and little treat topper (ours being the tattoos) you’d like!

These are so fun and EASY to make. I let ever do the sprinkle part...which kids love. She kept saying “mama I help sprinkle” with a cute proud face.

Happy creating!

S U P P L I E S

FOR THE PRETZELS

-Mini Pretzels
-White Chocolate Melting Wafers (we used Ghirardelli)
-Sprinkles (we used our fave Fancy Sprinkles)
-Microwave Safe Bowl
-Spatula
-Parchment Paper

FOR THE PACKAGING

-Paper Cups
-Scissors
-Yarn to tie (we just love yarn but you can use any ribbon!)
-Clear Gift Bags (we got ours at Daiso and they were 7x10 and the perfect size!) You can also get a roll of cellophane but I like them to be ready to go personally!
-Temporary Tattoos (you can use stickers, pins, anything cute but something on top adds a nice finishing touch!)
-A hole puncher (if you’re using stickers or tattoos you’ll need one!)

One thing is for sure I will always crave pasta! It’s definitely my weakness. I’ve been experimenting a lot lately with how I can incorporate healthier options and in doing this I came up with this recipe that I’m pretty sure you’ll love as much as I do! And aside from the pasta, it’s all a one pot recipe!

I N G R E D I E N T S

Organic Chicken Sausage (I used Sabatino’s Paleo Basil and Cracked Pepper that I got at Costco!) You can use as much as you want. I used three links.

1 package Gluten Free Egg Fettucini (I used Trader Joe’s)

1 Can Italian Style Tomatoes

1 tbs. Chopped Parsley

4 oz. Majestic Garlic (Plain Garlic)

Pepper to taste

Himalayan Pink Salt to taste

1 tbs. Coconut Oil (you can also use avocado oil)

2 Cups Organic Broccoli

1 Can Coconut Cream

D I R E C T I O N S

1. In a pot, boil your water for the pasta.

2. In a separate large skillet on medium, add your coconut oil, majestic garlic, parsley, salt, and pepper until all are blended together nicely.

3. When that mixture is hot add in your sausage and broccoli and cook until broccoli is tender.

4. When broccoli is cooked, add in your tomatoes and coconut cream and stir to blend evenly. Add a lid and simmer.

5. While the sauce simmers and all of the flavors cook together, cook your fettuccine as instructed. Ours was fresh and only takes 4 minutes but packaged may take longer.

6. When noodles are done, drain, and add to your large skillet and blend everything together.

Top with parsley and enjoy!

It’s been so much fun interchanging these books in her room every season. We’ve been learning all about love and different forms of love and it’s no coincidence that Ever’s favorite thing to say right now is “love you tooooo”. Hope you L O V E these books like we do! Below each book is linked for
​ya!

1. PART OF MY HEART
2 THAT’S ME LOVING YOU
3. MIRABEL’S MISSING VALENTINES
4. IN MY HEART
5. ROMEO AND JULIET
6. LOVE IS
7. HENRY IN LOVE
8. I LOVE YOU MORE
9. LOVE IS A TUTU
10. CUDDLE BUG
11. L IS FOR LOVE
12. LOVE MACHINE
13. FLORA FLAMINGO
​14. PLANT A KISS

Last year I started this post like this:

“ I have never learned more in one year than my first year of motherhood.”

Honestly this still rings true and I think a lot of you would agree. I learned a lot this year but I was definitely more adapted or “broken in” if you will. Because for me, my first year of motherhood shaped me into a stronger woman in so many ways.

So here are my top 10 lessons of 2018. You can read my Top 10 Lessons of 2017 here

2019 is my year for less and more

10. Less judgement and more acceptance | Not everyone will care about your kid(s) as much as you’d like them to or as much as others. It’s just the truth. And the other truth to this is that it doesn’t feel good. Not a lot of people talk about this. But here I am. This year I’ve learned to let it go.

9. Less expectation and more wonder | Expectations. Just let go of them. At the end of the day they’re just a bunch of fluffy stuff taking over your brain. This has been a big realization for me in so many ways. Friends and family, my body image, and business to note a few.

8. Less perfection and more experience | I have a new outlook on what “clean” is in my home. I had to learn (and am still learning) that nothing else gets done if I constantly pick up my house. With a very active two year old this is HARD for me. I set a goal for the level of cleanliness my house should be so I can get other things done (work and play). This goal has to be set or I get majorly distracted. Like upon sweeping you notice something on your baseboard and then your whole closet is torn apart distracted. My job is to take care of my daughter not to have a perfectly clean house.

7. Less mind and more heart | I’ll never be able to get it ALL done. Things need to be moved to tomorrow’s list. And when I do get it all done the feeling isn’t that much greater than when I get it mostly done. So why be anxious for that race to perfection when I can be enjoying life a little more. After all these standards are most likely your own.

6. Less quarrel and more peace | If you read last year’s list this isn’t much different. Currently learning to speak more gently and definitely not fight in front of Everley. Any time we sound anywhere near passionate about something Ever says “STOP”. She does not like negativity.

5. Less worry and more trust | In a difficult time I’ve learned to stop dead in my tracks and pray. On top of this I learned what I’m praying for is peace and direction vs God simply “changing” the outcome for me. And that having God on my side is really all I need. There is a lot of weight in this.

4. Less ego and more soul | FOMO is still real. I still admittedly get upset when I see friends doing things I feel like I want to be a part of. People still assume you can’t join because you have kids. What’s changed this year is truly from the bottom of my heart- it’s just gods way of giving me more time with my family.

3. Less routine and more adventures | I’ve learned to play. To forget about the hustle and bustle when I’m with Ever and just play. This lesson came along mostly at Disneyland on our solo trips this year. I’d map out the day, which rides and shows we’d see and find myself stressed if it wasn’t going to plan. Why? My intention was for her to have the best time but quickly realized she’s happy just dancing down main street waving to all of the characters. I learned this after the first couple of trips and then when it stuck and I just let go we had the best time. Kids are the best teachers.

2. Less walls and more bridges | If something scares me then it’s something I should probably go for. If I don’t take the leap there’s no room for growth. Whether it’s making new friends, expanding your creative outlet, or making lifestyle changes. This will be a big challenge for me in 2019. But I’m so ready!

1. Less complaining and more gratitude | I can be disciplined when it comes to body and my health. And I can give it grace and patience at the same time. I spent most of the year mad at my body for not working the way I wanted it to. After some tests at the end of this year I got a slight health scare. I went on a sugar control diet and said goodbye to sugar, processed food, grains, starchy veggies, and even coffee. All in an effort to heal my gut. I lost some weight and inflammation in my body but more importantly gained a new appreciation for what my body has already done for me up to this point. It’s not to be taken lightly. I was upset because it meant putting baby number two on hold but I needed to allow myself to heal. I still have work to do but I now know I can do it and that realization holds so much power.

Resolutions are something I’ve never made. I respect those that do whether they hold to them or not. Optimism, however, is more my style. Less of this and more of that.

I’m still holding onto this:

Happiness isn't defined by reaching goals or everything happening perfectly the way you want it to. It's rather your frame of mind as life is thrown at you. So I'm not going to make a million resolutions I know I won't keep. I'm going to make one promise to myself: find joy in every situation. I'm going to thank God for every opportunity and challenge that comes my way because I know either is meant to shape me into tomorrow's me.

​Happy New Year, friends!

Wooden Letterboard Emmerie Lane

Wall Hanging Mimi and Lei on Etsy

Ornaments Michaels and painted by me

Diffuser Young Living | Christmas Tree Wall Shelf Joann Craft

Santa Mug Freckled Farmhouse

Wreaths and Wooden Floating Shelves Target

Wooden Wreaths Michaels and painted by me

Throws Target (Project 62 Line)

Vase Anthropologie

Bow and Styrofoam Shaped Mickey Head Michael's 

Sunburst Mirror 31 Bits

Small World Print Little Moon Dance

Rose Gold Christmas Tree ON SALE Target | Bedding Beddy's Bed | Rug Target | Mickey and Minnie Disney Store | Santa Pillow Hallmark Baby | Sun Throw Rylee and Cru

Merry and Bright Banner Maddox and Klaus | Painting Alissa Hummel Art

Rug Target | Pig Crate and Kids 

Wooden Trees Wysh Boutique Carlsbad

Initial Hook Anthropologie

I have been making these for a few years now and I thought it was about time that I would put some extr I have been making these for a few years now and I thought it was about time that I put them up on the blog. This year I added some Mickey Mouse head glitter to a few of them and I think it is the cutest added touch. You could really do this with any glitter.

S U P P L I E S

-Bottle Brush Trees (Mine are from Joanne’s & Michaels ) I usually make a few different sizes for different sized gifts!
-Acrylic Paint & Paint brushes
-Hot Glue Gun
-Mini Clothespins (I always grab a couple different sizes for different size gifts!)
-Glitter! This is optional but if you plan to use it have fun with this part! I got my Mickey head shaped glitter here.
-Mini Bows (optional) I got mine from Michaels.

S T E P O N E

Paint your bottle brush trees with your favorite colors! You don’t need much but on some areas I like to add more paint for a pretty “flocked” look.

S T E P T W O (optional)

Sprinkle on your glitter while your paint is still wet!

S T E P F O U R

After your trees are dry you’re ready to assemble your trees to your clothespins with your hot glue gun. This is the part where you can also add your mini bows or toppers if you so choose!