Tuesday, January 13, 2015

A Day in the Life - 11/12/14

I absolutely love simple lifestyle photos that capture small moments in everyday life. These photos are priceless to me and I know I will cherish looking back at this time in our lives.

Photos taken by Siara Martin. Edited by Me.

Friday, November 14, 2014

The last of the warm fall days.

I felt like fall came and went so quickly this year. The cold weather has already arrived and winter is right around the corner. These photos were taken just a few days ago. The weather was so warm (like 70 degrees warm!). No coats or jackets necessary! It was pure heaven. Today I am snuggled up inside with the heat on, wearing a sweater, and wool socks.

Photos taken by Siara Martin. Edited by me. 

Thursday, November 13, 2014

Leo the Lion Cub.

We dressed Leo up as a lion for Halloween this year (how fitting, right?). He was the cutest little lion cub we had ever seen. I was totally bummed that he didn't like his costume and wanted to rip it right off.  We did a pretty good job distracting him so he would smile for a few pictures! 

Tuesday, September 23, 2014

Pumpkin Bars.

It's that time of year again. It's pumpkin season! This is a wonderful recipe from the kitchen of the one and only Aunt Dianne. I knew this recipe would be amazing before I had even tried it! I'm adding this to my list of favorites for sure.

Aunt Dianne's Pumpkin Bars

2 cups sugar
3/4 cups butter
4 eggs
2 cups pumpkin puree
2 teaspoons baking soda
2 teaspoons cinnamon
1/2 teaspoon cloves
1/8 teaspoon salt
1/8 teaspoon ginger
1/8 teaspoon nutmeg
2 cups flour

Preheat oven to 350 degrees F.
Combine sugar, butter, and eggs -  mix well.
Add pumpkin puree, baking soda, cinnamon, cloves, salt, ginger, nutmeg, and flour.
Mix all ingredients together then pour onto a greased cookie sheet.
Bake 20-25 minutes.

Icing:
8 oz cream cheese (softened)
4 tablespoons butter (softened)
1 teaspoon vanilla
1 tablespoon milk
3-4 cups powdered sugar

Cream together in mixer.

Thursday, September 18, 2014

Zucchini Bread.

The first time I had this zucchini bread was when my sister-in-law, Sara, made it for me when I visited her in Hawaii. It pretty much knocked my socks off. She even added chocolate chips, which made it even better!

Recipe from allrecipes.com.

Zucchini Bread

3 cups all purpose flour
1 teaspoon salt
1 teaspoon baking soda
1 teaspoon baking powder
3 teaspoons ground cinnamon
3 eggs
1 cup vegetable oil
2 1/4 cups white sugar
3 teaspoons vanilla extract
2 cups grated zucchini
1 cup chopped walnuts
1 cup chocolate chips (optional)


Grease and flour two 8 x 4 inch pans. Preheat oven to 325 degrees F.

Sift flour, salt, baking powder, soda, and cinnamon together in a bowl.

Beat eggs, oil, vanilla, and sugar together in a large bowl. Add sifted ingredients to the creamed mixture, beat well. Stir in zucchini, nuts, and chocolate chips until well combined. Pour batter into prepared pans. 

Bake for 40-60 minutes, or until tester inserted in the center comes out clean.  Cool in pan on rack for 20 minutes. Remove bread from pan, completely cool.


Friday, August 22, 2014

Family Photos.

My dear friend Andrea, who I only met this summer, took these beautiful photos for our family. Andrea and I met through a photography group on FB and we've been following each other's blogs and IG for a couple years now. Its so fun to actually meet someone in person after only knowing about them through social media. We have a ton in common and we've become great friends in such a short time!  She and her family have only been here for the summer and are leaving next week to go back home to Utah.  :( We will miss them!

Photos by Andrea Mehner

Wednesday, August 13, 2014

Bridge Favorites.

Before I had even married into the Bridge family, I had already heard all about these amazing cookies.  When I finally tried them for myself I instantly realized what all the hype was about.  These cookies are delicious and there's a dang good reason why they're called Bridge Favorites!

Preheat oven to 350 degrees F

Cream together
1 cup brown sugar
1 cup white sugar
1 cup butter softened

Add
2 eggs
2 teaspoons vanilla
2 tablespoons milk
2 cups flour
1 teaspoon baking soda
1 teaspoon baking powder
1 teaspoon salt
2 cups oats
2 cups raisins
2 cups coconut
(raisins and coconut may be substituted for 2 cups chocolate chips)

Mix all ingredients together

Bake 8-10 minutes or until golden brown on top.