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December 30, 2013

My Everyday Life: Week 52

Here’s what the LAST WEEK OF 2013 looked like!

Balance. Always in search of it…but then last week, I found it on a street.

My Everyday Life: Week 52

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December 27, 2013

I love lists, Friday!

I LOVE LISTS FRIDAY

  1. Then & Now pictures of the 1906 Earthquake in SF. Fascinating!
  2. I can’t wait to listen to this while I take a walk this weekend.
  3. This post makes me super jealous.
  4. For the animated gif lover…
  5. There are some gems on this list!
  6. This is incredible. I’ve always been fascinated by what’s under the sea.
  7. Cookbooks I just added to my collection: One/Two/Three
  8. 10 Signs You’re a Total Capricorn. This is for my mom.
  9. In 2014, I’d like to make more crepes.
  10. Chai Honey Old Fashioned? I’ll take 2 please/thank you.
  11. This is the most enticing smoothie I’ve seen!
  12. 5 Essential Tips for Baking Bread.  I need this.
  13. Hello, DREAM MAC & CHEESE.
  14. The kind of pancakes I dream about.
  15. This salad looks like it would be a good reset button after the holidays.
  16. It’s resolution time! It’s all about accountability.

but wait theres more

There’s a new Joy the Baker podcast. It’s our last one of 2013!  Just Lift Everything!

mybites

The Little Bite added marshmallows to my  Flourless Chocolate Coconut Drop Cookies

The Peach Bellini made my Crunchy Peppermint Bark

Lucy the Baker also made my Crunchy Peppermint Bark

The Kitchen Paper made my Bourbon Salted Caramels 

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December 24, 2013

Christmas Decor 2013

Christmas Decor 2013 // shutterbean

I realized that I didn’t share my holiday decorations last year like I do every year. Bad Tracy!! Our house was in such a crazy state last year since we had just moved in a few months before the holidays and were still in the process of sorting & moving my parent’s things into other parts of the house. This year I’m going to show you what’s up! I decorated three parts of our house for the holidays. The living room (where the Christmas tree is), the dining room and our family room mantle.

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December 22, 2013

Salted Rocky Road Fudge

Rocky road is hands down one of my favorite ice cream flavors. It’s not the chocolate or the marshmallows I crave. Nope. For me, it’s all about the toasted almonds. They seal the deal. Every year my mom makes a batch of Rocky Road Fudge and her famous coffee cake for Christmas dessert. I generally allocate my calories towards the coffee cake because HELLO. It’s COFFEE CAKE. Who can resist? This means I usually pass on the Rocky Road. Sad face.

Salted Rocky Road // shutterbean

This year I (forcefully) stepped in and volunteered to make her Rocky Road recipe. But I’m doing something I’ve always dreamed of doing….swapping the raw cashews of my mom’s traditional recipe with SMOKED ALMONDS.

Now we have Salted Rocky Road Fudge!

Salted Rocky Road // shutterbean

It adds the perfect amount of salt to balance the sweetness of the chocolate. Before I’d only have one piece of fudge–if that. Now? I’m like 4 pieces in…willing myself to walk away. It’s the almonds! They add incredible depth because they’re roasted & smoked. You get the creaminess of the fudge, the pillow puffs of marshmallows with delightful crunches of almonds. Watch out coffee cake, there’s a new guy in town. I can’t wait to see what my family thinks.

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December 21, 2013

My Everyday Life: Week 51

Here’s what this past week looked like:

A bit of sunshine & a flower. Felt like a bit of summer in December.

My Everyday Life: Week 50

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December 20, 2013

I love lists, Friday!

I love lists friday

  1. I might have to do this next time I’m around someone talking too loud on their cell.
  2. Putting this on the TO DO list after my holiday indulgences.
  3. I hope someone gifts me a jar of Bacon Salt for Christmas!
  4. Aida is on the Bark Train too!! Woot Wooooot!
  5. This made me happy/sad. 
  6. The things people do...that make me laugh!
  7. Test answers that are totally wrong…but still genius. Also..PUNS!
  8. This makes me want to watch Home Alone now.
  9. I can relate to John Goodman’s experience at H&M (skinny jeans?!) Still love it though.
  10. It’s funny because it’s true…
  11. The Power of Empathy. ANIMATED!!!
  12. Totally going to make this whole grain gingerbread 
  13. I love a good spritzer, don’t you??!
  14. These shoes & necklace…I haven’t been able to stop thinking about them…Sigh.
  15. How to Make Your Food Last Longer. Some good tips in there.
  16. I will do anything for you if you make me this french toast…

mybites

The Cheesy Kitchen adapted my White Bean Soup

To + Fromage adapted my Crunchy Peppermint Bark

A Glass of Milk made my Pear Cranberry Arugula Salad

Chattavore also made my Crunchy Peppermint Bark

Curly Girl Press made my Bourbon Salted Caramels

Kitchen Calculation made my Homemade Amaretto

The Crafty Cultivator made my Candy Cane Vodka

That Pink House made my Herbed Cheese Straws

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December 18, 2013

Tropical Bark

Tropical Bark // shutterbean

I realized that I never really announced that this week is BARK WEEK on Shutterbean! BARK WEEK…like Shark Week but for Bark. Bark like the candy, not like the dog sound.  Last week I rehashed my Crunchy Peppermint Bark recipe which fueled my current bark obsession.  Monday was all about Cookies & Cream Peppermint Bark and today I’m introducing you to another new favorite— TROPICAL BARK.

Tropical Bark // shutterbean

We shy away from peppermint in this bark and go the Aloha route with toasted coconut, salty roasted macadamia nuts (OH BOY!) and we add the yellow and orange jewel tones of candied mango and pineapple. It’s creamy, dreamy and conjures up a quick island vacation in your mouth.  Is that even possible? Maybe. That subtle hint of lime zest makes it uber tropical! I highly recommend candied ginger if you have it. I’m going to add it to the next batch because I have some pantry stocking to do….

Tropical Bark // shutterbean

I’m glad we’re on this BARK TRAIN together. Woooooot Woooooooot! Edible Gift-Town, next stop!

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