August 15, 2012

Carnival Cookies

Carnival Cookies! Are you thinking of funnel cakes, corn dogs, pink popcorn & cotton candy? Good.

Now think the opposite of that. Go on. Get your healthy cookie thinking cap on!

These cookies taste like a cross between banana bread, oatmeal cookies, trail mix & cracker jacks spiked with chocolate.

They’re even better when you freeze them and eat them on the fly with some hot tea or coffee.

Also good for when you want to:

clean out the pantry
get rid of brown bananas
have an excuse to use coconut oil
have cookies for breakfast and not feel guilty

recipes

August 13, 2012

Honey Lime Strawberries with Ice Cream

I’m writing this on a hot Sunday afternoon in Calistoga. We’re enjoying a sunny day with all of Casey’s family and I’m hiding out in a small dark room typing this.

Womp womp.

Of course the internet connection is slooooooooooooooow like molasses. And as I sit here waiting for this page to load, I keep thinking about expectations. I expect to get on a computer and have it magically work. I expect lightning fast internet speed just as much as I expect to dive into a bowl of strawberries and ice cream and know exactly what it will taste like.

But…things don’t always meet your expectations. Sometimes the lack of internet is just a higher power telling you that you should be spending time with your family (I’m almost done, honey!!). And sometimes strawberries and ice cream get shaken up and remind you how a few simple ingredients can elevate something basic into something amazing.

my everyday life, Photography

August 11, 2012

My Everyday Life: Week 32

Here’s what this past week looked like:

Real life. Cooper is curious about black sesame seeds.

Uncategorized

August 10, 2012

I love lists, Friday!

HOW TO WRITE. I can’t stop staring at that pencil with the eyeball.
A fun little DIY involving washi tape! I’m obsessed with that stuff.
Why Americans don’t know how to take a break. Sheesh. What’s wrong with us?!
The Best Olympic Commentary. I’d love a crack at it…I’d be good.
Food for thought! Raising Successful Children.
Gimme these Blueberry Crumble Shortbread bars!
Love love LOVE Helen Jane. She has another great/thoughtful post about blogging!
Thinking of raising chickens? Jenny has you covered!
I want this fort! FOR ME.
I need to tattoo this on the inside of my eyelids.
Cinnamon Toast Crunch Coffee Cake Bites. I just…I…omg.
Congratulations to Kasey & Matt!! So excited for you two.
SWITCH IT UP. Thanks for the reminder, Joy! I just bought rando nail polish cuz of you!
I want this kitchen. K, thanks bye.
I too am a Lakehouse girl!

Have you listened to the latest Joy the Baker podcast yet?? We take your questions about dealing with a quarter life crisis & going to a wedding without a date. Oh and I randomly profess my love for infinity scarves.

What can you organize in 30 minutes? I’ll show you on the latest High Straightenence. Challenge yourself to a 30 minute project this weekend.

My Bites Around The Net

Kim of The Domestocrat made my Mom’s Sour Cream Coffee Cake

Shelly of Vegetarian Ventures made my Honey Rosemary Lemonade sparkling!

Oh!! For the past few months most of my pictures for my I love lists post come from my Instagram.

You can follow me @tracyshutterbean!

Uncategorized

August 9, 2012

SUMMER BOUNTY!

If you’re anything like me, you’ve got produce overflowing on your kitchen counter.

Are you freaking out over your SUMMER BOUNTY!?! I might be…

What should we do with all this fruit?? Make stuff!

around the home, Uncategorized

August 8, 2012

What I’m Reading:

It’s no secret that I love books. If I had my way, I’d live in a space like this. I know, I know. It’s not practical. I mean…we have earthquakes here in California (BTW, I’m currently knocking on wood). Every few months I go nutso on Amazon. Maybe it’s cuz I enjoy a package in the mail or maybe I love reading good books before bed. I just LOVE me some knowledge.

Knowledge is sexy/smart/productive/attractive/amazing. I’m happiest when I’m learning.

It’s just what I do.

Here’s my latest book loot!!

recipes, Uncategorized

August 6, 2012

Tomato Butter

We already discussed what to do if you have a surplus of basil from you garden (Basil Infused Oil!). But what about tomatoes?? When we grew tomatoes at our old house, most of them never made it into the house because I had a habit of eating them directly off the vine. Oooops. If I was lucky, some made it into salads like this one and a delicious goat cheese pasta dish like this one.

And then there was tomato butter…