Food

  A few months ago, I decided to throw together a LEGO party for Mr. J.  I always start out planning really simple parties, but no matter what I do, they end up bigger.  There always seems to be life craziness that is going on around party season.  When life gets intense for me, I take ...

   Sweet Summer. I love you for your refreshing breezes. Your warmth brings new life to my very favorite foods. Berries are one of your specialties. You do them WELL. We are enjoying our summer days.  We’ve had a few changes around here.  A few weeks ago we got our very first foster care placement.  It’s true!!  We’ve been so thrilled ...

It’s the last day of school. Let me say that again. IT’S THE LAST DAY OF SCHOOL!! While I love EVERY bit of teaching my kids, every teacher needs a break at some point, right? It’s summertime.  Can you believe it? Here in San Diego, God has been showering my garden with sunshine-y goodness and I’ve been soaking it all ...

 We’re back. Wait. You didn’t know I was gone, but we slipped away for 6 days to Kentucky for a beautiful wedding and a visit with some very special friends.  The weekend before that we had another wedding in the middle of the Mojave desert. Fun times. You can see some picture on my Instagram.  I’m @agoldenafternoon so come ...

I love color, don’t you? Maybe my love for it came from growing up in a house with walls painted entirely in one color…”Navajo White”.  Maybe it’s just because color brings joy and peace to an otherwise loud and crazy household, which includes a fighter pilot, Peter Pan, and Fancy Nancy running around fighting pirates.  Whatever ...

I love Holidays.  They are an awesome way to get people together, eat good food, share a bit of happiness, and maybe even relax a little (if you’re not the hostess, of course!)  St. Patrick’s day is no Christmas, but there’s a little piece of history there for everyone to celebrate in. St. Patrick (or Maewyn Succat, ...

Pin It Forgive me, I am about to go off about Downton Abbey again so hang with me if this bores you because either way, there is a drink recipe at the end.   We all know I am obsessed with Downton Abbey, like the rest of the world, it seems.  I find inspiration from that time period everywhere ...

Earl Grey Cookies with Grapefruit Zest (adapted from Martha Stewart) 2 T. earl grey tea, from tea bags (ground) 2 c. flour 1 c. butter (2 sticks), room temperature 1/2 c. confectioner’s sugar 1 T. grapefruit zest Combine the tea and flour in a bowl.  In your mixer bowl or another bowl, mix the butter, sugar, and grapefruit zest on medium until ...

“You know you’re in love when you can’t fall asleep because reality is finally better than your dreams.” Dr. Seuss Linking with: Project Alicia and The Paper Mama

Oatmeal is definitely a comfort food for me.  When I eat it in the morning it sits in my tummy and says, “Your day is gonna be awesome”.  I started making this oatmeal quite a few years ago and I love it (some of our frequent guests even ask for it which is sooo sweet).  Don’t get ...