Chocolate Covered Love

The paper snowflakes I made before Christmas and hung in the archway between the living and dining room are still there. Mostly because I rather like these snowflakes and I think they are pretty, but also to bring some snow to this winter. We've been having a very cold and snow-less winter this year in Chicago. There has been some snow, but it's all gone now - washed away by rain. For the past two winters there has been a lack of snow in Chicago. I'm not a big cold-lover, I do prefer warmer weather, but I am a strong believer that if it's going to be cold - there should be some snow.

Ever since I got some finger paints for Aria as a Christmas present, I've been taking them out every once in awhile and letting her paint away. Then I hang up her artwork on the wall. Our walls are rather bare, and this is an easy fix.

 Our tiny little bookshelf is filled with Aria's books that I've picked up at the thrift store. She occasionally picks out a book and wants to read it, but her favorite activity is definitely pulling all the books off the shelf over and over again. She does it so often I just started stacking the books horizontally instead of vertically - it's easier to clean up and easier to pull down.

This is what I wish the top of the bookshelf could look like on a daily basis, but with a 2-year-old, it only looks like this in photos.

These are shoes that I've gotten within the past few months at the thrift store. My thrift store often has great shoes, the tricky part is finding shoes that fit though, because you know there's only one pair!

This first pair of shoes is definitely my favorite pair of heels. They are super comfortable, unique, the heel isn't too high and go with a variety of outfits. After I buy stuff at the thrift store I love searching for them online to find the original cost. I found these for $92 online! I got them for about $7 at the thrift store!

Of course, oftentimes, the things purchased at thrift stores are no longer in season or stock at most stores so finding them online can be quite a challenge.

Posted by Katrina at 9:54 PM | Labels: art, books, bookshelf, chicago, cold, cut out, daughter, decor, dried roses, fingerpaint, heels, home, paper, shoes, snow, snowflakes, style, thrift store, unique | 0 comments | Email This BlogThis! Share to X Share to Facebook |

12 week ultrasound

I can't believe it's already been 2 years since my little Aria was born! Time has just gone by so quickly. She's gone from rolling to crawling to walking to running and babbling all sorts of words all the time.

Although she calls both me and her dad, "dah-dee", she usually is referring to me. We are trying to teach her that I am "mommy" but she seems convinced that we are both "daddy".

First family portrait at 2 weeks old

Her new thing to do to get attention is to announce that she's gone to the bathroom by saying "uh-oh, ew, poo-poo." Sometimes she has, and sometimes she just wants out of her carseat.

She also enjoys shushing us by saying "shhh" and putting her finger to our lips. Another to quiet us is for her to stand in between us with her arms outstretched declaring "NO NO NO NO NO...!" at the top of her lungs until we stop talking. She clearly knows how to demand attention.

1 year

While she enjoys watching a number of movies such as Kung Fu Panda, Bolt, Finding Nemo, and The Smurfs; her current all-time favorite is Winnie-the-Pooh. And she wants to watch it like 5 times a day. Always saying "Pooh? Pooh?". She has also started picking up songs from various movies and mixing them together into one song. Mostly it's been the Smurf song and this "song" from Finding Nemo that get blended together.

Interesting combination, yes?

2-year-old snow-lovin' child Happy Birthday my little Beluga!

Posted by Katrina at 9:53 AM | Labels: birthday, daughter, fast, growing up, two, years | 0 comments | Email This BlogThis! Share to X Share to Facebook |

- Old photo, from this past Christmas -

I'm so behind posting recipes on here it's not even funny. Like at least 2 months behind. My problem is I take photos of the food, copy them onto my hard drive, and then they sit there until I have time to edit them and post them. That's the part that takes the most time and going on the computer with an awake 2-year-old is not very feasible. She just wants to do everything that I'm doing, and it doesn't help that she's fascinated with anything technology related.

So I'm sorry about not posting very regularly, the only times I get on the computer are after she's asleep for the night, and there is always something else to do besides update me blogs.. like the mega-pile of dishes in the sink, fresh laundry that needs to be put away... and all that fun stuff. 

So until next time... 

Posted by Katrina at 10:22 PM | Labels: behind, daughter, laugh, me, posts, smile | 0 comments | Email This BlogThis! Share to X Share to Facebook |

My daughter, Aria Grace, being a good model for me. Although I must say it took quite a few photos to get the winning shot. You can't tell from this photo, but she really didn't care for that hat and kept taking it off. I had to distract her with Sesame Street so she'd stay still. :]

She's not very happy looking in these photos, mostly because she was completely ignoring me while I was taking these. But at least she's staying still and not fussing. 

Posted by Katrina at 5:54 PM | Labels: aria, daughter, elf hat, lights, merry christmas, photos | 0 comments | Email This BlogThis! Share to X Share to Facebook |

The many faces of Aria. She's turning into quite the little model. 

She knows to smile now when I point the camera at her and say, "smile", but of course the best shots are candid. 

I made Christmas cookies! I use the same recipe my mom uses which is delicious because it has hints of nutmeg and cinnamon in it. I also made royal icing for the first time. I found meringue powder at Target and was so excited to try making royal icing.

This recipe makes a large amount, I always make this much or more so that I can make a few cookies and then freeze the rest of the dough until I want to use it again.

Cut-Out Sugar Cookies

- one cup unsalted butter

- two cups white sugar

- four eggs

- five cups of flour

- three teaspoons baking powder

- two teaspoons vanilla extract

- half teaspoon of cinnamon

- half teaspoon of nutmeg

- half teaspoon of salt

Preheat oven to 300 degrees.

Cream butter and sugar together thoroughly.

Beat in eggs until light and fluffy.

Sift dry ingredients together into a separate bowl and then gradually blend into butter mixture.

Add vanilla.

Chill dough at least three hours.

Roll to 1/4 inch thickness on a floured surface. 

Cut out desired shapes and place on a parchment paper lined baking sheet.

Bake for 20 minutes.

Cookies should be barely golden on the bottom and look just baked when they come out of the oven.

Let cool for five minutes on the baking sheet until transferring to a wire rack to cool completely.

Keep unbaked dough cold, unused dough freezes well.

Royal Icing

adapted from Joy of Baking

- four cups powdered sugar

- three tablespoons meringue powder

- half a teaspoon extract (I used peppermint)

- 3/4 cup warm water

In the bowl of an electric mixer, whisk the powdered sugar and meringue powder together until well combined. Add in the water and extract and beat at medium to high speed until very glossy, stiff peaks form (5 to 7 minutes). If necessary, to get the right consistency, add more powdered sugar or water.

The icing needs to be used immediately or transferred to an airtight container as royal icing hardens when exposed to air.

Makes about three cups.

Posted by Katrina at 4:12 PM | Labels: candid, christmas, cinnamon, cookies, daughter, extract, face, icing, meringue powder, nutmeg, peppermint, royal, smile, sprinkles, target, vanilla | 0 comments | Email This BlogThis! Share to X Share to Facebook |