Almond Butter Chocolate Chip Cookies

Peanut butter and chocolate are a match made in sweet tooth heaven.  They're the perfect mix of salty and sweet, rich and creamy.  There's just really nothing that compares.

That is, until now.  Move over peanut butter there's a new nut in town - almond butter.  I may or may not have a slight obsession with almond butter.  I put it on my oatmeal, in smoothies... Pretty much anything I would eat with peanut butter.

I just bought a jar of almond butter and was craving cookies (duh) so obviously I decided to make almond butter cookies with chocolate chips!  I stumbled upon this recipe and it looked so easy I had to give it a go, sweet success!

Currently Coveting - Birthday Edition

Hello & happy Wednesday!

With my birthday next week, I've been doing online 'window' shopping more than usual.  Spring is just around the corner and I'm being drawn to color - especially pastels.  Here's a round up of a few things I'm currently coveting.

bag // blouse // dress  // dress //

 bag // necklace // planter // polish 

 // candle  //necklace // jar // book

Smoothies

Lately I've been craving smoothies like crazy.  I've been having one every morning next to flat bread with almond butter or eggs for breakfast.  They're energizing and keep me full until lunch.  Maybe it's because it's been so cold in the city & I've wanted something fresh & fruity and smoothies do just the trick!  I like to add chia seeds because they're high in omega-3's & fiber, plus they give a bit of a nutty crunch.  I add spinach to most of my smoothies but didn't have any on hand at the time.  I've been experimenting with different flavors and here's a round up of a few I made last week.

Weekly reflections

Last week was full of fun activities!  During the winter I tend to hibernate and not go out that much, but it was really wonderful to catch up with friends & family.  Cheers to bundling up and being social!

- I started off the week trying out a new recipe - apple, leek & butternut squash gratin, yum!  The recipe was from the "Meatless" cookbook.  It was especially delicious the next day for breakfast with an egg on top!

Life Happenings

Wow the weekend really flew by and now it's already Tuesday.  I almost forgot yesterday was a holiday (retail life, sigh)  I just figured it was like every other Monday until I realized the buses were on a Saturday schedule, and running 20 minutes behind - nothing like being rushed on a monday morning.  Oh well, nothing a big toffee latte couldn't fix (and it was my 10th one so it was free!)  I wanted to slow down a little bit before another week passes and take a look back at a few of my favorite things that happened last week.

1.  Wedding planning with Kelly - and having a blast in the photo booth.

Almond Coconut Macaroons

I love cookbooks.  When I'm at a book store the first area I check out is the cookbook section.  I read a few recipes and check out the pictures.  Once I actually buy a cookbook,  I read the whole thing cover to cover - including the introduction.  I love reading about different ingredients, how to measure certain things and new techniques.  I've acquired quite a few cookbooks in the last few years, but the really special ones are gifts from people who rave about their cookbook, and want me to try out a few of their favorite recipes.  

Recently, my Aunt & Uncle sent me the Standard Baking co: Pastries cookbook.  They know my love of baking & told me this was their favorite bakery in Portland, ME.  They recommended the fruit & nut granola bars -- which look absolutely delicious.  After reading though the cookie section, I saw a coconut macaroon recipe that I just had to try.  Macaroons remind me of my brother because growing up, we'd try to sneak them into our grocery cart every time we went to Henry's Market -- along with those champagne cookies with sprinkles.

Happy Hearts

With Valentine's day being this week, I have another project to show I've been working on to show my love.  happy hearts

For Christmas, my Mom gave me the heart on the left.  I loved how rustic and simple it was, and was inspired to make some of my own.  I just started sewing the one on the right -- it is called the blanket stitch.  I tried a few different ways of tying the top loop, but I like the yarn the best.

 

Valentine's Cards

Some people have a love/hate relationship with Valentine's Day.  I happen to love it.  Whether you're in a relationship or not, Valentine's Day should be about letting people how much you love them.  Let your sister, brother, mother, father, bff, coworker, dog, etc know how special they are.  I know it's "Hallmark Holiday"  but I also happen to LOVE making cards, and hearts and glitter, so I'm all about spreading the love.  

Remember back in the day when you'd make valentine's for your entire class?  I especially like that this holiday is associated with chocolate(and wine)  I'm in favor of anything that celebrates those.  

 

I was at Paper Source last weekend and per usual, was feeling very inspired so I decided to make some Valentine's.  They had pre-cut hearts, which I was going to cut out myself, but this saved me a step.  They're the perfect size to write a little message on the back.  All you need is some paper, makers, glitter & a little imagination. 

Smoothie & card  making

The Best Chocolate Chip Cookies

There is no single item of food that reminds me of home as much as these chocolate chip cookies.  In my house they're better known as "Mom's famous chocolate chip cookies".

They're that good.  Every event or family function, those cookies are sure to make an appearance.  There are almost always a few in the freezer when I'm home.  They're the perfect mix of chocolate, nuts, sweet, gooey... in fact I'm eating one right now. When I moved into my first apartment, my Mom made me laminated copies of a few of my favorite recipes - you better believe these were in there!  Just the smell of them baking alone makes me think of home.  I'm feeling especially nostalgic right now as my parents are in Colorado visiting my brother -- somehow by making these cookies (while wearing my Vail sweatshirt) I feel like I'm there in spirit!