Almond Poppy Seed Muffins

  

:: ALMOND POPPY SEED MUFFINS ::

Isn’t it funny how certain sights, sounds, tastes, and smells evoke emotions and bring back memories? Well… the smell and taste of these muffins do just that for me. It brings me back to my early high school years spent in San Diego…. Happy memories surfaced of the carefree days spent with one of my best high school friends. We used to make these muffins after school or on the weekends. Back then, we made them from a boxed mix… and they really were delicious! I think we’d practically devour the whole dozen! I haven’t seen them since those years, long ago. I have found lemon poppyseed muffin mix… but that just isn’t the same in my opinion! There is just something magical about the combination of almonds with poppy seeds!

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{weekend} lovelies

:: Weekend Lovelies ::

The weekend is here!  School is winding down, but our schedules seem busier than ever! Hope that you can take a few moments this weekend for yourself…. and maybe browse some of our favorite finds on the web this week over a cup of your favorite coffee or tea! We kept it short and sweet! Enjoy… and have a lovely weekend, friends! {xo}

 

Mother’s Day Gift Ideas // Hither & Thither

Mother’s Day is coming up quick! Here are a few gift ideas! Click the title link above to see even more classic ideas for your sweet moms…. or possibly a treat for yourself!

 

 

 

The Best Olive Oil Cake You’ve Ever Had // Cup of Jo

This recipe uses your finest olive oil, lemons, a touch of rum, and almond milk….. Mmmmmm! I personally can’t wait to make this recipe! Wouldn’t this be divine over a cup of hot coffee with the company of a close friend? Bliss… 

 

 

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Egg-in-a-Hole

My kids and I have a secret obsession….. it’s watching the Food Network’s cooking shows! We don’t turn the television on during the week {because we’ve learned we never get homework done otherwise}, but when the weekend strikes… the kids and I do love a little downtime watching a few of our favorites together…. especially the Pioneer Woman, the Barefoot Contessa, and Trisha’s Southern Kitchen {or Ree, Ina & Trisha… as we call them around here}! This recipe is one that I recently tried out from Ree {the Pioneer Woman}. I decided to be a loving wife and make Husby a little breakfast upon coming home from a 48-hour shift at the fire station. I am actually allergic to eggs… so I was not able to sample the dish, but I will say that it smelled heavenly… and Husby did devour two pieces and said he thinks it’s even better than FRENCH TOAST!!

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Strawberry Muffins

Fresh strawberries are now in season and are in abundance in our local markets.

Husby recently picked up a ton of the sweet, red fruit,

so I had some extras on hand to get creative with.

We happen to LOVE muffins in our house.

Of course, we love all other baked goods, too…

but I tend to make muffins nearly every week

for a good after school treat or to throw into the kids packed lunches

{they just seem healthier, so I don’t feel as guilty}!

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Trader Joe’s Favorites + Recipe

   

>>> Trader Joe’s Favorites + Recipe <<<

 

  

We are quite fortunate to have Trader Joe’s stores here in California!

Luckily for the rest of the country, they seem to be spreading quickly!

Once you have the opportunity to shop there,

you will have a hard time returning to your usual market.

The selection of food is great…

especially for healthy items & specialty foods.

I love that they carry & label food products for people with special diets

{such as vegan or gluten-free}.

As a family, we do about 90% of our weekly shopping at Trader’s.

I personally love their produce & vegetarian options,

while the kids love their snacks,

& Husby loves their dried fruit, nuts & trail mixes!

Trader Joe’s seems so much more affordable for healthier food products.

I walk out of there weekly,

with my cart overflowing with groceries, for what I consider to be a fair price.

Although I have shopped there for years,

I still find new favorites all of the time!

I thought it would be fun to share with you several of the items

that make it into my cart each week,

along with a simple, yet scrumptious, dinner recipe {see below}! 

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{Simply} Muffins

 {Simply} Muffins

basic batter + your choice of add-ins = pure yumminess!  

Who doesn’t love a tasty muffin?

This is the perfect recipe…

a simple muffin batter, with endless flavor possibilities!

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