DIY Cookbook

Today brings you yet another seasonal themed post! I have a ongoing project this autumn that I have been working on. My cookbook! I have a rule for it. I can only add recipes that I actually have eaten and like. So often, I buy a cookbook that I think looks so delicious, but only end up trying one recipe, and either not being impressed, or totally forgetting about the cookbook and having it get dusty in my cupboard. With my 'only tried recipes' rule, I have a cookbook to keep going back to, and it gets well-used! 

I found this old Betty Crocker cookbook while thrifting, and decided it was really okay to cover up some of these dated recipes with my own. Some of them I'll keep, such as a pie crust recipe! I'll definitely need some help with that - Thanks Betty! 

This project is really enjoyable to me, as I used to be an avid scrapbooker. This got kind of old, as printing off photos seems to be few and far between (and the scrapbooker scene isn't quite as cool as it once was. I'm sure there are cool scrapbookers out there - hello to you!) This scrapbooked cookbook allows me to be creative, which I love. I need that creative outlet! Little drawings, pretty paper, and stamps adorn the pages. Over the years, eventually, my little book will be filled with recipes I love! 

{this peanut butter chocolate cookie recipe is the best!}

Does autumn put you in a cooking mood? 

Enjoy!

Fall Transitions.

Fall is here! And I love it. Autumn leaves, new blog viewers (thanks craft gawker!) cozy layers, and LOTS of baking. And I have double the fun - baking at home and work! Cranberry Raspberry Scones, anyone? Craving a delicious Blueberry Streusel Cake? Nope, can't transport them over blogland. Sorry! (but more for me!)

                                                                Source: allthemountains.blogspot.com via Moorea on Pinterest

                                                                         Source: morefruitplease.net via Moorea on Pinterest

                                                                  Source: twopeasandtheirpod.com via Amanda on Pinterest

                                                        Source: smileandwave.typepad.com via Smile and Wave on Pinterest

                                                                   Source: m.anthropologie.com via Moorea on Pinterest

                       And for more fall fun, head over to Koi Story to win some free ad space!

                    Enjoy!

Snapshots.

Mid week already? Where did the time go? I've been busy working lots, and getting ready for my trip! Did I mention I'm headed to Portugal for a month? It's true! I can hardly believe it! Life seems so busy! Here's my busy life in instagrams. 

Supper making. 

Rose receiving from elderly customers. 

Latte art making? Well, it's a start anyway. Nothing like this guy. He's pretty neat. 

What has life involved for you?

Enjoy!

Cooking. Sort of.

                                                                   Source: thetalkingkitchen.com via Kristen on Pinterest

I definitely don't claim to be a cook, but I'm slowly learning! And I like it. Here are a few of the recipes I've tried out this week. Next on my list is the recipe above. Garlic cilantro fries. Yum!

Hummus. I added a little curry powder, as it's good in everything (almost). 

Cranberry Orange Scones. Delicious. I added an orange slice on top as it baked. Gave it lots of moisture!

Vegetable Creamy Pasta. I half followed this recipe. But throwing in other things is fun!

Espresso Chocolate Chip Cookies. I used three ounces espresso instead of espresso powder. The real stuff!

Sometimes it's fun to cook, but buying fresh made soup from the local market is fantastic as well! Do you cook often? What are your favourite recipes?

Enjoy!

Well, the new year is here! I sometimes think it's funny that we make such a big deal out of each new year. Imagine if we celebrated every time a new month came around, we would think it was just silly. I joined in on the new years fun just the same! I hosted a few friends over last night, and we had a wonderful time! I made a few appy's, and thanks to a few friends, we had lots to drink as well! I found a few new years printables (here), and it turned out quite pretty. Such fun!

(recipe here). 

This is a fantastic bread to make for a party! (recipe here). 

I loved having such good friends over!

This picture is blurry but I had to include it because it's such fun! We played a lot of mario party. I'm pretty sure everyone can enjoy this game on Wii. 

Our handsome barista. 

Yeah, he's talented. 

One of our favourite things of the evening was one of my friend's Christmas gift. Have you seen the Soda Stream? Honestly, probably one of the coolest things in the world. You fill up this bottle with water, attach it to the soda stream, press a button and it carbonates it, add some soda-stream flavoured syrup, and you MAKE YOUR OWN POP! And it tastes so good! Really, put it on next year's Christmas list. 

Hope your ringing in of the new year was lovely!

Enjoy!

Cool it.

Hello! And thanks so much for continuing to read! I am so encouraged by all the comments you lovely ladies are leaving for me to read! I love to hear from you, so if you're reading, let me know your thoughts! Leave a comment if you like!

It's summer, and it's hot! What better way to beat the heat than cool treats?

Blackberry and lime sounds refreshing! Looks refreshing too!

Source: poppytalk.blogspot.com via Becky on Pinterest

Want the recipe? See it on Poppytalk here.

Oh my goodness...If i could have dairy, this is what I would be eating! Espresso buttermilk ice-cream!

Source: delectabledeliciousness.blogspot.com via Anastasia on Pinterest

She shares the recipe on her blog here.

And if you only have one ingredient on hand, try this "recipe" out!

Source: thekitchn.com via Gabby on Pinterest

How are you keeping cool this summer?

Enjoy!

Summer Treats.

Ah, Summer days, you do treat me well. I was off work today, so my sister Hannah and I ventured out onto the streets of our town for a lovely bike ride! Hannah just got her bike yesterday off of kijiji, and I have had mine for a while. See more about my beautiful bike here. I'll have you know, I took all these pictures while riding! (except for the ones where we are obviously stopped...).

Ready to roll!

No, Hannah and I did not plan our outfits to match. And yes, Hannah was obviously on a mission in this picture.

Lookin' good, Han.

After our bike ride, I made a tasty treat for myself. It's similar to the Orange Julius from Orange Julius, but obviously not quite the same. Here's the recipe! I'm not sure where my family got it originally.

6 oz. frozen Orange Juice Concentrate (this is about half of a frozen can)

1 cup water

1 cup milk (I used soy)

1/4 c. sugar (you can do less, it's plenty sweet)

1 tsp. vanilla

Blend this all up, then add about 10 ice cubes, blend again, and enjoy a refreshing treat! This makes enough for two, with excess!

Also, I'm loving the rounded corners of my photos! What do you think? I'm working on transforming a bit around the blog!

Tell me, what are your summer recipes? Any bike rides for you folk? If you're looking for something neat to wear this summer, you can win a lovely pair of vintage earrings on the Ginger Diaries here!

Enjoy!

Spring Inspires!

Well, summer is setting in! Alright, that was a little lame. But it is starting to look less like winter outside, and that excites me! Today is Easter Sunday, which brings about lots of freshness and newness! The resurrection of Christ, buds on the trees, and new blog banner and background! What do you think? My sister and I put these together, and I love the banner!

Being home from college brings all sorts of newness as well. Looking for a job, having my own bathroom, and more time for crafting! Having time for the third brings me much joy! This summer, I shall garage sale like none before! Starting my crafting marathon, (and I do mean just starting. There is MUCH more to come!) I redid a frame, and I have to say, it turned out simply lovely. The gold ornament was actually on a necklace at le chateau. I was not a fan of it as a necklace, but since it was on sale, I knew it would have purpose elsewhere.

And what else do I do other than craft? Cook! Okay, I haven't actually done much of this yet. But, i was extremely inspired by a $2 cookbook. Yes! $2! A picture for every step of the recipe? Yes please!

What is Spring inspiring you to do?

Enjoy!

Pass the Pasta.

I have a lot of love for a good pasta. At college, it's not really the best place to practice cooking pasta (and, I admit, I'm not really an avid chef to begin with). Every once in a while, I get the chance to try a recipe out. If you've ever been to Chili's and are a pasta fan, you know which one I'm talking about - Cajun Chicken Pasta! I found a recipe, and whipped up a delicious pasta meal! It actually tasted very similar. I found the recipe here.

creamy penne, cajun chicken, and juicy tomatoes. mmm.

check out those cajun spices.

Enjoy!