Crafts and sewing projects from Wild Olive, Soule Mama, [...]]]> I forgot my camera when we went to McCall, ID this weekend, so I don’t have wonderful pictures to share of our time playing in the snow. So I decided to collect a few of my favorite blog posts from January to share instead:

Natural Fun

Crafts and sewing projects from Wild Olive, Soule Mama, and The Mother Huddle

• Hand Warmers
• Pretty Bow Hair Comb
• Pajama Bottoms at Soule Mama and The Mother Huddle
• Reversible Pants at Soule Mama
• Easy tips for Quick Fixes, such as No Sew Hemming and Mending
• Scarf Wrap from Wild Olive
• Thank You Notes
• Snowflake Memory Game

Natural Health

Natural Recipes

Natural Inspiration

YouTube Fun:

Share what you have found or been inspired by this January! 

That caught me staring out the window, instead of laundry~

That turns a cardboard box into a sled~

That requires a push~

That calls for [...]]]> Last Wednseday we awake to a winter wonderland that called for a a warm fire and reflection~

That caught me staring out the window, instead of laundry~

That turns a cardboard box into a sled~

That requires a push~

That calls for preparation~

That calls for a snowball fight~

That brings smiles~

~That left as quickly as it came, and left us waiting for more~

What did you find in your neighborhood today?

For years I have been looking for natural cosmetics that work, and I have finally found it! It’s called 100% Pure and came across it in an online search for natural eye make up. After doing some research on Skin Deep and reading a few reviews, I thought it worth a shot. [...]]]>

For years I have been looking for natural cosmetics that work, and I have finally found it! It’s called 100% Pure and came across it in an online search for natural eye make up. After doing some research on Skin Deep and reading a few reviews, I thought it worth a shot. My eyes are very sensitive and I have to be careful about using eye make up. I am also very picky about colors. I like colors to be true. By that I mean, what it looks like in the packaging is waht it should look like on me. In addition, I like them to blend well. I think it looks more natural. And I am happy to say that the 100% Pure eye shadows (Satin Shadow in Tahiti, Powdered Shadows in St. Tropez and Fig) have met all my expectations and more! They feel great. I don’t even feel them on my skin! I also have started using the Fruit Pigmented Tinted Moisturizer with SPF 20, and it is the best Natural Tinted Moisturizer I have found in the 8 years I have been searching. It leaves your skin looking healthy, even, and moisturized.

Over the last year, I have tried a few other products and have loved then all! But I thought I would give you the scoop on a few of my favorites:

1. Organic Lavender Seafoam Facial Cleanser: This is like 3 products in 1. It is a great every day cleanser and I feel like the seaweed acts as a mild exfoliant. I also use it as a purifying mask about once a week.
2. Organic Coffee Bean Caffeine Eye Cream: I had been looking for a good eye cream that could withstand the dry climate of Boise and this is better than all the others I tried. Plus it help my eyes wake up in the morning!
3. Argan Oil Hydration Facial Moisturizer SPF 30: This is a great moisturizer, especially under make up, and still provides an SPF 30! Argan Oil is one of the most moisturizing oils that exists and a little goes a long way.

I also love their body scrubs and lotions that come in an amazing assortment of fruity flavors! And so as a January promotion, I am giving away 3 packages of body lotion samples. Just use the Rafflecopter Widget below to Enter (if you do not see the widget click on the title of this post and refresh if necessary). Good Luck!

a Rafflecopter giveaway

Over the holiday break we went to Palm Springs and visited with Mark’s parents. We stayed at the Palm Springs Tennis Club where Mark stayed as a child. Mark was not much older than Claire on his first visit to Palm Springs, and it was a really special experience for Mark to [...]]]>

Over the holiday break we went to Palm Springs and visited with Mark’s parents. We stayed at the Palm Springs Tennis Club where Mark stayed as a child. Mark was not much older than Claire on his first visit to Palm Springs, and it was a really special experience for Mark to bring Claire and Ross to the place he vacationed with his family. We had a wonderful time:

~having Chanukkah dinner with Grandpa Marty, Nana Carol, Grandma Bernice, and may other friends

~playing tennis (all except for me)

~swimming in an outdoor pool in December

~tasting appetizers at the Purple Palm and buying candles at the Street Fair

~visiting the Living Desert

~going up the Palm Spring Aerial Tramway to play in the snow and get a birds eye view of the Valley.

What is your favorite vacation memory?

I always make biscotti around the Holidays. I don’t really know why. Maybe it’s because it reminds me of my Italian grandmother. Maybe it’s because great to dip in warm beverages like coffee and coco. Or maybe it’s because it is a good alternative to all those too, too sweet Holiday cookies [...]]]>

I always make biscotti around the Holidays. I don’t really know why. Maybe it’s because it reminds me of my Italian grandmother. Maybe it’s because great to dip in warm beverages like coffee and coco. Or maybe it’s because it is a good alternative to all those too, too sweet Holiday cookies everywhere. Whatever the reason, I love these simple and comforting cookies.

This year I made a change to grandma’s recipe (I think she will forgive me). I was inspired by this cake from 101Cookbooks.com (http://www.101cookbooks.com/archives/lemony-olive-oil-banana-bread-recipe.html) The simple but lovely mixture of lemon and olive oil inspired me to add this to my biscotti.

 Lemon Olive Oil Biscotti

Preheat oven to 350F. Grease a large cookie sheet. Wisk together:

• 3½ cups white spelt flour (or any whole grain flour)
• 3½ tsp. baking powder
• ½ tsp. salt

Set aside flour mixture. Beat on medium speed until well blended:

• ¼ cup fine extra virgin olive oil
• 1¼ cup muscovado or dark brown sugar
• 3 eggs
• zest of one lemon (at least 2 tsp.)
• 1 oz dry sherry
• 1 tsp vanilla

Gradually stir the flour mixture into the egg mixture until well blended and smooth. Stir in:

• ¾ cup slices almonds

Divide dough in half and shape into two logs of even size. Place the logs as far apart as you can on the greases cookie sheet and flatten until about 1½ inch thick. Bake for 25-30 minutes. Remove the sheet to a rack. When the logs are cool enough to touch. Carefully transfer to a cutting board and cut crosswise into slices about 1/2 inch thick. Lay slices flat on the sheet and put back in the oven for 10-15 minutes. Turn the slices over and bake again for 5-10 minutes. Transfer to a rack to cool.

I hope your family enjoys these as much as ours!

What was your favorite cookie this year?

~our first year in Idaho

~moving into our own home

~vacationing with grandparents

~ everyone going to school full time

And so many other memories that I will spend the next few weeks creating annual photo albums and videos, setting priorities and schedules for the next year, and slowing down to enjoy old and new hobbies. I would like to thank all those who have read this little blog over the last few years and hope to continue our conversations over the

New Year!