the way to their heart...

 What could be more romantic than having a lovely home baked breakfast treat ready for Valentine's morning?

In continuing my quest to create yummy foods with low to no fat for my mom to make for my dad (his post stroke low fat diet), I've found a way to make a scrumptious coffee cake that has virtually no fat.

Coffee Cake

Ingredients:

1 box of Krusteaz brand cinnamon swirl crumb cake mix

1/2 cup of water

1/4 cup of applesauce

2 egg whites

1 teaspoon vanilla extract

Toppings:

1/4 cup brown sugar

1 packet of maple brown sugar or cinnamon instant oats

Mix all of the ingredients (except the brown sugar and oats) with the packet of cake mix in one bowl.

In a separate bowl, mix the topping packet with 1/4 cup of brown sugar and 1 packet of maple brown sugar instant oats.

Pour 1/2 of the cake mixture into a greased 8 x 8 pan.

Then sprinkle 1/2 of the topping mix over the batter.

Cover the filling layer with the remainder of the cake batter.

Finally, cover the top of the second layer of batter with the rest of the topping mixture.

Place the cake into a preheated 350 degree oven and bake for 40 to 45 minutes. I begin checking mine at 35 minutes. Once a toothpick can be inserted and come out cleanly (meaning there is no more uncooked batter on the toothpick), the coffee cake is done!

This coffee cake can be baked the night before. It is almost better the second day! Each serving has approximately 1-2 grams of fat.

CLICK HERE

for a link to purchase Krusteaz boxed mix.

* also available in gluten free!

It's an easy and delicious way to start your Valentine's Day.

Let the people around you know how much they mean to you by doing small acts of kindness. It's not about expensive gifts, it's about gifts from the heart!

Happy Valentine's Day...

all my love,

hand sewn hearts

 Although rainy days are a rare occurrence here, especially this time of year, I like to be stationed in my sewing room. It seems like the perfect reason not to be in my garden.

Right now my heart is thinking of love. So why not make some Valentine's Day vintage fabric hearts. Normally I make these hearts in all neutral colors and I sew on an antique key. I call these the "key to my heart" mini heart pillows.

But these are a little different. I've been saving this wonderful old cotton and linen table runner. Although there are stains, I loved the vibrant colors of the floral design. So I cut out as many hearts (roughly 6-8 inches each) as I could, trying to carefully avoid the stains. They are filled with batting and I added small pockets on each.

All of the pockets have a hand stitched message of love and include a small ephemera card so a personal message can be written inside.

No two hearts are the same because the way I cut the fabric from the table runner. And each little pocket is different as well.

The extra tiny pockets can also be used as tooth fairy pillows for wee ones. It's nice because the "fairy" doesn't have to fish the small tooth out from under the pillow of a sleeping child.

The slightly larger pockets can hold a letter, photo or gift card.

I had great fun creating these small puffed heart pillows.

If you are inclined to make handmade gifts for family and friends, this project is very simple. It's great for beginner seamstresses.

Nothing beats a handmade gift from the heart. After all, most of us are not out doing a lot of shopping right now.

I wish you...lovely projects for rainy days.

romantic ephemera

 February is the month of romance.

Personally, I think romance should be a part of our lives every day all year long. There is something about love. It should have great importance in our world. Not just any kind of love but romantic love.

As Valentine's Day approaches, I like to look through my collection of vintage Valentines. There is just something about ephemera that fills my heart with joy. The old paper, the script, the use of language and the stunning graphics in radiant yet aged color.

Not only do I love to incorporate these tiny works of art into my decor, but I love to read the letters.

The next thing I know, I find myself hopelessly lost in a daydream in lives lived decades ago.

Several years ago, I styled the guest bedroom of my Sanibel house for a Valentine's Day magazine photo shoot.

Red transferware is another lovely addition for a Valentines vignette.

And I simply can't help myself, seashells are a part of every design and every season.

This certainly inspires me to add a little extra romance into my world. I think tonight is a good night to watch my favorite version of Cinderella (the 2015 film adaptation).

CLICK HERE

to watch the trailer.

Enjoy!

the little things

 As I was looking through my bedroom pictures from the previous post, I realized it's the little details that are the things that speak to my heart. 

Junking and collecting have always been things that make me so happy. Although I have not been out and about since February of 2020, I find it fun to look through some of my little treasures and reminisce about the

"good ole days".

My various collections don't have any rhyme nor reason. Things just speak to my heart. The cohesion comes from a monochromatic color scheme since the mix of items are all so eclectic.

Some things are still out from my Christmas decorations. I love them so much that they might just stay out until next Christmas!

When looking at my bedroom, it really is the "little things" that make my heart sing. It's not just the visual beauty that speaks to my heart but it is in the memories that they evoke. Before moving to Florida, my momma was by my side throughout all of my junking adventures. So as I look at these little cuties, I revisit wonderful fun times with my mum!

What are some of your favorite things to collect?

I hope you have someone special that shares your adventures with you!

Happy junkin!

 

2021

 It's almost hard to believe that 2020 is finally behind us. It feels surreal looking back over the past twelve months.

I lost my way, my joy and my creativity on many occasions. I stopped and tried to restart my creative journey several times. But no matter how hard I tried, I couldn't find a way to continue creating home and garden posts. My mind was filled with the dread that played over and over again on the daily news: racial unrest, hatred, Covid-19, growing death rates, a political mess and social isolation.

Well, I've had a change of heart. It's not a time to give up on my joy...it's time to find it and hold on with all my might. So I awaken to a new day in a new year, look outside my bedroom windows into a day filled with sunshine and thank God for all the blessings yet to come.

Sharing creativity is one small way I can put an ounce of positivity out into the universe.

So as sun sets on this day, I will reflect on the past year with a grateful heart. I will also try not to let negativity win. I don't know if this is a real "new year's resolution", but I do think I should be resolved to hold onto the things that bring me joy.

For all of you who have visited my blog from time to time, I thank you from the bottom of me heart. 

Are there things you struggled with over the past year? We were all experiencing the same storm, yet we were all in completely different boats. I would love to hear how you weathered the storm. There is much we can learn from one another.

Thank you for stopping by today!

Happy New Year...

feeling patriotic

 Our world has changed so much.

This virus has altered the way many people live their everyday lives.

I'm such a private person, possibly a hermit, that in a lot of ways my life is very much the same.

The one big difference this year is being with friends and family

on the 4th of July.

Since that's not happening for most of us,why not focus on making your personal space a bit more festive?

Decorating with touches of red, white and blue.

Here's a little inspiration...

I hope you can find ways to lift your spirits and fill your heart with joy even if things are a little different right now.

independence day

 Happy 4th of July!

Have a beautiful and safe

Independence Day.