Handprints From The Heart

I found this idea on Pinterest and thought it was the perfect art project for the silent auction portion of Kalista's school carnival. I chose a 30" by 30" wrap around canvas and with the help of my friend, Laurie, the teachers, and the kids we made this beautiful masterpiece.

Handprints From The Heart

Created by the loving hands of 

Little Angels Preschool

Ladybug Class

2012-2013

Blogging and Friendship

I LOVE BLOGS. There is certain happiness I feel when I "step" into someone else's world via blogging. I have a few favorite blogs which you can find under the Inspiration Point column on my blog. The blogs I love most are the ones where the owner actually reads every comment. I love receiving responses from those bloggers.

I once had someone ask me, "Why do you have a blog? Do you think people really read it?" I gave the simplest answer, which was the truth, "So family and friends from far away can keep up with my family."

I understood her line of question. My blog isn't mind-blowing or Twitter worthy. Most blogs start out personal and evolve into showcasing hidden talents like cooking, baking, DIY projects, photographing, and the list goes on. And my blog? Well, my blog is a documented journey of what I believe makes my life so special. From family to friends to food to vacations - every entry is just a slice of how blessed I feel.

I never realized the power and connection of blogging until I "met" Valerie, the blogger of  ValSoCal. Though Val and I have never met, we have fostered a friendship via blog, email, text, Snapchat, and Facebook. We have even "shopped" and had cocktails via technology. And I will even admit, we've texted our way through episodes of The Voice - we have a little thing for Mr. Adam Levine. ; ) I feel like we've known each other for years.

Just a few days after my dad passed our house was looking like a floral shop. Every arrangement and card touched my heart dearly. But there was one arrangement that was delivered and completely overwhelmed me. That beautiful arrangement, pictured above, was from Val.

So if someone were to ever ask me again why I have a blog, I can not only give my above reasoning but I can also say, "To experience the beauty of friendship."

If you haven't stumbled upon Val's blog, just click on the link and be prepared to fall in love.

Amish Cinnamon Bread

My dad loved sweets. He also loved pasta. And good cheese. Oh heck, he loved food. And wine : ) But everything was in moderation. 

Although my mom scaled down on her baking as they grew older, that never stopped my dad from indulging time to time. My favorite vacation moments were those spent in Paris and seeing his face light up as we would pass by or walked into one of the many bakeries. Talk about a kid in a candy store : )

I always enjoyed spoiling my dad with homemade baked goods. He was always a willing participant with any new recipe. I am going to miss having him try my latest and greatest.

Not sure how I came across this recipe for Amish Cinnamon Bread.

But I decided to give it a whirl. Can't go wrong with buttermilk : )

Also, I added 2 teaspoons of vanilla and a pinch of salt to this recipe.

I just love the textured swirls, seen from the outside, in the above picture. Hardest part was waiting for the bread to cool down so I could cut into it and see the cinnamon goodness. Oh and that lighter color of the bread? The best crunchy cinnamon crust ever!

Daddy, you would have loved this one.

Dear Daddy,

I am so blessed to have you as my daddy. You will forever be in my heart, body, and soul.

I love you,

Forever Your Little Girl.

September 17, 1937 - April 4, 2013

Sophia & Kalista have their own Angel watching over them.
I hope you love the Angel Balloons they sent to you.

WE LOVE YOU!