A-Z answers

happy thursday!

i saw this alphabet post and decided to fill it out..
now you do it, and link up so i can read yours!

A-Z

A. age: 22 

B. bed color: ALL white...the headboard, sheets, comforter, pillows...etc. love it.

C. chore you hate: i love to cook, don't mind dishes or vacuuming, but i realllly dislike cleaning the countertops//bathroom! 
D. dogs: i am the definition of a dog person...i always had one growing up, and now we can't wait to get one of our own once we live somewhere that allows it..!

E. essential start to your day: husband's kiss on my forehead, working out + a green smoothie. perfect!

F. favorite color: tiffany blue 
G. gold or silver: golden
H. height: 5'10"
I. instruments you play: piano, & used to play flute.
J. job title: corps member, teach for america
K. kids: none..a puppy comes first!
L. live: SF bay area, and love it.
M. married: happily, for seven months tomorrow!

N. nicknames: em, ..and {bunny} when i was little

O. overnight hospital stays: none so far, knock on wood!

P. pet peeve: when people don't say "bless you" after someone sneezes..

Q. quote: "the future belongs to those who believe in the beauty of their dreams" -eleanor roosevelt

R. righty or lefty: proud lefty! {but right handed for a few random things...}

S. siblings: two big brothers who i adore... + their darling wives!

T. time you wake up: either 5:05 AM, or 6:45 AM depending on if i decide to work out in the morning or afternoon..you can guess which time i usually choose!

U. university attended: university of utah...go utes!

V. vegetables you dislike: raw onions, but love ALL other veggies!!

W. what makes you run late: if i'm hanging out with my husband and don't want to leave..or if i have a good book i can't put down.

X. x-rays you've had: just my back once after a rough waterskiing fall! 

Y. yummy food: crepes, smoothies, dark chocolate, anything with pesto, the list goes on...

Z. zoo animal favorite: dolphins..i've even kissed one before! 

proof:

xo

banana chocolate chip oatmeal pancakes

it's only been three days since i've had these, and i've craved them every day. 

i definitely need another batch asap! i know these are going to be a 

staple in our house {hopefully most saturday mornings!} i promised to 

share the recipe after mentioning them on the blog, so here you are!

banana chocolate chip oatmeal pancakes

ingredients

-2 ripe bananas

-2 tsp baking powder

-2 eggs

-pinch of salt

-1 tsp. vanilla extract {i always add a bit more}

-2 tablespoons peanut butter/ almond butter

-1 tablespoon canola oil {or coconut oil}

-3/4 cup milk

-1 cup rolled oats

-1/2 cup flour

-3/4 cup semisweet chocolate chips

directions

pre-heat skillet to medium heat..

mash bananas with baking powder first..

then add eggs, oil, salt, vanilla, peanut butter, milk and stir.

stir in oats and flour until just combined.

sprinkle in chocolate chips and stir gently.

drop small scoops onto skillet, let cook for about 2 minutes on each side {until golden brown}.

serve and enjoy!!

xo

**this recipe makes about 10-12 pancakes, and these warm up great the next day!**

i saw some variations of this recipe but didn't have all of the ingredients, 
so we did our own version with different ingredients & amounts! we loved these!
the original recipe is HERE.

tuesday ten

ten updates of life lately...

1. i am so obsessed with our dishes

2. his & hers. love kicking these off when 

we get home every day & cuddling up on the couch.

3. i love little random surprises like my husband putting 

this "event" into my phone last week, making it pop up 

& alert me unexpectedly at work. it's the little things!

4. a new broadway play with TOM HANKS????

looks like a trip to NYC will be necessary soon!

5. could not agree more, and this is why we are part of teach for america 

and trying to help fix the educational achievement gap in this country!

6. our one cute valentines "decoration" so far..

i am excited to use these cute ice cubes if they turn out!

7. this is literally my husband's favorite thing when we go to the grocery store..

we head to get groceries after the gym, and while i check out and pay, he reads the

latest tabloids...shouldn't it be the other way around?? hehe he could not care 

less about them except for in grocery check out stands...gotta love him!

8. saturday we had a much needed shopping outing to our favorite 

place, and felt lucky to live in warm california in january.

9. whole foods provides an excellent lunch if you ask me.

10. yesterday was a monumental day..full of amazing news, and also tender news.

the great news is that husband heard back from his first law school yesterday,

and was ACCEPTED to the university of san francisco law school!!!

i'm so proud of him, and can't wait to see who else he hears from. exciting!

on a tender note, we are sending love to husband's family today...

chase's grandpa truman passed away last night. we are so sad but

so happy to have known him and spent time with him. what an

amazing man who impacted all of our lives! we are hopeful

that we can make it back to his funeral this weekend in utah. 

also sending love to grandma ginny who is in surgery.

we are blessed with incredible grandparents!

xo

what we eat

..some meals from the past week..

{complete with recipe links!}

baked quinoa & cheese 

{like mac & cheese, but with quinoa...so delicious and way healthier!}

oatmeal chocolate chip banana pancakes..i hope these are prepared

to enter our kitchen every single saturday morning from here on out..unreal!

..recipe to come..

these butternut squash puff appetizers from whole foods were a WIN.

german puff pancake..always easy and delicious!

whole wheat pasta with pesto, tomatoes, mushroom & lots of parmesan.

chicken salad...SO good to have stocked up for lunch sandwiches all week!

i think we need to make this a staple in our kitchen, because it's so perfect

to just have it made and ready to put on a sandwich or eat on it's own!

coconut macaroons..these went so fast because they were SO good!

after a long & hard search, these really are our favorite 

tortilla chips we have found so far..we're addicted. 

threw in some healthy salads this week..

spinach and kale is our favorite lettuce combo

made this yummy chicken enchilada bake and loved it!

chocolate oatmeal made sunday morning so much better..

thanks katie for the recipe!

and lastly, i made a thai curry dish with chicken, sweet potatoes & onion

on top of brown rice, with our favorite bread and some fruit. who 

needs takeout when you can make thai food right at home??

this helps us keep track of what we ate, and what we want to eat this week!

what have you been eating lately? any good recipes to share?

Xo

sunday notes

dear january, you are much more enjoyable in california.  not sure how we survived those long utah winters before moving to your year-round sunny climate!

dear valentines decorations, for some reason you are hard to find?? looks like i might have to become crafty or something.

dear coconut macaroons, we may have eaten one too many of you yesterday..but it was well worth it! {recipe here}

dear dinner with friends, love when we sit at the table and talk for 3 hours after we're done eating.

dear new recipes, there are so many of you i want to try soon...so many recipes, so little time.

dear new show, we need to find a new one of you to get into.. parenthood? smash? biggest loser? taking suggestions.

dear naps, we're planning on taking a long one of you today.

xo

coconut macaroons

i love these and have always wanted to make them, so this weekend i finally did!

they did not disappoint. go make them now! 

^^be sure to note, make these ahead of time as the batter needs to be chilled!^^

coconut macaroons

*recipe makes two dozen*

ingredients:
4 large egg whites, at room temperature
1 cup sugar
1/4 tsp salt
1 tsp vanilla extract
1 tsp almond extract
1/2 cup cake flour, sifted
^^note: if you don't have cake flour, substitute: 1 cup {minus 2 tablespoons} regular flour, then add 2 tbl. corn starch}
3 cups shredded coconut

directions:
in a heatproof bowl over a saucepan of simmering water, whisk together egg whites, sugar and salt. when this mixture is warm to the touch and creamy, remove from heat and stir in the vanilla extract, almond extract {optional}, flour, and coconut. cover and refdigerate for at least two hours before baking. **i like to make them the night before and let them chill for longer..they are better!**

when ready to bake, preheat oven to 325 degrees F. coat two cookie sheets with non-stick spray. place small mounds of the batter on baking sheets, spaced several inches apart. bake for 15-20 minutes or until golden brown. remove and let cool.

if you want to dip half the cookies in chocolate, make sure to wait until they are completely cooled...melt chocolate of choice, dip them, then place on wax paper until cooled.

they are good plain or chocolate dipped..enjoy!

xo

em's little instructions

i love lists.

whether it's a to-do list, wish list, goal list, grocery list, or a happy list, i've always loved writing them.

one list i'm always adding to is a little list of "instructions" or things to live by.

some are funny, some are real, some are things i've learned, but all of them are things i think make life better.

once in a while i'll post some on here, and who knows... maybe one day i'll make a little book of all my lists!
husband and i both have one of these to give to our kids one day. here are a few of my little instructions...

1. always give compliments when you have them.
2. have a dog.
3. remember people's names.
4. always talk to people in elevators.
5. overtip breakfast waitresses.
6. write thank you notes for everything.
7. look people in the eye.
8. say please & thank you.
9. floss your teeth every night.
10. learn to play a musical instrument.
11. sing in the shower.
12. always set the table.
13. don't be afraid to cook new things.
14. plant flowers every spring.
15. be the first to say, “hello”.
16. live beneath your means.
17. say "bless you" when someone sneezes...even if it's a stranger.
18. have a book collection.
19. call people on their birthday.
20. if you must buy something, buy the prettiest version of it..even if it's a garbage can, find a pretty one.
21. be forgiving of yourself and others.
22. when you say 'i love you,' mean it.
23. drink sparkling cider for no reason at all.
24. buy lemonade from little kids who set up stands in their front yard.
25. return all the things you borrow.
26. teach some kind of class.
27. take some kind of class.
28. never buy a house without a fireplace.
29. treat everyone you meet like you want to be treated.
30. remember that great love and great achievement take great risk.
31. donate blood once a year.
32. win or learn, never lose.
33. put thought into gifts.
34. make new friends but cherish the old ones.
35. keep secrets.
36. take lots of pictures.
37. never refuse homemade brownies.
38. don't postpone happiness.
39. when you say you're sorry, look the person in the eye.
40. never give up on anybody.
41. spend time by yourself once in a while.
42. drink lots of water.
43. show respect for teachers.
44. show respect for members of the military.
45. don't waste time learning the “tricks of the trade.” instead, learn the trade.
46. buy locally as often as you can.
47. write letters.
48. call your family often.
49. never think less of yourself, but think of yourself less.
50. live with the 3 e's: enthusiasm, energy, & empathy.
51. smile when you pick up the phone...the caller will hear it in your voice.
52. in disagreements, fight fairly. no name calling. :)
53. strive for excellence, not perfection.
54. let people know what you stand for – and what you won’t stand for.
55. make the most of the best and the least of the worst.
56. never blame any day in your life: good days give you happiness, bad days give you experience.
57. always tell the truth.
58. don't believe all you hear, spend all you have, or sleep all you want.
59. keep company with people of good character.
60. love people without jealousy or envy...and be happy for others.
61. keep your body and mind fit and healthy.
62. take care of your friends.
63. don't compare yourself to others. you have no idea what's going on in their life.
64. only make promises you can keep.
65. marry someone you love to talk to. as you get older, your conversations will be more & more important.
66. treat everyone with respect & be tolerant for other views and beliefs.
67. make everyone you meet feel important. they are.
68. remember hate is a strong word.
69. try to make at least 3 people smile every day.
70. get rid of anything that isn't useful, beautiful, or joyful.
71. leave every place & organization better than you found it.
72. never stop learning.
73. believe in love.
74. explore. never lose a chance to see something new.
75. don't be unkind about others. what defines a lady is her compliments, not her insults.
76. if you're bothered by someone, bless their heart and ignore them.
77. remember nothing goes away until it has taught us what we need to know.
78. give people more than they expect and do it cheerfully.
79. remember, the best is yet to come.
80. always look for the positive.

xo

the best morning oatmeal

old fashioned stovetop oatmeal

2.5 cups water

1/8 tsp. salt

2 cups dry oatmeal

2 tablespoons sugar {optional}

1/2 teaspoon cinnamon

1 (5 ounce) can evaporated milk

2 tablespoons butter

brown sugar sprinkles

1. bring the water to a boil

2. once it's boiling, add the salt

3. gradually add the oatmeal while stirring constantly

4. continue stirring, and add sugar + cinnamon

5. cook for 1 minute more and then add evaporated milk

6. after adding evaporated milk, return to boiling.

7. pour oatmeal in a bowl and top with butter and brown sugar

mmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmm!

tuesday ten

..10 things we're loving this week..

1. this chart that chobani made listing all the substitutes

you can use greek yogurt for. we LOVE this and we will use all of these!

2. facetime is the BEST. it's not quite so hard to live away from family 

when we get to facetime & chat with everyone during sunday dinner!

3. the 49ers! we are headed to the superbowl, and as you can see, even the buses in SF 

are excited. since moving to the bay, our giants won the world series, and

now the niners are headed to the super bowl! we must be good luck :)

4. we fell in love with this stationary in a store in half 

moon bay yesterday...looks just like our kona pup!

5. hydrangea's are the 2nd best flower, and 

we love having them in our kitchen..especially in january!

6. saw this idea to blend spinach + freeze it in ice trays for green smoothies!

7. for some reason i had the urge to make cookies twice this week..

i think baking relaxes me when i've had a busy day!

 lucky husband reaps the rewards of this.

8. pink seems to be my color of choice when it comes to workout gear.

9. i can't have cereal without mixing a few kinds together..so much better!

10. love that even though we just moved again,

this sign reminds us it's always home if we're together!

xo

MLK day in half moon bay

there is nothing better than four day weekends with monday off..

i think it should happen once a month. it was so lovely today to sleep in,

wake up and watch the inauguration, then head to the beach to jog,

lay in the sun, go to lunch with friends, and stroll through charming shops.

half moon bay is beautiful + charming + relaxing. 

it's so close to san francisco, but feels completely secluded!

it was warm & gorgeous today and we fell in love with it. 

lucky us to live so close to the prettiest coastline! we love CA!

we went jogging, explored, and then met our favorite friends for lunch on main street..

then strolled around all of the darling shops & boutiques together.

we even found a random little barn with bunnies and chicks! 

we couldn't leave they were so cute...animal lovers!

we laid on the beach for a while in the afternoon before leaving..

nothing quite like a sunny beach day in january. another reason to love california!

and...as if we didn't already love half moon bay enough, they had

the mavericks surf competition going on. unbelievable waves!!

we'd say it was a great holiday! thank you to martin luther king, jr. not only

for the day off of work, but for having a dream...and inspiring others

to make it come true & carry on today. so inspiring! what a great man.

hope everyone had the best day off!

XO