expect to have hope rekindled. 

expect your prayers to be answered 

in wondrous ways. 

the dry seasons in life do not last. 

the spring rains will come again. 

 -sarah ban breathnach

music monday: pretty instrumentals

love is in the air : valentine diys + a love story

early in our relationship, john and i agreed not to do gifts anymore. the superficial stuff just started to feel silly and we're not ones for going through the motions. i also said no more flowers please (unless they're potted) because i feel bad throwing cut flowers away (well we compost them, but still) and now kati tries to eat them which isn't good since some plants can be toxic to animals.

so our valentine's days are low-key and stress-free, just the way we like 'em. it comes and goes like any other day around here and though you may think that's boring, it's actually really nice! of course we're extra sweet to each other and i may even make or buy chocolates. and john will be extra patient with my questions and may even offer to take me somewhere he dreads going like to the thrift store or food shopping. (yes, we really know how to do romance over here!)

valentine's day is a special date for us, actually, because that was the day we had our first unofficial date in 2007. we were just old friends from high school when john myspaced me on my bday (feb 11th) and then again on vday, and said let's go out and represent the sexy singles.=) (aww, remember myspace?) it was snowy so john came and picked me up, and i wore black in protest of the stupid lover's holiday (because that's how i was feeling that year, though i did wear a red tank top peaking from underneath my sweater.=) from that day on we were inseparable.


my mom knew something was up, but since i dated john's close friend in high school, i thought anything more than friends was out of the question. i told her i just wanted him to be my best friend. people would say a guy who wants to see you every day doesn't just want to be friends! but that's what we were - best friends from the start. in less than two weeks a romantic relationship developed, and here we are now, love twins for life.=)

what i was getting at is though it's a special date for us that holds some very sweet memories, we don't do gifts, but if we did, i think i would have to insist that it be something from the heart, preferably hand-made or hand-written. or maybe even a nice surprise like straightening up the basement (ahem, john if you're reading). so throughout this long-winded post are photos that link to some beautiful diys i'd love to receive or make for myself any time of year really. how about you?

edit: just saw lesley jean's love: lotion bars and had to add them.

happy monday!

xoxoxo

music monday + a recipe round-up

another SNOW DAY!

this is me on snow days. but in my pjs. indoors of course.



(side note: when john and i went to amsterdam at the end of march it was freezing and snowy, just like today. we still had a great time walking around, and had an excuse to make frequent stops for cappucinos, pastries and special tea.;)

onto the recipes. this week's meal plan is rather boring (easy stir-fry, chili and soups in the slow cooker, a-gain. today i made another delicious minestrone in the crockpot.) so instead of posting repeats, i thought i'd put together a collection of yummy recipes i've been bookmarking.

first up we have a garlicky kale salad with CHICKPEA CROUTONS from a blog that i adore written by an organic farmer in the northwest called dishing up the dirt. her recipes always entice me and i love to catch a glimpse of her farm and cute dog too. 

love and lemons posted a healthy loaded sweet potato recipe that i'd love to try with cashew chipotle cream (sort of like the one i made last week). cashews make a great creamy base for sweet and savory recipes, but i do try to eat them in moderation.

soy we eat in moderation too, so every few months i'll make a stir-fry with non-gmo tofu. blessed vegan life's stir-fry looks pretty darn good with peanuts and brussel sprouts, yum yum!

over the weekend my poor little niece alaina broke her arm. i want to make her elizabeth's vegan strawberry mylk. i think she will love the taste and the ingredients will aid in her healing.

any other recommendations for kid-friendly nutritious treats?

wishing you a delicious and nutritious week!

xoxoxo

weekend plans

crochet // chevron blanket for a baby boy due very soon

read // the blue castle by lucy maud montgomery

plan // week of meals and 2014 garden

i've also been posting on instagram, you can find me here.