It has been raining since Sunday and the sun finallllyyyyyy came out yesterday evening for the first day of summer! Summertime means it's officially ice cream season, even though I kind of feel like ice cream should be enjoyed all year long! Who's with me? Speaking of ice cream, when we were in Hawaii we ate at an amazing gelato spot (two nights in a row) and had a seriously delicious toasted coconut flavor that I haven't been able to get out of my head since we returned! Naturally, I had to recreate this flavor at home and the result was amazing! My chocolate coated toasted coconut ice cream might have just earned a spot as my most favorite ice cream I've ever made!
As we were driving back from Louisiana over the weekend, we stopped at a gas station and my hubby came back to the car with a pack of Almond Joys. They are 100% his favorite candy bar and so after I rolled my eyes at him (because my sweet tooth can't be stopped when candy is present) we all split that Almond Joy and I have to admit, it tasted amazing. But as I was eating it I was thinking about how simple it would be to make that same candy bar right in my own kitchen with minimal ingredients that aren't terrible for us to enjoy and then I wouldn't have to feel any guilt about satisfying my chocolate craving! My recipe for 5 ingredient healthier almond joys are so delicious that you will never miss the real thing!
It's December which means bring on everything holiday! Christmas music on repeat all day everyday, holiday baking, and cozy nights by the tree are just a few of my favorite things about this time of year. I feel like I turn back into a kid as soon as tree goes up, which this year was before Thanksgiving (because I was feeling it..) and I still love Christmas time as much now as when I was a little girl! I'm so excited to start new traditions with Parks and now that he is two, he is really starting to get into Christmas as much as his mama, which totally makes my heart sing. Christmas cookies and cocktails are two of my favorite holiday indulgences and I've got the perfect pairing for you to try this year! My matcha vanilla bean shortbread cookies paired with a boozy matcha white hot chocolate will put you in the holiday spirit immediately!
Let's talk Thanksgiving guys because after all it's officially less than two weeks away! Are you hosting at your house, are you going to a family or friend's house? Whatever the case may be I bet you have to contribute at least one thing to the meal am I right? And sometimes figuring out what that should be can be tricky, but I got that covered for you this year! My easy cranberry skillet cake is rustic and beautiful and is seriously simple to make even for us non-bakers (yep including me in that category)!
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Sunday we are heading to Boston and Maine for a a little getaway (baby free y'all)! We are definitely planning to eat all of the yummy things along the way including as many lobster rolls as will fit in my belly. This week however we have been eating extra clean in preparation for our indulgences next week, but that doesn't mean that you can't enjoy a little treat just because I am eating low carb and sugar for the next four days! Life is about balance and my easy homemade peach cobbler is the perfect dessert to make before peaches and summertime disappear right before our eyes!
Back to school might be right around the corner, but that doesn't mean summer (or it's temperatures) are going anywhere anytime soon! We have totally been surviving by playing in the sprinkler every afternoon and eating as many popsicles as we possibly can! My favorite childhood popsicle flavor has to be a dreamsicle because it basically has ice cream in the middle which combines the best of both worlds. My peach dreamsicle pops with goat cheese and thyme are a delicious twist on a summertime classic and you have to try them out!
