Giveaway

Good Morning y'all! Please stop by and visit Sabrina at Cattails+Cardigans for a chance to win this awesome Hair flower from Hell Razor and my first ever Isn't that Sew Handmade necklace! As you may or may not know, I discussed in this post that I am working towards opening an Etsy shop. I created this necklace as a prototype for the shop and today I am pleased to be offering to one lucky winner! Stop by Cattails+Cardigans for a chance to win!!!

Don't forget that there is only 1 week left to enter the Giveaway at Until Only Love Remains. If you're getting married, or know someone who is...you can win this sweet birdcage veil! Check it out! You can even enter right below!!! -Ruth-

a Rafflecopter giveaway

Summer Plans

We haven't officially made any summer plans, have you? There are so many places in Texas I want to visit. Did you know, Texas is huge? Well, it's big...really big. And there is all kinds of stuff to do here. I really want to head down to the coast and check out the Gulf of Mexico. Maybe Corpus Christi or Padre Island. I also really want to visit Austin, San Antonio, Hill Country, Palo Duro, and Big Bend. I think I might need to come up with a 5 year plan! In the meantime, I'll focus on visiting one of these places after my folks visit in July. What are your summer plans? -Ruth-

Happiness...

This weekend, my husband and I went downtown Plano to grab some lunch and do a little antique shopping.. One thing I love about Texas, is every town has a "Main Street U.S.A." and they are all so cute! We passed a boutique that had this inspiring sign sitting outside on a rustic bench. The words it spoke are SO TRUE. No? 

It seems to me like more often than not, the collective "we" are living a less than mediocre life. We aren't living to our fullest potential...not becoming the best versions of ourselves. I still cannot come up with enough excuses to justify this. Being busy, stressed, broke, tired, or just a product of contemporary society just doesn't cut it in my book. Now, I am just as guilty (if not more so) than the next guy of making constant excuses for not trying (fill in the blank) or for not going to (fill in the blank). But, the last few years I've really been striving to listen to God and follow his path for me...and live a life based on intention. 

Since I am human, I fall off the wagon for minutes, hours, days, and sometimes months at a time. But, I always get back up. Since well before college, I have had every intention to start up a handmade shop. I've filled my brain all sorts of excuses why not too. Etsy is too competitive, I'm to busy, I don't have the time or the money. But, you know what....that's just stupid. This chalkboard sign is right. I should do more of what makes me happy. And, if it truly makes me happy, then I should be able to find time for said activity, ay?

Well, that is what I intend to do. More things that make me (and my husband) happy. While, I'm not really sure an Isn't that Sew Handmade Shop will bring my husband true happiness, you know what they say? A happy wife is a happy life. Ha! Just kidding. Well, maybe not...But, you get the point. The point is that I have been working toward building some prototypes for shop. I've been working out the designs, packaging, policies, and more! It's a ton of work so I can't really say the exact launch date. But, it will be this summer for sure. Stay tuned for updates! -Ruth-

Salted Peanut Butter and Nutella Cookies (Flourless)

Do you love Peanut Butter? How about Nutella? Me too! Wow, we have so much in common! Seriously though, these cookies were amazing! Since going Paleo, I don't eat much peanut butter, nutella, flour, sugar, etc. Basically, everything that goes into a yummy cookie. My favorite, mmmm..cookies. So, since I love cookies so much, I have to cheat now and again! I decided to make them gluten free (aka minus the flour) but with all the nut butters and sugars I could cram into these delicious treats. This recipe is really lax, there is virtually no way you will screw it up. (okay, don't hold me to that one. I'm not aware of your baking skills)

Salted  Nutella and Peanut Butter Cookies (flourless)

350° || 11-14 minutes

Ingredients: 1 cup peanut butter (creamy or chunky, but not natural peanut butters) || 1 cup sugar (brown or white) || 1 large egg || 1 tsp salt || 1 tsp baking soda || Nutella (optional) || Sea Salt or Kosher Salt (optional)

Combine all ingredients in a mixing bowl until smooth. Roll into 1 tbsp balls and press on cookie sheet. Bake at 350° for 8-10 minutes. Remove from oven and let cool for 1 minute. GENTLY and I mean, ever...so......gently use your tbsp to depress the center. Add a dollop of Nutella to the center. Bake  another 3-4 minutes. Remove from baking sheet with a spatula and place onto cooling rack. Sprinkle with sea salt or kosher salt. Enjoy! -Ruth-

Places and Spaces; Lake Texoma

Several weeks ago, Mark and I ventured up to Lake Texoma. Lake Texoma is on the boarder of, get this, Texas and Oklahoma! No way, right? I love how Texas combines it's names with other states, for example, Texarkana,  Texhoma, AND Texoma. Well played Texas. Anyhow, this place is amazing! We enjoyed a nice overcast, but warm day and hiked the rocky shores for hours! -Ruth-

Macro Photography

I have always loved Macro Photography. I have also been meaning to buy a Macro lens for...oh, about 5 years. I know, what is wrong with me? I decided to shell out the big bucks (a whopping 10 bucks) and buy this macro lens attachment from Amazon. It is both a wide angle and macro lens in one. (I like the macro better because it doesn't distort as much as the wide angel...But, it's nothing Photoshop can't take care of!) It screws right on to my standard 18-55mm lens and it works great! I'm pretty happy with this investment. (because it was so expensive it nearly broke the bank) I am sure I will get a lot of use out of these two attachments.  I really could have used it for this post. I'm regretting not buying them sooner. -Ruth-