thursday's thoughts

image credit: 1 & 2 , 3 , 4 , 5

1. Our friend, Trish, posted this on her Facebook page this past week. It is important to keep this list handy as a reminder to LOVE yourself!

2. Our dad sent us this article...a simple, four ingredient recipe to keep your heart healthy! 

3. A great reminder as to how we want to live our lives can be found here.

4. We love ourselves a bar cart (#mixology) but this coffee cart is genius! 

5. It is National Chocolate Mousse Day and National Tweed Day today...a list of what we can celebrate (and should be celebrating...any excuse for a party) each and every day of the year can be found here. 

a new year

Thank you Cindy of Kid Granny for tagging us as Sunshine Bloggers! Here are the five questions from Cindy and our responses.

1. What is your fondest childhood memory? 
Megan- One year, my friend and her mom picked me (and other friends) up in the morning and took us over to her house to celebrate her birthday with breakfast and movies. We were all surprised in the morning (our parents knew but us kids did not) and it was so fun to stay in our pajamas and spend the day with our friend.
Sydney- Going to the donut shop with my mom before school every morning, the donuts were always warm and gooey...yum!

2. What is your favorite trait about yourself? 
Megan- I am a great listener.  
Sydney- That I am strong willed. So when I want to see something through I will succeed!

3. What is your dream occupation? 
Megan- I would love to blog full time...have DIY projects on the blog, collaborate with other bloggers and companies, help those in need via the blog (I am studying to be a social worker so will always need that kind of component in any and every occupation). 
Sydney- Teaching...already got it ;)

4. What is your favorite DIY project that you have accomplished thus far? 
Megan- Halloween is my favorite holiday and so my favorite DIY project thus far, is the grim reaper I crocheted from this book. He is darling! Up next, a DIY bar cart using a a piece of furniture my dad made as a kid. 
Sydney- Making my sons activity gym mat for him to play with! Pictures and details to come!

5. Share your favorite cookie recipe for the holidays?
Megan- I love oatmeal chocolate chip cookies and the best recipe for this particular cookie can be found here. I recommend using Bob's Red Mill Brown Sugar....seriously, the best brown sugar. I eat it by the spoon fulls. And Bob is such a nice man. Our older sister met him at his Mill in Oregon. So kind and generous.
Sydney- My favorite is the vanishing oatmeal raisin cookie recipe from Quaker Oats (here) but I alter the recipe a little (including adding chocolate...obviously). Here are the ingredients/measurements I use:

(1 stick) plus 6 tablespoons butter, softened

3/4 Cups firmly packed brown sugar

1/2 Cups granulated sugar

2 Eggs-I always use my duck eggs so they are creamier and thicker

1-1/2Teaspoon vanilla

1-1/2 Cups all-purpose flour

1 Teaspoon Baking Soda

1 Teaspoon ground cinnamon

1/2 Teaspoon salt 

3 Cups Quaker Oats (quick or old fashioned, uncooked)

1 Cup raisins

1 Cup chocolate chips

Thanks again, Cindy, for giving us this shout out as sunshine bloggers!
~m&s 

another gift guide...happy shopping!

1 ** 2 & 2 ** 3 ** 4 & 4 ** 5 ** 6 & 6

The holiday season is upon us! Here are some great gift ideas for the men in your life (dad, husband, partner, brother, friend).

~m&s

** Looking for gifts for the cat lover? Click here!

** Looking for gifts for the gold lover? Click here!

an aspiring mixologist

In addition to the items above, some other essential items are whisky rocks, shot glasses (we love these animal ones that can rest on their ears/antlers), knives and peelers for fruit additions and garnishes and finally, a cute cutting board.

The vintage ice bucket makes us want to go thrift/vintage shopping in Palm Springs! We love the octopus cocktail stirrer and scrabble coasters - unique and useful. A water carafe is great to have to keep your guests hydrated when you host a cocktail party. The Wine Opener (Rabbit brand, in particular) is our favorite. It is so user-friendly! 

***

And last but not least,

We love the idea of a gold bar cart. And the final touches? A cute/appropriate poster, herbs, cocktail book and a candle. Now, we are ready for a weekend of cocktail crafting!

~m&s

Sydney became a mom yesterday!! So, she will not be indulging in cocktail crafting just yet. Little Logan is the newest family member...welcome Logan!