It’s Friday! Let’s talk about something fun, shall we? Since winter is just around the corner, it seems appropriate to talk about beauty products. During the summer, feeling pretty comes naturally. It’s warm, chances are your skin has seen the sun just a bit, the weather isn’t dry. But for me, winter is a different story. Static, dry hair, dry, pale skin. It’s not my best season. But there are a few products that I use on a daily basis … Read More
Sweet Potato Muffins
Happy Thursday, friends! I can’t believe how fast this week is going. Actually, it’s hard to believe how fast every week has been going lately. Is next week really Thanksgiving? Say it isn’t so, because I still have Christmas card pictures to take, and a menu to plan for the friends-giving celebration we’re having this weekend, and I have to decide what to bring to Joe’s family Thanksgiving. Whew! In the spirit of the holidays, I decided to bake up … Read More
My 5 Things: Emily Schloerb
WHO: Emily Schloerb WHAT: Marketing Coordinator WHERE: Kansas City BLOG: Country Roots & Cowgirl Boots I’m a 23-year-old marketing coordinator at Westfall GMC, a trucking dealership in Kansas City. I grew up in Iowa, graduated from ISU with degree in journalism. I started blogging shortly after I got married as a way to keep family and friends in the loop. Unfortunately, I wasn’t very consistent with my posts. This past summer I decided it was time to take it more … Read More
Homemade Walnut Milk
A couple weeks ago at work, the California Walnut Board came to talk with the food editors about the health benefits and great flavor of walnuts. As part of their presentation, they brought along Aida Mollenkamp to share some of her favorite recipes using walnuts. Since I am a big fan of walnuts, the presentation was right up my alley. One of the recipes Aida made was a homemade walnut milk. I had seen a lot of people make homemade … Read More
Whole Wheat Cinnamon Applesauce Bread
I’m back with yet another recipe for quick bread. But this time I’ve mixed things up and used something other than pumpkin or banana. Since apples are as good as they get around this time, I figured it was overdue to make a cake with applesauce and chunks of fresh apple. It’s almost as good as enjoying a slice of apple pie, only a lot healthier and a whole lot easier. I based this recipe off Jenna’s recipe for Whole … Read More
Happy Golden Birthday, Nutmeg!
On Tuesday, our beloved little puppy turned six! Not only did she turn six, but she did so on November 6 and was born in 2006! So I decided to make her “golden birthday” a little extra special with a puppy cake covered in golden yellow “frosting” made with cream cheese, peanut butter, milk and honey. I realize that this makes me a certifiably crazy puppy parent. But until we have children, Nutmeg is our baby, and we both love … Read More
My 5 Things: Karlie Van Soelen
WHO: Karlie Van Soelen WHAT: Director of Communications & Missions at Federated Fellowship Church BLOG: http://karlievansoelen.wordpress.com/ I grew up in small town called Pella, IA, recently graduated in May, got married in June, and am the Director of Communications & Missions at Federated Fellowship Church: http://federatedfellowship.org/. I design at my job and on the side and love to sing. 1. Scripture: 1 Peter 2:9 says, “But you are a chosen people [woman], a royal priesthood [daughter], a holy nation [woman], God’s special … Read More
Traveling: Napa Valley
We returned yesterday from our trip to Napa Valley. My mom and I, along with our friend, Polly, had a great time drinking wonderful wine, sleeping in and working out to balance all the amazing food we ate. We also met up with our friends, Emily and Cody, who live in Sonoma. Cody is becoming a wine maker, and they showed us around his workplace while we were there. It made me a little jealous of the adventure they are … Read More
My 5 Things: Julie Wunder
WHO: Julie Wunder WHAT: Meteorologist, Runner, Animal Advocate and New Blogger BLOG: Running in a Skirt Hello, E&C readers! My name is Julie, and I love smiles, the color pink, football and country music. I have been reading and enjoying Madison’s “My 5 Things” series on Espresso and Cream. It seems like life gets so crazy these days that sometimes we forget to step back and appreciate all the beautiful things in the world. I think it’s amazing she’s bringing … Read More
Sweet Potato and Black Bean Enchiladas
It’s early Sunday morning and, per usual, our apartment is still, quiet and peaceful. Most mornings throughout the week, and even the weekends, I choose to rise earlier than Joe so I can have 30 minutes to an hour of quiet time to myself. I make my coffee, get breakfast ready and sit at the island table. Sometimes I work through my devotional or read a bit from my Bible, other times I catch up on blogs or sift through … Read More
Espresso and Cream: The Home (Apartment) Tour
Last weekend I spoke to a group of women at our church about hospitality, recipes and my life as a food editor. I had so much fun with the women, and loved that it was a small group so we could talk casually. A few of the ladies mentioned that I should put up photos of our apartment, and so today I’m doing just that! I don’t know what took me so long, or why I never thought to put … Read More
Whole Wheat Pumpkin Bread
I’m so sorry that I left you hanging yesterday without a “5 Things” post. I was feeling under the weather and didn’t go to work, so the post didn’t get put together. But I promise I’ll have something ready for you next Tuesday! During last week’s giveaway, so many of you mentioned that you were excited to bake pumpkin bread this fall. I don’t know why, but I’ve never made pumpkin bread, despite making endless variations of banana bread. Crazy, … Read More