photography | snow days...

The last couple of days have been "snow days" where I live... everyone loves a snow day!
Days filled with reading, movies, baking, games and of course, playing in the snow... 

Today and yesterday have been all of that for me!

My dog is not a fan of water (she despises baths) so it has always been funny to me how much 

she loves to run around in the snow. As you can tell by the photos, she likes to eat snow and
get it on her nose... haha! I so love her cuteness and playfulness in these shots!

These next photos were actually taken yesterday, when the storm was at it's worst.
Church was cancelled and it was too cold and blowing snow to spend much time outside.
We only lasted about 5 minutes and my dog was far more interested in staying inside...

photography | rifle paper co. books

How beautiful are these classic books designed by Anna Bond of Rifle Paper Co.? 

I love when publishers do special editions of classic books and of course, I love most of the 

illustrations by Rifle Paper Co... so these books are amazing! I was so excited when my sister 

bought these, because it meant I could take photos of them... Yay!!

(You can buy these books as a set of 4 or individually.)

recipe | coconut cream truffles

I have a recipe to share for a little sweet treat, just in time for Valentine's Day! Any kind of truffle is always a good choice to make for those you love. Everyone is impressed when you give them a handmade truffle, and of course, these taste better than the store-bought boxes of candy.

If you have never made candy before, this is a simple recipe to try. Coating the truffles with the melted chocolate takes a bit of practice, but it is fun and if they look a little "rustic" it's okay!

Recipe: Coconut Cream Truffles

Ingredients…
3 cups coconut (sweetened, shredded)

1/2 cup powdered sugar
1/2 cup sweetened condensed milk
1/4 cup butter (melted)

1  bag Wilton Dark Chocolate Melts

Instructions…

In a large mixing bowl, combine coconut, powdered sugar, sweetened condensed milk and melted butter until it is well mixed. Use your hands to form 1-2 inch balls and place them on a parchment lined cookie sheet. Put the coconut balls in the freezer for at least 2 hours.

Once the coconut balls are ready…

Use a microwave safe bowl to gradually melt the Wilton Dark Chocolate wafers in the microwave, 45 seconds at a time, stirring in between each time. Once the chocolate is fully melted, use a fork to roll each coconut ball in the melted chocolate. Once the coconut ball is fully coated, remove it from the chocolate on the fork and tap fork on the edge of the bowl to shake off excess chocolate. Gently place each chocolate coated truffle back on the cookie sheet. I use a toothpick to help slide it off the fork without messing up the chocolate. Chill the truffles until the chocolate is completely set... And they are ready to eat!!!

It is best if the truffles are stored in the refrigerator.

Happy Valentine's Day!

home | a handmade quilt

Don't you love a pretty, handmade quilt?  It is cozy and warm and a piece of art!

For Christmas, I got a new quilt, handmade just for me, by my grandma!! My grandma is an 

amazing seamstress and she has been making quilts for each of us lately. My brother got one
for Christmas 2013, I got mine for Christmas 2014 and she is working on one for my sister
 right now! It is such a blessing to have a grandma that is as talented and loving as mine!! :)

For my quilt, I got to be very involved in the process and that made it even more special. 

I got to choose my pattern and I got to go shopping with my grandma to pick out fabrics!
I decided to go with blues and yellows because I wanted it to complement the duvet cover
I already have. It was so fun going through the process of beginning with a vague idea of
what it would become to what it is now, finished and laying on my bed. And now that it 

is on my bed, I can't imagine my bed without it... Such a special gift!!!

Also, in the new year, I re-styled this little corner in my bedroom. I got a couple of new things 

that I wanted to use and I love the way it came together. Freshening up this little space in my 

room was a simple thing to do that was really good for me in the new year!