Quilts for Twins

A few years ago we went out to California for a friends wedding. While we were there I took pictures of the center pieces thinking I would make a quilt for the couple using the colors of those centerpieces. I found a free pattern that I thought would be good and saved it to my computer. I bought the fabric shortly after and never got around to making the quilt.(as of 2018 Free Spirit has closed their doors and this pattern is no longer available on the internet - that I can find)

Last August I started grad school and was completely unable to sew for the 8 months of school. So for the summer I vowed I would try to complete the projects I owed myself. So I started sewing.

After sewing all the blocks for the intended wedding quilt, I realized that this was not a color scheme that I would want in my living room and repurposed the blocks into two smaller quilts for some other friends who are having twins.

We don't know what sex the babies will be and the color scheme felt perfect for a unisex blanket set.

Both Twin Quilts after washing. I prefer to wash after completion because then they wrinkly up nicely.

Twin Quilt 1 top

Twin Quilt 2 top

Quilt 2 Details

Perfect pitcher Margarita!

Yesterday was our HUGE annual bash, we always have lots of food, lots of friends, live music, and lots of booze! I conjured up this pitcher of margaritas for the party. I don't like to add sugar to anything and I really don't like anything too sweet so this was my compromise. They were delicious!

1 cup fresh lime juice

1 cup tequila, I like Casamigos

1 cup Contreau

1 quart seltzer

Combine all ingredients in a pitcher. 

Pour over ice and serve!

If you want to make a single serving you can mix the following:
1 part fresh lime juice

1 part tequila, again I like Casamigos though any silver tequila will do.

1 part Contreau

4 parts seltzer

Enjoy!

Blue pitcher of Margaritas at our Circvs Maximvs Party 2015. Photo Credit: Laura Vivenzio

Gluten Free Dairy Free Chocolate Chip Coconut Cookies

For months I have been tinkering with my cookie recipes to try to perfect them into something that is so good you don't miss all the traditional ingredients that make me sick. I have another recipe on the blog for Cashew Flour cookies that are really nice and chewy but they continue to get more chewy the longer they are out of the oven. When I want really chewy cookies I make them! 

However sometimes I want a nice crispy on the outside a little tender on the inside cookie, so I have kept with the tinkering. It's paid off - I think this is the most perfect recipe yet!

They are so good we practically have eaten all of the cookies immediately. 

Chocolate Chip Coconut Cookies

1 cup     Almond Flour
1 cup     Cashew Flour
2 tbsp    coconut flour
1/4 cup  shredded unsweetened coconut
1/2 tsp   baking soda
1/2 cup  coconut palm sugar
1/4 cup  water
2 tbsp    honey (or Agave to make vegan)
2 tsp      almond extract
1/4 cup  melted coconut oil (or shortening of choice)
1/4 - 1/2 cup Enjoy Life chocolate chips (depending on how chocolatey you want the cookies - I used 1/2 a cup)

Preheat oven to 325 Degrees

Mix dry ingredients in a bowl except chocolate chips.

Add wet ingredients and combine until it is a loose dough consistency.

Stir in chocolate chips

Drop teaspoonfuls on a silpat or parchment paper and bake for 12-17 minutes or until brown on the tips.

Let the cookies cool for 10 minute before moving them to a tray or container.
Makes about 18-24 cookies