With only hours left of Christmas break, I felt I had to do several final things that are really time consuming and I will never be up for during the school year.  One of these was baking French macaroons!

My first attempt was failed, as was the first batch of the second attempt. But after three grocery store trips, five straight hours, and a stomach ache from eating too much of the batter I ended up with some pretty ones!

Bottom line: I still have not perfected the art, but French Macaroons are so delectable! If you have time and some spare funds (almond flour is pricy!) then I would give it a go!

Some resources:

Home made almond flour

I used this book and followed instructions for French macaroons filled with chocolate coconut ganache.

French Macaroon book

Au revoir!

Happiness

Happiness.... is not self made.

You can not search for it,

and it only appears once you finally give up.

Sometimes being at the bottom is really being at the top.

And remembering you are nothing makes life really something.

The morning was an awful achy earliness. But then I walked outside and my o my. The man right next to me said, "There is a God." And I once again believed in life.

Recent Obsession: Tartletts

I get obsessed with lots of things.  Recently these have included The White Stripes, laying in bed and reading, and poaching eggs.  But I would have to say the biggest is making mini tartletts. After receiving a food processor for Christmas I had to find the perfect first use!

The first day I made mini walnut tartletts! They used an ingredient I hadn't before baked with (Anise) which was shaped like a star.

I followed THIS RECIPE on smitten kitchen for 'the great unshrinkable pie crust.'

Then, also from smitten kitchen I found these: MINI WALNUT TARTLETTS

They were so tasty!

In fact, I loved them SO MUCH that I had to keep going.  The next day I made mini quiche tartletts.  I think I favored the walnut tartletts, but these were still awesome! I have a lot of experience with eggs so I did not use much of a recipe but what was in the fridge!

Mini quiches: roasted vegggies I had on hand (beets, sweet potatoes, garlic), then made the same pie crust as with the walnut tartletts.  I put the veggies in and poured an egg/cream/basil mixture to fill the mini pie crusts and topped with crumbled feta!

Wala!

Perfect for a New Years Eve dinner party!

Happy New Year!

Survival Does Not Lie in the Heavens

The Des Moines Art Center restaurant is a commonplace for the Flood family, but what is usually less explored are the exhibits that make up most of the experience.  The art museum now features Dario Robleto's 'Survival Does Not Lie in the Heavens.' I have to say I was pleasantly surprised by his creativity and capacity to engage the viewer.

I was under the impression that much of the exhibit focused on the difference between life and death.  Though this piece is not currently in Des Moines, it seemed to fit the theme likewise.

I found lots of things to be ver intricate and detail oriented.  It could even be creepy the way he had humans tears and so much emphasis on death, but I chose not to see it that way.

This is only a preview, but I highly recommend visiting! Did I mention that the weekly restaurant feature was a Superfood Salad and Turkey Reuben ;)?

Restaurant Review: Luna Bistro

Trying new things can be my favorite.  So when I stumbled upon Luna Bistro + catering I was pleasantly surprised.  Located just North of the East Village in Des Moines it is a small space with a great menu and opportunity to catch up with old friends.

Check out the menu here!

Afterwards I made a quick stop to the bathroom only to be led through an abandoned wooden bar and art museum? A little too cool for my own self. I stumbled upon these awesome things:

Love love love the wood floors here.

Such a nice space! It needs to be put to use!

So cool.

I think I really like these old seats as well.

Favorite parts about Luna: The chalkboard menu, that they have San Pelligrino, that they use rotisserie chicken for salads, and the hidden museum bathroom (obviously).

So so so scandalous (not really)

I don't know why I titled the post that. It has nothing to do with the actual post. Anyways, being on a budget can sometimes really force one to be creative and handmade.  Christmas this year was the perfect opportunity to get inspired! I also really like homemade gifts because they are so thoughtful and unique.

My sister Kate has dabbled into the weary morning hours to finish knitting masterpieces for us all. I was personally amazed by her skills while I struggle just to make a basic scarf...

For Katie I made this...

 into this:

It was actually fairly simple! I just inflated the photo, cut, traced, and painted onto canvas! The hardest part is being very careful when cutting the picture out or painting inside the lines. Most importantly don't rush those parts. Other than that it was easy!

And finally for Mama I just painted on canvas and modge podged some photos and a quote and Wa La!

I would say Christmas was a success! I hope this gifts could inspire you, but I would also love more ideas! And I will never complain about a couple purchased gifts either... food processor, smart wool socks, plane ticket to Seattle. Geesh how grateful I should be!

The letter S

Today I was making Squash while wearing Sweats, Stripes, and Smartwool and I then I had a realization that a lot of really awesome things start with the letter S, such as:

Sleep

Summer

Sisters

Springtime

Siracha Sauce

Singing

Sprinting

Sailing

Sweet potatoes

Salad

Salmon

Saffron

...

Okay well I've exhausted my brain muscle and realized maybe not all that many things start with s, but today was very full of S words!

SSSSSS