Thursday Things

AmandaLeave a comment
snow shoeing in Wisconsin

Happy Galentine’s Day, y’all! Cheers to Leslie Knope!

Seth took me snow shoeing for the first time! And I’m hooked! Gotta make the best of this winter weather. We went again after getting 8 inches of snow on Sunday!

I also got some new friends on Sunday. I went to a local meeting with fellow female photographers and gosh I am so glad I did! I met some really great gals who are also wonderful business owners. Surround yourself with good people, ok?

Didn’t make a Valentine’s Day reservation? Don’t worry I’ve got you covered!

Cher will never not be an icon.

For Christmas my mom got me a doggie DNA kit so I could finally find out what Edgar was. I dragged my feet in getting his sample because I had a pretty good feeling he was going to hate getting his mouth swabbed (update: he hated it), but I finally did it and we got his results! They are so interesting! And curious! He’s 25% American Eskimo Dog (?), 25% American Staffordshire Terrier, 12% Miniature Dachshund, 12% Chow Chow, and a whole host of other doggos.

Pyrex sent me the sweetest dang care package I ever did receive last weekend! It arrived right after we got back from Door County and was filled with so many goodies! You can check out a fun (and very casual) unboxing video in my highlights here!

Strawberry Jam Palmiers

Amanda2 Comments
Strawberry Jam Palmiers are the easiest, two-ingredient breakfast that’s sure to impress your Valentine.
Strawberry Jam Palmiers Recipe

I made you Valentine’s Day breakfast! I made you Strawberry Jam Palmiers.

And I only used two ingredients. Because even though I’m a romantic, I’m also a realist. And sometimes lazy. Ok, oftentimes.

Strawberry Jam Palmiers Recipe

Luckily, all the energy I saved by using store-bought puff pastry, I can instead use on loving the stuffing outta you.

Right? Right.

Read More »

Galentine’s Cheeseboard for Three

AmandaLeave a comment
This Galentine’s Cheeseboard for Three is a delicious and delightful way to show the women in your life how much they mean to you. Exquisite cheeses paired with sweet fruits and decadent dark chocolates are all snacked on while sipping a bright bottle of bubbly champagne! Enjoy it this holiday season with some ladies you love!
Galentine's Cheeseboard for Three

Originally, this was going to be a sweet and romantic Valentine’s Cheeseboard for Two. But, when I shared what I was making with my two best friends from college they replied with “oohs” and “ahhs” and “I want some of that!”

Galentine's Cheeseboard for Three

It was then that I realized that no, this isn’t the perfect plate for a pair, but instead, is the ideal treat for three! Three best friends. Three gal pals. Three galentines.

Cheeseboard Recipe

What is a galentine, you ask? Put quite simply, a galentine is a girlfriend you love.  A sister you chose. A pal and a confidant, if I can borrow a phrase from one of the greatest television shows of all time.

Read More »

Thursday Things

AmandaLeave a comment
  1. Edgar has enjoyed his first visit to Door County. And even got featured on the Travel Wisconsin Instagram Stories! My baby’s a star! (I’d be such a horrendous stage dog-mom.)
  2. Ya girl knows how to start a fire now! Seth taught me up at the cabin. And it’s a good thing too, because I was freezing when I got up yesterday morning and didn’t want to wake Seth. I managed to get a roaring fire going before he even got up! I’m quite proud of myself.
  3. I’m also proud of myself for this brioche loaf. I haven’t made loaves of bread since my GB&D days so to say I was shocked and amazed is truly an understatement. It was a modified version of the recipe for these buns that I’ll be sharing shortly!
  4. I highly recommend marrying the guy who fixes things at AirBnbs. There hasn’t been a single place Seth and I have stayed in our time together where he hasn’t fixed something. Replacing a porch light, getting a bathroom door back on its tracks, fixing a broken lock (or three). He’s done it all.
  5. I also highly recommend marrying the guy who sneaks up to the AirBnb a day early to leave bouquets of flowers, cards, and gifts around the cabin as an amazing surprise to make a work trip more enjoyable.
  6. Wine tastings have also made this work trip more enjoyable! They’ve been amazing networking and photography opportunities. And have helped us find a few of our new favorite vinos.
  7. It’s time to check horse drawn sleigh ride off my bucket list. Have you ever gone on one? Ours was freezing but fabulous!

Giant Conversation Heart Cookie Cake

AmandaLeave a comment
We’re turning the quintessential Valentine’s Day candy into a must-make dessert with this Giant Conversation Heart Cookie Cake. Enjoy!
Giant Conversation Heart Cookie Cake

A giant conversation heart cookie cake?! That doesn’t taste like off-brand, expired chalk with a hint of cherry cold medicine?! That’s actually made of cookie dough and filled with festive candy?!

Yes, that’s what we’re doing today.

Cooke Cake Slice

Although, you don’t need to do it all today. Or even in one day. I didn’t. I made the cookies and frosting one day, decorated it the next, delivered it to my mom the day after.

But, I highly, highly recommend doing it for Valentine’s Day. For someone you love. Maybe for your mom? Because if she’s even half as obsessed with cookie cakes as Melba is, she’ll go bonkers for this!

Cookie Cake
Read More »

Chocolate Covered Strawberry Tart

Amanda1 Comment
This Chocolate Covered Strawberry Tart is what every chocoholics’ dreams are made of. A crispy, chocolate cookie crust filled to bursting with fresh strawberry jam and the silkiest chocolate ganache you’ve ever tasted. Then a garnish of fresh, bright berries – for good measure and a real “wow” factor. It’ll make you fall in love.
Chocolate Covered Strawberry Tart

Let’s talk about this chocolate covered strawberry tart, shall we?

Let’s talk about the Oreo cookie crust and how dang easy it is to put together! Because it requires only two ingredients!

Chocolate Covered Strawberry Tart

Then again, the chocolate filling may be easier? It also requires only two ingredients!

The strawberry filling is just a simple layer of strawberry jam! We all know I’m partial to Seth’s – it truly is the best! But (and not to sound like the Barefoot Contessa over here), store-bought is fine.

Valentine's Day Chocolate Desserts
Read More »