Month: November 2015

Vanilla Almond Sugar Cookies

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The best ever Vanilla Almond Sugar Cookies

Moms who want to get in and out of the kitchen quickly, you’re going to love these vanilla almond sugar cookies! The texture of soft almond sugar cookies just can’t be beat and they are so simple to make.

As you may or may not know, I am not the girl who will make a recipe twice if it’s complicated. Not only that, but I tend to ruin sugar cookies. Yes, it’s true. They came out dry, thin, and don’t even get me started on the way my cut out cookies would look when they didn’t hold their shape!

Let’s just say the kids were not impressed. If you have a history of sugar cookie Pinterest fails like me – there is hope. These sugar cookies with almond extract are here to save your baking reputation.

Vanilla Almond Sugar Cookie Cut Out Recipe

Why I Love These Soft Almond Sugar Cookies

Recently I attended a holiday party at my friend’s house and she kindly passed the recipe to me when she noticed I couldn’t. stop. eating. them. Oh my gosh, the flavor!

They were perfect vanilla almond sugar cookies. Soft, thick, and just a little chewy. There are so many creative ways to decorate them too!

My favorite part of this recipe is that this dough doesn’t have to be refrigerated before cutting out cookie shapes – it’s perfect for impatient bakers like me! Or, you know, your kids. Ahem.

As soon as I got my hands on that recipe, I had to try making them myself. So easy. The kids loved making the different Christmas shapes and decorating them and the time spent together in the kitchen was a total mom win.

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Snow on the Mountain Recipe – Lightened Up

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Snow on the Mountain Recipe Lightened Up

This simple, budget-friendly recipe is a Midwest favorite that combines chicken and rice with fresh veggies and crunchy Chow Mein noodles.

I have to admit, versions of this recipe sat in my cookbook unused for years. This was one of my husband’s favorite meals growing up, and my mother-in-law had provided me all his favorites years ago. However I never made it, mostly because anything that uses coconut as a key ingredient is not edible, in my book.

Recently, however, I relented. We were in a meal rut, and I was looking for ways to lighten up some of my existing recipes. Plus, my mother-in-law  had never led me astray before! I’ve seen many versions of this recipe online, and I have to say her’s is the best I’ve found. However, I adjusted the recipe just a bit to suit our tastes and using what we had on hand.

So Fresh; So Clean: A Round-Up of Healthy Recipes my Kids Actually Like! | Five Marigolds

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My Experience and Personal Review: WPBeginner

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My WpBeginner Review

When I first started this little blog, I had no idea what I was doing! I went to wordpress.com, where I saw I could pick your domain right there and be up in running in minutes. Perfect! No dealing with external hosts and domains. It seemed like the right choice for a blog I was writing for a hobby.

After a few months though, it became apparent I needed the versatility of wordpress.org, but I had no idea how to convert my blog without losing all my data or formatting. So I sat on it. For nearly another two years. That’s when I stumbled upon WPbeginner – a site that offers great content and information, but also offers to set up your WordPress blog or convert it…for free! That seemed too good to be true, and there wasn’t a lot out there on whether this was a legit site. However, I’d read two positive reviews and was desperate enough to take a leap of faith.

Today, I’m sharing my positive WPbeginner review in the hopes that it will help other people who are in my shoes.

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Children’s Artwork Display for Less Than $5

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This is one of my favorite projects to date – also the easiest and least expensive: the children’s artwork display located in our Family Command Center  – otherwise known as the mud room.

I wanted plenty of space where the children could hang their artwork and good grades with pride, without that messy cluttered look on the fridge. It also needed to be really flat to the wall, since the area I’d designated is in a space the width of a hallway.

Mud Room Family Command Center DIY Kids' Art Display | Five Marigolds Mud Room Family Command Center DIY Kids' Art Display | Five Marigolds

Here’s how I did it:

  • Buy these eye hook screws and wire at the hardware store for less than $5 total (or spend a few extra bucks and shop Amazon at the links above if you want to save a trip to the store).
  • Drill holes into the wall where you want your eye hooks to go. Screw the eye hooks into the wall by hand.  Then, wrap your wire around one of the hooks a few times. Stretch it to the other eye hook, pulling and straightening as you go. Wrap it around that eye hook 2-3 times and cut the wire.
  • I already had these cute little inexpensive clips on hand, leftover from Eve’s party favors.They work great for holding the various art and school papers the kids bring home.
  • Voila! Children’s art center complete in 20 minutes and for less than $5.

Mud Room Family Command Center DIY Kids' Art Display | Five Marigolds

As for the rest of our family mud room command center, it’s still a work in progress. I have dreams for this space!

Mud Room Bench Storage | Five Marigolds

Mud Room Key Drop | Five Marigolds

I found that sign at the thrift store. I think it was from a hotel long ago. I just love it!Mud Room Family Command Center Key and Mail Drop

What do you think of my low-tech art center for the kids?

Sources:

  • Rug, Homegoods (similar here and here)
  • Basket, Mary & Martha (similar here)
  • Door Paint, Sherwin Williams Tidewater
  • Walls, Benjamin Moore Revere Pewter
  • Drawer Pulls and Knobs, Restoration Hardware
  • Key Hook Sign, thrifted (similar here, here,  here and here)

Fashion Finds – Cold Weather Comforts

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What is it about freezing temps and sunsets by 6:00 p.m. that make me want to load on the layers and hibernate all winter? Whatever it is, I’m doing it in style this year. I’m loving these cold weather comforts from Forever 21 lately, how about you?


*Please read my affiliate disclaimer in the right sidebar. Thank you for your support!

Turn Fall Leaves into Roses

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I recently posted an Instagram photo of a “rose” I’d created out of fall leaves. I had several of you message me to ask how I’d done it. It’s easy! However, I can’t take credit for this idea – I saw this in my Facebook feed one day and decided to follow it:

Turn colorful autumn leaves into a rose bouquet - tutorial | Five Marigolds

Photo tutorial c/o Nicole Duke – unfortunately I can’t find her to link you to her online.

Collect around 10-15 of the prettiest fall leaves you can find, ranging from small to large.  I put the kids in charge of this. Starting with one of the smallest leaves, fold the “points” or tips of the leaves down, making sure the colorful side is on the outside.

Then, roll it from left to right into a tight tube, with the stem pointing down. Take your next leaf and do the same, but this time wrapping it around the first leaf. Repeat this over and over, wrapping looser with each leaf.

With your final 3-6 leaves, leave the points up and wrap them around the outside. Doesn’t it resemble a beautiful rose?

Turn colorful autumn leaves into a rose bouquet - tutorial | Five Marigolds

In addition to the fab blogs in the right sidebar, this was also linked up at Tatertots and Jello,Savvy Southern Style, Live, Laugh Rowe, Nap Time Creations The Turquoise Home.and The Scoop.

Free Girl’s Room Nursery Artwork Printable

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I’ve always loved this book by Bernadette Rossetti-Shustak, and all of my kids have, too.

I love you Through and Through Free Printable Artwork | Five Marigolds

It’s hard to believe this little ‘ol blog is more than two years old now. I created it shortly after my third baby was born as a creative outlet for my craftiness. Today, my baby is a toddler and will be transitioning into her “big girl” room soon!

Recently, I converted the design I created for Baby ‘Belle’s baby announcement to create this printable artwork for her current nursery / soon-to-be big girl room.

Vintage Sophisticated Floral baby girl birth announcement | Five Marigolds

When I see this hanging in her room, it reminds me of the baby she was, and of course these sweet words I want her to remember always.

I love You Through and Through Free Printable Artwork Download | Five Marigolds

In celebration of the two year anniversary of my blog, I’m making this art available by free download to my readers! If you take the time to print this for your sweet little girl’s room, please take a moment to tell me about it below. Even better – share your snap with me! I love to see my artwork in your homes!

Download the Free Printable here.


In addition to the fab blogs in the right sidebar, this was also linked up at Tatertots and Jello,Savvy Southern Style, Live, Laugh Rowe, Nap Time Creations The Turquoise Home,Tidy Mom, Elizabeth and Co. Vintage, Chica on a Shoestring and The Scoop.