An Easy Frozen Dessert Idea {Gluten Free}

I came across this "ice cream" idea while doing a bit of blog sight seeing. I instantly loved the idea since it fit into my gluten free lifestyle which by the way I am still loving. The "ice cream" is simply frozen bananas food processed until smooth. I added a bit of local honey, almond butter and topped it with shaved chocolate. I am thinking the next go around I am going to add some sea salt. I can't seem to get enough of sea salt these days. It adds so much flavor to so many recipes naturally. The best part of this super easy recipe is that the kiddos LOVED it! Huge win in my book.

*the more detailed how to found here.

A Local Home {revisited}

If you have been reading my blog for awhile then you might remember this home that I featured almost a year ago when it first came on the market. Well, it is back on the market for $569,000. I love actually being able to see it furnished. Of course it helps that is was beautifully done. You may have noticed a theme lately with the aesthetics I have been drawn to as of late. They seen to be spaces that only get better with age. Spaces that can knocked around a bit and come away even more beautiful. This is most definitely one of those homes.

To see more of this home go here, it does not disappoint.

As always if you are interested in this home I would love to get you in touch with the listing agent.

Riding {a prayer answered}

This summer I wanted to get Ellie involved in some sort of activity. I threw out so many ideas over the last couple of months, but she came out with taking horseback riding lessons all by herself. I loved the idea. I started riding when I was her age and rode until we moved to the south when I was 14. To be honest knowing Ellie's quiet personality that also has a need to be perfect, which makes her stress out at the ripe old age of 5, I figured after one lesson she would be done. That her fears would take over and that would be that, but boy was I so wrong. She is a natural! She was so confident aboard Annie. Telling Annie boldly whether walk, trot, or whoa {stop}. I cried. Seeing that confidence in my little girl was breathtaking. Needless to say I am going to embrace being a stable mother to the fullest as I watch Ellie blossom into the little lady God created her to be.

Ellie's instructor could not be any more sweet and perfect for my Ellie. Above and below is L teaching Ellie trust exercises on Annie.

For you horse riders out there isn't that awesome form for someone who has never even been on a horse before? I know, I know I am quite partial. What can I say I am one proud mother.

ABC...

Today I am over on Style for Living giving the ABC's of me. I was so excited when Marianne asked me to participate. It was so fun to do. Q was for quote and I gave one that I adored from Marjorie Pay Hinckley that I came across recently. She seemed to have been one smart cookie so I had to share a few more quotes from her that inspire me so.

Our New Play Space

Before Ellie got out of school her and KJ began sleeping in her full size bed together. I figured after a couple of weeks the excitement would wear off and they would want to be in their own rooms again, but I was wrong. They adore sleeping in the same room together. I knew sharing a bed wasn't helping towards a good night sleep for either of them so we ended up combining their rooms. One for sleep and the other for play. This is KJ's room which is now a space for letting their imaginations go wild. I took so many tips from the online course Playful Learning Spaces and incorporated them into both rooms.

Keep in mind I did not clean up this space for the shots. They had been playing in here all morning. The kiddos have been easily keeping it clean since we narrowed down their toys to only the basics and being sure to have a spot for everything.

For example Ellie has her dress up clothes, dollhouses, and kitchen. Granted each of the categories have a plethora of items, but since they are all basically the same she is able to keep it organized. The best part is that everything actually gets played with. They also are great for her imagination.

The kiddos share the art table with supplies, books, and stuffed animals. I believe these items keep their creative juices flowing although when people see the SMALL basket of stuffed animals they just laugh.

See the brown bin? That is all the stuffed animals we have. My kiddos love the ones they do have, but never ask to buy one so many are just gifts from others. Legos on the other hand it what we have a TON of. We adore them, maybe a little too much even. Ha.

When I asked Ellie and KJ how they felt about the room change this is what I got. Pure excitement! The room change is just for the summer for now. It may have to go back when Ellie starts school again. That girl needs her sleep.Time will tell I suppose.

I have a couple of more things to do in the bedroom, but I hope to have it done this week and will share the sleeping space next week. Oh, also the changes were done on the cheap since it may not be a permanent switch. I think the only thing I bought for the play space was the pegs to hang the dress up clothes on. I used mostly what we had on hand.