A most excellent 27th.

I was downright spoiled yesterday.

• Lunch date with my favorite girl and her daddy :)
• Flowers at work.
• Just Dance for Wii
• Super encouraging comments about my last post... thanks guys!
• Lots of "Smoochies"
• Unedited Lily footage that Hunter took throughout the past month when I've been at work. Because he "knew that what I really wanted for my birthday was more time with Lily".  Have you ever heard of anything so sweet?
• Gluten free garden veggie pizza for dinner.
• Soy caramel ice cream for dinner!
• Oh yeah, and the coolest handmade gift ever. My amazing sister-in-law made me this gorgeous painting of my favorite poem.

Your children are not your children.
They are the sons and daughters of Life's longing for itself.
They come through you but not from you,
And though they are with you yet they belong not to you.
You may give them your love but not your thoughts,
For they have their own thoughts.
You may house their bodies but not their souls,
For their souls dwell in the house of tomorrow, which you cannot visit, not even in your dreams.
You may strive to be like them, but seek not to make them like you. For life goes not backward nor tarries with yesterday.
You are the bows from which your children as living arrows are sent forth.
The archer sees the mark upon the path of the infinite, and He bends you with His might that His arrows may go swift and far.
Let your bending in the archer's hand be for gladness;
For even as He loves the arrow that flies, so He loves also the bow that is stable.
{Kahlil Gibran}



Isn't it beautiful?!
I still can't read the whole thing without tearing up a little.
I can't wait to find a place to hang it!
Thank you to everyone who made me feel so loved yesterday.
I think 27 is going to be a great year :)

Where I'm at.

Today has been a fabulous blessing of a day.

It's my "Saturday" if you will and Lily has been sleeping like a rockstar which means when she's awake we're having great fun & when she's asleep I'm getting a ton of junk done! 

Which also means I have time & desire to blog... at the same time. 

This hasn't been happening a lot lately so I thought I would just check in with an update of where I'm at. 

I also thought I would do this by way of pictures that I drew.
Because I'm 6 I really love coloring.

This has been my very favorite quote recently.
It's been keeping me up at night.
That and the fact that my birthday is coming up on Thursday.
I loooooove birthdays, but they totally make me sappy and reflective.

Anyway, I've been wrestling with it, because I have issues with the "keeping interested" part. 

That's right, I have issues. You heard it here first. 

I tend to be quite passionate about life in general & it seems like any little thing can get me so pumped and motivated. 

Then I'm lost in daydreams and staying up all night furiously scribbling in my trusty journal (you know, one of the 27 trusty journals I currently can't live without).

Unfortunately, a few weeks (or days but who's counting?) later I'm distracted by something else exciting and on to the next big idea. 

I've always struggled with this huge desire to change and move and evolve... which can be fun but so dissatisfying sometimes. 

By the grace of God I'm steadfastly & passionately in love with being a wife and mother.

I've managed to stay "tremendously interested" in both and don't see that changing. 

But beyond that the only steady passion I can come up with is creating.    

Whether it be baking, sewing, coloring or painting. 

I think my desire to discover my passion and excel at it is so strong because I truly believe I was made this way on purpose.
So if God wanted me to be the way I am...WHY?
What should I be doing with my talents that bring Him glory?
I can tell you one thing for sure: I should not be running myself ragged chasing a desire to the point of emotional exhaustion and neglecting my family.
Got it. That's why I'm not baking any more.
Problem is, I still feel a bit like a failure for giving it up.
I really thought that was what I should be pursuing.
I was good at it and passionate about it.
But the door was clearly slammed in my face.
Forcing me to re-evaulate my passions and priorities.



Why was loving people like Jesus loves me not on my list of passions?
Because it was an honest list and even though I wish I could be honest and say that it was... Recently it hasn't been.
Why? Because I can't honestly tell you the last time I ASKED Jesus to help me love people.
Dang it.
I hate that. 
I hate that it's true and I really hate admitting it.
But I'm not just trying to be negative.
Actually I'm being super long-winded today but the point is this:
God did create me to love creating.
He made me to be extra sensitive and to love beauty in all shapes and sizes.
He made me so that I feel His presence the most when I'm creating pretty things.
So maybe it's ok if I'm not crazy awesome at anything.
Maybe it's fine if I just love the process of learning new things and making things a little prettier.
Probably I should stop being worried about finding success by the world's standards, and just start using my creativity to love people better.



So, that's where I'm at.
Just coloring and dreaming and praying and trying to be better at loving.
I'm missing being a part of the small handmade business community but resting in the peace of knowing that another opportunity will come that's better than the last one.
One that's a better fit for my family.
One that helps me love people more fully.
Do you struggle with anything similar?
I would love to pray with/for you if you understand what this whole huge ramble was all about!
Email me! sugarmamabakeshop@gmail.com
 For real I would love hearing where you're at!

Recipe Tab

So check out the Recipe Tab up there. 
It finally has a purpose!
It's full of my original gluten free & vegan recipes. 
And it's organized. 
Yay :) 

Friday Letters

Dear fabulous stationery from Pistachio Press,
You're beautiful I love you.

Dear husband,
You too ;)

Dear iphone monthly data fees,
Why do you have to exist? I'm tired of my crap phone but too cheap for you. Blah.

Dear new job,
Because of you I have a million new creative ideas & zero extra time. Thanks a lot.
But also thanks for the paycheck, I guess you're not all that bad.

Dear Avett Brothers,
Thank you for constantly being stuck in my head. Your the best! <3

Ps I'm linking up right hur.

Book club update

It's time to vote!! 

Alyssa put together a list of all the book suggestions. 

AND she even found links to summaries of the books. 

(Thanks Alyssa!)

So you can click through and see what looks best to you and leave a comment with your vote :) 

Bossypants by Tina Fey

On the Island by Tracey Garvis Graves

The Next Best Thing by Jennifer Weine

Beautiful Ruins by Jess Walter

Little Century by Ana Keesey

Edenbrooke by Julianne Donaldson

Glimpse by Sara Daniell

By the end of the month we'll announce the book choice and get this party started. 

Thanks! I'm excited!!

Banana Caramel Cupcakes (+a recipe)

Yo. I made some boooooooomb cupcakes this week.
Like seriously very very delicious.
We're talkin' Banana+Caramel+Toasted Almonds delicious.

You're excited right?
Don't worry, I took notes :)
I've got recipes for you.
Quick disclaimer: These are not healthy treats.
Sometimes I like to make healthy desserts that I can feel really good about serving my family and friends.
Aaaaaaaaand sometimes I like to eat sugary, buttery goodness. Lots of it.
When I'm in that mood I usually like to bring others down with me :)
These babies are totally indulgent, so you may want to save them for a special occasion,
but dang they're good!

   

Banana Cupcakes:

(Inspired by Annie's Eats) 

• 3/4 c sorghum flour
• 3/4 c tapioca flour
• 1/2 c coconut flour
• 1 c organic fair trade sugar
• 1/2 tsp sea salt
• 1 tsp baking powder
• 1 tsp baking soda
• 1 tsp xanthan gum
• 1 c plain soy milk (or any kind you want... just unsweetened)
• 3/4-1 c water
• 3 TB oil 
• 1 tsp vanilla
• 1 tsp lemon juice
• 3/4 c smashed bananas (about 2 medium)
• Preheat oven to 375 degrees.
• Whisk together dry ingredients.
• Add in everything else and mix!
• Scoop into cupcake liners.
• Bake for 20 (ish) minutes.
• (They should be slightly brown on top and spring back when touched.)
• Cool on a cooling rack and then store in air tight container. 

Vegan Caramel Sauce:

• 1 stick Earth Balance vegan butter
• 1/2 c plain soy milk
• 1 TB arrowroot starch
• 1 c brown sugar
• Whisk together milk & arrowroot in a small bowl.
• Add all ingredients to a small saucepan. 
• Bring to boil over med-high heat (stirring constantly).
• Once it boils, turn heat down to med-low.
• Boil & stir for 8 minutes until caramel thickens. 
• Let cool for a bit in the pan and then transfer to a sealable container and store in the fridge.

Caramel Buttercream Frosting:

• 1 stick Earth Balance vegan butter
• 1 tsp vanilla
• 3-4 TB plain soy milk 
• 3 1/2 c powdered sugar
• dash of salt
• 1/4 cup caramel sauce 

• Cream butter.
• Add vanilla, 3 TB soy milk, salt.
• Slowly add powedered sugar until fluffy.
• Fold in the caramel sauce.
• Yuuuuum.

Enjoy, my friends! 

--->Pin this post! 

Letter to Lily

To my sweet & lovely girl,

You do not have a mama who is on top of it enough to create a fabulous scrapbook.
In fact, you do not have a mama who even owns a baby book...
BUT you do have a mama with a blog!
It's here that most of your big exciting accomplishments will be recorded.
Eventually I hope to have it printed.
So that years down the road, when you ask how old you were when you started walking, I can look back and show you that you were 13 months.

You took your sweet time and waited until you were good and ready.
You could have walked months ago.
Those little legs are so strong and they've been carrying you all around for awhile now... just never without a little support from the couch, or my leg, or your beloved pink shopping cart :)
But you waited.
(You're like your daddy like that. No rush, enjoying where you're at. I love that about you both.)

You resisted our attempts to entice you into walking.
Straight up fought it even.
Then, when you were good and ready, and no one was paying attention to you:
You walked!
August 8, 2010 is a day to be remembered my love.
Becuase you may think you're tricky but guess what?
Mama was paying attention!
Thank you sweet baby, for walking when I was home.
I was so afraid you would discover this incredible new freedom when I was at work and I would miss the wonder of your first steps.
Thank you for taking those first cautious, shaky steps straight into my arms.
By the next day you were already covering the entire living room in one trip, so I am thrilled to have caught your first couple tiny steps.



You will never know the depth of my love for you precious girl.
Actually, that's not completely true.
I think you'll get it someday when your own tiny baby is placed in your arms for the first time.
Until then, be patient with me?
I know that you will soon lose your patience with my tears.
I wish I could help it but I can't!
Your every move is an incredible miracle to me and I can't always ever seem to contain my emotions.
You are a beautiful, walkin' machine Lily Belle & your daddy and I are completely captivated by you and your new talent.      
Love you forever, Mama

Book Club

I really love to read. Love it! 

I also love baking and parties (duh). 

So why have I never joined or started a book club?! 

Who knows? 

The important thing is I've seen the error of my ways and I'm teaming up with Alyssa @ Impractical Composition, to do a book club!

Source: goo.gl via Lacota on Pinterest

And the best part is your invited :) 

The book club starts on the first of the month when we announce the book that we are reading. 

Then, at the end of the month we have a linky party and link up our posts about the book. 

You can either answer the questions we come up with or write your own post! 

Or just post about any great book your reading, because I'm not picky. 

Pretty exciting right?!

Source: designsponge.com via Anna on Pinterest

Oh and PS I'll have a new recipe to go with each book!

So, first off we need to get some ideas from you. 

What do you want to read?! 

I always have a super long list, but right now I really want to finish Travels with Charlie by John Steinbeck (you remember how much of a Steinbeck fan I am, right?)

I would also love to read Ellen's newest book and I never got around to Tina Fey's either.

What sounds good to you?

We have a winner!

Congrats Ashley H.

You're the proud new owner of a Lovely Little Whimsy necklace :)

Email me for the hook up: sugarmamabakeshop@gmail.com.

And on a completely unrelated note, I would love to share some of my favorite words.

If you haven't read John Steinbeck's East of Eden, please consider it.

It moved me in ways I can't explain.

It's by far the best book I've ever read and I already can't wait to read it again.

Here's a tiny taste:

"I do not believe all men are destroyed. I can name you a dozen who were not, and they are the ones the world lives by. It is true of the spirit as it is true of battles- only the winners are remembered. Sure most men are destroyed but there are others who like pillars of fire guide frightened men through the darkness.

Thou mayest, thou mayest! What glory!"

**Gorgeous pictures courtesy of my lovely sis-in-law**

I'm two weeks into this full-time working mom gig & I'm struggling.
I miss my Lily time.
I know in my heart that this is the right path.
The best decision for my family.
But it still makes me cry on my lunch break.
And right now.
I'm feeling very broken and a little lonely...
But in a good way if that makes any sense at all.
I'm so humbled & desperate for a God that can comfort.
A God who can redeem my difficult situation.
It's been awhile since I've ached for him this way and I'm thankful for it.

Have a joyful mid week!

I'm headed to the mountains to recharge with my loves.

God is good friends.

All the dang time.

Happy National Zucchini Day!! (+ a recipe)

Oh hey it's National Zucchini Day.
Yep, it's real.
So guess what I made?
Chocolate Zucchini Bread of course!



(Also, guess what I had for dinner?)
shhh...
I based my recipe off one I found in a mag but I cut the oil in half and cut back on the sugar a little too.
Which made me feel really ok about eating 3 slices in a row.

Chocolate Zucchini Bread

• 2 cups flour (I use a gluten free mix of course but I betcha regular flour might just work too)
• 1 tsp xanthan gum
• 2 tsp baking powder
• 1 tsp baking soda
• 1/2 tsp sea salt
• 1/4 cup cocoa powder
• 1 cup packed brown sugar
• 2 TB flax meal
• 6 TB warm water
• 1/4 cup oil
• 2 cups shredded zucchini

Preheat oven to 350 & spray a 9x12 loaf pan.

Whisk together dry ingredients. 

Beat sugar, flax, water and oil.

Mix in zucchini.

Gradually beat in dry ingredients until just mixed. 

Stir in chocolate chips & walnuts if you're feeling crazy... I was & I don't regret it :) 

Pour into pan & bake for 1 hr. 

Cool on rack (or slice in when it's still warm if you're that hungry, it's not pretty but it's dang good).

Enjoy!

I'm super thankful for giant garden fresh zucchinis that taste fabulous in chocolate :)
I'm also thankful for paint on the clearance table at Home Depot for $0.50 in the perfect color for my chairs.
By perfect I mean $0.50 and already mixed up (read: I don't have to agonize over paint chips).
Also when Hunter saw me painting them he said "Oh that color looks like you". 

How wonderful!

Last, but far from least, I'm overwhelmed with gratitude for this extra snuggly little girl. 

My first week back to full-time working went well, but it has been a major adjustment for all and really emotional for mama. 

The past two days were filled with lots of snuggles & smooches. 

I'm feeling renewed and ready to take on another week. 

PS we also found an apartment onsite where I work so August 25th we'll be living across the parking lot from my office!!!!!

I get to have lunches with Lily & Hunter and an extra 20 minutes in the morning and evening. 

May sounds silly but it means so much to me and I'm totally thankful it worked out!

Thrifty Love Gift Exchange

**Don't forget to enter the giveaway for Carina's gorgeous necklace.**
Speaking of Carina...
A couple weeks ago she had this amazing idea:


You get paired up with another blogger and thrift for their gift!!!
So Fun!
I was paired with the lovely
Laura of Smallgood Hearth. And a few weeks later this appeared on my doorstep:

 

 Laura did such a wonderful job as my personal thrifter :)
 How darling is this vintage cookbook?

 I can't wait to try out some of the recipes.
 And these fun little illustrations are too precious!

 

 She also sent this lovely little cake plate made from a plate and a tea cup.
 I LOVE IT!!!!
So much in fact that I felt the need to fill it up with muffins immediately :)

 

Thank you for the fabulous gifts miss Laura.
It was a pleasure thrifting for you & I'm truly loving my sweet gifts!

*PS I also linked up with Simple Design's "Share your thrift haul".

Giveaway extended.

Happy lovely Sunday morning to you!
Just wanted to let you know I'm extending the entry time for the GIVEAWAY to make it a whole week long.
It's open until Wednesday so there's still time :)

Lovely Little Whimsy: adoption necklaces & a giveaway!

Hey there. Thanks for all of the super encouraging thoughts and prayers!
I love this place and all of you :)
Which is why I have a gorgeous giveaway at the end of this post.
(Sorry, I'm no good at surprises.)
Anyway, Carina is one of my fave blog friends and she's making an appearance today.
She and her husband are adopting and get to meet their baby girl... SOON!
Check out her blog for sure. She's super fun, her kids are crazy cute, and she has a really lovely shop to boot.
I'll let her tell you about her new necklaces that are raising money for their adoption process.
I really hope you can support her sweet family.
Aaaaaaaaaand if you do happen to treat yourself (or someone special) to a lovely necklace...
You get extra giveaway entries.
So get your shop on!

Hello! I'm Carina and I blog over at a punk, a pumpkin and a peanut.

I am mama to three little rascals, lover of vintage and coffee and
chocolate, among other things.

For the last year, my husband and I have been waiting to adopt our fourth
baby. We have two biological boys, and one adopted, and feel so excited to be
adding to the sweet chaos that is our every day.

Two weeks ago we got the call that we'd been chosen to adopt a baby girl due this
August. 
And we are over the moon.

We know that God is already writing our love story with this little peach

and His hand is so evident in the details. You can read more about all of that 
here. The reality of adoption is that it takes a serious chunk of change to make it
happen. Like $25,000 when all is said and done.

We've saved and saved and had a little pancake breakfast to get the ball rolling,

but we are still well away from that number.

We are not ones to ask for something without offering something in return,

mostly because it makes us feel weird.

I've been making jewelry for my little etsy shop for the last few months and

after a lot of thought, I decided to design a few adoption necklaces to help make up
some of the difference.

I am dreaming big here: my goal is to sell 100. My dream is 200.

300 would knock our socks off and put a serious dent in that total.

 Would you consider helping us out?

Spread the word and buy a necklace (or two)...

you'll be helping us bring our baby home, supporting adoption

and you'll even get something pretty in return!

And please come follow along on this super exciting journey -

it's sure to be an adventure!

shop  blog  twitter

And now for the totally rad giveaway! 

Carina is giving away this gorgeous necklace to one lucky winner. 

She has one just like it and loooooooves it :) 

You can enter by commenting on who you would give an adoption necklace to. 

Earn extra entries by: buying a necklace, tweeting, and following this blog. 

Winner announced Monday. 

May the odds be ever in your favor!

a Rafflecopter giveaway

**Linked up with Jami at Call Me Blessed**