Starbucks Card Giveaway!

Head on over to Salad For Breakfast to enter the $50 Starbucks card giveaway!

**UPDATE**
I just ran across this ADORABLE Le Creuset Butter Crock giveaway from Cheeseslave!!

~~laura

Meet Eppie

Meet Eppie, our new farm cat~

She's adorable, feisty, and complete cuteness. 

~Laura and Lizzy

C.A.P.T.U.R.E Workshop 2011

The country gal's: a.k.a. Laura and I have landed in Texas for our 2 week vacation/visit's with friends/photography workshop. 

The photo class went AWESOME, and the two wonderful instructors made those 4 days absolutely wonderful. 

Thanks Allie and Laura, and we all can't wait for class numero dos! 

For those who want more details, here's the C.A.P.T.U.R.E blog filled with info and class pictures. 

Signing off,

~~Lizzy

7 years ago...

We were scrolling through Lightroom a couple days ago, and struck memory gold. We found pictures taken with our very first digital camera! We also found pictures of us playing dress up seven years ago. 

To give you a background on this first ever photo shoot, we were going for a historical theme. Laura was standing on a child-sized little red chair in order to get higher with the camera. We had decided on an old book, an apple, and Bingley as props. 

Although you can't see it in the pictures, we didn't realize till months later that we had forgotten to take the sticker off of the apple. :-)

This was also during Bingley's "Puppy years". He was a mini marshmallow back then. 

Notice the modern day sport's watch we forgot to remove... 

We cracked up quite a bit over this one...

So yes, this is where 

Laura got her very first start in photography. 

~~Laura and Lizzy

A Lovely Giveaway!

Homestead Revival is holding a giveaway for a Lilla Rose item of your choice!  Head on over to take a look.  :)

Laura Elizabeth Photography -- a new name, a new blog, and a new website.....

Laura's photography has moved and changed names!  

Here are the links so you can update your bookmarks and become a follower to keep in touch and follow all my new posts!

The Name:  Laura Elizabeth Photgraphy

The Website:  www.lauraelizabethphotography.com

The Blog:  www.lauraelizabethblog.com

The Email:  laura@lauraelizabethphotography.com

So come on over and leave a comment!  I can't wait to see you on my new blog and website!

Happy Thursday

~~laura elizabeth

Photo Contest

FashionandModesty.blogspot.com is holding a  photo contest!
 

 This has to be one of my all-time favorite photos in my library...

Renee was so amazing during the shoot!  She was willing to do absolutely anything to get "the perfect shot" ... even model in a barn...er...structure-that-wants-to-be-a-barn-but-is-falling-down.  It was the last time I was able to shoot in it due to safety issues (had 70 MPH winds shortly after the shoot), but we both had a blast that day!  Isn't she just gorgeous?!

I haven't posted this shoot yet, and I couldn't wait any longer to release the "sneak peak."  Hay + Cow-Girl Hat and Boots + Wind + Tired After Running and Jumping = This Photo

I'll be posting more from Lizzy's shoot on my blog www.lauraelizabethblog.com

Thanks for holding this photo contest!

~~Laura Elizabeth

Rejoice in the Lord always; again I will say, rejoice!

Let your gentle spirit be known to all men. The Lord is near.

Be anxious for nothing, but in everything by prayer and supplication with thanksgiving let your requests be made known to God.

And the peace of God, which surpasses all comprehension, will guard your hearts and your minds in Christ Jesus.

Finally, brethren, whatever is true, whatever is honorable, whatever is right, whatever is pure, whatever is lovely, whatever is of good repute, if there is any excellence and if anything worthy of praise, dwell on these things.

Phil. 4:4-8

~Lizzy

Updates

Just a quick shout out to let ya'll know that Lizzy has been posting the most recent farm news over on her blog: www.lizziebutterfly.blogspot.com 

So go check it out, and find out more of what we've been up to lately!
Blessings,

 ~Laura and Lizzy

~Double Chocolate Mocha Cookies~(Shhh...They're Gluten Free!)

There are certain recipes that you go back to time and time again...especially the ones that are so tasty, and so easy that they can be made and devoured in less than thirty minutes.
We find that these Double Chocolate Mocha Cookies to do just that. And really, they couldn't be healthier! They are Gluten Free, Egg free, dairy free, nut free, and sugar free. And they taste. so. good.

I frequent www.elanaspantry.com  quite often, and love love love her recipes. I'm amazed that such simple recipes can taste so good!

Here's the recipe~

http://www.elanaspantry.com/double-chocolate-mocha-cookies/

Our Substitutions~

1. We used Oat Flour instead of Almond Flour-- We didn't have any almond flour, so I used plain old "ground up in the vita-mix and then sifted" oat flour. It works fine, but will taste a little 'cakier' and will taste more like oats than the Almond Flour. 

2. We used Honey instead of Agave

3.We used Coconut oil instead of Grapeseed oil

These subs were just because we had run out of some ingredients, but they still tasted fine! 

So go run into the kitchen and whip up a batch of these cookies!! 

~Lizzy

P.S. They are best served fresh out of the oven with milk or hot tea

~ Baby Booties: Handwork ~

I just love knitting baby booties!!  They are so cute and tiny....precious!

Here is a quick glimpse of some that are going to make it to our shop very soon.....

...my personal favorite...

What is your favorite thing to knit or sew?

~~Laura Elizabeth

~ Planting Time: A Day on the Farm ~

It's been a busy week on the farm! 

There are always so many things to do, especially when it comes to planting. Today we have been planting seedlings....

The seedlings that haven't germinated yet are sitting on top of our homemade germinating mat. Underneath the black rubber mat is a special electrical wire that gradually warms the seedlings for maximum germination speed.  It's something new we are trying this year and we can't wait to share the results!  

All the 'green' in the back is our mint.....peppermint, spearmint, chocolate mint, and apple mint!  Keep an eye out for a homemade iced mint tea recipe!  It is sooooo delicious!  :D

Enjoy this luscious spring weather!!

~Laura and Lizzy

~ Homemade Room Freshener: A Tutorial ~

Isn't it just lovely when you walk into a room, and it smells fresh and fragrant? We've been having SO much fun putting together all sorts of delicious scents for our home.

Today we decided to make a homemade Vanilla Fragrance~


What you'll need:

1 Pretty spray bottle
Cold Water
2 TB.Vanilla Extract
A lovely tag with your scent labeled on the front.
String or twine to attach the label to the bottle

Pour Vanilla extract into spray bottle and fill up the bottle with cold water almost to the top. Attach the label, shake well, and lightly mist around your rooms!

Store in a cool dark place. If kept in direct sunlight the fragrance will lose its scent...A nightstand drawer or closet is perfect for easy access.





Other Inspirational fragrance ideas~

Try the above recipe with different extracts such as peppermint, lemon, cinnamon, lavender, and orange.
Peppermint and lemon are refreshing, cinnamon and orange gives you that, "fresh out of the oven" smell, and lavender and vanilla are very relaxing before bedtime!

You can find these extracts at most natural health food stores, or at ~  http://www.frontiercoop.com/

So mix and match and make your home smell fresh and delicious!   Let us know which one you make first!

~~Elizabeth

~ Scones: A Recipe ~

Tea Time Scones

Scones are quite simple to make, so we usually make our own.   You can add all kinds of extras to your scones, depending on your taste.  Try cut-up apples, currants, ginger, orange zest, almond flavoring, cinnamon, apricots, fresh blueberries, cranberries, or even chocolate chips – our favorite!

           

2 c.  flour           

1 T.  baking powder

2 T.  sugar

1/2 t.  salt

6 T.  butter – very cold

1 c.  buttermilk, or whole milk

Egg wash ( 1 Lightly beaten egg with 1 T water )

Sugar, or cinnamon sugar for sprinkling on top

Mix dry ingredients.  Cut in 6 T.  butter until mixture resembles coarse cornmeal. (If you want to add anything to your scones just mix it in before the buttermilk)  Make a well in the center and pour in buttermilk.  ( If you do not have buttermilk or lemon juice than just use regular milk.)  Mix until dough clings together and is a bit sticky- do not over-mix or you will get bricks instead of scones :) Turn out dough onto a floured surface and shape into a 6- to 8-inch round about 1 1/2 inches thick.  Quickly cut into pie wedges or use a round biscuit cutter to cut circles.  The secret of tender scones is a minimum of handling.  Place on an un-greased cookie sheet, being sure the sides of the scones don’t touch each other.  Brush the scones with the egg wash for a shiny, beautiful brown scone.  Sprinkle sugar or cinnamon sugar on top.  Bake at 425°  for 10 – 20 minutes, or until light brown.

Precious Things Final

Glorious dwelling of the holy, where no grief or gloom of sin
Through the pure and pearly portals evermore shall enter in:
Christ its Light and God its Temple, Christ its song of endless laud!
O what precious consummation of the precious things of God!

Part 16 Of Precious Things

Pause not here,--the Holy City, glorious in God's light, behold!
Like unto a stone most precious, clear as crystal, pure as gold;
Strong foundations, fair with sapphires, sardius and chrysolite,
Blent with amethyst and jacinth, emerald and topaz bright.

Part 15 Of Precious Things

Precious, precious to Jehovah is His children's holy sleep;
He is with them in the passing through the waters cold and deep;
Everlasting love enfolds them softly, safely to His breast,
Everlasting love receives them to His glory and His rest.

Part 14 Of Precious Things

Precious, more than gold that wasteth, is the trial of your faith,
Fires of anguish or temptation cannot dim it, cannot scathe!
Your Refiner sitteth watching till His image shineth clear,
For His glory, praise, and honour, when the Saviour shall appear.

Part 13 Of Precious Things

Sons of Zion, ye are precious in your heavenly Father's sight,

Ye are His peculiar treasure, ye His jewels of delight;

Sought and chosen, cleansed and polished, purchased with transcendent cost,

Kept in His royal casket, never, never to be lost.

A Glimpse...

 of some projects that I'll be working on this month...

Can't wait to share!!  :D

Part 12 Of Precious Things

Such His gifts! but mark we dully our responsibility
Unto Him whose name is Holy, infinite in purity;
Sin and self no longer serving, take the precious from the vile,
So His power shalt rest upon thee, thou shalt dwell beneath His Smile.

Another Giveaway!

I just ran across this fun giveaway!  There are 26 prizes, so that means 26 winners!  One of my favorite items in the giveaway is a pair of pink star sapphire glass earrings.

Take a look!

Health Course Giveaway!

Head on over to Cheese Slave and grab some entries for an amazing Health Course Giveaway!

{ Etsy Sale! }

Our good friends at Country Hearts At Home are having an amazing sale in their Etsy Shop!

Go check it out! My favorite items are the Tea Cup and Coffee Cup Pincushions!  What a neat idea!!!

What is your favorite item in their shop?

Happy Thursday!

~~Laura Elizabeth

{ A Recipe }

Caramel Macchiato

I just love Caramel Macchiatos!  Here is my “base” recipe…change it up to taste – you can’t go wrong!

4 Tablespoons Caramel Sauce (Recipe Follows)

1/2 Cup Freshly Brewed Coffee

1 Cup Very Warm Whole Milk

Stir together the Caramel and Coffee in a Large Mug.  Pour the Hot Milk over Caramel Mixture.

Caramel Sauce:

1/2 cup heavy cream

1 stick (4 ounces) unsalted butter, at room temperature

1 1/2 cups light brown sugar

1 tablespoon water

In a 3-quart, heavy-bottomed saucepan, combine the cream, butter, sugar, and water. Stir over medium heat until the mixture is smooth. Bring the mixture to a boil and cook, without stirring, until a candy thermometer registers 240 degrees F, about 5 to 7 minutes. Let the mixture cool for 30 seconds.

Hope yall enjoy this!

~~Laura Elizabeth

{ Did Somebody Mention Sledding? }

Here are some of the sledding photos!  Enjoy!

 Yes, you are seeing this photo correctly -- Lizzy and I have our ice skates on....in the driveway....and you know what?  We were able to skate!  

Of course we had to take a silly photo!  haha

Happy Wednesday!

~~Laura Elizabeth

{ Snowed In }

So what do you do when you get snowed in?  You go sledding, of course!!

You take fun photos of your jumbo-size french mugs.....

Which happens to have homemade Caramel Macchiato in it.... 

You decide to get your ice skates and skate on the driveway....yes, our drive was compact enough to skate on!

You also take time to edit photos, and plan tomorrows blog posts :)

Happy Tuesday!

~~Laura Elizabeth

Guess What We Are Doing?

Well, more on all of this later.....I'm heading out to go sled now!  

Yes, those are 3D glasses....and yes, I'll have more explanations and photos later :D

~~Laura Elizabeth

The Shining Light

"The Shining Light, that Shineth more and more unto the Perfect Day"

           by Frances Ridley Havergal

A year ago the gold light

Sweet morning made for me;

A tender and untold light,

Like music on the sea.

Light and music twining

In melodious glory,

A rare and radiant shining

On my changing story.

To-day the golden sunlight

Is full and broad and strong;

The glory of the One light

Must overflow in song'

Song that floweth ever,

Sweeter every day,

Song whose echoes never,

Never die away.

How shall the light be clearer

That is so bright to day?

Hw shall the hope be dearer 

That pours such joyous ray?

I am only waiting

For the answer golden,

What faith is antedating

Shall not be withholden.

**All 4 of these photos were taken on our farm this past year....enjoy!**

~~Laura Elizabeth

Part 11 Of Precious Things

Nor withhold we glad thanksgiving for His mercies ever new,
Precious things of earth and heaven, sun and rain and quickening dew;
Precious fruits and varied crowning of the year His goodness fills,
Chief things of the ancient mountains, precious things of lasting hills.

The House Made Out Of Gingerbread... Part 2

Today we said goodbye to our Gingerbread House!  We tried a new recipe this year, and this was the sturdiest house we had ever made!  It took some MAJOR pulling and pushing to get this house to come down.  As you can see, the roof came off in a big chunk, and only a section of a wall would come off....

Well, for those of you who have only experienced fragile, and frail gingerbread house recipes, I thought I would share ours from this year!  :D

~~  Laura Elizabeth

Gingerbread House

Recipe courtesy Gale Gand

I once made a ginger bread house with my Banquette chef Bill at the Pump Room that was big enough to walk into. It was a life size gingerbread playhouse and took days to build. Have fun!

Prep Time:

2 hr 0 min

Inactive Prep Time:

3 hr 30 min

Cook Time:

15 min

Level:

Difficult

Serves:

1 house

Ingredients

Gingerbread:

• 8 ounces unsalted butter (16 tablespoons or 2 sticks), softened
• 1 1/2 cups packed light brown sugar
• 2 eggs
• 1 cup dark molasses (not blackstrap)
• 1 teaspoon pure vanilla extract
• 6 1/4 cups cake flour
• 4 teaspoons ground ginger
• 2 teaspoons ground cinnamon
• 1 teaspoon baking soda
• 1/2 teaspoon ground cloves
• 1/2 teaspoon salt
• Gingerbread House Templates, recipe follows

Royal Icing:

• 3 cups confectioners' sugar, plus more as needed
• 2 egg whites*

Assemble and Decorate the House:

• Heavy cardboard base for the house
• Pastry bag with a medium plain tip and a small plain tip
• Frosted shredded mini-wheats for the roof, as needed
• Mini tootsie rolls for a fence, as needed
• White Hershey Kisses for roof top spikes, as needed
• Small candy canes for a lamp post outside the door, as needed
• Granulated sugar for snow drifts, as needed
• Necco Wafers for a cobblestone path, as needed
• 3 large marshmallows, for snow man
• Pretzel sticks, for snowman arms, as needed
• 2 whole cloves, for snowman eyes
• Graham crackers to build a shed, as needed
• Assorted candy such as gum drops, peppermint drops, M & M's, white chocolate chips, red hots, non-pareils or snow caps, silver dragees, green mint jelly leaves, Life Savers, and Animal Crackers

Directions

In a mixer fitted with a paddle attachment, cream the butter until smooth. Add the sugar and mix until light and fluffy. Add the eggs 1 at a time until incorporated. Add the molasses and vanilla and mix.

Sift together the flour, ginger, cinnamon, baking soda, cloves, and salt. Working in batches, and mixing after each addition just until combined, add the flour mixture to the butter-sugar mixture. Shape the dough into a thick disk, wrap in waxed paper, and refrigerate 1 to 2 hours.

Preheat the oven to 350 degrees F and grease 2 cookie sheets.

On a lightly floured surface, divide the dough in half and roll each piece out into a large 1/4-inch thick sheet. Transfer the dough sheets to the sheet pans; then cut out the required shapes with your templates (see Gingerbread House Templates below).

Bake until stiff and toast-y, about 10 to 15 minutes. Let cool completely.

Make the Royal Icing: In a standing mixer fitted with the whisk attachment, whip the confectioners' sugar and egg whites together. Add more sugar, if necessary, to reach a spreadable consistency.

Assemble and Decorate the House: Glue the house walls together by setting them up on the cardboard base, and piping the royal icing at the joints with a medium plain tip from the inside. Prop the sides up with wine or soda bottles and let set for 30 minutes. Attach the roof pieces, using the icing in the same way

Using a spatula to apply the icing, glue the frosted mini-wheats on the roof to look like thatching. Attach the front door, with hinges made from icing (leave it open to be more inviting).

Decorate as you like, following the suggestions in the ingredient list, using the icing as glue, if needed. Use a small plain tip for any filigree style decorative line work, you may want.

*RAW EGG WARNING

Food Network Kitchens suggest caution in consuming raw and lightly-cooked eggs due to the slight risk of Salmonella or other food-borne illness. To reduce this risk, we recommend you use only fresh, properly-refrigerated, clean, grade A or AA eggs with intact shells, and avoid contact between the yolks or whites and the shell.

Gingerbread House Templates:

Brown paper bags, as needed

You'll need to make 7 templates, by drawing the dimensions out on brown paper and cutting them out. Use the templates as a stencil to cut the dough into the required pieces. Here are the templates you'll need:

Two front and rear walls: 5 inches high by 8 inches long. Cut out 2 windows from each wall, and 2 1/2 by 1 1/2-inch door in one.

Two side walls shaped like a house (triangle on a square): 5 inches high by 6 inches long, with a triangle 7 inches high on top (cut all in 1 piece). Cut 1 window out of each side.

Two overhanging roof pieces: 4 1/2 inches wide by 9 inches long.

One door: 2 1/2 inches high by 1 1/2 inches wide.