Just Because: Figs

I have these beautiful figs that I bought at the farmer's market on a whim and made them into fig and apple tartlets that I'll be posting about once I taste them and verify their tastiness!

Aren't figs gorgeous?

I made them into apple fig tartlets.. recipe to come soon! 

Yummy in my Tummy Cookies

I currently love working in an office because I have gotten to try some new recipes and feed them to my coworkers. These cookies turned out especially well and I hope you'll be tempted to whip some up this weekend.

I was inspired to make the original batch of these cookies after getting some unsweetened coconut from the store and forgetting why I bought it in the first place... have you ever done that with a specialty ingredient? Well, I had the unsweetened coconut and some dark chocolate bars, so I decided to chop up the chocolate and whip up a variation on a recipe I found at 101 Cookbooks.

But the next time I made it, I was inspired by these adorable teeeeeny marshmallows from the bulk store! Considering my love for smore's, it only seemed appropriate to mix it into the dough  with chocolate chips (which kind of reminds me a little of graham crackers, but fluffier).  These definitely pack a sweet punch, because the marshmallows melt into the cookie and ooze out. Delicious!

Smores Cookies
Adapted from 101 Cookbooks

1 3/4 cups whole wheat pastry flour 
1/2 cup (toasted) wheat germ (I toasted mine quickly in a frying pan before mixing the dough together)
1/2 teaspoon baking soda
1/2 teaspoon baking powder
scant 1/2 teaspoon fine grain sea salt
1/2 cup unsalted butter
1 cup brown sugar
2 large eggs
2 teaspoons vanilla extract
2/3 cup tiiiiny marshmallows (or chopped up mini marshmallows)
1 cup chocolate chips

• Preheat the oven to 375 degrees Fahrenheit. Prepare two baking sheets with parchment paper

• Toast the wheat germ in a frying pan if you bought raw wheat germ (like Bob's Red Mill, like I have). 
• Whisk together the flour, wheat germ, baking soda, baking powder and salt. Set aside.

• Beat the butter in a large bowl until fluffy.  Add the sugar until it has an frosting-like consistency. Beat in the eggs one at a time. Add flour in two increments and mix well.

• Mix in the marshmallows and chocolate chips by hand.

• Drop dough onto the pan in 1 tablespoon increments.

• Bake for 8-10 minutes.

• These also freeze well and take only a few minutes more when frozen to bake.

I really liked the texture of these- pillowy and soft. Plus, I felt a little healthier with the wheat germ and whole wheat flour. Its not a super sweet cookie, so you may want to add more chocolate chips if you crave a sweeter cookie.


The other variation I really loved used unsweetened coconut (although I'm sure using sweetened coconut and slightly less sugar would work as well) and dark chocolate chunks. Kind of like a Mounds candy bar!

Yumm..... I love cookies, especially when the batter makes a ton so you can freeze some for cookie satisfaction in minutes!

Inspiration Monday

Sorry its a little late but here's what caught my eye this week!

Source: notonthehighstreet.com via Stephanie on Pinterest

Wall art made with a blank canvas and wood letters, then painted over

Source: blog.jessicacomingore.com via Julie on Pinterest

Fig Tart... yum!!!

Source: ivillage.com via Brenda on Pinterest

25 recipes for easy snacks

Source: a5.sphotos.ak.fbcdn.net via Tiffany on Pinterest

Place mats made from hardware store supplies!

Source: 3.bp.blogspot.com via Brenda on Pinterest

Felt Cupcake Board

New Website I love: Gojee

I found this great website via the Kitchn'- its called Gojee.  I instantly fell in love with this site once I opened it, because it helps you search for recipes from blogs based on what you have, what you crave, and it lets you edit out anything that you can't/won't eat. This is such a great tool for those inspiring trips to the farmer's market that end with you bringing home bundles of new and exciting ingredients but no plan!

I think this will be my go-to search site, as much as I love Tastespotting, because I will be able to find a recipe to fit the ingredients that I have on hand versus saving tons of recipes that I want to make sometime in the future! You'll love it, just trust me and go check it out!

Cultivate Your Creativity: New from Oh My Handmade

Ready, Set, LAUNCH: Cultivate Your Creativity & the brand new Oh My! Store

I totally just bought this download and I think it is truly gorgeous. Go check it out- its name your own price until July 31st and an instant download!

Source: ohmyhandmade.com via Julie on Pinterest

Inspiration: This week

I have been up to my ears (not really... but almost) in the magazine cut outs that I have been collecting, not to mention the online wonderfulness of Pinterest, but here are some of my favorite online picks!

Source: flickr.com via Gift on Pinterest

Source: caleighskitchen.com via Marla on Pinterest

Melon Mint Sangria

Source: polyvore.com via Dana on Pinterest

Source: mintvelvet.co.uk via Jani on Pinterest

Source: decor-tips.com via Gift on Pinterest

Source: flickr.com via Tiffany on Pinterest

Source: etsy.com via Caroline on Pinterest

 I'll be back later this week with some projects on how I'm using up the lovely pictures that I have amassed as inspiration, but do you have any favorite ways to save and use the cutouts that just inspire you too much to throw out? I would love some more ideas!

Inspiration Monday!

I had the most wonderful weekend- another couple got married! Only two more to go before Labor Day!

Here's what's inspiring me this week!

Source: terristable.blogspot.com via Brenda on Pinterest

Finger food Caprese salad!

Source: design-shimmer.blogspot.com via Joy on Pinterest

Gorgeous

Source: curbly.com via Becca on Pinterest

Maybe getting organized will make me actually clean? Probably not, but I like lists!

Source: michelleums.tumblr.com via Annabel on Pinterest

Gorgeous DIY envelopes

What's on your visual wishlist this week? I promise, I've got some more posts of what I've made- I've been a little busy and I can't wait to share it with you!

Projects in Process

I'm still getting back to normal after my 4 day Fourth of July holiday weekend, but I've got some stuff workin' up here, like this peach and pineapple sage vinegar and I whipped up these roasted sweet potato coins. I also tried (and fell in love with) this rosemary garlic lentils recipe from Martha Stewart.

Any suggestions on how to use up about 1 cup of cooked lentils? Do you have a favorite lentil salad? I wanted to see if anyone has one before I go searching the web!

PS I'm also dreaming about these Vibram Five Finger shoes. I realized on Tuesday, after wearing no shoes almost all weekend, how much I missed being barefoot.  Especially when I have to wear steel toed boots to work everyday! I think these would make a great addition to my wardrobe for class and the gym. Just something I added to my incredibly long wishlist :)

Oh, and I've been searching for an apartment for the school year, and fingers crossed, I've found the perfect one! I can't wait to start decorating it! Living in this apartment for just 3 months has make me stir crazy to do something, but I'll have to pack it up soon anyways. Well, this next apartment will be mine for the whole year. 

I hope your week back after the holiday has been restful! Have a great weekend! I've got one more wedding to check off my list!