Options.

Options are amazing things.  Options in the closet, options in the color car you purchase, options in baking, options in decorating.  We live a life full of options; we consistently, whether consciously or not, have to make a choice.  Those options affect everything from our mood, to the time we leave the house, to the way we feel.

The things or actions we choose, regardless of what they may be, also affect others.  Options affect our character, our destiny.  The options we choose affect us at the very core.  The choices we make directly affect who we are, and what we represent.  We will get to the big picture later.

To perk things up, let's talk about options when baking.

A very healthy field of choices, my favorite option in baking is frosting.  One can turn a boring loaf of banana bread into an exceptional mouth-pleasing dessert, simply by adding cinnamon cream cheese frosting.  Simple muffins can be drizzled with glaze to sweeten, or semi-sweet chocolate frosting to add a bit of bitter (say that 5 times...bit of bitter).

Today's post focuses on red velvet cupcakes:  canned frosting or homemade?

I would argue that not very many people can taste the difference between the two, however, this Modern Day Cinderella never puts out canned frosting.

Red velvet cupcakes (and the plate of cream cheese stuffed red velvet brownies you see) are worthy of only one thing:  homemade cream cheese frosting.  Why you ask?  Simple.  Red velvet cupcakes are a soulmate cupcake.  They are the unicorn of all cupcakes; the epic once-in-a-lifetime mouth full of goodness so incredible it makes you weak in the knees.  Ya, they are THAT freakin-delish.

Homemade cream cheese frosting really isn't too difficult to make.  Basically you take a few ingredients, make sure your cream cheese is softened, throw it in your mixer....and "whhhhhallla".

Here is my secret to the perfect sweet vs. bitter cream cheese frosting.  Soulmate worthy.

Ingredients
1/2 cup butter, softened
1 (8-oz) package cream cheese, softened
1 (16-oz.) package powdered sugar (shu-gah dahling)
1 tsp. vanilla extract

Directions

1. mix butter + cream cheese until it is good and creamy and fluffy.  It should look shiny and delicious.
2. Gradually add everything else.  Stick your finger in to taste (after shutting off the mixer), but beware, one taste is never enough.  I told you, soulmate worthy. 

Another fun trick to note, I didn't use a piping bag or tool for these sweet luvin' cupcakes.  

When left without, fill a sandwich size baggie with your frosting.  Clip a small corner off the baggie and again "whhhhallla"- piping bag created.  

Back to the moral of the story:  options.  I'm sure you've seen the quote "never be someone's option".  This is really, really for real the truth.  Although life is full of so many options, remember that falling in love or falling for someone means that you and he/she should never be an option for the other.  Much like the soulmate-unicorn cupcake, YOU should be a choice, never just an option.  I think we often forget this important aspect; likely because we are so flooded with options in everyday life.  

Never settle for being someone's option.  Always have enough respect for yourself to be someone's choice.  This Modern Day Cinderella needs to remind herself of that from time to time.  Baking brings out these epic life lessons; I hope know that someday when I find my Modern Day Prince Charming, I will be his choice and never feel like just his option.  

xoxo (from Minnesota),

Me 

Single Girl. Will Travel.

If you didn't know, now you know:  I am single.  Yep.  I've actually not had a "boyfriend" (by definition) since high school.  And if he's reading, it wasn't you that wrecked the idea of dating for me.  I've met/dated them all:  doctors, lawyers, investment bankers, medical sales reps, liberals, headhunters (Arizona you know I mean you), boys from Berlin, VPs, divorcees, hedge fund sales partners, principals at large companies, introverts, entrepreneurs, farmers, fisherman, CFOs, accountants, and I'm sure I forgot a few....

There are a million reasons why I have not found "the one" or "the one right now".  I could start listing, but I feel like the focus of this post might take a turn down the Road Which Leads Nowhere.

Let's clarify a few things:

1. I'm a busy girl.  I love my career, I am successful, independent and pretty damn happy with life. 
2. I've not found the one that makes my heart pitter-patter (and believe me, I have been through my fair mix of first dates). 
3. I have no dying need to get married, yet.  Certainly I'd love someone to wake up next to, and cook for, and take care of the "things" only a man is able to do.  But what's the rush?
4. My eggs are not going anywhere.  If my mom is reading this, you know the doctor specifically told you my parts are working just fine.  

Now that we've got the "why she's still single" thing covered, let's break into a more enjoyable topic:  Single Girl.  Will Travel.  

Did you know I wanted to be the 1st Female President of the United States?  Yep; and a home designer, and a politician, geneticist and a nurse.  My point being: this brain has no limits.  When this Modern Day Cinderella's mom and dad told her to imagine and dream big, she really did.  With that desire to conquer the world, came a desire to see the world.  I spent my 20's trying to "find" people to travel with.  I don't have a lot of friends, and my family isn't in love with traveling; so I told myself time and time again that I would indeed travel to the best places when I had the man of my dreams by my side.  I wanted to make-out on a bench in Paris; take one of those little boats in Venice; lay naked on a beach in Bali and make love; hold hands on the French Riviera; WHEN I found a man who loved me.  Did I also mention I'm a romantic?

Shortly after turning 30, BAM, it came to me: I don't need a man, or my nonexistent group of friends, or even my family, to travel....I only need myself, a passport and really cute shoes to travel (because every nationality knows a cute pair of shoes - it's a great conversation starter).   And who knows, this Modern Day Cinderella might just run into Prince Charming....or a few. 

Thus was born my 2015 blog focus.  Life in Heels and Pearls takes on a year of solo traveling.   So sit back, grab a glass of wine, open the Nordstrom's shopping site on a 2nd screen, and enjoy the trip.  

Xoxo from Minnesota,

Me

Grown Up Chicken. It's Really Good For You.

Chicken can get really boring. Boring like that shade of lipstick you HAD to get for that wedding you were in two years ago (I promise my future bridesmaids y'all will have stellar cute lip GLOSS).  Boring like waiting in line for the coffee shop to open.  Boring like a bad kiss on an even worse date. 

Here's what happened when I woke up Sunday morning:  I decided to suck up it up and move on (y'all who know, know what I am talking about), I decided to run four miles AND THEN I decided to bake like the coming back of Jesus was about to happen...because undoubtedly so, I will have killer caramel rolls set and ready for that occassion. 

Chicken was thawing in the fridge, my hair was still messy and I was kicking it in an apron and Lululemon leggins (quite the image, eh?).  My Pinterest Boards are overflowing like a spring flood, so this modern day Cinderella decided it was time to alleviate some of that backup.  Enter Chicken Stuffing Creativity 101. 

Chicken (and pork) is a really versatile food.  I know, I know, y'all are probably thinking "but chicken is bland and boring you blonde weirdo!"; BUT here is the kicker, spicing up chicken (much like spicing up the bedroom in a marriage) is actually really easy and fun. 

Go to your fridge, go on and do it, pull out that thawed chicken, any type of cheese you have (the more the merrier when dairy is involved), greens, eggs, and garlic.  THEN go to your cupboard, pull out breadcrumbs,  that lovely girl named PAM, and some salt + pepper. 

Are y'all still with this girl?  Mmk. Here. We. Go.

(1)  Take four eggs and separate them into egg whites.  Toss those yolks (or keep 'em).  Fluff 'em up and sprinkle a wee bit of salt + pepper in.  Mix in your cheese!  For my saucy chicken (it was like a lacy white nighty from VS - confident and basic with a bit of an edge), I used 1/2 cup part skim ricotta, 1/4 cup shredded parm and 1/4 cup mozzarella.  Let that sit aside and get all gooey. 

(2) In a sauce pan, add 1-2 cups chopped greens (I used spinach and asparagus).  Add a few TBSP garlic and saute it like its hot until your greens wilt and the kitchen smells overwhelmingly good (like you just want to take a bite out of the air).  Mix those greens in with your egg/cheese goodness.  TA DA - y'all have your stuffing completed. 

 

(3) The fun part comes when you get to smash that chicken breast into a flat piece of chicken.  Carefull so you don't wreck it; they are a wee bit delicate.  So repeat this for your 4-6 chicken breasts. 

(4) Set up your counter in this order:  Bowl of egg/cheese goodness, Bowl of egg whites (y'all will have to crack a few more), and Bowl of breadcrumbs.  Starting on the far left, fill your chicken with the egg/cheese goodness, then roll it up (pack it and mark it with a B - jk), drop it in the egg whites and then coat that bad boy with breadcrumbs.  Place your stuffed breast seam down in the pan. 

(5) Repeat for all your flattened breasts.  Place those pans in the ove at 450 for 25 minutes.  It's an amazing outcome - the egg white within your stuffing makes it fluffy and lite.  When you bring them out of the oven, top with a little marinara sauce and sprinkle with cheese. 

INGREDIENTS

• Boneless chicken breast (4-6)
• 1 cup breadcrumbs
• 1/2 cup parmesan cheese (shredded)
• 2 cups chopped spinace
• asaparagus (10-12 stalks chopped - should you so desire)
• 1/2 cup part-skim ricotta
• garlic (I use the stuff from a jar)
• Eggs or egg whites
• 1/2 cup mozzarella cheese
• marinara sauce

Eat, love and be merry.  Your tummy will thank me for this recipe.

XOXO,
All they way from MN

Turning 30.

Amazing things happen in life when you least expect it.

My beautiful Momma would tell you that falling in love with life is what happens when you are busy enjoying every day to it's utmost potential. This modern day Cinderella would agree...and then add: a beautiful life starts with being so full of love you are almost ready to burst. The past decade blessed me with so many opportunities: I began my first company, I became an Auntie and a Godmother, I shared in the joy of both my parents finding love AND my Grandmother finding love once again. Our family grew; I bet my Grandpa is looking down from Heaven with a pride so big it would burst the hearts of most boys I have dated. I found an amazing group of girlfriends. I flew across the big pond and experienced Europe all by myself. I survived my first major surgery and our prayers were answered when both my momma and sister came through their surgeries.

With age comes wisdom (and your IQ naturally increases when you turn 30....legit for real, I'm Einstein now). I have learned loving life comes with having the patience to wait for the rest of it to happen. Although I love my family, I believe this girl has had enough "why haven't you found a boyfriend?" confrontations for an entire lifetime (if y'all are reading this, take note). I'm not sure how, but I manage to keep my temper in check while wanting to scream, "YES, I would love to be married and getting ready for Baby #2". Life Lesson #1: have patience.

With age also comes an array of interestingly awful 1st, 2nd and 3rd dates; y'all are just eager to read about the 2nd date which ended in the ER, or the 1st date which ended up having more girls than just me along, or perhaps the 4th date that came with a full lecture on dating men for their money (which I will note is just awful - and why on Earth would you marry a man for money when a girl can make her own?).

This next decade, I plan to fully enjoy life increasingly more. And as my sister would say, share my over abundance of love with everyone all over again. Welcome to Life in Heels and Pearls: 30 and Beyond.

Falling for Fall: Caramel Corn

'Tis the season for family, friends and faith.  A little season this modern day Cinderella likes to call "fall".  What?  You've heard of it too?  Well thank the heavens I am not the only one who partakes in the effervescent season of kitchens which smell of baked apples and yards which look like Crayola created a "Fall" box just for the Midwest. 

Last weekend, my sweet niece and nephew hosted their Annual Halloween Bash.  Lane and Marley sure know how to throw a party for the little peeps and the big peeps. Abby and Justin so graciously hosted us, filled our bellies and made for another memorable gathering. 

Abby was generous enough to let me handle the desserts.  I secretly LOVE when she hosts as I always get to bring the goodies.  This year, I went with my never-fail pumpkin-esq dessert extravaganza. 

The great thing about fall gatherings is no one is concerned about how much they eat or what the calorie consumption is.  I think biologically we are all ready to fatten up and prep for the cold (shhhhh....) months ahead.  Not only is it a season centered around family and friends but it is also a season centered around mouth-watering-foodgasm recipes. 

Y'all keep up if you can....

  (are y'all drooling....pretty sure you should be) 

Ingredients
8-9 cups popped popcorn (you can use the bag or the kernels and if it is kettle corn, all the better)
1 cup packed light brown sugar
1/4 cup unsalted butter (yes, it needs to be unsalted)
1/4 cup light corn syrup
1.5 tsp pumpkin pie spice
1/4 tsp cloves
1/2 tsp salt
1/4 tsp baking soda
1 package white chocolate chips (I LOVE Hersheys)

Directions

1. Pop that popcorn and remove those kernels!  None of your guests want to chip a tooth. 
2. Preheat the oven to 250.  Not a bit above and not a bit below.
3. In a sauce pan, small, melt your butter on low heat.  Don't brown it. 
4. Add brown sugar, pumpkin pie spice, cloves, and corn syrup, to your butter.  Increase the heat to medium high and mix.  Let that pan of yummy deliciousness melt together and begin to boil. 
5. Once it boils, leave it alone for 4 minutes (I know, it is difficult).
6. Remove from heat, add baking soda and vanilla. 
7. Listen to the fun sounds the pan makes when you add the vanilla.  Serious y'all, I was in AWE.
8. Mix, mix, mix.  The delicious caramel mix will begin to look glossy.  Once it thickens, you know it is ready to meet the popcorn.
9. In a big bowl, mix the popcorn and the caramel from your sauce pan.  Mix, mix and mix until it looks covered.
10. Spread into a large baking pan (I like to use a turkey-size roaster pan).
11. Place that bad boy in the oven for 1 hour and make sure you stir AT LEAST every 10-15 minutes. 
12. Once your timer goes off, remove it from the oven and pour the caramel corn onto parchment paper.  Spread it out and let it sit for a bit.
13. In a microwave safe bowl, melt the white chocolate chips.  Make sure you melt like this:  20 seconds, mix, 20 seconds, mix, 20 seconds, mix, etc. 
14. When you know its all melted, pour into a little ziplock baggie and snip off a little corner.
15. Drizzle over your caramel corn and let sit for at least 1 hour.

1. OMG IT LOOKS DELICIOUS
2. Store it in ziplock baggies and enjoy.  Brag. Spread the love.  Share the joy.

XOXO,
All the way from MN

Auntie to the Rescue: Yummies for Sensitive Tummies.

I've not yet introduced y'all to my insanely sweet, handsome and ridiculously smart nephew.  Meet Reese.  97% for weight at 10% for height.  He is a whole 'lotta goodness packed into one sweet little bundle.

We have a load of fun together.  He's taught me the art of wrestling, watching bulldozers and the sweetness which a little boy can bring to this modern day Cinderella's life.

This weekend, with my family, we explored Nate's 101 Market in Elk River.  For my fellow Minnesotans, if y'all have not yet been, I seriously recommend bringing your little peanut(s) for a trip.  The place was a child's harvest wonderland; we explored everything from pedal carts to duck races and llamas (yea, just like the book "Is Your Momma a Llama").

I could go on and on and on for a million years, bragging him up.  Someone asked me this weekend if Reese makes me want my own soon; my response (if you've read my blog you know just how much I look forward to the day I become a wife and mother), of course put a bit more graciously, "heck yes"!

A few months ago, he was diagnosed with an allergy to peanuts, milk and eggs.  If you've read my blog before, y'all know that I cook with three main ingredients:   Butter.  Milk.  Eggs.

This changed pretty quickly.  I've not come to terms with the idea of "vegan" baking and cooking, so getting creative can be a little difficult, especially since I know how much little people love Kraft Mac 'n' Cheese....BUT have no fear, Auntie is here.  I decided that being "World's Best Greatest Auntie" includes adjusting my love for cooking to fit this little man's needs.  But seriously y'all, who could resist that sweet little smile.

I have spent much time getting to know vegan-style products.  My heart hates buying anything premade (1) trust issues and (2) EWWWWW.  Thus began the start of my newest baking craze.

We have tried a few out.  This handsome little devil's smokin' hot Momma made him a delicious zucchini bread and his smokin' hot Grandma made him Reese-Friendly Fried Chicken (recipe to come). Enough about us.....let's get to the good stuff.

For those of you that know the food-blogger world, there are some amazing men and women out there sharing what they know.  I'm a big huge gigantic fan of anything Paula Dean fixes up and my sweet southern best friend's momma (Mrs. Bradford makes an insane southern dinner).  The swap to a 'different' way of cooking has been a challenge - but when have I ever turned down a good challenge (insert comments now)?

My newest addiction is this beautiful young lady's blog.  Megan from Detoxinista, not only is she gorgeous and smart but she also has some of the most amazingly delicious recipes and I cannot post my new favorite without giving her full credit where credit is due (think my favorite country song - "I gotta give credit where credit is due").

Vegan Mac 'n' Cheese

Looks BETTER than Kraft!

A little bit of healthy makes a little tummy happy!  Here is how....

For the Cheese
1.5 cups raw cashews
3 TBSP fresh lemon juice (I used the bottled)
3/4 cup water
1.5 tsp sea salt
1/4 cup nutritional yeast
1/2 tsp chili powder
1/2 clove garlic
pinch of turmeric and cayenne
1/2 tsp mustard (I used dijon - but you can use yellow)

For the Pasta
8 ounces of pasta (your choice - you can use rice, regular, brown, colored, purple or homemade - purple is clearly a joke y'all - but whatever floats your noodle)

A little add in FUN

• veggies (fresh or frozen)
• chicken
• any meat (or faux meat)

Just follow my fave blogger friend's instructions below and you will have a phenom masterpiece coming out of your oven! 

1. Preheat the oven to 350F (If you are adding roasted broccoli to your dish, this would be a good time to start preparing that, so it can roast in the oven while you work on the rest!) You should also start boiling some water to prepare your pasta.
2. If you have a Vita-Mix, or other high-powered blender, making this sauce is incredibly easy. Simply throw the first ten ingredients into the blender, and blend until smooth and creamy!
3. If you do not have a high-powered blender, don’t worry– you can easily use a food processor or blender to process the cashews first, until they are finely ground, or ideally, a nut-butter-like consistency. Once your cashews are thoroughly processed, add the rest of the ingredients and process until thick and smooth.
4. At this time, you should check your pasta. Once it’s cooked to your liking, drain and rinse it, then return the pasta to the pot to be mixed with the cheese sauce.
5. If you’re adding any roasted or sauteed veggies, this would be the time to do it. I highly recommend adding roasted broccoli to this dish!
6. Serve immediately while hot, or move on to the next step for baking.

Baking Instructions: (optional)

1. Once you’ve mixed everything together, pour the mac n’ cheese into an 8 x 8 square dish and garnish with a sprinkle of paprika and black pepper. Bake at 350F for 20 minutes.
2. Let cool for about 5 minutes, then serve!

Xoxo (from Minnesota)

Too long.

I cannot believe how long it has been since I've blogged.  I feel like I've neglected my baby :(

It's a new year, with new adventure and so many new stories to tell.  I've also been busy in the kitchen.

Stay tuned for an update on this Modern Day Cinderella's adventures....


Xoxo,
From Minnesota

So This is Love.

In the movie, Cinderella sang "so this is love" while on her hands and knees scrubbing the floor for her evil Stepmother.  I like to think that she did a damn good job too.  This modern day Cinderella also scrubs the floor on her hands and knees (only because my Grandma says that's the only way to get it clean) but sings to a little different tune when it comes to "so this is love"....

Growing up in North Dakota, one could always bet that a family gathering of some sort would have three food staples:

1. Beans.
2. Potato Salad.
3. Bars (like the really, really yummy kind)

Although the Fairy Godmother makes one heck an abso-amazing seven-layer bar (and Mom, I love all your cooking), my Great Grandma Peter made the best Special K bars.  When we were little she would bring them to family events in the old school silver pans that the top slid on with (don't worry, I have two of these bad boys in my kitchen)....and in permanent marker was the name of the woman who owned the pan (and the bars in it).  No matter how small or large she cut the bars (with a butter knife mind you) there always was the perfect amount of peanut butter, chocolate and butterscotch goodness inside each bar.  

Grandma Peter's recipes were either in her brain (my Grandma Shirley points to her head each time she tells this story) or written down.  For the life of me I still cannot figure out what she mean by "just a touch" but Grandma Shirley says that means you put a little in, stir, taste and repeat until you get it right and when asked Grandma would always say "oh no I never use measuring cups or spoons", to the question of how do you know how much to put in.  She would just say "you just know".  

There is one recipe I have mastered that my Great Grandma Peter created.  I changed a few things (because at least 10% change makes it not copying) for this post but you can bet your bottom that this is one heck of a dang good recipe.  So this is what I call love:

Ingredients:

• 6 cups Corn Flakes
• 1 cup corn syrup (yup, the high fructose good-for-you kind)
• 1 cup peanut butter
• 1 cup sugar
• 1/2 bag (small bag) butterscotch chips
• 1/2 bag (small bag) chocolate chips

Directions:

1.  Pour the 6 cups of Corn Flakes into a big mixing bowl.  

2.  Place 1 cup sugar and 1 cup corn syrup (the good-for-you kind) into a small saucepan on low to medium-low heat. Stir consistently until it reaches a low boil.

3.  Place 1 cup peanut butter (you can use the generic kind) into the low boil sugar/corn syrup mixture, remove from heat and stir. 

4. Pour the melted peanut butter, sugary concoction into the measured bowl of Corn Flakes and stir until all is coated. 

  5.  Spray a 8.5 x 10" pan with non-stick cooking spray and pour the coated cereal from the bowl into the pan.  Use a spatula to flatten and mold the coated cereal to cover all areas of the pan. 

6.  In a small, microwaveable bowl, place both the 1/2 bags of butterscotch + chocolate chips.  Microwave on high for about 50-60 seconds. Remove, stir and if not melted, place back into microwave for increments of 15 seconds.  The first 60 should get you there!  

7.  Pour the melted chocolate + butterscotch delicious-ness over your pan of coated cereal.  Let cool for about 30 minutes.  Cut and love :)

Lessons of love were learned each time I have made this recipe.  I knew I had it right when the Fairy Godmother quietly whispered "oh these are really, really good".  So although this recipe does not involve a Prince Charming (although someday perhaps)....this modern day Cinderella still sings to the tune of  "so this is love".  

XOXO,

Danika

Little Miracles.

This modern day Cinderella has found that happiness exists in every faucet of life.  And the kind of happy that exists to the extent that I wish I could bottle it up and give it out to everyone happy. 

This June I experienced the most amazing moment of my life (well it was more than a moment...great work Megs!), the birth of Riley James.

He is so beautiful and handsome and perfectly perfect.  I spent the last month before he was born with his momma, my best friend.  He moved in her belly and as much as he might hate me for admitting, I thought he was a little girl.  The moment he was born the whole world changed; it was breath-taking. 

His mommy and daddy asked me to be his Godmother.  I can't explain how honored I was that very moment and I hope that I live up to every single part of what it means to be such an important part of his life. 

Each time I hold him I am reminded of how amazing God is and how miraculous the gift of life can be.

My Grandmas still call and ask where Prince Charming is.  I keep telling them that this Cinderella just has not found her glass slipper red heel...

Red Velvet Whoppie Pies + Life.

I cook because I love to cook and I love the happiness that coming together for a meal brings to people.  It brings them together and more often than not it brings smiles and laughing and pure joy.  Well, let's be honest, I'm pretty effing great in the kitchen too :)

I bake not because I love to bake but I bake because it cures my frustration with life.  It allows me to escape into a realm of myself that no one else can touch.

Sitting at my kitchen table, in my robe, slippers on, my hair pinned up and my glasses on....with George Strait playing in the background....I type. 

There is a relationship in my life that I struggle with on a weekly, sometimes daily basis.  It is a love-hate relationship that I have had since as far back as I can remember.  It is one which consumes my being at times and pushes me past limits of control I never knew I was capable of.

Sometimes I imagine what my life would be like if it was perfect.  Actually, scratch that, my life is as imperfectly perfect as it will ever be and I could not be more blessed.  I have these amazing people in my life that teach me each day what it is that makes life so beautiful.   I was at a gas station in Minneapolis on Saturday afternoon this past weekend with Scooter (the stunningly beautiful brunette that is my younger sister) and a man was counting pennies to pay for his coffee.  I first noticed his hands were chapped from the cold as he struggled to count the small amount of change he had.  Then I noticed his shoes, they were worn from walking and his clothing was torn from years of wear.  I took my time to pour the cup of coffee I was going to purchase with washer fluid for my car, which was waiting warm outside for me.  I walked next to the man and excused myself as I pulled a lid for my cup and whispered to him asking if he had enough.  He smiled at me politely only to say "I do thank you so much".  As I walked away, my heart hurt and tears began to flood my eyes.  When it was my turn to pay, standing there in my Burberry scarf, red wool jacket, black Sperry boots and Gucci handbag, I asked the woman if she would take my money and pay for the gentleman's coffee.  She paused and said yes.  As I left the gas station, Scooter asked if I had done that because I felt bad about being crabby earlier that morning.  I looked at her and for only a moment paused to say "no, I did that because he needed that more than I did".  I realized as I was standing outside freezing to put washer fluid in my vehicle, this man in worn clothing with his chapped hands was God.

There are moments, maybe one each second, in life that we are given an opportunity to see God but pass by because we are busy or too afraid to look.  I realize, as each year passes in my life, that I have been given so much because it is maybe my destiny to share it and to pass it on to those who need it more and to be the difference I wish to see in the world.

How does this all tie into homemade Red Velvet Whoppie Pies you ask, well, let me tell you....

In this modern day Princess's life, perfection is overrated.  My first batch of these little guys burned.  It was sad.  The second batch was too large and they looked awful....oh but they tasted so incredible.  The third time was a charm, I adjusted the temperature setting on my oven, made the dough a bit smaller of a portion on the pan and perfecto.....they were beautifully misshaped and goregous.  It is not the beautiful looking things in life that have the most incredible filling.  It is often those things that we overlook because of imperfections that are filled with life's best.

Red Velvet Whoppie Pies

• 2 cups flour
• 2 TBSP cocoa powder (unsweetened)
• 1/2 tsp baking soda
• 1/4 tsp salt
• 1/2 cup butter softened (the real stuff please)
• 1 cup brown sugar (packed)
• 1 egg (large)
• 1 tsp vanilla
• 1/2 cup buttermilk (at room temperature)
• 1 TBSP red food coloring
• 1 recipe Whoppie Pie Filling (see below)

What next?

1. Combine flour, cocoa powder, baking soda and salt. Set aside.
2. Beat butter until fluffy, beat in brown sugar and mix until light + fluffy.
3. Add the flour mixture and buttermilk in small amounts until combine. Do not overmix.
4. Add food coloring (hence "red velvet")
5. Spoon your batter, in small amounts (y'all should fit at least 16 small spoonfuls onto a baking sheet) onto a wax paper lined baking sheet.
6. Place into a 360 degree, preheated, oven for 5-6 minutes.  Touch the top to ensure they are done and DO NOT OVER COOK.  No one lines a burned whoppie pie! 
7. Finish all your batter and cool them, completely, on wire racks.  Be patient my mama would say.
8. Make your whoppie pie filling:  beat 1/4 cup softened butter, 1/2 of an 8 ounce (I used the full 8 ounces) softened cream cheese until smooth.  Fold in one 7 ounce jar of marshmallow creme.
9. Place a dollop (or more if y'all like lots of fillin') on the bottom side of one pie and place another on the top....making a sandwich.  And yes, you can find a picture if it helps!

I encourage y'all to go out and do something for someone to make them smile.  Not because it makes you feel good but because it will make them feel good.  Life is too short to not try.



Lots of love from a snowy and cold Minnesota,
Danika

Cream Corn Casserole

My grandma makes the most insane Cream Corn Casserole known to man.

I know most of y'all are saying "woah woah woah....hold your horses little princess just what makes her casserole so great?" Well, it again isn't the basic 3 ingredients that go into this but it is the life lesson she intends on giving me each time we make this casserole together.  The little ways she always hints that my bottom is nice and round and "have I been eating enough or too much" and the little ways she always hints that she isn't going to be around for so much longer and she would sure love to come to my house, meet my husband and buy my little girls dresses before she dies and the BEST life lesson "do not push the crackers so hard into the bottom of the casserole or you'll never get them out....didn't I teach you anything?!"

WE usually end up giggling because I look at her, bat my blue eyes, pout my lip and say "but Grandma I am trying so harrrrdddd to do it just perfect like you!".  She walks away laughing or pushes me to the side and says "here let Grandma show you" just like she did when I was a little princess in her kitchen and pats my bottom as she goes.

SHE has this unique ability to make cooking simple.  And life too.  She is a no bullshit lady and rules our kingdom with diamonds and great shoes (I hope y'all are shaking your heads in understanding of why I am the way I am).  The woman could make the Queen of England shush with one look.

CASSEROLE is like the bible in our family.  No family function is complete without it....sort of like Church on Sunday. Cream Corn Casserole is a tradition at almost every family meal and without it at least someone asks where it is and why Grandma didn't make it this time.  The recipe is so simple....I think anyone could make it but there is a particular type of pan (color and all) that all generations of my family make it in (that's the secret I keep telling myself)....and over-the-top delicious.

Grandma Shirley's Cream Corn Casserole

6 cans cream-style corn
4 sleeves of saltine crackers (finely crushed)
4 sticks unsalted butter (the real stuff please)

1. Get your casserole dish out!
2. In a gallon size ziplock bag, finely crush one (1) sleeve of crackers (I use the can to do the crushing instead of a rolling pin just to limit the amount of "things" I have out at any given time).  Be sure to flip the bag over a few times to ensure all the crackers are crushed.
3. In a microwave safe container, melt one (1) stick of butter.
4. In a bowl, mix the melted butter and crushed crackers with a fork until all crackers look saturated in butter (love cooking with butter).
5. Spoon the mixture into the bottom of your casserole dish.  DO NOT press in firmly like you would with a graham cracker pie crust.  Simply ensure the mixture covers the bottom of your dish.
6. Open 2 containers of cream-style corn and pour over the top of the cracker layer.
7. Repeat this process until you have come to the last layer (which will be the top) of your casserole.
8. Put a lid on the dish and place into a 350 pre-heated oven.  Bake for 45 minutes, or until the edges of your top layer are bubbling with delight and the top is lightly browned.  
9. Remove from the oven, let cook for a bit and serve!

The kicker behind this mouthwatering goodness is that y'all can do as many or as few layers as your heart desires.  Grandma says I use "one too many" but I feel the more ooey goodness the better and if I am going to eat this many calories I may as well REALLY eat!  

SO enjoy, don't let Grandma's recipe intimidate and if ever crossing her path....she loves being told her dishes are incredible.  BUT then again don't all women love being complimented?

XOXO (from a very cold Minnesota),

Danika

Say Cheese.

I LOVE being in front of the camera.  Really love....almost as much as I love coffee in bed on Saturday mornings.

I HAVE a Bucket List.  Y'all have to be familiar with it and someday there will be a post dedicated specifically to that (we have to get to know each other a wee bit first).  My 'Bucket List' consists of a few things I have crossed off (sorry mama, I know you are not the most proud of a few) and a few yet to be crossed off.  Relevance you ask?  Well, a Boudoir Session is on that list.  A for-my-eyes-only and maybe-for-my-Prince-Charming session will take place this January courtesy of one of my new favorite photographers, Cadence Cornelius. 

I BELIEVE the female body is an amazing thing.  We come in all shapes and sizes and colors.  We grow babies!  What is more amazing than that fact itself.  Society tells us all too often that we need to be smaller, prettier, taller, blah, blah, blah....I say rejoice in those curves.  Stand up in front of the world and love your body you gorgeous thing! 

Oh and PS:  you will not be seeing those photos.

XOXO (all the way from Minnesota),
Danika

Tis the Season.

I love the Holiday Season.  No I mean I reallyfreakinglove the Holiday Season.  I love everything that goes into it, cooking, baking, gift-giving, snow, shopping, decorating.  Most importantly I love getting to spend the time with my family. 

As a little girl, we celebrated in mass amounts.  I.E. ALL of my family would gather at Grandma's for a huge dinner followed by dishes and presents and sleepy little ones waiting for Santa.  As the years have passed and family has moved, children have grown, we have begun our own traditions.  It makes me sad and happy all at the same time to think back to the days that dinners consisted of 20+ people and my cousins and I would fight over who actually had to help Grandma dry the dishes (ewwww ish)....Grandpa would fall asleep on the chair and before long we were swimming in a sea of wrapping paper in front of the fire. 

This year will mark the 3rd year of new family traditions at my mama's house.  Although there are no grandbabies (yet) we still manage to fill the floor with wrapping paper and fight over who does dishes (for some reason each year I get stuck with the final dish duties).  The meal is prepared (by me) with much well maybe just a little supervision from my mama (usually consisting of "mooooommmmmmmm how much more does the turkey really need to stay in the oven for" or "ohhhhhh my goodness I freakinglovemycookingskills aren't you so glad your daughter can cook").  I am such a sucker for traditions and always end up on the phone with my Grandmother asking, like I did the year before, how many white onions she puts in the stuffing if the bird is X pounds and is it okay to use a certain brand of cream corn for the casserole and "but Grandma what if it gets too brown on top?". 

The house will be filled to the brim this year with 15+ guests and guess what....this young lady could not be more pleased!  I spend the entire month of December planning out the meal.  Obsessive? Nawwww.  I'm just a girl who loves getting lost in the sheer joy of cooking and entertaining.  I love the simple elegance of putting so much work into something and knowing that for just a moment, one night of the year, I can sit back and watch as what I did is thoroughly enjoyed. 

Someday, when I have a big home of my own, these traditions will carry themselves out there.  I thank God every day that I have been so blessed with the ability to appreciate what it is my Great-Grandma, Grandma, Mama and Aunts have passed down.  I am absolutely a woman that loves the kitchen.....

XOXO (all the way from Minnesota),
Danika

So This Is Love.

This past weekend we celebrated my cousin Cassie Marie's marriage to Kasey.  It was beautiful. The weekend started off with rehearsal and a very laid back pizza, nachos and beer Groom's Dinner.  The next morning at 6:00 am, my aunties and the bridesmaids took off to the reception area (a gorgeous golf course) and began the transformation of the reception Cassie wanted.   We left and began hair + makeup (imagine 2 hotel rooms filled with ladies + makeup + hairspray).  The ceremony was incredible and the dinner + dance were romantic.  

My mama, sisters and me. They light up my life.

My Grandma, my mama and my sisters.  Three generations of beautiful Paul women.

My Grandma and her five daughters.  They are each as individual and beautiful as can be.  From the left is my mom.  She, obviously, has three daughters.  Next is my Aunt Karen, married to a wonderful man (who looks exactly like George Strait and was also my co-host for Cassie's wedding) with two incredible boys.  My Grandma follows.  My Aunt Sue is married to a wonderful man as well (he told me about the night he met her this past weekend.  Uncle Bill was planning a year long trip away and he met Aunt Sue and fell so madly in love he stayed - they were married shortly thereafter....so romantic) with two boys and one grandson with another on the way!  Next is Aunt Mary, married to the love of her life and a great man.  They have three daughters (now all of them are married!) and one son.  They have one grandson and another on the way!  Aunt Jan is married to an amazing man that loves her to the moon and back.  They have two children and one granddaughter. 

This is my entire Paul family.  Not pictured is my Uncle John who passed away earlier this year - we miss him so much.  My Uncle Steve could not make it to this wedding, thus he is not in the photo either.

All together my Grandma and Grandpa had 10 children (5 boys and 5 girls).  We have such an incredible family and are so blessed. 

Lane and I killed much time before the wedding.  We learned the ways of 80's toys.

My sisters and I love Lane.  

Dream Big.

Cinderella sang "a dream is a wish your heart makes..." and no offense Cinderella but the modern day Princess lets not only her heart do the dreaming but also her head.  In this modern day fairy tale I call life, my Princess-self believes that dreaming is the frosting of life. And I am a girl who enjoys licking the spoon after frosting.

As a young girl I was a dreamer.  I would imagine that my bossy little blonde self was quite the storyteller from an early age.  Even now, when an idea enters my mind, there is not a part of me which believes I cannot make it happen.  Weird?  I used to think perhaps I did live in a fantasy world.....that someday I would have to accept reality and deal with what life had in store for me:  dreaming while living a boring life.  Let me clarify that I do not think boring is boring.  To each their own.  Any my own is firecracker-ending phenomenal.

When I became a part of Peppermint Park it was as if the dreamer inside of me was let out to create her dreams.  To live them.  I was given the opportunity to embrace all that I am capable of - because someone believed in me enough to make me believe in myself.  My boss, mentor and one of my best friends pulled out of me the dreamer.  I was given a picture, paintbrush and enough paint to create a masterpiece.  Although there are times my paint runs low, she is always there to fill it up again with new colors.  We have embraced "living the dream" to the fullest and with that Peppermint Park has grown.

If I could give one piece of advice to my generation and generations to come and generations that have passed, it would be to never lose site of your dreams.  We live in a world where anything is possible.  Absolutely anything.

Dear Santa.

For this modern day Princess, Christmas Day is one for the history books....as in 'Best Mother Ever' award goes to none other than my mama.  My sisters and I have always spent Christmas Eve snuggled up on the living room floor next to the Christmas tree with hopes that we would wake up to catch Santa bringing our presents.  Now never have we caught him but my mama and daddy did make Christmas morning exceptionally special for us....

I remember the year that Santa left snow tracks in the living room or the question which kept lingering in this very intelligent little blonde's mind:  how does Santa go down the chimney without a chimney.  My mama reassured us that it was magic and you just have to believe.

When I was very little (and as pictured right here), Grandma would buy each of us a new Christmas nightgown to go home in.  We were usually very sleepy little ones by the time we were carried to warm, waiting vehicles by our daddy's and tucked into bed only to say "but mommy, I want to see Santa...is he here yet?".  

Each year Santa leaves a ridiculous trail of crumbs and always spills his milk.....and each year my sisters and I stand around the note that Santa leaves us to chuckle at how messy he is.

To my mother:  thank you for instilling the magic of Christmas in our home each and every year.  You have taught us to just believe and with that what it really means to make the "Nice List".  It is not the receiving that we have turned out to love after all these years but it is the giving.  It is the begging to let us let you open the gifts we so carefully wrapped.  It is the sitting around a dinner table, saying a blessing and laughing during an amazing meal.  It is the "mama where is MY STOCKING" and you laughing to say that my sisters must have hid it last year.  It is the spending an entire day decorating your house with Christmas Cheer....only to watch it transform into something right out of my favorite fairy tale.  It is the calling all our our Aunties and Uncles on Christmas Eve to say "Merry Christmas and we love you so much" and how excited we get to finish eating so we can give our presents.  It is the bowing of our heads to give thanks to the Lord and all that we have been blessed with.  It is the way we open at least one of our presents in order and then just laugh at you when you tell us "wait GIRLS....ONE AT A TIME".  It is the watching wrapping paper pile up on the living room floor and the tears which fall when we talk about how much we miss Grandpa or how badly we wish that everyone had somewhere to call home on Christmas Eve.  It is your three daughters asking you if everyone has a mama who loves them just as much as you love us.  It is the unimaginable amount of love for others that each of us has within us that you instilled.  I love you for so much but Christmas is the cherry which tops the cake I call life.  I can only hope that someday I will be as wonderful of a mother as you are to children as wonderful as you have raised us to be. 

Here is to the joy of Christmas and hoping that all each of you has a wonderful family to make memories with.  And if not, you are always welcome to join mine :)

All my love (from a very cold Minnesota),
Danika

Who is This Modern Day Princess?

Although words describe, pictures do such a better job, don't you think?  Each time I look through my photo albums I follow the journey of my life.  I remember the moments.  It brings a smile to my face. I hope that I can share some of my joy with you.  

I am an artist.

I love to learn.

I am an exceptional hostess.

I am a mama's girl.

I am a reader.

I am in love with the beach.

I am a leader.

I am such a girl.

I am a teacher.

I am a daughter.

I am a big sister.

I am a future wife and mother. Clearly domesticated (thanks mom) with exceptional ironing skill.

I am not the wild child.

I am absolutely in love with my sisters.

The Music of My Heart.

It began with ballet lessons.  It led to piano lessons, voice lessons and the saxophone.  It ended singing from the choir loft for my grandpa.  I remember the last song I sang solo.  The lyrics flow from my mouth like sun rays on a clear summer morning.  The melody comes back to me as easily as ironing a shirt. The song is sweet and holds a very dear place deep within me.  

Grandpa called it my "one one" and I remember leaving my ballet recitals saying "no Grandpa it isn't a one one it is a TU TU".  He would laugh and then squeeze me so hard while I giggled out of control.  I know now why he would hug so hard....so that we would not forget what Grandpa's hugs felt like.  Oh I loved him so much. Loving your Grandpa is one of those unique loves.  It isn't like loving a mama or a daddy.  It isn't the same as loving a sister unconditionally.  It is as pure as the day is long.  Loving someone that much because they love you that much more.  It is a Sunday afternoon brunch and sitting by the campfire kind of love.

I remember my Grandpa being a hard worker.  He was tough and his hands were those of a man who had worked.  He was gentle with his 27 grandchildren and he loved my Grandma.  I loved going to work with him.  I would sit in his big comfy red office chair with a note pad and a pen.  Grandpa was an auctioneer for quite some time (among many professions he held) and I loved the weekends I would get to watch him work and every once in a while I would get to help.  I remember how proud I was to call him Grandpa in front of a crowd and how big I felt to help him.

When he got sick, I remember watching him slowly leave his body.  On a very special night before he passed away, I was able to spend time alone with him.  He had not been able to communicate in quite some time and would lay in bed without expression.  On this night, I sat next to him in his bed and he was staring up into the ceiling as if looking down the road to Heaven.  I held his hand and as tears fell from my eyes I asked "Grandpa are you scared?".  He turned to me and only for a moment the ends of his mouth curved to form a smile and he shook his head no and squeezed my hand.  As I lay next to him for quite some time, I cried.  It was a moment I will never forget.  He passed away very shortly after this night.

Grandpa never missed a recital that I played piano in and loved to listen to me sing.  As our family planned his funeral, my Grandma came to me and told me that Grandpa would have wanted me to sing at his funeral.  To this day, I have never been more honored.  The day came and as I stood in the choir loft watching my family follow his casket into St. Michael's Church, the lyrics and melody came together in sweet sound as I sang "Be Not Afraid".

It is said that we each have our own music which our heart beats to.  Each time I am scared of what the future might hold I remember the last day I sang and the lyrics come back to me....just like he would have told me, be not afraid.

Grandma's Caramel Rolls + A Broken Heart

There are a few things that will make me smile regardless of what the world has handed me.  These include the following:

1. Saturday morning coffee in bed.  Normally I would say this includes the coffee being brought by the man I am in love with but for this modern day Princess, I have yet to encounter that one. 
2. Flowers.  Regardless of whether they are picked from a garden, delivered from an order in Atlanta, GA or drawn with a crayon - my face lights up. 
3. Grandma Monica's caramel rolls.  

Grandma Monica passed away quite some time ago.  What I remember most about her is the way her house would smell after Church on Sunday mornings, like fresh caramel rolls.  She would bake them in little 9-inch round cake pans, flip them onto a plate and served them to my little sister and I on small white dessert plates and her miniature silver forks.  The caramel was incredible, the texture of the roll was perfection and one bite would melt in your mouth upon contact.

This recipe has been passed on to my Grandma Shirley and as of early this week, me.  I associated her caramel rolls with a broken heart because there isn't much that can be done to cure a heart which has been broken.  But as I woke up this morning to the thought of how bad my heart hurts and as tears fell, the one thing that came to mind was Sunday morning at Grandma Monica's house....eating a caramel roll....and the way that my Grandma Shirley's house smells when she makes this recipe.  It never fails, on Thanksgiving morning, I wake up at 6:15-6:30 to a house that smells so insanely divine I cannot help but crawl out of a warm bed and up to the kitchen to eat caramel rolls with Grandma.

There are so many moments of pure joy in my life and I have truly been a blessed young lady but nothing compares to the before-sunrise moments in my Grandma's kitchen when it is just her and I and caramel rolls.  Grandma sits at the same spot and I across from her:  two forks, two dessert plates (although sometimes paper plates), one container of butter and a two warm caramel rolls. 

Oh.....and coffee :)

Happy Friday (all the way from Minnesota),
Danika

Peppermint Park Photo Shoot