Living my dream...

I'm a happily married, stay at home Mommy who loves to cook, bake, sew and craft!! My days consist of taking care of our baby, cleaning, cooking, diaper changing, sipping coffee (just to name a few) and sneaking away to craft during cartoon or nap time. I heart nap time. Maybe more than most 😁.
I  recently got a sewing/embroidery machine in one for Christmas and well, the rest is history. I needed a new sewing machine, BAD. The one I had was a Black Friday special for $50. It was a Brother and it was good to me, but I spent more time being frustrated than productive. Back to my new machine....
                                         

    Ain't she a beaut? Seriously. Added bonus, and you may have already known this, but embroidery machines appliqué!!  Ok, NOW the rest is history.                                                        
                                                 

I. Can't. Stop!!! Not only is my baby boy completely ready for any upcoming holiday, and by ready I mean he has an appliquéd shirt with his name on it (ha!) but I've actually sold several!!  I would love to take complete credit for every part of this discovery, but I can't. My husbands Aunt (and my very good friend *smooch smooch*) actually texted me asking if my machine appliquéd, she's the REAL appliqué freak.  I had no idea, so of course, I googled it.  And the rest is history...ok ok I'll stop.  

In the 1 month I've had this machine, I've done things and attempted things I would have never done in the past!! I've put Carter in a MDO program, every Tuesday and Thursday for starters..I would have never thought I could have gone through with that. We both still get emotional. Haha. I've opened up an Etsy shop (happycheeksboutique) for these shirts, and even started another IG account! Who am I?! This isn't my personality at all. It really goes to show you that doubt will kill your dreams faster than failure ever will. (Thanks, Lindsay!!) I'm so glad that even through all my doubt, thinking I would fail for sure, I still did it. And the rest is history....last time, promise 

Xoxo, 

Brooke

Baking soothes my soul

It's official. I've entered the blogging world! Just sit tight until I get my bearings. I'm still trying to figure this out.  I think I'll start off sharing a recipe I just made with you, food is a huge part of my life so why not? My Sisters father in law picked a boat load of lemons off a lemon tree and had more than enough to go around so I ended up with some. Score. I've held onto these bad boys for 2 weeks now trying to find the perfect lemon dessert. I'm pretty sure I did!

Lemon Meringue Bars
2  sticks of butter, softened
1 3/4 cups. 2 tablespoons of flour
1/4 cup, plus 3 tablespoons of confectioners sugar
2 tablespoons, plus 1 teaspoon of freshly grated lemon zest
1/4 teaspoon of coarse salt
6 large eggs, plus 4 large egg whites
2 1/4 cups, plus 2 tablespoons sugar
3/4 cups, plus 3 tablespoons of fresh lemon juice

1. Preheat oven to 350 degrees. Make crust: Put butter, flour, confectioners sugar, 2 teaspoons lemon zest, and the salt in the bowl of an electric mixer fitted with the paddle attachment. Mix on medium speed until well blended.
2. Transfer mixture to a 9-by-13-inch rimmed baking sheet. Press batter evenly into baking sheet. Chill in freezer 10 minutes. Bake until golden, 20 to 22 minutes. Let cool completely on a wire rack.
3. Make filling: Whisk together whole eggs, 1 3/4 cups plus 2 tablespoons granulated sugar, the lemon juice, and 1 tablespoon plus 2 teaspoons lemon zest. Pour over crust. Bake until filling is set, 18 to 20 minutes. Let cool completely on a wire rack. Keep oven at 350 degrees.
4. Make meringue topping: Put egg whites and 1/2 cup granulated sugar in the clean bowl of an electric mixer fitted with the whisk attachment. Beat on medium-high speed until stiff peaks form.
5. Using an offset spatula or the back of a spoon, spread meringue over filling, swirling to create soft peaks. Bake until meringue begins to brown, 8 to 10 minutes. Let cool completely. Cut into bars. Bars can be refrigerated in an airtight container, up to 1 day.

Y'all. This is good! I'm having a bar with my coffee right now. It's like lemon meringue pie, but better. Don't believe me? Make these. Today!! You won't be sorry. I gotta go now, until tomorrow! (I'll actually introduce myself) Happy baking! 

Xoxo,
Brooke