Vanilla Bean Scones

I won't even try to take credit for these perfectly, super vanilla-y breakfast slash really more like a not too sweet dessert pastry treats. When she's not busy being a PA and saving the children of Charlotte, Andi has been quite the baker over the past few weeks. It seems as though she's arriving at our doorstep everyday with treats of all kinds. I have begged, and begged, but since my sweet sister is too shy to share this herself, and three batches of these babies later, I'm doing it for her.

These scones are nothing short of melt in your mouth magic. They are light, fluffy, and when glazed on all sides, the freshness stays in, keeping these just as good on day five as they are on day one. We love them with coffee in the morning, tea in the afternoon or a sweet treat before bed. These would be the perfect addition to your Christmas baking day.

This recipe comes from The Pioneer Woman and I highly recommend it. Andi and I are already thinking of ways that we can experiment with different scones. Cinnamon chips anyone!?

You can find the recipe for these Petite Vanilla Bean Scones HERE. 

Note: Andi uses vanilla bean paste instead of vanilla beans.

Christmas Tradition: Advent Angels

I love the Advent season and all of the excitement and reflection that comes with it. My family always focused on the meaning of the Advent season, and the special time leading up to Christmas! 

I can't remember when my family started the tradition of the Advent Angels, but it was always one of our favorites growing up. This tiny spiral bound book, The ABCs of Advent, sat in the middle of our Advent Wreath on the kitchen table, with daily reflections and activities to read and do as a family. If my memory is correct, my parents got the idea of the Advent Angels from this very book. 

Every week, we drew names and whoever we got, we were to be a secret Advent Angel for that person. Each Sunday, as we lit the candle for the week, we would all put our names on a small piece of paper and into a pile in the middle of the table. Snickering and making googly eyes and funny faces, my sisters and I would always laugh uncontrollably, trying to hide the name that we had drawn. By the time Christmas arrived, we all had the chance to be an angel for each person in our family of five. As a little Advent Angel, you just do nice things for the person you have for the week, usually once a day. My mom was always famous for fancy, crafty treats on our pillows at night and my dad liked to send Wizard of Oz postcards in the mail with nothing but a little angel outline drawn. I remember leaving glitter everywhere and I always thought it was the funniest thing to prep everyone's toothbrush for the night, ready and waiting by the sink. The point of the angel tradition was to take a few minutes out of our days to do something nice for someone in our family, even if it was a tiny yellow post-it note with a heart left on the bathroom mirror. 

This is another Nido family tradition that I adore!! 

Pottery Barn Inspired Wreath: Hey, That's Pin-Tastic!

This project isn't technically a Pinterest find, but it's pretty pin-tastic if I do say so myself! I whipped this wreath up last year (and even posted about it) after falling in love with a similar one I saw in the Pottery Barn catalog. $100 for a wreath seemed a bit ridiculous to me so I decided to make it myself! (you know, because at Christmastime there are more important things to spend ridiculous money on. like a personalized Pottery Barn stocking for my doodle) 

My friend made a similar one a few years back and let me in on her secret- HOT GLUE! This wreath couldn't be easier to make and I think it makes a cheerful statement on our front door. I'm especially loving the way it looks on our red door this year. It's held up wonderfully for two years and I think I spent a total of around $20 for everything.

To make this wreath, all you need is some colorful ornaments, an artificial wreath and your trusty hot glue gun. I fluffed the wreath and glued the ornaments all over, alternating sizes and colors. 

Don't forget to check out all of the magical Pinterest inspired posts on I Love You More Than Carrots today!

Christmas Traditions: An Early December Visit from St. Nicholas

Growing up, one of my very favorite Christmas traditions was on December 5, the eve of The Feast of St. Nicholas, when my sisters and I would each leave out our shoes before we were tucked into our beds. We lined up our shoes outside of our bedroom doors and went to sleep knowing a special visit from St. Nicholas was upon us. My shoe of choice was almost always a ballet shoe. In the morning, we would wake up to find a tiny treat waiting for us in each of our shoes. 

St. Nicholas, who is best known for his generosity and gift giving is largely celebrated in countries all over the world. This is where the spirit of kindness, giving and love came from, especially as it pertains to the Christmas season. I absolutely love this tradition and when I think about what I want to pass down to my own children someday, this is definitely at the top of the list! 

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Tri-Color Quinoa Salad with Tomatoes, Avocado, Cilantro+ Lime

Quinoa doesn't make an appearance on our menu very often but when it does, Mark and I gobble it up. It's so versatile, fairly healthy and I especially like that it takes on the flavors its paired with. I buy this tri-color quinoa at Trader Joe's and it looks so beautiful when cooked and prepared with other bright colors. Tomatoes add sweetness, avocado adds creaminess and the addition of cilantro and lime brighten up this entire dish. This tasty quinoa salad can be warm, at room temperature or chilled. It's even better for lunch the next day. 

Better yet, make a big batch on Sunday night and enjoy this tastiness all week!

Tri-Color Quinoa Salad with Tomatoes, Avocado, Cilantro + Lime

1 cup Trader Joe's tri-color quinoa (or regular quiona)

2 vine ripened tomatoes, chopped

1 avocado, chopped

handful of fresh cilantro, chopped

juice of one lime

olive oil (a drizzle)

salt + pepper, to season

Cook quinoa according to instructions on package. Chop up tomatoes, avocado and cilantro, and add to cooked quinoa. Toss with lime juice, olive oil and salt and pepper to season.

Serve immediately, at room temperature or chill in the fridge.

Moore Menu!

With the Christmas season officially here, the calendar is quickly filling up, last minute plans are made, and it is always a given that extra treats will be consumed. With that being said, I like to make sure that our kitchen at home is stocked with delicious and healthy meal options so that on nights at home, we can control what we eat by keeping it fresh and healthy. If something doesn't get made, we always find a way to use up the fresh ingredients and all of these meats freeze well for future use!

Here is what our meal plan looks like this week!

Asian Turkey Meatballs (Skinny Taste)

Tri-color quinoa with cilantro and lime

pan roasted green beans with garlic and soy

Beer Braised Beef (Pioneer Woman)

baby greens salad

Baked Chicken with tomatoes, basil & artichokes

sauteed spaghetti squash

Flank Steak Salad

Blackened Grilled Chicken

Avocado mousse

Avocado, tomato + orange salad

and...a Sunday night homemade pasta treat!

Wishing you all a delicious and festive week!

Aunt Lil's Fresh Apple Cake

There is something about Christmastime that makes me cling to tradition. My family is filled with them and these are the moments we look forward to all year long. Love, family and friends trump all this time of year and the air has just a little bit more joy and magic in it. I wish I could bottle it up.

When it comes to family tradition and things passed down through generations, a handwritten recipe is a gift that keeps on giving all through the year! I love looking through my mom's recipe box, seeing a variety of beautiful writing, in the form of a recipe, that has been passed down from a friend, a grandmother, a great grandmother, aunts and great aunts. 

This apple cake is something I remember eating my entire life. My grandmother makes it often, it's on my mom's rotation and last week, I made one of my own for one our our Thanksgiving celebrations. This recipe is simple and best of all, this cake is wonderful for dessert, breakfast or even an afternoon sweet treat! The sweet and crunchy crumble top is the very best part!

Aunt Lil's Fresh Apple Cake

CAKE-
1/2 cup butter
1 cup sugar
1/2 cup brown sugar
1 cup buttermilk
2 3ggs
2 and 1/4 cup flour
2 tsp. baking soda
1 tsp. cinnamon
1/2 tsp. nutmeg
1/2 tsp. salt
2 large apples, peeled and chopped fine

TOPPING-
1/2 cup sugar
1/4 cup brown sugar
1/2 tsp cinnamon
3/4 cup chopped nuts

Preheat oven to 350 degrees.

Mix cake ingredients in an electric stand mixer. Pour in greased 9 x 13" pan. Sprinkle topping on batter, gently pressing into dough.

Bake for 40 minutes.