{create} ice cream!

What's a girl to do when it's 100 degrees in her house? Make ice cream, of course!

Last week it was brutally hot in the NW. We don't have AC. Frowny. So, we spent a lot of time in our underground cave basement. And our favorite treat in the hot weather? This bowl of deliciousness.

I actually can't believe I haven't posted this before. We lived on this stuff last summer. So I guess you're lucky -- I've had a year to perfect it! The recipe is originally from Choosing Raw, and it could not be easier. The secret ingredient is frozen bananas. Yes, you read that correctly, and please don't run just yet. This ice cream is smooth, creamy, and above all, really healthy! Even if you don't like bananas I urge you to give it a try ... it'll change your life. Seriously.

Banana Soft Serve

Ingredients:

• Frozen banana*

That's it! But, this recipe it so adaptable. So, into the above bowl I added:

• Almond butter
• Dark chocolate powder
• Chocolate chip oatmeal cookies (recipe to come)

*Quantity is completely up to you. For this recipe, I used 1.5 bananas, 1 tbsp. almond butter, 1 txp. dark chocolate and 2 small cookies.

Method:

1. Throw frozen bananas* into your handy-dandy food processor.
2. Let process. Scrape down the sides once or twice, as necessary. This will take a couple minutes. It will go through a process of crumbling, forming one big ball, and then it will smooth out into soft serve consistency. Make sure it's all smooth, but don't over mix.
3. At this point it is ready to eat! Easy peasy. Does it taste like bananas? Uh, yeah. Is it cool and refreshing like ice cream. Absolutely! So, if you want to lose a little of the banana flavor, continue to step 4. 
4. Mix-ins! I'm not sure I've made the same bowl of ice cream twice. It's so much fun to play with mix-ins! For chocolate powder or pb, almond butter, etc., add to food processor and give it a couple pulses to incorporate. For cookies and the like, mix in with a spoon after you've removed the ice cream from the processor. 

*Frozen banana tip: unpeel before freezing. Yes, I learned this from experience. Also, I like to break my bananas up into halves or thirds for better portion control.

MMMM. Easy and completely delicious. Go home and try this today ... and of course, let me know what you think!

{inspire} home office

I'm having more fun designing mood boards over here. This time, I created an office. I have always loved this table. And those chairs. Oh, and that rug too. I was so excited to see how they'd all work in one space. And you know what? I love them together.

I love the pops of orange, and that chandelier is just to die for. The color is the perfect combo with orange. I have a room designated as the craft room/office. I'm hoping we get to it this fall and this board will be the launching pad for all further ideas!

**Mood board design via Olioboard.**

{inspired} adorable home

I came across this home today and innocently threw the living room picture in my *inspiration* folder. And then the dining room picture. And then the den picture. At this point I realized that I couldn't *not* share this house with you -- it's a great combo of beautiful and comfortable. It looks like it's meant to be lived in, which is rare for many *inspiration* type photos.

 

I love (and have for awhile) this coffee table. I might need to find myself one of these. I also really like the one large accent pillow on the couch.

 

In the dining room, I really enjoy both the pendant light and the arrangement on the fireplace. I have a huge letter. I could totally do that with the pictures. I tend to stay away from fireplace arrangements that are too cluttered, or too *styled*. This one just makes me happy in its simplicity.

 

This blue rug is to die for. And, I'm totally smitten with the art on the left side. I would love to replicate something like this with a favorite quote.

 

I am on a huge succulent kick lately, and recently bought so many at a garage sale (random, I know). This arrangement makes me super happy and I'm itching to get mine in a cute container asap.

{All images found at the stir. This is pretty good's home.}