Saturday Simple Happinesses: Earl Grey Tea Latte

I am having one of those mornings where it seems like everything on your to-do list is blissfully accomplishable, but that you just really shouldn't start accomplishing anything yet. After a hectic work week, I am basking in a slow start to Saturday with my girls. T was up and out early for a Saturday golfing session, but yours truly managed to sleep in a full hour and a half later that weekday awake-time. 

One of things that helped my thurvival (thrive+survive #cspp) this week was the discovery that Starbucks makes Early Grey Tea Lattes. True confessions...I really dislike the taste of coffee. I adore the smell and truly appreciate the way adding just  a bit intensifies the taste of chocolate in baked goods (how can you not appreciate that?), but I've just never been a coffee drinker. 

As my Saturday Simple Happinesses gift to myself this morning, I decided to try and recreate my latest favorite at home. 

To begin, I brewed half a cups worth of earl grey tea and let it steep while I heated the milk, in order to have an intense flavor base. 

Then, I warmed up about a 1/2 cup of  2% milk in a saucepan over medium heat on the stove. When it was hot, I poured into my Bodum milk frother...I love this little guy. 

After about 30 seconds of aeration, the milk nearly tripled in volume and was ready to become a part of my luscious latte. 

Add the milk to to the tea and there she blows (yes, funny nautical phrasery just randomly popped into my mind). Frothy, yummy, a touch of caffeine, and a motivational mug. 

So, now I am enjoying this lovely drink, in the company of this even better view:

Happy slow Saturday to you all, 

-The Delicious Dabbler

Saturday Simple Happinesses

What a beautiful Saturday morning this is turning out to be. Amazing what a little sunshine and starting the day off with pancakes can do :) On the docket today around our house is  a trip to the farmer's market, meandering around Lake Harriet, playing a few rounds of fetch with Bales, and hopefully grilling up some farmer's market deliciousness later tonight. 

1. Fresh made iced tea for Arnie Palmer's all week. 

2. Sourdough bread rising. 

3. Trying the new fish and chips at the Twins game last night.

4. Finishing the game with my favorite, a root beer float. 

Happy weekend!

-The Delicious Dabbler

Saturday Simple Happinesses

Today, I'll be sharing a few extra simple happiness photos since I missed this reflection last week. There are officially 5 days left in my grad program and I am so excited for the freedom and flexibility that will soon be incorporated into my schedule. It's another dreary day here in Minnesota, but I started this morning off with a delicious raspberry, banana, pineapple, and peach smoothie followed by a yoga session. Now, Bailey is curled up and snoring on me as I work on this post and some final papers. I am hopeful that we see the sun soon, but until then, this is great "stay in with a cup of tea and a napping dog" weather. 

1. A photo from my first outdoor run of the season around Lake Harriet last weekend. It was a beautiful, sunny day. The ice was still on the north side of the lake and the cool breeze blowing off it felt wonderful mid-way through my run. 

2. A smoothie post-run. I used this recipe, but subbed in applesauce as we were out of bananas. It was delicious. 

3. The happy cows on the St. Paul campus. 

4. Budding signs of spring. 

5. Scrumptious and beautiful cake at my soon-to-be-sister-in-law's bridal shower. I love the simple decorations of shaved coconut and blueberries. 

6. Precious guest gifts. Tiamo ("I love you" in Italian) prosecco and chocolates. 

7. My girls, nesting up and and napping away together. 

Wishing you a lovely weekend, 

-The Delicious Dabbler

Saturday Simple Happinesses

A sunny Saturday is one of the more wonderful things to wake up to. It is so nice to see the sun after a long week of snow and clouds. Planning to make the most of it by taking the girls for a long walk. How are you planning to bask in this beauty today?

1. With the exception of tennis balls, there is nothing Bailey loves more than a good sun beam to nap in. She is keeping me company while I work on final papers (hence, the disgusting amount of multi-colored post its). 

2. As mentioned here, my plant sale loot! The first tray is full of herbs and lavender, and the second are the 10 arborvitae trees that will soon (fingers crossed mother nature) grace our fence line. 

3. & 4. A paper writing snack of Pirate's Booty and my new Klean Kanteen. I absolutely adore this brand and somehow in the midst of the blizzard/plant sale mania, I misplaced my black one (a major crisis considering this is the main transport vesicle for my morning tea). This new one is a happy grey. You can check out their products here. I just discovered they make baby bottles and they are irresistibly cute. 

Have a great weekend, 

-The Delicious Dabbler

Saturday Simple Happinesses

Today's simple happiness reflections are wrapped in a great sense of relief...the comprehensive exam for my graduate program is over, as of 10:58am this morning. Hooray :) 5 weeks left in the semester. I am so looking forward to having a bit more time in my days for baking, blogging,  and enjoying some Minny sunshine (spring will come eventually, right?). 

1. Being sick whilst taking the comp exam is no fun, but having the best mom in the world who will come over to make you chicken soup is pretty amazing. 

2. The "Old Skool Balls" meatball sandwich at Hello Pizza. The hubs and I stopped in as a treat after long days of work and snowy commutes. 

3. Hello gorgeous. House-made soft-serve with chocolate sauce and sea salt. A bonus shot of hubs' hands... he was so excited, I couldn't get him to move them out of the shot (you can see his spoon is ready to go). 

4. This gorgeous new table runner made by incredibly talented grams. The colors tie in with a painting that hangs in our dining room and having her work around our house is so special. 

5. When snow is still in the forecast through next week, you have to take spring humor when it is given to you. The only patch of grass thriving right now...due to the heat from that vent. 

Wishing you a wonderful weekend, 

-The Delicious Dabbler

Saturday Simple Happinesses

Last night, the hubs and I joined up with our Gopher Baseball Family to celebrate the first game at the new Siebert Field. True to Minnesota form, the game was suspended in the 5th inning due to snow and cold temperatures. Spring, where are you? This weekend will be full of studying for me, as the comprehensive exam for my grad program looms near. I am hoping the sun and warm weather  makes a brief appearance so I can take my stack of study guides outside. 

1. Tea this morning in my favorite running mug. Also pictured, the invitation that just came for my soon-to-be-sister-in-law's (so many hyphens) wedding shower. These stunning invites were made by my aunt. 

2. Apple, pineapple, and carrots prepped for the juicer. 

3. Post-juicing pulp. That combo is destined for carrot-cake inspired muffins later today. 

4. A delicious breakfast. I loved the sweet addition of the pineapple. 

Wishing you a great weekend, 

-The Delicious Dabbler

Saturday Simple Happinesses

Today it truly feels as though spring has arrived in Minnesota. The sun is shining and there are big puddles all along the sidewalks...the girls had quite the time with those on our walk today :) Today, hubs and I took my mom out for lunch for four reasons: 
1. To say happy early birthday. 
2. To say thanks for watching the dogs while we were in Florida. 
3. To try Hello Pizza!
4. Because she is the best. 

1. Birthday/thank you/you're-the-best flowers. 

2. Our table number. We ordered a bunch of things and shared. The food was divine and the atmosphere is simple, bright, and happy. Pictures and more details coming soon. 

3. Saturday afternoon nap patrol. Apparently walking around the block is enough to knock both of them out. Bailey, ever hopeful, brought her ball over...just in case he wakes up and wants to play. 

Happy sunny Saturday to you all, 

-The Delicious Dabbler

Saturday Simple Happinesses

Today marks the end of a fun vacation week in sunny Florida.  It has been a fun week escaping the brutal MN temperatures, enjoying being outside, and eating some delicious food...but I am happy to be heading home today to see my girls and family. Although I took the week off from blogging, I did snag some great photos of a few favorite spots down here, so expect some Florida-fied posts in the coming week. It will be nice to reminisce on what it felt like to be warm once I am back in the still-winter tundra.  For now, here are a few sneak preview vacation photos. 

1. It's pretty hard not to love that face. TC at a Twins spring training game. 

2. This fellar keeping us company on the fourth hole.  A little extra motivation not to hit your golf ball in the water. 

3. This view of the ocean in Marco Island. The hubs and I spent a few days in Marco to celebrate our wedding and got to stroll alongside the ocean each day...heavenly. 

Hope you had a great week, 

-The Delicious Dabbler

Saturday Simple Happinesses

This weekend marks the beginning of spring break for the U, meaning vacation from work and grad school for me :) Last night, we headed south for warmer FL temperatures...naturally, MN bade us a warm goodbye via freezing rain and snow. Minny, I love you...but, we need some time apart. 

1. A thank you "stack" for my mom who is spending time with our pooches while we are out of town. 

2. A pre-departure snack, stove top-popped popcorn with butter and sea salt. One of my favorites. 

3. A surprise gift, just in time for St. Patrick's Day! A very happy tea towel. Thanks, T!

4. An airport indulgence. 

5. Eating breakfast on the lanai. 

6. Getting to watch Pelican Patrol. 

Happy weekend dabblers. Hope yours is filled with a few moments of vacation-like feelings and sunshine. 

-The Delicious Dabbler

Saturday Simple Happinesses

This morning, I got together with friends for a potluck brunch. We planned it last weekend and I have been looking forward to seeing them and enjoying all the delicious food all week. As you can see, it was a hodgepodgery of yumminess, with everyone bringing whatever they were craving and/or had the ingredients for in their fridge. My favorite mid-week planning message from a friend: "I will bring chocolate milk! (because I am a child)."  You all know how I feel about chocolate milk, so I was delighted by its appearance at the table. 

1. The whole spread. 

2. My brunch contribution: Strawberry Cream Cheese Coffee Cake with Chocolate Chips. This was a new recipe and I really liked the way it turned out, so look for a post with the details this week. The hubs really liked that there were a few extra pieces left over after brunch. He gave it a thumbs up too. 

3. Cinnamon Roll Coffee Cake. Yum :)

4. A brunch favorite and staple: cheesy potatoes. 

5. Egg bake filled with veggies, Italian sausage, and cheese. Great flavors. 

Happy Saturday. Hope it's a great one :)

-The Delicious Dabbler

Saturday Simple Happinesses

I have declared this day to be "Self-care Saturday" and am filling it with things that recharge, rejuvenate, and in general just make my smile. Small things that are bringing happiness to me today:

1. Getting up to the gym for 9:15am spin class with my favorite instructor. He plays the best music and the workout is killer. I got a bike in this wonderful sunbeam and was able to bask the whole class.

2. Post-spin breakfast. Swiss muesli from our co-op topped with sliced apples, raisins, and cinnamon.

3. My little love. Always hopeful that a game of fetch is in her near future. After composing this post, we are headed to the dog park. More sunshine and more smiles as I watch our dogs frolicking around and getting great exercise.

 

4. After the dog park, T (hubster) and I are campus-bound. We are taking in the final Gopher basketball home game today. The picture above is from Tuesday's win over #1-ranked Indiana. Look closely for a bonus laugh (Dwight's face). 

Wishing you a great weekend, filled with many small self-care moments. 

-The Delicious Dabbler

Ps. Happy birthday to my beautiful sister in law. Sending extra love to you today!