The heat must be getting to me.

Because I ordered something online without even a second thought. And I never do that. Ever. But this top was just too pretty to pass up, don't you think?

I joined Pinterest.

Source: housebeautiful.com via stephanie on Pinterest

I totally wasn't going to, but I caved. I figure it's as good a way as any to while away these blazing hot summer days. And my goodness, there are some pretty things out there on the internet. I had no idea.

Which brings me to my question for today: Is it possible to make my sort of cottage-y (if you squint really hard) 1970's ranch house in the desert look like this? Cuz that would really be swell.

rain

Just when you think you can't stand the heat for one more second, the monsoons come. They are the reward for putting up with an Arizona summer. Last night the storm raged. This morning the world is brand new.

summer status update

We live in Arizona, where it gets really hot in the summertime. I know it gets hot lots of places, but I'm talking about the kind of hot where it's too hot to do anything outside but swim. And we don't have a pool.

So we spend most of our time indoors, reading and playing and drawing. Frequent trips to the library and art classes for Mabel and Oliver are seeing us through.

Less than three weeks til school starts. I think we can make it.

a salad that tastes like summer

The moment I saw this salad featured on Say Yes to Hoboken, it was love at first sight. I knew it would become a fast favorite. It is light and simple, delicious and so very summery. I've made it three times now and each time I've had to stop myself from finishing the whole bowl.

Sauteed Corn and Black Bean Salad

Saute the kernels from three ears of corn in 2 T of butter until browned slightly

Combine with:

one can of black beans, drained and rinsed

one avocado, sliced

half of a bunch of green onions, chopped

juice from a lime or two

one bunch of cilantro, chopped

Serve chilled

from Martha via Say Yes to Hoboken

I'm blog hopping today. These ladies have also posted their favorite summer salads. Check them out!

Miranda, Lee, Kimberlee, Sara, Christina

baking for fall

It's about this time each year that I start dreaming of fall and fantasizing about pumpkin treats. I know fall is still many months away, and it's currently one million degrees outside, but this morning my house smelled like cool mornings and crisp breezes. It was delicious.

We made Danyelle's pumpkin cookies and they were divine.

Singers Company

So, my very talented sister-in-law, Katie, has been teaching girls confidence through music and dance for years from her home. My Mabel was lucky enough to be one of her Singers Company students years ago when we lived in California. It was a wonderful opportunity and I have often lamented that there isn't something like that for Mabel or Stella to participate in where we live now. In this fun, non-intimidating atmosphere, Mabel gained the confidence to sing and perform in front of a large audience. She was able to meet other girls her age and make new friends. It was something she looked forward to each week.

Here is the good news: Katie has recently expanded her business and is now offering the chance for women everywhere to start a Singers Company group of their very own! This is an amazing opportunity for you or someone you know to start a business without leaving home. If there is a stay-at-home mom, a teacher or another woman in your extended family or friendships that you think could benefit financially and has the personality conducive to directing a group, please send them Katie's way! By visiting the Singers Company website, you can learn more about how just a few hours a month can translate into thousands of dollars.

Here's a quick little video to tell you what Singers Company is all about:

Click over to the website for more information and to find out how to start or join a group in your area!

I am really hoping someone does this near me. I'd really love to send my girls!

This is why this baby doesn't walk.

Who needs walking when this is an option? I think it's going to take Mabel and Oliver going back to school for him to realize that he has legs.

Boy am I glad I married Mike.

He is just such a great guy, in every way. We so are lucky to have him around. Happy birthday, Honey!

Sticker Therapy

I have a sweet spot in my heart for children with cancer. I spent a lot of time in high school working with a pediatric cancer foundation in California. There is no greater cause. Today, my sister-in-law, Cathy, has a really great project for us. I hope you can help! Her little friend, Abigail, is fighting cancer and has had it pretty rough. During her treatment, she has had to go through lots of yucky therapies like chemotherapy, radiotherapy, and antibody therapy. One thing that keeps her happy during her long hospital stays are stickers. She loves stickers! So Cathy and a few others have come up with "Sticker Therapy" to distract Abigail and other children like her, and to help them feel a little bit better when they are feeling pretty rotten. 

Here's where they need your help: They are trying to collect as many stickers as they can to create sticker books for these sick kids. If you have any stickers laying around your house (I know I do!) or are willing to purchase stickers to donate (You can easily pick some up next time you're at the supermarket!), please email me at barefootstephanie@gmail.com and I will give you all the information you need. Whether you have one page of stickers or a whole roll, they would welcome your donation! And you would really be brightening some tough little spirits.

Thank you!

When I don't know what to do with myself, I bake.

When I am having a bad day, or I am bored, I bake. When I am frustrated or feel stuck, I bake. When I am happy or sad or mad, I bake. I bake because it relaxes me. It makes me feel content. It brightens my mood.


Hello, my name is Stephanie and I can't live without baked goods.


I haven't been baking much since I gave up sugar a while ago. It's been hard, and I'll be honest, I have felt like a shadow of my former self. I may have even had a mini identity crisis. This baking break has put me in a major creative slump. Sugar might not be good for me, but baking sure is. And so today I made banana bread, a new recipe. Then I took approximately 312 pictures of my beautiful loaf.

And now I feel like myself again. Phew.

Here's the recipe, sent to me by my big brother, Elliott:

Cook's Illustrated Ultimate Banana Bread

Makes one 9-inch loaf.

Cook's Illustrated recommends that very ripe, heavily speckled or even
blacked bananas should be used in this recipe. This recipe can also
be prepared with five frozen bananas that have been thawed. If using
thawed bananas, bypass the Step-2 microwaving and place the bananas
into a fine-mesh strainer. Don't use previously frozen bananas in
step 4 (slicing on top of loaf) as they will be too soft to slice.
Just sprinkle the top of the banana bread loaf with sugar.
Cook's Illustrated prefers an 8.5 x 4.5 inch loaf pan for this recipe.
If you are using a 9 x 5 inch loaf pan, start to check for doneness five minutes
earlier than the recommended time below.

The banana bread has the best texture when eaten fresh, but you can
store it in for up to 3 days tightly wrapped in plastic wrap.
Cool first before wrapping for storage.

Ingredients

1 3/4 cups (8 3/4 ounces) unbleached all-purpose flour
1 teaspoon baking soda
1/2 teaspoon table salt
6 large very ripe bananas (about 2 1/4 pounds), peeled (see note above)
8 tablespoons (1 stick) unsalted butter , melted and cooled slightly
2 large eggs
3/4 cup (5 1/4 ounces) packed light brown sugar
1 teaspoon vanilla extract
1/2 cup walnuts , toasted and coarsely chopped (optional)
2 teaspoons granulated sugar

Instructions

1. Place oven rack in middle position and preheat oven to 350-F.
Spray an 8.5 x 4.5 inch loaf pan with nonstick cooking spray.
In a large bowl, whisk together the flour, baking soda and table salt. Set aside.

2. In a microwave-safe bowl, place 5 peeled bananas. Cover the bowl with
plastic wrap and cut several steam vents in it. Microwave the bananas
about 5-minutes on the high-power setting (until they are soft and
have released liquid). Pour the microwaved bananas and liquid into a fine-mesh
strainer that is sitting in a bowl. Allow to drain 15-minutes, stirring
occasionally. When done there should be 1/2 to 3/4 cup of liquid.

3. Place the banana liquid in a saucepan over medium heat and cook for
5-minutes, until liquid is reduced to 1/4 cup. Place the cooked bananas
in a mixing bowl. Pour the reduced liquid over cooked bananas and mash them
with a potato masher until they are fairly smooth. Now whisk in the butter,
eggs, brown sugar and vanilla.

4. Pour the bowl of the mashed banana mixture into the bowl with the
flour mixture. Stir until the two are combined but there should still
be some streaks of flour remaining in the batter. Fold in walnuts (optional).
Scrape banana batter into the prepared loaf pan. Slice the remaining 6th
banana diagonally into 1/4-inch slices. Overlap lines of banana slices along each side
of the loaf, but leave a 1-1/2 inch space along the center of the loaf to allow
for even rising. Evenly sprinkle granulated sugar over the top of the loaf.

5. Bake until a cake tester or toothpick, that is inserted in the center
of the loaf, comes outs clean. About 55 to 75 minutes. Cool in the
loaf pan, on a wire rack, for 15 minutes. Remove loaf from pan,
return loaf to wire rack and cool additional time, as desired.

It's a little time consuming, with the cooking of the bananas and juice, but it was delicious. Also, be warned, it requires six bananas, and the more ripe, the better. If you've been stashing your bananas in the freezer, and have amassed quite a collection, this is the recipe for you. Enjoy!

p.s. Do you bake when you are bored, too?