erica danielle

Can't believe I started this little bloggy 2 years ago today. It's been a fun way to document recipes and our life while Sten is in Seminary. I haven't been as good at keeping up this year, mostly because I don't think our life is as exciting and I've been bad about trying new recipes... BUT in year 3 of blogging I hope to document our life changes as Sten graduates and we move on from this stage. I have no idea what the coming months will bring, but we are eagerly waiting, praying and listening to God. This year brought: - my 26th Birthday. - the green river (on my 26th life list) - camping . - m y favorite post from this year . - a niece and a nephew, both adorable. - summer visits from family members. - o ur epic vacation to Michiga n. - a half marathon - a full marathon - lasagna soup (which i have made about 10x since) - t he best Mexican vacation - a whole nother year of blogging!  cheers! thank you to all who read, it means so much to me! ...

This weekend was such a good one! We: - Drove out to Westmont to see Caleb and Emily's new apartment and were greeted with a delicious burger bar with ALL the fixings. We are so glad they live close and I can't wait for more dinner parties and game nights. - Had a lazy Saturday running errands and doing nothing until my work party downtown. - Woke up early Sunday to drive to Geneva in the rain after not getting much sleep the night before. - Came home in a daze and "watched" (I was asleep) every sports event on TV from the hours of 1-6p. - Had dinner with Karoline and caught up on life. - Slept so good last night! - Decided (2) late nights in a row are killers, and I can't do that like I used to! The AVT party was a blast. It is so fun to get dressed up and go downtown for a night of cocktails, good food and dancing. It's almost like pretending you're someone who is a regular on the Chicago night life scene, when we couldn't be further from ...

Valentine's week is here! As of right now Sten and I have no plans for Thursday, but I do know that I will be making these cupcakes! Last year we stayed in and it was really nice to dodge the crowded restaurants and cook at home (a new tradition, perhaps?). These cupcakes are super tasty and easy, and there is no temptation to have more than 1 :) I made chocolate frosting, which I think really added to the deliciousness. Vanilla Cupcakes Yield: 2 From the kitchen of how sweet it is 1 egg white 2 Tbls Sugar 2 Tbls Butter 1 tsp vanilla 1/4 C Flour 1/3 tsp baking soda 1 Tbls Milk Mix ingredients together. Bake at 350 for 10-12 minutes. Chocolate Frosting Yield: 2 cupcakes 1/2 Tbls Butter 1/2 C Powdered Sugar 1 Tbls cocoa powder splash of vanilla splash of milk. mix until smooooth. Sten and I really enjoyed this treat tonight as we watched Biggest Loser. I hope everyone hugs those they love a little tighter this Thursday. I have so many...

Its a rainy evening here in Chicago. Sten's out of the house and I had big plans in my head to clean and go to bed to early and enjoy my quiet night in. Maybe I'll still be able to mark those things off my list when my next surge of ambition hits! I can't believe this is the last week of January. What a great month! Sten and I rang in the new year together and then flew off to Mexico to chase the waves and bask in the sun. How incredibly awesome is that? February is one my favorite months. Super Bowl, Ground Hogs Day, Valentines Day, Presidents Day, My Birthday, Short month.... whatever it is, there is just something about February that I've always loved. Last night Sten and I watched Downtown from Sunday (a little surprised!) and Biggest Loser. We got into the habit of eating something unhealthy while watching BL with Bryce and Ryann when we lived in Colorado. At their house it would always be Dark Peanut M &M's or scotcharoos. At our house it was whatever s...

It's so hard to believe that a week ago we were over halfway through our family vacation to Mexico. It was the perfect vacation filled with tons of sunshine, family time, reading, relaxing, games, sunrises, sunsets, runs, and really good food. Isla Mujeres is a small island off the coast of Cancun. It is quaint, and endearing and a place my family has absolutely fallen in love with. I am so glad Sten and I were able to go this year. The island feels more and more like home and it was so hard to leave. I took a lot of pics and I'd love to share some of them.... I didn't quite capture it before the wave!  The UltraMar ferry we take over to the Island  The first morning we drank our coffee as we drank in the view  Sunset pic.  View from our roof  morning run  Mom and I walking to the beach  Love all the colors  North Beach. There is nothing more beautiful  Favorite girl in the universe.   ...