February 2024 / Mainly Marta :: A Motherhood + Lifestyle Blog

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What started as a digital diary to document a newfound journey as a stay at home mom / wife has quickly evolved into my own little corner on the internet where I share all that life brings my way -- the good, the bad, and everything in between. Thanks for stopping by; I hope you stay awhile!

2.27.2024

Recipe | Walnut Thumbprint Cookies


hello! 

welcome back to the blog. today I thought it would be fun to wrap up this month by sharing a flavorful walnut thumbprint cookie! I find this recipe so simple and easy to make -- it only has 6 ingredients! the nutty cookie and the fruity filling brings the best of both worlds to the table and everyon loves them.m


what you'll need

Salted Butter

250 g @ room temp 

powdered sugar

150 g

eggs

walnuts 

4 large handfuls

Flour 

Jam / Fruit Preserve


how to make it

step 1.

place four large handfuls of walnuts in a food processor and run it until they become fine. dump the walnuts into a bowl with your butter, powdered sugar, and eggs. 

step 2. 

start mixing with your hands and start adding in a cup of flour. do this, 1 cup at a time, folding it into your mixture until the dough stops sticking to your bowl. 


step 3. 

preheat oven to 350 degrees and line your baking pans with parchment paper.

step 4. 

it's time to formulate the dough into little balls and place a "thumbprint" in them. to do this, I grab a small amount of dough (depending on how big I want my cookies to be) and roll it in between the palms of my hand.

step 5. 

to make the "thumbprint," I use a 1/2 teaspoon measuring spoon and press it into the center of my dough ball. 

step. 6 

fill your little thumbprints with jam! any jam will do -- strawberry, marionberry, cherry, apricot, raspberry and blackberry are some of my favorites, but you can get creative. I love using nutella, apply jelly, and lemon curd as fillings as well. 


step 7.

place them in oven and bake for 15 - 25 mins. I like my cookies to be on the softer side, so I typically take them out around 18 minutes. if you like a crispier cookie, you can leave them in the oven until the cookie part gets a little more golden brown. 

step. 8 

take out of oven and place on cooling rack. 


 *a few notes

ê•¥ when serving, sprinkle a little more powdered sugar on top!  

ê•¥ this recipe will yield about 30 - 40 cookies, depending on how big your dough balls are. I usually double the ingredients for a bigger batch of 60-80 cookies for gatherings.

ê•¥ when making bigger cookies, you can play around with the shape of the "thumbprints" -- think hearts, stars, clovers, etc.

ê•¥ they go great with a cup of coffee ;)


and there you have it! 

a super simple recipe that will have everyone reaching for more! until next time. xoxo




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2.20.2024

For The Love of Quilts

The Patch Work Quilt  (1887) by Lance Calkin
 

hello friends, welcome back to this little corner of the web!

Over the past year, I've been on such a quilt kick -- I've fallen in love with them. They are truly a work of art. The dream is to one day make my own, but I feel as if I don't have it in me. So, the next best thing is to share the joy of quilts through a blog post and a little guide to the quilts on the internet that I've drooled over.



1. Happiness

2. Stillwater Floral

3. Heritage Velvet  (kids)

4. Agate Beach 

5. Starburst

6. Cozy Cloud

7. Flying Geese

8. Ashbury

9. Polka Dot

10. Cozy Velvet

11. European Linen

12. Joyful

13. Marshmallow Jersey

14. Pretty Posies

15. North Star


so there are my favorite quilts on the internet -- aren't they just stunning? I also wanted to take this moment to share some of my favorite quilt collectors + quilt artists on the gram because that's the place where I fell in love with the art our quilting. it's only fair to give credit where it is due.


TAREN STUDIOS

 
 

 

Flying Geese

 

 

Earth Made Quilt





 


Fancy That Design House

 
 

Me and Kiddo


 B + C Heritage Quilts and Antiques


 

Caravan Quilts


 Kye + Hardy

 
 
aren't these all just so stunning? you cannot help but admire the art and craft whether it's a vintage quilt that has withstood decades of use or the creativity of the craft. I just love how each artist brings in thier own style and color schemes / patterns and gives the quilt life. 

it really is such a beautiful craft and it's one that I hope to pick up one day. but, until then, you can find me here -- admiring them and the art intensely. I hope you've enjoyed this little guide. See you next time! 


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2.13.2024

Last Minute Valentine Ideas Lookbook


hello friends! 

Tomorrow is Valentine's Day. I should be getting ready to host a cute homeschool co-op party, but everything fell through last minute, so I have some time on my hands. I'm going to throw a little party for my boys to distract them (and myself) from the fact that we've been uninvited to the party we planned. LOL. 

I wrote a vague post about it on instagram yesterday, and it's going to stay that way. I don't thrive off of drama or like talking about it,  but I do want to throw out the notion that homeschooling parents can be just as dramatic as the PTA ones. It's unfortunate that some people can't put aside their difference for the sake of the children. 

Being ghosted by the co-op you thought was the perfect fit, with no explanation, is the worst feeling. I've spent a few days being so upset about it, but all that upheaval has turned into thankfulness. Maybe God is trying to protect us from something we didn't see. We're choosing to move on with grace in our hearts, dusting off the negativity and moving on.

Which is why I'm here, sharing some super cute Valentine ideas that I've seen on social media lately. I'm so inspired by all the creativity everyone has -- I've tagged all the creators underneath the photos, so go love on their pages! 


@chelseakerns


@morgan.bauman

@oaktreehome


@aliceshomeandoven

themamanotes.com


@randijarvis 

 

annnnnnd that's a wrap!

aren't these some of the cutest ideas?! I'm off to the store to grab supplies for our own little valentine shin dig! I hope everyone has the sweetest day tomorrow. Until next time, xoxo! 

 




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2.08.2024

gifts for the lovebirds

our life as one has just begun by John Gannam

hello again! 

I'm coming to you with a valentine gift guide for him and her today. If I'm honest, I don't really place a big deal on this one because I don't need a day to love on my spouse -- that's something I should be doing every single day. We don't do a fancy dinner or anything super fancy because we have three kids and life is busy.

With all that said, I still like to do a little something. Normally, I do a care basket for my husband and kids. It's become my thing to gift for this super commercialized holiday. The basket for my husband consists of useful things that I know he'll use -- shampoos, beard oils, candy that I know he likes, and other goodies. so that's today's post. some ideas for what I'd put in a basket for a spouse. 

*as always, inserting a little disclaimer that some are affiliate.



for him

watch

cologne  

cat on skateboard socks

parks project hat

jerky bouquet


for her

heart necklace

perfume

red heart socks

flowers

candle


for both

chocolate lovers set

vintage puzzles


and that's a wrap on the guide -- what do you think?

Again, my approach to this holiday is simple. I know that glamorized gifts are all the rage, but I like gifting things that I know my husband will reach for and use. I think this is the last guide I have listed for this holiday, so I hope you liked them as much as I love curating them. Until next time, xoxo


 

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2.06.2024

Galentine Gift Guide

Lawnchair Gossip by Arthur Sarnoff

 

hello hello!

one thing I do every year with my little sisters is a galentine gift exchange. it's a fun little way to shower each other with a little bit of love this month. we typically agree on a budget or a certain sized basket, and then fill it up with little knick-knacks that we think the other would love. so, as I was looking for gifts for my sisters, I thought it would be fitting to whip up a little gift guide of ideas to gift the gals.

*disclaimer in coming -- some links are affiliate!


stanley tumbler

fuzzy socks

heart shaped lip + cheek tint

checkered claw clip 

scalp exfoliator

colorful magnet set

heart handle mug

queen of cats sweater

floral bath + shower oil

super tonics book

fragrance set

pimple patches

heart highlighter

car freshener

kosas lip pump + juicy collagen

satin sleep scrunchies 

heart shower steamer 

heart blanket 

nail polish

satin pillow case

gua sha facial stone

cat gel eye mask

who's that wonderful girl mug

heart candle

 blanket scarf

rose petal soap

geode heart candle

and that's a wrap!


 

 


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2.01.2024

Valentine's Day Gift Basket

illustration taken from an Ideals valentine issue in 1954
 
 

hello again. I hope you are well! 

it's officially February, and that means that valentine's day is around the corner. to kick off the blog posts this month, I thought share a few posts geared towards gifting for this lovey dovey holiday. today's post is going to revolve around gift baskets geared toward the kiddos. 

please remember that this list is a comprehensive list of ideas, not a look into what I am getting my boys. some of these things were in previous baskets and others are just things that I find super cute. in general, a festive pajama set, art supplies, books, and candy are all you really need for these baskets. these curtated round ups are for fun, and to insipire you if you're looking for a little something extra!

*as always, the disclaimer that some links are affiliate is going here! ;)



wooden heart puzzle

macaron car set

wooden toy sailboat 

cardinal plush

red striped skateboard

pink flowers (mandala / grapat) set

mail van

gummie box

scented highlighters

rose baby doll

strawberry cake 

kinder chocolate bears

pajamas 

cat puzzle 

chocolate strawberry plushie

macaron chalk set

troll doll

mushroom basket

books (see my valentine day book guide by clicking here!)


that's all I've got for you today! did something catch your eye?
 

 

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