To Do | My summer bucket list

Summer's here.

Surprise. 

The thing is,

I don't really feel like I've done my summer stuff yet.

Like spending all day outside and going swimming in the ocean. 

It's not that I don't want to do this,

it's just that the weather hasn't been too great.

These past few days, though, the sun has been out,

and we've enjoyed every minute of it.

Now they say the rain will be back.

Tomorrow, already.

I just hope the sun returns, and lets me complete 

my summer bucket list.

It includes a picnic at a random, sunny spot.

A trip to the beach, 

with walks in the sand and dinner on the grill.

Eating icecream for dinner.

Watching the sunset.

Talking through the night, and watching the sunrise.

Tanning and reading in the garden. 

And many other wonderful things.

How are you spending your summer?

/Lea Binta

TGIF | Friends

Wondering why today's post is called Thank God it's Friday, 

even though it's saturday today?

Here's why:

Yesterday one of my bestest friends came over,

and we spent the afternoon baking and decorating cupcakes.

I was planning on doing a cupcake post when we had finished the cupcakes yesterday,

but instead we ended up hanging out the rest of the day.

Talking about nothing really,

singing along to Frank Sinatra,

eating dinner,

watching tv,

and then we headed out for a friday night beer.

And, obviously, that left no room for a blogpost,

because hanging out with her was way more important.

But be still, o troubled heart,

the blogpost is here! 

Enjoy our cupcakes. 

We most certainly did.

And we made so many that we're about to enjoy them again.

Have a lovely weekend people!
/Lea Binta

Just a Thought | Exercising (or a lack thereoff)

I've never been athletic.

I've never been a natural at sports.

I've enjoyed a few sports,

but only for a short while.

I did jog quite persistently for more than half a year.

And now I kind of miss it.

I'd like to start running again.

I've thought about it for a long time.

A couple of months at least,

I just haven't done anything about it.

Yet.

It's time, though.

It's time to dust off those running shoes. 

Tomorrow, I will get up early. 

(I mean it, I really WILL!)

I will go running before noon.

(YES, I will!)

And of course, by writing it here, 

publicly and officially,

I'm hoping I wont back out tomorrow.

Even if I just jog for 10 minutes,

it will be so much better than nothing.

And no cupcakes.

Hopefully.

/Lea Binta

Snapshots | Sunny days

1. Sunny days are best spent on the green grass

2+3+4+5. Chilling in our hammock

6+7. Building our hopelessly spoilt dog a castle. 

That's right, his very own castle.

8. Said spoilt dog watching from a safe distance,

not sure what to think of this creature.

9. Spent the entire afternoon in the sun. Whoops.

10. Today, as opposed to the sunshine and warmth of yesterday.

/Lea Binta   

DIY | Cake platters

Quick and easy DIY.

I picked the plates up at my local thrift store and used a porcelain pen.

Draw/write whatever you want, let dry and then bake.

(Follow instructions on porcelain pen)

/Lea Binta

Just a Thought | Ugly babies

Remember the silly sticker tattoos me and hubs put on for the Euro Cup games?

Well, those things don't come off easily, so it took me a couple of days

to get them off.

A couple of days after the game a lady asked me if I had kids,

since I had the soccer tattoos on my arm. 

Uhm.. no?

Soo many people ask me when we're having kids.

We've been married for just over a year,

and honestly, I'm in no hurry to have kids just yet.

A lot of my friends love babies.

I don't.

They love little kids.

I really don't.

Does that sound mean?

I mean, I don't mind kids.

I just don't seek them out.

If they come up to me, fine, I'll play with them.

And then I'll hand them back to their parents.

My hubby is completely opposite.

He loves them. 

He takes time to play with them.

I'm thinking, though, that things might change.

A few years ago I swore I would never get a dachshund.

I thought they were really ugly.

Then I saw a puppy dachshund that completely stole my heart,

because he was my puppy.

Maybe it'll be the same way with babies?

I don't particularly love other peoples babies, 

but maybe when I have my own - 

that baby will steal my heart?

I'm thinking this is how it'll be.

But for now I'm quite happy taking care of my

ugly puppy dachshund.

- Lea Binta

Saturday | Baking in this small world

Today was going to be a day of catching up on things,

and since I have a birthday party to go to tonight 

I headed downtown to get a gift for the sweet hostess.

On my way, walking through the park by my apartment,

I see someone I think I used to know.

As in, someone I used to know 7 years ago when I was living in Nigeria.

I assume it's just my mind playing tricks on me and keep walking.

But it's like I just know it's him.

I panick. Why? Not sure. 

Maybe it's because it's been 7 freaking years!?

Anyway, I keep walking, while secretly (okay, it was rather obvious) 

looking back over my shoulder to see if it's really him.

I walk. Walk, walk, walk.

Enter the store. Buy the gift.

All the while staring out the window to see if he passes by.

Exit the store. 

Look around for him.

Don't see him.

I start walking back.

There he is.

Okay, I can't just ignore him and walk past him (again).

Especially since I was staring at him before.

And before I get a chance to think or say anything 

he's standing before me, saying, "Aren't you...?"

Holy freaking crap!

What are the chances of running into someone after 7 seven years?

Especially since it's someone you know from a whole different continent!?

Totally random. Totally surreal. 

Totally AWESOME.

This world is ridiculously small. 

ANYWAY,

I wanted to share a recipe with you.

I found it on Pinterest the other day, and wanted to try it out this weekend.

And I did. (Didn't see that one coming, huh?)

And honestly, it takes a lot for cake to really impress me.

And this one did.

So go bake it.

Like, right now.

Chewy Whole Wheat Peanut Butter Brownies

1/3 cup margarine, softened

2/3 cup white sugar

1/2 cup packed brown sugar

2 eggs

1 cup peanut butter (I used crunchy pb)

1/2 tsp vanilla extract

2 Tbsp water

3/4 cup whole wheat flour

1/4 cup all purpose flour

1/4 tsp salt

1 tsp baking powder

1/4 tsp baking soda

Preheat oven to 350 degrees F (175 C).

Mix margarine and sugars.

Add egg one at a time.

Beat until light and fluffy. (2-3 minutes)

Stir in peanut butter, water, and vanilla extract.

Mix flours, salt, baking powder, and baking soda in a separate bowl.

Stir into peanut butter mix and blend well.

Spread into greased 9x9 inch pan,

and bake for 30-35 minutes.

Let it cool, then cut into squares.

Now, EAT!

I am telling you now - 

you will not regret it!

/Lea Binta