ringling museum of art. part two.

Good morning!

A few pictures of the beautiful secret garden, rose garden and banyan trees of the ringling museum of art. The Mable Ringling rose garden was incredible. I wouldn't say that roses are my favorite flower in the world (leave that to peonies, hydrangeas and daisies) but I'm definitely able to appreciate their beauty. They are really quite a marvel when you stop to look them closely. Their intricate petals are so delicate yet full of bold color. While I was walking through the garden I couldn't help but think of the splendor of God and the gift that nature is. I mean really, 1,200 roses filled this garden and not one was alike. That's kind of awesome. 

ringling museum of art. part one.

Hi friends,

While my mom and I were in Sarasota last week, we visited the The John & Mable Ringling Museum of Art. It was the best decision we made all weekend! The museum is one of the prettiest places I have been in Florida. I'm gong to share with you a little history about this place so when you and your family decide to visit you can impress them with your facts.

In 1925, the construction of John and Mable Ringling's mansion was completed allowing them to reside there in the winter months. A few years later, their extensive art and sculpture collection was made into an art museum on the same property. The grounds of their estate include their beautiful home that sits on the edge of the Sarasota Bay, a rose garden planted by Mable Ringling in 1913, a secret garden, the coolest banyan trees I've ever seen, and the world's largest miniature circus! It was a very fun place to visit and naturally I took a few too many pictures so they will show up here in installments.

Side note and fun fact: In 2000, Florida State University (go noles!) was given responsibility of the museum.

Here we go!

just in time.

Hi friends,

Mom and I made it just in time to eat dinner and watch the sunset on Siesta Key beach last night. The beach is one of the most calming and beautiful places to be. We're not sure how the weather is going to be the rest of the weekend but we are good at finding a fun adventure. Here are a few snapshots of the beautiful sunset last night.

nathan & kaylee.

Hey friends!

This is my younger brother Nathan and his lovely girlfriend Kaylee. I was feeling a little restless yesterday afternoon and they were gracious enough to let me snap a few ton of photos of them. I haven't photographed a lot of people before but it was so much fun! They did an awesome job and had some good ideas too. I'm going to go ahead and say that Kaylee could definitely be a model and Nathan might be just tall enough to fake it. He said later that he didn't think he was very photogenic but I disagreed. Thanks you guys! It was a lot of fun!

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have your cake. eat it too.

strawberry buttermilk cake &

basic buttercream frosting with chopped pecans.

This recipe was found on pinterest (shocker. right?). I was browsing boards as I do, a lot of the time and spotted this delicious little cake. It looked too good and too easy to pass up. One of my favorite things about reading recipes is realizing I have everything I need to make the recipe without having to go to the store. As I was getting out the ingredients I quickly realized I was missing a very key ingredient...buttermilk. Strawberry buttermilk cake without the buttermilk? That would not go well. Without a panic, I remembered a little trick my mama taught me. Mix 1 cup milk (I used soy milk) with 1 tbs. of vinegar and let it sit for 5 minutes. Watch the time & make sure it doesn't get too sour. That my friends is what we call DIY buttermilk.

This was a tasty little cake that I would definitely make again. The frosting isn't imperative but let's be honest, who doesn't like a little extra sweetness?

Enjoy this cake.

cake recipe || buttercream frosting recipe {halved}