A Peek into April

Sometimes a week flies by and all you have to show for it are Instagram photos (michaelaraej).

When I haven't been lost in Panem this past week, I've been taking long walks to soak up the slow (London likes holding on to its winters) change of the season. We also had friends from SoCal visit last weekend; it was so great to see familiar faces. Rachel was one of my housemates the year before Kurt and I got married, and her boyfriend, Josh, took our engagement photos. We stayed in central London with them in a beautiful flat that belongs to Rachel's grandparents. It was like a mini getaway in our own city. I love finding new ways to experience London and this was definitely one. We stayed literally right down the street from Westminster Abbey and Big Ben. I loved walking out of the flat each morning and seeing them. We felt so refreshed after spending time with friends and I think we're ready to take on these last 5 months in London.

I hope to get back into the swing of blogging this week but I have to be honest, I haven't felt like spending much time on my laptop recently and blogging's no fun when it feels forced. But I do have a couple recipes in mind that I'd like to share soon and I'm going to start carrying my camera around more to capture Spring in London. 

How was your Easter? I've loved seeing all the blog posts in my feed about taking time off and visiting family.  

Michaela Rae

Easter Post (or lack there of)

via

I was going to write an Easter post. I wanted to explain how learning to celebrate Jesus's resurrection has transformed my life, how I've felt the lonely hopelessness of Saturday and experienced the redemption and joy of Sunday. Alas, words escape me. 

Thankfully not for others. I highly recommend these:

Ann Voskamp's entire Holy Week series, start with Part 1. 

Easter Saturday by Brett McCracken

I hope you enjoy celebrating the Resurrection Day of our Savior! I sure am humbled and grateful.

Love's redeeming work is done, Alleluia!
Fought the fight, the battle won; Alleluia!
Vain the stone, the watch, the seal; Alleluia!
Christ hath burst the gates of hell: Alleluia!

Michaela Rae

Crunchy Cornflake Nests | an Easter treat

I discovered a yummy and super easy Easter treat! They remind me of Muddy Buddies but with a colorful twist. I think you guys will love these.

What you'll need 
2 TBSP golden syrup or honey
3 TBSP butter or margarine (not low fat spread)
100grams/3.5oz chocolate bar of your choice
2 cups Cornflakes
Mini M&Ms or Smarties to sprinkle on top
Cupcake liners

Instructions
In a saucepan on low (don't allow to boil), melt and stir together butter, chocolate and syrup. Remove from heat and add cornflakes, stir until well coated. Spoon into liners. Refrigerator until fully cooled and then sprinkle with mini M&Ms or any other candies you want to decorate them with.

It's such a great crunchy chocolatey snack. I can totally see myself making these with future kiddos. I'm sure they'd love having their own little "nest."

I made mine with milk chocolate and used small silicone cupcake liners. I also managed to spill my container of mini chocolate beans (thankfully after I'd sprinkled the nests) all over the kitchen and it reminded me of this commercial. 

Now I'm off to enjoy the perfect spring weather that London's experiencing (a shocker really)!

Michaela Rae