Commentary

Happy New Year 2012!

Little kids in Pip Design Studio bed

Can you believe we are on the cusp of 2012?! By the time you get to reading this post it might all ready be a new year. How was your 2011? I hope it was grand. Any big plans for 2012? Do you make new year’s resolutions? I am not so into them, but I do plan on making each second of every day *sparkle and shine*

I believe there are great things ahead for all of us! A big thanks to all of my pals out there. You pop over for visits, leave comments and are great friends.

I am forever grateful….

Continue reading “Happy New Year 2012!”

~ Marla Meridith

Commentary

12 Successful Blog Trends for 2012

Man with children walking the streets in Telluride, CO.

There are quite a few trends I have noticed in the past year that we can use in 2012. Special touches that make a blog extra special no matter what kind of blog you have. We all want our unique qualities to shine through. That’s the point right? You want people to pay you a visit for your excellent content…no matter what your specialty is.

I cite some examples here, please note that I read tons of blogs and can only fit a smidgeon of my favorites in this post. These blogs fall into many & quite possibly all of these categories.
Continue reading “12 Successful Blog Trends for 2012”

~ Marla Meridith

Baked Sweets and Treats

Chai Carrot Pear Muffins – Vegan & Gluten Free

Gluten Free Carrot Pear Muffin Recipe on MarlaMeridith.comDo you remember that Chai Carrot Pear Sauce recipe I posted a few months ago? There was such a great response to it which made me really happy because it was soooooo tasty! You know what is even better….enjoying that sauce as is and then using it in these muffins!

With 2012 around the bend you know I will be sharing a slew of healthy recipes to keep your taste buds happy and your waistline slim. Let’s go make some muffins!
Continue reading “Chai Carrot Pear Muffins – Vegan & Gluten Free”

~ Marla Meridith

Lifestyle

Merry! Joyful! Happy! Christmas 2011…

Little kids in pajamas opening Christmas presents in front of holiday tree.

How was Christmas everyone? How was Hanukkah? Did you give and receive loads of hugs and kisses? ‘Tis the time of year to reflect on the blessings in our lives. Hopefully we get to do that each and every day anyway. I know I sure do!

What was on your wish list? Did you make people smile with your fabulous gifts? Did you get anything cool? Here are the unwrappings of our day…
Continue reading “Merry! Joyful! Happy! Christmas 2011…”

~ Marla Meridith

Lifestyle

Holiday Joy! At the Four Seasons Austin

Christmas decorated reindeer and fireplace mantle with ornaments and f estive ribbon

Circling back from the wilds of Girl Hunter weekend, I made a pit stop to be pampered at the Four Seasons Austin. I know, you are feeling bad for me right now. Wipe those tears away and come party with me! This place had the halls decked and the season was shining bright in true Texas style!

Let’s take a look…
Continue reading “Holiday Joy! At the Four Seasons Austin”

~ Marla Meridith

Entertaining

Festive Holiday Salad

Festive Holiday Salad on MarlaMeridith.com © MarlaMeridith.com #Thanksgiving #Christmas #Fall #Winter

Here we are again…more holiday fun! While everyone else is bringing you candy, cookies and treats I have something to lighten up the holidays a little bit . Here is a simple salad that you can serve for brunch, lunch or dinner. This is a great way to use up all of those leftovers from your holiday feast. A main course salad with loads of hearty nibbles inside…turkey, nuts and cheese give great energy sustain.

So you can make it to dessert and still have room…

Continue reading “Festive Holiday Salad”

~ Marla Meridith

Book Reviews

Joshua Creek Ranch, Texas

Georgia Pellegrini with shot gun at Joshua Creek Ranch, TX

Reading Girl Hunter is an experience way beyond the typical non-fiction book. Perhaps it helps that I call the author, Georgia Pellegrini a close friend. With sass, wit and style Georgia introduces us to life as a self sufficient eater. Her modern day pioneer lifestyle is shared in a candid way…grab that pot of tea. Once you dig into Girl Hunter you will be glued to your seat.

After you flip a few pages you will crave the outdoors like nothing else. Heck you might even want to grab a shot gun…
Continue reading “Joshua Creek Ranch, Texas”

~ Marla Meridith

Appetizers

Norwegian Salmon Gravlax with Dill Mustard Sauce

There are a few very wonderful things about my job as a food and lifestyle blogger. Not only do I get to develop amazing healthy recipes that fuel us with sustainable energy. I also get to take pretty pictures of it.

Another bonus? I get connected with food adventurers and connoisseurs around the globe. Recently I was contacted by the folks at salmon from Norway. If you have been visiting here for a while you would know that salmon is my all time favorite lean protein. When 7 pounds of the freshest Norwegian Salmon arrived at our door life became even more *blissful*

So what’s a girl to do with all of this gorgeous pink fleshed fish. Make gravlax!

 

Continue reading “Norwegian Salmon Gravlax with Dill Mustard Sauce”

~ Marla Meridith

Giveaways

$100 Jessie Steele Holiday Giveaway “Bring Happy Home”

Christmas giveaway on MarlaMeridith.com lifestyle blog

Have you ever seen the retro & fabulous apron & home collection by Jessie Steele? I have been wearing their aprons for years, way before I launched MarlaMeridith.com. Any company who’s tagline is “Bring Happy Home” makes me very *happy*

I love all of their creations and I am so excited to share them with you!

My daughter and I had fun on this little holiday photo shoot. I set up the shots of me & my daughter and my hubs pressed *click*
Continue reading “$100 Jessie Steele Holiday Giveaway “Bring Happy Home””

~ Marla Meridith

Giveaways

Great BIG Scharffen Berger Chocolate Holiday Giveaway!

Scharffen Berger Chocolate on MarlaMeridith.com | Marla Meridith Photography

At holiday time each year, I get to host a Scharffen Berger giveaway with you. I use their chocolates in my baking all the time and we love to munch it out of hand too. The dark bars and unsweetened cocoa powder are my favorites. My kids love the milk and the white chocolate flavors and my hubs is somewhere in between. He is super sweet, but a semi-sweet chocolate kinda guy.

If there is one thing we all have in common dear readers is a great love for chocolate. Raise your hand if you don’t like it? Thought so. Bet your hands are politely in your lap. Now say “pretty please I want to win this GIANT chocolate giveaway.”
Continue reading “Great BIG Scharffen Berger Chocolate Holiday Giveaway!”

~ Marla Meridith

Crafts & DIY

“Vintage Stitches” Holiday Gift Tag Printables

Homemade Granola & *Freebie* DIY Holiday Gift Tag Printables on MarlaMeridith.com

I have so many fun gifts coming up for you my sweet readers over the next few weeks. I want to play Santa and spoil y’all with love, recipes and all kinds of crafty creations. Does that sound cool? I sure hope so. Today I am sharing these ‘lil gift tags I designed. I hope you can decorate your pretty presents with them.

It is a holiday craft. Yup, I checked in with my sparkly, crafty side…and came out with free printable gift tags!
Continue reading ““Vintage Stitches” Holiday Gift Tag Printables”

~ Marla Meridith

Happy Posts

Happy Post – 15 Amazing Holiday Gifts for $15 & Under

MarlaMeridith.com holiday wish list, stocking stuffers

How many people do you have on your gift list this year? Whether you celebrate Christmas, Hanukah or something else chances are you are all ready in shopping mode (if you have not finished all ready) Whether or not you have a tight budget, these little somethings are nice to give to teachers, friends and co-workers. You could also use them as stocking stuffers.

These are items I like and I think you will too. The gifts are diverse and you should be able to find at least one for everyone on your list.

Please add your own links at the bottom of the post: cookie recipes, hand made crafts or items you can purchase at the store. Stuff that makes you happy. Let’s start shopping!
Continue reading “Happy Post – 15 Amazing Holiday Gifts for $15 & Under”

~ Marla Meridith