I. Love. Macarons. There, I said it. I actually think I may be a bit obsessed with macarons but that's ok right? They are divine and I can eat an entire patch, but I won't. I will savor each one slowly over time.

I was fortunate enough to spend the morning with fellow military spouse Stacy Martin, owner of Bonkers For Baking. She made a patch of heart macarons from scratch and learned just how difficult it is to make them.

The macaron cookie was born in Italy. French queen Catherine de' Medici's Italian pastry chefs made them when she brought them with her to France in 1533.

Macarons, as we know them today were created by a Parisian baker (Claude Gerbet and Pierre Desfontaines both claim credit) had the idea of sandwiching the cookie by putting jam or ganache between the two individual macarons. HEAVENLY!

I learned you must be very precise when measuring your ingredients. We had a scale and measure every gram. It got me thinking. How did they make these in 1533? Food for thought. There is even a Macaronage process. Macaronage is the technique where you continue folding the mixture past full incorporation until you've achieved the perfect consistency. "Hot lava" is one phrase I often see used to describe that consistency, but I just like "ribbon." The batter shouldn't plop, it should flow according to food52.com
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Here are a few reasons why we love macarons.
The texture in the first bite is unexpected.
The shell is delicately crisp and the interior is so soft and chewy.
They are just plain cute. 
They are the perfect “bite sized” treat
Fun Fact: Macarons are GLUTEN FREE!

If you are ready to tackle making macarons here is the heart template that Stacy uses for her heart shaped macarons and a link to the stencil for the conversation sayings.

Joyeuse Saint Valentin!

No need to sew here. These no-sew heart sachets are so sweet and perfect for Valentine's or Galentine's Day.

Hold your fabric in half so that you only have to cut once. Place the heart template over the top and using a pencil trace around the heart. With a pair of pinking shears cut along the line you just traced.

At this point you will want to add your embellishments. It's easier to do it now before you glue the heart together.

Next you will glue the two pieces of heart fabric together leaving an opening for the filler and dried lavender.

Fill the heart with poly filler leaving some room for the dried lavender, then stuff with more poly filler to finish and close the opening with hot hot glue.

No-Sew Lavender Heart Sachets. Happy Valentines Day!

Here's a video that shows you step by step how to make these.

Share with us what you make. Happy Crafting!

Here are two fun treats you can make with your kids that will sure to be a hit.

I loved conversation heart candies when I was a kid. Here is a homemade version we created with a military theme. Imagine your solider getting these cute candies in a care package. YES!!!!

What you will need.
Gum paste (you can use already made gum paste in a tub or in powder form. We purchased in powdered form and follow directions on bag to make paste).
Gel coloring (we used yellow, pink, green and purple)
Flavoring (we used lemon, watermelon, and peppermint)
Powdered sugar
Small heart cutter
Rolling pin
​Measuring cups
​Edible ink pens
Parchment paper

Measure out about 1/2 cup of gum paste.
Sprinkle powdered sugar on your work surface so gum paste does not stick to it.
Knead gum paste for 30 seconds
Add 5-8 drops of flavoring, knead to combine flavor.
Add 1-2 drops of food coloring, knead until color is throughout gum paste.
Using a rolling pin, roll out gum paste to 1/4-1/2 inch thick.
Using small heart cutter, cut out hearts and place on parchment paper lined cookie sheet.
Let dry for 48 hours.
Using edible ink pen write message on hearts.

What's Valentine's Day without chocolate covered strawberries? These are LIFE!

Check out this video. Too easy.