Thursday, December 18, 2014

Listing a List of Lists #9

Food I'm Loving:


Bfast stuff: I'm trying to eat healthier and while I'm not sure I could choke a salad down at 7a, if I ever did I hope it would look a little something like this.  If I'm being real though, I'd much rather eat nachos for bfast in the form of this recipe.  More likely though, I would cook something like this.

Healthy(-ish?) twice baked potatoes - yum.


Crinkle cookies - def. gotta try.


Whole roasted cauliflower w/ beer cheese sauce, very intriguing. 


Never met a fry I didn't like - I could be friends w/ these apple fries.


I bet even my carnivore would find this caesar salad pretty awesome.


Made these cookies for a bake sale at Kuen's school holiday concert - they're so festive and happily, they vanished in no time.  Love the thought of this interesting flavor combo: apricot/butterscotch?  


Butter cake bites?  Wow.


Baked falafel burgers - I love falafel!  


Making this cheesy broccoli rice for dinner this week.  What's not to love?


Honey candied anything would be awesome, but I think I want to try with almonds.


BEFORE: Butter dots make me happy. 

After: It got an apricot jam shellacking after I took this pic.
I've made this apple tart so many times and I still love it.  Auntie Ina is the best.  You can very easily use store bought (gasp!) puff pastry for the crust instead of making from scratch, both ways are great.


Interesting to Me:


How cute?!  Free cookie swap templates.


How to make baking powder out of baking soda - who knew??


This dog makes me want to fly KLM just so I can leave something behind on the airplane.



Kuen's holiday concert was this past weekend and she got to wear what she calls her 'wedding dress' - a dress she wore at her uncle's wedding last year.  I can't believe it still fits but I'm glad she got another wear out of it because it's such a pretty little thing.  How is my boo almost 3?


I'm reading this book by Arianna Huffington and I love it.  So so zen.

For all you SATC fans, this had me totally dying.

Also, speaking of Auntie Ina: this Buzzfeed about the Barefoot Contessa was killing it.

Gabe was sick w/ the flu last week which really sucked.  This video about men getting sick is for real, though.

Awkward moments only Asians will understand.  Truth.  "Where are you really from?"

Just for Fun:

Amazingly, I celebrated my 500th Barre3 class last week!  This was a really big personal milestone that got me thinking about several things.  First, everyone (especially with kids) knows the precious nature of time.  We are always short on it and it's constantly getting away from us.  I'm pulled in a million different directions and if OCD wasn't naturally occurring in my DNA, it is now.  As if the deluge of never-ending laundry, playtime, reading, cooking, vacuuming, bday parties, bake sales, etc., weren't enough, I have to somehow squeeze in time for myself so I don't turn into an absolute crazy person which, gratefully, I've been able to do.


If these last several years have taught me anything, it's that life is wonderful, fragile and needs to be lived..proactively.  I try to make time for what I think is important and leave the rest.  I have a little person that's looking up to me everyday so - whether I want the spotlight or not, I'm in it - and leading by example is a must.  Taking care of myself hopefully shows Kuen that she needs to take care of herself too.

It's been a struggle to quiet all the criticism in my own head and just accept that I'm a flawed person doing the best I can - just like everyone else.  I have to constantly compete with all the other responsibilities to get a well deserved chunk of time to myself.  


It helps greatly that I have someone as supportive as I do to share in the responsibility.  Gabe is on morning duty with Kuen.  I'm talking: wake-up, cook breakfast, brush teeth (NOT easy with a toddler), get dresses (also NOT easy with a toddler), 2 crazy dogs, drive on freaking I-405 south during A.M. rush hour with said toddler, drop off at school.  And that's all before he goes to work.  Understanding that many many people do this daily (props to all those single parents), I don't take for granted that I get to leave (albeit at 5:40a) to go to the gym then straight to work so I can get out early to beat traffic and get home to cook dinner.  That's our trade - I get to go to the gym early, he gets out of cooking..ever.  He graciously takes care of Kuen.  He's great at it - the man is patient and I couldn't ask for a better father to my child, I have so much gratitude.  He allows me an hour to myself in the morning.  I couldn't have reached that 500 w/o him.  Thanks so much, hon.  xoxo  


Daddy/Daughter time.


All the single ladies - choose wisely.

Sunday, December 7, 2014

Raspberry Almond Thumbprint Cookies

For my favorite cousin, Cindy!

I don't know about you but I am heavy into holiday baking season.  Yes, it's only the 7th of December but my sheet pans have gotten a serious workout these last few weeks.  I've also started a new extreme sport: baking w/ a toddler.  Apparently, I have serious thrill seeking issues.

Baking w/ an almost three year old (how did that even happen?!) is like baking w/ say, the Tasmanian Devil.  Did anyone else have those really obnoxious t-shirts growing up?

......

Moving along.  These cookies take a bit of preparation and some delayed gratification is involved, which, let's face it - is not necessarily a toddler's strong suit.  Either way, the payoff for these amazing cookies is totally worth it.  Give yourself a few hours (at least) before you need these, they require some time to chill out in the fridge before baking.

We're headed down to Florida in February and I cannot wait to get in the kitchen with these girls and bake some more of these awesome cookies.

No, I don't actually have a picture of the cookies.
That would make entirely too much sense and take entirely too much foresight.

What are you baking for the holidays?

Raspberry Almond Thumbprint Cookies

Adapted from this recipe (I don't think they need the glaze and I like my technique better so you're not killing yourself working w/ hard, cold dough which is more difficult to form)

makes about 30 cookies

1 c. unsalted butter, softened (2 sticks)
1/2 c. granulated sugar
1 tsp. vanilla extract (or vanilla bean paste)
1/2 tsp. almond extract
1/2 tsp. salt
2 c. plus 2 tbsp. AP flour (sifted)
1/2 c. raspberry jam

Begin by creaming the butter and sugar until light a fluffy.  Add in extracts and salt, blend until combined.  Add in flour in 1/2 cup additions until combined but be careful not to over-mix or else you end up with tough dough.

Using a 1 oz. cookie scoop (or a rounded tablespoon), scoop out portions of dough and roll in to balls, place on a cookie sheet lined with a silicone baking mat or parchment paper.  Press thumb lightly to flatten the balls and create an indentation in the dough for the jam later.  There will be cracking which doesn't bother me but if you'd rather have perfectly uniform cookies, the dough can easily be smoothed back.  I like the wrinkles/cracks - gives them character :) This is the best part about having kids help - it's hilarious and adorable to see little tiny thumb prints (sometimes 2 or 3) in these cookies.

Chill in the fridge for at least 2 hours and up to overnight.

When the dough is completely chilled and you're ready to bake, preheat oven to 350 degrees.  Take the dough out and make sure each cookie has about 2" of clearance from other cookies, either baking in a few batches or on separate baking sheets.  These will spread slightly but less so after chilling.  A silicone mat (as opposed to parchment paper) will also help keep these from spreading too much.

You can spoon 1/2 teaspoonfuls into each imprint.  I like using a piping bag or just a plastic sandwich bag to keep them clean.  Put the jam in the bag, snip a small corner off and pipe the jam into each indentation.  Bake for 12-15 minutes - make sure your oven temperature is right, you don't want these to brown.

Keeps in an airtight container in the fridge for a week but I bet anything they won't last that long.

Tuesday, September 30, 2014

Listing a List of Lists #8

Food I'm Loving:

I made this lasagna and Lemon Lavender Almond Blueberry Biscotti recently.  Yes, I'm plugging my own blog - what??



Lemon Lavender Almond Blueberry Biscotti


Someone try this homemade Velveeta Cheese.  Report back asap.


Pumpkin mania is in full swing: Make your own pumpkin puree & toast the pumpkin seeds. Also: granola, cheesecake, pancakes, cookies, muffins, etc.


These brownies.. my goodness.


Trader Joe's got in their puff pastry and I've got my sights set on this recipe (first, at least).


For football season: Ultimate hot wingsSalsa verde beef tacos, made these ribs last week and they were every bit as amazing as the picture...drool.


Ribs & thangs


Salt & vinegar roasted chickpeas.  Creative!


Love this funfetti cake - makes me smile.


I'm as sucker for anything buffalo but buffalo falafel with blue cheese fries???  Mind. blown.


Sausage Cheddar and grits frittata - you had me at grits.



Interesting to Me:


Not the biggest Star Wars nerd but this Princess Leia hat is ridiculously adorable.


Dying over the cute factor of this baby elephant playing w/ a ribbon.


I want to squeeze this baby elephant.



Another reason I love love love Denzel Washington.


I really want to get one of these for Kuen - awesome commercial, Costco.  But I'll abstain from doing what this lady did with hers.  Dang.


Nature is cool.  But which came first?


I guess George Clooney got tired of waiting for me.  I forgive him.


Just finished season 2 of Orange Is the New Black.  OMG.  Is anyone else watching this?!


Excellent video of some Oakland Raiders trying to decipher British slang. And speaking of football, NFL Superlatives had my dying.  Screengrabs, another hilarious segment.  


Poke my heart.  If you haven't already seen, please watch and prepare to have your heartstrings torn out.


I always buy Target clothes for Kuen but this is a fresh (and refreshing) perspective??


Emma Watson is awesome.  


Just for Fun:


Does anyone else find their kid's tantrums completely adorable? I know people don't find Kuen's tantrums adorable but they must find their own children's tantrums adorable, right?  

From an earlier tantrum..still adorable.


Kuen was throwing a really epic tantrum over several hilariously minor things: 

- daddy sitting in mommy's chair (while mommy was nowhere around, of course)

- at dinner her milk wasn't in her( newly favorite) Starbucks cup

- she wanted to watch Barefoot Contessa instead of football

- she wanted to wear her Hello Kitty backpack instead of eating dinner

- she couldn't use her froggy towel after bathtime (it's too small)

Gabe and I could not stop ourselves from just gazing at our child crying, thrashing and whirling mid-meltdown and all we could say was, "But it's just so adorable."

Whirling dervish mode enabled.


Before kids, seeing a tantrum ranked right up there with major dental procedures or running in to someone whose name you've forgotten on my list of things that make me uncomfortable.  Now, it's just so endearing.

Wednesday, August 27, 2014

Mediterranean Pasta Salad

It's been hotter than the dickens lately.  Ok, not really.  But when you live in a condo w/ no central air, anything over 75 degrees makes me a bit anxious.  We have a portable a/c in Kuen's room and we crank it down to 65 on "hot" days so when I get home, I open/shut the door as quickly as possible so I can keep as much cool air in this condo as I can.  


Ahhh, come to mama.

When I see Gabe lollygagging instead of slamming the door shut as quickly as possible, I always yell "close the door!" then he stops what he's doing (with the door OPEN) and looks as me with a quizzical , "huh?" every. damn. time.  Same thing happens when he does this w/ the fridge or freezer door.  Anger stroke.

I've gotten more used to it but I can't bear to turn the stove on for long periods of time and you can forget any kind of baking until September at the earliest.  Which is silly, considering how cookie season is in the summer.  Ok, nevermind.  Cookies are prettymuch always in season.

If you have some leftover pasta in your fridge, 'cooking' this pasta salad adds approximately ZERO degrees to your (already hot) kitchen.  I've also just done the cooking parts in the morning when things haven't gotten too hot yet and then I've prepped some things to make dinner come together even faster so I can get done w/ dinner and park myself in front of a fan as quickly as possible.


I was in such a hurry to shovel this in my mouth I took a blurry picture. Sue me.


Mediterranean Pasta Salad

makes 6 servings

2 c. grape tomatoes, halved
1 English (or hot house) cucumber, diced
1 red pepper, julienned 
1 c. kalamata olives, roughly chopped
6 oz. dry salami, thinly sliced
4 oz. feta cheese, crumbled
8 oz. short cut pasta (1/2 lb)
1 green onion, sliced thinly (optional)

Greek Dressing

1/3 red wine vinegar
2/3 cup of extra-virgin olive oil
2 cloves garlic finely minced
1 teaspoon dried oregano
2 teaspoons sugar (updated)
1 teaspoon dried basil
2 teaspoons of Dijon mustard
2 teaspoons of salt
1/2 teaspoon of onion powder


Cook pasta according to package instructions.  While the pasta cooks, cut and prepare tomatoes, cucumber, pepper, olives and salami and toss together in a large bowl.  Prepare dressing.  After draining the pasta, allow it to cool slightly before adding to the vegetables.  Dress the salad (I use about 1/3 to 1/2 a cup) stir to combine.  Mix in feta, salami and fold.  Garnish with green onions.  Taste and adjust seasoning or add more dressing.

This pasta salad can be made ahead of time and gets better as the flavors blend.  

The dressing is seriously good.  This recipe make more then you need so I love to use the dressing as a marinade or to pour over sliced tomatoes.

Saturday, August 23, 2014

Listing a List of Lists #7



This beautiful salad inspired me.



Food I'm Loving:

Thai Steak Salad w/ sweet & spicy tahini dressing.  Wow.  And keeping w/ the Thai theme - this salad too.  

Bacon Jam.  I'm almost scared to look at the recipe for fear that I could/would actually make it.  Costco was actually selling Seattle's own Skillet version and picked some up before they decided to not carry it and I would never find it there again.  So great on sandwiches and we actually tried slathering on blueberry waffles the other day - pretty yum!  

Curried veggie and chickpea stew.  Made this yesterday and it made a HUGE batch.  Subbed chicken stock and kale instead of veggie stock and spinach, added orzo pasta - will be a great fall recipe.  It is so hearty and comforting, I skipped (but didn't even miss) the coconut milk.

I've been loving all the sockeye salmon recipes and we've been eating it all summer.  Was on sale at Costco for $6/lbs (!!) and I snagged a (huge) whole fish for under $30.  God bless the Pacific Northwest!

Shrimp 'n grits. It's so fancy, you already know.

Pecan Blondie Dunkers.  Kuen realized she actually likes pecans (and almonds) after her father's insistence that they were yucky and clouded her judgement.  She's since seen the light.  But I guess it goes both ways since apparently Kuen now likes to eat broccoli slathered w/ mayonnaise like her dad.  Gag.

Double chocolate pancakes for bfast?  I wish.  

Millionaire's Shortbread.  As if I really needed this recipe in my life.  Ok, no really, I do.

Apricot Buttermilk Pie - intriguing.  I'd like to try this so if anyone could pls volunteer to make one, I'd be happy to taste test.

Or someone else could volunteer for this blueberry custard pie.


Such a crowd pleaser..


Interesting to Me:

I recently had a horrible customer service experience with Lululemon.  They completely let me down when it came time to resolve my issue and IMHO, if you're going to charge the crazy ass prices they charge for workout clothes, they had better come through like a champ when a customer is justifiably unsatisfied.  Needless to say, I was underwhelmed.  I have been on the hunt for a replacement.  Hell hath no fury like a consumer scorn!  Luckily, I've found a pretty good replacement in Kate Hudson's Fabletics.  I've gotten a few pairs of capris and tanks which I'm already loving!  Bye bye forever, Lulu (jerks).

Best way to organize your fridge.  B, any thougths?  I have a notoriously cluttered and messy eclectic and well-stocked fridge.

I've kept my eggs on the counter for years now.  Yes, even in the summer and I'm still alive.

So excited this is happening next year.  I'll actually be able to see the Bellevue location from my office.  That means I'll also be able to see my office from Chick-fil-a when I walk over there for lunch every day.  Maybe I should just relocate my desk to Chick-fil-a.

Ice Bucket Challenge videos that made me laugh: Mitt Romney, Bill GatesGeorge W., Benedict Cumberbatchthis one is especially funny since it goes through several replays as well as a slow motion of W's.  I could watch Will Smith dump ice on his head all day.

I just love Jimmy Fallon.  I couldn't stop laughing when she's yelling at the step dad.  In the Taylor Swift one too.  This Jimmy Kimmel one is an oldie but goodie.

After a conversation w/ a friend at drinks a while ago, she encouraged me to take a test to find out my strengths.  Top strength according to this test was "learner".  Not strategy or empathy or deliberation..learner.  I'm not sure why I was disappointed but I started to think of it as me just being curious about all things I don't know about (which is prettymuch everything) in life.  One of my huge takeaways was that I needed to read more and I've found a very effective way to squeeze in more books by going the audiobook route.  I just pop one in and listen on my drive to/from work.  Best part?  It's free.  Download Overdrive app and check audiobooks out from your library - FO FREE and it makes my drive so much more pleasant.  

Currently listening to this book by Brene Brown and it makes me want to quit corporate America and study social sciences (it's my inner Carrie Anderson! xo).  So fascinating.  Finished Wally Lamb's We Are Water also and can I just say how effed up I think Wally Lamb is?  I had to fast forward through the Kent character's parts.  I only gave it 2 stars on Goodreads.  I haven't read his other (even more highly rated) book all the way through but I do remember really liking She's Come Undone which I read a thousand years ago.

Just for Fun:


Thanks, Sarah!!
Gabe and I celebrated our 6th wedding anniversary on 8/8.  I can't even believe I've known this guy for 8 years now.  What a crazy roller coaster ride it's been so far.  Love you, hon!  xoxo

Saturday, August 16, 2014

Homemade Taco Seasoning

I don't remember which brand caused me to do a double take last time I read the ingredient list of the taco seasoning - but it clearly freaked me out enough to make me want to make my own.  Now I don't even think about buying those taco seasoning packets anymore.  



Or that one time I had all the ingredients to make tacos only to realize I had run out of the freaking taco seasoning packet - AH!  Then you realize the interwebs are full of wonderful information that can save your cooking plans and you can have those lovely tacos or burritos or whatever you were going to make out of taco-seasoned fill-in-the-blank.  Woo!

I've also taken to using this spice mix for other things like dressings, sprinkling on cut up veggies, etc. - super versatile.  The list of spices is a tad long so I get it if you'd rather save the time and buy one of those convenient little packets instead, but if you're like me - you buy a spice with the intention of using it in A (singular) recipe, then never end up using it again.  The jar moves with you to the next 3 homes and you're now looking at a spice that expired in 2004 (which, how was that a whole decade ago?!).  I may or may not be pulling inspiration from personal experience.  So this is also a good recipe to use up those spices you may not typically use in your normal repertoire (I'm talking to you, chili powder & cumin).


Homemade Taco Seasoning Recipe*

makes roughly 2-3 packets worth

Adapted loosely from this recipe

2 tablespoon chili powder (ancho or regular)
1 tablespoons ground cumin
1 1/2 teaspoon garlic powder
1 1/2 teaspoon onion powder
1 1/2 teaspoon paprika
1/4 teaspoon crushed red pepper flakes
1/2 teaspoon dried oregano
1 teaspoon sea salt
1 teaspoon black pepper

Combine ingredients in a bowl, mix thoroughly.  Store in an airtight container in a cool/dry/dark place for up to 2 months.

I use about 1 to 1.5 tablespoons of this for about 1.5 lbs of ground meat when I'm doing taco meat.  

* this is a pretty mild blend heat wise - husband and daughter prefer it that way but no one says you can't throw more in if you prefer - I won't tell the cops. 
Another favorite is using this seasoning to make a salad dressing when I get sick of buffalo chicken salads (which happens prettymuch all the time).  Or I ripped off one of my favorite restaurants and use this on cut up veggies with a spritz of lime juice.  YUM!

Monday, July 28, 2014

Listing a List of Lists #6

Food I'm Loving:

There was a bit of a 'heat wave' that rolled through the northwest (FL people, try not to snicker) and I have been completely obsessed w/ iced coffee since.  I started researching and settled on making my own with this recipe which I had to dilute considerably.  If I ever run out of gas in my car, I could use this stuff it's so high octane.  I'll try Pioneer Woman's next but I just don't think the heat will last that long and anything taking up that much fridge space would warrant both of us would drink.  Also, why go through the trouble if I can just buy it from TJ's?  

A friend sent me this overnight oats recipe - chocolate and hazelnuts for bfast?  Woooo!


More good bfast ideas: Raspberry chia overnight oats, scrambled eggs and mustard greens on toast, blueberry pancake granola.

Where was this recipe a few days ago when I had banana that were on the verge of poltergeist status?  Ended up making my favorite browned butter banana bread but I always add walnuts to mine.

Easiest fridge dill pickles.  Steve - where are those damn pickles?!

Strawberry lemonade bars..right up Gabe's alley.  As is this strawberry lemonade cake

Bibimbap tacos - drool.


Someone in my household (hint: it's not Kuen) can have a very obnoxiously pretentious vocabulary but even he scoffed at this cherry buttermilk clafoutis.

Did you know July 20th was National Ice Cream Day??  We went to our favorite ice cream place and I may or may not have gone home w/ a pint of their Kentucky Bourbon Ice Cream.

Interesting to Me:

Love this pretty bracelet.  So dainty!

Who else is dying over the Gosling/Mendes baby announcement?  That poor child won't stand a chance w/ those genes.

Finished reading Someone Knows My Name by Lawrence Hill.  It was good.  I guess I had higher expectations considering all the stellar ratings on Amazon and Goodreads but I was meh about it.  The first several chapters were really difficult (graphic) to read.  Just finished reading The Goldfinch which I was recommended by several people - couldn't put it down.  Tell me what you're reading this summer!

If I were 22...

For all us working moms.."You have to cope because you die with guilt."

Thinking about blogging too?  I agree with most of these reasons...obviously don't do this for a paycheck so 6 & 7 are a stretch.  I guess I could just replace those w/ "it's fun"?

Just for Fun: 


Tuesday, July 22, 2014

Zucchini Cakes

Raise your hand if you buy an ingredient w/ grand ideas of making something fabulous recipe you saw somewhere only to allow the ingredient get shoved behind the mountains of other things in your fridge and find it several days (or weeks if I'm being real) later with spots of mold and rot forming?  

*hand sheepishly raises*

I ended up using FIVE eggs instead so they're pretty hearty.
Could be used on top of salad as a light dinner or as a healthy breakfast.

That was the exact story of these beautiful zucchini I saw at the store after I was inspired by the award winning zucchini bread I posted about a while ago.  Um, yeah..  I read the recipe through and realized I'd only be using ONE freaking zucchini.  Plus, there were so many steps with the streusel, and choices between muffins or cakes, etc., etc., etc. I abandoned that and remembered about zucchini cakes.  


Zucchini Cakes


I did a little research and found several different versions and came up with my own mish-mash (that's a technical term) of several different versions out there using what I had on hand. 

Love the texture on these.

Zucchini Cakes

makes roughly a dozen 3" cakes

2-3 med/large zucchinis, grated and wring dry in a clean dish towel
1 c panko breadcrumbs (I'm sure regular breadcrumbs would work well too)
1/2 c grated parmigiano reggiano
5 eggs
1/2 tsp salt
1/2 tsp fresh black pepper
1/2 tsp garlic powder (you can also use fresh)
1/2 tsp onion powder (optional)
light oil for frying

As with most cooking (NOT baking), this recipe's pretty forgiving so if you don't have exactly what's written here, don't worry - they should still turn out ok.  If you have more zucchini, add a little more egg, less, subtract and so on.

Grate zucchini on the large shred side of your box grater, should yield about 4 to 4.5 cups.  Next in a clean dish towel or cheese cloth, wring out the excess moisture of the grated zucchini in batches.  You'll want the shreds as dry as possible so they don't end up a soggy mess when you're frying them in the pan.  What's left should be about 3.5 cups of shreds that should be mostly dry to the touch.  Mix eggs, salt, pepper, garlic and onion powders together.  Fold grated cheese and breadcrumbs in to eggs then transfer the egg mixture into the zucchini and incorporate.  Let the mix stand for a few minutes.

In the meantime, preheat your oven to 350 degrees.  Heat a frying pan or cast iron skillet on medium heat.  When the pan is radiating heat (not yet smoking), heat 1/4" of oil in the pan until the oil starts to shimmer.  Drop in 3" heaps of the cakes and fry for a few (3-4) minutes until golden, flip and fry for another minute or two on the other side.  This will vary depending on how hot your stove is - I ended up having to turn down to low heat, they're a lot like cooking breakfast pancakes, first batch may or may not be sacrificial.

It's important not to crowd the pan or else you won't get a nice crispy texture on the outside of your cakes.  Transfer to a wire rack and finish frying the remaining batches.  When the cakes are done frying, put them in the oven for 5-10 minutes to set the middle of the cakes.  




Make ahead tips: you can actually freeze these after you've pan fried them and bake from frozen instead of finishing off or split the batch and only stick what you plan on eating in the oven, freeze the rest.  Just bake at 350 degrees for about 10-15 minutes until they're warmed through.

These are great w/ ranch or some tzatziki (thx Karen!) for dipping.   

Tuesday, July 8, 2014

Listing a List of Lists #5

Food I'm Loving:

Grilled pizza seems so intimidating, no?

There have been a bunch of zucchini breads in my feed lately.  Wanna try this one. And anything claiming to be 'award winning' always gets my attention.

I love stratas - this cheesy bacony mushroomy spinachy one is on my list.


Summer snacky.  Can't get enough of Trader Joe's plantain chips.

How adorable are these macarons?  Someone please teach me how to make these.  Oh, and her polka dot icing cake is pretty gorgeous too.

This chickpea salad - looks so yum and refreshing.

Salted caramel apple pie bars.  Daaaaaaang.

Spicy Kale and Coconut Stir-fry.  Drink!


You had me at 'big river of cream cheese' - banana bread.

Jos/Jessie: If you lived closer, I'd totally make this for you (or this) after Charlize is born!  

Interesting to Me:

Honey: please stop reading here.  Everyone else: In honor of World Cup fever, I give you this.  The commentary is almost as good as the photos. I just left the page on #23 for a while.  Then made it down to #20. #15.  #1 - I need a hot tub full of Italian soccer players. Just wow.  I also saw Michael Ballack doing some commentary on ESPN and that dude is pretty damn fine as well.

Storing different types of flour - helpful! 

I'm guilty of this.  Sorry.


Flew through all three Study Series books by Maria Snyder.  I love young adult lit and I don't care if you're judging me for it.  Thank you, WA Post.

For all my pregos out there - go find a doctor like this.


More on Saved By the Bell..I know, I'm obsessed even after all these years and I definitely want to watch this.  But can I just say these guys don't look nearly as hot as the original cast?!


Speaking of which.. still in love w/ Zack Morris.  I remember all those Saved By the Bell references.  Don't judge but I kinda want to read Screech's tell all "Behind the Bell" - juicy!

I think I spent an entire day watching this gif and sent it to anyone who would listen - thanks Karen!


No more microbeads.  NO!


Really enjoyed this TED Talk about how schools kill creativity.  

Just for Fun:


Anyone w/ toddler-aged children has more blurry photos than usable ones.
Kuen in a particularly adorable dress I was NOT able to capture..

4th of July parade!  And yes, we were absolutely the most un-patriotic people there.  Oops!