Category Archives: Doodles

Stay Cool

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Stay Cool | So...Let's Hang Out

I am trying to take a tip from this cheetah in stunner shades. It’s just not always that easy.

Let me just give you a quick recap of my Monday:

Wake up. The water heater is leaking. Husband takes car in to be serviced. I decide to do laundry. The laundry machine fails to work and starts beeping. It shuts down and locks our bed-sheets inside.  The guy comes to fix the water heater. The dog and the cat decide this is a great moment to start fighting. This is not the normal cat hits dog in face and dog gets annoyed, but rather the cartoon-y dust cloud kind of ruckus  I try to break it up. Chaos. It doesn’t work. I decide to let them hash it out and try to liberate my bed sheets from the locked up washing machine. I press a lot of buttons. I shake it a little. I finally get it to start going again. I go into the kitchen to wash some dishes and promptly realize that the water has been shut off due to the water heater situation.

Stay cool.

The washing machine starts beeping again. I shut it down since there is no water. While I am shutting down the washing machine, the dog decides this would be a great time to do some paperwork. She empties the contents of my office garbage can all over the floor. I hear another beeping noise. It is coming from downstairs. I am afraid to look. I think it’s the smoke detector. When I finally get the nerve to take a peek, the beeping stops. I go to the computer to tell my husband the ridiculousness of the day so far. He chimes in with more great news. The car. It needs new tires. It needs new wiper blades. It needs a new battery. It needs a list of other expensive things.

Stay cool.

The guy who was here to fix the water heater finishes. The water is back on. Per the repairman’s advice, I decide to run a shop fan in the garage for the rest of the day to dry up some of the moisture from the leaky water heater. I go upstairs and fiddle with the washer again. I can’t get the door to open but I can get it to run on a delicate cycle. I’ll take it. I decide to do the vacuuming  That can’t go wrong. The power goes out. I go to look up the number for our power provider on my phone. The internet wont load. I call my Mom and ask her politely to look up the number of the electric company for me. She is a nice lady. She does this. I call them. I end up entering in our old phone number. I get kicked off the line. I call back. I enter in the correct phone number. There are no other power outrages being reported in the area. I am special. I finally get a real live human on the phone and the power turns back on. I take a break to eat an extremely large salad. That went fine. I decided to not cook with heat yesterday. I didn’t want the oven to get involved in the ballyhoo. Finally, I manage to liberate my sheets and throw them into the dryer. I put it on a high setting and let it do it’s thing. The dog decides to bark at her own shadow for literally an hour. Whoah.

Stay cool.

My husband arrives home. I tell him I am going to go drink a beer in the bathtub. That is the best decision I made all day by far. Eventually I would put the bed sheets on the bed and realize they were still wet.

Stay cool…

I hope you are having a smoother start to your week. If not, I demand you take a beer into the bathtub with you. Necessary. I will be back soon with more recipes. xo

Live Fancy | A Bear’s Motto

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livefancybealightsnoutr

Recently I had the pleasure of getting together with Lauren. You may have met as she occasionally writes over at The Dabblist. She is crafty and domestic and has a bunch of her own power tools which I find to be extremely inspiring and go-getter-ish of her. Basically, she’s fantastic. During the course of our hang-out she managed to give me at least three life changing tips about gardening  and one really solid piece of food advice. I did not know that they would crack and clean crab FOR you at the market. (Thank you, Lauren.)  Yes, I write a food blog. Don’t judge me.

We had lunch. She brought me an edible bouquet as a hostess gift (This is the best hostess gift ever. I had an inappropriately excited response to a bunch of chard and kale and carrots. Beautiful.) My puppy got really excited to meet her little baby girl. The puppy kissed the baby all over her face and the baby laughed. It was basically the cutest of cute overloads ever to be seen. Not even fair. If there was a video and I put it on the internet, the internet would break. We talked about life and food and blogs. Lauren mentioned that she wanted more drawings of bears on the blog. Later that day I got another twitter message requesting more bears as well. Who am I to disappoint my faithful readers? So, here you go. A fancy grizzly bear in a bow tie.  Living fancy.

I would like to point out that it is slightly ironic that the motto “Live Fancy” sprung forth from my pen. At the time I was wearing a pair of yoga pants that I had been living in for three days straight. I also wasn’t aware of that whole people will clean your crab for you thing.  Fancy fail.

I do however, have a strong love for fancy animals. Throw a bow tie on a bear and I am delighted. A porcupine in a top hat? Let’s be friends. A giraffe in stilettos? Get out of here. They are already so tall…what is that giraffe doing in stilettos? A wombat in a ball gown. Weird.

Too much crazy for you today? Perhaps.

Thanks for bear-ing with me. Get it?

I need to be cut off exactly now.

Have a fantastic weekend, friends!! xo

Just Hanging Out…

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jhout)

Happy Friday, Lovelies!  How was your week? Let’s take a minute to hang out, shall we?

My week was kind of a doozy.

Here is the picture of how it all went…

I managed to catch the flu. The middle of this week was spent on our couch watching TV programs that I had vowed never to watch.

I dipped my toe into the  program Totally T-boz , a reality show featuring Tionne “T-boz” Watkins made famous by the 90′s girl group TLC. As someone who once dressed up as Lisa “Left Eye” Lopes for Halloween (It was sixth grade, let’s just say I was (am) a HUGE TLC fan – like, life-size poster on the bedroom wall, subscribed to both VIBE magazine and Word Up magazine, mostly to cut out the pages and paste them on my walls. It was serious. These were my people.) it is awkward to see them out in the world, “chasing waterfalls” if you will, to save their careers. In my head I like to imagine T-boz still clad in silk jammies and a belt made of condoms, creepin’ somewhere, being fly. Instead, she is just like the rest of us, hustling to find work and baking pancakes at one in the morning because she can’t sleep. Reality is sometimes harsh. In the process of trying to find you some TLC reference photos/videos, I happened across this “The 40 best R&B videos of the 90s”  hoopla and I currently have the “No Diggity” video blasting as I write this. No apologies.

I also watched one episode of The Carrie Diaries. That sentence makes me sad just looking at it.

I got bored. I doodled foxes holding hands.

Let's Be Friends // So...Let's Hang Out

I got antsy and baked things. I baked you biscuits. I made a batch of granola. I also whipped up a batch of Tracy’s Raw Shortbread Cookies. 

There were also bowls and bowls of lentil soup consumed. Recipe coming next week!

I juiced all of this citrus. Not pictured: separate bowl full of grapefruits and oranges. I got really serious about my vitamin C. It helped me to knock out my flu in a couple of days. BAM!

citrus-week1-7618blog

I fished all of these things out of Emma’s mouth. There are several rocks and sticks that are also not pictured.  For those of you who do not know, I am currently living in the house that I grew up in. The last time there was anyone playing with trucks or washable markers in the yard was the early 90s. Emma finds weird things. She also dug up a disintegrating football and almost managed to eat what was left of the laces. Sneaky.emmashorde-7810blog

I watched some funny online videos, like this dog skyping.  I also got a tutorial on a pretty great party trick. Get your straws ready.

I folded a lot of laundry while listening to episodes of The Moth Podcast. I love good story telling.

This is Emma getting comfortable. Don’t let me wake you, Princess.

Emma

There were some pretty sunsets this week.

sunset-week1-7695sunset

I am so happy to be healthy again and ready to have a bang up weekend!  What are your plans? How did your week go.  Tell me everything.

xox

Happy Holidays!

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happyholidays

Hey, Friends!

Just taking a minute to wish you all a happy holiday season!  I hope your Christmas was spectacularly joyful!

As you have probably noticed, things have been a little quiet around here. I have been taking a little holiday breather to spend time with my family and appreciate it all. I will be back to posting regularly after the new year. Don’t worry. I miss you.

Christmas was a beautiful little whirlwind. We hosted 17 people this year. I have a  large family. 17 is a small year.

We had a nice quiet little morning before the guests started to arrive. Some presents were exchanged. There was coffee and tea and lots of table setting.

Santa was good to me this year. I got a brand new juicer! She’s just beautiful. I made my first batch with the new girl yesterday. She juices like a dream. There will be new juicing recipes in the new year. Get excited.  I also received a donut pan, a big cast-iron skillet, a Silpat and some other wonderful things…look at all this loot that is helping me help you. Gluten-free donuts in the new year? Yes. I need something to balance out the massive amounts of kale that I plan to put in my body.

After we all opened presents we sprung into action. There was some serious cooking that went on…

My dad tackled a beef tenderloin roast, and did a pretty perfect job.  My brother made oven-roasted asparagus that he marinated in olive oil, balsamic and plenty of seasoning. I tackled twice-baked potatoes, and baked garlic mushrooms as well as my wilted kale and coconut salad. I had some fantastic kitchen helper elves/unpaid interns (Thanks Peter! Thanks Mom!) There were also plenty of appetizer and dessert options. No one went hungry. I’ve been having a complicated relationship with leftovers. It’s no joke. Last night I managed to justify eating a full serving of both cheesecake and chocolate cake with cherries. Save me from myself.

I wish I had Christmas pictures to share with you, but by the time I had a second to think about it, the food was demolished, the light was poor, and my feet told me I needed to sit down and have a cocktail (okay, you got me…three cocktails.) Did I mention that I whipped up some candy cane vodka? So easy. I insist you try it. Do it now.

I can’t wait to tackle this new year with you all. I sincerely appreciate that you take time out of your day to hang out with me here  in my little corner of the web. I love you. Yup, you. Thanks for helping me make 2012 so much fun.

See you soon, Friends.  xo

One Day At A Time | A Pre-Christmas Breather

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one day at a time | soletshangout.com

I need this reminder today.

Everywhere I look it’s Christmas. Not just Christmas, but CHRISTMAS!!!!!  It’s yelling at me.

My head is full of how many packages I have to wrap and how much laundry I need to do. What am I going to make for Christmas dinner? Why didn’t I get around to infusing that booze or making that vanilla extract? I sit here legitimately kicking myself that I did not take a family portrait with myself, husband, dog and cat all in Christmas sweaters. Why did we not get around to that? When does my family get into town again? Wait…when is the water bill due again? Sheesh. Complain, complain.

I am knee deep in crafting. Covered in felt scraps. I might burn some granola. I have too many ideas and too many lists.

So, here I am with you. Taking a breath. Reminding myself to put one foot in front of the other. One step at a time. I still have six days. Things will get done.

If all else fails, I can just lock myself in my room with a pan of brownies, or start spiking my morning hot cocoa with peppermint schnapps.

Just kidding.

Kind of.

Stepping out of my Grinch-Pants and putting on my Santa hat.

I think we need some holiday cheer that doesn’t involve shopping malls, grocery store lines or laundry. When does holiday cheer ever include laundry? It totally shouldn’t. All I want for Christmas is a laundry robot.

My friends Ampersand have been doing a 12 videos of christmas. A christmas carol a day count down.

Lets spike some cocoa, and take a listen. Their dog is dressed up like Santa. It’s a win.

Wishing you  a merry one day at a time. xo

Stormy Weather | A Time For Unapologetic Footwear

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It’s raining.  It’s cold.

I’ve spoiled myself with one of those salted-caramel hot chocolates and am on the sleepy-side of a sugar coma. Both of the pets are sleeping. It’s a stormy weather sleep-fest in here.

Look at those party animals.

I am indoors under a blanket wearing a very comfortable yet unfortunate pair of Ugg-style boots that have cats all over them.

Not only are there cats on these boots, but these cats appear to be in Paris. They are wearing hats and make-up, and having tea by the Eiffel Tower. Those are some cultured felines. Are you judging me right now? Maybe you should be. I will tell you though, that if you slipped these unique gems on your footsies, you would get it. They are insanely comfortable. Fluffy and warm. It’s like walking around with cat-clad pillows on your feet.

I will make this more comfortable for you by telling you that these have become solely indoor shoes. Was there a time I wore them out?  Yes.  Yes, there was.  Fashion risk-taking (they can’t all be wins, right?) I will also tell you that when I was teaching in a kindergarten classroom they were a very huge hit. My fashion audience was different then, and they thought I pretty much ruled. These boots once inspired a make-believe game between a couple of five-year old girls called  ”French Cats.”  In this game you are a cat living in France who gets to carry a purse and be fancy. You have a fancy French cat tail you get to swing around. You live in a fancy French house made out of silk cloth and clothes pins.  It’s the classiest of role play.

By the time my husband comes home at night, the boots are almost always on.  I will be wearing a seemingly respectable outfit on top. Maybe a sweater and a black pair of pants and then on bottom it is just an all-bets-are-off-fiesta. CAT BOOTS!! Poor husband. My evening time wardrobe is the fashion equivalent of a mullet. Business on top, party on the bottom.

You are probably curious now.  Most of my friends have seen these bad boys. Either I will get cold and slip them on, or you have known me long enough to see me be a brave, fashion-fail foot soldier and wear them out of the confines of my own home. I will show them to you.

Fancy. Warm. Unapologetic in their pinkness.

Did I mention that I got a two hours too early visit from a City Inspector today in order to approve our new water heater?  He got to see these boots.  Also, I had peanut butter on my face and mascara under my eyes.  There was an unfortunate baggy sweatpants situation going on as well.  Real life.

That is basically all, friends.  This seems to be all I can get myself together enough to do today.  Drawing a picture of a sad little cloud and drinking hot cocoa in questionable footwear. Maybe send the occasional g-chat message to my friend about the floral print pants that I will not be purchasing this season, or the chair made of sticks that they are selling at Anthro that seems to be going for around $10k. Holy cannoli.  I will continue looking for good memes with angry looking cats or dogs wearing sweat suits. That is what this stormy weather seems to be all about today.

Tomorrow is another day.  :)

Keep cozy, my friends.

Beet and Parsnip Chocolate Cake | Gluten Free

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It’s good to have creative friends.

My friend Becca over at The Dabblist posted a recipe for Chocolate Almond Molten Beet Cakes.  I died. They looked so gooey and wonderful.  The color of red velvet.  Oh, and they are made with beets.  No big deal.  When I saw that post I got really fired up.  I wanted to bake with my beets.  I wanted to beet it. Does that sound dirty?  Stop it.  Get your mind out of the gutter.  I immediately went to my pantry and surveyed my ingredients. I didn’t have all of the things that I needed to make her exact cakes.  I did a quick google search.  No, I didn’t google search “Beet It”.  I suggest you don’t either.  Or do.  Tell me what you find.

I came across a recipe from Elana over at Elana’s pantry.  For all of you gluten-free paleo loving honeys out there, she is quite simply one of the best.  Her site has changed the way I bake gluten-free.  Her use of almond flour and coconut flour produces such moist and wonderful products!  I cannot recommend her recipes enough. I found a recipe on her site  for a cake that used beets.  I surveyed my pantry again… I did not have all of those ingredients either.  Looks like I was on my own on this one. No matter… nothing could put out this fire.  I came up with an adapted version based on what I DID have in my fridge.  The result was kind of magical.  Did I mention there is no flour in this cake?  Impressed? Totally.

Ingredients:

3 medium sized beets

3-4 parsnips

1 tsp cinnamon

1/2 cup agave

1/2 cup maple syrup

4 eggs

1/2 cup grapeseed oil

1/2 cup cocoa powder

1 tbs vanilla extract

1/2 tsp almond extract

1/2 tsp of salt

1 cup semi sweet chocolate chips

Preheat your oven to 350 degrees.

Wash your beets and your parsnips thoroughly making sure to scrub the skins well.  Dry them off.  Cut them into small manageable pieces and place them into a medium saucepan.

Add your maple syrup and agave mixture.  Sprinkle your cinnamon on top.  Allow the beets, parsnips, agave, maple syrup and cinnamon to come to a boil.

Reduce the heat, cover and let it simmer for 20-30 minutes.  The beets and parsnips will start to break down and become soft.

Once your beets and parsnips are soft, you are going to transfer your mixture into a high powered blender.  Blend it on high until your mixture is smooth and liquid.

Add in your eggs, oil, vanilla and amond extracts as well as your cocoa powder and salt.  Process on high until it is fully combined with your beet and parsnip mixture.

Transfer your mixture into a bowl and fold in one cup of chocolate chips.

Grease your 9 inch baking dish.

Pour the batter into the dish and pop it into the oven.

Bake at 350 degrees for 30 to 35 minutes.  You will know it is done when a knife inserted into the center comes out clean.

Let it cool.

Serve naked or with whipped cream.

Take that, flour! :)  I call that beeting the odds.  Yup.  Can’t stop.

(Adapted from Elana’s Pantry)

 

Happy Thanksgiving, Friends!

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Just a quick post to wish you all the most fabulous of Turkey Days.  I am so thankful for all of you!  Thanks for dropping by and hanging out with me here, whether it be on the daily (Hi, Mom!) or just a visit every now and then.  You all rock my socks, like whoa.

Wishing each of you happy, sleepy and contented turkey comas.  Oh, and pie.  Lots of pie.  And seriously, if you are making a Turkducken let me know how that goes.  I am too curious.

Like that pilgrim-clad bear says, “HAPPY THANKSGIVING”!  And when a bear goes through the trouble of dressing up in a period-appropriate costume… you listen.

xoxox

Gobble Prep | A Recipe Perv Fest

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Thanksgiving is a mere two days away.  It’s crunch time.  I am not hosting Thanksgiving this year and have only been tasked with the job of bringing the cranberry sauce.  This is both delightful and a little bit disappointing.  On one hand, I have been lusting after all of the wonderful recipes floating around out there.  One day I want a reason to make a Turducken.  I honestly don’t know if I want to eat it, but I feel like it is something that is on my culinary bucket list. How many meats can we Frankenstein together into a turkey? Sounds like a challenge, and I like a healthy challenge.

On the flip side of this thanksgiving hosting conundrum I basically get to show up, pop my cranberry sauce in the fridge, perhaps stir some gravy and then stuff my face with succulent meats and their delicious counterparts.  It’s a sweet deal.  I haven’t blogged much about my thanksgiving preparations and now you know why… cranberry sauce.  That’s it folks.  Did I mention that I had to ask if I could bring the cranberry sauce?  Yes, that is right… I could have shown up with nothing…or maybe just a four pack of Martinelli’s.  I am living a cushy Thanksgiving dream here.

We are however hosting Christmas, which seems to be approaching about as subtly as a steam roller.  You will most likely hear more from me on this topic.  For now I am in a blissful holiday season denial, stirring a pot of boiling cranberries.

I have had some time to think up/ogle  all of the things that I would LOVE to make if I had my own thanksgiving table and I was a magical hostess. I have spent the past month food perving on some of my favorite food blogs.  I know it is turkey day crunch time, but if you are looking for some deliciousness to fill some holes in your line up, let me help you.  I am sure you have your turkey, or turducken, or Tofurkey or Quorn log all under control…so we will perv out on sides and desserts.

 Soups:

Vegan Curried Pumpkin Soup// Joy The Baker 

Butternut Squash Soup With Cannelinni Beans and Greens// Yummy Supper

Carrot Ginger Soup// Stove In The Attic

Salad:

Cranberry Walnut Kale Salad With Cranberry Vinegarette// Kitchen Confidante 

Roasted Butternut Squash and Arugula Salad// Shutterbean

Seriously Addictive Brussels Sprout Salad// Shutterbean

Brussels Sprouts Salad With Red Onion and Peccorino// Not Without Salt

Sides:

Winter Squash Procciutto and Sage Risotto// Cannelle et Vanille

Cauliflower Gratin// Smitten Kichen

 Mashed Potatoes With Kale and Scallions// The Parsley Thief

Pumpkin Scalloped Potatoes// Recipe Girl 

Mushroom Cassarole // 101 Cookbooks

Roasted Sweet Potato Purre// The Family Kitchen 

Wild Rice Salad// Gluten Free Girl

Dessert:

Bourbon Baked Apples//How Sweet It Is  (I would sub gluten free flour)

Warm Apple Pie Pots// Roost

Pumpkin Gingersnap Parfaits// The Gourmand Mom (sub with gluten free gingersnaps, I recommend the ones from Trader Joes.)

Candied Ginger Meringues// The Dabblist 

Sweet Potato S mores// The Novice Chef 

Chocolate Souffle Cake With Bourbon Caramel And Softly Whipped Cream// Sweet Francisco 

You could also try out my:

Pumpkin Custard Cake with Chocolate Chunks | Gluten Free

or

Mini Apple Pie Cheesecakes | Gluten Free 

Booze:

The Bourbon Bomber//The Boys Club

Fall Sangria//Lifestyle Maven

The J. Crew Cocktail// Bookcooker

Okay, friends.  I could go on forever and ever…

I would love to hear about your thanksgiving and what you are cooking up! Anyone making a Turducken? I want to know more.  Give me all the deets.

I will be sure to keep you abreast of any important cranberry sauce developments! :)

In the words of the hat-clad turkey… Gobble gobble.

Love Letters

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This is what a love letter looks like in my house:

Super Obese Prairie Dog

Everyone has their own thing, right? In the mornings my husband will leave me a computer window full of images such as these which he finds in the AWW section of reddit.  This is what was there this morning:

A Puppy Lookin’ Fly!

And a CORGI…Bein’ Short!

Sometimes it’s the smallest and silliest things that make a huge impact. He knows that these cute pictures will put a smile on my face, and make me giddy.  He knows me.  It’s perfect. Tell me that wouldn’t brighten up your day!  Did you see that super obese prairie dog?  C-mon!  It makes me feel special to know that he has taken time out of his busy morning to root through all of the cute pictures on reddit and to select only a smattering of the finest for my amusement.  He’s tops.

Sometimes, in the evening I will return the favor and make him my own little love letter.  This will come in the form of a doodle.  Here is a recent one I left on the computer for him to find in the morning:

Just something to let him know how deer he is to me.  Oh, yes I did.  The need to pun runs deep.  You should meet my father.

Long story short…thank goodness for the little things!

Wishing you all a wonderful and loving Tuesday full of obese prairie dogs and short little Corgi paws! ;)

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