20 Days and Counting

Well whether we are ready for it or not Christmas will be here in 20 days, for those who celebrate Hanukkah you only have 11 days.

Not that I am trying to induce any stress.

This year we've taken a pretty laid back approach to Christmas and the shopping that goes with it.  Having three kids we decided there are a plethora of toys in our house already so we should come up with about 3 meaningful gifts for each of them and then focus the remainder of the day on hanging out with family and enjoying a meal together...OF course there will be focus on food (I love the stuff).

So let me share with you a delicious treat and something that might distract you from any stress you might be under.

• 1 1/2 C all purpose unbleached flour
• 1 C spelt flour
• 1 1/3 C sugar
• 3/4 C unsweetened cocoa powder
• 2 tsp baking powder
• 1/2 tsp baking soda
• 1/2 tsp sea salt
• 1/2 Earth Balance, melted
• 3 ener-G egg replacers
• 3 Tbsp almond milk
• 2 tsp vanilla extract

• Place flour, sugar, cocoa powder, baking powder, baking soda, and salt. Mix together with a fork and set aside.
• In a separate bowl mix together your Earth Balance, vanilla, almond milk, and egg replacers.
• Gradually add in your dry mixture and beat until fully incorporated.
• With damp hands form two loaves (12" x 3") from the dough and place on a greased baking sheet.
• Bake at 325 degrees for 30 minutes.
• Allow the loaves to cool for 10-15 minutes on the baking sheet.
• Remove from the sheet and slice the loaves (you should get at least 12 slices from each loaf).
• Place the sliced cookies back on the baking sheet, cut side up, and bake at 325 degrees for an additional 20 minutes.
• Allow them to cool before dipping (or eat them as is...I promise they are delicious just like this).

These might not make you all zen

But hopefully they will give you a nice little break.  Pair these (yes you should have at least two) with a cup of hot tea, chocolate, or coffee (whatever your please is).

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Weekend Wrap Up

I don't know about you but when someone asks would you like the good news or the bad news, I always go with bad news first.

Something about getting it over with and ending things on a positive note.

This past weekend was no different.

I started off with pain and ended with a sweet time.

Saturday my friend Amy and I ran in the St. Patty's Day Revenge Obstacle Course.

There were 21 obstacles for us to go through and before we kicked off Amy and I were looking pretty cheery (although chilly):

Her husband captured photos of our fine form (nothing like going across a soccer field doing lunges):

And you know sometimes when you are called upon to do WAY more push-ups then you anticipated you just have to get down in child's post to give your arms a break:

I have been sore for two days, but it is a good sore.  I look forward to running this event next year...hopefully we can get more than the two of us on a team.

On Sunday was the sweet.  I attended the Mad Hatter Tea at the O'Henry Hotel with my daughter and mom.

sporting our lovely paper hats

the delicious plate of goodies

sometimes things taste better when you don't use hands

Caroline and her best friend posing on a toadstool

The event was put on with great pageantry and detail.  The girls got to eat a plate full of treats, make crafts, and play a few games.

It was the perfect exposure to a "fancy" outing for these 3 and 4 year olds.

The hotel holds 3 of these themed teas a year.  We are looking forward to October when they host The Wizard of Oz.

It was a fantastic weekend with friends and family. 

I hope you all enjoyed your time.  Did you do anything fun?

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Beautiful Weather and a Baby Shower

This weekend was a crazy fun filled weekend.

I hosted a baby shower for one of my best friends from college, Kristen.

I invited all of the girls down to NC, we've known each other 17 years, and their husbands as well as children came (20 of us in all).

I feel a little old to say we've known each other 17 years, but I guess I could lie and say we met when we were 7 instead of when we were 17.

Anyway Kristen is having baby #2 and keeping it a surprise so I decided we would have a "diaper" shower for her. 

We gifted her with many boxes of diapers so that the little one will have a nice dry tush.

The weather was gorgeous and a perfect day to enjoy our food and company outdoors.

I served:

mock chicken salad (I don't think anyone knew...my little secret)
croissants
variety of veggies to top your sandwiches
pineapple and strawberries
fresh veggies
vegan vanilla cake with vegan buttercream and raspberry filling (my cake had a little incident in the center, but it still tasted good)

(For my display I had visions of Amy Atlas, but alas I am just not that creative)

and these delicious cookie:

Can you see the label?

I know my photograph isn't the best for it, but they are from Lauren at Keep It Sweet Desserts.

Lauren is a food blogger who VERY recently has quit her job and has taken up baking for a living.

I asked if I could commission her to make some cookies for my shower and she was very obliging.

She made some of the most delicious double chocolate chip cookies (at least that is what I hear, my guests enjoyed them and I missed a chance at getting one).

And then she made cut meyer lemon sugar cookies in the shape of a bee (for a Mama to Bee theme).

The bee cookies were light with just a hint of lemon and of so delicious.

I believe Caroline had no less than 5 of them, she loved them A LOT Lauren.

So all in all it was a wonderful day and we had some delicious food.

I can't wait till there is another reason to have a party.

What did you do this weekend to enjoy the wonderful weather?

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Scrummy Snack and a Winner

I religiously read Bit of the Good Stuff written by the very talented Sharon.

She lives on the other side of the pond, England, and beyond the content of her blog I love some of the words she uses...like scrummy.

So today I've included scrummy in my title because seriously it is a fantastically descriptive word.

My snack is simple yet built of my own desire.

I have read a few places about coconut peanut butter, and I thought "That sounds good."

I can't find the product here so I combined my two favorite items and made my own:

I toasted up some bread and smeared it on

The warm toast helps make the concoction melty and drippy (both techinical terms)

For a little added sweetness because I was needing it (my kids were stressing me out) I added some chocolate chips.

Oh the ooey goodness...please do yourself a favor and give this a try, I promise you will not be disappointed.

Plus while you are eating your sandwich head over to Bit of the Good Stuff and see what Sharon has going on.

What sort of snacks do you enjoy eating when you need something a little special?

Also the winner of the Crunchmaster Crackers giveaway is Tory.  Congratulations Tory Crunchmaster will be sending you a case of their delicious crackers.

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