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Sunday Happy

February 21, 2016 Colleen Stem

Last Sunday was Valentines day, and I know that I told you that the mr and I don't really celebrate. Well this year I woke up on Sunday with a few tiny palm sized paper hearts laid out near the coffee tray. Then a heart in the coffee beans, and in my coffee mug. I opened the fridge and everything I touched, a little paper heart fell out or was shoved into it(a heart in my hummus) And in my jacket, all my pockets, my shoes, my toothpaste.. ...everywhere. It has been a whole week and I am still finding hearts falling out of weird places (Ii my dried lentil, in the couch cushions, and shoved into my books) EVERYWHERE!

I am not complaining. I know I am the luckiest lady here but I hope I found them all by now. (I think I might have gotten a bit snippy when a heart fell into my tea.)

And so the week has been heart filled, work filled, house and family full (as usual) The projects keep piling on which is great but crazy. So much at once, it a little hectic right now. I am going a little nuts with the weather, being a million below zero and jumping up to a nice crisp 50 above within 2 days... Its weird and crazy and making my head spin and my floors in my house so dirty. I am conflicted because it is winter and we should be living a winter life, but I am almost kinda over it now. I want to play in the dirt and plant green things and work on the outside of the house. But then again I could totally got for a huge storm with 2 feet of snow. .....

Other things. Lots of good food this week. I made falafel for the first time in a while (I'll share next week) and have eaten my weight in sweet potato pudding. Oh, and I went to my first ever acupuncture appointment. SO cool, I think I am going to do it again. I am a champ at having little needles stuck in me and laying really still. I could do it all day!

A couple of the littles spent the night this weekend and woke up the next day to a couple more. We had us our hands full with 4 little people that all want to jump on us and eat all my carrots, mustard ,and the tiny marshmallows. But such good times were had. We made sprinkle fart pancakes, played with a basket of rocks, made little sketch books and went for a little hike. Ended the day at the book store, hanging out in the kids section (I want all the kids books) and meeting up with grandma where she force feed them all gigantic cookies. The mr and I then got to drop those tiny little sugar high people back off to there lovely parents. (haha) After wobbling home, we spent the night cleaning all the sticky stuff from every surface and cleaning the toilet and surrounding areas of all the pee. (I think the boys in my family have an aversion to proper aim).. Good time.

The week has been full to say the least. And hopefully today can be a quite one, with nothing much (there is always a little) but taking it slow, bottomless cup of hot drinks, finish my book, get a nap in and maybe finish pulling all the nails from the stairs.. maybe.

I hope you all are having a great weekend doing fun relaxing stuff.

Here is some internet things from the internet.

- Breakfast food is such a weird concept to me, especially here in America where everyone eats things I would consider a dessert. How the So-Called ‘Balanced Breakfast’ Reshaped America’s Morning Meal

-I love old Victorian homes.

-Someday I will have my own library and I want it to look something like this.

-Pretty cool but I don't think its practical.  Living Jewelry That Grows While You Wear It

-Yes! I am a firm believer in mush! THE MAGIC OF MAKING MUSH FOR DINNER

-Is Organic More Nutritious? New Study Adds To The Evidence

-Very interesting and sad but try. A Hidden Cost to Giving Kids Their Vegetables

- 5 Useful Things to Know About Fresh Ginger.. I am a ginger freezer.

-"Harry Potter' Film Concert Series"....this excites me much!

-I have been scouring craigslist for a sink like this (green one in first pic) for the bathroom. Anyone got one laying around? Oh, and I might be over black floor tile.. might.

And pictures from the week

Have a happy weekend!

-C

In sunday happy, photography Tags Sunday Happy, Photography, internet, links, family, goodtime, vermont
1 Comment

Sweet Potato Pudding

February 19, 2016 Colleen Stem
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My little sister came over last night for a homework and dinner night. I love these nights because when she comes over she spends a good amount of time poking and harassing the mr while I get left alone to cook dinner.  But then always at some point during the evening,usually after feeding them dinner,  they both turn on me and start to poke at me. They are brats like that. But what I also like is I can sometimes help her a bit with the homework. (like last night,... girl did a bit of procrastination.Good thing I am awesome and maybe a little bit of a hard ass. She got it done with a bit of help and it all ended happily ever after) Maybe cause I am an old lady now, but I like the feeling of using my brain for things that I no longer think about. I makes me feel smart again (kinda) SO we get together and eat and do homework and make fun of each other... Good times. I love hanging out with my sister.

Ok, so this pudding, its one of my favorites.. I could probably live off of sweet potatoes in all shapes and forms.. A long while back I started making this pudding and got the sister hooked on it as well. So whenever she comes over for dinner I make it for us. And we eat it and exclaim how, "OMG this is so freaking good" and eat, then lick our bowls clean. And it's so easy and simple to make. Basically just sweet potato. So amazing.  The mr, he likes it, but doesn't share the same enthusiasm as we do....But he is not a teenage girl and her sister so yeah. who really knows.But Anyone out there with a spare sweet potato.. make this pudding. It will change your life in all the right ways!

Your welcome very much.

The stuff. A sweet potato, a couple of dates, ans some cinnamon. That's all you need!

Simple as can be. Bake the sweet potato until soft.  Remove the skin (I then eat the skin, but if you don't like it, the dog also loves potato skins) and stick it onto a food processor with the dates (make sure to remove the pits) and blend together. I usually add in a few a few splashes of water while I am blending just to think it out a tiny bit. But that is a preference I will leave up to you.

Add in the cinnamon and blend some more until so nice and silky smooth.

  And a note here. You can omit the cinnamon if you like, the pudding is amazing without it but you could even use more spices like ginger and allspice or added a little splash of vanilla. OR.. Add a scoop of some nut butter... so good.

Once the you have spiced your pudding, scoop it out into jars, bowls, whatever and how much ever you want (1 large sweet potato is good for 2-3 servings)

Oh whats this.. Coconut cream!!!! And yes, hand beaten like a boss!

You have the pudding, a the whipped coconut cream. Big spoonful of that right on top.

Sprinkled with another pinch of cinnamon and some chopped up walnuts...

Pudding so good and so easy it will knock  your socks off!

Have a great weekend!

-C


Sweet Potato Pudding

Serves 1- 3

  • 1 large sweet potato
  • 1-2 pitted dates (If I am making the pudding for myself I sometimes skip the dates)
  • 1 tablespoon Vietnamese cinnamon

Optional. A pinch of ground ginger or allspice. Pumpkin pie spice or a splash of vanilla. A scoop of nut butter or even a handful of nuts. Chocolate chips or creamy nutella. Berries. And whipped coconut cream or some yogurt to top with. So many possibilities.

Bake sweet potato until tender. This can be done a ahead of time or you can use up left over sweet potatoes from dinner....

Remove the skin from the potato and place into a food processor or blender with the dates and the cinnamon or whatever spices you want to use. Blend until smooth. Can add in a few splashes of water to thing out a bit.

Once smooth, scoop out into serving sizes or just into one big jar to eat all to yourself. Top with coconut cream and chopped nuts or nothing.

Eat with spoon, like bowl clean.. And can be eaten without shame for breakfast, lunch, dinner or snack.

In breakfast, Vegetables, Vegan, Sweets, snack, recipes, Paleo, grain free, Gluten Free, desserts, Dairy Free, brunch, 5 ingerdients or less Tags Sweet potato Pudding, sweet potato, pudding, vegan, gluten free, paleo, clean eating, plant based, healthy, quick, easy
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Savory Oatmeal with Mushrooms Onions Chickpeas And Greens

February 17, 2016 Colleen Stem
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We went from -30 degrees to 50 above in 2 day. What the F! Yesterday the day rained but got nice and warm, then the temperature fell hardl and last light the world started to get so slick and slippery. Going out was getting a little scary because of the ice. I went to bed a little afraid that I have to leave the house today for fear of slipping and smacking my face. It's a real fear and I know its bound to happen. I can already picture it, me walking along, maybe whistling a little tune, and smack, just like a cartoon character slipping on a banana peel.  I will go down fast and hard. I am not a graceful person.

But the day is going to happen and I have things to do that involve leaving he house.. I have the arnica and frozen peas ready just in case, but I might just leave on my hands and knees.

Enough about my irrational (but totally rational) fear. Lets talk about food. I am already thinking ahead to dinner. Or more like I am thinking behind to last nights dinner of oatmeal. A grain typically used as a breakfast food, cooked until light and fluffy, topped with sugars and fruits and sweet things.  Oatmeal for breakfast is always welcomed and always will be. But today my friends I am going to blow your mind and tell you to eat your oatmeal at dinner time,with salt and pepper and lots of yummy savory beans and veggies. 

Pow!

But doesn't make complete sense? Oats are so good, hearty, heart healthy, and pretty freaking cheap. Easy to cook, goes with everything. It's almost like rice, but I find is even more filling and contains more protein. Have no idea what to do for dinner. Grab the oats and a can of beans! Had a long day at work and just want something quick and easy and comforting. Oats with a bunch of veggies!  You can pretty much do anything with a bowl of oatmeal and it will be good. (tomato sauce, crispy tofu, a fried egg, cheese if you like.. you get the idea) It seems weird to me now that people all over are not eating oatmeal for dinner all the time.... yet. I have a strong feeling that everyone is going to be eating savory oatmeal for dinner very soon, so I am giving you the heads up so you can jump on this wagon now!

The stuff. A big cup of old fashion oats, a few mushroom, an onion, some cooked chickpeas, a clove or two of garlic and a mound of chopped greens. And we are going to also need a little olive oil, balsamic vinegar, salt and pepper and, if you have any, a small handful of cashews (or any other nut).

Begin by dicing up the onion and the mushrooms nice thing ans tossing them into a skillet with a touch of olive oil. Stick the skillet on the stove on medium heat and begin to cook.

When the veggies are on the stove, bring 2 cups of water to a boil, sprinkle it with salt, then dump in your oats. Give the oats a quick stir, then tun the heat down to medium and place a lid on the pot and leave it alone.

Once the veggies have cooked down a bit, mince up the garlic and toss into pan, along with the chickpeas (drain any liquid). Add a good glug glug of balsamic vinegar and continue to cook on medium heat until everything is nice and cooked and golden brown and tasty.

And lastly, toss in the chopped up greens and stir around until wilted.

And i bet that your oatmeal is done by now, cooked until oats are soft and the water has absorbed.

And the veggie bean mixture is ready.

A big heaping scoop of oatmeal, sprinkled with salt and pepper, and topped with a hearty heap of the cooked veggies and chick peas. Adding a few chopped nuts on top and another glug of vinegar.... It's the most perfect meal.

Happy Wednesday and watch you footing!

-C


Savory Oatmeal with Mushroom Onions Chickpeas and Greens

Serves 2

  • 1 cup old fashion oats
  • 2 cups water
  • 1 cup or so of cooked chickpeas
  • small onion
  • 3-4 large white or cremini mushrooms
  • 2 big handfuls of chopped greens (kale,spinach, collards, or broccoli leaf.. whatever greens you got!)
  • 1-2 cloves garlic
  • balsamic vinegar
  • olive oil
  • salt and pepper to taste
  • handful of cashews or some other nut (optional)

Start by chopping you mushrooms and onions and tossing them with splash of olive oil into a skillet. Sprinkle with salt and pepper and Begin to cook on medium heat.

Grab a heavy bottom pot ans bring the water to a boil. Once boiling, dump in the oats, add a pinch of salt, give a little stir and reduce heat to medium low. Stick a lid on pot and leave it alone for about 10 minutes.

Once the mushrooms ans onions are starting to cook down, mince up garlic and add in, along with the chickpeas (drained of liquid) and a few tablespoons of the vinegar. Continue to cook until the veggies are browned, the chick peas are hot, and everything tastes good (give it a taste) Lastly, add in the chopped greens and stir around until wilted.

And the oatmeal should be done. (it;s done when its nice and light and fluffy and that water has absorbed)

Grab a bowl, add a big scoop of the oatmeal, sprinkle with salt and pepper, top with a large amount of the veggie bean mixture and top with another glug of vinegar and some of those cashews all chopped up.

Grab a fork or a spoon and eat your oatmeal!

In breakfast, Vegetables, Vegan, snack, Savory, recipes, Gluten Free, entree, dinner, Dairy Free, brunch, beans Tags Savory Oatmeal, Oatmeal, Dinner, Chickpeas, pulses, Vegan, Gluten freen, Mushroom Onion Chickpea and greens oat bowl, OAts
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Copenhagen

February 16, 2016 Colleen Stem
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Second leg of our adventure was Copenhagen which was fantastic. The city was beautiful with spindly topped buildings, cobblestone roads and just the smell. The city smelled like one big pastry. I loved it and we have decided that we must go back, just next time in the summer (it was pretty freaking cold and windy)

So we only spend 3 days there, but with what little time we did have, we spent walking, and walking, and walking. We walked our buts off. We figure there is no better way to get a good feel for a place then to walk the streets. And boy was there a lot to see. The bikes alone. Oh man where there so many bikes and the coolest ones at that. (it really made me missed my bike) and again, baked good galore. Everywhere you turned, someone was eating a pastry and the smell just wafted. There were flower shops and flowers on the streets. Little danish art galleries and danish pottery studios (I wish I could have bought it all) And a bike shop on every corner. The coffee was good (far better then Ireland), the veggies were plentyful and the people were very nice.

I have to mention the littles. The place we were staying there was around the block from a little preschool. Every morning I would walk by and see the fleets of moms ans dads biking their littles inbike containers (or thrown over a bike bar) , on their way to school. The kids all wearing the cutest jumpers, laughing and being happy. The preschool itselflooked so cool with huge outdoor space and a nature made playground.. It made the fever great.  I love the way danish people raise and take care of there kids. (maybe we should move to Denmark and have us a cute little that sleeps outsideand smells like a pastry...)

But enough about the littles...  Here are pictures of our adventures. It's funny cause I thought that I was taking a million and one photos, but when I downloaded them, I didn't take as many as I thought. I guess I was so into my made up little danish world that I somewhat neglected the camera which I totally cool with. My head is full of the city.

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In travel and adventure, travel, photography Tags denmark, danish, travel, photography, city, architecture, adventure, europe
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Sunday Happy

February 14, 2016 Colleen Stem
Yes, this is my cat plate.. We should all have one.

Yes, this is my cat plate.. We should all have one.

Hey hey hey! Happy Valentines Day! Hope you have a loved one to share the day with (romantically or not)

How has your week been? We are getting right back into the swing of thingsand it has been a little too easy. It's almost (almost) like we didn't leave. The best thing I can think to do now is to start planning our next big adventure (pretty sure we are going cross county at then end of this summer) But before that we have the house to do. This week we have spent a good amount of time with drawings, measurements, looking at materials, and just trying to figure out what we want and or can do. (we can't afford solid gold bath fixtures.. wonk wonk...) And the apartments. I think everyone and their mom wants to rent one of our apartments. So many showings.  The mr has been so good and running around showing places like 5 times a day, in the cold no less, but so far so good. We have a few new tenantslined up and ready to go.  Things are getting done around here!

But other then that. just thinking a bit much about spring. I am getting the feels for all sorts of dirty activities (planting things you dirty birds) and am thinking we should probably get seeds and get some plants going soon here. This lady is needing some kale!

Anyway. V day. Off to a great start. I am awake and inside and not outside so that's awesome. I realized how cold it is out when last night after the pup came inside from his5 minute walk, I tried to take his leash off and my fingers froze to the metal clip. Yeah, its that f*cking cold. So no outside today(it's suppose to be worse then yesterday)  Nope, just going to make a gallon of coffee, open the door and let the puppy go pee. Then I will close said door, sit on the couch, and continue my morning reading. This will be the way of the day. Coffee, reading, letting the pup go pee. Simple and satisfying. Oh and the mr and I are going to watch a movie later and eat lots of food.. The excitement is overflowing here!

How about you? Got any big plans? Don't worry if you don't, your big plans today should involve being happy and staying warm, but if you do. Go you! Have fun, and remember to keep your clothes on until you get inside!

Here is some internet I weeded through for you to look at.

-The Dark Origins Of Valentine's Day. Not all pink and fluffy teddy bears.

-Is there a difference between hot cocoa and hot chocolate... yes, and its kind of obvious.

-Having a major crush on these tiles for the new bathroom. what do you think?

-Color is more then just color.The Psychology of Color

-This reminds me of Iceland.. the whole country is geothermal. Citrus In The Snow: Geothermal Greenhouses Grow Local Produce In Winter

-Because you should know. How to make strawberry mice. (really cute!)

-I have forever slept with my feet stinking out. Sleep Hack: Keep Your Feet Outside Your Covers

-On food. Fat Isn't Bad, Stupid is Bad

-I love this house and all the decor.

-And because whenyour young and you think it would be fun, You Can Now Study Tacos at the University of Kentucky. I know I would have.

And a few pics from the past week

Happy Sunday and keep it real!

-C

In sunday happy, photography Tags Sunday Happy, Valentines Day, Photography, winter, vermont, internet, fun
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