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Wednesday, April 27, 2011

Soft Thoughts

{via}

Have a lovely day.

Don't these balloons look dreamy? 

Monday, April 25, 2011

Daydreams

I ordered a JoTote yesterday evening with some early graduation money.  It's a brand of camera bags for women that not only protect your camera, but are very cute and stylish. I've been eyeing them for a month in an attempt to keep myself from spending too much money on whim. Now I'm very sure it will be a regular addition to my wardrobe. I'll certainly update you as quickly as possible when it comes in!


I bought the Gray Millie bag but you should check them out yourself! There are lots of colors in two main designs. 

Thursday, April 7, 2011

Chickpea Curry





This is the recipe I used to make this curry. We had practically all the ingredients already on hand which made it simple. It's great for proteins for vegetarians and incredibly healthy, although I could personally use a little more spice for flavor....but I like things spicy. 

This would be great with the cauliflower I mentioned here, some rice, and especially some naan. I think I  may throw in some curry powder next time. 

Hope you're feeling Indian food!

Maria's Spinach Pie

Yesterday I met up with my friend and we each brought a vegetarian dish to the table. I made an Indian chickpea dish and she did a spinach pie. Today I thought I'd give you the spinach pie recipe.

{apologies for the cell phone quality pic}

She found the recipe here and you should definitely check it out! This dish was amazing and satisfying and, all in all, pretty healthy. We nearly finished it all (after she cut that recipe in half!). There was a good dose of spinach in there along with eggs, onions, and some garlic. The doughy shell was a Pepperidge Farm pre-made phyllo dough piece I believe. 

I'll definitely be giving this a whirl in my kitchen soon!

Monday, April 4, 2011

Morning at the Market

Hand Soaps

Sugar Mini Muffins

Sweet Potatoes

Market Florals

Saturday morning warranted a trip to the local farm market to buy some produce... and sugar mini-muffins. The sweet potatoes were used to make that sweet potato casserole mentioned yesterday. 

Farm markets are amazing places and if there's one in your area, definitely drop by. You'll find quality products and you'll get an experience with it. The people are amazing and wonderful to talk to and there are so many different products (we have handmade soaps, jewelry, and aprons at ours). 

Sunday, April 3, 2011

Sweet Potato Casserole


Using this recipe, I made a sweet potato casserole this morning for a luncheon. When the luncheon was finished, the dish was clean. Now that's the dish you want to bring for a potluck! 

The sweet potatoes were bought at the local farm market and were amazing. I recommend setting aside a solid hour and half to get everything done if you're starting with fresh potatoes (not canned). 

Towns and Sights





Winchester, Virginia has a lot of history behind it but for me, before anything else, it's hometown. 

Yesterday we caught some dinner, ate chocolate chocolate chip muffins at a local coffee house, and watched Noah's family perform in Godspell.

That's right. I said chocolate chocolate chip muffins. Pretty sure that was the most important event that took place yesterday evening. 

After watching Godspell we caught up at Olive Garden over appetizers and daiquiris which was delightful but left me feeling stuffed like a potato a tad too full.

Enjoy your Sunday before the big week ahead!

Saturday, April 2, 2011

Hello Spring



Spring has arrived, at long last, in Harrisonburg. This morning was spent leisurely waking up before taking a trip to the local farm market. On the jaunt into our quaint downtown there were plenty of blooming trees and lots of little potted flowers. The colors are just so beautiful

Enjoy a lovely spring!

Veggie Meals


Mmm... Know what I love? A tasty, vegetarian meal with lots of veggies!

Last night a girlfriend and I met up and she brought over a vegetarian lasagna and I made sweet potatoes, curried cauliflower, and sauteed spinach. The potatoes and spinach came from our local farm market and were both of excellent quality. 


Here's how to make each if you're interested:

Spinach:
  1. Need: Spinach, oil, garlic
  2. Put small dose of oil into sauté pan
  3. Throw in spinach leaves
  4. Put in some garlic (I used roughly 2 cloves)
  5. Let cook for as long as desired (roughly 3-4 minutes)
Sweet Potatoes:
  1. Need: sweet potatoes, oregano, salt, pepper, oil
  2. Peel sweet potatoes and cut (you can do this cubed or in small slices like I did). Roughly one potato for each person.
  3. Cover bottom of baking sheet with layer of oil, throw on potato pieces, take two pinches each of salt, pepper, and oregano and sprinkle over top sweet potatoes. 
  4. Bake at 350F. If chips like mine ~30mins, if cubes (softer, less crunchy) ~1 hour.
  5. Serve warm.
Cauliflower Indian Style
  1. Need: 1 cauliflower, onion, 2 small potatoes, curry powder, sugar, turmeric, cumin, garlic (2 cloves), oil
  2. The recipe I used (from VT) was a little unclear but I cooked my potatoes first because I was afraid sautéing them wouldn't be sufficient for softening them up. So slice and peel potatoes and throw into boiling water to soften up.
  3. Cut onion and cauliflower to have them both ready.
  4. Pour a dose of oil into a sauté pan. Throw in onions for 2-3 mins. 
  5. Add 1stp tumeric, 1 tsp cumin, and 1 1/2 (I might even prefer 2) tsp curry powder. Also add garlic. Cook for 2 mins. 
  6. (Drain potatoes) Add potatoes and cauliflower. Put in 1/2 cup of water and one tablespoon of sugar. Cook until water is gone. 
  7. Serve warm. 
Enjoy!

Friday, April 1, 2011

A Lemonade Day


Hello all! 

It's nearly spring time in the Shenandoah Valley and I'm ready to enjoy it! 

Hope you have a lovely weekend!