Managing A Few Days Without Total Chaos!

FOOD

It’s been all homemade eats the past few days since getting home from FL.

coconut water, chocolate Vega powder, mango, and banana smoothie! Was my first of the week, and was out of decent greens

that was rectified on Sunday when D went grocery shopping, so Monday's smoothie was vanilla Vega powder, 2 clementine's, water, and spinach. — that was rectified on Sunday when D went grocery shopping, so Monday’s smoothie was vanilla Vega powder, 2 clementine’s, water, and spinach.

I know the bottle says Shakeology, but I don’t use it. Not that I don’t think it’s packed full of nutrients, but I had an allergic reaction to their vegan vanilla a few months ago. So, I still to Vega most of the time and Sunwarrior on occasion too. To be honest, I don’t use protein powders all the time, but when I’m making my smoothie as a meal replacement or I know it needs staying power (or when I know I’m a bit lacking in some vital nutrients), I’ll toss it in. After a week of travel and mostly eating out, I tend to add them to my smoothies.

I also did a lot of batch prep on Sunday’s. That included some of the Happy Herbivore meals and salads. I have to admit, I’ve become addicted to the Fitpacker container system the past few weeks. It makes storage a breeze and takes up less space.

D grilled Saturday night, and I begged for a repeat of the awesome portabello burger I blogged about last time! With some grilled squash and mushrooms and air fried french fries, it was a fun and tasty dinner (that I didn't have to cook!) — D grilled Saturday night, and I begged for a repeat of the awesome portabella burger I blogged about last time! With some grilled squash and mushrooms and air fried French fries, it was a fun and tasty dinner (that I didn’t have to cook!)

part of Sunday's dinner was some zucchini and yellow squash noodles pan sauteed with garlic and Italian seasoning. — part of Sunday’s dinner was some zucchini and yellow squash noodles pan sautéed with garlic and Italian seasoning.

I also dig my baked spuds! This is some maple baked beans with cruncy cabbage

oh look, another baker! This one has steamed green beans mixed with hummus on top with some hot sauce.

Monday's lunch - a BAS and some spicy mac made with quinioa gluten free noodles — Monday’s lunch – a BAS and some spicy mac made with quinoa gluten free noodles

hot and sour tofu soup with onion, bell peps, and green beans.

and another baker, but just with cabbage and hot sauce this time

this is HH's Bayou Bowl! Brown rice topped with a cajun style lentil and veg. And cabbage for crunch because that's my thing — this is HH’s Bayou Bowl! Brown rice topped with a Cajun style lentil and veg. And cabbage for crunch because that’s my thing

and tonight's dinner of spicy tofu tacos on corn tortillas with veggies on top — and tonight’s dinner of spicy tofu tacos on corn tortillas with veggies on top

FITNESS

Still doing the Beach Body on Demand workouts. I honestly do like them because there’s variety (my Achilles heel in DVD based workouts). I’m in my final 7 days of the 21 Day Fix program workouts and I admit to feeling pretty darn good. And much stronger. And possibly constantly sore 🙂

I’ve also joined a really active challenge group with a coach who totally understands vegan nutritional needs, so I’m pretty stoked there. Plan to start the kick boxing program on Monday, which aligns with completing the current program.

Of course I have my 3x per week runs too!

this is me and my helper Ginny doing Yoga fix on Sunday. I have to say that working out at home thrills her in very odd ways. She loves to either work out with me or be near me when I do.

Last night was Cardio Fix. I’m trying to work out more in the mornings, but it just wasn’t happening on Monday. I had to be at the office before 7am, and that would involve getting up around 430, and that’s just silly. So, evening working it was. By the way, I’m not sure why I’m smiling. There’s this exercise in this video called Surrender’s, and I’m pretty sure they’re evil.

Today was a 3-fer workout. Upper Body Fix first, and because that was challenging by didn’t wipe me, I followed it with a 4 mile run. Then this evening, R and I went on a bike ride when she got home from school. 3 laps through the neighborhood for a total of about 30 minutes.

LIFE

Well, it’s been a nice few days! I’ve only been home for a few, but they’ve been pretty chill. For the first time since grad school started, it felt like a normal weekend! Saturday M had some friends over (that we’ve known since they were young) and D grilled. It was hanging out and being silly mostly. I also did the week’s meal planning and D did the grocery shopping while I studied.

Sunday was laundry, cleaning, batch cooking, a school team meeting, studying, and watching a movie! We watched Moana, and I loved it.

M’s car is screwed up, so we’re currently sharing my ride. So he’s been taking me to work so he can go to school and then picking me up in the evening. While it’s a bit of a challenge, it’s not the end of the world. Not sure his car is worth fixing yet, so we’ll see.

It’s been really nice out (80 over the weekend, chilly yesterday, but 70’s today and 80’s tomorrow before winter comes back and we’re in the 50’s). We’re definitely taking advantage of THAT! Kuma has been hard to keep inside, and Bumble has been joining her in the yard too. Ginny sticks to her window watching and is just happy the house is opened up!

So, hope you’re having a good week so far!

D making a goofy grill face. Since it's technically still winter, it's dark by dinner so he wears the head lamp when grilling! — D making a goofy grill face. Since it’s technically still winter, it’s dark by dinner so he wears the head lamp when grilling!

February 28, 2017February 28, 2017

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It’s Okay to be Obsessed with Cabbage

FOOD

I do have to say, it’s been non-stop eats of the whole non-processed variety! Mostly gluten-free too (I have RA, and gluten makes it worse, so I try to avoid whenever possible). I’m trying to be better about that!

Many of the dishes come from The Happy Herbivore, so I can’t take credit for the creation – just the eating! As much as I like to design a great dish, I’m finding the demands on my time just don’t allow that as much as I’d like – and then I end up either skipping meals, or diving into wine, hummus, and crackers as an excuse for a meal. So, largely letting someone else plan the dish, and all I have to do is cook and eat!

this is "chorizo" soup! I made a huge batch on Sunday, and ate it 4 times through the week. It's SO good. — this is “chorizo” soup! I made a huge batch on Sunday, and ate it 4 times through the week. It’s SO good.

Deep Dish Eggplant bake with tofu ricotta

a variation of a broccoli & hummus quesadilla. Made the filling, but put it on a baked spud and topped with cabbage and hot sauce

more soup, but loaded with cabbage. Bit obsessed with that this week - digging the crunch — more soup, but loaded with cabbage. Bit obsessed with that this week – digging the crunch

this is kale-fredo! Made with quinoa noodles and thickened with chickpea flour to keep it gluten-free

Of course, still dig my smoothies!

I can't even recall what all was in this, but that it was super yummy and freakishly filling. — I can’t even recall what all was in this, but that it was super yummy and freakishly filling.

banana split! I don't use protein powders often, but did yesterday. Chocolate Vega powder, banana, strawberries, and spinach. — banana split! I don’t use protein powders often, but did yesterday. Chocolate Vega powder, banana, strawberries, and spinach.

And some quick miscellaneous eats too!

I keep a big bag of Bob's Red Mill rolled oats in my office for those days I'm REALLY rushed. Tossed in some blueberries, and made breakfast at work. — I keep a big bag of Bob’s Red Mill rolled oats in my office for those days I’m REALLY rushed. Tossed in some blueberries, and made breakfast at work.

in a hurry due to exams and studying, so this is a simple baked potato topped with greens, hot sauce, and horseradish

I discovered the joy of the "Steam" button on my Instant pot! I actually had this unintentional mono-meal two days in a row! I'm a sucker for a well done sweet potato and carrots :) — I discovered the joy of the “Steam” button on my Instant pot! I actually had this unintentional mono-meal two days in a row! I’m a sucker for a well done sweet potato and carrots 🙂

FITNESS

I pulled a muscle in my neck/shoulder, so I took it easy for a few days. Once it felt mostly better, I added in some gentle yoga. Eventually, it was back out for runs in the neighborhood!

LIFE

It’s been a pretty typical week, with an added level of stress due to exams. I have one more that I hope to have mostly done today. This one is a paper vs a sit-down timed exam. But due Saturday, and I’d like to just get it over with! That means Sunday marks the beginning of my last term before graduation in May!!! And yes – I’m counting down the time.

Lot’s going on at work and on the professional front as well!

The weekend was really chill – mostly just me an R hanging out. M worked and D was out having a spa evening on Friday, at a piano bar working on his book on Saturday, and doing all the grocery shopping and errand running on Sunday so I could focus on school stuff.

When R does her peanut flour dose, she has to be totally chill for 2 hours. She can’t do anything that could elevate her heart rate because that can trigger a reaction. Her chill of choice is to binge watch Hell’s Kitchen, so that’s what we do! She totally loves Gordon Ramsey and her goal is to travel and eat at one of his restaurants.

I have the day off today because D has a colonoscopy this afternoon and I’m his designated driver. Most readers know he has Crohn’s Disease, and this is just a check-up to see how he’s doing. He has no symptoms of a flare or anything (which is fantastic), but it’s important to monitor every few years.

So, it’s time for me to get back to my paper before heading out to take D to his appointment!

Kuma keeping R company during a Hell's Kitchen episode — Kuma keeping R company during a Hell’s Kitchen episode

Ginny demanding I take a break from my studies

Gin curled up on R's chair! This is her special chair for her bass practice, but I think Ginny uses it more — Gin curled up on R’s chair! This is her special chair for her bass practice, but I think Ginny uses it more

I got to do the #morningpicture today!!! Of course that meant brining Kuma too :) — I got to do the #morningpicture today!!! Of course that meant brining Kuma too 🙂

February 2, 2017February 2, 2017

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Misadventures of a Delhi Market Trip

FOOD

I admit to not having many more food pics to share from India. My second week there I got quite sick with “Delhi Belly”. To be honest, it may be a very long time before I want to eat Indian food again! More than a week later, and I’m still not 100%. Since getting home it’s been super small meals – usually a smoothie for breakfast and a salad for lunch. Haven’t been eating dinner. Partly I think because my sleep is so off and I’m jet lagging hardcore.

there were a few days where I couldn't eat anything at all. On the 4th day - I had some tomato/veg broth and plain rice. — there were a few days where I couldn’t eat anything at all. On the 4th day – I had some tomato/veg broth and plain rice.

I arrived home Sunday evening, and we were out of some of our basic groceries – and my creamy base for smoothies – bananas. So on my way to work Monday morning, I picked up an acai green smoothie!

After stopping at the market on my way home Monday, I was able to whip up my own smoothie this morning! Orange, banana, pineapple, strawberry, and spinach.

Lunch was a BAS (Big Ass Salad for newbies). Taco style! Romaine, iceberg, onion, cilantro, tofu, black beans, cucumber, and salsa. Thank you Moe’s!!!

FITNESS

I went for a run before work this morning. Actually – my sleep is all jacked up, so I was awake at 3:30am. After spending 45 min trying to fall back asleep, I gave up and threw on my running clothes. I put on a pot of java and took off. I wasn’t sure how I’d feel after not running for a few weeks and not eating much, but it was honestly fantastic. Not sure I can make this early morning thing a habit, but I dug it this morning.

LIFE

Other than getting sick as crazy, the rest of the week was good. We have great speakers and classes as always, but mostly it was just amazing to be with my classmates. We don’t physically see each other except during these residencies, and I truly dig them all.

The last day, however, saw some Delhi misadventures that are funny to think about now. It goes like this…

6 people set off to walk to a market. Success! Those same 6 break up into 2 Uber’s to find their way to an Old Delhi Spice Market. This is where our heroes take an interesting turn….

BF and I were wondering if seeing dogs in clothes was a way to mark them as belonging to someone vs strays!

In Uber 1 (my uber), driver turns the wrong way down an alley. We’re blocked in (people and cows on all sides!) and some start banging on the car. The driver gets out, and my anxiety level starts to notch up just a bit! Eventually, he comes back, everyone rallies around to clear the way so our driver can back out of the alley.

We get close (ish) to the market (none of us in the car actually know where we are), and traffic is so crappy he kicks us out and tells us to walk. We have a vague idea of direction (actually, BF seemed to have an innate sense of how to get there), and off we go. We find it, and the “spice market” is actually blocks and blocks of small shops selling tubs/bins of spices, beans, and pastas. Lot’s of street food vendors too, and it was fun to watch.

We actually manage to find our other 3 friends (thank goodness for WhatsApp and Google Maps!) and start walking together. We got to stop and watch a shopkeeper toss bananas in the air just to be swooped up and eaten by the baboons!

We decide that it’s time to head back. Based on craptastic traffic and our hotel checkout time – we needed to go. Finding a way out (i.e. – cab, etc.) started to prove impossible. So…NS (who speaks Hindi, thank goodness!) negotiates with a gentleman to carry the 6 of us in his electric scooter/cart thing. We are quite the spectacle as we’re all piled in something made for 4, and start bouncing down the street. About 6 blocks later – the front tire pops, and we’re on foot once more.

After a few blocks, NS negotiates with 2 tuk tuk (auto rickshaw) drivers to ferry us back to the hotel. We’re back in groups of three, and I think our drivers believed they were in some kind of Nascar/Death Race/Bumper Car mash-up. When not stuck in traffic, we’re literally flying down the roads. Keep in mind that there are very few traffic lights or signs, and it’s a “first come gets the right of way” type of environment. And lanes are optional.

Anyway…as we’re entering a round about, JC starts yelling at me “DON’T LOOK LEFT, DON’T LOOK LEFT, HOLY S&^$”. Of course I’m sitting on the far left and anything coming at us (which was everything from busses, trucks, cars, rickshaws, and cows) would smash right into me. Our little rickshaw would be toast!

As we were stuck in traffic, all manner of people walked up to ask for money. One was a particularly tenacious and hilarious little girl who kept trying to reach into JC’s inner coat pocket.

We make it back to the hotel, and EA, JC, and I immediately burst into cheers and applause. The driver seemed both surprised and pleased. I guess he’s not usually celebrated for getting his passengers to their destination alive…

My flight left that night. 15 hours from Delhi to Jersey. 7 hour layover there. Then home – just to be diverted during our decent due to a disabled plane on the ground blocking the runway. We went to Richmond, refueled, then headed home. Finally.

I was back to work immediately the next morning, and I admit that I’m struggling with jet lag for the first time. I’m falling asleep between 5-8, and up around 3-4. Then feel like a zombie (other than the whole brain eating thing) by 1. Alas, it can’t last forever!

So, just a few other miscellaneous pictures before I try to stay awake another few hours before going to bed!

one of the days I couldn't get out of bed and sent D a "feel sorry for me" selfie — one of the days I couldn’t get out of bed and sent D a “feel sorry for me” selfie

watched several movies that day. This popped up after every commercial. It was spoken in a highly dramatic voice.

scarf shop in the hotel where more than a few of us picked up some beautiful scarves.

January 17, 2017January 17, 2017

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Settling In Before Taking Off Again!

FOOD

I’ve been home a little over a week, and I’m (as usual), so happy to be back in my kitchen.

Smoothies are the breakfast of champions! Well, maybe that was Wheaties. But it should be smoothies 🙂

it's a green smoothie, but blueberries win every time! — it’s a green smoothie, but blueberries win every time!

not the only green smoothie lover in the house! R loves hers with apple, dates, and cinnamon for an "Apple Jack" smoothie — not the only green smoothie lover in the house! R loves hers with apple, dates, and cinnamon for an “Apple Jack” smoothie

The weather is starting to get all fall-ish, so I’ve made some warmer meals, like soups, chili, and (gluten free) pasta dishes.

still hands down my fav soup. Post Punk Kitchen's Red Curry Soup. Sweet potato, kale, and rice...what's not to love? — still hands down my fav soup. Post Punk Kitchen’s Red Curry Soup. Sweet potato, kale, and rice…what’s not to love?

black bean and sweet potato chili! Leftovers for days (and days and days)

butternut squash and fresh sage pasta! Recipe from Zsu Dever's Vegan Bowls. Made with chickpea gluten free pasta — butternut squash and fresh sage pasta! Recipe from Zsu Dever’s Vegan Bowls. Made with chickpea gluten free pasta

Other miscellaneous eats.

on a salad with a yummy maple tahini dressing

taco salad! Spicy tofu and topped with a vegan queso as a dressing

grilled lime and sriarcha tofu with BBQ sauce "dressing" and grilled corn! — grilled lime and Siracha tofu with BBQ sauce “dressing” and grilled corn!

leftover tofu as a wrap... — leftover tofu as a wrap…

and as a salad with garlic, lemon, tahini dressing

a sad and icky plate of veg sushi that I just couldn't choke down. Sad because it was from my fav sushi place. — a sad and icky plate of veg sushi that I just couldn’t choke down. Sad because it was from my fav sushi place.

FITNESS

Runs and rides! More runs than rides though!

Two of my runs in the last week have found me in the middle of unexpected rain storms. And when I mean unexpected, read it as “Crissie didn’t check the weather”.

Saturday (pre-ride). It didn't rain :) — Saturday (pre-ride). It didn’t rain 🙂

LIFE

I’ve been home a little over a week now, and it’s been glorious! Busy – but in a really good way. Catching up at work, getting back in the groove of things, and then having a major project many years in the making go live!

The fluffy family members have been awesome, as usual. Except for the afternoon Kuma decided to steal my highlighter and sticky notes while studying!

had just put all her toys in her basket, and about 2 seconds later, she starts taking them back off again!

first grooming appt! Came home with a cute Halloween bandana

Bumble doing what cats do best... — Bumble doing what cats do best…

Ginny loves shoes. Mostly recently worn and slightly smelly ones

guess who just walked in the door? (hint, size 14's...) — guess who just walked in the door? (hint, size 14’s…)

I was cooking. They both clearly thought I had something they wanted. Until they realized it was kale... — I was cooking. They both clearly thought I had something they wanted. Until they realized it was kale…

Speaking of studying…

for anyone who wants to really understand merger and acquisitions! — for anyone who wants to really understand mergers and acquisitions! Or for anyone hoping to pass an upcoming finance exam 🙂

Friday night my eldest and her boyfriend came over for dinner and Rock Band!

And of course, morning pictures!

And “others”

me and D while the kids were karaoke-ing!

Friday D and I have a charity golf event, and then I’m traveling for 5 days to support that project I mentioned. Of course there’s the whole hurricane Matthew thing brewing, which thankfully appears to be turning east of Virginia Beach, but we’ll still get rains and winds. After last months flooding, that means our region is still in danger of falling trees and flooding – so here’s hoping everyone in Matthew’s path stays safe and dry. Oh, and this Friday also begins our 2 week exam period. It’s going to be a chaotic couple of weeks! But what’s new, right?? 🙂

October 5, 2016October 5, 2016

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I Drank the Kool Aid (oh, and a recipe too!)

FOOD

I have to say, the Instant Pot is pretty cool. I’ve seen several bloggers write about it, and after several months, decided I needed to have one. It’s a pressure cooker, slow cooker, rice cooker, yogurt maker, and dutch oven all in one. I’ve used it at least 4 times since I got it this weekend. Aside from the week’s worth of steel oats I made, I used it to make basmati rice (in about 4 minutes!), stew, a pot of beans, and a new dish too (keep reading for recipe)! It’s official. I’ve drunk the pressure cooker kool aid.

Sunday night I made tofurky, roasted carrots, basmati rice, and mushroom gravy.

I love that the family gets so excited for Tofurky night! It was so good, and there were no leftovers!

Monday and Tuesday were nearly identical green smoothies for breakfast (though they’re purple!).

water, pineapple, orange, banana, spinach, and frozen berry blend.

Monday afternoon was broccoli soup, and dinner was a veggie burger on corn tortillas with ketchup, mustard, and cabbage.

3 mason jars (2 cups each) of creamy broccoli soup.

I love the cabbage for crunch. Yummy and quick meal.

Lunch today was leftover soup, and dinner was fun in the Instant Pot! You can use a regular pressure cooker too.

Crissie’s Pressure Cooker Lentils, Rice, & Cauliflower Curry

Ingredients

1 medium onion, diced
1 clove garlic, minced
2 tsp ginger root (I use the jarred ginger rather than mincing fresh root – reduce to 1/4 tsp if you use ground)
1 tsp cumin
1 1/2 tsp curry powder (I used hot curry)
1 tsp brown mustard seeds
1 cup red lentils, rinsed
1/4 cup brown rice, rinsed
3 1/2 cups water or veggie broth (I used Better than Bullion veggie base)
1/2 head cauliflower, cut into large florets
1/2 cup water

Directions

use the saute feature of your electric pressure cooker or Instant Pot (for a stove top pressure cooker, use medium heat) and cook the onion and garlic in a little bit of broth or water until translucent.
add ginger, cumin, curry powder, and mustard seed. Stir and cook for 1 minute.
add lentils, rice, and water or broth and close the cooker.
Cook at high pressure for 10 minutes. Quick release.
Add cauliflower, remaining 1/2 cup of water, and salt. No need to stir.
Close the cooker and cook at high pressure for 5 minutes.
Let it naturally release.
Stir and eat!

topped with cabbage for crunch! A one pot meal that's filling and healthy. — topped with cabbage for crunch! A one pot meal that’s filling and healthy.

FITNESS

Sunday I went for a run in my new neighborhood! I did a nice 4 miler that included a loop around a local park. It was really nice.

Today I went to the gym and ran on the treadmill and checked out a new piece of equipment – a cross trainer.

LIFE

It’s been a really good couple of days. Sunday was tea, organizing the new house, chilling by the fire, grocery shopping, booking the spring break trip for me, R, M and one of M’s best friends (D has a big project and can’t take off, so M’s friend is coming instead) and Yahtzee! R and I had a rematch and she won. Then we all played, and M won. I came in dead last.

D getting quite serious about his scores

Ginny showing us all what it means to nap in front of the fire place!

and how to stretch out an nap on R's bed — and how to stretch out an nap on R’s bed

and how to nap with blankets pulled up to her head (she naps a lot!)

Then it was back to normal! Work, school, and life!

GOAL CHECK-IN

all my grub has been healthy and balanced. Woo hoo!
I snacked on some pretzels and hummus, but otherwise no gluten
haven’t gone out to eat the past few days (and not too often the past week, other than the vegan meet-up)
exercised twice since Sunday!
been planning meals and prepping in advance. Soup, pre-shredded cabbage, diced up fruits and veggies, big pot of curry, etc.
no weekday wine. Had two glasses on Sunday while cooking and playing Yahtzee.
have not meditated at all since moving
haven’t slowed down any – in fact, I think my pace has picked up. Too much going on, and I’ve had no real down time in weeks. It’s starting to show with hives coming back, so I need to work on that.

February 3, 2015

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Would You Like a New House With That Flu?

FOOD

So my goal in the next week and a half is to buy no groceries if at all possible and eat what I have in the house. I have a tendency to over-shop and then forget I have six bags of lentils, eight bags of rice, etc. You get the point. So it should be no problem whipping up some awesome healthy eats without spending a dime on groceries.

Why, do you ask, am I doing this? Two reasons. I have too much food lying around – more than my family will ever eat if I don’t stop grocery shopping.

Also – I don’t want to move it all to the new house. Oh wait, what did I say there? WE BOUGHT A NEW HOUSE. More on that below 😉

So my eats this week have been oatmeal for breakfast (out of the old fashioned oats, and this week I’ll tackle the Irish oats! Saving the best for last!). Smoothies of course. Lentils soups (I wasn’t kidding when I said I had 6 bags).

blueberry and banana oats. — blueberry and banana oats

lentil soup for days! Been nice though because I can put almost anything in it, and it's been so cold, that soup is perfect. — lentil soup for days! Been nice though because I can put almost anything in it, and it’s been so cold, that soup is perfect.

FITNESS

Since my last real post, I’ve gone on a few runs and did yoga at home.

However, I’ve been doing a lot of moving – packing boxes, loading them into my minivan, and taking them to the new house or the storage unit and unloading them from the van. So in essence…I’m doing weight lifting! I can feel it in my arms to be sure 🙂

LIFE

D and I closed on a new house this past Monday. I am a highly superstitious person, and don’t like to talk about some things until it’s a “done deal”, which is why I haven’t posted about it before now. D and I actually decided last spring that we wanted to buy a new house. We’ve decided to stay in VA for at least another 7-10 years (so R can finish school) before we even think of leaving, so we decided now was a good time to buy that dream home with a pool.

We wanted to wait until after summer to start looking because we had too much going on (I was in go-live hell, my parent’s came to visit, lots of work travel), so we looked a bit online, but started working with a relator in late September. And we found our dream home in late October, made an offer, and there ya go. We all agreed (sellers and us) to put off closing until after the holidays were over, but now it’s done, and it’s our house! Oh, and it’s only a mile and a half from where we live now. Same school district, which was important.

vegan foodie packing.... — vegan foodie packing….

left the room for a minute to get the packing tape and found Ginny up here. She's been having way too much fun in this... — left the room for a minute to get the packing tape and found Ginny up here. She’s been having way too much fun in this…

new house = new dishes! HF helped me pick out the perfect ones. Here's the first batch running through my new dishwasher! — new house = new dishes! HF helped me pick out the perfect ones. Here’s the first batch running through my new dishwasher!

The only thing that isn’t perfect about the house is the wallpaper. Kitchen, dining room, eat-in kitchen, and all 3 bathrooms are wall paper. We have a contractor starting on Monday to get rid of it all and paint most of the house. Then, it’ll be really perfect. Death to wallpaper! Oh, we’ll have before and after pics to share because I don’t think anyone will believe me about how crazy it is until it’s gone….

I’m also having a custom wall mountable wine rack made out of a wine barrel! So excited. Spice snobbery can be proudly displayed on my kitchen wall! And it’s an up cycled Napa valley wine barrel. See. Dream home 🙂

Anyway, the hope is we’ll start living in the home around the very end of this month. So I do apologize for the lack of posts this week, it’s been a bit hectic around here!

In other news, I’ve been sick and so has the young one, so that’s put some damper on the week. We both appear to be on the upswing though, so that’s good news.

Monday's morning picture where R still felt good (though I was home sick). — Monday’s morning picture where R still felt good (though I was home sick).

Wednesday's morning picture where R and I were pathetically snuggled in bed as D was getting ready for work. — Wednesday’s morning picture where R and I were pathetically snuggled in bed as D was getting ready for work.

Wednesday afternoon, R decided to work on her Python coding. Proud IT mama right here!

just because she's ridiculously cute — just because she’s ridiculously cute

they're starting to finally get along! Sleep on the same bed - just not too close. Even playing somewhat together. They've graduated to frenemies. Only took a year and a half... — they’re starting to finally get along! Sleep on the same bed – just not too close. Even playing somewhat together. They’ve graduated to frenemies. Only took a year and a half…

poor sicko hasn't slept well most this week. Face mask kept the sun out of her eyes so she could nap. Worked wonders. And this is today's morning picture :( — poor sicko hasn’t slept well most this week. Face mask kept the sun out of her eyes so she could nap. Worked wonders. And this is today’s morning picture 😦

So thanks for your patience, and more to come. Also, if you haven’t already, please enter my giveaway – you have nothing to lose and perhaps a new smoothie book to gain! Here’s the link, and thanks for playing 😉

January 16, 2015

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