Relax

For my birthday, Tony ordered me a light-up sign from a local furniture store. It was custom made, so it took awhile before it was ready. But now it shines proudly in our living room, and I love it.

Relaxing is one thing Jackson and Olivia know how to do. PJ's until lunchtime? Why not.

Casseroles are a relaxing way to cook. One dish, easy. I made the Quinoa Cauliflower Biryani from Vegan Richa's Indian Kitchen, except I used broccoli since that is what I had. The flavors are just so complex and it tastes very healthy, not heavy at all, in spite of technically being a casserole! I have been cooking a LOT from this book lately, get ready for a whole post on all the good stuff I've tried.

Bonus Olivia, because I can't even with her posing.

She got lots of compliments at school on her pigtails, so now she is willing to let me style her hair more often. Yay!

Merry Merry!

Hi guys! It has been awhile. We have just been caught up in the holiday whirlwind. 

Jackson and Olivia have probably grown since last time you saw them. They are always growing.

We had a nice Christmas feast yesterday with my parents. My favorite dish was the Broccoli Rice Casserole from Cookin' Crunk. I threw some French fried onions on top.

I also made roasted Brussels sprouts, candied sweet potatoes, and garlic mashed potatoes.

I made a couple of pies from Vegan Pie in the Sky. The chocolate pudding pie was cool, creamy, perfect.

The maple pecan pie was for Tony. Pecan is his favorite. He said the maple flavor made it extra special.

Jackson and Olivia both helped prepare our feast. They are excellent potato peelers and mashers.

What else has been going on this season? Well just in the past week, we had the dual language party at the kids' school.

The teachers played games with the kids, a nice time to relax and socialize outside of the classroom.

Mitten hi-five!

At the library we did a Polar Express pajama party, and I put my little elves to work. 

They also got to hang with Santa and discuss the intricate subtleties of naughty vs. nice.

Book tree! So pretty.

Oh yeah, and we saw STAR WARS.  Someone was beyond excited.

Jackson and Olivia somehow knew who all the new characters were and ahem...some spoilers...before they saw the actual movie. That elementary school grapevine, man! They still loved every second. Tony and I did too!

Ernie the Elf has even been busy. Before returning to the North Pole with Santa, he baked some gingerbread cookies to leave out on Christmas Eve for the big guy.

It all led up to this morning. Monster was the first one awake, and ready for his annual sacrificial chew toy.

Shouts and squeals of excitement soon filled the house.

Santa did good this year. By early evening, these little ones were completely tuckered out.

Hope you have had a very merry Christmas.

Sibling Love

As I learn to use the filters on my new phone, I appreciate a moment of laughter and love between Jackson and Olivia.

Yes, like all siblings, they fight. Wow, do they fight. But, on the flip side, no one can make them laugh the way they make each other laugh.

I don't know what Jackson was whispering in her ear. It was probably something about poop. She was cracking up.

Some people have given me looks of terror when I mention my kids are only seventeen months apart. But, I love this bond they have. I hope it always stays strong.

Dinner was Creamy Tofu Chicken Pasta Bake from Cookin' Crunk.  This is good stuff. It's noodles and tofu in a creamy, cheezy sauce, but it's not mac n' cheese, because it also contains mushrooms and tomatoes and celery and green pepper. I liked it.

Christmas 2014

Is it too late for a Christmas recap? Sorry for my absence, but I am battling a cold that has turned into bronchitis. I think I am finally turning the corner. I hope so...I don't want to start the new year sick!

On Christmas morning, the kids crept downstairs before sunrise to see what Santa had brought for them.

The first present Olivia opened was a new Elsa gown, which she immediately changed into.

Jackson sorted his stuff into a pile and went into a frenzy of tearing wrapping paper.

Legos and more Legos for our master builder.

Olivia's favorite present was a Lalaloopsy doll that, um, poops charms.

While we opened our gifts, Monster enjoyed tearing the stuffing out of his annual sacrificial stuffed toy.

Beginning the assembly. This would become an all-day project.

Pooping charms!

After awhile my parents came over bearing more gifts.

More assembly.

Jackson's gift from my parents, a wrestling cage match.

Showing Grandma her new dolls.

While the kids enjoyed some grandparent time, Tony and I put together the feast. We had tarragon green beans, homemade applesauce, maple dijon roasted Brussels sprouts, sweet potatoes topped with pecans and Dandies marshmallows, baked beans, broccoli rice casserole (from Cookin' Crunk), rolls, mashed potatoes, creamy sage gravy (from Vegan Diner), and corn. There were also ham slices. I was very pleased that everything was vegan this year except for the ham.

The gravy was a highlight for me. I could eat mashed potatoes and yummy gravy all day long, and this is one of the best gravies I've made. It was very black peppery and I am going to try it with biscuits next.

For dessert I made Vegan Richa's salted caramel chocolate pie. YOU GUYS. Make this pie! It's a no-bake pie, so I made it the day before and just stuck it in the freezer. Since I was already sick by this point, I was thrilled that it took so little effort. I thawed the pie for an hour before serving and then kept it in the fridge for the next few days while we finished it off. It maintained a perfect, creamy consistency. The layers of nutty, chocolatey crust, creamy salted caramel, and rich chocolate ganache are just heaven.

After a feast like that, it was time for relaxing in front of the fireplace. Do you like our double Yule log action?

Hope you had a merry Christmas!

Taters

I wanted to make something really comfort-foody this evening, and American Vegan Kitchen's Tater Tot Casserole certainly fit the bill. Bonus: I got to use my cute blue casserole dish, which I rarely dig out of the cupboard.

The base is a blend of TVP, portabello mushrooms and other veggies, and of course it's topped with tons of tater tots. When Tony came home and saw what was for dinner, he asked if we were having the Duggars over. But I'm sure this was tastier and healthier than anything Jim Bob and Michelle could cook up.

Pretty in pink and serious about her coloring.