Can it be?

I must be dreaming... can it really be 66 degrees outside? Spring is here!!!! I have all the windows and doors in my apartment flung open. I cleared the snow off our nature table. And I spent all morning digging my summer clothes out of storage, only to realize that half of them are too big (as I was pregnant last spring) or too small (as I was skinny the year before that). Ack!

So what do I do? Cut up my sweaters and dig into the vast mountain of fabric I have accrued to make something springy!!

Here is the first result: Shruggy top made from long underwear and a skirt from T-shirt material.


Now I just hope we don't have a cold spell- I may regret hacking my warmer wear into bits ;)

Gastronomical Adventures

Sunshine Wrap: A Vegan Food Tutorial

This is one of my all-time favourite foods, discovered while working at the co-op in Carbondale. Very similar to a sushi roll, it is a nutritious snack or meal that is high in fiber, vitamins A & C, calcium, protein and surprisingly low in calories and fat. The original recipe calls for all ingredients to be raw, including the collards. I choose to briefly blanch them to increase their flexibility. I also add vermicelli noodles for another textural layer. It requires a bit more prep time than some of my other recipes, but the end result is well worth the effort.

Ingredients-

Collard Greens, raw
Carrots, cut into sticks
Beet, raw grated
Yellow pepper, cut into sticks
Sunflower butter
Optional: Vermicelli noodles (found in Asian Food stores)

1. Prepare veggies. Quickly blanch greens by individually dipping them into near simmering water. (I dip three times) Prepare vermicelli by soaking in the same water.

2. Remove stem end of collard leaf to resemble a sushi wrap. Spread 1/2 Tb of sunbutter onto half of the leaf.

3. Arrange veggies and noodles (if using) along the non-buttered side. Roll into wrap.

4. Serve by cutting in half, or if tightly wrapped can be cut into rounds a la sushi.

Voila!!

Also, here's a baby pic. There was already one O stuck to his head- I merely added the second for symmetry's sake.

Simple Day

For Today... I must divide and conquer the laundry pile. No excuses.

Outside my window... sunshine so bright, as if winter forgot to remind the sun that today's high temp will only in the 20's.

I am thinking... about wearing red cowboy boots today. Just for the hell of it.

I am thankful for... my family using their tax refund to bring me and Ro home for a visit. Hooray!!!!!

From the kitchen... Trial 1 of the Organic Girl Scout Cookies: Thin Mints. I need to make a few changes before my recipe is complete, but once perfected I will share it with you!

I am wearing... my mom uniform: yoga pants and a tank top. I apologize to my mother for the times I mocked her having 23 different tank tops all in the same style.

I am reading... Sweet Juniper!'s blog post documenting his scavenge expeditions of a closed Detroit Public School building. I *heart* that blog- written from a SAHD perspective- and hope to meet this guy someday. Be sure to check out his terrifying Nixon-era children's books .

I am hoping... it will stay sunny over the weekend. I hate traveling in the rain.

I am creating... too much craftiness!! I've recently sorted and organized my supplies (I get half the laundry room to myself now!) in an effort to keep my shit off the floor, thus out of Rowan's ever widening reach. I am allowed one basket full of projects out in the living room- any spill over must be cleaned up each night. So my basket contains: Beanbag stumps, birthday crown for Ambrose, & felt food raviolis.

I am hearing... the soft white noise of the baby monitor mixed with the inspiring musings of the Decemberists.

Around the house... Cheerios. Everywhere. I think they have begun to reproduce.

One of my favorite things... 90 minute naptimes.

A few plans for the rest of the week... C and I finally get a weekend free from political responsibility and go visit some Chi-town friends.

Here is a picture thought I am sharing with you...

I love my men, big and small!

Shake that ass...

Here's one for you Philly! Rowan and I are perfecting our mad krumping skills so we can battle next time we're down south.