~this moment~

A simple moment from my week

that conjures up
funny
horn-honking

beautiful

 memories.

Happy Honkin' Friday! 



beige

The boys weren't feeling

well the last time

we talked.

Mom was feeling

fine.

The sun was shining

after all.

I gave the plants a

sun bath

and started to look

around.

That can be dangerous in

February.

I was noticing those things we tend to

ignore in December...

dust, chipped paint, scuff marks.

I have been wanting to paint
for some time now

but what can I say

I procrastinate.

As I said earlier though

the sun was shining just right

this day

and my energy was

off the charts.

Don't think about it.

Do it.

I went right to the local hardware

and got the paint sample that

had been in my

drawer for over a year.

A color that is timeless...

because, like I mentioned,

I don't paint too often.

An easy living color

because we will be living with it for 

a very long time.

A color for all seasons

because it has to look good

with a Christmas tree

and Fourth of July banners!

Bold.

Original.

Me.

So I decided on...

drum roll please...

Beige.

Shaker Beige

 to be precise.

My goal is to finish one room 

completely

before moving onto the next.

Starting with the living room

and hearing my bro-in-law, Ed's voice

in my head...

"A job well done is a job done right."

Which when it comes to painting

means

two coats.

Ugh...

I don't know about you,

but that second coat is so tedious compared to the 

first...when you see immediate

improvement and newness of color.

Two coats will

yield a truer color...or so the 

paint specialists have told me.

Suck it up...

Two it is.

Then...

the trim...windows

and floorboards and

stairway trim.

So much trim.

Who knew?

Not to mention I started with

a bright white...

changed my mind 

and had to re-paint...

with a softer, kinder white.

Older homes prefer that...

believe me.

It's like diffused lighting

after fifty...

LOL!

With living room done

and foyer waiting its second coat

I am feeling somewhat 

accomplished.

And now the boys are feeling better.

(thanks for asking)

Homeschool resumes.

As have all the duties associated with

motherhood...

and I will squeeze in painting.

But wait...

I have an idea.

A perfectly, wonderful, devious

ingenious

idea.

Home 

Maintenance 101.

Painting.

I tend to take these projects on

all by myself.

Truthfully

I feel like the job will only get done 

right

 if I do it.

A trap we mom's often fall prey to.

Not today.

Today, I will wiggle free of that assumption

and allow my boys the 

privilege

of painting...rolling... trimming...

right along side of me.

Who's learning something new today?

Me.

That's who!

Enjoy your beige day!

Shaker Beige.

:)

tea will make you feel better

When one isn't feeling

as good as one should

a proper tea

is called for.

Sure I could zap a mug

in the microwave

but where is the art in that?

Today

a proper

(or as proper as I'm ever

going to get!)

tea.

Get that kettle whistling

then

prime the pot.

You do that by swishing 

some of that hot water in a clean pot

and letting it sit

for a bit.

After about 3 minutes

empty your pot 

and drop in your tea of choice

Yorkshire Gold

is my favorite blend.

Fill the pot with that

boiling water

and 

wait.

Or in tea terms...

let it steep.

And if you own a cute tea cozy

now would be the time

to put it on

your pot.

(I found this set at Target for

a mere $7 on Christmas clearance!)

Some like their tea strong...

others 

not.

Pour to your preference.

But before you do...

try this little trick

mom taught me.

Rub a bit of butter

(or margarine)

at the spout to prevent

d-r-i-p-p-i-n-g.

There must be a scientific reason here...

oil water thing I'm sure.

Then pour.

Sweeten.

Today's choice...

raw sugar.

If you're feeling the Brit

in you...

(Is there another way?)

add a spot of cream...

milk...

soy.

All that is left now

is to enjoy

your brew.

Which is best accomplished with

a loved one.

Sitting near a sunny window.

Curled under a blanket.

Watching a good movie.

On our way to feeling

over-the-weather.

cooking with kierstin

It all began with a title 

that could not be 

ignored...

Easy as Heck Vegan 

Chocolate Chip Cookies

You can find it at

VegWeb.com!

Add to that tantalizing 

endorsement...

two little girls coming to

grandma jenny's

and it's a given.

My station.

Where the collecting

and measuring of

ingredients

happens.

Kierstin's spot.

On the other side of the sink

where the fun stuff

like stirring

adding

and sampling

take place.

The actual mud pie

construction

was a two-handed procedure

so use your imagination.

What do all cooks do when the

cookies are in the

oven?

Clean-up

of course!

Now Kaylee wanted

in on the action.

(ignore the mountain dew

bottle...how did that get in my house?!)

The BESTEST part

of our day...

besides being 

together?

Eating those yummy 

cookies...

(the dish washing caused the

wardrobe change...

grandma's Beatles tee...which had to be worn

home...ha!)

Kierstin didn't like the fact

that I was taking 

ALL the pictures

(such a camera hog)

She did the unthinkable

and turned the

lens on the

photographer

and sissy...

and a wee bit of her

little thumb!

That would be a thumbs-up

to a 

very. good. day!

Enjoy yours :)

comfort food :: vegan mac and cheese

Those bleak days of winter

that have you wishing

for snow.

The cold is there.

The wind.

But no sun.

No snow.

Bleak.

Those are the days

that have me looking for

any source of 

comfort.

Days that have me remembering

the foods from childhood.

Like good old-fashioned 

Macaroni and Cheese.

Not from the box

but like mom used to make.

Kinda.

Minus the 1 pound block

of Velveeta.

My new whole food/ vegan ways

had me turning to the Internet

for options that resembled

mom's.

Found this winner at a Daiya

(veggie cheese sold in the health food frig)

site

and admittedly 

I never made it per instructions

Which has me asking...

When is a recipe considered mine?

An original?

Regardless...

 I used the recipe above to guide me

and I have perfected it along

the way.

You know that you have a

winner

when your kids (and hubby)

are going back for seconds...thirds...

mid-night snack!

Macaroni and Cheese

(Almost Like Mom's)

1# (almost) Box Barilla Elbow Macaroni

(prepared per instructions)

Meanwhile...

In a 3 Quart saucepan

Saute 1 small onion chopped fine

in 2 Tablespoons Earth Balance Butter

until soft and translucent

Stir in 2 Tablespoons flour to make a roue

Stir in 3 Cups Soy Milk

whisk to incorporate and cook until it 

begins to thicken.

Season with a touch of sea salt and fresh (generous here) pepper.

Dice 3/4 of a block of Daiya Cheddar.

Add to the milk mix and

whisk until melted and smooth.

Pour into a 2 Quart buttered baking dish

with most of the pasta.

(I reserve about 2 Cups for a

lunch toss the next day

which I will share at a later date)

Mix well.

I like my mac and cheese creamy.

Sprinkle with Paprika.

Bake at 350 degrees for 25 min.

Top with French's Onions.

Bake for 5 minutes more.

Topping option:

Bread crumbs tossed in olive oil

and smoked paprika.

Placed on top before baking.

My family preferred

 French's 

Fried Onions.

Serve with a garden green and

apple sauce

...and a spot of ketchup

for dipping.

Just like I did when I was

a kiddo.

Just like mom.

:)

winter tea

Sometimes

the day calls for a

pot of tea.



The way of the wind.

A mood.

A cup of warmth

to

have and hold

on a blustery

day

such as today here in

the Midwest.

This winter I am

drawn to

homemade

chai.

A meditative

and warming blend of spices

black tea

honey

and

patience.

Chai cannot be rushed

but why would you want to

when the

process produces a

heady fragrance that fills

your home

and stokes the fires

of a hibernating

imagination.

Since discovering this recipe

(Beauty That Moves)

I feel I have made it my

own.

A pinch more of that.

A touch less of this.

Until it yields

a perfect blend that

is uniquely

me.

Be forewarned

Once you make

your own

nothing else will do

Starbucks

Tazo

Stash.

All will fall short

in comparison.

Mix and mingle with

my latte of choice

Vanilla Soy...

then again

it is all about

your 

personal preferences.

Make it.

Make it your own.

Happy tea time.

:)

this moment

A moment from my week...

a moment filled with

wonderful

possibilities.

Happy Friday

 Soule friends.

:)