Starbucks Pumpkin Scones--Homemade

That's right, HOMEMADE Starbucks Pumpkin Scones. Incredibly awesome, with a recipe found here. You're welcome. :)

Yum?

We're rocking food over here. Rice cereal and applesauce. Actually, we're not rocking the applesauce so much. We're kinda hitting a wall.

'Mama, what is this?'


"I don't like it!"


"Why this torture???"


Ahhh, this makes feeding time SO entertaining and fun. You'd think we were feeding her lemon juice, honestly! I also find it pretty funny that she's so offended by apples when I ate my weight in them during the pregnancy. What a hoot. Being a parent is truly a blast!

Friday Favorites: Haagen-Dazs Ice Cream

I love Ruth and Eric for many reasons. They're kindred spirits, aye? We all love our Lord, traveling, books, and good food. Or maybe I should say great food. Eric's a 1st generation Italian that was raised on a farm, so let's just say that this guy knows what food is supposed to taste like. So, apparently he started researching ice creams, to see what's out there, what's good, and what's natural. The answer? Haagen-Dazs. It's a household name. And while I'm sure I've had some before, I never really sat down and tasted it..savored it. Now that I have, I'm pretty sure it's the best stuff on the planet. (Sorry, Snapple.) It's 100% all-natural and made with truly quality indgredients. You can taste the difference. Being high quality, it's not cheap, but there are deals here and there. (Trader Joes, I love you!) They have killer flavors like Vanilla Honey Bee, Creme Brulee, (that looks odd without the accents...) Rum Raisin, Green Tea, and my personal fav, Dulce de Leche. They have a new selection, "Five", so named because each ice cream is made from five simple indgredients: milk, cream, eggs, sugar, and the "flavor component." "Five" flavors include ginger, passion fruit, and brown sugar. And as if all that wasn't enough, they have their Reserve Label (what is this, wine?). I mean, come on, Fleur de Sel Carmel and Amazon Valley Chocolate? That's just too good to be true. And check out this, because each reserve flavor has a food and wine pairing. Ha! These Haagen-Dazs people know how to please the masses. Or me, at least.

So, as if the ice cream itself didn't induce you to try it, this might. It's time for another prize! Leave a comment, and on Monday I'll randomly pick a winner and buy them some Haagen-Daz, their flavor choice. If you live far away, we'll work this out somehow...good luck!

My Weekend

First Dodger game, complete with a win in the 12th. (And only one mass freak out moment from the air horn...)


Dinner at an amazing Chinese Middle Eastern restaurants with friends.


Picking about 25 pounds of blueberries to be enjoyed among us all. (And a bee sting. Boof. And yes, I still want to live on a farm.)


Naptime, but certainly not enough of it.

Add in Chinatown, El Toro, Boba/Cupcake/Fro-Yo, Mario Kart, and a photo shoot. A weekend that will go down in history. What about you?

Mary, Mary, Quite Contrary...

...how does your garden grow? Well, no silverbells, or cockleshells, or whatever it is that's supposed to be lined up in a row. But we've got herbs. And lovely tomatoes. And look! My 1st tiny crookneck squash, just waiting to be eaten.

Also growing leaps and bounds? This cutie. Weighing in at almost 16 lbs., she's breaking my back...and my heart daily. She's way too much fun. I could just eat her up. (And I'm sure she's sweeter than that squash.)

Friday Favorites: Lonely Planet California Trips

Welcome to a new weekly series on my blog. Friday Favorites. Every Friday I'll show you something that I'm a huge fan of, in hopes that it's something you may find useful, and also, as a way to encourage others to blog about their favorite things. Because honestly, if Amy hadn't told me about the Chocolate Croissants at Trader Joes, where would I be?

This week, we start off with a book. Surprise, surprise. Even more of a shocker? It's a book about travel.



Introducing Lonely Planet's California Trips. It's been at our Costco for awhile now, and Jon and I decided to finally take the plunge and spend the whole $12.47 to check it out. Oh, and we are so glad we did. At first, I laughed. A travel book for just California? Then my brain kicked in and I realized that CA is bigger than most European countries. Heck, most countries for that. A guide to help us navigate it is certainly in order.

This book is wonderfully organized. It's filled with 68 roadtrips, designed around themes. And I tell you, whatever it is you like, CA's got it. My favorite trips I've read about so far? A Burrito Odyssey, It's a Small World: Ethnic Food Tour, Pick It Yourself Tour (Can you guys tell I like to eat?), The Mission Trail, Apples & Antiques in Sebastopol...oh, there's so many more. And it's wonderfully well organized. Each trip gives you a time guideline, total miles, ideal time to go, and then it links you up with other trips that visit the same areas. Honestly, it's genius.

So, I've done my research for when we head to Kirst's graduation next week (Hooray Kirst, we're so proud of you!) in San Diego. I know where the best burrito shop is, and a 50's diner that serves a marshmallow, peanut butter and banana Elvis Milk Shake.

The best $12.47 I've spent in a long while.

Good Eats

Currently reading:


Currently studying:


All in the attempt of planting a small, yet successful garden. Nothing too crazy here; a few tomatoes, some peas perhaps, a couple peppers, and, well, a lot of herbs. And some beautiful climbing plant that will look lovely all flowered. It's a simple goal, but an honest one.

Let me just say, 'Animal, Vegetable, Miracle' has really challenged me. It follows Kingsolver and her family as they try to go a year only eating what that raise, grow, or buy from people locally that raise and grow themselves. It seems an extreme concept, but we as Americans have forgotten where our food comes from. We think it's gross that vegetables come out of the ground and are covered in dirt, yet we digest McDonalds like there's no tomorrow (and there's not likely to be one if we keep eating that way...) Middle America is dying, and it's because we have no respect for the farmer and what he's doing for us. Fresh produce, in season. A simple idea, but a powerful one. A healthy one. A revolutionary one in this day and age. So, that's my goal. Buy local, eat in season, and avoid buying "fake" vegetables (tomatoes any time of the year besides summer, for instance?) that grew in some false environment and cost an arm and a leg in oil to have shipped to me. So, I'm frequenting the farmer's market, and planning my meals around what's in season, instead of what's in stock. And this week, that consisted of some amazing oranges, strawberries (that I was assured were picked that morning), swiss chard, and multiple kinds of peas. The strawberries?



Well, they were quickly put to use.



So, everyone, I know it's a tough gig, but someone's got to do it. If we want to actually enjoy our food, we should probably eat food that actually tastes good. I know, crazy concept. But one I'm gladly willing to try. Bon appetite.

Strawberry Glace Pie
One Pie Crust (your good ole' standby recipe works perfectly)
3 pints of strawberries
1 cup sugar
3 tablespoons corn starch
1/2 cup water
1 package (8 oz.) cream cheese

Make pie crust and cook until golden brown. Set aside.

Mash enough strawberries to equal one cup. Combine with the water, cornstarch and sugar in a pan over medium heat. Stir constantly until mixture thickens and boils. Boil for one minute. Remove from heat. Cool.

Whip the cream cheese (a few seconds in the microwave greatly helps this process) and smooth over the pie crust. Add the whole strawberries. Pour the cooled strawberry mixture over the top. Refrigerate for 3 hours.

Enjoy immensely.

EPIC

Sorry for the lack of posts lately. Surprisingly, it has nothing to do with the fact that we have a newborn, but rather the fact that our computer wigged out. However, we are up and running at the moment, with plenty to talk about. Stay for awhile, won't you?

Well, it's been an epic week. Monday, something amazing, wonderful and truly blog-worthy happened.

TRADER.JOES.OPENED.

It was the most exciting thing to happen to this town since Adelaide was born. We braved the crowds and ventured into what will surely be my new stomping grounds. It's lovely, spacious, and full of wonderful food like Chocolate Croissants, Cinnamon Raisin Rolls, and every type of cheese you can imagine. There are no words for how happy this store makes me.

Now, the joy didn't end there. Yesterday was day of rejoicing as well because, that's right people, Twilight made it's DVD debut. I bought one of the zillion copies they had at Target, and Jon even watched it with me. Wonderful, right? It was totally fierce.

But, the most epic of all excitement happened on Friday when Jon received this letter.



Hooray! Jon passed his test, and once he sends in the paperwork and pays money, he will officially be an architect in the state of California. So, stinking proud. I have a wonderfully talented husband, don't I?

So, that's been our week here. Beyond that, Adelaide and I have been hanging out at home, getting used to each other and having fun while doing it. We'll end with some photos that make me smile. Hope you're week was just as epic as ours!

Date Night

A walk along a favorite beach...



Watching the sunset with zen surfers...



Eating at a favorite joint...



And doing it all with my favorite person...

Happy Thanksgiving!

Wishing you all a wonderful Thanksgiving full of love, family, food, blessings, and more food.

Chamakin?

I recently stumbled across this old post on Soule Mama and it made me smile. I love the creative spirit and I hope that it's something I inspire in the babe once she's old enough. It also made me think about what I've been making. I would say nothing, but looking back, I've actually been quite productive!

For Michael's birthday, Farah had everyone bring t-shirts. But Jon and I decided to get creative and make one instead. And what's a better theme than Heroes? Exactely. Nothing.

Michael's scarred of Mrs. Petrelli. Aren't we all?

And Carrie guessed correctly I was having a girl and so won the prize there. I made one of the cute Artsy Clutch's from Bend-the-Rules Sewing. I love this pattern, it's so simple and allows for personality to shine. Granted, the babe is stealing my brain cells and it took me forever to remember how to piece it together properly. I was really frusterated and almost broke down crying. I can't wait until I have my brain back. :)

I FINALLY started something for the babe! I have so many ideas of things I want to make her. It almost overwhelmes me, but I decided to start small and work on something that could transfer over to tv watching time and allows me to lounge on the couch.

As for that blanket...well, it's still sitting on my floor, waiting to be assembled. I need some serious motivation on this because it's just sewing up seams which is SUPER BORING. Can someone please send me an elf? Thanks.

I suppose the most important making I've done lately is the babe herself. And let me tell you, she's quite the mover and kicker. Jon FINALLY felt her kick for the 1st time on Sunday and it was so fun! He was so excited, it was adorable. Ever since then she's decided to have a dance party on a daily basis. Maybe it's all the HSM3 soundtrack listening I've been doing? Hmmmm...

Thanks for making the babe so happy, Zac.

And finally, a food making. But this was all Brittany, not me. This was her favorite food from her Japan trip, Okonomiyaki, and she was nice enough to make us all some on Monday for Heroes. Ummm, yum. Now, I love different kinds of Japanese food, but this is probably my favorite. It's sooooo good. Thanks again, Britt, you're the best!

You know you want some.

So, what are you guys making?

P.S. Yes, I know that I haven't posted about the trip yet, but seriously? I haven't even downloaded all the photos yet. Once THAT happens, expect a post. :)

Babe Stuff...

It's true, this post will mainly be about the babe. So if that's not your cup of tea, don't worry, I won't be offended, just skip to the end for the survey (a fun one at that, too!) and be on your way. For the rest of you brave souls...enter in...

Okay, I'm at 19 weeks, and that means that the baby is currently the size of a mango. Ahem. I know this isn't that big, especially compared to how big it's going to get (don't remind me...), but still, this fact freaks me out. A MANGO. Seriously? Oh my...

In other news, I felt the babe move for the first time on Sunday! Yeah! I wasn't quite sure that's what it was, but honestly, this little fluttering felt like nothing I've ever felt before. It's like someone gently brushing your arm...that feeling, except inside your, well, belly. It's pretty weird, but in a good way. I was describing it to Britt and Hannah and Kris said, "Yeah, that's it! Fluttering is exactly what it is." Kris having been pregnant 7 times, I'll take her word. :) So that's pretty exciting. I haven't felt a full on kick or anything, and except for what I assume was a little somersault the other night, the babe's been laying low.

In non-related baby news, I made these cookies today. These are, no exaggeration, the best cookies in the entire universe. Cara blogged about them last year, and they've been a favorite around here ever since. It being fall (well...), it was time to bust them out. You know they're good because the icing calls for 1 1/4 sticks of butter and 4 cups of powdered sugar, among other things. Oh my...

And finally, on to the survey! A week from today (hooray!) we have our big ultrasound and find out the sex of the babe! I'm so excited, oh man, oh man, oh man. Or, oh baby, oh baby, oh baby. Here's where you guys come in. What do you think we're having? Go ahead and leave a comment on this post. We'll of course post once we find out. And one lucky winner who guesses correctly will win a prize! Good luck!

A few things...

Fall is the season of many things, but one is certainly knitting. And while I've been trying to keep up with it during the summer, it's just so much more fun now. So here's some of the projects I've been working on.

First of all, there's this.
My Aunt Jane made all of these, and I decided they needed to be put together into a wonderful blanket I can cuddle up under this winter. Well, "winter" here, but you know. :) I'll post more when I finish it, but for now you just get this little tease.

And to go along with the warm theme, a lovely scarf. Don't be fooled by the coloring, it's not orangish at all, but this really nice pink. I hate all the names of pink that go along with this color...'Desert Rose', 'Blushing Bride', 'Dusty Pink'...they all suck. I think we should call it 'Babies Bottom'. I mean, that's cheesy too, but it kinda makes me laugh, so that's good.
Also, I've been making soup because I love it, and it's fall. Those things seem to go together in my mind. So, here's this soup, quite yum-o Mrs. Ray. I added some carrots, changed the chicken broth for vegetable, and nixed the dill. Because really, who likes dill? (Okay, plenty of people, but certainly not me.) Enjoy. And enjoy your week!
P.S. Okay, I'm sorry for all my Heroes obsession, but I'm watching it right now and future Sylar, married to who?!?!? Why the heck is Mrs. Muggles in the house? BAH!!!!