{365 of 2012} Week 21

I've been home sick all week. 

I know, you'd think I would have blogged a lot. 

The reality is I couldn't handle much more than a nap. 

Here are last week's photos: 

 Wasn't I just talking about naps? Weird. 

 A small sample of the disarray in my home. 

The cats had a go at this garland. 

I tucked it away like this. 

Several months ago. 

It happens. 

 In addition, the cats sleep on my clean laundry. 

Martha Stewart would be so pissed at me. 

 Yes, this is a bowling alley. 

Slightly de-nerdified when I share that this was a date. 

 Lettuce grows really fast! Salad for dinner. 

 While driving through Issaquah - a nice cell forming. 

Backpacking for the weekend. 

So many photos to share! 

I have like five posts in the works. 

It will happen. 

in the garden...

There's something about growing food from tiny seeds. 

Surprise at the rapid changes taking place each day. 

Bending the rules just to see what happens. 

Getting dirt under my fingernails. 

Failures and successes. 

Losing track of time. 

Reaping rewards. 

{365 of 2012} Week 20

I can't believe the weekend is almost over. 

It was a really fun one but I didn't get to much of my to-do list. 

Just popping in to post last week's photos! 

 Mother's Day on the water taxi to West Seattle. 

 Post-golf mangorita at Agua Verde YUM. 

 Dinner and homework. 

 Rearranged the furniture and made a run to IKEA. 

 Dinner: Field Roast and wine braised cabbage. 

 Tulips on the table. 

Part of the view from my hike Saturday. 

{365 of 2012} Week 19

Once again, I am almost a week behind. 

Such is life. 

I do believe this week's photos may be the most random collection yet. 

Here we go!  

 Miss Lauren at the races. 

 Father John Misty! More about that here. 

Every year the kids make us posters for teacher appreciation week. 

This year's might be my favorite! 

A nerdy scientist girl on a mountain. 

Perfect. 

 Fro-Yo date with A-HA. Or in my case, watermelon sorbet. 

Yum! So nice to catch up with a bestie. 

 I found a cute little pet store in Issaquah that's on my way home from work. 

They have a couch for their store cats. They look pretty happy! 

 I stayed late to chaperon the dance and had time to get a little organized. 

A super simple week coming up...can't wait! 

My friend Alysn had her baby while I was doing Tour de Lopez! 

I finally got up to Bellingham to meet Reed Norris. 

He is a cutie! 

It was great going to dinner with Alysn and Carrie too :)

Lemon Cheesecake with Gingersnap Crust (vegan)

I made this cheesecake for a book club meeting last month. 

I practically slurped the batter out of the food processor bowl. 

It's pretty tasty. My book club agreed. Or they were just being polite. 

Either way I love this cake and it is super easy! 

If you aren't familiar with Tofutti, silken tofu or Earth Balance, 

check the natural foods section at the grocery store. 

I found everything at Fred Meyer. 

Lemon Cheesecake with Gingersnap Crust (vegan)

For the crust: 

Ingredients: 

1 cup gingersnap crumbs 

2 T. brown sugar 

1 t. lemon zest 

pinch of salt 

2.5 T. melted "butter" (I used Earth Balance buttery sticks) 

Step 1: Preheat the oven to 350. 

Mix the crumbs, brown sugar, lemon zest and salt together in a small bowl. 

Stir in the melted butter until evenly mixed. 

Step 2: Press into the bottom of an 8 inch springform pan 

and bake for 10 minutes. Remove from oven and set aside to cool. 

For the cake (recipe from Baking Bites): 

Ingredients: 

1 container Tofutti "cream cheese" 

1 package silken firm tofu 

2/3 cup sugar 

juice of one lemon 

1/2 t. almond extract 

2 T. cornstarch 

Step 1: Using a food processor, blend together the cream cheese and tofu 

for about a minute or until combined. Add the sugar and blend 

for about two minutes or until very smooth. 

Step 2: In a small bowl, whisk together the lemon juice, almond extract 

and cornstarch. Add to the food processor and blend for about two minutes more. 

Step 3: Pour the batter into the springform pan. Use a spatula 

to even out the surface. Bake at 350 for 45 minutes. 

Step 4: Allow the cake to cool for two hours at room temperature 

and then refrigerate for a few hours or until the next day. 

Carefully release the pan and garnish with a little lemon zest. 

This is a great make-ahead cake to have ready in the fridge. 
Plus you don't have to feel guilty eating it!

Spring Hiking in the PNW

These photos are from April, but that gives you an idea of just how behind I am. 

Emily and I went hiking toward Dirty Harry's Balcony. 

We missed the turnoff to the balcony and ended up hiking 

another mile or so up the mountain until the snow got too deep. 

We never did find the balcony but it was still a great time and a gorgeous hike! 

As you can see, there was still quite a bit of snow and frozen streams. 
Such is the case with spring hikes in the PNW! 
Hoping to get out again on Saturday. 

weekend instagrams

This will probably become a weekly feature. 

Instagram photos require no further editing, 

and I can inconspicuously snap them with my phone. 

I still love my SLR but this is a quick way to share snapshots of daily life. 

Here are some shots from the weekend: 

 Baking...recipe soon! 

 Good morning kitties. 

 Dinner with two of my besties in Bellingham. 

I have cute 2 week old baby photos to share from that visit!  

 Mother's Day barbecue fixins.  

Water taxi from downtown to West Seattle. 

It was another busy but really fun weekend! 

Currently the next weekend is lacking in plans. 

I'm hoping for 1) a hike, 2) a bike ride, 3) catching up on life. 

Good times leave no time for laundry and homework. 

Father John Misty (Part 2!)

You may recall last Monday I saw Father John Misty. 

Well I have a tale to tell and clips to share!

First of all I need to talk about a sandwich. 

Not just any sandwich, mind you. 

The Honey Hole vegan BLT. 

I crave these things. 

Anyway, I had one of these before the show 

so that boded well for the rest of the evening. 

We then met up with a group of people including 

a member of Father John Misty's band!  

We had drinks at Barrio.

And then...as we were approaching Neumos for the show... 

I saw him. 

No, not J. Tillman (although that would have been awesome too!). 

Christian Wargo! Of Fleet Foxes and Poor Moon! 

Just standing on the sidewalk. 

A sight to behold. 

I told him I was a big fan and we exchanged names and a handshake. 

He was very nice and down to earth 

and I immediately thought of 1,000 things I wished

 I had said once I walked away. 

I also accidentally washed my hand about 5 minutes later. 

I was officially giggly and starstruck. 

Oops I just remembered this post is not about Christian Wargo. 

J. Tillman aka Father John Misty and his band were excellent. 

It was a very entertaining show (Tillman is a hoot) 

and I loved the music so much I bought the album once I got home. 

Here are a couple video clips from the show: 

I highly recommend getting the album. 

And you know I will be back with more about Christian 

once the Poor Moon album is released. Can't wait! 
Also, I need a tambourine. 
Happy Monday!