blogging break... for real.

hi my friends-

life is busy. really busy.  so i'm going to have to say goodbye for now.

I really hope to be back once things slow down a little bit.  how can I resist telling you about hawaii?! thank you all for reading- I appreciate all the comments that you have given me over the past year(almost!). I really enjoy blogging but lately it has become more of a hassle.  I want to spend my extra time doing the things I love including baking, yoga and enjoying this beautiful island but I simply don't have the time to document them right now.

if you need some lovely blogs to read- check out my favourites.  some other ones I read on a regular basis are
*from the aisle to aloha
*a bicycle built for two
*a cup of joe
*oh happy day
*betcha can't eat just one

there. that should keep you busy for a while! hope to be back soon.
lots of love.

a wonderful weekend.

this weekend was BUSY! but so, so awesome.  since I didn't have my car on friday, and I had the day off school, I had a chance to catch up on stuff that needed to get done around the house.  I went to yoga, attempted to make homemade granola and made cupcakes for brooke's birthday(gluten and dairy free!).  after a day at work on saturday we drove up island to celebrate brooke's birthday.  and did we ever celebrate.  it was such a great time! the only bummer was that I had to work the next morning.

we all contributed to a pot luck for dinner before we went out- we had halibut, quinoa salad, asparagus and a goat cheese and beet salad.

this week has been off to a good start- yesterday I had a great yoga class that left my abs and legs in the state of jello and this morning I went for a morning run with the girls.  tonight I am off to a vinyasa flow yoga class and then I am making cheesy sweet potato crisps and oven fried fish for dinner.  hope everything turns out!

hope to be back for a post later this week.
happy tuesday!

diy projects.

first: adorable packaging from oh, hello friend: you are loved

source: oh, hello friend: you are loved

second: organize loose teas, spices, etc; oh, hello friend, you are loved

source: oh, hello friend: you are loved

third: washi tape notebook; oh, hello friend: you are loved

source: oh, hello friend: you are loved

fourth: sawhorse desk; from the aisle to aloha

source: from the aisle to aloha

happy friday!

blogging break.

so this week has been busy- really busy.  and stressful for several reasons.  unfortunately, blogging has to take a back seat because I just don't seem to have the time or energy lately.

thought I would share with you these few recipes I tried this week.

banana bread muffins + chocolate chips of course.  made these for D's lunches this week.

falafel pitas- the JAM!! seriously, so easy and throw them in a pita with lettuce, cucumber, hot sauce and tahini= heaven in my mouth!

cajun dirty rice (vegetarian style)

roasted cauliflower


and a thursday thought for you: * life is partly what we make it, and partly what is made by the friends we choose.

my friends are my life.  everyday I feel so fortunate to have the amazing friends that I do (and family).  I can't wait to spend time with some of my girlfriends this weekend.  should be fantastic!

now, I'm going to sleep. good night.

back to reality.

this weekend I was back to work and back to homework.  these past few days just flew by.. and went undocumented.  I haven't been overly interested in taking photos lately but I did snap a couple on friday...

aren't these flowers GORGEOUS? my mom and I each got a bouquet like this at the farmers market. so beautiful.  I just stare at them whenever I am home.

I also picked up zucchini, red peppers and cherry tomatoes at the farmers market to make veggie kabobs for our friends friday night.  I also made prawn kabobs with a simple lemon garlic marinade.  delicious!  all this time spent in the kitchen went undocumented as I mentioned.  we had a great time catching up with friends though and celebrating ash's birthday.

on friday I also received this adorable package in the mail..

I ordered a watch on etsy and she wrapped it up in a super cute box.  I love getting parcels in the mail :)

other weekend highlights included:
*dads birthday dinner- I love mexican food! and a nice walk on the waterfront with the fam
*a couple episodes of joy the baker podcast while I peeled shrimp, chopped veggies and folded laundry.
*banana pancakes for dinner
*a movie night with D- we watched love actually.  obviously, it was my turn to pick the movie :)

this heat lately has also been getting to me.  I hope it cools off this week so my house no longer feels like a sauna and I can actually exercise outside without having to get up really early.  that being said, I have been enjoying my morning runs with the girls.

hope everyone had a lovely weekend.
--m

delicious-ness.

I'm back to overnight oats! this has been my favourite bowl this week-

into the bowl went:
1/2 cup oats
3/4 cup vanilla almond milk
1/4 cup frozen berries

in the morning I added:
1 tsp. brown sugar
2(ish) tbs. holy crap

mix 'er up and enjoy!  I think I'm going to try some oats with pumpkin one of these days.

I also came up with this basic dish earlier in the week-

I made some rice, beans and sauteed veggies and layered them all into a baking dish and sprinkled with salsa and cheese.  I baked the dish for about 15 minutes and then served it with lettuce.  it hit the spot!

other variations I might try next time:
*adding a layer of avocado/guacamole (wouldn't bake it with the avocado in)
*serving with tortilla chips
*using this combo as filling in a wrap or enchilada

I can't wait to start baking! I have been trying to avoid using the oven as much as possible since it has been so warm out.  once it cools off I will definitely be busy in the kitchen.

--m

thursday thought.

keeha- summer 2011

*an attitude of gratitude brings opportunities