answering their questions...

I really don't understand Easter. I guess I should have been more thoughtful about it this year. I don't know what the norm is, but Mom (I) hid the eggs and the Easter Bunny didn't come to our house with presents. And we didn't buy special dresses or go to church.

After talking to her friends at school Kayleigh was upset that the Easter Bunny didn't come. I was totally caught off guard. I guess I should have known that once school starts the questions do too. I didn't know what to say... Do I tell her the truth? If I do will it ruin it for her friends? I mean, do we really tell kids that an Easter Bunny hids EGGS? and brings presents? And they believe it?

Zoe is going to preschool this fall. It's a Catholic preschool- we aren't Catholic. We aren't anything.

I guess it's time that I find a place that we can learn about religion/religions together. I need to be prepared for their questions!

Vegan Chocolate Cupcakes with Avocado Cream Cheese Frosting

Okay, I know what you are thinking... How could that be any good? Well, I would have to say: sugar.

The vegan chocolate cupcakes come from an old recipe used often in the depression. An oldie and a goodie! You can find it under "Crazy Cake." I'm pretty sure they didn't have avocado frosting back in the depression... maybe in California or Mexico? I honestly think using an avocado cream cheese frosting is more for the wow factor than anything. It's good, but not amazing. I rather use my high-priced fruit/vegi on tacos or chips.

Avocado Cream Cheese Frosting Recipe

8 oz. Cream cheese, softened
½ cup butter, softened
1 Avocado, peeled, pitted, pureed
13 oz. powdered sugar
4 tsp. sour cream
½ tsp. pure vanilla extract

Happiness is...

... slowing down and taking the long way home because a good song comes on the radio and you don't want to turn down the volume or stop singing at the top of your lungs.


Happiness is the car behind you getting pulled over in a school zone.

Happiness is achieving a personal best. 40 minute 5K! :)

Happiness is a Mom who loves your children.


Happiness is enjoying this beautiful spring day.

food critic?

My 5 o'clock cocktail is going down extra smooth tonight. I think it's because Zoe is on her way to Tucson with my mom for the rest of the week and it's raining! It's just been a really great day :)

I'm just gonna get the random's out there. I want to go to school for nutrition. ASU? Maybe. Or a more holistic approach? Hmm.. I think I should also be a food critic. After eating at two (IMO) higher priced restaruants, I think they should be called out on their lack of quality food. I want to tell the first place (I won't name names) just because you smother it in cheese and green chile doesn't make it good. I mean chile and lots of cheese are good, but I didn't order queso! And seafood? Really? I couldn't tell. It was as tough as well-done chicken. And the next place.... If you are going to advertise a "Goat Cheese Quesidilla" put more than a few sprinkles in the mix. One taste of the goat per wedge is not enough!

Okay, rant over. :) I'm happy to say I'm going to miss my littlest monster!

Cheap, Easy, Vegetarian, and Ohh so Good!

It's been awhile since I have been this excited about dinner, pizza, or an at-home-vegi-meal. Man, this Carmelized Balsamic Onion and Goat Cheese Pizza is simply amazing. Yeah, I'm gonna go ahead and say AMAZING! The hint of fresh thyme in the onions really gave it that extra something. We paired this with a strawberry, red onion, goat cheese salad with a strawberry balsamic vinaigrette. The salad was equally as tastey.

Ingredients Goat Cheese Pre-made or home-made pizza dough Garlic 2 tablespoons butter 2 tablespoons olive oil 2 sweet onions (1 1/2 lb. total), lengthwise About 1/2 teaspoon salt 1/2 teaspoon sugar 2 tablespoons balsamic vinegar 1 tablespoon fresh thyme leaves Directions To make carmelized onions: Melt 1 1/2 tablespoons butter with 1 1/2 tablespoons olive oil in a 12-inch frying pan over medium heat. Add onions and stir in 1/2 teaspoon salt. Cover and cook, stirring occasionally, until onions are limp, about 8 minutes. Uncover and sprinkle with sugar. Increase heat to medium-high and stir often until onions begin to brown, 5 to 7 minutes. Add balsamic vinegar and 1 1/2 teaspoons thyme leaves; stir often until liquid has evaporated, 1 to 2 minutes longer. For crust and Pizza: Either make your own or use the store-bought kind. Spread garlic on dough and bake at 475 for 5 minutes. Take out of oven and add onions and dot with goat cheese. Bake for 5-8 more minutes. Sprinkle with sea salt and serve. We added a bit of mozzarela as well. DELISH!!!

Kayleigh the Animal Lover

This child of mine never ceases to amaze me. She is the most caring, kind-hearted kid I know (not that I know many). She is very sensitive to the needs of animals. Our betta, Indigo, is dying. We explained to her that fish don't live very long and she cried so hard for so long. Last night we started to watch Disney's Ocean movie and she knew what each fish and mammal was and did. She knew more than me! It was really amazing. Dave and I kept exchanging looks with smiles on our faces. When the shark made an apperance she got so mad at it. And it looked as if she was going to cry. Her love of creatures that swim makes eating fish at our house pretty interesting. At school, she got to play with snails. Separately, she told Dave and I about it. When she told us we each said, "Eww!" and she replied with: Mom/Dad! How dare you. They are not gross they are life!"

The Many Looks of Zoe

This one is called "Sweet Zoe Jane" Our cousins came to visit. Both girls were so happy about having a baby in the house. Er, all three of us girls were happy about having a baby in the house!

Hurry up and get it over with, Mom!

I snapped this one while K and Z were playing. Zoe's play name is Marina. So when she plays anything with her sister she is Marina. I just love those big brown eyes!