Stitches?!?!

The end of last week was rough.  Ashley and I were looking for a new lens for my new camera, one that will shoot better in low light.  While we were out, we stopped at some thrift stores.  All the while, Kaleigh was at daycare on a field trip to a park with fountains for the kids to play in.  Then Ashley got the call...

Kaleigh had been injured and we needed to pick her up and take her to get stitches.  Long story short, she bumped into another child and needed 7 stitches over her left eye.  It was not a pleasant time.

The next day Ashley decided to keep her home and they invited me over.  Immediately, Kaleigh wanted to go on a hike.  I found a very easy hike at a nature center that we went too.  There were some fish and turtles in the pond, snakes in the center (which Kaleigh got to hold), and a waterfall to hike to.

It turned out to be a good day, despite Ashley and I being concerned that Kaleigh might over exert herself.  Kaleigh and I even climbed to the top of the waterfall and enjoyed the view.

Going Going Going

May was quite a busy month, several graduations and trips.  June has been much of the same.  I have been going non-stop for awhile now.  It has been nice in some respects and exhausting in others.  Other than the jobby job, I am doing things I enjoy so that makes it easier.

My kitchen has suffered a little as I have been needing to eat more quick foods.  Recently, I did however make some really nice baked shells and roasted eggplant and summer squash to go with them.  I do not eat eggplant often but I really enjoy it.

I need a vacation.

Veganniversary Potluck!

For about a month I have been organizing a celebration for my 15 year Veganniversary.  With Ashley's help, we decided to host a potluck.  I have always enjoyed potlucks as it gives people a chance to share some food and be creative with little pressure to actually be good.  Fortunately, at my potluck celebration, all of the food was fantastic.

Ashley and I made her amazing sugar coated pecans, in the slow cooker we made candied sweet potato with apples, lemon cheezecake bars, and I made pepperoni deli slices that we combined with crackers for lunchable like snacks.  Kaleigh came over with Ashley's mom and brought a cantaloupe and Kaleigh made some fresh squeezed watermelon lemonade!

Some of the other great dishes included a nacho and mock meat sauce, chilli, and veggie lasagna!  With about 10 people, we destroyed most of the food pretty quickly.  Some folks ended up playing outside with Kaleigh while others talked inside.  It turned out to be a fun afternoon and I am glad we put it together.  Sadly, I did not take pictures, instead, I spent my time just enjoying the afternoon.

Cooking with Kaleigh! Episode 7; Mango Lemonade!

The Cooking with Kaleigh program is getting another super cute, adorably smart, deliciously funny episode!  This time, Kaleigh is making some mango lemonade.  She and I have made lemonade a few times before so she was pretty used to the process.  She made nearly the entire thing herself.  Ashley and I helped her juice some of the lemons to avoid her getting burnout with so many.  She did great!

Sadly, I am still getting used to my new camera and the first section of the video is out of focus a bit.  I corrected it in the subsequent sections though.  Promise, it is only unbearable for a short period of time.  I have a feeling Kaleigh is going to be a confident, creative cook when she is older!  I really enjoy these videos.

Is this still a food blog?

I know I have been neglectful of the foodie readers out there.  However, I have been eating some great foods lately.  Real Estate has been picking up again and I have been trying to get to some more of the good shows in Atlanta as well as plan my vegan potluck.  It has been a busy time but a boy has to eat!

After a day of hiking recently, we made some of my BarBQ chicpeas.  When I was younger, this was a staple in my diet.  I was broke, I was busy, and I wanted something hearty.  I must have eaten these several times a week when I lived in Santa Fe.  They kept me alive.  Over the years I have taken a more simple dish and livened it up a bit, but it is still a comfort food for me.

I also made a nice udon noodle and teriyaki sauce dish.  I made quite a bit to get me through some long days at the jobby job and it really hit the spot.  So many great veggies always bring it home.

A recent pick up at a local thrift store was this awesome coup bowl/cup.  Needing to use it right away, I made gazpacho!  Truly, I need to post this recipe as it is fantastic.  I shared with co-workers at the jobby job and they could not believed they liked something that did not have animals in it!  Really, keep after me for this recipe so I actually post it!

Of course, no day is complete at my house without a bedtime snack!  Since Ashley recently got a waffle maker, she made us maple waffles!  We even put on some (store bought) maple ice cream to really throw the flavors over the top!

Memorial Day Hoax?

For weeks I have been excited about the band The Hoax coming to Atlanta.  I fought to get the night off from the jobby job just to go.  As usual, I was incredibly early and it was just me and the bands in the parking lot.  Apparently The Hoax tour in a pickup truck with a camper on the back.  Punk rock.

The first band, Aisle, was from Canada.  They were pretty decent but not my style really.  They seemed a bit perturbed about playing first as well.

Next was one of my local favorites, Mercenary!  I even filmed a video with my new camera.  This may have been the best performance I have seen from them.  They get tighter each time I see them.

Third was Nerv.  Nerv was from Iowa and the singer was a really nice guy.  Growing up in Maine I can sympathize with being from a small scene.  They were impressively good, loads of fun to watch.  I wish they had played a little longer but I think time was a little constrained due to a late start.

Last, The Hoax!  They were incredible.  I really like the anger and nihilism that they manifest.  It is a nice release for me.  Hoax is known to be a little dangerous live but this set was pretty tame.  All in all, it was a great show.

Another Graduation?

For the last week or so Ashley and I have been celebrating another graduation.  Kaleigh graduation kindergarten!  The first full day of celebration was a hike.  She got to pick the trail at Sweetwater Creek State Park.  We choose the white trail again, which seems to be her favorite despite it being a 4 mile trail.  She did a great job on this trail again.

We saw quite a bit of wildlife this trip as well, including turtles, hawks, lizards, and an eastern garter snake.  Kaleigh and I even ventured out onto some rocks in the creek and let the water rush past us.  We took our time and spent about 5 hours in the woods, hiking, watching, talking, and relaxing.  I think it is great that at 6 years old she has such an appreciation for the wilderness.

Cooking with Kaleigh: Strawberry Jam!

When I was a child I have fond and vivid memories of my mum making raspberry jam.  Looking back, I am not sure that she made jam year after year but I do recall them sitting in the cabinet for awhile and they were delicious.  Even know, raspberry jam is my favorite.
 

This year, when Ashley, Kaleigh, and I picked strawberries, we had such an abundance that we thought it would be fun to try and make strawberry jam.  We got all the stuff ready and ended up making 6 jars of jam!  It was really good for a first try and lots of fun!  One of the best parts of the afternoon was that Kaleigh agreed to make another cooking video!

Again I used clips because the process is long, especially when you let a 6 year old instruct you.  Kaleigh did a great job and I think she was thrilled to have Ashley make a cameo appearance!  This was also my first video with my new camera and I think I really like the quality.

Panther Creek and a Snake Fight!

Last Friday, Ashley and I finally took the hike to Panther Creek.  I have heard it was a good hike for several years but neither of us had gone before.  It is about an hour and a half drive so it requires a good portion of the day, not to mention the 7 mile hike round trip.

We got a late start leaving Atlanta, it was closing in on 2pm.  We also stopped at a local farmers store and shopped for some goodies.  We found a treasure!  Fried pies that were vegan!  There were all sorts of varieties and we tried both the apple (what was amazing) and the strawberry (which is pictured).  It was a fun stop and broke up the drive a bit.

Once we headed onto the trail-head, it was already 4pm.  We did not think much of it though and we pushed through, with me stopping every few feet to take pictures.  About half way into the hike we encountered a huge king snake slithering up the trail.  The snake did not seem to be concerned with us but would also not slide him or herself off the trail so we could go by.  We ended up waiting for about 20 minutes and wondering if we should turn around and call it a night.  Our concern was that if the snake was lingering in this locale, it's nest may be nearby which would mean circumventing the snake by going off the trail could put us in another dangerous situation.  Eventually, the snake opted to slither just off the trail and dare us to pass.  We took the dare and cautiously moved past.  It was a battle of wills with the snake!

We stopped a few more times before reaching the falls but we were a little concerned about the time.  When we arrived at the falls, we had been hiking for 3 hours.  Now a big deal but it was now 7pm and if it took us another 3 hours to hike out we would be hiking the last half of the trail in the dark.  Fortunately, there were no snakes (that we saw) and we took no pictures or stops and made it out in about an hour and a half.

I have to say, Panther Creek lived up to it's reputation as one of the best hikes in Georgia.  The entire hike is along the creek and there are plenty of amazing views.  Well worth the effort although next time, we will plan a little better!

Ashley's Graduation!

Another week late post.  I swear I will catch up to the current posts.  Just not today.  Last week was Ashley's college graduation!  She worked hard raising a child, working, and going to school full time.  She did a great job and everyone is very proud of her.  Sadly, the graduation took place at night so the pictures were not the best.

 

I am so proud of the hard work and diligence she put in for this achievement.  It is an amazing accomplishment that will improve her life tremendously.  Great job Ashley!