Tuesday, April 15, 2014

Anything goes pasta salad

Tomorrow my mom and I are leaving for New Mexico for a two week adventure! We are driving down and planning to camp along the way unless we hit any crazy cold patches in which case we will find a warm hotel room.  We're all about the road trip food.  We've got more beverages and (healthy) snacks than we could possibly eat and we've got the trusty Jetboil for making tea and hot cereal.  I was in charge of making pasta salad for tomorrow's dinner.  I had a few ideas for good flavor combinations, but as I started cooking I kind of just grabbed things at random trying to use up as many things as possible.


While the quinoa pasta was cooking, I sauteed onion and garlic with a little olive oil.  I tossed in some chopped carrots, celery, and broccoli. I let that steam for a few minutes while I drained the pasta.  I have not quite learned the difference between overdone and underdone when making gluten-free pasta, so I just hoped for the best!







After giving the pasta and veggies a few minutes to cool, I dumped them into a large mixing bowl and started adding things. Sheep's milk feta? Absolutely! Fresh lemon juice? Go for it! Chopped peperoncinis? Why not... I also added salt & pepper and Trader Joe's everyday seasoning.  The end result turned out surprisingly well.  I hoping this is one of those dishes that tastes even better the next day, or else we are going to end up with a bag of cold, soggy pasta salad...  Let's think postive! Road trips are all about adventure :)



It seems like a shame to go out of town when our yard is in its full spring glory, 
but New Mexico, here we come! 


Saturday, April 5, 2014

My mom went for a run and I'm making cupcakes...

We got this beautiful new stove, so I new I had to bake something.

Then I saw Joy the Baker's recipe for Carrot Cake Cupcakes with Pineapple Cream Cheese Frosting, and they were calling out to me.  They were perfection! 
Everyone needs to stop what they are doing and make these! 
*I left out the dried cranberries and walnuts. Next time I think I'll try cutting the vegetable oil with applesauce because I don't think it would effect the texture.  I would also halve the frosting next time because I don't have enough self restraint to have a bowl of extra cream cheese frosting in the fridge.  
I'm going to try freezing it.  I read that if you let it thaw in the fridge and then whip it again, it will be okay.

 Nothing says "spring" like leopard print cupcake liners, right?

I did make it out for a jog yesterday and that's got to count for something!

Wednesday, April 2, 2014

Home again, home again, jiggity jig!

I did it! I managed to pack all of my stuff into a giant tower of boxes.  From the time my mom & E arrived with the trailer to having my furniture taken apart and getting everything loaded took less than an hour! I was amazed and a bit like a chicken with my head cut off.  We went out to a celebratory dinner at The Table, and the next day we caravaned home.  My roommate had made me a great "Rose Moves Home" mix to rock out to on the drive!  

My mom & E had the room all ready for me with fresh paint to brighten up the space.  As soon as I got home I realized a sad truth of moving- you immediately have to unpack all of the boxes you just packed...

After getting my bed put back together, I started in on this great closet storage unit 
that my mom had picked up for me.
so many pieces...
Success!
Adding clothes
I made a trip to Ikea for some storage bins, new curtains, twinkle lights, and of course- 
Swedish meatballs & French fries! 
Ikea adventures with Gena!
I am loving my new space! This room has so much space and amazing light, 
and I've got a little tea station set up in the laundry room. 
Desk and reading nook
Last night my mom helped me hang up pictures and mirrors.

Bathroom storage

Perks of being home other than my new room include an efficient heating system, 
my puppy dog, and new kitchen appliances!

Update: Although I thought it went without saying that living with my mother was the biggest perk of being home, she asked to be included as well.  Mama- I love being home to be your trusty sidekick, computer technician, and Little Edie to your Big Edie! Now all we need is a raccoon and a houseful of cats :)