VeganMoFo V: Show Me Watcha Got

Confession time.  That's totally a reference to a Limp Bizkit song.  Yes, I totally loved them in high school.  No, I don't wanna talk about it. Haha.  My other confession is that I didn't feel like cooking today.  I spent the day doing homework, coming up with my Saved menu, and watching Felicity.  Best day eva!

kitchen

So, I figured I'd do the kitchen/refrigerator meme that I've seen in MoFo's past.  I haven't seen it yet this year, but I've been mostly looking at blogs that comment here, are in my blogroll, or the ones that pop up at Random Mofo.

Above is a picture of my kitchen.  I took this a while ago, but the only change is that there is so much more stuff on my counter now.  There's a large amount of counter space, but the kitchen isn't too big.  I hate the color, but it's my landlord's choice.  Also, the lighting is wonky.  Great in the summer all day, but it goes super fast in the fall/winter.  I'm talking about tragically dark by noon because of the angle of the sun as it relates to my windows.

fridge after I throw everything in on shopping day

This is how my fridge looks right after grocery shopping.  I live with a pescatarian, but I mostly deal with the occasional cheese or carton of eggs.  I always put paper bags in the crispers to lessen the humidity.  It works super well.  My condiment shelves are usually hella organized (mustards together, jam and nut butters, pickled things), but I gave up on that because Era never puts them back correctly.

freezer

The freezer is always stocked with nuts and seeds.  I usually throw dates in there too.  We have frozen fruits and veggies on the ready.  When we occasionally get great finds at Ralph's (as in $1 Yves products), we'll throw those in there.

What's in your kitchen?  That's mostly rhetorical, as I really want to see pictures.  I geek out on that stuff.

Tomorrow is dedicated to my dogs!  I'm moving Saved to the weekend cuz I gots plans!  Hope everybody had a great weekend.

VeganMoFo V: Ain't Nothin' But a Gangsta Party

Today's entry is a food memory.  As high schooler, one of the major hang out spots was this place called Mad Hatter's Tea House.  At the time, the place was on Ave B in a seedy part of town.  It was behind a museum but several hundred feet from a park frequented by drug dealers and prostitutes at night.  My friends and I loved it because it made us feel grown up.

cuke and tofu salad sandwiches

Mad Hatter's was in an old, converted house.  The floors squeaked when you walked on them.  Everything was a little bit crooked and the rooms were small and cozy.  It's such a fantastic idea that I seriously associate this place with San Antonio.  You walked in, placed your order, and picked out your tea cup from the crooked shelving lined with mismatched dishes.

chocolate chip scones, clotted cream, raspberry preserves

We'd sit there for hours eating four berry cobbler and a huge pot of whatever we felt like at the time.  I wish more cities had places like this.

So, today, I just made a bunch of stuff for tea.  The gang was running late (Smackers is a bit of a diva) so I just took shots of the food.

mixed berry cobbler

I made mixed berry cobbler (waaaay too frickin' sweet for my tastes), clotted cream, chocolate chip scones, fresh veggies, cucumber sandwiches, and egg salad sandwiches.  It's enough for a weekend and even some weekday eats.  Now, if you'll excuse me, I'm sugar crashing from that cobbler.

VeganMoFo V: Home for the Holidays in Style

Next month begins the non stop holiday season, though I've already been assaulted by the foul scent of decaying cinnamon brooms.  Well, last year I never blogged about how I got prepared to visit family.  Era and I are a road warriors so we drove 18+ hours non-stop to Texas w/ 2 chihuahuas and a trunk filled with gift bags.  This is how we do it without the stress:

tags

1. If you are bringing gifts, pick a theme.  It makes it so much easier.  I like to do baking themes because the assembly is streamlined.  Last year it was holiday cookies and confections.  I've done breakfast themes, game night themes, and so on...

tins!

2. Head to the dollar store.  There is no need to spend so much money when you can get something for $1.  Those sweet ass tins and gift tags are from my neighborhood Dollar Tree.  Holler.

cookie power!

3. A nice presentation makes people feel appreciated.  The cookies above are covered in plastic wrap.  See what a difference some curling ribbon and a tag makes?  I ended up filling each bag with some sort of beverage, several different types of cookies, savory snack mix, focaccia, a tin of fudge, and a mini loaf of either banana bread, date cake, or baklava bread.

Nana Marg's Nuts and Bolts from Garden of Vegan

cookies from VCIYCJ and 500 Vegan Recipes

4. Plan and bake ahead.  Keep in mind about the picky eaters and people with allergies (Mom and sis hate coconut.  Era and bro-in-law hate raisins.  Sister hates peanut butter.  Sis-in-law allergic to bananas).  Bake the cookies and freeze until ready to assemble.

seriously delicious date cake (thanks to Kmouse for talking it up!)

5. Most of all, don't forget to pack the leftovers for yourselves!  Muahahaha.  Era and I always back snack mix, meal bars, fresh fruits and veggies, drinks, caffeine, and sammiches on our trips.  Such a fun time!  I love my road trips with my dogs and the boy.

a lil' sumthin' for the road

Woo!  All right.  Tomorrow it's gonna get all tea party up in herre.  Have a great Friday everybody.