A puzzling week or so

We've been doing puzzles lately! Thanks to an informal puzzle exchange at yoga (gotta love yoga), I swapped out a couple puzzles. Everyone's been working on them on our big dining table. I love how it becomes this mini-obsession for all of us as we walk by. ^_^

This one was FANTASTIC because we could all claim a little box section to do, put it together, then slowly join them. For once, I didn't mandate that the edge had to be done first. ;)

More happenings after the jump!

Cookies, books, turkeys . . .

Good morning!

One of my favorite places to go on Tuesdays!

I've been busy lately! E was in the middle school production of Mean Girls (Jr) -- a lead role, Janis! -- so there was a lot of energy expenditure around that, both with her and with me. I went to all 4 performances because that's what I like to do. :) She was AWESOME!!

I've begun some initial gardening, which I'll describe in the next post!

I've been fiddling around testing recipes to try and recreate Osmania biscuits! They're a shortbread cookie that I really enjoy, and I buy a box or two every time I'm at the Indian grocery. (They're made by Karachi Bakery and apparently are a Hyderabad specialty!) I figured I could make them myself, so I've been trying!

Multi Muffins, or Lemon Power Muffins Recipe: high fiber, high protein!!

Using a crazy-creative, innovative muffin recipe I found on the internet (here) as a starting point, I made up a really fun, healthy muffin recipe full of fiber and protein!! Yeah!!! I call them Multi Muffins, or Lemon Power Muffins. (Note: Karen's other muffin recipes look equally crazy-creative and innovative, so I'll be back to try more!)

They're very lemony, not too sweet unless you add the lemon glaze (included in recipe), and they're the BEST for a mid-morning or after-school snack. My recipe makes two dozen muffins, because what is the point of making only one dozen muffins for a family of four?? Can anyone relate? They will be all gone in mere hours. SO, these should last a bit longer than that.

Let's get to it. I wrote it out, so it's a picture! Easy!

Homemade Seven Stars Granola copycat recipe!

I was given this bag of yummy Seven Stars Bakery granola (happens to be vegan, though I don't really care), and I knew I could make it myself! I have a go-to granola recipe that a friend gave me from New York Times a few years ago, and it's easy to adapt.

Without further ado, here is my recipe!

Cake!!!! and stuff

First of all, thanks to my newsletter readers who answered my poll about my art! I've only gotten 12 responses so far, so if you haven't filled out the poll yet, go ahead and submit it! I'm getting some interesting answers and I'd love to have a larger sample. Maybe I'll send out these types of polls every so often. :)

I have no idea who said what in this poll, and I guess it would have been smart of me to somehow set it up so I know whose answers are whose. (Probably by making you enter your email address, I'm guessing?) Well, I wanted a very low barrier for participation so I made it as simple as possible. Like I said, I'd never made one before! I kind of like not knowing who said what, actually; it's sort of a mysterious feeling of support from everyone. :)

Isn't this a beautiful gift bag?!

C. picked out these birthday bouquets at the grocery store, to combine into her "fireworks"! I don't really like fake-colored flowers, but these sure look AWESOME!! The pink ones also have glitter!

You've gotta click to see all the cakes!!!>>>

Birthday Month in full swing!!

Since January is birthday month, this week I've been prepping and enjoying all kinds of goodies!

Look at these nice bouquets at the grocery store! I was too frazzled by my list at the time to actually make another decision, but I may go back and buy one. :)

Who doesn't like birthday sushi?? E's special request!

My latest creation after the jump!>>

January Beginnings!

 This is the last "life news" post in this series as I get back on track for blogging in the new year! (Be sure to read Part One and Part Two and see my hand drawn Pokemon art cards!)

Here is my sleepy, smooshy cat.

More stories this way!

December, Part Two!

(Did you read Part One? Go back to the previous post!)

More life updates! It's been a busy couple months!

I made these cookies (World Peace Cookies) for a cookie exchange. They're really good -- a chocolate shortbread with chocolate chunks! Pro tip: sprinkle kosher salt on top of each one when they come out of the oven. YUM!

We had a FEAST at the December book club. Seafood cioppino* with optional lobster and shrimp (that would be a giant YES to that option!!), stuffies, yummy salad, bread with roasted garlic, then desserts . . . I had seconds of every single item.

On Christmas Eve . . .

Making homemade ice cream!

 As you know, I love my "does everything" ice cream maker. I've been experimenting lately!

First up is a batch of chocolate chip. I cut up a Lindt 70% cocoa bar for the chips. YUM! More ice cream after the jump!

Recent cooking fun!

I've been getting back into fun cooking projects lately. I used to cook interesting recipes all the time, but in the recent past it's been more about just getting dinner on the table. But I love the creativity of cooking -- and eating the results! :)

This is my black tea (Yorkshire Gold) ice cream with shortbread bits!

Since I got a fancy ice cream maker for my birthday (with compressor; it freezes everything!!), I've had a lot of fun!