Monday, July 30, 2012

The heat is on....

Have you heard of this peanut butter?


What a great idea.  I am a lover of a spicy peanut noodle and when I found out about this stuff, I HAD to try.  Last night was the maiden voyage.  Spicy capellini with broccoli and tofu.  It was YUM!  I love me some spicy stuff and this peanut butter packs a serious kick on its own, but is just right in a sauce.

I brought her to lunch today and she did not disappoint.


Buy it.  Eat it.  Love it.  You can thank me later.


Monday, July 16, 2012

Scones, How do I love thee?

Lately of a Saturday morning, nothing can please me but a fresh hot scone and a cup of joe.  I am partial to the Dreamy Creamy Scones recipe on Smitten Kitchen (having trouble linking directly to the recipe, so this will just take you to her site).  She uses currants, which are far too closely related to the dreaded raisin for my taste.  I have made them with chocolate chips and dried blueberries and I have not been disappointed.  Also, just FYI- I didn't have any heavy cream this weekend, so I used 3/4 cup 2% milk and 1/4 cup grape seed oil.  The weren't quite as decadent, but still very good.


Tuesday, July 10, 2012

Back From Vacation...sigh....

So last week was our extremely successful staycation.  We did take a mini getaway for glamping north of Santa Barbara at El Capitan Canyon.  I highly recommend...or maybe I don't because I don't want the place overrun for pete's sake.  I mean we just found it and all. :)

The events of the week:

Glamping on Sun-Tue

(Actual picture from El Capitan.  The tents really are this cool.  We had two double beds in ours)



Santa Barbara Zoo on Tuesday morning on the way back home


(we pretty much paid $65 to ride this train for twelve minutes.  But we had to wait 30 minutes to get on.  Kids enjoyed it.  Adults felt meh).


4th of July celebration and fireworks viewing at the house of a pal


(Always a delight and involves hot dogs.  Enough said)

Took the girls to see the Katy Perry movie on Thursday eve.  


(They are fans and it was very PG.  My three year old sang at the top of her lungs.  Loved it!)

Friday was pottery painting and cupcakes.


(Ok.  Color Me Mine is kind of expensive but a TOTALLY worthwhile staycation splurge.)

(I don't generally enjoy the cupcakes that are not homemade and I don't really like frosting. HOWEVER, Susie Cakes are grand indeed.  I had a seasonal blueberry pancake cupcake.  While I did not eat all of the frosting, it was still a delight.  If you are going to buy a cupcake, buy it from Susie).

Saturday the hubs and me had a date night and FINALLY watched Bridesmaids.



 (never in the history of ever has anyone been more brilliantly funny that Melissa McCarthy in this film)


Sunday we had friends over and I cooked mole enchiladas and mexican chocolate pralines and it made me HAPPY.


 (I made it myself and it was sooooo good.  I chose to do a stacked enchilada- tres easy)
(the recipe I used and the photo above are from The Homesick Texan blog.  I myself being a homesick Texan I think it was apropos.)
Recipes here and here...

I feel refreshed of spirit.  It was nice not to deal with a flight and heavy packing and constantly trying to figure out where to eat.  There is so much to do in SoCal.  Nice to actually enjoy some of it.

CHEERS!