slip 'n slide hall of fame

Brunch was to be had today at FH's aunt and uncle's house. I love going to his family parties - his family is really fun (and kind of crazy at the same time - HI future family!). I brought my Vegan Veggie Loaded Breakfast Casserole. It was a big hit - no one even knew it was tofu! When I brought the leftovers home later, my mom and BIL (brother in law) devoured it (and the vegan zucchini pancakes).

After brunch, I noticed FH's aunt had displayed in her foyer a book which was opened up to a page all about design for brunch! I love her style - this was something not many people would think to do. When I told her I loved how she did that, she replied, "it's the little things chels." When it comes to decorating, I totally agree!

design diva

After we had waited a respectable 30 minutes (haha), everyone got their suits on for some sun time! They don't have a pool, but something even better....

A POND!

I am not a "pond" girl - in fact, I was in it for a while floating in a tube and a fish came up and nipped my butt! To which everyone told me I needed to "keep moving". The pond is so much fun - they have a pier, a little row boat (which FH's cousin Bret manages to sink... a lot), and a floating dock in the middle. The floating dock isn't very stable, so it makes for a fun time throwing people off :)

All the boys (plus a few girls) - FH is second from the right (don't you love the farmer's tan?)


causing trouble....

While the boys were being boys, the girls were doing what we do best - suntanning!

my cousins to be Katie and Mandi (a great friend and soon to be mommy!) - aren't they gorgeous?





Katie and I

Once the pond fever died down a little, a new game was brought out. This game is well known, a joy for children of all ages when the summer sun gets to be too much to bear.

That's right... we brought out the:

SLIP 'N SLIDE!

However, I must warn you... this was not any ordinary slip 'n slide. This was the slip 'n slide to put all other slip 'n slides to shame. I'm talking cushioned, inflatable landing strips, extended tarps, dish soap, and multiple hoses.

Slip 'n slide

action shot of one of the little girls

Bret had a mishap after this ride.

dish soap in the eye - it's just one of the many risks you have to take when embarking on such a dangerous adventure.


Katie found, however, that while sliding down, skin creates a lot of friction on the slip 'n slide. Katie likes to travel fast and did not enjoy being weighed down by such frivolous things such as skin and bathing suits. Which is why Katie came up with an ingenious idea:

Oh yes, that would be a plastic suit - the dish soap works a lot better with this!

All in all, it was a fun time!

After we left there, I had dinner with my family. I made Emily's Vegan Bean Burgers for my mom and me. They were so delicious! I wrapped mine in lettuce leaves (gluten free sandwich!). We also had a potato bomb - does anyone know what this is? If not, I can post a recipe! - asparagus, and a salad. I ate... and ate... and ate! I was hungry after all that afternoon activity!

Now I am relaxing, very tired, and ready to sleep!

Question: What is a summer activity (like the slip 'n slide) you remember doing when you were a kid?

vegan veggie-loaded breakfast casserole

The Goods

• 1 package firm or extra firm tofu
• 1/2 cup almond milk (or any lactose free milk)
• veggies of your choice: I used onion, green pepper, garlic, mushrooms, and broccoli
• garlic, pepper, and salt to taste

How it's Done

1. Spritz a large frying pan with olive oil or cooking spray of choice
2. After chopping vegetables, saute the vegetables over medium high heat.
3. Drain your package of tofu, chop the block of tofu in two pieces, and press dry (in between towels/paper towels with heavy books on the top for 15 minutes see See Emily's pictures for a better understanding if you are lost
4. Crumble tofu with hands into a blender/food processor. Add the almond milk and puree until smooth.
5. Combine your tofu mixture with cooked vegetables in an 8x8 pan.
6. Preheat the oven to 425 degrees and bake for 25-30 minutes
7. Enjoy! I served mine with salsa, but it is delicious by itself!

the tofu in the blender

main event

I thought this was great, but I think I will add some nutritional yeast next time to get that "cheesy" flavor! I brought this to a brunch - it was a big hit and no one knew it was tofu until I told them. Some still don't nkow... shhhhhh!

friday night date night

I love going on dates. I love getting ready for dates - dressing nice, putting on makeup, doing my hair just right. I'm a girly girl at heart - I like to look nice when going out. However, when dates can't happen, I suck it up, put on my work clothes and nasty looking tennis shoes, and accompany the FH (future husband) to the house for some quality time.

We (and when I say we, I really mean him - I was just there for moral support) spent the evening last night laying down a leveling agent on the floors of the house. I, of all people, was extremely excited for this event. You might be asking: "Why Chelsey? Why would you be excited to watch FH pour an ooey gooey concrete substance on the floor for hours?" I'll tell you why! OUR FLOORS ARE BEING PUT DOWN TODAY!!! Our beautiful, unique, hardwood floors. I am experiencing pure bliss today. I feel like our home is finally becoming just that: a home.

FH was a very tired, hardworking man last night - and did not appreciate my picture taking at all. So, the only picture I have of myself is through the front window.

Masks anyone?

This was really interesting to watch - it was kind of like laying down grout or concrete. I even got to try a spot. I did have a real job though - I was the master sweeper and flashlight holder...

I got home around 11, was exhausted, and hit the hay. I was kind of bummed yesterday because I wanted to go visit my BF Sarah for the night, but it just wasn't in my cards this weekend. It's hard not seeing her all the time - we lived together for 2.5 years in college. I miss her!

I didn't sleep very well last night. It may have been because of my overwhelming anticipation for my secound round of.....OVERNIGHT OATS!

In the bowl: 1/3 cup GF oats, 1/2 c. almond milk, 1 tbsp flax, 1/2 naner. Toppings included: sliced strawberries, cinnamon, 1 tbsp. peanut butter

Hello mr. oats - I have missed you since yesterday.

Coffee... I'll be needing it today - this is the backside of my monkey mug. I told you it was awesome.

I'm not going to lie - strawberries are not my favorite fruit. I still like them, but it's not a fruit I normally crave (like apples... bananas... pineapple...). I find most of the time they are too tart for me. The only time I reeeeally like strawberries is when they are almost overripe. In the end, I still ate them. But, they ended up on the side of my bowl, not mixed in. I just couldn't do it.

Sorry strawberries - better luck next time.

I'm off to workout, head to a farmer's market with Mommasita (aka mom), and supervise the floor laying party over at my house!

Toodles until later!

"almost fallafel" chickpea balls

You will most definitely want to keep reading if you would like to find out how to go from this:

can of chickpeas

to THIS:

"almost fallafel" chickpea balls with tahini sauce drizzle

"almost fallafel" chickpea balls

• 1 can chickpeas drained (reserve about 1-2 tbsp liquid)
• 1/2 onion, chopped
• 2 tbsp flour (I used all purpose GF)
• 2 clove garlic, chopped
• 1 tbsp lemon juice
• cumin & pepper to taste

1. Drain the chickpeas, but set aside about 1-2 tbsp of the liquid. Mash your chickpeas with a potato masher - or you may use your food processor to get them more smooth.
2. Chop your onion and garlic, add all of your spices
3. Add the reserved liquid and flour
4. Form into approximately 10 balls
5. Spritz your frying pan with olive oil - preheat pan to medium heat
6. Cook chickpea balls until brown on all sides (kind of like making meatballs on the stove top)
7. serve with tahini sauce drizzle

Tahini Sauce Drizzle

• 1 tbsp. tahini
• 1 tbsp red wine vinegar
• 1 tsp. lemon juice
• approximately 3 tbsp water (just enough to thin it out to your liking)
• lots of garlic and pepper

Combine all ingredients and enjoy served over "almost fallafel" chickpea balls.

chopped onion


pre-cooked fallafel balls

money shot

browning evenly on all sides

You know these bad boys are screaming EAT ME!

"almost fallafel" chickpea balls served with a side salad and balsamic vinaigrette

If you have never tried capers, I suggest going and getting some.

This was a great alternative for someone (like me) who cannot have "regular" fallafel. I really enjoyed EVERYTHING about this lunch. It was so pretty - fresh ingredients and so many colors!

Garage saling was an epic fail - I try really hard to get into garage sales, but I just can't ever bring myself to buy anything. I did, however, find blank cards from Target for fifty cents! I write a lot of cards - thank yous, notes to students, friends, etc. - so those will come in handy! I tried sitting outside this afternoon, but it is just far too hot outside. Guess it's an inside day for me!

I am going to a Father's Day brunch on Sunday - does anyone have a good vegan breakfast casserole I could bring? and What are you getting your dad for Father's Day?