.

things are coming together. . .

after almost two months of boxes and questions and breaking my knickknacks, i am almost finally re-homed. a few things are out of place, but our room is looking great so far. it's become an equal opportunity space for a.j. and i to express as a unit and as individuals.

 i am quite happy with how my work space is turning out

 nap times!

i will be setting up a sewing/heavier art station in the basement, centered around this jolly green giant, a twelve dollar find at my local volunteer's of america!

in other news, the grand debut of root cellar is approaching, and upon the choice of film, scorpio rising, i decided to go with homemade veggie burgers and sweet potato fries, and vegan ice cream sandwiches. i'm still playing with the recipes, and trying to figure out what will give my veggie burger the best consistency. [tough task, really]

it's finally as if i get to start heading down my new path. action and ideas are unfurling, and more are being born. i always feel, though, that i'll never have enough motivation to tackle the vastness of my dreams. but it's a new year, with a new way, and new aspects of myself and the world are being presented in a new and impressive way.

hummus among us

we all know why hummus is by far one of the best foods in existence;
it's cheap.
it's healthful.
it's a major crowd-pleaser.
it's freaking delicious.

and another amazing thing about it, is you can make it so many different ways. the few ingrediants are so basic, but when tweaked they can create so many ranges of taste. so this recipe is made to my personal liking (which is a tangy, very garlicy spread) but feel free to have fun with ingrediants!

roasted garlic hummus [V]

• two cans of chickpeas [soak your own if you have time!]
• one quarter cup of tahini
• one third cup lemon juice
• one teaspoon of paprika
• a "healthy dose" of olive oil [a "glug" would suffice, too]
• five cloves of roasted garlic, recipe follows
• one tablespoon of salt

drain most of the water from your beans, but do reserve a bit of the liquid because it's awesome for thinning your mixture out. add beans to food processor [or, try a mortar and pestle!] process beans until almost completely smooth, then with processor on, drizzle in oil. add tahini, lemon juice and olive oil. pulse to combine. 

my method of choice. LOVE this thing.

smash roasted garlic with your knife. add the salt to the slightly crushed garlic, and using the side of a large knifeblade, press the garlic and salt together to form a paste. [the salt works as an abrasive and is a good way to combine flavor] add paste and paprika to hummus, and pulse until blended in equally. if the hummus seems to chunky, add the reserved chickpea water until it is the texture you want. top with a drizzle of olive oil and paprika.

a few more ideas;

• puree one half cup of roasted red peppers in place of one can of chickpeas, add half of a teaspoon of cumin
• puree one half cup of cooked sweet potato in place of one can of chickpeas, add one half of a teaspoon of cardamom 
• stir in pesto or chunky marinara
• try using different beans; i like black bean hummus and black-eyed pea hummus
• try mix ins; artichoke hearts, sun-dried tomato, black olives, bruschetta 
• dip with; celery, carrot and pickled beet sticks, tears of pita, toasted black pepper pita squares, bagel chips, blue corn tortilla chips

and;

roasted garlic

preheat the oven to four-hundred degrees. peel the papery outer skins of off the garlic bulb, leaving just the individual skins of the cloves. cut about a half inch off of the top of the bulb. coat bulbs in olive oil and a bit of salt, wrap in foil, place on a baking sheet, and pop it in the oven for about thirty five minutes. let cool and carefully slice the skins to get to the awesome, roasty treasures inside.

the happenins'

i feel like suddenly so many things are happening, so many plans are being put into fruition. 

we have decided that root cellar's opening day will be the first friday in february... exciting! a.j. has started looking into bands to book, and i plan to get started on my first menu. i'll be serving a single dish, as well as have a small menu of buyables... vegan snacks & desserts, mostly. after the projector arrived in the mail (last night !) everything seemed to be real. i feel like i'm standing on the threshold of the beginning and the happening. possibilities galore!

 as i've said, i've been trying to adjust my housing situation... the trouble with being young and free is the simple ideas of "home" become so elastic. . . it will never be mom's house again, and there is real work in establishing the feeling and the safety. this past weekend i felt like i took a few steps closer in completing some much needed organizing and tidying (with the help of the best boyfriend on earth) and picking up some comfy, thrifted home decor and furnature:

 various fabrics aching to be put to use

my weakness. 

just a few tiny dreams thus far

this weekend i also remember to take pictures while cooking! these sweet potato and spicy black bean soft tacos came out so wonderfully, it only made sense for it to be the first recipe i shared :)

sweet potato and spicy black bean soft tacos (V)

• two sweet potatoes, peel and cubed
• three tablespoons sesame oil
• one can of black beans
• two cloves of garlic, diced
• one medium onion, chopped
• one large tomato, diced
• one tablespoon hot sauce (i used dave's insanity. it was insane.)
• one tablespoon vegetable bullion
• one-quarter cup water
• salt and pepper
• one teaspoon paprika
• one and one half teaspoon cumin 
• toppings; we used purple cabbage, cilantro, chives, tomatoes and yellow peppers
• 4 soft whole wheat tortillas 

par-boil sweet potato chunks for fifteen minutes, or until they are just starting to get fork tender. drain and pat dry with a paper towel. toss sweet potatoes in salt, pepper and three tablespoons of sesame oil. now, if you don't have a cast iron skillet, i highly, highly, highly recommend you have a birthday soon, so someone can buy you one. or try and find a well loved one from the thrift store. either way, get one, heat it to medium-high heat and toss in those sweet potatoes so they can get crispy, smokey and caramelized.

yeah, you seriously want a cast iron skillet, i swear.

right, so let your potatoes crisp up. while cooking them, rinse and drain a can of black beans. add garlic and onion to a pan heated to medium. cook them about five minutes, or until the onion is softening, and toss in beans. add salt and pepper and cook for ten minutes. add tomatoes, hot sauce, and bouillon. add in water and incorporate. add spices and simmer on low for ten more minutes.

potatoes should be done now, so transfer them to a bowl and smash them up, still leaving nice chunks. chop up your toppings and toss tortillas in the cast iron skillet for a minute on each side. you are now ready to assemble and smash some killer vegan soft tacos.

oooooh, honey.

stay tuned for; menu ideas, furniture diy, recipe involving bananas because i have about twelve brown ones ;3

ROOT CELLAR

idea:
underground vegan/vegetarian restaurant
donation based
cooking classes, brunch, weekend dinners
"root cellar"

a.j. and i have been toying with the idea of starting me a speakeasy-style cafe in our home (humhaus) where i can cook anything from hearty vegetarian breakfast to dainty vegan pastries. "root cellar" was just sort of a fantasy, but it is now coming into fruition. humhaus will also feature projected films, live music and other local talents, acting at a community stew of artistry. steps are being taken and words are being exchanged, and it's all coming to a point of real action. stay tuned for continuing updates and developments on "root cellar".

check out oatmeal 9 ways from a beautiful mess! an oatmeal bar would be an awesome part of sunday brunch.

i'm not the world's most organized person, be it objects or ideas.
(except for my kitchen. . . must be immaculate!)
so, if i feel i have plans of any pertinence, i begin listing in my notebook,
jotting hopeful crafts and inspiring doodles to get me movin'

such a weak-looking arm, i should jot "gym membership" down, as well.

most things carry ov er from previous days;

today is most of yesterday's bidding.

but! i've been up since five with a sickening worry that someone needed me during the night (i don't know, don't ask.) and i'm already one fat cup of coffee in for the day, so i'm ready to start.

i recently moved into a big, new house with my brother. space GALORE, all ready to be crafted and styled. a big slice of this blog will be dedicated to the evolving of my house. i haven't even begun yet, due to lack of funds and motivation from feelings of displacement, but my guts are telling me this week will be the time to start, and document. (that means i get paid friday) the net has opened me up to like-minded stylish blogger babes who are giving me loads of diy-deas and inspiration. i simply can't wait to make this place feel cozy with afgans and flowers, well-loved thrift store furniture, and lovely things handmade from scrap textile. i am so, so paining for the feeling of "home". 

could you not just picture yourself so warm and safe in a surf shack style house?