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Yesterday I was feeling under the weather, so our evening meal consisted of hot dogs. Today was the staff appreciation bbq at work, so since we were allowed to bring kids. The kidlets met up with me, and we had our evening meal there. So... there hasn't been a whole lot of cooking going on.

There has however been some ....are you ready for this? Knitting Progress! I have completed the body for the wee baby hoodie I started a while back, and am now progressing on the first sleeve. The baby it is intended for did wind up making an early entrance into the world, but she is a teeny, tiny thing, and her Auntie(the person who requested the knitting of the sweater and bonnet) says the babe is little enough that size won't be an issue.

As for upcoming cooking, I am not going to say that I plan on making Monkey Bread this weekend, 'cause every time I say that, I don't make it.

Today marks the end of the July food themed NaBloPoMo. I didn't technically sign up to participate, but did a good job of posting almost everyday. I think I only missed one day.

Sweet & Easy

Today was a major league, lazy day, Sunday. It was also a low maintenance food day consisting of a grilled cheese, and Rice Krispie Squares.

Have I Mentioned I Love Quizzes?

After my ginormous yammering yesterday I decided I should probably keep today sweet, simple and semi-food related.

You Are Strawberries with Cream

Fresh and uncomplicated, you are always enjoyed but often overlooked. You're confident in who you are. You don't need a facade to feel better about yourself.

What Dessert Are You Most Like?

Sunny Food Adventure

Today we made our yearly trip to Sunfest. We look forward to it every year, it is probably our favourite of the downtown summer festivals. The music is irresistible and there are always interesting and incredible vendors, as well as some really fabulous food. There are foods that we literally wait all year to have, and Sunfest is that time.

Upon arriving we usually hear the chatter of the crowds, and splashes of music from the various booths. Depending on our time constraints we will usually meander through the vendors looking at all the wonderful clothing, jewelry and trinkets. However soon after arriving, the scents of the exotic foods will beckon us to the food row. There is of course your usual festival food of fries, burgers, funnel cakes and such. But then there is the food we have come for, the spicy, the unusual, the "my taste buds are in heaven" kind of stuff we can never seem to find anywhere but Sunfest.

This year the food experience began with something I happened upon last year. Bulani, an Afghan thin sort of turnover, filled with potatoes, onions and served with the most incredible coriander sauce, that is truly a combination of spicy herby goodness. The sauce is my favourite part. We moved on in search of our favourites and new tastes to add to our list of loves.

Next was a stop at the Persian Chicken booth. It was recommended a few years back by a friend of Tall Child's and is it ever good. Chunks of chicken cooked on kabobs over an open grill till toasty, tasty and juicy. It's served in a wrap, and in case anyone doubts how good this chicken really is ... Sunfest runs from Thursday to Sunday, and every year, the Persian chicken booth is sold out before Sunday afternoon.

Third on our quest for food adventure. The Latin Delights booth. We make at least two stops at this booth every year. Our first bit if Latin deliciousness, Pupusas. They are awesome, tasty, pancakesque treats filled with cheese and pork, fried and served with a great coleslaw like side. We move along, knowing that we will be back. The Latin Delights booth is always our last stop of the day when eating at Sunfest.

Something new next, Popsicles. Not your ordinary Popsicles though. Tall Child had a Lulo Popsicle, Megz had a Guava one and I had a Dulce de Leche one. We each tried them all, and I can't speak for the girls, they were all very tasty and refreshing. I liked the Dulce de Leche the best. It was a combination of sweet, smooth, cool, milky yumminess that sort of reminded me of maple fudge.

Barely finished our Popsicles, we stopped for chicken samosas. We made a quick double back for one last Bulani and a slice of Baklava to share and then began our return to Latin Delights for our end of the day treat.

Deep fried ice cream. This has been our regular "leaving Sunfest" food for the past several years. The girls and I literally look forward to it all year. A scoop of cold ice cream surrounded in a protective and yummy coating of corn flake crumbs. Deep fried till just crunchy, and served in a bowl made of a fried tortilla. They then drizzle the whole thing with chocolate sauce and honey, topping it off with a huge slice of succulent strawberry.

This year was actually just a quick visit. We usually make a day of it, however we were there less than 3 hrs.

101

Being preoccupied with a sick kitty and painting the girls' room yesterday I totally didn't notice that it was my hundredth post. I had planned on writing something hundredy and stuff, then completely missed it.

So here I am, my hundredth and one post. The girls' room is pretty much painted, maybe a few touch ups, and is on it's way to being re-assembled with the new loft beds. It's mauve by the way. The cat is still sick, but at least he is eating some ... when he's not sleeping in my closet that is.

My food relatedness ... five things I plan on making this month. This time of year, I always seem to want to make jams, jellies and such. I quite like making jams, jellies, and salsas, and one day hope to try my hand at sweet pickles.

1. Strawberry Jam I use the same Certo recipe that my Grandmother used when I was a little girl.
2. Red Pepper Jelly
3. Chamomile Pear Jelly. I made some of this a couple of years ago and it was wonderful, and so easy.
4. Sangria Wine Jelly
5. Roasted Garlic & White Wine Jelly

Sick Kitty

Today's entry will be a little shorter than usual. My old boy Mocha is feeling under the weather. He's not eating or drinking and had a quick visit to the vet today. There doesn't seem to be anything wrong with him, but it is not looking good. We may very well wind up back at the vet tomorrow.

And We're Off ... Again

July NaBloPoMo has begun, let's see if I can pull this one off. With the theme for July being food, I should certainly have a lot of inspiration.

When I'm not working, knitting, cooking or online browsing blogs I am often to be found watching the Food Network. My faves, Barefoot Contessa (I wanna be her when I grow up), Paula Deen, Tyler's Ultimate, and all things Nigella. I also really wanna catch the new show, Sweet Baby James, though I keep managing to miss it. I also really like Jamie Oliver, but I often find his stuff just isn't me.

My point ...I had a point. Oh yeah, here it is.

A few recipes from Food Network that I really, really wanna try.

1. Barefoot Contessa's Parmesan Chicken
2. Nigella's Chicken Mushroom & Bacon Pie
3. Paula Deen's Mystery Pecan Pie
4. Bobby Flay's Grilled Chicken Wings
5. Giada's Hazelnut and Chocolate Pie
6. Paula Deen's Lady and Sons Chicken Pot Pie

Beyond My Control

I knew that this NaBloPoMo was going way too easily for me. Posting consistently and only one or two last minute posts. Than came the thunderstorm. Being a lover of a good thunderstorm, I didn't mind at at when one blew up last evening. I was even okay when the power went out for a few hours...I had a nap. I was however not okay, when the power came back on and the keyboard and mouse for the Mac weren't responding.

It's one of those deals where the keyboard is connected to the Mac and the mouse is connected to the keyboard. After a somewhat frantic call to the Mac Outpost this morning, I resigned myself to the fact that the keyboard was done.

A happy ending for all, after a trip to Mac Outpost by Tall child and an $80 price tag, we have a shinny new keyboard and mouse. Our poor dinosaur of a Mac must feel a little outdated, but it seems to be adapting. Have I mentioned how much I love our Mac? I love it, love it love it.

The only downside to this tale ...I have failed at the June NaBloPoMo. well, there is always July, and the theme is Food! Yay!!!

I'm a little behind with this news, but I did just find out from my Foodie Girl yesterday. It almost feels like a belated b-day gift. Tastespotting is not gone! Yay!!! It is apparently just hibernating, or regenerating. Either way I'm happy, and can hardly wait until it is up and running again.

In other news, the school year is officially finished. I am very pleased with both of my girls, and will love having them around more. However, by mid-July I will probably be questioning the sanity of that statement, and battling with them for the computer for the purposes of Tastespotting and Food Gawking. Not to mention Ravelry and Facebooking with Foodie Girl, who I already miss and she hasn't even officially moved away yet.

Pansies & Pretzels

First, a photo of a lovely little pansy, taken yesterday.


Tonight after dinner, Tall Child and I made soft pretzels. We used the recipe for the Bretzel Rolls. They probably wouldn't win any food beauty contests, but they are dang tasty. With practice, I'm sure we will get better with the pretzel shaping skills.

Rest, Relaxation & Rolls

Today being my day off, I took advantage of what will probably be the last Monday I will have to myself until the next school year begins. I lounged in my comfy clothes, planted a couple of plants I had picked up on Saturday, tried out a recipe for Dinner Rolls that I found through Food Gawker, and baked and iced a batch of Pink Lemonade Minis for an event at Megz school.

All in all, today was quiet and relaxing. The cupcakes turned out adorable. The dinner rolls were tasty, but I am still on the look out for a recipe more to my liking. No photos, I forgot to take them earlier, and now the light just won't very flattering ... nothing like orange tinted dinner rolls. I did take a few photos of a few plants, but they have yet to be uploaded. My time online this evening has been limited by the fact that I share it with two teen girls, one of them who happens to be an Anime loving Tall Child.

Home Improvement?

I tend to consider this blog an "online home" of sorts, and therefore I want it to feel comfy, cozy and look nice. When I decided to finally start it I based the colours around the title. To me, Moonlit is night, black, blues and maybe purples. I have plans of creating a custom header, but have yet to get to it. I often wonder if the layout is the best it can be, and am continually looking for ways to tweak or improve the appearance.

Where am I going with this? Not anywhere specific. Though I did spot a quiz on blogthings today and had intentions of just copping out and posting the quiz as today's entry. Instead, it made me think, and so here I am again, dissecting the blog, its layout, the colours, etc.

Oh, and in case you're wondering, the quiz that inspired this babble.

Your Blog Should Be Blue

Your blog is a peaceful, calming force in the blogosphere. You tend to avoid conflict - you're more likely to share than rant. From your social causes to cute pet photos, your life is a (mostly) open book.

What Color Should Your Blog or Journal Be?

In Celebration of Summer

I bring to you ... Sweet Peas in the Rain



In keeping with the NaBloPoMo them for June, these lovely sweet peas grow wild in the front of my home, and come back year after year for our enjoyment. When the girls were younger we would use the sweet peas in flower crowns for Summer Solstice.

Sadness to Madness

I started the day a little sad, knowing that even though I would have a fun lunch with friends, it would be because one of them is moving away. My day then progressed and was looking pretty good. Errands were done, dinner was made, things were moving smoothly. That was until I received the news that my Epicure order was never placed, due to the consultant losing my order form. I know this seems small and petty, and I am probably overreacting, but I have really been looking forward to receiving the spice blends I thought I had ordered. Now my evening has digressed into madness as I search, for my copy of the stupid order form. Whatever, maybe this is a sign and I should just cancel the stupid order. Spice blends, schmice blends, who needs'em.

In Under the Wire

I have been busy today with a few preparations for my fave Foodie Girl's going away lunch. Shhhh, it's supposed to be a surprise. Tomorrow is her last day at work.

It was seven weeks ago that she announced she was deserting us moving away, on to brighter and better things. I am truly happy for her and wish her only the best in her new penthouse apartment with her guy. He's a lucky one. However, I will miss her terribly. Yes, I will still have her blog to keep up on her cooking and crafty ways, but who will I talk about all the crazy food stuff with...? She is the only person I know who doesn't get that "Wow this chick is nuts" look when I talk about foodie things, or crafty things.

Anyhoo, yesterday she gave me a really fab gift. I love it. It's a classic, and will have a place of honour in my kitchen always.



How cool is that?! A leopard print cookie jar!

Huggles Kelly, I will miss you oodles.

Backyard Beauties

Today a glimpse of some of the flora growing around my home. I still have only a fraction of my usual outdoor containers planted, but there are a few pretties to beautify until I get around to filling the other pots.


Viola


Bacopa


Mystery Bush


The mystery bush is not only a mystery but also a very pleasant surprise. About 13 years ago there was one on the side of the yard which I dearly loved. Sadly, due to brutal pruning on the part of my then husband it died. So imagine my surprise this year, when wandering the yard, to find a gorgeous bush just like the one that had died, but on the opposite side of the yard. I was so excited I actually rushed to get my camera, and happily snapped away photos.

I have a surprise gift that I also intended to share, however, I was unable to get a photo able to represent how awesomely cool it is. Something for tomorrow.

Life as a House?

What the House Test Says About You

You consider yourself important, but no more important than anyone else. You love attention, but you don't feel like you deserve more of it than anyone else. You can't stand community oriented people and annoying "buy local" campaigns. You prefer to live the best life possible, and that doesn't really involve many other people. You are creative, expressive, and bright. You are always in the middle of some amazing project. You look attractive, but mostly because your rely on your natural good looks to get by. You are moved by what's exotic and unique. You often have the mentality of a traveler, even when you're not traveling.

The House Test

Okay, so it's a quiz, but at least it relates to the June NaBloPoMo theme of "Home".

Sweet Addiction

As I may have mentioned here, I am a complete Tastespotting addict. Or at least I was until it closed down, and on my b-day no less. Since then I have been in major denial about the whole thing. However I have, with a little success, managed to satisfy my food porn needs through copious visits to Flickr, Bakespace and personal blogs, Pioneer Woman Cooks, Tartelette, and CakeSpy, to name a few.

Today I received a wonderful message from Foodie Girl, that seemed heaven sent, and was just what I needed. A Tastespotting substitute. Apparently I wasn't the only one suffering from the loss. Check it out, and often, it seems to be updating at a blissfully dizzying rate. How can you not love great food! My newest love and soon to be addiction Food Gawker.

Oooops

I almost forgot, but never fail, here I am.

Father's Day and I feel like I have no one to wish a happy day to. My step dad passed away suddenly a few years back. I miss him more than words can possibly express. I take comfort in the wonderful times that we did share. He gave me away at my wedding and was there for me when the marriage disintegrated. He was the best Grandfather my girls could ever have asked for, and he was a wonderful husband to my Mother. I believe that the dead can hear it when we think of them. Poor man, he must never get any peace.

Leonard, where ever you are, I love you. Happy Father's Day to the best Dad a girl could have.

Many Loves

Yesterday, my b-day, I celebrated with an Iced Chai Latte from Starbucks and shopping. I love Iced Chai Lattes and I luuuuuvvve shopping!

I hit one of my fave places, Winners. I bought a really cute, kinda funky, glass rooster that I had spotted there last week. It reminds me of a weird sort of glass bird, I think it was supposed to be a turkey, that my Mom had on the coffee table when I was a little girl. I also picked up b.b.q sauce and some Lemon Thyme Sea Salt. Before heading home I grabbed some stuff at Wal-mart, including a cute silicone ice cube tray, the ice cubes are little flowers. I neglected to take a picture of it. I picked up a cute pair of flip-flops. I also love flip-flops.

All in all, it was a satisfying b-day experience. I think in recognition of surviving one more b-day, I will indulge, and relax all weekend. Well, there may be some knitting, baking or cooking involved, but nothing too strenuous.