Our Thanksgiving menu

Around the holidays it seems there is always one common question I get, "so what exactly do you eat?" Everyone seems to think that as a vegetarian or vegan we only eat grass and pasta. And I'll admit, I do enjoy a big bowl of noodles or a shot of wheat grass every now and then, but living a vegan life has been super easy to adjust to. And is very healthy too, I just got back from my doctor's visit to check up on the growing little one and she is doing just fab! So for those of you getting ready to start your cooking engines, might I suggest a few options that are not only meat free but are full of flavor you won't even miss the more traditional meats.

The husband and I are driving out to our family to gorge ourselves silly and today is my big food making day. On our menu we are feasting on Happy Herbivore's hippie loaf with gravy for our main portion, its super tasty and full of good for you nutrition. I will also be preparing a raw kale salad and vegan stuffing which is quite possibly the most favorite side for me. My Mom is also preparing some baked yams and a medley of root veggies for us to nibble on too. And of course no Thanksgiving meal would be complete without a bit of dessert so this year I am preparing to make the pumpkin pie I mentioned yesterday as well as a sweet potato pie for the husband. I've never had it before but sure am looking forward to giving it a try. And if you are prepping your own pies from scratch might I suggest my go to pie crust from Martha Stewart. Its so good and so easy you will never want to spend money on prepared crusts again! Can you say food coma!?

hippie loaf via happy herbivore, pie crust via martha stewart

Start your crafting engines

Today its all about crafting. Along with helping my lovely cousin pull together ideas and making things for her upcoming wedding, I decided to plan a small get together for my family for a gender reveal of the baby. The husband and I are finding out next week {!} if the baby will be a little man or little lady and thought it would be fun to get our close family members in on the guessing action. I'm making little paper flower broaches and bow ties for them to pick which team they are on...I have a feeling its a boy, the husband is still undecided. Its always fun to make a guess, but come next week we will finally know - assuming our little one isn't super shy. So off to the craft store I go for a few supplies, I mean, a girl can never have to much paper.

images via you are my fave, the brides cafe, martha stewart

Thanks Martha

A little while back I mentioned I was about to take on a huge knitting project and so far so good though it is seeming to take me a bit longer then expected to make each part...but really, what crafting project ever comes out on time? I've still got months ahead of me, but scrolling through good ol Martha's website has got me back on the knitting bandwagon. I'm making something similar in size and design so to see a final result makes me want to keep pushing my little fingers to their breaking point. So, how do you stay inspired to keep going on projects?

photo via martha stewart 

Thanks Martha

Whenever I am in need some cheery inspiration, I stop on by Martha Stewart's wedding site and I am always pleased with what I find.  And today, it was her pop up paper decor.  You really can't get any more girly then pretty pink papers hanging from the ceiling.  I've seen the streamers and hanging balls before, but that cake, whoa!  Totally fun, super simple and really packs a punch on any ordinary cake.  Check out the rest of Martha's pop up here.

photos via martha stewart

One crafty stylist

While working on cleaning out my bookmarks and folders (a seemingly never ending job!) I came across two images I had set aside for later inspiration.  It wasn't until I really looked at them and realized, no wonder I liked them both so much, they were styled by the same person!  After a little googling, I found Shana Faust's styling portfolio, and boy, does she have a great eye for photos!  And with a title of Deputy style editor for Ms. Martha (yes, the Martha) herself, Shana really really knows her stuff.  Ah, beautiful spaces just make me so relaxed, if only those spaces stayed that way after the photographers and crew leave.  I always take away so many ideas from photos, whether it be a great vessel idea for tabletop flowers, or how to crop a photo, there is always something to learn.

photos via shana faust