Abbey Cat Mondays

Hello everyone - Happy Monday! I hope you had a wonderful weekend.  

We always get a kick when Abbey Cat lays like this - people often come over to our

 apartment and say, 'hey, fat cat!' and looking at her from this position I reluctantly have

 to agree with them.  She looks ridiculous and fat and incredibly poofy, but the reality is 

that she just has more hair than any other critter this side of the Mississippi. 

You feel her and it's all fur! 

The one time we grew some juevos and gave her a bath she looked so tiny, like a normal

 sized kittie.   Her head actually matched her body! I guess we'll just stick to our guns in 

defending our misunderstood critter ...she's not fat, just fluffy.

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Friday Finds: Little Otsu

Have you ever been over to Little Otsu? It's pretty wonderful. I found them while looking for cute little paper stores to visit when we are in San Francisco on our trip and fell in love! They use alternative printing methods and materials, like soy-based inks and recycled paper to make beautiful cards, calendars, prints and more. 

A few weeks ago I bought a planner from them - I know it seems weird, being that it's very late in the year, but because you fill in the dates yourself it can really start at any time.  I love everything about it, and have been using it like crazy! And yes, that's my ridiculously frantic schedule below.

Come Along Weekly Planner by Lart Berliner, $16

Hello Octopus Card by Daria Tessler, $5.75

Congratulations Card by Lilli Carré, $3 

Allo Allo Card by Darling Clementine, $4.25

Yak To Do Notepad by Jo Derry, $4 

Annual Weekly Planner - Volume 4 - $18

Imperial Correspondence Set by Yellow Owl Workshop, $16.50

Lets Go Ride Bikes Print by oneCANOEtwo, $20

I can't wait until we get up to San Francisco so I can visit the shop in person. I know for sure that I'll be getting a few things, especially the 'Allo Allo' card and the 'Yak To Do' Notepad.  What are your favorites?

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Closet Reveal

Remember this post with a closet sneak peak a while back?  I'm done! While it could still use a few things (more hooks along the closet door for belts and such, another basket for hats or purses) I'm super organized and quite satisfied with the results.  

I installed the basket organizer on the door a long time ago, but just recently got the shoe rack.  Remember what my closet used to look like?? All of my shoes were in their boxes on the floor - the boxes reached so high that I couldn't see the top boxes and it was pretty impossible to get near the bottom ones.  I always thought that having them in the shoeboxes was better because it provided protection but once I got this door hanger I was in love. It's only supposed to hold 24 shoes but I stacked the flats a little differently and got a few extras on there. I can actually see the shoes that I have! Miracle.  

I also did a little summer cleaning and got rid of a lot of things...I've still got tons of stuff in my closet that I never wear but it's hard to imagine having a closet filled with only things I love - there would only be about 10 things hanging...gaa! And even though I eliminated a few pairs of shoes I still bought these amazingly cheap boxes at The Container Store; I got the men's ones for my boots and a few other ones for the shoes that didn't fit on the rack.  I love it! 

When I've got time I'm going to hit up The Container Store again to get a few more shoe boxes to have on hand and I want to get another basket to go alongside the one holding all of my scarves. My purse and clutch section of the door hanger is starting to explode, so maybe they will get a basket of their own. 

For the most part, I think I'm finally done with my closet.  It's been a long time in the making and I'm thrilled with the results.  Is it strange that I love to organize so much?  

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Creole Shrimp Stroganoff - Cookbook Challenge

I made my second recipe for the 'Cookbook Challenge' a few night ago and it was scrumptious - so unlike anything I've ever made before, which is always a good thing.  Grant loved it. That's always a sign of success! 

I'm starting to enjoy spontaneous cooking, where I count to flip to a random recipe to choose what's for dinner.  It's so much nicer than discriminatingly flipping through the pages, and this baby was a real winner. The shrimp remained moist and it was really saucy - what's even better is you could probably throw any leftover veggies in here (like onions, peppers, zucchini, whatever!) and it would be delicious.  Success! 

Creole Shrimp Stroganoff with Cajun Noodles (click for printable recipe)

Liberally adapted from Sandra Lee: Semi-Homemade 20 Minute Meals

Ingredients:

1 pound peeled and deveined medium shrimp (I used frozen ones, make sure to get sustainable shrimp!) 

3 tbsp unsalted butter

8 oz button mushrooms, sliced

1 can (14.5 oz) diced tomatoes, tex mex style

1 can (10.75 oz) condensed cream of mushroom soup

2 tsp garlic salt

1 tsp chili powder

½ tsp cayenne

½ cup sour cream

For noodles:

8 oz extra wide egg noodles

4 tbsp butter

2 tsp cajun/creole seasoning

1 tsp paprika 

1. Boil large pot of salted water and cook noodles according to package directions.  Return to hot pot and add butter, cajun seasoning and paprika.  Cover and set aside. 
2. Meanwhile - melt butter in a large skillet over medium-high heat. Add mushrooms and cook for 5 minutes.  Add shrimp, cooking for 3 minutes or until shrimp are opaque, then add tomatoes, soup, garlic salt, chili powder and cayenne. Bring to a boil then reduce heat, simmering for 5 minutes.  Stir in sour cream.  
3. Pour shrimp with sauce over noodles, and enjoy! 

Note: As part of my 'Cookbook Challenge' I'm working my way through Sandra Lee: Semi-Homemade 20 Minute Meals.  In the original recipe Sandra buys a lot of things pre-made, chopped and frozen and while I understand the convenience of these I change the recipes up quite a bit to get fresh, cheaper ingredients.  I save money and get fresher items, even if it adds a few minutes cutting.  Feel free to substitute frozen veggies or pre-chopped veggies for this if you would prefer. 

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Last Call for Submissions: Road Trip Suggestions

As many of you know, Grant and I are going on a road trip up to Northern California soon.  I'm so super pumped!!  We haven't been on a vacation (just the two of us) since March 2008 and because we met in early September six years ago we're making this a little anniversary trip.  Yippee!

via WeHeartIt

A while back I asked the blog world for suggestions about stops to make on our trip and got tons of great suggestions.  I made a Google Map for the trip with everyone's input - it's been so much easier to have everything mapped out with notes and all.  

Here is what we have planned so far, but we are trying to keep it loose.  I have no idea how we are going to eat at all of the amazing places that were suggested, but we sure are going to try. I would love more suggestions about eateries, wineries, things to see and places to go - if I've missed any, please add yours in the comments!

San Fransisco

Tartine Bakery & Cafe - A must! It looks delicious.

Incanto - Fresh, rustic Italian

Siam Lotus - Amazing Thai food

The Great American Grilled Cheese Kitchen  - The Moscone sounds brilliant. yummy!

Little Star Pizza -Amazing deep dish pizza 

Fish (in Sausalito) - A sustainable seafood restaurant. I heard the fish and chips are great.

Flax Art - Great paper store (this could be dangerous)

Petaluma - Great small town along the river. Be sure to visit the Heirloom Seeds Shop and Copperfield's  Books. 

Sonoma - Cute little town with good wineries everywhere. 

Napa 

Angele - French rustic cuisine on the river

Zuzu - Tapas, great for a light snack between wineries

Sweetie Pie's - Well known, good bakery. Their cafe looks delicious!

Bounty Hunter - Fun wine bar Hendry Winery - Charming, extensive and free. Spend about an hour or so there.  Nickel & Nickel Winery - Need an appointment, but looks amazing.

Healdsburg - Great downtown area. 
Downtown Bakery & Creamery  - Awesome Ratings online - Breakfast stop??


Guerneville, Monte Rio & Jenner - cute riverfront towns. Make sure to check out the Armstrong Redwoods. Jenner is right on Bodega Bay.

Arcata & Eureka
Alibi Bar  - Local hangout, good bar food.
Hikes (Redwoods):  Stout Grove, Damnation Creek, Nature Loop, Hope Creek Ten-Taypo

Monterey - Point Lobos State Park  is beautiful
1st Awakenings - Voted best breakfast in Monterey County

Phil's Fish Market - In Moss Landing. Looks awesome! Phil (the chef) beat Bobby Flay in Throwdown.  

Wine Trolleys? - My sister-in-law recommended we try one of these.  This one seems cool.

Carmel - Cute town to stroll through, and some good wineries also.

Big Sur - Beautiful Drive going down the coast. 
Nepenthe - Awesome Views with tons of patio seating outside.  

Deetjens - For breakfast, famous eggs benedict. 
The Big Sur Bakery - It looks like a hole in the wall, but is really good. 

Cayucos & Paso Robles - both cute townn.  Paso Robles has tons of little wine shops and wineries. 

Morro Bay - I've rented kayaks in the harbor with my parents a time or two, and we will definitely do that again. 
Sunshine Cafe - Great vegan/vegetarian place behind a natural market. Tempeh Tacos recommended!

San Luis Obispo - Good downtown area with nice park, etc.  Avila beach is also a great place to hangout and have a picnic lunch. 
Big Sky Cafe - Delicious, fresh cooking.  Looks awesome. 
Utopia Bakery - Great bakery, best croissants outside of Paris!! (out of the whole trip I might be most excited for this...Almonds croissants are my absolute weakness and all time favorite food, and it's really hard to find a good one. I'm drooling in anticipation!)

Buelton & Los Olivos - Both cute small towns.  Buelton (where the 101 meets the 246) is really pretty.

Solvang - I've been here countless times with my family and love it - it's such a little step back into Europe! This will probably be our last stop, so we'll take our time (I hope!)

Book Loft Solvang: Awesome used books and loft with tons to explore.

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Do Fun Stuff!

I'm sure many of you have visited Ryan Marshall's amazing site Pacing the Panic Room a time or two.  I drool over his stunning photos and wonderful writing on a daily basis, and recently I volunteered  to help him spread the word about an amazing project he is working on to help study and explore the unknown world of SMS (Smith Magenis Syndrome), which his awesomely adorable step-son (littlest buddy)  was diagnosed with in 2009.   


Do Fun Stuff is a collection of children's tunes compilated by Ryan to raise money for research into SMS. 100% of the proceeds will go into a grant fund established by PRISMS (Parents and Researchers Interested in Smith-Magenis Syndrome) and the money will be made available to grad students who are further interested in studying Smith Magenis Syndrome.   Seriously, this is a great cause!! 


And you know what's even better?  Listen to this music, PLEASE.   Although I've yet to have children of my own,  as a serious music lover I'm dreading the day when I have to ride along to Barney and Schoolhouse Rock.  I may just buy this and keep it for a few years down the road... and listen to it myself while waiting!  It's catchy, fun and for a good cause...what more could you ask for?

Please take a look and spread the word. Buy the album and share it with friends and family.  Donate, if you can. We've got a few kids in the family that may be getting this baby for Christmas! For more, go to Ryan's website and explore his brilliant, eye-opening dialogues and more - I promise you won't be dissapointed.  


(all content written with permission, courtesy of Ryan Marshall & Pacing the Panic Room)

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Abbey Cat Mondays

It amazes me how darn furry Abbey Cat is.  I try to furminate her once a week but 

she often takes this for a game of 'attack mommy and bite the furminator,' 

and I rarely get much hair.  How can such a small creature have so much hair??

I hope everyone had a lovely weekend - I spent mine catching up with a friend and swap

 meeting with my brother & sister-in-law. I'm so thrilled I got to spend the weekend

 relaxing; for the first time in what seems like years I read over 100 pages in 

one sitting! It felt great to be rested enough to not fall asleep after 5 pages like I 

normally do - I've got 70 more pages of Julie & Julia, which I'm trying to finish
 up for the Foodie Book Club by the end of the week.   

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