I’ve had a lovely day. Lots of fun times around the house, with friends, yoga, walking, snowflakes!?
I met Faith at her house this afternoon and we walked over to Integral Yoga (a health food store about a mile away). It was a great date! And so nice to get some fresh air. I really don’t feel that my day is complete without a walk. It’s my version of prayer or meditation. I love being outdoors, even if it means bundling up, which I did!
I found Pero at the store (it was $9.50 for a 7 oz canister) and finally picked up some Candy Cane Lane. Best tea ever?
Then we made homemade almond butter! Faith did a wing-it version of Ashley’s Pumpkin Spice Almond Butter. I hope to make it myself soon!
While we were sipping tea and grinding almonds, the husbands were out biking! We all went home to shower / prepare dinner and rendezvoused at our place for dinner.
Appetizers
Drinks! Faith found Ginger Lemon Sparkling Herbal Water at Integral Yoga. It was SO GOOD – way better than the flat version. The flavor was awesome. The only catch – it was $2.99 on sale. We didn’t know if it would be worth $5+. Maybe on a special occasion.
Tonight’s dinner came from a pot
Hella delicious Mushroom + Lima Bean Stew I clipped out of Whole Living magazine. It’s in the current issue, so it’s not out yet. But this recipe was killer! We used 1 acorn and 1 butternut squash (the acorn was roasted in the oven and then de-peeled and added as flesh chunks) as well as hydrated dried shitakes that Faith had instead of fresh.
The shitakes on top were SO GOOD!!!!!!!!!!!! Like candy! Seriously!
I had a bit of Matt’s Dubbel to go with dinner
After soup, we went for a snowy walk!!!!!!!!! Super excited to see flakes already this year!
Although our walk wasn’t too long because the flakes were a bit more like rain than snow. [Yes, the boys brought beer WITH them. Thirsty much?]
It’s starting to stick though!
After our walk, we whipped out the big guns
Faith made this Plum Tart with her stash. See her blog for more info! All I know is she said it’s very low in sugar and very ‘real food’-y.
Tasted smashing!
Especially with…
Bourbon Whipped Cream!!
1 cup of cream, 1 tbsp sugar –> whip. Add 1 tbsp bourbon and 1 tsp cinnamon, whip on low.
All served with some Pero! Which FOAMS on its own
But of course was even more delicious with extra foam ; )
We are all stuffed to the gills with this delicious ending to a friend-filled day.
Allie (Live Laugh Eat) says
We got a few snow flakes yesterday–definitely makes the cold weather a liiiittle better.
I think Sugar Cookie Sleigh Ride is the best of the holiday flavors! I’m not a big minty person, which may be why.
The granola/oatmeal topping on that plum tart looks FAB!
Heather (Heather's Dish) says
this is going to make my friends sound like alcoholics, but there have been so many walks with beer in hand i can’t even count. so fun though!
Laura (Starloz) says
faith sounds like an incredible cook, seriously, yummo..
gosh i love your tree!
Michele @ Healthy Cultivations says
That plum tart looks astonishingly tasty!! And I’m intrigued by the almond butter. I made homemade peanut butter once, but it didn’t really turn out.
Amanda (Eating Up) says
That tart looks amazzzzing. It’s a dessert I can get excited about, for sure! I had a beautiful, not-too-cold snowy day too.
Amy says
That tart looks so so good! And I’m glad to hear you can find Pero at Integral Yoga – was it expensive? I am so intrigued by it …
Kath says
$9.39 for 7 oz.
You’re invited over for a cup if you’d like!
Kiran says
I’ve never experienced snow before, and I cannot wait to begin our road trip up north for some white Christmas 🙂 the foods all look yummy!
Heather says
I love your Christmas tree! I was thinking of taking a large vase and filling it with ornaments similar to your lantern. Great idea!
Can’t wait for that soup recipe to come out – looks delicious. I also never thought to add bourbon to whipped cream.
Enjoy the rest of your evening – we are supposed to get snow flurries tomorrow.
Namaste Gurl says
Your evening looks lovely, Kath. Can I say jealous? I spent the day getting schoolwork done, as well as cleaning and cooking. Much would rather be with friends and having fun 🙂
I LOVE Celestial holiday teas. My fav by far is the sugar cookie sleigh ride 🙂
Estela @ Weekly Bite says
I need to get some of that Pero!! Maybe World Market sells it?
Jessica @ How Sweet It Is says
Bourbon… mmmmm.
Vanessa says
That tart looks delish.. and Bourbon?? Swoon…
Sana says
I love that you have healthy friends nearby for awesomeness!
stacey-healthylife says
That dessert is so pretty. Snow, wow, just enough to look pretty.
Kelli H says
I’ve never seen you use the word hella in a post before. I like it. You’re like a real norcal girl! Haha. Your day & night look awesome!
Kath says
I thought it was a Southern thing!
Mads says
Looks like such a wonderful night!
The candy cane tea sounds interesting. I’m all about celestial seasonings 😛
Bronwyn Coyne says
That looks delicious! I’m going to have to hop over to Faith’s blog and check out the details. And that soup looks amazing, I love dehydrated mushrooms, the texture is so different/fun.
Christin@purplebirdblog says
I just picked up my first boxes of the season of Sugar Cookie Sleigh Ride and Nutcracker Sweet, my seasonal teas of choice!! 🙂
Blog is the New Black says
Your tree looks gorgeous! I need to try that candy cane tea…
Nicole says
That tart looks absolutely amazing, can you break me off a piece?
Ashley says
Cute Christmas decorations!! The soup sounds completely amazing and right up my alley!! Yum. Hope the almond butter turned out 🙂 I just made a TON of nut butter + graham cracker today to give for holiday gifts. Made a new nut butter too! Yay snowy walk…off to the mountains for snowboarding tomorrow!
Hannah says
The mushrooms might be like candy, but there’s no way I’m choosing veggies over that dessert 😀
Felicity says
I’ve been waiting all year for more Candy Cane Lane. Haven’t seen it up here yet. ’tis good stuff!
Simply Life says
Oh I want that dessert! It’s crazy you’ve had snow -we still haven’t seen a single flake in Boston!
Lauren at KeepItSweet says
i love any dessert served with fresh whipped cream!
Caitlyn (A Spoonful of Life) says
Your soup looks like the perfect meal for a cold day!
Chelsea @ One Healthy Munchkin says
I finally found the Candy Cane Lane tea last week and I’ve been loving it! I still haven’t been able to find the Sugar Cookie Sleigh Ride though.
Gasem says
Make your own
http://www.williams-sonoma.com/products/sodastream-penguin-water-carbonator/?pkey=cglswinbar
All you have to do is GASIT
chelsey @ clean eating chelsey says
Looks like you had a great day – that bourbon whip looks to. die. for.
Stacy @ Every Little Thing says
A good dark beer on a snowy walk sounds fantastic, honestly 🙂
Lee says
Looks like such a fun day! My husband would have totally taken a beer on the walk too.
Mary Lou Baker says
I totally love that Candy Cane tea and can’t wait for it to come out every year!! I agree, best ever!!
Melissa @ I Never Imagined says
You’re so lucky to have a friend like Faith nearby! Her food looks amaaaaazing!
Jessica says
YES! Candy Cane Lane is definitely best. tea. ever!
It is my favorite and I always stock up so that it can last through the year.
Also very jealous you have snow…. we are still waiting (though it may not happen at all.)
Enjoy! 🙂
Hillary [Nutrition Nut on the Run] says
yes, that is the BEST tea ever!!
Ali says
I love your Christmas decorations! 🙂 So pretty!! Sounds like you had a wonderful day!
Alaina says
I love all the dinner parties that you have/go to. Can’t wait to do that once my husband and I have the space to do it!
Char says
Wow! Lovely 😀
xoxo
Katie (The Boston Marathoner) says
I’m looking into getting The Man (my co-habitator) a home brew beer kit for Christmas – Does Matt have any suggestions for a good quality starter kit, with everything you need to brew, for a beginner?
Thanks Kath!
Matt says
This is the way to go:
http://morebeer.com/view_product/15910/103811/Personal_Home_Brewery_%232_-_Deluxe
This is basically what I started with. Note that you’ll still need a big pot (preferably 3gal minimum, but as much as an 8gal turkey fryer), a recipe kit for your first batch, and some bottles. Sounds like a good Christmas gift to me!
Katie (The Boston Marathoner) says
Awesome! I think it’ll be a good gift. Especially since I’ll get to be Taster #1. Thanks!
Dee says
Wow, I love your decor!
I need to find that tea! I’m looking for it everywhere!