Christmastime

Well, I am obviously behind on updates, so here's a nice big one. :) We had to find some fun (creative) things to do this season, since we're not at home with friends and family...

We walked around neighborhoods around our apartment looking for pretty lights... we found some. I think light-looking is one of mine and Audrey's favorite pastimes. Poor Roy.

We had some of the guys Roy works with over for dinner and games... they brought us this amazing gift basket!!

 Ok, so I decided to spend $25 on Christmas decorations that we really don't need, but were pretty necessary to make Christmas not depressing.

 Thank you Neal, Deborah, Amelia and Claire for our mini tree! It made us very happy!!! :)

This is Audrey's snowman. She thinks it's the ghost of a snowman. She would periodically go and look behind the door and say, "snooowman....snowman, where are you??"

 We upheld our Christmas Eve tradition of lunch at Cracker Barrel :)

So Audrey got lots of wonderful sparkly things...

 And an amazing snow globe with a snowman in it. :)

And Audrey shared her wonderfulness with her daddy...

And Roy gave me a beautiful tea set!! I LOOOOOVE iiiiiit!!! Come have a tea party with me! :)

More updates to come! I promise I'll be better! ...maybe ;)

Apple Cinnamon Quinoa

In light of our recent vegetarian dietness, and because I always modify recipes and then forget how a changed them, I am going to post some recipes. :) This has quickly become a morning favorite here! Audrey ate seconds and then wanted it again for lunch the first time I made it...crazy!

So here ya go!

Apple Cinnamon Quinoa
Adapted from: Skinnytaste

For Quinoa: 

• 1 cup dry quinoa, rinsed well
• 1 1/2 cups milk (I haven't tried it with non-dairy milk)
• Stevia to taste
• Pinch of salt
• 1 tsp cinnamon + more for sprinkling
• 2 tsp vanilla extract
• 1/2 cup unsweetened applesauce

Toppings:

• 1 cup warmed milk for drizzling (non-dairy milk is fine, also you can sweeten a little if you like)
• 1-2  tart apples, chopped (gala, granny smith or pink lady all are great!)
• 1/4 cup dried cranberries, or your fruit of choice
• 1/4 cup pecans, chopped

Directions:
- In a saucepan combine milk, quinoa, stevia, salt and cinnamon. Bring to a boil, cover and let simmer for about 15 minutes.
- Stir applesauce into quinoa 
- Serve in bowls and top with pecans, cranberries, applies, a drizzle of milk and a sprinkle of cinnamon.

Enjoy!