Kale, Lentil, and White Bean Soup (CROCKPOT)

I don't think you understand how much I love my crockpot. 

It's like cooking but not even doing anything. 

Awesome.

So we had an overload of kale in the house and I was craving some veggie soup. 

Here is what I came up with:

Ingredients:

*LOTS of kale (filled up like half of the crock pot)

*1/2 cup uncooked lentils

*1 can white northern beans

*1 can crushed tomatoes with chilies

*5 cups veggie broth + water at the end

*1/2 chopped onion

*1 cup chopped carrots

*garlic, pepper, dried herbs, crushed red pepper, etc...

Directions:

Put the kale in first, followed by the uncooked lentils, everything else and finally the veggie broth and water at the end filled until you can see liquid at the top.

 (I use really precise measurements and cooking language I know)

I literally never measure anything so this is all a ball-park. 

It will still be delicious though.

And don't be afraid to add ingredients of your own!

That is real cooking :)

Kale smoothies LOVE

Mother's Day Funday

Being a short two hour drive home, I decided to surprise my Mom on her special day this year and come home for Saturday night and Sunday, Mother's Day. 

It is so crazy to think how much I have changed/grown up. 

Four years ago I wanted nothing more than to get away from my family.

How stupid. 

Cherish your family. 

Cherish your friends. 

Cherish your time together. 

They really are the people that will be there for life. 

Soon there won't be as much time together as you thought.

Time flies, you gotta catch it and hold on!

Now I actually have FUN hanging out with my mom & dad and WANT to be with them...

Crazy right??

Maybe that's what they call maturity.

Saturday night was of course Salsa's Mexican night.

Since I have flown the coop and my parents are now all on their own, they are regulars at this place. 

It's actually out of control. 

You think I'm kidding...

They went to a waiter's wedding. Took him to a baseball game. 

Yep, not kidding.

We kept the night going at our little grocery store with a WINE BAR.

I would always want to go grocery shopping if these were everywhere... 

Seriously how awesome. 

I want some now. 

Sunday Morning: 

I had made reservations for a Mother's Day brunch, but my mom wanted to try out her new blueberry/lemon pancake mix.

And I was not about to stop her.

DELISH.

Then we went and played some tennis on the gorgeous sunny day!

I love having an athletic mother!

(She's the tennis coach at her high school)

For dinner, we went to Panera 

My fave.

And ended the day with some wonderful froyo.

This is kind of a diary post.

I guess I just felt the need to express how much my mom means to me and how much I'm thankful for her and the time we have together. 

She is the best person I know and want nothing more than to be half the mother she is.

(que the hurling noises...)

Love you mom :)

Inspiration Mode

Today I had a realization.

The world is a great place. 

And everything will work out. 

Along with the other million recent college graduates, I have been a stressed out anxious mess thinking about futures and life and what the hell I'm going to do with all of it. 

Calling my dad every other day freaking out about failing at life and turning into a homeless lady with nothing to show for. 

Graduating and then now what??

He asked me, "Are you a good person?"

"Do you work hard?"

"Do you want to be successful?"

Yes. 

Then you will be.

"You can't fail, you haven't even started."

"Everything will work out and fall into place, just do your best and don't worry. You can't plan it all"

He was right. 

Life has a funny way of working out. 

When you least expect it. 

Keep doing your best and working hard and it will pay off. 

Promise :)

DIY Masquerade Mask

This past weekend I had an end of the year banquet to attend and the theme was a

Masquerade Ball!

Instead of spending $15+ dollars on a mask at Party City

I broke out the crafty kid and headed over to Michaels.

Clearance... score

I got the mask, a gold necklace chain, and some little flowers to match my dress

I cut the ends off the necklace and glued the gold chain around the edge

Then added the little flowers to the sides-

And that's that!

Simple. 

Under 5 minutes.

And under $5!!!

They had tons of feathers/sequins/beads that you could use also! 

Get creative :)