Funky, Punky, and Plump

One of the reasons I don't post as much as I should/could is because I'm not exactly sure what I want to do with this blog.  I initially created it to show the things I was crafting, sewing, creating, etc. but my interests have shifted over to food... in case you didn't pick up on that.  Do I want to concentrate on one over the other here?  I'm not sure.  I mean, I haven't been creating as much as I would like but giving myself deadlines goals would be the push I need.  But I also spend A LOT of time in the kitchen as well as researching recipes, techniques, food industry issues, and the like.  Should I share those?  I definitely have a non-traditional household that seems to work.  Should I blog about that?  Should I do a balance of all of those?  Should I do weekly things, like pick a day where I showcase one things from all of those?  Maybe have a post a week about food, one about crafting/art, one about my life, one for anythin...

Yeah, it's a stupid title but I make no apologies because it makes me giggle. :) Anyone who knows me really well knows I have an obsession with a few different things: office supplies, cookbooks, saving empty jars, and lunch boxes/lunch box systems, to name the top 4.  I have enough notebooks, pens, pencils, etc. hoarded that I could probably supply an entire grade for the school year.  Okay, it's maybe not quite that bad.  Maybe.  But... ahem... that's not what this post is about. One of my favorite lunching systems that I've found is from BentGo (and no, I am not a professional blogger nor do I get sponsors nor do they even know I am writing about them).  It's like a bento box (which falls under the lunch box system category of my obsession and I *may* own more than one) but I feel it's a little more user-friendly for a Western diet. And, of course, I have all 4 colors. :-D This is what it looks like when I bring it to work: The nestle together ni...

I have been feeling incredibly guilty for the past few months because, in my mind, I haven't made any sewing products or painting or drawing or crafts or anything.  But then I popped by the beloved Stacey's blog and saw this image which she found on Etsy : Etsy shop  Then I realized I *AM* making stuff and being creative.  It's just in the kitchen. :)  I rarely follow a recipe exactly as is because I've been cooking long enough and know my taste buds well enough to know what I might need to change.  Or, in those few times I do follow something exactly as is, I make notes as to how I will change it the next time I make it. And, let me tell you, I am obsessed with (or is it addicted to?) making new recipes right now.  I'm still horrible about taking pics but I did manage to get a couple over the weekend. :) On Friday, after we went grocery shopping, I made a warm spinach salad with bacon dressing and homemade "Shake-n-Bake" chicken.  The coat...

Well, my food obsession certainly lives on and I feel so much better for it!  Even though this new way of eating hasn't been by choice (I mean, who *choses* to feel sick?), it's been a fun food adventure and cooking rediscovery.  I'm even down 25 pounds which is still a surprising but nice side effect. :) Grocery shopping has gotten easier and goes more quickly again now that I am not reading every blasted label and know what I can get that is chemical-free.  Our grocery budget has gone up, of course, since I am cooking 5-6 nights a week now instead of 2-3 but we are saving more because we are not eating out as often.  But I am also cooking smarter as well, making meals that are large enough for leftovers for lunch as well as another meal later in the week. I have made so many wonderful things but I always forget to stop and take a picture when it's done because I am just so excited to eat it.  I remembered today, though! :) I am downright addicted to ma...