Four Things

1. I've cut my fingers enough times on my hand held zoodle maker... It's time to invest in something that won't leave me bleeding! The Paderno Spiralizer looks perfect. Do you have a zoodle maker you prefer?

2. I'm not sure if it's the L.L. Bean girl in me or the fact that I've been in the south too long, but I need a hat just like this. Monogrammed and faded navy? It goes straight to my heart. I'll be hitting up Etsy to buy this hat soon unless I can find someone with a monogram machine...

3. Last weekend I spent part Miles' REI dividend on the black pair of Chaco Dorra sandals. I'm going back this weekend to buy them in brown leather. Full post coming about them soon (just know they are the best sandals I've found in my entire life).

4. I have three day weekend (do other parts of the country let out for Easter or is it a Southern thing?), so I'm finally going to dive into Rain Reign by my favorite Ann M. Martin. It recently was awarded the NCTE Charlotte Huck Award for Outstanding Fiction for Children along with being named an ALA Notable Book (among other recognitions). I'm betting it will be wonderful; I'll give you all he full scoop next week! Any other YA or Ann M. Martin lovers out there?

Food

Since August, Miles and I have gotten into a food rut. We've been eating the same stuff-- whatever is easiest to make-- or eating out. Cooking for two is such a pain! With springtime, though, comes a chance to restart (or something like that) and I've been itching to try all the new recipes I've been finding on Pinterest.  

1. My first grapple! If you watch Psych, they mention grapples in of the episodes. I've been curious about them for years. They look like an apple, but they taste and smell (oh, my the smell!) like grape.

2. Cauliflower pizza. I made this last night after the suggestion from a friend. I was a little unsure of how I'd feel about it, but it was so good! Super messy to make (and I almost burned my hand), but very good for a pizza made of cauliflower. 

3. Kale chips. I've heard of them, but I wasn't interested until Miles came home and wanted to know if we could try making them. Again, I was intrigued and impressed with how they turned out. And Miles likes it which is always a win!

4. Cauliflower fried rice. This has been on my recipe board for months, but I just got adventurous to try it. It basically tasted like fried rice, but the entire time I kept thinking, "This is not fried rice." I think it might have been the texture that threw me off? Anyway, we ate it, but I'm not sure I will make it again. I mean, if I want to eat fried rice... I want to eat fried rice. Not some healthy version.

5. Speaking of apples, it's taken until last month for me to like peanut butter... only I only like peanut butter with apples! I'm not sure what possessed me to eat apples and peanut butter together, but what a treat! It makes for a good snack.

6. Spaghetti squash (with a little too much cheese). I've had spaghetti squash a few times now, but I made it again recently to convince Miles it was good. Unfortunately, he's still not convinced. He says if he's going to eat spaghetti squash, he just wants actual spaghetti. I think I need to try a different recipe for it. Any suggestions?

Have you been eating anything delicious and different lately?