Despite the "vegan" name, these enchiladas are very flavorful. It's a version of a recipe I found online. This recipe uses tofu instead of ground beef and adds some tasty (and healthy) black beans to the "stuffing". And then top with guacamole to give it a nice sauce on top without having to add cheese. It has some kick though so tone it down if you don't like spicy. 

What to do when someone brings you a dozen deliciously fresh tomatoes? Eat one and then make marinara sauce! This is a basic sauce recipe. It really just needs the tomatoes and whatever spices you want to add. To spice it up you could always add peppers, or anything else you might normally find in spaghetti sauce (mushrooms, spinach, pesto, etc). The beauty of a homemade sauce, which I didn't realize until I made it the first time, is that it is so naturally sweet. I don't use any sugar, yet the sauce tastes sweet. Although tomatoes are ripe in the summer, this would be a good winter dish if you make extra and freeze. And then of course I have to mention how great it makes your house smell while it's simmering!

Cookies! I'm all for eating healthy, but I'm not going to make it long without chocolate. Maybe it's a weakness I have for those dark morsels... or maybe it's the key to long life. I have read many articles talking about the health benefits of chocolate and I unquestioningly believe every word. To make sure I'm getting a healthy dose of chocolate on a regular basis I keep all the ingredients around (they won't go bad quickly) and then I can make a small batch of cookies when needed. Speaking of, I might make some right now...

First of all, you have to know what you're doing to even understand a pants pattern. What is a yoke? Interfacing? Placket? Selvage? Ahh! Also, I'm pretty sure that patterns, at least the one I bought, haven't been updated since the 1950s. Let me back up...

After realizing I need a pattern, I go to the store with my mom and have her help me pick one out. Forget all the new technological inventions of the past half century, these black and white newspaper print patterns are located in a file cabinet, using a location system similar to the card catalog system at the library. (At least the kind they had when I was a kid, it's probably been updated since then.) 

Now which pattern to get? Luckily, despite the hundreds of women's options, there are only TWO patterns for men's pants. Hahaha, makes it easier to decide which style I'm going to buy. Then we have to choose the appropriate size pattern. Luckily my brother provided me with detailed leg and waist measurements so I'm good to go there.

Yes! I'm making progress. I have my pattern and I'm ready to get going. I get home, open up the pattern and hope it will all make sense once I look through the directions. NO! My confidence deflates like a popped balloon. Even more confusing. What is a yoke and why do I need interfacing? What does it mean when it says the size "with nap"? Meaning I get a nap halfway through the pants? If not, I'm confused.

I step back a minute and assess the situation. I tell myself I am a smart, creative woman with some sewing experience and I CAN do this. So I figure I'll start by cutting out all the pattern pieces. The pattern gives different options of crazy ways to fold the fabric in order to save fabric, but that's confusing so I just start cutting. Each piece says "cut 1" or "cut 2". Ok, I can do that. I cut one, set to the side, then cut another if needed.

Finally, I have all my pieces! I really feel like I accomplished something so I take a look at step 1. WOAH, what is it talking about?!? Luckily mom's coming to visit so I'll ask her...

Mom looks at my fabric pieces and again laughs at the fact I'm making pants for my brother. She starts looking through the pattern and translating the directions for me. First, we need the front legs. Great, I cut those out already. I run to get them and return with an accomplished feeling, until...

Mom: "You have two lefts. Did you also cut a right leg?"
Me: "What are you talking about? The pattern said cut 2 so I cut 2."
Mom: "Yeah, but you have to cut 1 face up and 1 face down so you have a left and a right."
Me: "What?!? The pattern said CUT 2. It did not say cut 1, then turn pattern over and cut another!"

I search back through the directions to prove I'm right, that the pattern never told me to TURN OVER and cut on opposite sides. Yes, I was right that there was nothing saying "turn over", but it was not a satisfying victory. I still had to re-cut all the patterns to include a right leg.

Ok, so now I know you have to FLIP all pattern pieces. Check. Time to sew...