I was at a party last summer and someone had brought the most delicious cold avocado salad. Of course I asked for the recipe and this is my version of that dish. One of the main differences is that I eliminated the cilantro. I'm not a fan, but many people love it and I'm sure it would be a good addition here if you like it.

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...

Yum... this honey oatmeal whole wheat bread is really moist and rich tasting - thanks to a bunch of honey! It takes about 3 hours due to two rise cycles and 30 minutes in the oven, but make it one day when you're piddling around the house. Be careful though, the smell while it's cooking will make you want to eat the whole thing when it comes out.

My brother calls me a few months ago, while I'm on vacation at the beach, and asks if I have a sewing machine. For those who own a sewing machine, do you also have one with you on vacation? Exactly, nobody does. Keep in mind my brother has no interest in, nor knowledge of, sewing - bless him.

So when I get this call the first thing that goes through my mind is he had a button fall off or a tear that he wants me to mend. That I can do with needle and thread so I blindly charge ahead and ask for more details.

That's the point where he asks me, "will you make me some pants?" Let me set the record straight here. I've never made pants before and I've never had anybody ask me to make pants before. Again, I blindly charge ahead and ask for more details. He proceeds to tell me he was running errands with a friend who had to buy fabric for her class project (details unknown). While in the fabric store (likely his first time), he saw this "awesome fabric for pants". He of course went ahead and bought some, knowing he would be seeing me at the beach the next time.

Now this next part is what I imagine went through his head. "Jess knows how to sew. Pants can't be that hard, right? You sew the front to the back and add a few details like the zipper. I'll bring her this awesome fabric and she can make me some pants one afternoon." I'm honored he has such faith in my abilities, unfounded as it may be. However, that doesn't change the fact I didn't have a sewing machine with me and had never made pants before. I tell him it will take me a while, yes, longer than the weekend, and just chuckle. 

I go home, set the pants fabric in the corner, and do nothing for a month. Finally I start to feel guilty and call my mom. I'm pretty sure this was my plan all along seeing as how I don't know how to make pants and I know my mom has made some before. The phone call goes something like this:

Me: "Mom, Ryan wants me to make him pants."
Mom: "Hahaha, he what? Pants are a lot of work. Nobody makes men's pants anymore."
Me: "I know. And you're going to love this pattern he picked out, it's very bold. Where do I start?"
Mom: "You'll need to go buy a pattern..."

Let me also add that this fabric is DRY CLEAN ONLY and makes me think of the Victorian era. My bother definitely has a unique sense of style. 

I decide that although I know nothing about making pants this will be a good learning experience and a chance to use my new sewing machine. So off I go to buy a pattern...

This mac and cheese recipe is one of the first dishes my mom taught me to make (probably because I LOVE mac and cheese so much). The traditional way uses cheddar cheese, or... you can buy some fun cheese with jalapenos in it! Just make sure to warn people because some people really don't like spicy.

A friend made a dish similar to this and I just had to recreate it - hers was delicious! This version has a good mix of veggies, plus black beans and feta cheese to give it a pretty mix of colors. I used a green apple balsamic vinegar in this salad but a red wine vinegar would also work well. This Tangy Black Bean and Feta Salad is a great dish for experimentation! 

I love fresh pesto. It's a great use for my basil plant when it's growing out of control - and then I have tons of pesto to spice up my pasta, pizza, spaghetti, and numerous other dishes. Pesto is relatively quick to make, stores well until ready to use, or freeze for later. Homemade pesto is not only tastier, it's also better for you because it doesn't need all the sodium and preservatives to keep it lasting forever on the shelf. Make tons to share with friends or freeze and enjoy pesto all winter long.