Squirrel’s Vegan Kitchen

Thanks for the all the kind words and birthday wishes. I had a great weekend last weekend, celebrating my birthday with my lovely posse.

On Saturday we went out to dinner at Vita Cafe. I really wanted to go to Nutshell, but with a group of 14 on a Saturday night, I knew we were doomed to wait for hours and be split up. Of course, in the mix of it all, I forgot the pictures, but I started with the spicy tempeh sticks and had the mac ‘n cheeze with broccoli. I learned from this experience that it’s too hard to go out with a group that size that doesn’t all know each other and really mingle and talk. Next year, party at the house.

After dinner it was on to the Hollywood Bowl!

Jim and I suck at bowling, but we love it. I broke 100, which is exceptional for me. I’ve only done that one other time. We haven’t bowled since we moved here, so it was fun to bust out our bowling balls and give them a little shine.

On Sunday, I had my birthday breakfast at a new waffle place in Portland: Jace Gace.

Jim went with a good old traditional waffle, with a blob of whipped EB and some maple syrup on the side.

I decided to spice it up with the pina colada. Coconut cream, bananas, pineapple and a dusting of brown sugar. Yum! They also that an avocado rancheros waffle. Maybe next time.

These waffle pictures were taken with my super bad ass new digital camera. I’m still reading the book and playing with techniques as I conquer the beast. No more digital brick camera! Thanks Chris and Kate!!!

With all the baking I love to do for others you’d think that I would want something really big and decadent for my birthday treat.

But really, at heart, I’m a simple girl. I’ll take cookies any day over cake. But with all the sweets we’ve had lately, with Jim’s birthday, I wanted some healthier cookies. These are Dreena’s Maple Walnut cookies from Vive!, with the addition of chocolate chips. Chewy and very mapley, I enjoyed them with a warm mug of jasmine green tea.

Dinner last night:

Nate’s meatball sandwich with Tofutti Mozzerella and some steamed veggies, topped with Parma. I love the size of the Nate’s meatballs, you can make a nice sized sub on a hot dog bun.

Today I received another present from one my favorite people. Apparently I’m one of hers too:

A vintage Singer Featherweight. It was built in Elizabeth, New Jersey in 1934. I LOVE it! It has all the original presser feet, the original manual (with the original owner’s name and address penciled in on it) and everything. What a beauty, I can’t wait to start making some goodies on it.

Well, summer is coming to a close, despite the warm weather we’ve been having this week. The trees are starting to turn and leaves are starting to fall and the morning air has that distinct crispness. While I love fall, it’s my favorite season, I am sad to see summer go. I hope you are all having fun savoring these last few weeks.