Fun fun fun day!!
Matt and I cleaned the ENTIRE house this afternoon. It hurt so good!!
Until I realized why my vacuum cleaner was making funny noises and losing its ability to suck:
THERE WAS NO BAG IN IT!!
Total fail. After having it in storage this summer, I guess I didnt’ realize I’d taken out the dirty bag and have been sucking up dirt into the empty cavity. I hope it’s OK now that I brushed this all out into the back of our yard…
Snacktime. I’ve been carrying around this Larabar half since before BlogHer! I have this thing about bars. I wait and wait and wait to eat them until emergencies. I need to just eat them!
Did you notice the new HEADER!? ^^^ !
With a little inspiration from J3nn, I re-did my header photo shoot of last year and got to work on a fresh look. After the Twitter debate over headers on Friday, I took everyone’s (and I mean everyone’s) advice and kept the wood board and green spoon. And added in some tastes from my kitchen and garden 🙂
Here were some of the other shots in the running:
While I blogged, Matt made dinner!
We discussed the menu earlier in the afternoon and he executed it perfectly while I pretended to not notice it was time to make dinner.
On one side, garlic roasted potatoes (400* for 30 minutes after being rubbed in Garlic Gold)
On the other side, red quinoa mixed with grilled chopped eggplant and squash, fresh basil, and smoked Caromont Goat Cheese
Lots of salt, pepper and red pepper flakes added flava
We are re-implementing an evening walk session. Two summers ago (read = before Matt started going to bed at 8PM for Great Harvest baking) we used to go on an evening walk nearly every night. It’s so peaceful and a lovely time of day and a great way to digest.
We strolled about 30 minutes through our neighborhood. Nice.
Rawwww
Michelle @ Give Me the Almond Butter says
What a great day! Honestly, cleaning, walking and working on my blog really relaxes me. Your header looks absolutely beautiful. It’s very refreshing 🙂
Sarah @ Long Legs Healthy Life says
Love the new header Kath! It really represents you well. I love going on an after-dinner walk, it’s a great way to connect with whomever you’re with and de-stress from the day.
Christine says
Love the clean house! I always think that once you get yourself going, it is so satisfying to clean!
What color is that room in the first picture? Grey? Lilac? It’s pretty!
Kath says
Purple!
Jenn (Jenn's Menu and Lifestyle Blog) says
Lookin’ good, Kath!! 😀
Your dinner looks good, too! I love walking in the evening. So peaceful and usually much cooler.
Jenn
Heidi - apples under my bed says
Your dinner looks delicious! Goats cheese makes everything amazing, doesnt it? I agree, an evening walk really is nice. It is winter here in Aus, so it gets dark by 6. It makes for a less scenic stroll, but my fiance & I still try to do it. Helps you sleep better too. Now im craving roast potatoes…
Heidi xo
P.s. love the new header. V glad to see the nut butter spoon is still there 🙂
Allie (Live Laugh Eat) says
We are opposites…I need to NOT eat my bars and you need to eat ’em up!! I think you’ve cleaned your house 50 times and I have yet to clean it up once 🙂
I really do love your new header. I liked the way KERF was written in the previous one though. I’m going to be hitting up your J3nn for how to get this dumb header in place!!
[email protected] says
I love the new header, I’ve done that with the vacuum too. lol
Ally @ Girl in Her Kitchen says
My hubby and I scrubbed the house from top to bottom yesterday. I’m loving the way the house feels but I am sore?? Who knew house cleaning could be a workout?
Chelsea @ Strawberry Sweat says
Productive days are the best. I love just going to bed and feeling like I DID good today.
The new header is awesome, by the way.
Lindsay says
Love the new header Kath! And love your photos from last night. You look so happy 🙂
Samantha Angela @ Bikini Birthday says
I did the same thing today too. Sundays are best for cleaning. I always feel great once the place is spotless.
Sarah K. @ The Pajama Chef says
i do love the new header! so great!
Kristy @ KristyRuns.com says
Can you please teach my husband how to cook dinner? K, thanks! 😉 P.S. The new header is great!
[email protected]://stacey-healthylife.blogspot.com/ says
I do love the new header and I like the fact that you made it your self and actually used REAL healthy ingredients.
Nicole @ yuppie yogini says
I like the banner. I also liked the Home tab being a different color, but just noticed you changed it back to orange. Maybe it would look good if it was the same color blue as “My Life::Through Food”.
Amie says
Love the new header! And that cat you got a pic of is adorable 🙂
Morgan @ Healthy Happy Place says
love the new header and the title..”my life: through food” awesome!
Cooking with Coley says
Looks like quite a productive day!
Liza @ Health Nutting says
LOVE the new header! Beautiful 🙂
Katryn says
Great job on the header! I really like the addition of the purple flower. 🙂
Dinner looks delicious!
Gree says
I love the new header, very clever! Your dinner looked really good, I wanted to jump through the screen and eat it! And I wish my house ever got that clean, I think it did pre-kid and pre-dogs..
Dorry says
Your dinner looks awesome – good combo of flavors. I love the new header! I’m very visual and I love change.
kellyO says
LOVE the new header…!
Lauren @ 40Apples says
Love the header, Kath! Well done.
Dinner looks delightfully yummy.
Leianna says
Evening walks are my favorite thing in the summer!
Sarah says
My favorite pictures is the one in the bottom right-hand corner. It really focuses in on all of the eye-catching elements on the board and speaks to what KERF is really about!
rebecca lustig says
loving the header. loving your house even more! its GORGEOUS.
sweet dreams loviee
becca xo
Chelsey says
love the new header.
i only wish there would be a day when my husband concocts that dinner for me. 🙂
Sara B. says
I’m looking for a new vacuum. What kind do you have?
Kath says
Eureka “The Boss” that I bought 5 years ago for $138 on Amazon. It’s been pretty great!
Mimi says
I am the same way about granola bars. I seem to stock them up in case of my non-existent emergencies!
I didn’t notice the new header until you mentioned it… Looks good! I love the little flowers.
Hannah says
SMOKED goat cheese? Hella yum! And I thought that header was new – it’s utterly gorgeous.
Mandy A says
Oh wow… can you come clean my house, too? 🙂 Please?!
Amazing meal… as always!
Meg says
LOVE the new header 😀
Dinner looks amazing – I looove roasted veggies, especially taters, and every time I see you rave about Garlic Gold it makes me wanna buy it 😉
Enjoy your evening Kath!
Meg says
p.s. I saw the cat and it made me wonder – are you still considering getting a daschund? 😉
Kath says
Still thinking about it, but I want to have two incomes before we get a pet. I am so worried about cost!
Alana W says
Hi Kath! I’ve been reading your blog for a few weeks now and I am really inspired by your story. I too gained about 15 pounds in college, and now that I’ve finally graduated I’m trying to lose that weight plus some. The food you make looks absolutely delicious and your choice to go back to school took major guts! I’ve just started my own blog as I hope to write about my weight loss and find inspiration from readers.
I look forward to reading future posts!
christina cadden says
Dinner looks yummy and I love your new header!
Danielle says
That quinoa looks/sounds delish!!!!!
Diana @ frontyardfoodie says
I feel you! I hand scrubbed our carpets before shampooing them, washed the windows, did ALL the laundry, washed the front door (don’t ask), bathed the dog and re-organized/cleaned my husbands desk! Yes, the nesting bug is hardcore, yes, it feels SO good.
Dynamics says
I love the graphic on the header. You did an awesome job. I am not to fond of the font and the two : on the “My Life :: Through food” Nicole had an interesting idea. Maybe use green/blue KERF colors. I love the flower on the left side pulling it all together. Great job Kath.
Nancy @ The Wife of a Dairyman says
LOVE the new header! Fun to change things up now and again:) Your house looks absolutely spotless…my gosh!
holly @ couchpotatoathlete says
Kath I don’t know how 1/2 a larabar survived more than 5 minutes…thats how long it would last in my house!
I love your new header — and I am so glad you kept the wood board and the green spoon too!
Janna (Janna's Keeping it Real) says
Love love love the new header/colors of the blog! So fresh and fun! :o)
Susan says
YES to the new header!! I too need more evening walks in my life 🙂
Wei-Wei says
Hahaha I constantly “pretend that it’s not time yet” for some things… 😉 Liking the new header! The font could be a little chunkier, though.
Deva (Voracious Vorilee) says
I like the new header – it’s fresh!
Brooke - One Healthy Cookie says
Love the new header!
Sarah @ Sarah's Shaping Up says
love the new header! and your house is so cute! 🙂
Laura (Starloz) says
Omfg, your house is delightful. it completely amazes me when people set up home so quickly. it’s great kath.
No bag in the vacuum, oopsie!
Yummy dinner too.
i love the header!
Ilana says
lovely header, and love the colors around your pic!
Maren says
I love the new look, good choice on the banner!
Mama Pea says
Gorgeous header, gorgeous dinner, creepy cat.
jassy says
good thing your vacuum cleaner didn’t break down. 🙂
nice header…i’ve noticed it right away…your place looks peaceful 🙂
Helene says
Love the new header…and your dinner looks yummy!
lynn (The Actors Diet) says
you really making cleaning sound fun, kath – i should read your blog before i have to do it! bummer about the bag, though!
Freya @ Brit Chick Runs says
I LOVE the new header! So pretty and girlie!!!
And that dinner looks really quite divine 🙂
H says
House is lovely! As a professional editor and writer, I’m wondering about the tagline, though. Why a colon, if that’s what it is? You don’t need it. “My life through food” would be better, or “My life, through food.” (Fussy, fussy, I know. Insomniac stickler for punctuation….)
Marina says
Cute kitty 🙂
Dinner looks amazing, I haven’t had quinoa in ages, and paired with all that seems yummy!
Jac says
Good job on the dinner Matt. Nice new header!
Neen @ Broad Bean to Runner Bean says
love the new header, its very very nice! dinner looks awesome! i love having a clean house, especially when its just freshly cleaned
Stacey (The Habit of Healthy) says
Urgh, I hate cleaning. Glad you had fun!
I didn’t notice the new header until you mentioned it (I guess I’m not that observant!!) but I do like it. 🙂
Sarah (Running to Slow Things Down) says
Your new header is so perfect! I think it sums up the blog really nicely and has your own personal spin on it. Love it. 😀
I so enjoy an after dinner walk too. You’re right. It’s the perfect way to unwind and digest after dinner. 😀
Caitlyn @ A Spoonful of Life says
The new header is very classy and cute! I like it!
Tina says
LOVE the new header. And how creative!
Lauren at KeepItSweet says
love the header, very representative of you! we used to do more summer evening walks and haven’t as much this summer because of the weird weather and i miss it!
Anne @ Food Loving Polar Bear says
The new header is great!
A Teenage Gourmet (Sami) says
Why did you use two semi colons “my life :: through food?” I don’t want to be rude. I’m just wondering if there’s some grammar trick that I’m unaware of. 🙂
Joanna @ landanimal.wordpress.com says
I love the new header. The photo is amazing! You certainly have talent!
Susan says
Love the new header, esp. how it includes “real food!” The font looks v.cool on the wood too, like its burnished in… nice and fresh!
We’ve had red quinoa in the pantry for awhile now, you’ve inspired me to put it in the rotation!
Gabriela @ Une Vie Saine says
I LOVE the new header…I’m so impressed that you did it all yourself!! Yet another reason to get a good camera, I suppose 🙂 Great work, have a good Monday!
[email protected] lady says
Gorgeous house and new header!!! I love all of yours and Matt’s dinners. You guys have such a great way of food combining. I loved your dinner tonight!! Also, evening walks are BEST!!!
Ok Chick says
The new header is very nice.
I just wanted to let you know that I recently bought Kale. All last week I made Kale chips. They were really good. Thanks for the suggestion. It was my first time to eat Kale.
RhodeyGirl Tests says
I love when we deep clean and everything looks sparkly and new! Your place looks great!
Chelsea @ One Healthy Munchkin says
I love taking evening walks! I always go to bed so relaxed afterwards. 🙂
Jessie says
I love your new header! What software do you use to design it (add the text)?
Kath says
Photoshop Elements 8 – about $80
Sarah says
I really like the new header, its very bright. Not bright like shinny but bright like happy, if that makes sense.
Also I love being able to go for a walk after dinner with my husband, you must be very happy you can do that again.
Andrea says
I love evening walks. They used to be so much more peaceful before having kids, but they’re still fun….just not very relaxing. 🙂
Kath says
RE Colons:
The were not supposed to BE colons – just a design to make one pause between the phrases. I realize that would not be proper use of a colon!! However, to avoid assumptions that they were colons, I changed ’em to a little flower blob. Hopefully that clears up confusion!
Caitlin @ Right Foot Forward says
I really love your new header! It is so fresh and suits your blog very well.
I have been deep cleaning and organizing our apartment, too, and it feels so good!
Maria @ Kale and Cupcakes says
Your house is just lovely! Clean or not so clean. : ) Like the idea of an evening walk after dinner – think I might run that by the hubby and see if he’s interested. I’m guessing Charlottesville is much more conducive to the peaceful evening walks than Chicago is, though!
Brittany (A Healthy Slice of Life) says
LOVE your house— that purple color on the walls in beautiful!
And your new header is so cute 🙂
R @ Learning As I Chop says
That dinner looks delicious! I’ve been eating some quinoa lately as well. And don’t feel bad about the vacuum – would’ve done the same thing
Claire says
I think it’s smart to save the bars for emergencies.It’s good to have something around just in case:-)cc
Amy Pea says
I wish I had half a Carrot Cake Larabar – I can’t find them anywhere in Houston!
Love the new look of the site, Kath!
Melissa @ HerGreenLife says
I do the exact same thing with bars. By the time I eat them, they’re often old and stale (even if the package was unopened). The thing is, even those bars with good ingredients usually aren’t as good as homemade, unpackaged alternatives, so they really are a last resort!
SallyH says
I’m going to sound like a total negative nelly here, and please know that I love your site and so much that you do here–I hope this comes off as constructive criticism, which is how it is intended. I love a lot about the new header, but is it only me that sees it as a bit off center or something? Like the left side is smaller than the right or that side is on a downward slope? It is kind of like seeing a picture that is just a touch crooked and my eye keeps being drawn to it. And the fuschia & teal box with your personal info below your picture on the left side…the print is fuzzy and just doesn’t look as ‘clean’ as the rest of the site.
Christena says
Yes, I agree with the comments above. Overall, it still looks really good, I just don’t think it looks as good as it did. The color scheme is not as clean. But it is just a header! So it really will not influence whether or not I still read the blog. One more thing is the flower between “my life through food.” I’m not sure why these two phrases are separated here — “through food” doesn’t stand alone like “my life” does. What about a comma instead?
And I’m sorry, this was way, way to much critique on a header (from me). I just think that if I were in your position I would like to know. As always, the content is great.
Kath says
I want a pause between My life and through food – that’s why I did it. I don’t like it when it’s said as one sentence! And I love the colors 🙂
Kath says
That’s just how the photo was taken – not something I can fix! Just have to live with it as it is.
I need to fix the box – a resolution issue.
Dee says
Love the new header!
Maria says
I LOVE the new header! I noticed it as soon as I went to your page. I love things that combine a little bit of old and new. Job well done 🙂
Ma Fea says
I’d love to reinstitute evening walks, but the mosquitoes here have been VICIOUS this year. Can’t even venture out to grill once the sun leaves the deck!
Tori @ FIToriBLOG.com says
Love the new header, though I don’t know what it looked like before! 🙂 I’m new here!