Lazy Sunday 
Faith and I met up for a walk this afternoon. Glorious, sunny, energizing.
But upon getting back home, I promptly crashed onto the couch with my book, a blanket and this bowl of snacks – pretzels, tortilla chip crumbles, raw granola, grapes, nuts. I love little snack mixes like this! I used to have trail mix on hand at all times for a tide-me-over-but-don’t-fill-me-up snack, but I never think to buy it anymore.
Matt came home at 6:30 and we put together dinner – in 10 minutes per usual! It helped to have two hands on deck.
The main event was seared porkchops [local from the Organic Butcher] that we topped with a Bourbon Apple Sauce!! To make the apples, we chopped ‘em up and put them in a hot pan along with about 3 tbsp Maker’s Mark, 1/4 cup Dr. Pete’s Praline Mustard Glaze and about 1 tbsp brown sugar. We removed them from the heat while the pork cooked and then Matt put the whole mixture on top of the pork in its pan with more bourbon for 2 more minutes of cooking.
I worked on steaming up some kale, which I seasoned with maple syrup, olive oil and salt.
Toasty bread on the side!
Spooky
After dinner, of course, I had my cake on the brain! My REAL 29th birthday is on Wednesday 10/26 – is is proper etiquette to finish your cake before your birthday begins!?
Matt and I have been watching the documentary Miss Representation – a film that explores how the media’s misrepresentation of women has led to the underrepresentation of women in positions of power and influence. It premiered on OWN on Thursday and we really enjoyed watching it. Some of the footage was quite unbelievable – a must see for both men and women.
Cheers –
[email protected] says
You gotta finish your cake so you can have a real birthday cake on 10/26! You know the 9 in the 29 is just 6 upside down, right? 🙂
KathEats says
I thought of that 🙂 Not sure how to make it come to life!?
Molly @ RDexposed says
We caramelized apples this morning for our pancakes and the boy was tempted to put beer in the mix. Time doesn’t factor in beer decisions for us I suppose!
Lauren says
I vote for 2 cakes…. One from your party and one for the actual day. Sounds good to me 😉 I love doing little snack mixes like that- they work for whatever I’m in the mood for!
Sana says
No, you just need cake #2 on the 29th!!!
Maria @ Sinfully Nutritious says
I agree, you need a cake on your b-day!
katie @KatieDid says
mmm pork chops and apple sauce (or chutney in this case) is one of my favorite meals and reminds me of childhood. I made that mean a few weeks back! Happy early birthday, the cake looks like its just as tasty as the day it was made!
Maria @ Sinfully Nutritious says
Is that your backyard? I love it.
The cake looks awesome, moist & decadent. I want a piece.
KathEats says
Nope, just a house we passed!
Justeen @ Blissful Baking says
Wow, the bourbon apple sauce sounds fabulous!! I love how you can whip up dinner in ten minutes and still make it so fancy and special.
I think you need another cake!! 🙂
Kelly @ Foodie Fiasco says
It’s your cake! Eat it all! That documentary on OWN sounds great, and I love hearing about people speaking for women’s right. Happy Sunday! 😉
Becca says
I love the cake. Is it really just four layers of Pumpkin Oh that haven’t been rolled up?
KathEats says
Yup! And extra icing 🙂
Sweet and Savvy says
That apple glaze for the meat sounds delicious:)
Chloe (In Fine Feather) says
I just blogged about Miss Representation – it’s very powerful & something I think the younger generation (like us) doesn’t think about as much as we should.
Jen says
You look too young for 29! But I’m glad because I don’t feel “old” at 30 🙂
I’ve only seen The Rosie Show on the O Network. Does it offer good shows overall?
~Christy @ wonderofallthings says
Really, really good shows. Just watched the first episode of Super Soul Sunday (it’s 3 hours long but worth it). Visionaries is great. And her Lifeclass is good as well.
Anita says
Happy Birthday Kath:
Hope this is your best year ever !
Alaina says
Your birthday is the same as my mom’s and my wedding anniversary!! Have a great birthday!! 🙂
Katie @ Peace Love and Oats says
Happy almost birthday! Mine is on Sunday, but my brother told me he had intended to buy me a big cake (since cake is my favorite food ever) but now can’t since I found out I have a gluten intolerance a week ago… Lol he said he’d bake one but that would very dangerous. In other words, enjoy that cake!!!!
Valerie says
I was just watching the trailer for Miss Representation. Ain’t it funny how things appear once they’ve been recognized? I’m happy to hear you enjoyed it…I’m very interested. Happy Birfday! My wedding anniversary is 6/26/10…it was a full moon!
Teal says
I’m really glad you mentioned that documentary, Kath:
“You get a woman, in the oval office, the most powerful person in the world…what’s the downside?
You mean besides the PMS and the mood swings?”
Ladies (and gents) reading this comment – if quotes like the above get you riled up and upset, watch the documentary. It’s where that quote came from.
Maureen says
You need two cakes….case closed. 🙂
Paula Lanier says
Could I get your pimento cheese recipe? Love your blog…you’re doing a great job! I look fwd to
seeing in my email. 🙂
KathEats says
I can’t share the Great Harvest one, but a PC recipe I’ve been making for year’s is Kelsey’s:
http://bitesandbowls.com/2009/02/24/black-bean-burger-foreign-fries/
Just be sure to hand-grate the cheese and don’t use bagged!
Christine says
Long time reader, first time commenter here! I’m curious as to why you say not to use bagged cheese?
KathEats says
Thanks for your comment!!
Bagged cheese is often coated in cornstarch or other powders to keep it from sticking together in the bag – therefore it doesn’t melt as well or stick together (like you’d want pimento cheese to do) as freshly grated. I also think freshly grated has SO much more flavor
Christine says
That’s a great point I hadn’t thought about, thanks so much!
Julie H. of Spinach and Sprinkles says
Eat that cake- and then get another one 😉 ….Or top your oatmeal with it.
Katie @ Talk Less, Say More says
You have this way of making 10 minute meals still look gourmet. I can’t even make my hour long meals look that good…haha!
~Christy @ wonderofallthings says
OMG – the pork chops look (and sound) amazing!!! As good as they look (and sound)??
Ari @ Ari's Menu says
Birthweek means you have no rules and can eat all the cake you want. Official birthweek protocol. Trust me, it’s documented somewhere. Happy birthweek to you!!!
Angel7 says
Hopefully, there will be more cake for your actual birthday 🙂
http://faithfulsolutions.blogspot.com/
Mama Pea says
Thanks for the heads up on the documentary. I’m setting the DVR right now!
Lena @Fit on the Rocks says
I’ve been looking for different ways to dress up a pork chop, and your recipe seem so simple and delicious! I can’t wait to try 🙂 Oh, and it’s always ok to eat the cake before your birthday, then maybe you’ll get another one on the actual day 😀
Averie @ Love Veggies and Yoga says
Thanks for the info about Miss Rep. Never heard of it…sounds intriguing.
I love the first pic. The sunlight and kitty and fall in the air…such a great shot!
Emily @ The Divine Carrot says
Sounds a lot like what we did on our lazy Sunday! A long walk around our lovely Bavarian countryside followed by making dinner together (sweet potato lentil soup and homemade bread). I love perfect Sunday afternoons in the autumn… makes me just happy to be alive. 🙂
J3nn (Jenn's Menu and Lifestyle Blog) says
That cake looks delightful! I love the thick icing. Yum!! 🙂
Khushboo says
I still can’t believe Matt made that cake- look at those layers!
Fall Girl says
Hi Kath!
Just found your blog. Was looking for an oatmeal bar recipe (found yours – looks great!), and have been browsing your blog for the past hour. Love it – the recipes sound fantastic, the site is very well-done – artful and thoughtful. I’m sure I’ll be back. 🙂
I’m a mom of 15 mo. old twins. Before they came along my husband and I ate out A LOT (both with long commute and full days of work), but now I’m home with the kids (love it!) and constantly trying to find new ideas for healthy meals and snacks. I think I’ve found some inspiration!
…Oh, the apple glaze sounds delish, BTW! I was introduced to Dr. Pete’s Praline Mustard Glaze by a co-worker, who would dump it on top of a full block of cream cheese and serve as a spread on crackers – amazing!!!!
KathEats says
Welcome Fall Girl!
Marijke says
I love the first two photos- it’s like they are radiating sunshine!
I almost feel warm just by looking at them!
Irina says
You are such healthy eaters. No way my hubby would have all that kale but with no potatoes. I, on the the other hand, can eat veggies non-stop. Beautiful photos.
Hillary says
That cake wouldn’t have made it past the first day in my house—never mind until my actual birthday!
Lauren says
On my birthday, I like to prolong the cake experience the entire week. 🙂
Simply Life says
I’ve never heard of that documentary – good to know!
Chelsea @ One Healthy Munchkin says
They did a screening of that movie at my school, but I had class during that time. I really want to see it!
Hope @ With A Side Of Hope says
That cake looks delicious! 🙂 I think if you finish the cake before you birthday, that only means that you need birthday cake #2! There is never too much cake!
Fran says
You can always have another cake for your Actual Birthday! My birthday was October 6 and I have declared the Birthday Month this year. I’ve been celebrating the whole month. As I calculate it, I have another week. I say, Keep Celebrating!
pam c says
Yep, its ok to finish the cake…that just means that you will get another one on your for real birthday..have a great day.
Ashley @ My Food 'N' Fitness Diaries says
Of course finishing your cake is appropriate before your “real” birthday… You just need a second one! Sounds like a perfect idea to me! 😉 The documentary you guys are watching sounds very interesting. I’d love to see it. I’ll have to check into it!
Katie says
If your dear husband makes you a cake that beautiful and delicious before your birthday it is certainly proper to finish it ASAP. And then, as long as you don’t have to make it, it is proper etiquette to consume more cake everyday until your birthday, on your birthday, and for as many days after your birthday as the cake lasts. Also, you are allowed to hint about what kind of a cake you want. My kids will turn 5 and 6 in November and it is also our anniversary month, my sister and MIL’s birthday, and Thanksgiving so we tend to celebrate all month long with plenty of pumpkin goodies and white almond sour cream cake in whatever shape the kids choose. Happy birthday week! You have certainly accomplished a lot in 29 years, most importantly being happy and healthy. Thanks as always for the wonderful blog!
KathEats says
Haha – love the rules!
Celina says
I’m so glad you mentioned Miss Representation! I’m studying media and technology in school right now and one of my classes is how women are represented in the media! It is fascinating! Those in power need to take the responsibility to show women in the media as intelligent beings rather than sexualized objects. The ‘ideal woman’ is being naturalized in our society! We need to stop comparing ourselves to other women and stick together (It’s not a competition 😉 )
Lindsay says
I love having two hands on deck as well, my hubs and I have been cooking together a lot lately, 1. to make it faster 2. to keep us motivated to stay on track! I love the pork chop idea, sounds delish…I’m a whiskey girl at heart:P