This house is so us. I feel so comfortable here. Little things that used to drive me nuts at our old house (like dishes in the sink) seem to fit well with chicness of this house. Not that I’m not keeping it immaculately clean! Just that I feel much more relaxed here – must be the porch!!
I did some GRANOLA making today!! Finally!
Remember when we stayed at the South Street Inn and I raved about their buckwheat granola? Here it is. And here’s the recipe in a small batch:
I had a serving in some creamy milk for a snack. Oh-so-good and super crunchy!
Then I did laundry. Love laundry!
Here’s the basement. I’ve never had a basement in my life! (Childhood and beyond). Sure is convenient for all those household things.
Like my shelves for cleaning supplies and food storage.
And my nice laundry area. [FYI, I am obsessed with the new Method pump laundry detergent!]
Here’s Matt’s corner of the basement. Lots of storage and beer stuff. He’s been tidying it up even better than this all day.
So that bowl? It’s a salsa bowl. Er, Salsabol.
Sent to me from Salsabol. Similar to the Cali bowl, it’s got a curved lip. Upon learning about it, I immediately thought "Oatmeal!" but it did work really nicely with salsa.
The lip worked great. But I really just love the shape
Wish it came in KERF green and blue!
We enjoyed a few chips with drinks – brew for him
Mocktail for me
And rain for us all
He drank, I swang!
Dinner tonight started with a craving for roasted cherry tomatoes. Mixed with an Aztec theme with the corn chips and salsa, so I added millet and beans, plus lime. Leftover roasted corn. Oikos. More salsa. It was totally awesome.
Seasoned with cumin, chili powder, sea salt, pepper
Microwave moment: how do you reheat beans!? I put them in a glass container and put them in the oven with our roasting veggies. Worked like a charm. It did mean dirtying up an extra bowl, but that’s worth counter space for me!
The veggies (tomato, eggplant, zucchini and squash) were roasted in Garlic Gold (obviously!), salt and pepper for about 30 minutes at 400*.
The millet was simmer – 1/2 a cup in 2.25 cups water – for about 25 minutes. I don’t know how to cook things either, so I Googled "How to cook millet" and found a great little article by Dr. Weil that told me the grain to water ratio. Wish I had used broth and more salt though! Doh!
Millet is my favorite grain!! Well, tied with wheatberries.
After dinner I wanted something sweet – but our new "living simple" lifestyle means we have NO FOOD in this house! No more chocolate chest. No ice cream. No bags of chocolate chips. Everything was eaten or given away when we moved. Guess that means no dessert for me!
I also studied my RD materials for a while this afternoon (and may have fallen asleep on the couch!) so I’ve earned some reading for pleasure time this evening 🙂
Heather (Heather's Dish) says
LOVE the granola in a jar shot. EVERYTHING is better in a jar! 🙂
Camille says
Awesome bowl! I love the concept!
Marla says
Hope you will still have chocolate “stashes” in your new rental, ’cause life is a bit less sparkly without a bit of fine dark choc after dinner 😉
Evan Thomas says
It’s so great that you love your home! I couldn’t imagine moving somewhere and feeling iffy about it.
kellyO says
Dinner look delicious! Glad you are so settled already. Have a nice relaxing evening.
Jo says
House looks very cozy and inviting. Funny that you never had a basement before…it’s an essential when you have a gas- or oil-burning furnace! And yes, very useful for storage too!
Liz says
Why does living simple = no food?
Kaci Higgins says
Yea I’m a little confused…what do you mean no food? Why no chocolate or sweets?
Kath says
Because in our old pantry we had food going out the wazoo. It was a mess and it overwhelmed me. Who needs 6 kinds of BBQ sauce in the fridge!?!? I’m just trying to be more mindful of food I bring in the doors to keep things more simple.
Liz says
That I completely understand. Should have seen the food my husband brought when he moved in. Took me forever to get rid of it all.
Stacey@http://stacey-healthylife.blogspot.com/ says
That dinner looks divine. A great meal for the weekend.
Michelle @ Give Me the Almond Butter says
What a yummy dinner! I’ve never tried millet before.
lisasfoods says
If you like Method’s new pump laundry detergent, you should try Seventh Generation’s one, which I just purchased this week. It’s my favorite cleaning company. They’re based in Burlington, Vermont, and are a pretty green company. Not sure if their products are sold in Virginia, but here in Massachusetts we can find it at natural foods stores, and Target.
Kath says
Do they have a pump too? I like the pump and the smell of Method’s a lot
lisasfoods says
It does – not sure if it’s the same kind of pump, but you place it on its side to pour out the detergent. I think they sell different scents, but I bought one that is scent-free. I prefer soaps that don’t have smells – I think they’re more natural that way.
The Wife of a Dairyman says
Now you can just bike down and grab some frozen yogurt for dessert 🙂
Kath says
Haha. This was definitely discussed as an option tonight 🙂 But it was raining!
Mary @ Bites and Bliss says
Sounds like delicious granola! Homemade’s always better than storebought when it comes to stuff lik that 🙂
Estela @ Weekly Bite says
Sounds like the perfect Saturday! I’m so happy for you!
Heather says
I would love to have a basement – I grew up having one and love the storage options!
I love Method detergent – I use Sweet Water – I have never seen the pump option. I will look for it when I run out of my current bottle.
Love the new crockpot – does it have a timer so it will go on at a certain time?
Kath says
Yes, it’s programmable
Kerri @ Kerri Turns into a Zombie says
Dinner looks awesome! You two are so organized after only a few days. Props for that. 🙂
Marie says
Yum dinner does look great. Went to Cville today, tried Arch’s (on the Corner) gooey brownie topping. I might have dreams about that stuff! So delicious. I was also looking at races with a friend today… thought this sounded cute (your chocolateless-ness reminded me): http://charlottesvilletrackclub.org/calendar/ChocolateChase2010.pdf
Kath says
Oh fun! I definitely have to find some races to run this fall.
Erin says
I love the shape of that bowl *and* the color. Great! I actually saw “your” (haha) Cali bowls at the store the other day and almost bought some, but I’m trying to cut back on spending this summer. Can’t wait to get new dishes when I move again!
faith @ gracefulfitness says
Wow, I have been reading your blog off and on for a few months but somehow I just caught up with the fact that you live in Cville! I am in the process of moving there. I would love any insider tips you have figured out. Thanks!
Kath says
Oh fun! No real tips of yet – keep reading and you’ll see more of the city!
Kaley says
I thought I’d seen it all but now there’s a bowl for salsa? Hah.
Southern living = porch swing to me!
Hannah says
Squee, I have millet in my cupboard right now!!! I’d been told that you have to toast it first in a skillet before simmering it in water though.. I’m guessing you didn’t do that, and it was fine?
Kath says
I didn’t do any of that 🙂
Hillary says
That granola looks great and so does dinner!! I must try millet — Edible Perspective loves it, too. Glad to hear you’re happy at your new pad.
Liz @ Tip Top Shape says
Mmm, that dinner sounds delicious and looks it, too!! I’m glad to hear you’ve settled so well into your new home 😀
Amanda (The Nutritionist Reviews) says
I love roasted cherry tomatoes and your new bowl…genius!
lynn (The Actors Diet) says
i did laundry today too – but i did NOT love it!
Aimee says
What a fun bowl! Basements ROCK, and I can’t imagine living in house without one. However, I am totally jealous of your porch. That is one thing I have always wanted. 🙂
KC says
Hey Kath,
Love the new house. Our home and where we live is similar but in Michigan. Anyways, I ran across these pics of a laundry room a while back when I was working on our basement. I thought you might like them because you can do this inexpensively and even if you are leasing.
http://www.countryhome.com/decorating/realliferedo/laundry-shelf-project_1.html
BTW, THANK YOU for the idea on the mason jars. I bought 24 today and switched all my little bags of stuff over. My cabinets have never looked so good!!!
Kim
Kath says
Wow, that’s so gorgeous!! I don’t think we could do something that fancy – but perhaps I need a cute lamp or something!?
tanyasDailyProductReviews says
home made granola is the best
Whitney says
You can also heat up beans in a non-stick pan with a little water and olive oil….slip it around a little…works faster than the oven…
Whit
Jessica says
Kath, if you find you really miss your microwave, why don’t you just put a smallish one in the basement? A good friend of mine has a small kitchen like yours and they have their micro in the garage. 🙂
Love your house – I wish we had a nice porch and swing like that! So nice and relaxing.
Kath says
Great idea! I think we’re going to skip it for now, but the basement would be a great place.
holly @ couchpotatoathlete says
I lived for 4 years in college without a working microwave, it takes some creativity (and time!) but you can make it work. I agree with other comments about possibly getting a small one to keep in the basement, for microwave “emergencies”.
The granola looks great and I totally agree with you about not having tons of food in the house — I get that way with salad dressing (not any more, I make my own!), for a while I had 8-10 bottles of different kinds that I used once and never again.
Cynthia (It All Changes) says
The thing I hate the most about salsa in the bowl is when it falls over the edge as I scoop. This fixes that problem.
I miss having a basement. Nice to have things stored but still accessible. We used to play in ours as a kid because it was cooler in the summer.
ruby red says
I adore this Aztec-y/Mex-y bowl dinner idea! Genius, I tell you! I have bookmarked it for use with Adzuki beans – I haven’t ever bought them before because I didn’t know of a super-fun recipe off the top of my head to use them in! I am so jealous of your cool and bikeable lifestyle right now…..I just moved and mine has been stolen from me! 🙁
Chelsea (Chelsea's Chew and Run Fun) says
I can’t get over how terrific and quaint that porch is!
Love your fiesta bowl for dinner, looks like it’s bursting with spice, flavor, color, and whole grain goodness. I’ve yet to try millet, but I tried your soaking method of preparing wheat berries the other day and it worked like a charm. Thanks again for posting that tutorial!
Jessica @ How Sweet It Is says
I found Cali bowls where I’m at on vacation! I was so excited. 🙂
Kate @This American Wife says
I bought the Method soap at the store a month or so ago, and while I LOVE LOVE LOVE the size, the convenience and the one-hand distribution, I didn’t think it got my clothes as clean as standard Tide…what do you think Kath?
Kath says
It seemed to this time, but I’ve had trouble with that in the past.
Dynamics says
You definitely need a folding table for your laundry. It will make it so much easier to fold the clothes and take them upstairs.
You can always buy a microwave for downstairs if you really feel you need one. A small table in Matt’s corner would be perfect. (Sorry Matt)
Kath says
I don’t fold laundry!
Paula says
Your house is so charming. I just love it. You are so lucky. I love that salsa bowl. Will that be available on open sky?
Annie@stronghealthyfit says
You LOVE laundry? I love clean clothes, but I wouldn’t say I love laundry 😉
Happy you are happy with the place!
Shannon says
Just a basement tip, since you say you have never had one: Don’t keep anything low on the ground that is precious and irreplaceable (like family photos). I lived in a townhouse where the basement flooded regularly and my bedroom was down there so it was big fun. My neighbor’s basement flooded the other day because the power went out and the back-up battery in the sump pump was dead.
Kath says
Noted!!
Kelsey @ CleanTeenKelsey says
Oh, I love granola in milk. 🙂 It’s an awesome snack. That little bowl is so cute, and I love the concept behind it. Too funny. 😛
janna @ janna's keeping it real says
I just adore that porch swing!
Wei-Wei says
I don’t quite get the “curved lip” part of the bowl…? But it’s still quite a cute bowl 😉 Your house is just so beautiful. And that granola… wow, I think I need to make some now 😉
Wei-Wei
Freya @ Brit Chick Runs says
I think your feeling of zen to the house proves you definetly picked the right one for you guys 🙂
Granola looks great!
Sally Mae says
I can’t wait to try the granola recipe! I was inspired by the canning seminar you went to and ordered the Ball Discover Canning Kit and it’s awesome!! I just made a yummy organic honey plum jam:) Thanks for the tip on a great product!
Kath says
Awesome! I can’t wait to try something myself
Stacey @ Tipping the (Kitchen!) Scales says
It already looks like you’ve lived there forever! Nice to see you are settling in so well.
Kendel @ Eating Abroad says
I grew up dreaming of having a front porch, complete with swing. When I was in university, my parents built on a wraparound porch. When the day comes for me to live in a real house, a porch is on the top of my list. Glad you’re liking yours so much.
Lana says
Hi Kath,
We have no whole food stores in the small town I live in. I saw in the natural frozen section Sprouted Breads. I am just wondering if you have ever tried them and if the nutritional value is worth the $5.00 a loaf? I have wanted to try them but really not sure if it is worth it seems I am on a very strick budget.
Kath says
They are very nutritious, but if you’re on a tight budget, I’d just go with 100% whole wheat (do you have a trader joe’s? They have sprouted breads for less). Or learn to make your own bread!
Lana says
No we do not have a Trader Joe’s near us either. I am trying to make healthier choices with what we have in our some what small grocery store. I do buy 100% whole wheat but I did not know if there was something special about those breads. Thanks for the help.
Kath says
Some might argue they are healthier, but I think WW is just as good
Clare says
Mmmm…love millet. We had some the other day cooked in coconut milk with a Sweet potato-lentil stew. Total yum…like oatmeal for dinner.
coco says
Hi Kath, I was off reading your blog for a while and now that I’m back, I was so confused when I saw you moved to VA. I just figured out why you moved to Cville reading your old post… congrats on opening your own Harvest bakery, that’s awesome!!!! 😀
I live in DC, like two hours away from Cville. I wonder if you plan to do some races in the near future… I’d love to run with you sometime 😉
Kath says
Thanks for catching up organically 🙂
I’d love to run together sometime. I’ll be up to DC to visit Emily and we can do some races.
coco says
yeah~~~ when are you coming? I’d love to meet you again ( we met in Foodbuzz last year) and doing a race together would be awesome! 🙂
Kath says
Not sure when! I’ll let you know
coco says
looking forward! 🙂
Christie {Honoring Health} says
I reheat beans on the stop top in a small pot with a little bit of water.
I love that you have mason jar fever. I have been storing food in mason jars forever. I actually have a set that I scored in a thrift store that were made the year I was born. I had to get new lids for them but they were still really cool. Target has some gallon size ones that are really cool too. I bought one to store brown rice spaghetti in and it is the perfect fit!
Chelsea @ One Healthy Munchkin says
Dinner looks great! I love doing the grain + beans + veggies combo. It works everytime!
Marina says
Oh wow, I have to make this granola! I adore buckwheat.
your dinner looks amazing btw!
Sarena (The Non-Dairy Queen) says
That dinner looks so good! Right up my alley! I would have reheated the beans on the stove, but I would say if the oven was already on and it worked…go for it. I think the no microwave thing would be hard for us, but mostly because of the boys. We don’t have a toaster oven anymore and I am the only one that is ok with that. I like broiling toast…the others are too impatient. I am glad you enjoy your home!
A Teenage Gourmet (Sami) says
Such delicious eats! I have that same pan from William Sanoma, except mine is the cheaper “professional” version. The coating gets all weird when I wash it in the dish washer. Does anyone have any tips for me?
Kath says
I don’t think you’re supposed to put them in the dishewasher?
Tina says
That’s so funny you’ve never had a basement-I’ve never NOT had one! And since we finished ours complete with a kitchen-its certainly stretched our living space. And its made our upstairs (main) kitchen remodel painless.
Lauren says
That looks delicious! I am on the hunt for more vegetarian dinners and this is on my must do list. There is NOTHING better than homemade granola. On the list as well 🙂
Amber K says
The granola looks good!
I have never lived in a house with a basement before either. I’d love to have one someday!
Ashley J says
I know that this is a food blog, but I feel like every time I come here I get so many organization and decorating tips, which makes me feel so much more on top of stuff! Thanks for including those other aspects of your life, Kath!
Samantha says
And I thought OATS were your favorite grain;)
Kath says
Oh. Yeah!
Melissa @ HerGreenLife says
If you haven’t already picked one up, I highly recommend the “bulk basics” guide at Whole Foods. They provide them for free in the aisle with the bulk foods. I keep mine with my most used cookbooks and reference it frequently. Cooking times and water:grain ratio for all types of grains, plus cooking various legumes and ideas for using other bulk items, like dried fruit, nuts, and seeds!
Simply Life says
Oh that granola looks great!