Balloons

Celebrating two birthdays, first of all, our friend's little boy, who turned 2 on Friday...and then my husband's birthday on Saturday.

I made Rob a German chocolate cake...wacky chocolate cake with this frosting (thank you to Vegan Heartland for the recipe):

Coconut pecan frosting

• 1 (14 oz.) can coconut milk (I got mine at Trader Joe's)
• 1 cup pecans - chopped
• 1 cup white sugar
• 1/3 cup cornstarch
• 1/4 cup water
• 1/2 cup coconut oil
• 1/8 tsp salt
• 1 1/2 cups unsweetened coconut flakes
• 1/2 tsp vanilla extract

Pour the container of coconut milk in a medium sized saucepan. Simmer until the liquid is reduced to about half, maybe 5 minutes.

Stir together the corn starch and water until well combined. Add milk, along with the sugar, oil, and salt. Cook over medium heat until the mixture begins to thicken. Remove from heat and stir in the pecans, coconut, and vanilla. Allow the frosting to cool for 30 minutes until spreadable.

To assemble the cake - place one layer of the cake (with the top facing down) on your serving plate. Spread 1/2 of the frosting on top of that layer. Place the second layer of cake on top of the frosted layer and spread 1/2 of the frosting on the second layer. 

 Kisses from Grammie.

Rob's been working on building a outdoor oven...for bread and pizza!  Hopefully it'll be done in a week or two.

Health

Little cup of water.  Like it's the best thing ever.

I've been watching this...trying to do more to make our overall health optimal.  It's hard to change your lifestyle, but I do like most healthy foods and going for walks, but I still love marshmallows, French fries, root beer, and can't run a mile...so exhausting. 

https://go2.thetruthaboutcancer.com/agq/episode-6/

From:  http://mouseshouses.blogspot.com/2016/04/buskers.html I like to think a little music is good for you, too.  Rob's been playing the mandolin a little less lately, because he's been building an outdoor oven!  Hannah's been playing some lovely melodies on the piano...and little Paul loves to try to play, too.

Squishing the avocado on his shirt....oops!

 Breakfast this morning...

And today someone is officially 7 months old!  2 teeth.  Olivia helping me out, this morning...  crawling around the house, just using his arms, saying "ba ba ba" loves to drink water and mama's milk and eat sweet potatoes, avocados, bananas, cantaloupe, and shoes...if he can get there before I do.

Back pain

What do you do about back pain?  I have scoliosis and also a little baby, who isn't mobile yet, and carrying him around as he's gained weight...ouch!  A friend gave me this Kava Stress Relief tea (I wouldn't call it stress that I've got, but the "eases tensions and promotes relaxation" is the part I need).  I've put essential oils on my neck and back, it helps a little.  Exercise seems to help me, twisting the back right and left...going for walks.  I'd appreciate other suggestions. ♥

 

I harvested some dandelions...going to saute them!

 

This is one of our new favorite meals...avocado smeared on toast with pickled onions and Himalayan pink salts on top.  Simple recipe for pickled onions:  http://www.twolazygourmets.com/2015/02/pickled-onions/  For the kids, it's like a science experiment, when you add the lime juice the onions turn from purple to a pretty pink, must be the acidity.

 I sat someone on the potty for the 1st time yesterday, and he peed!  Today, he pooped!!!

Munching on a cooked green bean with big sister.