Vegan baked goods

I wasn't always sure about vegan baked goods because I imagined they wouldn't taste as good without delicious things like butter, eggs, and milk . . . but I've been trying more of them lately and have been surprised by how good they are.

I tried this vegan lemon tea cake at a bakery in Atwater Village last week and it was a pleasant surprise. I also had an amazing vegan cookie at an Easter church picnic.  Back to the picture . . . I was in the area for a work assignment and took a short break at Proof Bakery.  I sat on the sidewalk and enjoyed my cappuccino and cake, while imagining I was on a European vacation . . . and after 15 minutes I proceeded to tackle the many tasks I needed to accomplish that day.  It was a nice 15 minute vacation on a Monday :)

Agua Frescas + Cook's

I've been drinking a lot of agua frescas lately . . . they are just so dang good!  I had a really good cucumber and honeydew version and a cantaloupe version not too long ago.  The one pictured is pureed mango, strawberry, and orange that I ran through a sieve, mixed with maybe a tablespoon of sugar, and diluted with ice water.  I added some chia seeds later on for a health boost.

I also borrowed my friend's Cook's Illustrated magazine.  I kind of like this magazine . . . it's starting to grow on me.  I used to feel like their recipes (while awesome) seemed too scientific and precise, but I've learned so much just flipping through the pages already.  I'll have to try making something soon.

At work

Took some pics at work . . . because I was bored and wanted a break, and wanted to take advantage of a bare shelf against a white wall (a perfect canvas for prop shots!).

My desk window overlooks a bakery by the way.  I bought a mango paleta there the other day.  Yum.

I like to walk

And I like this commercial from Kaiser.  It's affirming. 

A special connection

Robin Schwartz (world-renown photographer), and her daughter Amelia are new to me.  I discovered Robin's work in the NY Time's Sunday magazine (I picked up a copy of the NY Times at Fresh &  Easy on a whim).

I guess her daughter, Amelia has this special connection with animals and her mother has been photographing this bond since Amelia was a little girl.  All I can say is that these photos are amazing (and how cool to have such a special bond with animals).  You can see more here and here. 

Photo by Robin Schwartz

I wish I had a special connection with animals like Amelia, but I'm content with my affectionate Cody.

Photo by Serenity Moreno

Sewing Project

 

This is a picture of a pin cushion I created a few months ago.  Not the cleanest sewing job but I think it looks nice.  It kind of reminds me of those strawberry hard candy wrappers :)

Sunday afternoons are the best

Sunday was nice . . . I had a great time at church in the morning and came home for a session of soup and granola-making while watching the rain pour down outside.