Nowhere to Go, Nowhere to Be: The Pleasure of No Agenda

This has become my daily view

When I ended Graduate School, I thought that going from every minute of my day pre-planned and constant alerts reminding me to do this or that on my phone to absolutely nothing on my calendar would be quite a change. I wasn't sure just how I would be affected by this change, but when I had to look at my phone yesterday to check the date, I knew that I was definitely in the "Nowhere to go, Nowhere to Be" mindset (yes, this IS a Kenny Chesney song..). I know that this won't last forever, so I'm embracing every minute of my current situation by waking up, choosing what to do for the day (which often involves the pool and a good book), and spending the evening with my love (which has evolved into Matt watching TV shows while I craft the evening away).



Favorite New Crafting Discovery: 

I found this AMAZING tool at Michaels the other day. I was searching for wedding invitation essentials and, after about 3 hours in the store, I ended up finding a cart-full of other things (for the wedding so I won't expose those here quite yet). Amongst my cart full of crafting finds, I found this paper cutter which I have been using to cut tags for cards. It is large enough to stamp but small enough to not overpower a 4x6 greeting card. One of the best crafting purchases I've made to date. ($10 with 30% off coupon at Michaels)




Latest Vegan Recipe Experiment: 

After a long day in the sun yesterday afternoon (temps in the mid 90s here in Tallahassee this week), I decided to make a little after dinner dessert for us. Since Matt took the car to work, I had to make something that I already had all ingredients for. After looking in the fridge and on my Vegan Goodness Pinterest Board, I found it:Vegan Blueberry Pie. Are you fearful that vegan desserts won't match up to "normal" desserts? Well, this one honestly is tasty...Otherwise, I don't think half the pie would be gone. Although this turned out amazing, I'm really hoping we get the mini pie pans for our wedding shower so I can make adorable mini pies! It wouldn't change the taste, but the appearance would be too cute!

MMMM...Fresh Blueberries!

Delicious VEGAN Blueberry Pie! 

Vegan Blueberry Pie *Adapted from Pinterest Pins

Crust and Crumble Topping Ingredients:
1 1/2 c. Flour
2/3 c. Vegan Butter (*I used the Regular Earth Balance)
Dash of Baking Powder
Dash of Salt
Dash of Organic Sugar
Approx. 2 tbsp. Ice cold water (*Use as much as you see appropriate)

Crust Instructions: (*If you desire a lattice or double crust, double crust ingredients above)
-Preheat oven to 425
-Mix Flour and vegan butter with fork until it is crumbly. (*Avoid using hands as much as possible)
-Add baking powder, salt, and sugar.
-Place in freezer for 5 minutes or so.
-Pull out of freezer, add ice cold water, and quickly form a dough ball with hands.
-Spread out using a rolling pin or spread evenly in pan. (*Don't have a rolling pin? A glass works, too!)
-Bake crust for 5 minutes

Crumble Topping Instructions:
-Follow above instructions but DO NOT form into a ball or add ice cold water.

Blueberry Filling

Blueberry Filling Ingredients:
2 1/2 c. fresh blueberries
1/2 c. organic sugar
1/4 c. flour
1 tbsp Vanilla
Dash of Ginger
Dash of Cinnamon

After taking the foil off

Blueberry Filling Instructions:
-Entire pie also bakes at 425 so make sure the oven is still on
-Mix all ingredients in bowl until all blueberries are coated with sugar mixture.
-Pour into the pie crust and spread evenly.
-Sprinkle crumble topping OR place lattice/crust on top
-Cover entire pie with foil and bake for 25-30 minutes
-Remove foil and bake for an addition 10-15 minutes, or until crumble/crust is a golden brown

Side Notes:
*Are you serving your vegan pie amongst non-vegan pies? Cut a "V" out of extra crust and place on the top of the pie. This way, folks know that your pie is vegan friendly!
*Don't have enough blueberries for the whole pie? Mix some other berries in for a mixed berry pie!
*Are you a non-vegan who thinks that this pie will be more expensive to make? The most expensive item will most likely be the vegan butter--which ranges from $3-4 at local stores. You'll have plenty of vegan butter left over for other, everyday uses. Earth Balance vegan butter can be found in most grocery stores either near the other butters or the cold organic section.
*Want to make this pie-making adventure even more fun? Find a local blueberry patch to pick the blueberries yourself! This is a fun kick-off-to-summer activity and leftover blueberries can be used to make homemade jam or other blueberry treats!

*Fall Back Friday (that's a thing, right?) to that time we picked our own blueberries

Summer 2012 in South Bend, Indiana