Life: My 1st Solo Apartment

About a month and a half ago, I moved out of my 1st solo apartment. After a 2 1/2 year relationship, we had to call it quits after a seriously creepy incident which involved shots fired and my side yard. I wouldn't have said that I lived in a bad neighborhood if you asked me, but when you live near a hospital, crazy finds you. That's the only way to describe it. Since I'm on a big "document your life, Katie" kick, I wanted to share some pictures of my place before it was packed up and carted to Westies.

My old apartment was a studio PLUS. I say PLUS because it had a separate eat-in kitchen, which I didn't photograph-- which was probably a freudian slip on my behalf since I hated that kitchen for all 2 1/2 years. The entire apartment wasn't much more than 450 sq feet, but it was mine and I loved it.

Socca "Hippie" Pizza

So I have a few friends that are gluten free and I stumbled upon this recipe when I was planning a little dinner party with them. I have to say, gluten free or not, this pizza is delicious.  My boyfriend dubbed it "Hippie" pizza because it calls for a flour alternative (ahem, chickpea flour). I generally use sauteed spinach instead of kale, and I caramelize some onions and peppers too. Oh, and most importantly, I use regular cheese instead of the recommended vegan cream cheese.

Heres what you need:

The Crust

1c. chickpea flour (found at Whole Foods or any similar store)
1c. water
1 ts. cumin, rosemary, salt and pepper
1 TB olive oil

Pizza Fixings

3/4 c. tomato sauce
1/2 of a white onion
1/2 of a bell pepper
2 cloves of garlic
2 handfuls of spinach
a pinch of red pepper flakes
salt and pepper to taste
1 TB butter
1 c. (or more if you're me) shredded mozzarella cheese

Other Stuff

9 inch cast iron skillet
1 TB olive oil (no that's not a typo, I'll explain!)

What you do:

Mix the flour, water, spices, s, p, and olive oil in bowl. Put in fridge.

Put your skillet into the oven and preheat that sucker to 450F (really hot, I know)

Chop/prepare your veggies and start caramelizing them in butter.

Once oven is preheated, add 1 TB olive oil and swish around to coat evenly. Put back in oven for 5 mins.

Add crust batter to your hot skillet and put back in oven to cook for 15-20 minutes, or until it's browned around the edges.

Once crust is cooked, add sauce, cheese and veggie toppings to pizza crust. Cook for 5-7 minutes longer or until cheese is melted and delicious looking.

Let cool for a couple minutes, then serve.

Gluten free or not, it rocks my world.

Enjoy.

today, blah, blah, today

Today was was on of those days. You know the kind I'm talking about. I was supposed to wake up early and go get my blood work done (for my thyroid disorder, go banana), but I overslept, as always. And I didn't go and get it done during lunch either. What's one more day, right Ms. Procrastinator (uh that's me)? I mean, I'm already 3 months late in getting this done so, one more day isn't going to make-or-break this situation.  To add to the heap-o-mess, work was nuttier than squirrel poo, which unfortunately, is par the course these days. And to top it off, I had to use a toilet seat cover-thingy as TP. Which, is super gross.

Silver lining time: I made the best hippie pizza EVER tonight (recipe post to come tomorrow). And, I'm going to make some cookies too. Making delicious food really does lift the spirits, right?

Oh, and adorable pictures of my fur babies don't hurt either.

Bruiser in all his cute glory.

xo.

On Your Third Birthday

My dearest Oliver,

Today marks your third birthday. I'm pretty proud to say that I've know you your ENTIRE LIFE (minus the first six weeks). You were my first fur baby. I remember the day that I picked you up, I was so excited to get you that I left work early. I created a comfy-cozy sleeping area in the living room. That night you kept me up--crawling on me and getting to know the area.  I'd have to say that it took me an entire year to truly get to know you and your needs. Now though, I'm an Oliver expert. I know what presses your buttons and what gets you excited. You were my first baby, and I love you. Even though you can be a right-nasty-beast sometimes.

All my love,

yo mama

falling for fall

every year it happens, i fall for fall. the colors, smells, and seasonal food having me head over heels every. single. year. as i write this there is a cool breeze coming in from my window and i know, that if i give it another two more weeks i'll even need a jacket. oh bless you new england for your four distinct seasons. i can't wait to go pumpkin & apple picking.