2*28*11

There is one good reason why I haven't been around here much lately. The classic excuse: I've been busy! I've been busy with work (going on 8 straight days in a row...), but before you feel too sorry for me, I've also been busy having a lot of fun!

This Saturday, I participated in the first ever Cartathlon! It is hosted by the Willamette Week and its basically a big race and scavenger hunt by foot and public transportation, where the winning team gets free food cart food for a year! I wanted to win!!!

Tasks might include spelling out your teams name with french fries from Potato Champion...

...or eating a giant sandwich from Big Ass Sandwiches. This one had roast beef, ham, french fries, onions, and a killer cheese sauce on a super tasty piece of bread. It was enormous and delicious! I ate the french fries and onions and picked around the meat because I'm a team player.

This is my team. Go Hungry Hippos!

The best part: at the end was a party. Free beer (from Coalition Brewery) and wine. And a double decker bus filled with my friends to enjoy it in!

My ass is still sore from all the running, but I'd do it again in a heartbeat. Can't wait for next year's Cartathlon!

2*22*11

It's fun to get things in the mail. Especially when its a wedding invitation that you designed. It's even more fun when it's for your best friend's wedding.

Loren and Ronnie are getting married on the beaches of North Carolina, so they wanted something that looked... beachy!

So we used a sandy tans and navy blue. And I drew some cute little beach chairs to go on the top.

I'm obsessed with this ampersand. I can't stop using it!!!

'Lonnie' decided to save some major moolah and keep things simple by asking people to RSVP online. Smart thinkin, lovebirds!

2*20*11

Lately I've been feeling overwhelmed with the media. There is just so much to know. Keeping up with social media, news media, all the new technology... it makes my mind spin.

Apparently I'm not the only one feeling that way. NPR had some interesting things to say about it.

So did Portlandia:

2*16*11

Muffin tops. It's the very best part of the muffin. Why? I don't know. I can't explain it. Did you know that you can make just the muffin tops now? It's true. I have two pans that do just that. They're pretty popular in my household.

I made these Blueberry Muffin Tops by Gourmet the other day.

Only, I substituted whole wheat flour for the regular flour. That's so I don't get so much of a *ahem* muffin top.

2*15*11

I hope you all had a wonderful Valentines Day.

Mine was positively perfect. :)

2*11*11

Valentines Day is right around the corner, and like so many others I do believe that it is an overly commercial holiday. BUT, I don't see anything wrong with spending a day letting people know how much you love them.

Yesterday I made whole wheat brown sugar cookies. They are delicious: crunchy and flavorful! But now that I have a bad case of the 9-5's, and I still rarely see the sun (because wouldn't you know that 9-5 is the only time it's out?), I haven't had enough light to photograph these beauties!

Darn!

I don't think there's anything more romantic than cooking for your sweetie, especially on Valentines day. You could make:

Red Velvelt Cake. That's sexy.

I don't thing there's anyone that wouldn't like a Cinnamon Roll.

You could make your lover breakfast in bed. Or hell, make yourself breakfast, and then get back in bed!

I can think of a few people that would delight in Homemade Peanut Butter Cups!

Cheese Fondue wins the most romantic savory dish award.

You'd be my friend forever if you made Triple Chocolate Cheesecake!

S'mores Brownies? Perfect!

2*7*11

I got Jedi Night. Badass!

Click here to discover which Star Wars occupation is meant for you.

2*6*11

Bonjour!

Crepes for breakfast?

Oui! Oui!

This is definitely a new favorite. I'm not normally one to eat the same thing day after day. I get really bored. But I could eat these crepes every single morning for a very, very long time.

Here's the thing: they are the perfect combination of protein, fat and carb. When I get done eating them I feel full, but not that gross, sits with you all day, yucky full. Just good full.

They're also fantastic because you can make them sweet crepes or savory crepes, or both! I like to have one with peanut butter and chocolate, and one with parmesan cheese and egg. Get creative, you can put anything in them!

Whole Wheat Crepes

• 3 eggs
• 2/3 cup milk
• 2 tablespoons butter
• 1/4 teaspoon salt
• 1/3 cup whole wheat flour

Melt the butter.

Whisk the eggs, milk and salt.

Continue whisking while slowly pouring in the melted butter.

Continue whisking while slowly adding the flour.

Refrigerate for at least 1 hour.

Put a large non-stick pan on medium-high heat.

Pour about 2 tablespoons batter in the pan and tilt the pan around until the batter is spread very thin and most of the pan is coated.

Let cook for a couple minutes, then flip.

Place your choice of toppings on crepe while it cooks other side for about 30 seconds.

Fold crepe and place on plate.

Bon appetit!

2*2*11

I start my new job today! I'm a little nervous, excited... a lot happy.

And to get pumped for it, I've been listening to the Black Keys: