everyday evans

Somehow I blinked once and when I opened my eyes it was Thursday evening. It was one of those weeks where you forget to shave one of your legs and then you get to work and can’t remember even riding your bike there. A cloudy mind filled of lists and thoughts and ice cream cravings will do that, though.

But then I sat down for a second and realized that this week has been about a whole lot more than to do lists. Its been about delicious homemade lasagna with amazing neighbors, surprise sandwiches left on the counter for a busy mid-day break, holding hands, re-grouping, and a sleepy mosey to the neighborhood coffee shop for a morning pick-me-up.

This week has also been about growth. Because just a few days ago, I became an aunt to a very special little man whom I can’t wait to meet (and spoil with a pair of Tiny Toms when his tiny feet permit, of course).

A very special week indeed. 

This morning my mom came over for a late breakfast. We shared these cinnamon buns and laughed when it took all of our woman-power to get them out of the pan since I’d forgotten the little step of buttering the pan. 

Then we gathered up our dogs and strolled around the city taking a turn down Warren Street, where we came across some pretty flowers. “What are these?” I asked my mom as we moseyed along. “Those?” she asked. “Those are morning glories,” she said as she picked one off the branch and pressed it to her nose. Then, she told me that when she was a kid, she and her friends would pick Morning Glories and try to balance them on their noses just as you do a silver spoon.

So, we spent a few minutes trying to balance Morning Glories on our noses. It was a lovely moment and I’m looking forward to walking around with my little girl someday and teaching her how to balance a Morning Glory on her nose as gracefully as her beautiful grandmother. 

*Note that this house pictured is actually on Pitt Street. Isn’t it wonderful? 

This is Claire. We met in college, and I love her more than my mom’s french toast. (Which is a lot because that french toast is the bees knees.)

Last night I had the privilege of catching up with Claire over Skype. We laughed a lot and I woke up this morning feeling overwhelmingly grateful for a friend like her. 

If all goes as planned, I’ll win the lottery this year so I can build my ginormous compound where Claire will have a mansion right next to mine. Then we can skip the Skype and go straight to having wine on the back porch like best friends were made to do.

In the meantime, I suppose skyping in pjs and ridiculous headbands will suffice. 

Need an easy dessert to bring to your best pal’s house for Sunday supper? Look no further than the World’s Easiest [Insert your favorite berry here] Cream Pie recipe.

I found this gem from one of my mom’s old cookbooks and it never fails. Plus, it takes like 2 seconds to make.

Instead of using pre-made graham cracker crust (though i think those are delicious, too), I opt for this graham cracker crust recipe instead. 

Ingredients:

*8oz cream cheese, softened

1/2 cup of sugar

1 tablespoon fresh lemon juice

1 teaspoon vanilla

1 cup whipping cream, whipped

1 pint whatever fruit you’d like, washed

Beat cream cheese until light and fluffy. Blend in sugar, lemon juice, and vanilla. Fold in whipped cream and berries.Spoon in to crust and chill for a couple of hours. 

*Don’t try to be all healthy and get the fat free cream cheese. The consistency gets weird and it tastes icky. And nobody likes an icky pie. 

Note that my presentation is terrible. But I find that the taste makes up for the looks in my case.