What I learned from Pepe: Vegan Sweet Potato "Quesadillas"

My friend Michelle and I went on little girl's lunch

at a quiant little vegan mexican resturaunt that goes by the name of:

Pepe's

I have had the pleasure to meet Pepe himself at a party where he happened to bring a little guacamole.

Well, very tasty little guacamole.

I also heard him talking about avocado "cheese" cake.

Needless to say, I was intrigued.

So, Michelle and I worked our way down to Pepe's.

The menu, like any great resuraunt, changes everyday.

There are about 5-8 options of dinnerplates ranging 6-10 dollars.

The drink option for us water cucumber lemondade.

If you have a juicer, please make this and invite me over ;)!

The atmosphere:

A home feel with a cute little rooftop patio that includes:

 vintage bicycles, salvaged antiques and several container gardens.

 I felt like a was just hanging out at a  friends house.

Advice to men: Take a girl to Pepe's for a first date. It will tell her: hey, my date is obviously creative, enjoys trying new things, likes to hang out in relaxing enviroments. Pepe's vs. Sportsbar for a first date. Pepe's: +1, Sportsbar: -110.

I ordered the Sweet Potato Quesadillas. They were incredible.

I decided it was absolutely necessary to share the recipe to those who don't live in Lincoln, NE.

(Because if you die before trying these, you did not really live).

So, here we go, my best attempt:

VEGAN SWEET POTATOES with SAFFRON RICE, BLACK BEANS and FRESH TOMATOES

What you'll need:

6 cups boiling water

One large sweet potato

12in flour tortillas

1 can black beans, drained

1 tsp cinnamon

1 tsp cayenne pepper

1 T brown sugar

Salt+Pepper

2 TB oil + some for tortillas

Saffron Rice (Yellow package in the mexican foods section or in the rice section)

First:

Boil water. Peel and cut the potato into 1inx 1in cubes and toss them into the boiling water.

Heat the potatoes until easy cut into with a knife. (This should be about 12-15 minutes). Meanwhile, heat the beans on the stove and follow directions on the saffron rice bag. After that is done, mash the potatoes and spread over half of a 12in tortilla. Sprinkle with black beans and fold in half. Heat skillet with 2 tablespoons oil. Brush the top side of the tortilla and heat over medium heat.

Serve leftover black beans and fre

YUM! I believe this to be a recipe that a non vegan enthusiast would take delight in.

Enjoy! Love, Meg

Fancy pants watermelon jello shots

I am not a big jello shots person.

(Mainly because I prefer brewsky)

but I am a jello shots person when they are in the shape of

adorable little watermelons.

These little jigglers are easy as 1-2-3, and they will

add a little zest to any girl's night.

You will need:

One large box of watermelon jello

1 1/2 cup vodka

2 cups boiling water

1 cup cold water

limes, lots and lots of limes

First things first:

Cut your limes in half lengthwise and hollow each half out.

Next:

Make your jello. Add your boiling water to the mix first, then the cold water and

then the vodka. Make sure to add vodka last so the alcohol doesn't evaporate!

Fill your lime halves with the jello mixture all the way to the brim.

After that:

CAREFULLY, put your tray into the fridge and let the shots sit overnight.

Don't be tempted to take one for breakfast. These are not

a good breakfast food.

After waiting:

Take a VERY sharp knife and slice each half in half again.

Finally: Enjoy! Yummy! You can also use lime jello and make limes!

On what's in store for August: Sneak Peak

Hello friend.

Wow it's hot outside.

The best thing about living in Nebraska is:

 you always have a new season to look forward to.

I'm almost certain that no one loves fall as much as I do.

That is why I am devoting August to preparing fall how-to's and getting-to-know-you's.

My first project of August:

Experimenting with needlepoint.

This project is a little loosey-goosey but for my first time, I had a blast!

Stitching is a great activity to pass time on a road trip

or while watching TV

or waiting for the cable guy.

(Which is where I did all these things because I worked on this for a very long time)

This is also a great way to use up scrap fabric.

I have many things that I will be working on in August, perhaps you would like to join me as I share:

Oh-So adorable and tasty Shortbread Buttons

Feather features

Manly crafts

Accessories galore

bike care 101

Easy-shmeazy dinner ideas

picnic planning

and a few vintage treats! (just to name a few)

Oh goodie! I'm so excited!

I hope you have a wonderful Sunday!

<3 Meg

On things that make summer just grand...

Hi.

I hope you are staying cool in the warm weather.

I am making sure to utilize my sun dresses and sandals!

There are so many things that keep me wishing for summer all year long

and this summer has especially been one that was worth the anticipation!

*I have recently become reaquianted with my bicycle,

and I'm almost positive that the world is more beautiful on two wheels.

I have been taking bike dates with myself and with company,

but my suggestion to you is to hop on your bike.

You'd be surprised where it will take you...*

*My "aunts" (adoptive wonderful people) have taught me

a lot about gardening. Taylor and I built a small planter box to experiment with

several plants that we recieved from my aunts awesome green house.

Our tomatoes are freaks! They are already producing more fruit

than we know what to do with!

My aunts, being the wonderful people they are, never let

me leave their house empty handed.

I got to take home an entire rhubarb plant a few weeks ago!*

*There is nothing quite as relaxing as a morning at my favorite coffee shop:

The Mill.

I always find the eclectic environment and neighborhood setting inspiring.

Lately, this has been my go-to place for shop planning and blogging.*

*I have been enjoyed to Taylor play guitar and write originals.

He has recently discovered the world of blogging and I am hoping

he will soon have a music blog of his own.*

I hope your summer has been as grand as mine!

Love, Meg



On what it's all about...

Hi.

This week, I am beginning my journey into a new level of blogging love. I previously worked on discovering the beauty. As I slowly saw that my blog was transforming into a place where I could share my recipes, vintage goodies, and how-to-do's, I decided to refocus in a different direction.

This next adventure will be a start-to-finish-explore-with-me-tutorial on setting up a blog and Etsy shop. I hope you are just as inspired to create as I am, and if not, perhaps you will learn a little about the details of blog design with me. With the help of blog gurus, Megan and Jake Anderson of thenerdnest.com, we will be up and dazzling in no time.

So grab your laptop, a latte, and your much appreciated input and join me as we join our forces to take the handmade movement by storm.

<3 Meg