Fancy Up Them Hash Browns

Breakfast is a very important meal! We’ve been hearing this for years, with solid proof to back it up. But like so many other people I often skip breakfast. I don’t know why, but I have never been a big fan of it. Obviously this is not very good for someone who’s trying to get healthier and lose weight, such as myself. Cereal and toast really don’t excite me though.

In case you might now have noticed, I have been leaning towards a more vegetarian diet.

So, goodbye bacon and eggs. You’re no longer welcome on my breakfast plate. Instead I choose to eat scrambled tofu, vegan sausage and of course my beloved hash browns.

I can’t explain my love for fries, or even my like for hash browns except that they are very much like fries. They’re just awesome.

But why eat plain old hash browns with nothing but salt, pepper and ketchup when you spruce them up?

What you’ll need:

• 1 medium sized onions
• 2 medium sized peppers
• 1 can of black beans, rinsed
• A bag of frozen hash browns OR
• 3 cups of diced potatoes
• 2 tablespoons of olive oil
• Salt and pepper

Here’s what to do:

1. Dice up onions and orange or yellow peppers.
2. Grab a bag of frozen hash browns, or if you’ve got the time (or preference), dice up some potatoes and cook them in a frying pan with olive oil until almost done.
3. Now you can throw your onions and peppers in. I do this after my hash browns are almost done because hash browns (whether frozen or fresh from potatoes) often take longer to cook than the veggies.
4. Rinse out a can of black beans and throw them in just before the rest is almost done so that they warm up.
5. Sprinkle on some salt and pepper to taste.

A perfect meal all on it’s own, or go all out and serve with your scramble and “sausage”! Tastes awesome with a bit of ketchup. And if you haven’t noticed, this should feed well over 4 people.

Thanks,
Cole

My New Home

After staying at my mom's house for almost a year, we have finally moved into our new home.

It's a small duplex, on the top floor of an old house in a quiet neighborhood. It has tacky flooring in the kitchen, a very old stove, original windows and a creepy attic I plan on never exploring. Even with all of it's flaws, I absolutely love it. Besides, what's an old house without flaws?  

We are still in the process of finding a place for all of our belongings. Unpacking is fun though, it's kind of like Christmas because I forgot about a lot of the things I own. It's also annoying, because I don't have very much furniture any more and I'm in desperate need of a bookshelf. 

Sidney even starts her new school tomorrow. She's very excited, but I'm nervous all the same. Starting a new school can be scary for anyone at any age. It's weird, too, because at her old school she went all day, every day but at this school she only goes Tuesdays, Thursdays and every other Fridays. At least it will only be for a couple of months and then it's summer vacation. 

Anyway, here's some pictures: 

Kitchen window, and my pantry!

This stove is tiny, and the oven door is messed up.

The view from the kitchen!

Sid's bedroom.

My living room with a door to the balcony.

Creepy front hallway.

Balcony.

This tree is beside our balcony, and we have a family of birds as neighbors.

This is how I unpack, proceeded by a newspaper war with Sidney.

Thanks,
Cole

P.S. - I will no longer be trying to do the Blog Every Day in May challenge, because it's too challenging without having my own internet connection for the time being. Oh well, what can you do?

Day 4 - Blog Every Day in May

My Favourite Quote

For my March Blog Challenge I had to do a favourite quote as well, and it hasn't changed. 

chicalookate

I find this quote to be very true for me. I often like to try new things and every time I do I am terrified. What if I fail? What if I don't like it? What if other people don't like it? And the "what ifs" come pouring in. But I know that whatever the outcome is everything will be alright in the end.

Plus, Stephen Kings is one of my idols.

What is one of your favourite quotes?

Thanks,
Cole

Day 3 - Blog Every Day in May

What Makes Me Uncomfortable

• Public displays of affection, where people aren't just holding hands or kissing but groping and making out right in front of you. Very awkward.

• When people talk about their sex lives. Keep that to yourself, or at least don't share it with me. 

• When people compliment me, on anything. 

• Tight clothes. When I was younger I loved tight clothes, the tighter the better, but now I can't stand it. I need room to move around now that I'm chasing after a child and running around playing. 

Day 2 - Blog Every Day in May

This is What I Know

Picture I drew in 2012

Today's challenge is to educate my readers on something I know a lot about, but the truth is I don't really know a whole lot about any one particular subject. I don't even consider myself very good at any one particular subject either.

The truth is, I can't concentrate on one subject for very long without getting bored. My mind is all over the place all the time. Even as I'm writing this, in the back of my mind I'm considering what I'm going to write for tomorrow's post, how I'm going to set up my apartment and what I want to make for dinner.

The only thing I know a lot about is me and my life up until now. Mostly because I lived it, but partially because I've been documenting it through journals and pictures for many years. 

Do you want to know what I know? 

That life can be really sucky at times, or in my case a lot of the time, but it's freaking amazing to be alive. And that whenever you're feeling sucky, you should use that energy to create something. 

Go for a walk and bring your camera and just start taking picture after picture of everything you see. Sit down and draw whatever you want; whether it's the landscape in front of you, your shoe or a silly image kicking around in your head. 

Write a poem, a song, a story, or just write down whatever is in your head. 

Pull our your sewing machine, crochet hook, paints, paper and glue, or even just a notebook and create something! 

Anything! 

Because through this process you will find out awesome things about yourself. Even if you don't consider yourself a very creative or artistic person you can still benefit from doing this.

And most of all, never ever be afraid of failing. Failing is also an amazing experience, as long as you can learn from it.

So yeah, not exactly what this challenge was meant for, but it's what I know a lot about at this point in my life.

What do you know a lot about?

Thanks,
Cole

Day 1 - Blog Every Day in May

About Me in 250 Words or Less

My name is Cole. I have a lovely daughter named Sidney with my boyfriend Nick. I enjoy reading, writing, baking, crafting, drawing, painting, photography, vintage shopping and being outside. Basically I enjoy doing anything that is considered a creative hobby, especially while being outside.

I'm considered to be an introvert. I love being by myself, being all alone in a room without noise, just left with my thoughts. Sometimes my thoughts drive me insane though, but I think I like that part, too.

I'm supposed to be going to college this fall for Journalism! I'm super excited, but it's been a difficult process getting funding for school. I'm hoping it all works out in the end.

And that's about it.

Thanks, 
Cole