New BBQ!!

We finally got ourselves a new BBQ! Ours died about 3 years ago...a combination of cheap product and neglect.

So we spent a lovely day outside with Daphne. She played with bubbles and chalk and went down her slide probably 17 hundred times.

And Will put our BBQ together. I didn't realize how much I missed having a BBQ until we got another one. I love cooking dinner but it's also nice to have Will responsible for half the meal. 

Of course it's also a great way to keep the house cool in the summer. 

What can't you BBQ!?!

Sick Buddies

Consistant and Persistant

After many many months of struggling to get my wild little lady to nap...some of which I documented here almost a year ago...we have recently entered a new phase in her sleep life.

She now goes down for a nap with zero fussing, same with bed time. She sleeps for an hour and a half MINIMUM at each nap and has even had a few three and half hour naps. For some I'm sure that seems like nothing special but after 12 months of being slept on this is a major accomplishment.

She goes to bed every night between 6:30 and 7:00 and sleeps for 12-14 hours. She has always been a terrific sleeper at night though, it was the napping we struggled with.

As we speak Daphne is sleeping peacefully in a toddler bed. A FUCKING TODDLER BED! She can get out any time she wants to and SHE ISN'T!!!

Life is so much easier with a couple hours in the afternoon to nap, eat, poop or just catch up on social media.

I'll tell you one thing I'm a hell of a lot cleaner now that she's napping. I may even find time to do my nails once and a while *GASP*

Playdoh Time!

Daphne has decided she is a big girl and insists on sitting on the chairs just like mommy and daddy. Not very efficient for eating but it's super cute for playdoh or colouring.

We always have a cat audience.

D is just so cute I can't resist posting random pictures of her being adorable.

Homemade Yogurt

 I decided to try making my own yogurt cause... well cause I'm cheap...that's the truth. A tub of yogurt costs $3-$4. I use 8 cups of skim milk (yes the weird Canadian kind in a bag) and it makes 8 cups of yogurt...for about $2.70. And it is pretty easy.

I have a temperature control on my slow cooker which makes the process easier as well. First you heat up the milk to 180 degrees. This kills all the other bacteria in the milk so the yogurt bacteria can grow. Unplug the slow cooker and check the temperature after 1.5 hours and then every 10-30 minute until its between 110 and 120. This is the ideal temperature for the yogurt bacteria to grow. Anything over 120 will kill that bacteria as well.

Mix in 1/2 cup of yogurt for every 8 cups of milk you used and then wrap the bad boy up. 

It needs to be completely dark, warm and unmoved for at least 12 hours. I usually leave it 14-16. The longer it sits the tangier it gets....and I likes it tangy.

The first time I made yogurt I just bought a small pod of yogurt to use as a starter but since then I just use the last of the yogurt I made the week before. 

And there you have it! Yogurt. Cheap cheap delicious yogurt. Initially the yogurt will have a lot of liquid on it...you can either stir it back in to make a more drinkable consistency or (what I do) spoon it off so the yogurt is thicker.

If you strain it with cheese cloth for a couple of hours you can get it to the thickness of Greek yogurt, if you prefer.

Favorite money saving trick ever.

Slow Cooker Vegan Butternut Squash and Lentil Curry

Made a ridiculously easy butternut squash and lentil curry for dinner the other night.

Squash, lentils, carrot, garlic, ginger, onions, turmeric, curry powder, water and coconut milk. Throw that in a slow cooker and let it go for 8 hours on low. 

Looks like a soupy mess before its cooked but the lentils thicken it up A LOT and it becomes the perfect texture for eating with naan.

Not really that aesthetically pleasing but its really good and very easy.