The last week in December is one of my favourite times of the entire year.
Everything slows down. It’s eerily quiet. The normal traffic has vanished. Snow falls from the sky and glistens on the trees.
Eric’s home early from work. We have impromptu get togethers with friends. I feel proud when I’m able to peel myself from the couch and go for a run.
I have hot showers and eat cookies straight from the freezer.
I drink too much wine and get hangovers.
We torture ourselves with Big Holiday Crossword puzzles.
We watch hockey.
Sketchie warms our legs while we watch movies.
We stay up too late.
I have this undeniable urge to organize my pantry.
I wear clogs Crocs in the snow to take pictures because I’m too lazy to put on boots.
We make a fire or two.
I take some time off work when I feel like it, which is often. Other times, I’m inspired to sit down with a hot cup of tea and write. There isn’t pressure to accomplish much if I don’t want to.
The last week of the year reminds me that it’s a good thing to occasionally just do “nothing”.
A real good thing.
And sometimes the biggest accomplishment of the day is to sit down to a home cooked meal with loved ones.
12) Vegan Shepherd’s Pie with Gravy
11) High Protein Tortilla Pizzas
10) Naughty and Nice Vegan Enchilada Casserole
9) Olive Oil Pasta with Walnuts, Lentils, and Red Peppers
8.) Roasted Tomato Basil Pesto
7) Easy Tomato Barley Risotto
6) Vegan Enchiladas with Cilantro Avocado Cream Sauce
5) Ultimate Vegan Lentil Walnut Loaf
4) Butternut Squash Mac ‘n Cheeze
3) Our Perfect Veggie Burger
2) Black Bean and Butternut Squash Burritos
1) 15-Minute Creamy Avocado Pasta
Here’s to making the last week of the year whatever you want it to be!
{ 128 comments… read them below or add one }
Ahhhh I love this time of year as well! Everything slows down, but my eating ;) Annnnnd like you, my wine consumption.
I love all your meals and can’t wait to make some of them for dinners soon!!!
Have a relaxed day my friend!
xxoo
Thanks for a wonderful year of great recipes, Angela! Happy 2012!!
This post made me hungry for afternoon snack. :) I haven’t made a lentil loaf in forever. I need to remedy that soon!
nomnomnom, can you be my personal chef please :)
Coffee + hockey + food. Ok good deal.
i love this! i’m glad to know i’m not the only one feeling like this this week. ;)
The avocado pasta is one of my favorite meals now. So easy and so so good!!
Droolworthy. Everything. No surprises.
Thank you for making me feel better that I’m not accomplishing nearly as much as I’d like to.
Burritos were my fav!
I think they are my fav too!
I love the holidays! :) It’s been equally busy (in a good way) and relaxing. I’m so looking forward to New Year’s!
I’ve made 6 of your recipes listed in this post, and we’ve loved every one of them! The avocado pasta happens in our home about once a week :D amazing!
So true about this interim week. It always feels lazy to me, but I’m also usually contemplating the new year and all that I’d like to accomplish.
I have made the avocado pasta, the butternut squash mac-n-cheeze, and the lentil-walnut loaf…all were amazing and delicious. I have had my eye on the barley risotto for a while now, hopefully I can make it soon. Thank you for a year’s worth of whole, nutritious vegan foods Angela!
I’m happy to hear that Shelley. :) I think you will enjoy the risotto…it’s very quick. Happy New Year to you!
Oh my – I was going to say the exact same thing – and I just made the walnut lentil after months of wanting to – LOVED it! Can’t wait for the barley risotto.
Thanks for the awesome recap of all your best vegan entrees. So far I’ve made 6 of the 10 and they’ve all been incredibly delicious. In fact, I just made the burritos last night and they were a huge hit with my husband… and he’s a total meat lover. He said to give his compliments to the chef, but I think we really owe you all the thanks!
Have a great New Year! Enjoy your time with the fam and just taking some time out to relax :)
Thanks for the entree/savory recap. Now, where’s that dessert/sweet recap? :)
I love the shot of you in the yellow…so cute. And clogs. We call them Crocs but they are a mother’s salvation..nearly indestructible, can get wet, no laces or strings, talk about awesome kids shoes not just snow-picture taking shoes, too :)
Great post!
Thank you for a great year of recipes! I really appreciate how dedicated you’ve stayed to your blog. When everyone else drops the ball, and my tv show are all on hyatis, I know I can count on you to cheer me up with some great recipes and gorgeous pictures. Thanks again!
I must make those black bean and butternut squash burritos. I have been eyeing them for so very long. Jealous of your snow AND your fireplace. I would give anything for a fireplace in my tiny SF apartment!
Those all look amazing. I’m definitely trying out that mac n’ cheese!
Ha! Now I can be lazy and just make my way through the list, instead of navigating through your recipe index. :) I love lentil walnut loaf- and I’ve still yet to make your ‘best’ veggie burgers.
My wine consumption doesn’t really increase in the winter, but my MULLED wine consumption sure does!
Thanks for letting me know it’s okay to hang out in PJs with my kids all of winter break!!! It’s all we have done! I was feeling kind of guilty (like I should be doing fun stuff with them), but today they ASKED if we could just stay home tomorrow!!! Of course I have been crocheting, helping them with puzzles, crafts, and new Christmas games….but in PJs! I am so happy that they LOVE being home as much as I do! We managed to squeeze in one day of sledding and bowling, and we hope to hit Venice or Verona (yes, I live in Italy!) for New Year’s Eve….so I guess I shouldn’t feel SO bad!
aww that’s cute :) Sounds like you are having a lovely time…soak it up!
I was out buying some props for the blog today during my lunch hour and I was totally thinking the same thing – this past week has been absolutely fantastic! It’s so relaxing. I have to work, but it’s been so quiet that the days just slide by.
So many of these look SO delicious! I’ve bookmarked most them :)
Also – that picture of you in all your running gear is too adorable ;)
Angela – Thank you soooo much for a year filled with your fun and sincere posts as well as the delicious recipes! I just posted your vegan brownie recipe on my blog http://glitteratist.blogspot.com/2011/12/vegan-brownies-by-oh-she-glows.html
and oh my god how delicious it is!!!!! Next up is the veggie burger :) Looking forward to an even healthier, yummier 2012.
Be you be loved,
Celine G. aka glitteratist
http://glitteratist.blogspot.com/2011/12/vegan-brownies-by-oh-she-glows.html
Glad you enjoyed them Celine!
I do believe that this is my favorite week of the year. Going back to work next week is going to be a terrible shock!
That cheeze sauce from the mac and cheeze was delish – I spiced it up and ate it on everything for a week!
Oh my goodness, I almost started drooling looking at the photos of all of these yummy dishes! I can’t wait to take these for a spin!
I also love the adorable picture of you in your running gear! :)
I absolutely adore your recipe for creamy avocado pasta. It’s one of my go-to meals when I’m short on time.
Loved reading this post. My husband and I have the week off, and while we’re still doing some work, it’s so nice to slow down and just relax after a very busy few months.
Whoo hoo!@ Looks like four of my favorites, which I have tried made the list, yummy. Can’t wait to try the shepherd’s pie and roasted tomato pesto pasta. :D Happy New Year, Angela!
Olive Oil Pasta with Walnuts, Lentils, and Red Peppers was the awesome-est story-go-along-with-recipe and the tomato basil pesto is not just beautiful – why- it’s culinary genius Angela! great post thank you – Jasper!
I agree, a great time of year to slow down and reflect back on things. I have a lot of thoughts dancing across my mind at the moment to set me up for the New Year. But first, these are some great recipes…i am in real need of a savoury kick as i have eaten way too many sweet things this last week (healthy or otherwise) and these serve as great inspiration to get me going!
The Creamy Avocado Pasta is definitely #1 in my heart and on my list!!! The Butternut Squash mac n cheese is pretty high on my faves list as well. :D
Everything looks amazing!!! Looking forward to trying your recipes. <3
lots of Mexican dishes! They were all delish!
I love that yellow running top!!!
And I most definitely agree that the butternut squash mac n cheese is a winner :)
What a wonderful time of the year indeed!!!
These are definitely on my list of top recipes from your blog this year too! Especially the black bean squash burritos and the homemade baked beans! SO good.
PS I looooove that yellow running zip up! SO cute!
Love reading about what you’ve been up to. I liked the butternut squash “cheese” pasta quite a bit. I’m reminded to make the walnut loaf – and to get to the giant crossword from the Globe :) You know, all I’ve really accomplished since Christmas is being in my (4th and last) day of a gallbladder/liver cleanse. I recommend it to anyone who’s got a few days of downtime :)
I made the Enchilada Casserole for Christmas dinner and it was delicious! Even my carnivorous family enjoyed it! I’m so excited to try the mac and cheese as well as the other dishes.
Thank you SO much for all of your recipes Angela. I recently made the decision to become vegan (3 weeks and going stong!) and your blog has helped me SO much by showing me that it really is fun and easy to eat healthy. I started with the Kind Diet recipes and although I love all of them, they were a bit expensive and I’m not quite ready to become a “Superhero” just yet so your recipes have been nothing short of perfect for my transition to become vegan. Thank you!
Cheers to 2011 and bring it on 2012!
Hey Mandy Jo, Congrats on your recent transition to a vegan diet! I can understand that it’s difficult when making the switch! I’m happy you are enjoying the recipes…thank you so much for your positivity and support.
I made the black bean and butternut squash burritos last night and oh my word were they delicious. We had to restrain ourselves from eating all of the roasted butternut squash when it came out of the oven and I’m pretty sure we all hurt ourselves stuffing our faces with all of the yummy goodness. There was only three of us eating it last night and there were hardly any leftovers. Definitely one of my new favorite dishes! Thanks so much for sharing :)
I have enjoyed your blog for over a year. Your recipes are fresh, healthy and delicous ( and this from a non-vegan!). Thank you for sharing your recipes with us.
I remember these! Still excited about them :)
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