Playing Catch-Up
Expectedly, after the Move from Hell, I’m behind with all of my Carrots ‘N’ Cake-related tasks (blogging, freelance writing, emails, replying to comments, etc.), so I’m spending part of the day playing catch-up and the rest of the day organizing our apartment. I’m actually really looking forward to organizing the disaster zone because it’s stressing me out!
Breakfast
My morning started with coffee and a walk with my hubby and Murphy. We grabbed coffee at P.S. Gourmet (I’m sort of obsessed with their Butter Cookie flavor!) and made a big batch of banana oats to share.
I topped my oats with almonds, ground flaxseed meal, and a scoop of chunky peanut butter.
After breakfast, we met our friends, Dave and Marie, and their dogs, Bella and Grady, at the dog park for some “puppy playtime.”
Murphy loved the park today! He wasn’t scared around the big dogs and was actually rather adventurous. He ran around, playing his little heart out, the entire time.
Lunch
This afternoon’s lunch was a simple salad topped with sliced almonds and a scoop of Claire’s relish. So good!
“Dessert” was a bowl of Cascadian Farms Cinnamon Crunch cereal, which tastes so much like Cimmoan Toast Crunch. I was actually sort of surprised by its deliciously cinnamon-y flavor. I ended up taking eating 2 bowls.
Afternoon Snack
I’m seriously struggling with my Health post this week (my brain is fried!), so my husband gave me a beer to get the creative juices flowing. I don’t usually drink on Sunday afternoons, but I’m not going to lie, it’s definitely helping! 
I love Jack’s Pumpkin Spice Ale. It’s my fall favorite! 
A Special Package
Guess who got a special package in the mail the other day?
Marisa from Trim the Fat sent Murphy some doggie goodies! Thanks, Marisa!
I’m spending the rest of the afternoon catching up with work while Mal (and Murphy) are building Ikea furniture. I hate spending a beautiful day inside, but sometimes, you gotta do what you need to do.
Hopefully, we can relax tonight! I have a yummy dinner planned!
See ya! 
Abby (Abby's VeGaN Eats) — September 20, 2009 @ 3:51 pm
Hi Tina
I love your blog!! I always get some great ideas from ya (I finally decided to comment!!). Your move looked tiring BUT at least it’s over.. moving is always tough! Hope you’re able to relax the rest of the day! Happy Sunday.
Abby
Jenna — September 20, 2009 @ 4:11 pm
ahh my dog bella eats greenies! she loves them!
can’t wait to see what your planned dinner tonight is!!
jenna
Jenna — September 20, 2009 @ 4:32 pm
Awww, Murphy is going to be so excited about his presents he got in the mail
I think you more than deserve the beer on this Sunday afternoon. You’ve had a tough weekend, and hopefully it can help you relax a bit.
I have a yummy dinner planned too AND dessert. Red velvet cake balls!!! So excited
Emily — September 20, 2009 @ 4:34 pm
No matter how much you pack or prepare, in my experience moving is never easy. Glad you’re able to finally get things settled and organized! What a thoughtful package for Murphy! Speaking of, there’s a radio DJ in Atlanta called, Murph-Dog… hehe!
kay (eating machine) — September 20, 2009 @ 4:56 pm
Putting together stuff from Ikea calls for a drink. The lack of words on the directions drives me nuts!
christie, honoring health — September 20, 2009 @ 4:56 pm
Aw, what a sweet present Murphy got!
I hope you do get some down time tonight!
Maggie — September 20, 2009 @ 4:58 pm
I only just finished organizing our apt this week.. and we’ve lived here since April. Way to go
:) Organization makes me happy!
Food Makes Fun Fuel — September 20, 2009 @ 5:02 pm
I love cereal for dessert! Especially when it’s healthy but tastes like a kid’s sugary food
Dori — September 20, 2009 @ 5:04 pm
Haha Murphy looks so cute sitting there as Mal builds the furniture!
Allie Katie — September 20, 2009 @ 5:07 pm
Haha it looks like Mal is doing most of the heavy labor and Mal is doing most of the supervising! Have a great night!
Allie Katie — September 20, 2009 @ 5:08 pm
Woops I meant Murphy is supervising. Clearly we are all having a hard time thinking today
faith in food — September 20, 2009 @ 5:16 pm
i love ikea! i hate moving! done it way too many times…stress probably doesnt do much for the writers block. youve probably already written now…but what about essentials of stocking a kitchen since you just moved-(some ideas/themes)
1)basic needs aka college student
2) im living in an apartment and i like to cook
3) i want to eat healthy and be able to throw meals together so i have eseentials on hand type stockage :p
Marisa (Trim The Fat) — September 20, 2009 @ 5:28 pm
Hope Murphy likes his presents and is settling in well to his new place! And you and Mal, too!!!
Enjoy!!
Lynn @ The Actors Diet — September 20, 2009 @ 5:44 pm
I hope Murphy is adjusting well – seems like he is! Too cute.
Mellissa — September 20, 2009 @ 5:59 pm
Hopefully organizing isn’t too painful, I know I always need to get things put away immediately.
Morgan (lifeafterbagels) — September 20, 2009 @ 5:59 pm
Oh no Tina . . . your cinnamon cereal is making me drool!
devan — September 20, 2009 @ 6:04 pm
awee! i love how much murphy is shown in your blog.
so cute! and now he has greenie food too
a foodie doggy!
Meghan — September 20, 2009 @ 6:13 pm
I haaaate moving! Hang in there. Pumpkin beer helps
I love Shipyard best but will have try Jack’s!
Katie — September 20, 2009 @ 6:17 pm
Good luck getting all your work done!
My dog loves those greenies “toothbrushes”, too.
I LOVE pumpkin beer. I usually just get the Blue Moon fall brew, but I’ll be on the lookout for something new!
Sarah @ The Foodie Diaries — September 20, 2009 @ 6:41 pm
Good luck with your Health post! Hope the cerveza helped
Jessica @ How Sweet It Is — September 20, 2009 @ 6:47 pm
Hope that pumpkin helps the creative juices! I love pumpkin beer!
Caroline — September 20, 2009 @ 6:50 pm
I love the picture of Mal and Murphy. Murphy looks so little and cute like he wants to be involved but knows he can’t do anything to help.
Courtney — September 20, 2009 @ 6:54 pm
I’ve been looking at an Ikea magazine and love all their stuff! Is it good quality furniture? We don’t have a store around here, so I’m not able to go look in person. Thanks!
Maddy — September 20, 2009 @ 7:18 pm
I’ve been meaning to tell you how much I love your new apartment! I’m sort of (completely) obsessed with House Hunters so it was fun to see yours all empty! You’ll have to post a video again when you’re all settled in. Glad you have had a fun day!
Cynthia (It All Changes) — September 20, 2009 @ 7:31 pm
Murphy does not look like he’s enjoying “building IKEA furniture” in that last pic. Maybe he needs his toy to play with
Sometimes I can’t get to do work until things are straight. I’ve actually been known to clean my entire desk for half an hour and get it just right before tackling my mile long to-do list in order to focus. Glad the pumpkin ale helped you
Kate — September 20, 2009 @ 8:13 pm
How fun that Murphy got some new stuff! Just a note…and I don’t want to scare you, but my boyfriend and I stopped giving our chihuahua Greenies a year ago when a lady at our local vet clinic/pet store said her dog died from choking on one unattended. Apparently, they can splinter and get lodged in a dog’s throat, so we don’t give them to our baby anymore. My advice is maybe just watch him when you give them to him? Not sure, just wanted to let you know in case!
Lauren — September 20, 2009 @ 8:14 pm
I love that Cascadian Farms cereal as a light dessert or sweet snack… a few weeks ago I used it to create a reinterpretation of rice crispy treats – the cereal bars were delicious!
That is so sweet of Marisa to send Murphy a goody bag. I hope he enjoys his new treats!
Heather — September 20, 2009 @ 8:22 pm
Mmmm…Pumpkin Beer, haven’t tried that one yet but I love anything pumpkin
And I also love banana oatmeal with peanut butter. Now that the summer is over I am going to have to switch out my green smoothie for a more warming breakfast.
Katie (ARunningStart) — September 20, 2009 @ 8:39 pm
Murphy is so adorable! I’m trying desperately to find this butter cookie coffee somewhere near me – that just sounds fantastic! Perfect for fall.
Madeline @ Greens and Jeans — September 20, 2009 @ 11:11 pm
moving is definitely in my top 3 least favorite things ever, so the fact that you seem to be living through it with a positive attitude makes you an all star in my book!
maria — September 20, 2009 @ 11:18 pm
I’ve been wanting a salad for a few days now, and after looking at that one you made I’m inspired to head to the store and grab a few items to make a yummy salad for lunch!!!
Christine — September 21, 2009 @ 9:58 am
Tina, when we moved into our last apartment the couch didn’t fit up the stairs either! We were lucky enough to find a handyman who was able to take off one of the arms on the couch and then re-assemble it once it was inside the apt. Just wanted to share in case you were thinking about going out and buying a new couch! ~Christine
Michal — September 21, 2009 @ 9:12 pm
That relish looks really tasty, I am so suprised that ive never heard of it before. I am glad that you are getting all settled in your new place
Erin — September 21, 2009 @ 10:10 pm
Uh, Teen, I’m no doctoral psychology student or anything (but I am), but…do you need a bloggy break? GIRL!
I know how much you love to organize. Isn’t that the best part about moving? I mean, the only good part, right? Besides purchasing new items for the casa!
Mal looks sexy when he works. Keep posting pictures of him!
And where did this little picture of you holding a bottle of wine come from? Sassy!
Sarah @ See Sarah Eat — September 21, 2009 @ 10:37 pm
Thanks for your review of the cereal! My husband LOVES Cinnamon Toast Crunch and I’d love to be able to give him a somewhat healthier alternative. I think I have a coupon for that brand too. Thanks Tina!