EDITED TO ADD: Katie at Chocolate Covered Vegan will donate 20 cents for every comment left on this post. Please take a moment to leave a comment and help put an end to genocide!
Hi pies! I just finished packing for Portland and now I have time for a quick recap of yesterday. I hope you had a great day, no matter what you were doing!
I woke up craving veggies. Probably because I’d eaten so much fudge the night before. 
I also had a warm flat-out! I love the Italian favor so much!
After lunch, I went for a nice walk with my book. It was really warm here yesterday – almost 70 degrees! 
By the time I got back it was time for my Christmas nap. 
I laid down with Henry and we dozed while watching Talladega Nights.
I woke up hungry, so I ate more yummy produce!
Juicy Gala
Steamed broc and prunes
Prunes are a true gift from nature. I freakin’ love them!
Rob had been working on his pork shoulder all day and it was time for me to get going on sides and soup! The theme of this year’s Christmas was:
Down Home with Erin and Rob (for those of you that know our last name, imagine that sentence with it. It’s funny!)
The music: The one and only Johnny Cash
The menu: Pork shoulder, Lindsay’s vegan baked mac & cheeze, Katie’s mom’s collard greens, Southern New Year’s Day soup from Vegetarian Times, and sweet potato puddin’ (my own “recipe” that I threw together last night)
Reppin' Rip City
This is our second year in Texas, which means we have Christmas without my family. It’s fun! We love doing our own thing.
Don’t get me wrong, though. On Christmas Eve I called my parents and started crying! They are incredible and I felt better about two minutes later. We’re very fortunate in that my parents encourage us to grow and be our own couple, to make up our own traditions, to relish our lives together, and to be independent. I NEVER have felt like I need to go home to please my family. Probably because their relationship is amazing and isn’t 100% dependent on their kids. They continue to teach me about the importance of the spousal bond and I am so grateful for that!
It was so bomb, really healthy, and totally filling! I actually couldn’t finish anything! Rob also had lots of pulled pork and Hawaiian sweet rolls – his favorite.
After dinner, we went over to our neighbor’s for a few hours. We played Wii and Catchphrase and goofed off with their kids. They’re our favorite couple to kick it with! And they live a few houses down which is awesome!
Rob was still stuffed when we got home but I was ready for dessert! I used a couple cans of organic sweet potato puree and mixed it with Smart Balance Light, vanilla almond milk, vanilla extract, and agave, plus the usual sweet potato pie seasonings (cinn, nutmeg, and a little allspice).
The topping was smashed pecans, oats, ww pastry flour, brown sugar, and more seasonings.
I hate chopping nuts because they pop all over the place, so I prefer to smash them
I baked it for awhile, then got antsy and spooned up a really hot bowl of mush just for me.
$240 worth of pudding
If anyone gets that pudding reference, join me in dating yourself.
We watched “The Grand” with Woody Harrelson last night. He is one of my favorite actors and I definitely have a psycho crush on him! Not everyone understands that but I LOVE him!
Is there a famous person that you find totally amazing? A nontraditional, misunderstood crush? Obviously you know one of mine:
One of my other crushes is Matthew McConaughey. 
Have a great day!
Posted by VeggieGirl on December 26, 2008 at 2:13 pm
“Prunes are a true gift from nature.”
Amen to that!!
Have fun in Portland!!
Posted by carolinebee on December 26, 2008 at 2:14 pm
haha your steamed brocc looks like this bag o’ stumps I got from Target!! haha i was so pissed….I totally get the Woody Harrelson crushy though! I think my wierdo crushes are newcasters- like Tom Brokaw, something about the serious dignified look
Also, Conan O’Brien i would die to have dinner with that man!
Posted by Jenny on December 26, 2008 at 2:28 pm
I think it’s so awesome that you and Rob are getting to form your OWN life together. No pressure to be people pleasers and you can enjoy the holidays at your own pace.
I used to have the biggest crush on Matthew McConaughey, don’t know what happened there.
Glad you had a Merry Christmas m’dear!
Posted by chocolatecoveredvegan on December 26, 2008 at 2:29 pm
Oooh yay! You made the collards!!!
The sweet potato thing sounds delicious. Thanks for the idea! I love anything sweet potato. Merry Christmas, Erin!
Posted by Amy on December 26, 2008 at 2:31 pm
So glad you had a nice holiday with Rob and the kitties! I understand how it can be hard to live so far from family during Christmas time. My family and I lived in Louisville, Kentucky for 2 years and the holidays just weren’t the same—but as long as you have that love network goin on, youre golden! Love the dessert
Love you girl! Merry Christmas (belated) <3
Posted by caroline f. on December 26, 2008 at 2:33 pm
Funny breakfast you little veg head! I can’t stomach anything but “breakfast food” early in the AM. Im digging those Collards! Southern girl representin, we had a big ol batch of those simmerin as well! Merry everything my love!Have an awesome trip!
Posted by Laura on December 26, 2008 at 2:35 pm
I love that the two of you celebrated Christmas at home.
Have fun in Portland!
Posted by Happy Herbivore on December 26, 2008 at 2:52 pm
Woody is a raw vegan
& he was great in Seven Pounds
Posted by Erin on December 26, 2008 at 3:24 pm
Caroline – I KNOW! I can’t wait until that stupid bag of broc is done so I can go back to the Green Giant, which is 100% florets! I totally get the Conan thing. I love him!
Posted by All Vegged Out on December 26, 2008 at 3:29 pm
Omigosh, I looooooooove that your parents encourage you that way! Awesome!
Mmmm collards, sweet potatoes and shirtless McConaughey… you sure do know how to brighten a girl’s afternoon
Posted by eatingbender on December 26, 2008 at 3:57 pm
Your parents sound as sweet as you are
That’s so nice that you can enjoy the holiday without feeling any sort of guilt from them – that’s very unusual, I think! I hope you have an amazing time in Portland, though!
Your dinner is amazing! I love everything! And the sweet potato mash looks incredible – I would totally smash nuts instead of chopping them. I don’t know the pudding reference, but I Googled it (because I am THAT big of a nerd) and it said “The State.” Is that right?
I have an incredibly large crush on Robert Pattinson (from Twilight, GROAN) right now. But really, it’s not just because of his looks. For me to like an actor, I have to watch how he interviews and actually consider him a nice and intelligent person. Rob Pattinson totally is! And you gotta love the name at least, right Erin?!
Have a great trip!
Posted by Shelby on December 26, 2008 at 4:11 pm
Broccoli!!! YUM!
I wake up craving veggies sometimes too! Best remedy for me: Tofu Scrambles!
Posted by Sarah on December 26, 2008 at 4:27 pm
your christmas dinner looks so good! i’m glad you had a great holiday and i hope you have so much fun in Portland.
i’m obsessed with Clive Owen.
Posted by Jess :) on December 26, 2008 at 4:36 pm
Veggies for breakfast? Nothing wrong with that
I love fudge! Sounds like you have a very good family and don’t worry about not going home for Christmas! Do what is best for you!Great looking food lately! Have a great day!
<3 jess
Posted by Bridget on December 26, 2008 at 5:00 pm
I felt the same way with a veggie craving today! After Christmas dinner yesterday all I wanted was fruit and vegetables!! That pudding thing looks so delicious! Have a great time in Portland, I visited there for the first time this past August…beautiful city! My fiance’s dad lives in Oregon!
Merry Christmas!
Posted by ksgoodeats on December 26, 2008 at 5:08 pm
Aw – what sweet parents!! Hawaiian rolls are DE-LICIOUS!
I love Matthew McConaughey and his hick family
Posted by marafaye on December 26, 2008 at 5:36 pm
So many eats that look so delicioso!
Posted by Elise on December 26, 2008 at 5:42 pm
im glad you guys had a good xmas!! the down home feast looked like some good grubin’
my inexplicable crush is anderson cooper
i think he’s gay though? still…silver fox!
Posted by coco on December 26, 2008 at 6:14 pm
yummy eats! especially the pudding mix, it looks amazing!
And your thoughts about your parents are so touching, it’s so nice that you appreciate what your parents are doing for you, that’s true family love
Posted by ttfn300 on December 26, 2008 at 6:18 pm
Mmm, prunes, i’ve been chowing down at home
they don’t last too long in my apt, so i am employing a minor hiatus with purchasing…
lovely meal, and how fantastic is your fam?? I LOVE their wanting you to create your OWN traditions! i’ll keep some of the food, but i’m all for making it my own (making sure at least two veggies were present!)
Posted by chocolatecoveredvegan on December 26, 2008 at 6:23 pm
Aww Erin, you are the sweetest ever (I know I’ve said that before) and one of my favoritest bloggers (yeah, not a real word, but who cares!). Thanks for being so awesome!!!
Posted by Gliding Calm on December 26, 2008 at 6:25 pm
i want to try the sweet potato puree crisp thingggggg. was it better after baked longer? didju like itttttttt?
Posted by Melissa S. on December 26, 2008 at 6:27 pm
Love the Christmas eats w/ the hubby! And I like how you two celebrated at home…i can’t wait till I get to that point so I can start making my own traditions!
Have fun in Portland! Oh yeah, and email me about visiting yeah? Looks like we can do lunch on the 4th…would that work?!
Posted by Erin on December 26, 2008 at 8:15 pm
Mmm my crush is the Clooney. And Bobby Flay. I did a post on celeb crushes a looooong time ago…
PS-You said you’d show me your stockings!!! Haha!
Posted by HangryPants on December 26, 2008 at 8:36 pm
Your down home feast looks fabulous.
I think it’s great that your parents are supportive and don’t guilt you into doing things!
My current celebrity crush – I don’t know! Isn’t that terrible!
Posted by Heather Eats Almond Butter on December 26, 2008 at 9:55 pm
Erin, your dinner with Rob sounded so good, and the sweet potato pudding – brilliant!
That is so cool that your parents encourage you to do your own thing. Chris and I have a hard time choosing where to go because both sides really want us there on Christmas day. It’s good to feel so loved, but I think starting your own traditions is so important!
I have the biggest crush on John Cusack, but who wouldn’t after Say Anything. Love love love Lloyd Dobler
Posted by bobbi on December 27, 2008 at 8:15 am
your parents sound sweet! I love Matthew Mc…DREAMY!
Posted by lauren on December 27, 2008 at 6:22 pm
I am OBSESSED with Matthew McConaughey – so hot!
Posted by Andrea [bella eats] on December 29, 2008 at 7:31 am
Glad you had a great Christmas! You’re lucky to not get the family guilt…my hubb and I have 4 families (both divorced parents) and it is a battle each year to figure out where we’re going and who we see!
Your dinner sounds amazing!
Posted by Meghann on December 29, 2008 at 8:05 am
I’m playing catch up! I wanted to say I love your Christmas Southern Feast! Sounds like you have an AMAZING family who really encourages you to grow on your own. Creating your own traditions is the best part of bein gon your own!
Posted by Marianne on December 29, 2008 at 3:04 pm
I so want to steal your fishy bowl! Too cute!