This past Saturday night, Jessica (above) hosted us for a vegan shepherd pie-making party. The wind was gusting and leaves were rustling; the blue-hued clouds were drifting across the grey sky; it was the perfect evening in the East Bay to pedal through the streets up to a dinner party with good friends, homemade mini-cupcakes, still warm, in my messenger bag on my back :)

Jessica was the shepherd(ette?) who made the pie. It was full of TVP, carrots and broccoli, and topped with creamy mashed potatoes.

...she even let us eat the extra potatoes off the beaters!

Alicia made a salad: greens tossed in an avocado-dill dressing and topped with avocado and asian pear slices and roasted almonds...and my cupcakes were a hit!

Thanks, Jessica! And sorry about spilling red wine all over your floor :) I ate well and laughed much!