Summer sweets

I love the delicious fruits that summer yields.  My blueberry bushes are still on the small side so I bought some berries at the market.   I decided the perfect dessert for this lovely evening to be blueberries, a dollop of ricotta cheese drizzled with whipped cinnamon honey.  I must say it was delectable.  In fact, it was so yummy I went back for more and this time opted for whipped lemon honey.  

cinnamon honey - 1st round

I hope you are eating your way into a fabulous summer!

Lemon Ricotta Cookies

I knew this was going to be a bad day at work today so I went ahead and made  lemon ricotta cookies w/lemon glaze.  I first tried them last year and they were too good not to revisit and a huge plus is that everyone in my office can eat them.  They're a refreshing cookie, perfect on a hot summer day.  

can you see the pups in the pic?

I did alter the recipe - I lowered the cooking temp to 350 and the baking time to 16 minutes, also I turned the cookies after 8 mins.  I find the glaze to be a little runny, just pop it in the fridge for a few minutes and it is perfect.






 I still had some watermelon to use and since it was not a "school night" and I'm very legal.....

 I decided to make some watermelon martini's to enjoy on the porch.   Nothing like sitting on a porch & enjoying the evening with those you love.

 

All in all it was a great weekend.  As for the fashion side of this, I was wearing a sundress from Target & barefoot while I was in the kitchen.   Have worn it twice during the remix, this time sans cardi.

30 for 30 closet find

I have been paying more attention to the clothes and shoes in my closet since signing up for Kendi's 30 for 30 remix.  I completely forgot about my Ugg wedge heels that I bought last summer or the year before.  They are super comfy and are very cute.  (Or at least I was told that several times yesterday).  I paired them with a khaki shirt dress and a cardi.  As you know  I do not post pics of myself, but here are the shoes.  I googled them and found that they are still being sold by a few on-line retailers & come in a few colors.

Ugg Amelie

I am sticking to no shopping during the remix.   Only 20 days left!

photo from whyboots.com

Too hot to eat

It's hot out, too hot for me to eat.  Okay it is never too hot to eat, just too hot to cook.  The hubs brought home a watermelon yesterday large enough to feed a village.  There is just the two of us so I decided to use for dinner.   I recall having a fabulous watermelon salad on a girls weekend in Charleston, SC.   It was super easy to make (you can even use store bought Vinaigrette)  and I topped it of with shaved Parmesan cheese.   The perfect meal or side dish on a hot night. 

I think I will have some watermelon for dessert.   That will be the perfect ending to a great meal.  

Dreaming of...

Last night as I was finally dozing off, guess what I was thinking about?   If you thought food you'd be correct.   It was peach cobbler that was on my mind.  I made a blueberry & peach crisp/pie last week that was delicious, so it must have made an impression that would not leave.   I modified a recipe I found on-line to suit my needs and the ingredients I had on hand.  My Mom makes an amazing peach pandowdy and I need to get that recipe from her.    In fact, I am going to ask her send me any and all family recipes so I can create a cookbook for my siblings.  In my family, food means love.

Make sure to visit your local farmers market to supplement what you do not grow in your own garden.  Here are pictures from one of my favorites.  I go there whenever I visit.

The power of delete

One great benefit from participating in the 30 for 30 remix is that I can go to my inbox and scroll down and delete most of what I find.   It is amazing how many emails are sent between 3 & 5 a.m. regarding the sales that are going on that day.   Since an option of the remix is no shopping, there is no need to even open the email to follow the link.  I am not even window shopping.  If I can't buy it, I'm not even going to look.   I may keep on deleting when the challenge is over.  I will no longer be a sucker for a sale!  (Or at least until July 13th).

Vacay or a guy?

Sunset on Maui

I have decided that the 30 for 30 Remix challenge issued by Kendi Everyday  is for us to either live like we are on vacation with only 30 items in our suitcase or live like most of the men I know.   I bet the hubs could do 15 for 51 easily.   Guys have no problem wearing the same shirt over and over, as long as it looks clean and does not smell.  I don't know about you, but I am trying to wear items that will easily be paired multiple ways.  It is only day four and I'm planning my wardrobe well in advance.   The good thing is that I can sleep in a few extra minutes since the outfit of the day is already picked out and waiting for me.   I must admit, I would rather be on vacation. 

Peas please

Penne with peas, asparagus & pancetta

chopping

fresh veggies

I thought about this delicious recipe earlier in the week and knew I had to make it this weekend.  It's from Bon Appetite May 2010 and I was able to get fresh peas from the farmers market on Saturday, and used fresh basil & flat leaf parley from my garden.   I went heavy on the veggies since the hubs is still limiting his carbs and the penne is whole wheat.   In the past I have used leftovers for a fabulous frittata.   


Yesterday started the Kendi Everyday 30 for 30 Remix and I must say that I'm going to be wearing a lot of dresses.  I am so glad purses are not part of the challenge.  I shall do my best not to shop - fingers crossed!

Post race pit

  
This weekend I was in Raleigh for Race for the Cure.   This was the 5th year my sister and I participated.  It is such a moving event and I love the community support.  People along the route have misting stations, play music and cheer you on.   Since we were here the hubs decided we needed to have lunch at The Pit.  My sister and her husband have never been and were game.   You may have seen it feature on a few food shows or read about it in Southern Living and Bon Appetite.   If you're in the Raleigh area you may want to check it out.  It is a higher end BBQ joint that does not disappoint.    The sweet potato fries are amazing and taste like there is a dusting of brown sugar on them.  I should have snapped a pic of the onion rings but I dug in once they were placed on table.  After lunch we went to the Farmers Market, another must if you are in the neighborhood.

Carlina spare ribs, fries & fried okra

The Body Shop

great for summer

perfect for dry skin

I simply love the body butters from The Body Shop.  The are not too fragrant and leave your skin silky smooth.   They are offering free shipping w/any $25 purchase today only.   They were one of the first green companies, even before it was en vogue, and their products are amazing.     I loaded up my shopping cart and the cash back offer from Ebates makes is even sweeter.

Photos from The Body Shop.

Morning snack

I live to eat!  I think about food about as much a teenage boy thinks about sex.  Maybe even more.  I even dream about food.  I read food magazines and cookbooks the way some people read the classics.   I've already decided what I am going to make for dinner this weekend.   Yup, food seems to controls me.

Back to this post and what turned into my morning snack.    I had some strawberries in the fridge at work and some Nutella in my desk.   I'd eaten two before snapping a pic with my phone.


I'm a firm believer snacks and the classic after school snack.  I still have one when I get home from work, regardless of the time and if dinner is minutes away.

Summer bags

I normally stay away from leather during the warmer months.  Here are a few fun bags to carry over the summer.


Summer bags by blonde gi-gi featuring clutch bags

Mar Y Sol clutch bag, $95
Juicy Couture wristlet handbag, $98
Kate Spade bow handbag, $175
Juicy Couture tote handbag, $122
Nine West satchel bag, $32
Kate Spade tote handbag, $275
Tory Burch white tote, $595
Kate Spade slouchy handbag, $295
MICHAEL Michael Kors clutch bag, $119
Shoulder strap handbag, $72
Marc by Marc Jacobs nylon cross body handbag, $178
Clutch bag, $75
Longchamp floral tote bag, $162
Burberry drawstring tote, $416

Another song

     boy v. girl

Tomorrow will find me & the hubs at a sports venue for a concert.   The weather once again should cooperate.  I've taken to wearing sundresses to concerts.  They look great and are super comfortable, plus I can throw a cardi in my bag just in case it gets cool once the sun goes down.    I also wear flip flops since beer always ends up  spilled on my feet at some point during the night.    The hubs will be in a pair of his cowboy boots if he is in jeans.   He is from Colorado and that's just how he rolls.

Photos from Ariat & Old Navy