Food Truck Fun...

Last weekend my hubby and I took E and his cousins to Fabulous Ferndale to visit the

Food Truck street fair!

If you know me, I have Food Network on CONSTANTLY...

it's actually pretty ridiculous.

Anyhoo...

Craig noticed that some food trucks were coming into town so naturally we jumped on the chance to try the food out!

So, we piled everyone in the car and headed out for some Saturday fun!

They had a little craft table for the kids where they made magic wands...ate ice cream...sampled some kiddo tacos...and Fin got his arm painted!

The Detroit Derby Girls were there working the Beer station and of course we had to support them!...

so we got a couple local beers while the kiddos ate ice cream!

Craig and I sampled a couple trucks out...Perogies (delish!)...and a couple mexican food trucks called El Guapo and Taco Mama Detroit where we shared a korean beef taco with spicy sweet slaw...and a shrimp enchiladia.

It was a wonderful way to try some new foods...and have the kids experience a local food festival!

There were an awful lot of cops for this really laid back event! 

First Day of Summer...

Did you take advantage of the first day of Summer...?

The longest day of the year...?

My son is going to Vacation Bible School all week with 2 of my besties kids in the morning and then my wonderful friend Christa...who has 3 of her own...is taking Ethan home with her to swim in the pool and play all day while I have to work...{Thanks girl...you ROCK}

When I got home...we drove over to watch my husband's evening softball game with some of my girlfriends and their kiddos!...

It was so fun...and HOT!...the kids ran around and played tag...and somehow managed to

entertain themselves with a drinking fountain for an hour! 

{how do they manage to do that!!!?}

I got to chat a bit and watch most of the game...

{don't ask the final score...it was not pretty...}

Came home and just enjoyed the rest of the evening with my E...

It was a lovely first day of Summer...

What did you do...?



Summer Pasta...

Spaghetti in Garlic Gravy with Herbs and Lemon Marinated Chicken and Cherry Tomatoes

Ingredients:
3/4 Box of spaghetti pasta (cooked al dente)
1 pound chicken breast fillets (sliced into 1 inch chunks)

For the chicken marinade:
2 teaspoons fresh thyme, chopped
2 teaspoons fresh rosemary, chopped (if using dried, use half of the amount)
Zest of 1 lemon
Juice of ½ a lemon
2 Tablespoons extra virgin olive oil
1 teaspoon coarse salt (not table salt)
½ teaspoon fresh cracked black pepper
2 Tablespoons extra virgin olive oil (to sauté the marinated chicken)

- Add all the marinade ingredients into the chicken and marinade for 20 minutes (if making this dish pronto) or overnight (if making this dish the next day… much better).
- Saute the marinated chicken in extra virgin olive oil until cooked (about 4-5 minutes) then set aside.

For the garlic gravy:
½ stick (1/4 cup) unsalted butter
2 Tablespoons extra virgin olive oil
4 large cloves garlic, finely minced
2 Tablespoons all-purpose flour
2 ½ cups chicken stock
1 Tablespoon fresh basil, chopped
salt and pepper to taste
¼ cup parsley, chopped (to sprinkle/finish the pasta)
½ cup grated parmesan cheese
2 cups whole cherry tomatoes

- Place sauté pan over medium heat and add butter and olive oil.
- Saute garlic until fragrant and soft.
- Add the flour and cook for a minute.
- Add chicken stock and simmer gravy until thickened then add the chopped basil.
- Season with salt and pepper.
- Add the sauteed chicken in the gravy then toss the cooked spaghetti into this sauce.
- Add the cherry tomatoes and finish the dish with the chopped parsley and grated parmesan cheese
   (serve extra on the side).

Makes 5-6 servings.


Recipe via:  http://godofscrumprecipes.tumblr.com/post/21100317594/spaghetti-in-garlic-gravy-with-herbs-and-lemon

Field Day...!

Remember Field Day!!!....

ahhhh...the memories...

Having races (50 yard dash I was particularly good at)...long jump...shot puts...jump rope champion...(my husband held the title at Ethan's school for many many years...and he will NOT let anyone forget it!...not that he should...it's QUITE an accomplishment...;)

Someone took him down in early 2000...or they were just sick of seeing Craig Hill up there!

ahahahahaha!

just kidding babe...

You are SO the jump rope champion in our minds...

Anyway...

They used to give out RIBBONS!

You know, cause you WON something.

I worked my TAIL off to win the 50 yard dash

I mean, it was fun to win!

It sucked to lose...and we all lost at some point...

but, the feeling of beating everyone else was FABULOUS!

They don't do that stuff anymore.

No one wins...no one loses...

Say WAAA?

Come on...

I mean, I get it...

a little bit

No one wants to lose...or their kid to lose...

but, isn't that the part of the point of growing up?

Learning how to win and lose...

and

how to channel both those feelings into something positive?

Now...everyone just plays...

hmmmm...

I am not sure how I feel about that...

too many complaining kids (or probably parents actually)

Oh well.

They have a blast anyway!

Ms. Shafers Kindergarten Class

I worked the "GO FISH" station which was basically where the kids came and cast their reels

 (real fishing rods by the way)

out into the field to try to get them into the hula hoops or a random canoe or kayak...

and I have to say...

a huge majority of the kids were fantastic!

I couldn't believe it...

Cause, I really was terrible...

couldn't do it.

After the K-2 kids were done...

Ethan's teacher had us have a pizza party outside on blankets...underneath a giant tree!

It was sooooo nice...

chowing pizza...grapes...carrots...juice boxes...and the cutest ice cream cone cupcakes

(darn...I should have taken a picture...)

then Ms. Shafer gave them all bubble wands!

It was a wonderful day that I am SURE all the kiddos will remember forever!

and I am sooo darn lucky to be able to help out and see his smiling little face!

YAY for Field Day!

It was a blast!!!

For All You Lemon Lovers...

Ok...let me start this by saying...

I WORSHIP LEMON...

Lemon Cakes in particular are my absolute weakness...

so, when I found this recipe I about fell over!

I cannot WAIT to make this!



LEMON-ZUCCHINI LOAF WITH LEMON GLAZE by NancyCreative
Makes one 9×5″ loaf

• 2 cups unbleached all-purpose flour
• 2 teaspoons baking powder
• 1/2 teaspoon salt
• 2 eggs
• 1/2 cup canola oil
• 2/3 cup sugar
• 1/2 cup buttermilk
• Juice of 1 lemon (or 2 Tablespoons lemon juice)
• Zest of 1 lemon
• 1 cup grated zucchini (you don’t need to peel the zucchini before grating it)

Preheat oven to 35o degrees. Grease and flour a 9×5″ loaf pan; set aside.
In large bowl, blend flour, baking powder, and salt; set aside.
In medium bowl, beat 2 eggs well, then add canola oil and sugar, and blend well. Then add the buttermilk, lemon juice, and lemon zest and blend everything well. Fold in zucchini and stir until evenly distributed in mixture.
Add this mixture to the dry ingredients in the large bowl and blend everything together, but don’t over mix.
Pour batter into prepared 9×5″ loaf pan and bake at 350 degrees for 45 minutes, or until toothpick inserted in center comes out clean (if your oven tends to run hot, check the loaf after 40 minutes). Cool in pan 10 minutes, then remove to a wire rack and cool completely. While loaf is cooling, you can make the glaze…

LEMON GLAZE

• 1 cup powdered sugar
• Juice of 1 lemon (or 2 Tablespoons lemon juice)

In small bowl, mix powdered sugar and lemon juice until well blended. Spoon glaze over cooled loaf. Let glaze set, then serve.


Recipe via:  http://nancycreative.com/2012/03/25/lemon-zucchini-loaf-with-lemon-glaze/

I Gotta Wear Shades...

Now I loooove me some basics...

a white blouse...a pair of jeans...but...I ALWAYS love a POP! of color somewhere in the mix

of those neutrals...

Some "go to" outfits for me are a pair of jeans...or a basic pencil skirt...paired with a funky tee and some bright heels! 

The pop has to be in there somewhere!

Loving these pieces for Summer!

images via: www.pinterest.com

The Essential White Blouse

 One of my FAVORITE pieces is a gorgeous white blouse...

I have always loved that simple look of jeans and a white blouse, but find that I don't pull it out very often!

So...when I happened to find the PERFECT white blouse at Nordstrom a few months back...

I SNAPPED it up!

The other day, I threw it over a nude bra and paired it with black shorts and my favorite worn in gold wedges and LOVE LOVE LOVED it!

{my hubby loved it too...which always cancels out the "is that new" question!)

Now...I am obsessed with the ease of throwing on a blouse with anything!

These are a few looks I am digging hard!...

 How fab are these heels!

DIG the belt!!!!!

All pics via www.pinterest.com

 

Dreaming of Summer Evenings...

Popsicles and Prosecco...

Here's to Summer Evenings...

Images: via Pinterest

Birthday Dinner...

So...

My wonderful husband just turned 35 yesterday...(yay)!

and 

we couldn't celebrate, because he had a softball game...(boo...)

So...

My wonderful sister in law is taking our son for the evening...

so we can spend some quality time together...(yay)!

I am off work and busy getting our dinner together for tonight...

(& doing some school supply shopping too)!

(cause if you don't go now...Target's supplies get pretty thin...)

So...

Here is the menu!!!!

Cupcake Merlot

Ina Garten's Cape Cod Chopped Salad

Pan Fried Scallops

French Bread w/ Spicy Olive Oil Dipping Sauce

Yumm...

Ina Gartens Cape Cod Chopped Salad

Serves 4 to 5

8 slices (8 ounces) thick-cut bacon, such as Niman Ranch


8 ounces baby arugula

1 large Granny Smith apple, peeled and diced

1/2 cup toasted walnut halves, coarsely chopped

1/2 cup dried cranberries

6 ounces blue cheese, such as Roquefort, crumbled

For the Dressing:

3 tablespoons good apple-cider vinegar

1 teaspoon grated orange zest

2 tablespoons freshly squeezed orange juice

2 1/2 teaspoons Dijon mustard

2 tablespoons pure maple syrup

Kosher salt

1/2 teaspoon freshly ground black pepper

2/3 cup good olive oil

1. Preheat the oven to 400 degrees.

2. Place a baking rack on a sheet pan and lay the bacon slices on the rack. Roast the bacon for about 20 minutes, until nicely browned. Allow to cool.

3. In a large bowl, toss together the arugula, apple, walnuts, cranberries, and blue cheese. For the dressing, whisk together the vinegar, orange zest, orange juice, mustard, maple syrup, 1 1/2 teaspoons salt, and the pepper in a bowl. Slowly whisk in the olive oil.

4. Chop the bacon into large pieces and add it to the salad. Toss the salad with just enough dressing to moisten. Sprinkle with 1/2 teaspoon salt and toss well. Serve immediately.

Happy Birthday my Love...

Beach Bum...

Just got a new beach bag from Etsy!!!

I love Etsy...

I love supporting people that make their own products...

they are almost always willing to work with you regarding fabric...color...amount...

custom orders are welcome!

& Etsy has expanded soo much in the last 2 years...

you seriously can find almost ANYTHING!

I was searching for a completely non-crazy-priced-but super cute-extra-large-beach-bag...

cause...
we went to the water park yesterday...

my beach bag/gym bag/overnight bag/throw everything into bag...

did not quite fit all I needed for our Summer

(wait...is it Summer?...no...actually it's Spring...but, who can tell, right?)  outing...

which led me here...

http://www.etsy.com/people/LucyJaneStudio?ref=ls_profile

I am sooo into nautical this year...

bring it on stripes!...

So...I ended up getting a huge lime green and navy floral beach bag!

 

Anyhoo..

Super great price...

lovingly made by a mama of twins...

in the wonderful USA...

really...you can't get any better...

Thanks Etsy!

Not Just For Weddings...

                                                                                 *Loving*
                                                                                 BHLDN!!!!
                                       While mainly a beautiful, vintagey, organic online wedding store...
                                                      it has many many treasures for your home!

                                                         These are some of the pieces I adore!!!

                                         {for on my buffet filled with white M&M's!!!  How fresh!}

                     {Again, on my buffet...this fantastic slate piece for writing life's little pleasures upon!}

                                    {How fabulous are these straws!!! They come in every color!! 
                      PERFECT for a kids party or an outdoor soiree sipping lemonade under the sun!!}

                 {Ordered myself some of these beautiful pompon's to hang from my dining room ceiling...
                       or on dinner plate for a Summer Beach table...on the beds in the kiddies rooms...
                                                the options are ENDLESS for these cuties!!!}

                                         {Pretty, fresh fans for your guests at an outdoor garden party...
                                 just pop them in a tall glass jar and have the ladies help themselves! 
                                                         Very elegant and old fashioned!!!}
                                                      & they have a bunch of beautiful colors!!!

                   {LOVE these old fashioned keys to just throw on a table for instant conversation!}
                                          Or tie an individual one to a gift for a unique gift tag!

                    {Hang these from tree branches and add a votive candle for beautiful outdoor lighting
                                         at a dinner party...or just cocktails and fun with the family!} 
                                                         Ambiance is KEY in my world!!!

                     {How great is this mushroom style cup/cake stand!  Very earthy and whimsical!}

{ADORE this wide brimmed floppy hat for sitting outside in the Summer...Very feminine...}

                      {String these gorgeous glittered letters together to make ANY saying you want! 
                            Happy Summer!  Warmth!  Welcome!  Fun!  The options are endless!

{I cannot get enough of this fantastic cruet!  Fill with Raspberry Lemonade...Iced Tea...or Sangria...}

Yay Summer!!!

Sometimes you can find the most beautiful and unique items at places you wouldn't think to look!

Check out http://www.bhldn.com/index.cfm!!!!!