Kick-off to Summer

The days are getting longer and the Farmer’s Market is in full swing. Our back deck is just begging to be used and I’m dying to add some more plants and flowers. With the work week finally over I’m starting to look towards everything we have planned for the weekend: our bed finally being delivered, bridal shower, bbq, possibly the first kayak trip of the season and hopefully some good food/drinks {and maybe a nap here and there}! I’m just giddy thinking about the next few days. Monday is the first extra day off since the honeymoon and my body is desperately needing the added R&R. So, in honor of the weekend I like to consider as the kick-off to summer, here are a few refreshing summer foods/drinks I’m currently craving and can’t wait to make:

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Strawberries With Cheesecake Stuffing

I love dessert. I love making it. I love eating it. And with spring/summer bringing deliciously sweet fruits, we are provided with such an inspiration for desserts. While I am a self-prescribed chocaholic, I do tend to gravitate often to fruit desserts, and this one was no exception. I made a small batch for work tomorrow but secretly wished I had something else I could bring because I wanted to keep these for myself – so good! I started thinking about what else I could stuff with this amazing cheesecake mixture – poppable cherries or perhaps a roasted peach? Mmm, variations I’m thinking I need to try! Enjoy!

{got to break into one of my favorite wedding presents – thanks Ash!}

Fresh Picks This Week

new nail color • table runner • fiestaware • rug

A Simple Meal for Two

Sometimes the best things happen when you don’t plan them. We had something much different planned for dinner tonight. Something from a box I think. But then Brian came home armed with some food from his mom’s. And thus hanky pankys and tortellini spinach salad happened. Much more delicious in my opinion {although Brian might not agree}. Meaty cheesy goodness combined with fresh sweetness. We’ll probably have to do this again, impromptu style. And you should too. Recipes below.

Hanky Pankys {makes approx 40}
1lb spicy sausage
1lb ground beef
Oregano
1lb Velveeta
Mini-loaf of either rye or pumpernickel bread

Brown both meats together until done – if you’d like add some oregano at this time. Add the cheese in small pieces. Stir until well mixed. Line a cookie sheet with as many pieces of bread as will fit. Drop a couple tablespoons onto each slice. Place cookie sheet under the broiler until bread is crispy and meat/cheese mixture has started to brown and crisp up. Enjoy!

Spinach Tortellini Salad
1 package of tortellini
1 package of baby spinach with the stems cut off
Strawberries
Parmesan  cheese
Poppyseed dressing

Cook the tortellini according to the instructions on the package. Toss with spinach, strawberries, parmesan cheese and poppyseed dressing. Enjoy!

Wedding Projects

I didn’t “DIY” too much with my wedding. We had a very large wedding to plan and while I saw so many beautiful images I wanted to recreate on Pinterest, I just knew it wouldn’t be possible. Well, maybe possible but achieving the goal and staying sane? Definitely impossible – for me. And can I say, I’m really happy I didn’t try to do more. The few projects I did commit to should have been fun {I had thought they would be fun}, but I ended up resenting them in the end because of my procrastinating nature. And then I was mad at my resentment. My advice? Do the fun things but employ lots of help and do it early. Here are a couple projects I took on myself…

Hotel Favor Bags:

Seating Chart:

Table Numbers Names:

{all table setting photos taken by Tom Chaput}

Mother’s Day Dinner

This dinner was seriously rockin’. We made two different pork roasts: this one and a balsamic recipe from Brian’s aunt Jo {amazing}. Served alongside was a cucumber salad {used this recipe} and potatoes from a box {yes indeed :}. Unfortunately we got so involved with getting everything coordinated and cooked, I didn’t get any pictures! Instead, I’ll leave you to feast your eyes on the dessert we made earlier in the day – we managed to capture a few delectable shots.

p.s. Mom – when you come down here next we will make you a belated Mother’s Day dinner.

{first time using this bad boy - love it}

Loving This Week…

{comfy tees with structured skirts}

{cupcake atm – what?!?}

{something to think about}

{yellow accent nail}

{behind the curve, yes – but excited to start this series}

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