happy friday

I think I need a new tote for Spring.

Shhhhh, don't tell Spencer! :)

It's called the Shady Side Magazine tote and I think I'm in love.

For more inspiration go here.  And  for another reason to love Kate Spade check out the Support Japan Tote.

Happy Friday!

amelia

dreaming of travel

Three more weeks until our trip to Dallas to visit our friends!!  I love to go on trips, don't you?

They live in Frisco TX and I have been online all mornings obsessing over where to stay, where to eat, and what to do.  I LOVE google. :)

I did take a lunch-time break to make a salad for myself.  I loaded it up with veggies and fried and egg for on top.  I made my homemade honey mustard dressing and also fried a circle of parmesan cheese.

Have you ever fried cheese before?

It's so easy!

Put a medium sized pan on medium heat and sprinkle freshly grated parmesan cheese into a circle cookie cutter (or just free form) onto your pan.  When it starts to bubble up and brown flip it over and let it brown on the other side.

Pretty. Easy. Yummy.

amelia

creamy orzo + green peas

I watch cooking channel way too much.

Cooking channel and Disney XD often fight for dominance at our house.

I won't tell you which one usually wins. :)

I made this creamy orzo after watching Kelsey's Creations.  She's a cute, spunky chef who is so tiny she doesn't look like she even eats food.  Sometimes genetics sucks.

I usually eat risotto as the main dish the day I make it.  Then, if I have any leftover I will add it to a salad the next day.

I love salads and try to eat salad as the main course for a least one meal a day.

Creamy orzo + green peas:

inspired by this recipe

2 Tbs. olive oil
1 onion, diced
11/2 c. orzo
1/2 c. dry white wine (more to drink) ;)
3 c. vegetable stock
1 c. green peas
1/3 c. grated Parmesan cheese
1/4 c. cashew cream
1/2 fresh squeezed lemon
salt and pepper to taste
fresh basil

in a medium sized pan saute diced onion in olive oil until soft and translucent. add orzo and toast for about two minutes.  slowly add the vegetable broth, stirring and adding until the liquid is almost gone and the pasta is al dente (this should only take about 10-15 minutes).

take off the heat and add the remaining ingredients. add salt and pepper to taste.

Enjoy.

amelia

linky party

happy friday!!

you know what I like almost as much as I like food?

shopping. :)

everything I bought was from either Target or Loft and everything was on SALE.

it was a good shopping day!

Happy Friday everyone!!

amelia

egg salad sandwiches

Hello Spring!

Hello sunshine and 70 degree weather!

Hello bike rides and long walks...we have missed you. :)

My husband brought home two dozen farm fresh eggs a few days ago.

I guess the chickens are enjoying this weather too and are producing eggs like crazy!!

Anyway, I have been trying to think of things I can make with eggs and yesterday I made this:

Egg Salad Sandwiches

6 hard boiled eggs (peeled and chopped)
1/4 c. mayo
1/4 c. chopped dill pickles
1 tsp. honey mustard
1/2 tsp. sea salt
fresh ground pepper
paprika to taste

I don't like a lot of flavors fighting for dominance in my egg salad.  I generally like to keeps things simple which is usually a fight with Spencer who's motto is more is better!

This made a perfectly delicious sandwich that the whole family loved.

Question of the Day:
What should I do with all of the eggs?  Anyone have any good recipes?

amelia

linky party

coconut corn soup

The rain is pounding down with a vengeance.  I was supposed to work at the hospital today but they called and told me to stay home because the census is low.

I was not looking forward to the hour commute on the dark, curvy roads in the pouring down rain!

Now, I can think of other things...like what we are going to eat today. :)

I always like soup on a rainy day don't you?

Photo by: myrecipes.com

Nearly Instant thai Coconut Corn Soup (not loving the title, but I wasn't consulted)

soup adapted from a recipe found in Vegan Express by Nava Atlas

1 tbls. olive oil

3 garlic cloves, minced

4 to 5 scallions, thinly sliced

1 med red bell pepper

2 14 oz. cans light coconut milk

11/2 cups almond milk

1 16 oz. bag frozen corn

2 tsp. red curry powder

salt and pepper to taste

heat oil garlic and white part of scallions for 2-3 minutes. add all other ingredients except salt and pepper. bring to a rapid boil. then simmer for 5 minutes. salt and pepper. serve.

I love this vegan soup!

Enjoy.

Question of the Day:
What is your favorite meal on a rainy day?

amelia

Linky Party

raspberry lemon cheesecake

the rich, decadent creaminess of the cheese.

the delicate infusion of raspberries.

the buttery, deliciousness of the shortbread crust.

want the recipe?

I'm hanging out with my friend Randi at eye see.

won't you join me?

amelia

virtual tea tuesday

it's tea time again, come on in and have a seat.

forget about the laundry that needs sorting...

I've made you a cup of this:

we could eat some yummy cinnamon bread while we talk about how Spring is coming, we can feel it in the air, see it in the blooming daffodils, hear it in our children's laughter.

or maybe you would like some of this fancy shortbread and we could talk of important things like world politics, the price of oil, or potty training.

i also have some sweet marmalade we could slather on my favorite toasted Woodstock bread.

we could smile and talk about what a gift this is...great friendship and great food and how we'll never take it for granted.

and we could promise to do it again soon.

amelia

all the yummy treats belong to etsy shops in this order:  purposedesign, KaysSimplyHomemade, sweettemptations27, and cupboardcook.  You should go take a look and bring your appetite with you!

honey mustard dressing

I much prefer homemade salad dressings to the store bought type.

I have been working on a honey mustard dressing for awhile but haven't hit on the right flavor combination.

Until now.

This is a light creamy dressing with a satisfying balance of sweet and zesty.

Homemade Honey Mustard Dressing

1/4 c. Mayo (I use Vegenaise)
1 Tbs. Grey Poupon mustard
1 Tbs. honey
juice of 1 lemon

Put in a big bowl and whisk until creamy.

Drizzle over salad.  Would also be good as a dipping sauce.

Enjoy.

amelia

almond butter nutella swirl cookies

This has been such a busy week, I can't believe I haven't written a post since Monday!

We have had beautiful 70 degree weather here all week.  The boys and I have been dreaming of what to plant in our garden.  My youngest wants tomatoes and eggplant and my oldest wants jellybeans and cotton candy. :)

I think my oldest has a sweet tooth like his Mama!

So what have I made to satisfy my sweets cravings this week?

Almond Butter Nutella Swirl Cookies
adapted from Delightful Bitefuls

1/2 c. unsalted butter at room temperature
3/4 c. smooth almond butter
1/2 c. white sugar
1/2 c. packed brown sugar
1 farm fresh egg
1/2 tsp. vanilla
3/4 tsp. baking soda
1/4  tsp. salt
13/4 c. flour
1/2 c. Nutella

Mix first 8 ingredients until smooth and fluffy.  Slowly sift in flour until well incorporated.  Stir in the Nutella just until you have a pretty swirl pattern.

Refrigerate dough for about 15-20 minutes. Then scoop out small dough balls onto lined cookie sheet and bake in 350 degree oven for about 7 minutes.

Enjoy.

amelia

linky party

virtual tea tuesday

i'm inviting you over for virtual tea this morning, won't you come?

don't think about your endless to-do list, your million and one things that need to be done.

just come, sit.

we can talk about how fast the kids are growing as we sip on chia tea.

with honey

i will listen as you talk about how desperate you  are for a date night, a hair-cut, a new pair of shoes.  and i will serve this:

we can laugh until tears roll down our cheeks...as good friends do.  i will confess that i need to exercise more, eat fewer sweets and more vegetables. i will confess that i read when i should be doing dishes...

then i will serve this and we will laugh at the irony.

and then we will hug and say we must do this again. we must make the time.

for a virtual tea.

amelia

all these yummy photos belong to etsy shops in this order:  cookoutsidethebox, honeyrunfarm, inkandpaperarts, and YummyAffair. Go check them out!  You will be glad you did. :)