Tag Archives: recipes

mid-week round-up

fieldsandhay

The last few days have been pretty sad, news-wise, don’t you think? If you’re one of those people who spends tons of time on-line looking at blogs, news sites and social media posts (GUILTY!), it can all get a bit over-whelming. While I do think staying up-to-date on the happenings of the world is of super importance, there is something to be said for balance–especially when all the news you’re consuming over the course of a week strikes such a raw cord. So, check out these links below (which are mostly fun escapes with a few more timely, serious accounts thrown in) and then take time today to do something unplugged. Take a walk in your neighborhood or a local park. Do a relaxing yoga flow. Go to the dollar store, pick up a coloring book and some crayons and do some mindless art. Stay healthy, y’all! Have a wonderful Wednesday!

Wedding photographer‘s fees explained.

Thoughts on fatherhood from the Instagram dads who went viral.

Play outside!

3-ingredient peanut butter cookies.

I’m sick of reading about Lana Del Rey but…

Old garage + salvaged materials = gorgeous studio apartment.

On the Pacific Crest Trail.

This movie looks intense in the best way.

Writers and their cats.

A cute interview with my former teammate.

If you’re not feeling up to anymore serious news right now, stop here, or come back later when you’re in a better head-space. I’ll completely understand. : ) If you ARE feeling up to it, please continue…

Heart-breaking statement from Zelda Williams on the passing of her father, Robin Williams. (He will be greatly missed by so many. I found it so touching to see how strongly he affected those in the Forensics community. As character-poppers and joke-tellers ourselves, he was a magnificent source of inspiration. Mental illness is real, y’all. We MUST do a better job talking about it to erase the stigma and offer helping hands to those suffering.)

Horrific first-person account of the after-math in Ferguson, Missouri. (What sat with me most in Ashley’s article was a random police officer’s words to her. As she was walking through the streets of Ferguson, headed to the candle light vigil for Mike Brown, to show support for, like herself, a mother of an African-American child, a cop told her, “You’ll be shot if you go up there.” Subtext: There are black people up there and you are white. Here, is where I had to stop reading as all the times those words have been spoken to me came flooding back. All the times, as a white woman, someone tried to “warn” me of the presence of black people with the super secret code words…”but you’ll get shot!” And THIS is why the racial profiling, undue fear, and murder of innocents continues to happen. And I’m angry. And perhaps this will get it’s own post on another day because for now, I need to go take MY media break and let the sunshine in so I can send it to yet another mother who lost a son too soon and another mother trying desperately to make sense of the world we’re creating for hers.)

I think each and every one of you are amazing!!! Thank you for stopping by–now go create some sunshine in your day! ❤ 

Recipe: Roasted Asparagus

supersimplesides

I love a dish where a star ingredient can just speak for itself and, for me, no vegetable shines brighter than asparagus. This recipe for roasted asparagus is super simple and tastes amazing. Pair with a grilled steak, scrambled eggs or spicy black bean burger for a delicious spring or summer time meal that comes together in minutes. Bonus points if you nab your produce from the farmer’s market.

What you’ll need…

-one bunch of asparagus spears

-two tablespoons of olive oil

-salt

-pepper

and how it all comes together…

-Rinse your asparagus spears and dry them off using a pretty linen tea towel…ok so that second part is optional.

asparagus1

-Preheat your oven to 400 degrees.

-Snap off the tough ends of each spear. You can save this part for future veggie stock making.

-Line up your spears in a single layer on a baking sheet.

asparagus2

-Drizzle the olive oil on top and sprinkle liberally with cracked salt and pepper.

asparagus3

-Use your fingers to bathe those puppies in oily goodness.

-Pop ‘em in the oven for ten minutes and plate away!

asparagus4

Extra serving flair: Top with grated Parmesan cheese, lemon juice or my condiment go-to, balsamic vinegar. But honestly I prefer them without all that jazz.

What’s your favorite veggie side dish? Do you like to keep vegetables simple or dress them up with lots of add-ons and fancy choppin’?

 

mid-week round-up

pinnacles

Late on the links today, darlings, too busy taking in views like the one above. ; ) We made our way to Berea, KY earlier to hike about on the Indian Fort Mountain Trail (otherwise known as The Pinnacles), a part of the Berea College Department of Forestry. Indian Fort is one of the oldest managed private forests in the United States. We also checked out some craft stores, got some tea at Berea Coffee and Tea, walked around Berea College’s campus and chowed down at Papa Leno’s. Now to couch potato it up, watch Rupaul’s Drag Race and round up some links for y’all!

Kentucky Senate candidates both get loud about coal.

A huge setback for women’s rights.

Are food deserts to blame for rise in crime?

Round-up of hospital stories, if the subject strikes your fancy and you’re in a book readin’ mood.

When I decide to take my crock-potting to the next level I’d like to try this.

Why we should care about Monica Lewinsky…even now.

Coveting a pair of these convertible pants to have on hand for future adventures.

Fascinating Twentieth-Century pregnancy narrative from Rio de Janeiro.

Savory French Toast recipe. Would have never thought of this!

One school district does away with traditional public schools.

What a difference a couple years makes.

Sometimes the American dream means being mobile.

Hope everyone has a fantastic rest of the week! You’re doing a great job!!! ❤

mid-week round-up

coveredbridge

I’m just gonna let the links speak for themselves today. Happy Wednesday! ❤

Twitter bots seek out tweet treasures.

These shirts are awesome.

She has the right idea–rehydrate in style.

Tobacco farm kids.

Great make-ahead one pot meal to have on hand for packed lunches.

Fashion victims. (Reminded me of this funny presentation.)

Happy birthday, George Orwell.

Ballet dancers know what it takes.

2 of the greatest lady scientists on the Internet!!

Planning a vacation?

OMG, I die. I want to eat this entire pie.

This also looks like a yum-tastic meal. 🙂

How to throw a HIMYM finale party.

If there is one thing my sister and I can agree upon it is the importance of television (aka welevision). When she mentioned her plans to go all out for the series finale of “How I Met Your Mother” I asked if she would share her menu plan with us over on the blog! If you’re gonna tune in on Monday, why not make it an event? You see, in my family, we’re all about some themed food. World Cupcakes representing soccer teams during the World Cup, Island/Dharma Initiative dinner for the series finale of Lost, Fifty Nifty United Pizzas–I think by now Katie is an expert. : ) Enjoy! 

Kids, in the Spring of 2014, one of my favorite television shows gave it’s final toast .

TV LOOKOUT

This show was incredibly special to me. True, it was a comedy on the surface, complete with running gags, a laugh track, and Bob Saget, but at its core it was a heartwarming story of friendship, connection, and the universe taking care of us. It taught me a lot of lessons about the age I was entering at the time – the unchartered territory of my twenty somethings – and before I knew it, I was connecting with the characters on a level I wasn’t prepared for.  Because of this, for its final episode, I would throw a party.  It really was the only way.

Now kids, I had to make sure that the menu matched the spirit of the show.  I had to find the perfect thing to capture the essence of McLaren’s pub – to the cookbook shelf!!

maclarens

Drinks:

The Minnesota Tidal Wave/The Robin Scherbatsky (coconut rum, peach schnapps, vanilla vodka, strawberry creme liqueur, cranberry juice, sugar,maraschino cherries.)

The Pineapple Incident (Parrot Bay Pineapple Rum, pineapple juice, grenadine, garnished with a cherry)

Beer, beer, and more beer

Nibbles:

Oven Baked Onion Rings 

Nachos

–          Served with queso (vegan or dairy), salsa, and sour cream (vegan or dairy).

Potato Skins

Wings (vegetarian or carnivore)

–          Served with ranch, celery, and carrots

Treats:

Wedding Cake Cupcakes 

Sumbitch Cookies 

Kids, as I was planning this shindig, making these treats, and binge watching a few episodes for nostalgia’s sake, I couldn’t help but think about all of the things this show has shown me throughout its nine seasons.  Here’s a few lessons I would like to pass on to you…

–          Perfect isn’t always perfect.   Sometimes it’s just not meant to be.  And that’s ok.

–          Nothing good happens after 2am.  Just…go to bed.

–          Don’t settle for someone who accepts your quirks, be with someone who loves them.

–          Your friends are your family.

–          When you’re sad, stop being sad and start being awesome instead.

–          New York really is the greatest city on earth.

–          Sometimes you just have to let the universe take over.  Everything happens for a reason.

–          Don’t postpone joy.

–          Don’t ever think something or someone will last forever.  They won’t.

And most importantly:

–          Life is hard, but that doesn’t mean it can’t be legen…wait for it I hope you’re not lactose intolerant because the next word is…DARY.

Kids, there will come a time where you find something in popular culture that speaks to you.  Since you’re my hypothetical future children, there is no doubt in my mind that you will love television, so if you find a show that you watch obsessively, don’t be embarrassed.  Share it with your friends, have discussions about topics it brings up, make connections with people who also enjoy it, and hell…suit up and THROW A PARTY!

Thanks, Katie!!! Any HIMYM fans out there? What series finales have been especially epic for you? Lost was a pretty big one for me and I can remember crying during the finale of Home Improvement, lol. Tune in for the hour long finale of How I Met Your Mother next Monday at 8 pm (7 central) on CBS.