Cheeseburger in paradise

Bobby Flay has got nothing on me. Check out this bacon cheeseburger. Chad's secret sauce was the icing on the cake (A-1, horseradish, and mayo) but shhh, its a secret. Healthy...no. Delicious...yes!

Bad Dog

How pathetic is that face? This was snapped shortly after Marley took a poop in the floor. He knows he is not suppose to do that and I think he felt sorry. He was trying to hide behind the table and put himself in time-out. How could I be mad at a face like that?

Winner winner salmon dinner

Chad and I saw this recipe on Diners, Drive-ins, and Dives and thought we would try to re-create it. I think we succeeded. Blackened salmon with tomato butter, asparagus, and smashed potatoes. I wasn't sold on the tomato butter but it was the perfect compliment to the salmon and very easy to make (butter, V-8 juice, and garlic). Oh and the asparagus and potatoes were from the farmers market.

Farmers Market

It's Saturday and you know what that means...farmer market time! I've been hooked since my first trip over a year ago. I usually go just for the yummy homemade pies but today I resisted since I have to be in a swimsuit in less than a week (yikes)! The farmers market is also a great way to be "green" since most of the produce is locally grown. Today I bought local honey after Chad informed me that a tablespoon a day might help with my allergies. I also bought some delicious strawberries, two cartons for $3.00. All in all I spent $20.00 and the picture only shows half of the strawberries and half of the potatoes.

Earth Day

Happy Earth Day! This picture is taken from my balcony. I absolutely love watching the sun set and I am lucky enough to have a great view of it everyday. Today is a good reminder to kick up my green living. I have been slacking lately especially with my use of plastic bags. I just cannot get into the habit of taking my reusable bags in the store with me. I have like 1,000 of them but I always remember them as I am checking out. Any tips?

Weekend Breakfast

Ever since I was a little girl I can remember my grandmother telling me to eat breakfast. She would say it doesn't matter what you eat, even a cold piece of pizza, but at least eat something. These words stuck like glue. I have and will always be a breakfast eater. I never understood those people who skip breakfast. I always want to go up to them and say didn't your grandmother explain the importance of breakfast? Anyways, since I've entered the working world I find it harder and harder to pry myself out of bed in the mornings. Because of this, I haven't been able to enjoy my love of breakfast as much. I look forward to the weekend for many reasons but breakfast might just be on the top of the list. I just love making a cup of coffee, putting some bacon in the skillet, and frying up some eggs! I swear there is no better way to start the day, especially if you throw in some fried potatoes. I haven't quite mastered my grandmother's biscuits and gravy but when I do, it is on!

YOU MUST READ THIS BOOK!

I ran across this book on one of my target shopping sprees and couldn't wait to start reading it. I recommend it to anyone who has been affected by Alzheimer's, anyone who works with people with Alzheimer's, or anyone who has parents/grandparents. So really everyone should read this book. I wont go into detail about the book...all I will say is that I couldn't put it down and finished it in about 3 days. Let me know if you read it and what you thought about it.

Happy Easter

Even at the age of 25 I still look forward to my Easter Basket. My mom never disappoints and always has the same basket stuffed full of my favorite candies. If growing up means no more Easter Baskets then I don't wanna grow up...

Even Marley enjoyed Easter with his new toy. He immediately chewed out the eyeballs and moved on to the stuffing inside.

Somehow my mom convinced me to make these raspberry cakes around 9:00 Saturday night. They turned out great and so very "Eastery"

I finally took my great-grandmothers silverware back to Nashville with me and I'm so excited. I might just have a dinner party so I have an excuse to use them!

Life after Twilight

After being consumed by the Twilight book series I went on a reading hiatus. I am glad to say I am back. My latest read was The Middle Place by Kelly Corrigan. They were heavily promoting it at Borders and the advertising sucked me in. Even the guy at the register laughed at me for purchasing the book. By the time I left the store I was really doubting my purchase. However, it turned out to be a great book! It was easy to read, I laughed, I cried, and I now think I have cancer. So...run out to your nearest Borders and buy it (they probably have 10,000 copies)!

Stress = Cooking

Things at work have been extra stressful so what do I do to relax??? Cook! I absolutely love my chicken piccata recipe. It is so easy and delicious every time. It really makes a long day at work just go away. The only bad part was that I finally cut my finger on my new Wusthof knives. I knew it was going to happen sooner or later and well it did. For dessert I tried a new recipe called Salted Nut Roll Bars. Trust me they taste better than the name sounds. It was a great recipe to destress. You have to crush an entire package of Nutter Butter cookies. Very theraputic!