Welcome to the weekend, my friends! My two youngest children will be across the country this week and next to visit family. I’m so glad they pulled this off but man has it been really quiet around the house this week! I miss having them at home.
I myself left town for an impromptu weekend trip, so Sean and my oldest will have to hold the fort and keep Oscar company this weekend. It’s hard to imagine a time when the boys aren’t all living at home, but I know that day will come.
ON THE BLOGS This week: A colorful mix of garden-fresh veggies mixed with a light oil and vinegar dressing makes this flavorful pasta salad a hit at your next gathering.
Sweet onions, fresh zucchini, and grilled corn along with some chicken and plenty of melty cheese made these some of the best vegetable quesadillas I’ve made in a while.
Roasted peanuts, ginger, garlic and spicy red chilies give this easy kung pao chicken the kick that makes it totally unique. Kung Pao Chicken is savory and sweet with all the spiciness you could ask for. The peanuts add an extra nutty flavor that really tops it all off.
The bold flavor of artichoke hearts pairs perfectly with the fiery kick of fresh jalapenos in this endlessly delicious Artichoke Jalapeno Dip.
I’m so glad I took the time to learn how to roast beets. Making these purple rocks soft and delicious is way easier than I imagined!
Sweet and earthy beets dance with tangy goat cheese, crunchy candied walnuts and a drizzle of rich balsamic vinegar in this Roasted Beet Salad.
Sweet, tart and tender rhubarb is baked to perfection in this easy rhubarb crisp under a crunchy topping of brown sugar and oats.
There’s nothing — and I mean nothing — that compares to steeping whole spices and tea leaves to create an authentic pot of fragrant, spicy, and sweet homemade chai. I’m warning you now: once you’ve made real chai, you’ll never be quite as satisfied with the other versions.
Fragrant cardamom, ginger, cinnamon and cloves are infused with black tea leaves to give each scoop of this chai ice cream the classic taste of chai tea.
Sweet strawberries meet tart rhubarb, baked to a bubbly delight in this Strawberry Rhubarb Cobbler under a delicious cinnamon-sugar crust.
What I long for: All fresh veggies! I just can’t get enough of fresh asparagus, zucchini and tomatoes. My friend Meseidy’s grilled Mexican street corn will be on my list as soon as there is fresh corn this summer.
What I’m looking at: Peanut Butter Hawk. My boys stumbled across this film a while back and watched it on their own. Last weekend they talked me into watching it with them. I had no idea what to expect and I’m glad I didn’t.
Although it’s a comedy and we laughed a lot about it, there are also serious and sad elements woven into it. It’s the story of an unexpected friendship that has been described as “modern Mark Twain”. I highly recommend it.
What I hear: Look Up Child by Lauren Daigle. My brother Karl drew my attention to this artist when he visited and since then I’ve been listening to this album almost every morning. I absolutely love it and just downloaded their newer album to listen. Her voice is amazing and I’ve mistaken her for Adele a time or two – if you want a reference for her sound.
What I read: I started three new books this week and added countless new ones to my library list. Thank you for all the great recommendations! I’ll definitely give you an update next week after I finish one.
“Come to me, all who work and are heavily laden, and I will give you rest.” Matthew 11:28 ESV
Have a great week full of little things that make you smile!
Maria