Best. Salad. Ever.

In attempt to grocery shop more "pantry-stocking style" and less meal-oriented, I stocked up on all sorts of items this week that could be used in multiple ways. Two nights ago we had "mexican potatoes," which are basically tacos using a baked potato instead of a taco shell. And last night, I took some of the same ingredients- cheese, lettuce, kidney beans, and added some bacon, potatoes, necatarines and the most delicious homemade dressing I have ever tasted. Here's the recipe for the dressing (courtesy of Jodi) and the rest is up to you! :)

Everyday Italian Dressing
2 c. olive oil
1 c. raw apple cider vinegar
1 T mustard powder
2 tsp sea salt
2 tsp onion powder
1 tsp garlic powder
1 tsp dried thyme
1 tsp dried basil
1 tsp sugar (or sweetener substitute)

Also, I would just like to say that I test drove my very first maxi-dress yesterday and I'm in love with it. I got a bazillion compliments and it cost me all of $14.50 at Forever 21. You should buy it too. That is all.

Green eats.

I warned my Mom this post was coming, otherwise I knew I'd get a call asking if I was feeling alright. Plants and yard work have not exactly been in my repertoire in the past. However, with my growing love for food and cooking, it only made sense that eventually I'd dive into where my food comes from.

I think it all started with French Women Don't Get Fat, which got me thinking more and more about eating smaller amounts of better food, but since then I've learned and discovered more and more about where food comes from. Living in Oregon is such a fantastic advantage, especially with the highly available selection of organic and local foods. I'm still working on my "food philosophy," and when I get it in some sort of readable format, I'll be sure to share it here, but for now, I decided to take my first little stab at gardening. Emphasis on little.

With my increasing desire to eat whole, organic foods and fresh produce, our grocery bill has gone up considerably. So originally, I decided I'd grow some Basil and Rosemary to save a few dollars on herbs that I use all the time. This weekend, I received a Target gift card as a thank-you and the first thing I thought of was buying a few more basics. I snagged a planter, some Organic soil and some seeds. Taylor wanted Cilantro and I thought some Tomatoes and Arugula would be great additions as well. Visions of homemade salsa and bruschetta danced in my head. Once I got all the seeds planted, we ended up going back and snagging another planted and a packet of mixed greens seeds. And now, I can't stop staring at my little plants, taking photos of them and resisting the urge to water them too much.

Last night we made a super simple but delicious dinner that, in a few weeks, could be recreated with the goods from our little garden. Cilantro lime rice, chicken with olive oil and butter and some homemade guacamole. Delish!

Do you supplement your grocery shopping with home-grown goods? Share your success stories! :)

Midnight in Paris: Marriage Gutcheck.

Over the weekend, I saw Midnight in Paris with Kerrianne. It was truly fantastic; complete with a cute plot, quirky characters, beautiful vignettes of Paris and super-duper, charming adorableness by Owen Wilson. The one thing that I wasn't expecting from this movie was a major marriage gut-check.

I thought the plot would be something along the lines of Owen Wilson being torn between this fantasy love and the reality of his real-life relationship, but in the end realizing how great he had it in real life. I never expected to despise his fiance so much and pull so hard for the fantasy love. I spent the entire movie writhing with irritation every time she appeared, usually to say something selfish, judgmental, degrading or patronizing to the supposed "love of her life." But the more I thought about how awful she was, the more I started the self-analyze. Enter gut check. 

I have a husband who has a very different outlook on life than I do. He takes his time to make decisions. Boy does he take his time. :) He sees relationships and quality time as more important than to-do lists. When he is asked or decides to do something around the house, he generally completes said task in his own time frame. He is a kind, thoughtful person who cares deeply for just about everyone he comes into contact with and because of this, he is the type of person that strangers spill their life stories to.

And sometimes, I'm just a little irritated by all of these things. Sometimes I'd rather be antisocial and get my stuff done than invest in others. Sometimes I'd like him to do things on my time frame, in the way that I think they should be done. Sometimes I wish he'd spend a little less time worrying about other people and worry about me a little more. And sometimes, a lot of times, I am wrong. 

As I watched this film and saw the quiet, funny, passionate spirit of Owen Wilson's character being abused by his fiance, I was reminded just how wrong I can be. How important it is for me to value, encourage and cultivate that beautiful spirit that I am married to. How important it is to remember that I am blessed with an incredible partner who can teach me SO much about enjoying life and relationships.

And there is nothing on my to-do list more important than that.

My other family.

Moving a relatively far distance away from home is something I've never regretted, but have often felt the effects of. It's terribly hard to miss birthdays, family vacations, big games and even simple things like inside jokes from weeknight dinners. Though nothing is quite the same as home, ever since I met Taylor, I've truly had a second home and second family.

Almost three years ago, I "officially" became a part of a family. Though to be truthful, I had been accepted into the family long before that beautiful October day. I went from having a mom, dad and two brothers, to having two moms, two dads, five brothers and a sister. A sister who is one of my very best friends and was my teammate and roommate in college. I cannot even begin to count how many times they've fed me, how many nights I spent on their couch, how many hugs, laughs and even tears have occurred in their cozy, country home.

Though nothing will ever replace my home in Spokane, it has been an insurmountable blessing to have a home away from home and a family who loves me as their own.

Sunday, Father's Day, after a fantastic and much needed morning with my love, we headed over to that very cozy, country house to help celebrate my Father-in-law. The boys had decided they were going to build a fire pit in the back yard, which immediately led to me campaigning all afternoon for s'mores.

The boys spent a few hours digging, collecting the rocks and using their shovels in "creative" ways, and us three ladies, a mother and her two daughters-in-law, spent the afternoon chopping, stirring and chatting away in the kitchen.

After a fantastic dinner, if I do say so myself, I got my s'mores wish granted, complete with the chocolate cake we had made earlier, substituted for chocolate bars. I also got my other wish- to talk to my dad and wish him a happy day, all the while, wishing I was there to give him a squeeze.

I miss my family all of the time. Every single day. Especially days like today. At the same time, I cannot describe the joy it brings me to be a part of my other family. And to be with them in the cozy, country house, roasting marshmallows, laughing and eating cake, on days like today.

Good eats.

Barefoot Contessa's Greek Salad, Honey Garlic Balsamic Chicken via Baked Bree

After watching The Future of Food this last week, I've been re-motivated to shop locally and naturally. Organic and whole food eating has really become a passion and priority of mine, though due to budget constraints, I don't always find myself able to do so. The access to a wide selection of organic products isn't as easy as it is closer to Portland, but if you are willing and have the time, it can be done.

This Greek Salad recipe was one I was one I watched Ina make on one of her shows and it looked so fresh and tasty I just had to try it. Since I have a much taller, hungrier husband to think about, I whipped up this chicken recipe that I had starred earlier in the week. I added some grilled pitas and our meal was complete! It was delicious with a little white wine and even better as a warm-up for lunch today! Barefoot Contessa strikes agaian.

What have y'all been cooking up lately?

Ready for the weekend.

via AT, Tumblr.

I think I'm ready for the weekend, how about you?

Life in photos.

1. Flashback to my Europe trip thanks to Duplo and World Market.
2. Cookbookery reading material.
3. My favorite pair of earrings.
4. Lavender.
5. Basil.
6. Rosemary.
7. A pretty weed.
8. A new jacket scored with a gift card and a new ($10) scarf from World Market.

When I have been home and not working away, I've been spending a whole lot of time in here, happily. Though I will be SO excited when we finally sell our house, I must admit this has been a pretty great kitchen to fall in love with cooking in.

If I was to do it over, I'd insist on the white cabinets, white subway tile backsplash and would have gone with a gas range in the island instead of a glass stovetop/oven combo. But hey, it's our first house, not our DREAM house. A great many "firsts" in my cooking career have happened here and I will always think on it fondly.

It's that time of year at my job, where I hunker down in my office and tackle a 5-10 page TO-DO list. That's why you haven't been hearing from me or seeing photos of me. I've been doing pretty much the above, day after day.

I've missed my regular routine, but honestly, sometimes it's nice to step away from the blogging world for a little while.But I do miss you all! What's been up?

And have you entered the MaryKay giveaway? FREE MAKEUP, people!