Month: August 2014

The Best Tastes of Summer

Lauren1 Comment

Is it really the end of August?  We went to Film on the Rocks on Monday night — FYI, Who Framed Roger Rabbit is still just as good as it was when I was 10 — and there was a definite chill in the air.  I can feel it.  Autumn is on its way!  In other words, cue summer recap posts.  Starting with this one where I share my favorite homemade bites from this summer.

This combo of Green Mexican Rice with Corn and Fried Plantains that I made a few times this summer.

And obviously loved.  Please ignore the fact that I burnt those plantains.  I got better as the summer went on.

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This Spicy Grilled Shrimp with Quinoa Salad that made me sad shrimp is so expensive.

Colorado… so landlocked, so lame.

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This Corn Frittata that made me realize corn and cheese do go together.

And made for the most summery-looking dinner alongside some bread and a green bean salad.

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This Best of Summer Kale Salad that had the best dressing ever.

I wanted to drink the leftovers for real.

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Our favorite Mushroom & Kale Quesadillas that never ever disappoint.

I mean, there’s cream cheese.

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These Nacho Fries that are so delicious and so fun to eat.

Also at this point I am like 80% potato.  Can’t stop, won’t stop with the fries this summer.

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This Sweet Corn and Zucchini Pie I whipped together last Sunday when I realized A) we were out of leftovers (the horror!), B) it was about to be a new workweek and C) I did NOT have the energy for a trip to the grocery so I kinda switched a few things up based on what was in the fridge.

It turned out to be cheesy deliciousness at its finest.

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And last but not least, these Smoky Tilapia Tacos.

We made these last week and though they were incredibly simple, I loved them.

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I still have time to re-make each and every one of these things before summer ends, right?!

Happy Friday, everyone!

 

 

 

10 Days

Lauren1 Comment

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Well, we are officially 10 days out from our wedding (single digits tomorrow)!!!!  Gulp.  So naturally, I am becoming very nostalgic and retrospective about the past year.

It has been stressful and time-consuming.  There were moments where our cake design seemed like the most urgent, important and life-altering decision in the world.  What can I say?  I have a very determined, obsessive and perfectionist personality so of course I carried that with me into our wedding planning.

But it has also been fun and exciting.  Considering “quality time” is my love language and planning (essentially) the biggest party of our lives took a lot of teamwork between Joey and I, this past year has been the best thing ever.  I won’t lie, we have fought over silly little details but we have also laughed, celebrated and cried tears of joy (okay maybe that was just me…).  Our relationship feels so.much.stronger. than it ever has!

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You’re not really ready to get married until you’ve both worn the veil, right?

I surprised myself by being laid back about things — um who am I? — and Joey has surprised me by having a strong opinion about things — he picked all our ceremony songs and they are so perfect — and we agreed on more things than I initially thought we would.  In the end, I feel like planning this wedding has really brought us together 🙂

I will not pretend that doing everything ourselves — as in handpicking all the details and throwing the thing without a coordinator — has been easy but it has also felt right for us.  Everything, from the food to the live band to the venue has felt so us.  And really, that’s all I ever wanted.

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Oh and remember way back when I said our plan was to be done with everything two weeks before so there was no last minute scramble?  Well we still have a few small things to take care of but for the most part, I think we may have actually pulled that one off.  Let’s hope it all pays off on the day of!

I have family from Louisiana, Ohio and Arizona coming into town plus friends from Indiana, Iowa and DC and every time I think about the fact that people are willing to get on a plane for us, I get all melty inside  🙂

10 days!!!!!!

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