Party with this Pita

I'm totally a chips and dip kind of girl.

I bet you love chips and dip, too.

The mix of textures and burst of flavors are exhilarating.

And chips and dip kind of bring people together. What would a Super Bowl party be without cheese dip and tortilla chips? (Confession: I have a special weakness for that unnaturally yellow cheese dip in the jar.)

Making a Plan

I always thought making a meal plan would be a drag.

Because I'm a spontaneous cook and I figure if I have a great meal idea that I should make it no matter what I have in my pantry.

But, this is not the best way to live, especially on a budget.

I've been learning that organizing the week's meals and grocery needs is a great way to get excited about dinner each night and not have to go back to the grocery store four times in a week to get random ingredients.

Let's Do Brunch: Puffy Apple Pancake

So, I know that it's only Tuesday, but let's talk brunch.

Just think of this post as your encouragement to get through the week and on to the weekend.

I love brunch and well, who doesn't. I'm convinced that even those guys who say they don't really do. It's salty, it's sweet and it's like a combo-meal with loads of choices.

Whenever I eat brunch out, I'm always tempted by the salty options: biscuits in sausage gravy, omelettes, etc., but I almost always end up getting something sweet.

Dinner Out: 28 Springs

I think I mentioned before that I am a fan of eating out and trying new restaurants.

Experiencing a new atmosphere and a different chef's take on foods is thrilling. Not to mention the excitement I get from looking at the menu days (or weeks) before dining to check out all of the options.

There is a restaurant that recently opened in Siloam Springs, our small-town neighbor, the hometown of my alma mater and the hometown of my in-laws.

I was so excited when I learned that the chef/owner of James at the Mill here in Fayetteville was opening a more accessible, casual restaurant called 28 Springs in Siloam. (Find out more about my dining experience at James at the Mill in my Valentine's post.)

Weekend Treat: Brownie Scotchies

It's the weekend!

To celebrate, why not make you and your loved one(s) a pan of brownie scotchies!

Fancy Apps and Zerts

I am a big fan of the show Parks and Recreation.

It's funny, it's smart and I can see a little bit of myself in Amy Poehler's character.

One of my favorite phrases that Tom (Aziz Ansari) comes up with on the show is "apps and zerts" as in appetizers and desserts. Watch his explanation of the phrase here.

I was asked to prepare some snazzy apps and zerts for a friend's lingerie shower recently.

After getting some advice from my mom and hitting up the new Fresh Market store in Rogers, I was set to bring on the girly party with 2 apps and 2 forms of a zert, if you will.

Summer's Swan Song

It's a rainy weekend, which is making me think that summer is coming to an end.

And I guess since everyone's back to a normal schedule and school is back in session, that the sweet freedom of days lounging by the pool are gone.

But, I'm kind of getting in a scarf and leggings mood, so I say bring it on fall! Oh, and soup! I'm pumped to make some delicious soups this fall.

No Take-Out Needed

Raise your hand if you like Thai food.

Did I just make you raise your hand infront of the computer screen? I hope so.

Because I am a fellow lover of curry.

The intense complexities, dozens of spices and hot yet cooling flavors are tantalizing. And who doesn't like their meal served on a steaming clump of fragrant rice? Yum!

Although I am a lover of eating at Thai restaurants, I don't get to as much I would like.

Popcorn Party

I'm not a very crafty person.

Although I've probably pinned as many craft projects and home decor ideas as you have on Pinterest, I haven't done even one of them.

I like the idea of crafting but usually wait until a friend shows me the ropes before I try anything. I'm also not the straightest scissor cutter, which kind of kicks me out of the craft club.

I got to be a part of some amazingly crafty food with my friend, Julie, the other day.

We were making cake and cupcakes for her daughter Berkeley's fourth birthday party!

Poppy Seed Chicken for the Soul

Here's a picture of a usual day in the life of my kitchen counter.

There are loads of fruit and veg just sitting out waiting to be eaten, along with the granola I made last week, some defrosting bread, a few bills and lots of random papers.

I'm always in awe when I go to someone's house and their counter is completely clutter free.

How do they do it?

It's Graaaaanola!

There are a lot of people in the world who don't eat breakfast.

And I have never been able to relate to those people.

I have always been a healthy breakfast eater, whether it's a hearty bowl of cereal, yogurt or biscuits and eggs. It's gives me energy and is another meal that I really enjoy.

A Slice of Home

There are some foods that you cook or eat to take you somewhere or remind you of a certain time in your life.

Some days I want to drink a cup of Earl Grey tea with sugar and milk and reminisce over my four months living in England.

Some days the spices and simplicity of a Mexican street taco whisk me back to many youth group mission trips and a family Thanksgiving spent in Manzanillo, Mexico.

And some days I want a slice of sweet and tart key lime pie with a big dollop of whipped cream to take me back to the summer evenings of my childhood growing up in Hot Springs, Arkansas.

My family's key lime pie recipe is definitely a dish that takes me right back to the perfect end to summer dinners at our family table.

Creamy and Dreamy

It's pretty exciting doing something that you've never done before.

The thrill of figuring out how to do it.

The anxiety in wondering if everything will work out right.

The pressure to succeed.

And, yes, I'm talking about cooking here.

A Cup of Kindness

There's been a lot of hate swirling around our world this week.

I can usually avoid a lot of this but this week it has been taking over our speech, actions and a lot of what we are saying on the Internet.

This week made me appreciate this food blog as a place where I can write and share things that enrich my life and, I hope, the lives of people around me. I love that food blogs don't cover current events and don't have to be based on a political stance.

Overall, food blog writing is a very neutral, peaceful thing for me.

Pulled Pork for the Win

It's one of my favorite seasons of every two years: The Olympics!

For the last five days, I have been glued to the TV soaking up every swimming, diving, gymnastics, kayaking, soccer and other competitions.

The only sad thing is that I'm kind of a couch potato while doing it, but I figure as long as I have my morning walks, I'm good for a little couching.

For the opening ceremonies, I knew that we had to have a great meal to celebrate the occasion.

It would have made more sense to go with British fare, but I decided to do Mexican.

And it was slow-cooker pulled pork tacos for the win! It took the gold! It soared with flying colors!