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!

So Fresh and So Clean

I don't know about you guys, but I have been lovin' my farmers market lately.

I mean, what's better than fresh veg and fruits to sink your teeth into in the midst of summer. Yum!

Because of the heat and the great produce, I really haven't been cooking as much lately.

I'm just learning to enjoy fresh foods at their best.

Just like us, sometime fruits and veggies don't want to be all dressed up but would rather just be wonderful by themselves. (I think I'm getting deep here.)

Ice Cream AND Pie

I've got a special treat for ya'll today! (Look at me being all Paula Deen-ish.)

It's a peanut butter pie. No.

It's an ice cream pie. No.

It's a peanut butter ice cream pie. Oh yes!

This summer dandy combines some of my favorite flavors: peanut butter, chocolate and ice cream.

Picnic-Ready Potato Salad

It's been pretty hot around here lately.

I know, it's summer in the south so it's bound to be scorching.

You know it's been really hot when 85 degrees feels cool.

Counting Beans Doesn't Have to be Boring

I've been doing a lot of budgeting lately.

And I've actually enjoyed it.

I think it's fun figuring out the cheapest way to cook meals and make leftovers last for a few days. I think the challenge of not just eating out every day makes life much better (also cheaper) and healthier.

Booya!

Lately we have been eating a lot of black beans in our meals because they're such a cheap, easy and tasty protein.

Chicken Nuggets in Style

I hated my college cafeteria.

The food was seriously gaumy and bad. The carpet always smelled weird and it was always really loud and packed with people.

I prefer to dine in a more quiet place with a few people so that I can have conversations with those around me.

It was nearly impossible to do this in the caf.

Thank goodness for the salad bar and cereal or I would have wasted away at college.

Anyway, there was one meal that I got excited about in the caf: chicken nuggets and mac and cheese!