Random Weekend Thoughts

We had a pretty non-eventful, relaxing weekend, with the biggest outing being Stella's first birthday party for a fellow classmate.  I had so much fun shopping for a boy.   

We continue to enjoy lots of veggies from our garden. 

I think my favorite so far has been the eggplant, which we made Eggplant Parmesan from.  Tonight we made stuffed jalapenos, grilled squash, and not-so-deep-fat-fried okra, all from our garden.  I love fried okra so this healthier version from our Edible Dallas/Ft.Worth publication was interesting and I think I'll try it again.

Not-So-Deep-Fat-Fried Okra

1 lb okra

1 cup cornmeal (we used Panko since that's what we had on hand)

1 tsp salt

Olive Oil spray

Pre-heat oven to 400 degrees.  Spray a baking dish with olive oil spray.  Wash and cut okra into 1/2" pieces.  

Mix salt with the cornmeal and place into a gallon sized sealable bag.  Add okra and shake until the cornmeal has coated all of the okra.  Place okra on oiled baking dish and then spray lightly with olive oil.  Bake for 20 minutes, turning once after 10 minutes.    

Curated

The adorable Evie from Post-College Working Girl has always posted her fun thrifty finds on her blog.  Now she's turned it into an Etsy shop, Curated.  Evie, this geisha girl reminds me of the ones painted on the walls of that lake house I posted a while back. 

Loving

{via}

A few things I'm really loving right now...

1.  Basil pesto from Out To Lunch, the private label for Whole Foods.  I put it on chicken, fish, pasta, sandwiches, etc.  My favorite thing to eat for breakfast when in a hurry...I crack two eggs in an extra large coffee mug, microwave them for a minute or longer, top it with a little bit of Parmesan cheese and dollop of this pesto.  It's so good. 

2.  Bon Appétite magazine with Adam Rapoport at the helm.  While I've let some subscriptions lapse, this is one I'm going to start taking in.  Maybe I'll learn more things to do with my pesto obsession.   

3.  Gingham.  I know - we all love it.  But here's the thing...I used to not.  I actually used to not like gingham.  But now I can't get enough of it.  I realize it's everywhere this summer but I'm going to continue loving it well into the winter under colorful cableknit sweaters.  Winter gingham.   

4.  Carnations.  I once told somebody that I was going to single-handedly bring back carnations and the color peach.  This was a solid 8 or so years ago.  And no sooner than I said it did Carrie on Sex and the City say that carnations were making a comeback when a guy stood at her door holding a bunch of pink ones.  See...look how darling you can make them look...(although, I really prefer white to elevate them).    

5.  Back when it came out, I was intrigued by the description of Gabrielle Hamilton's memoir, Blood, Bones, and Butter.  Gabrielle is the owner of the New York City restaurant, Prune, a major destination for food lovers.  Well, being the non-reader that I am, I put it on my imaginary wish list.  But then I ran into a fellow non-reader friend yesterday who said she's loving it.  So now I can't wait to get my hands on it.  Have you read it? 

  

Ice Cream Sundae Kit

This is just about the cutest thing I've seen - a sundae kit.  I can not wait to make this one day for a friend!  Perfect for one who celebrates their birthday in the summer.  Or maybe to help a friend get over a break-up?  Or congrats for a job well done.  So many cute ideas!

Cy Twombly

April 15. 1928 - July 5. 2011

The 4th

Parade.  Hot dogs.  Super 8.  Girl's dinner.  Crock-pot chicken tortilla soup.  Fireworks.  Brunch with friends.  Gardening.  Apple crisp using oatmeal cookie mix.  Swimming.  Confetti poppers.  More hot dogs.   

We may have to return to work tomorrow but it'll be a short week!

Red + White + Blue