Doughnuts, Puppy Party, & Back to School

This last week has been crazy busy for me. First and foremost, my cute little pup turned five! We celebrated with some puppy cake and doughnuts at our favorite dog-friendly bar in Charlotte, Thomas Street Tavern. Dogs are allowed in their large back patio area. There is plenty of seating, as well as some outdoor games! Think ping pong, corn hole, and a ring and hook game. We mostly stuck to my favorite activity, relaxing with a drink in hand... and a dog on my lap.

I baked blueberry doughnuts, for the people at the party.

I made two batches of blueberry glaze- the darker one just has more blueberry juice in it.

They were yummy, but slightly "healthy" tasting, due to the small amount of sugar in the recipe. The blueberries added a nice juicy burst in each bite.

The remnants of frosting the doughnuts, made a very pretty piece of waxed paper!

Pretty and tasty!

We got Lilly the dog cake at Canine Cafe. 

She loved it!

So did Lacey!

Sydney ate hers too fast for me to get a picture!

The pups took home pumpkin muttins as their party favors.

Then, before I knew it, we had our first day of school!! 

My new class seems wonderful so far, it will just take me awhile to get back into this routine! A few of my little darlings brought me teacher gifts: a blanket from India, an "I will miss you when I move in four days" card (yes, she's only in my class for 4 days), an apple for the teacher, and a freshly picked cucumber. They are too cute.

My kitchen and I are going through withdrawals, due to my lack of cooking lately. Hopefully I will be able to get back to it again sometime soon!

Bubbles and Goodbyes

Today was the last day of first grade for all my darlings. A very bittersweet day, full of cleaning, packing up, movie watching, bubble blowing, and goodbyes.

Bubble blowing was a big hit!

Parting gifts included a toy for Lilly (which was bought with a first grader's own money), a handmade necklace, and a tissue paper flower. Yes, my favorite gift is the toy for Lilly. 

After lots of hugs goodbye, the teacher's had their own (much needed) version of a bubble blowing party.

This summer, I'm looking forward to more Thursday night's at the Whitewater Center,

wine tasting (actually, wine drinking, who's just tasting?),

more backyard wildlife sightings,

and definitely recipe experimenting and sharing.

Before I know it, it will be time for this again (I swear it comes faster every year).

In the meantime, be on the lookout for more new recipes I hope to be sharing soon! But for now, after this long, exhausting day, I am calling it a night!

Oh, sweet, sweet, summer, you have finally arrived!

Painting & Sweet Potato Tacos

One thing that I love about the end of the school year is being able to spend more time doing fun, creative activities.

After an afternoon of painting and playdough, I decided to make a purchase to hopefully help boost the quality of my pictures (my creative outlet). I have been wanting one for a long time now and I am so excited to start using it! I especially bought it for food photography but I am sure I will find other uses too! Start looking for more clear photos from me in the future.  If you haven't guessed yet (or seen the picture posted directly below), it's a tripod! (Yes, I realize the picture OF the tripod is slightly blurry... hence the reason I bought a tripod.)

Dinner tonight was one of my all time favorite recipes- Sweet potato tacos! The flavors between all the veggies, beans, and spices, compliment each other perfectly! 

I would consider this a cheap and easy meal, but not exactly fast, due to the excessive amount of chopping involved.

But it is worth it! Especially if you designate your husband as your sous chef and assign the chopping to him... while you do "everything else" (open the beans and measure the spices... that's about it). 

Sweet Potato Tacos

Adapted from Skinny Bitch- Ultimate Everyday Cookbook

(Print Recipe)

Ingredients:

2 tablespoons safflower oil

1 large sweet potato (or 2 small), peeled and cubed

1 red pepper, diced

1 garlic clove, minced

1/2 teaspoon ground cumin

1 teaspoon chili powder

1 teaspoon ground coriander

1 teaspoon oregano

1 15-oz can black beans, drained and rinsed

1 large tomato, diced

salt and pepper

8 small tortillas

1 avocado

1 handful chopped cilantro

Directions:

In a large skillet, heat the oil over medium heat. Add the sweet potato and saute until almost soft. Add the red pepper, garlic, and all spices. Saute 3 minutes. Stir in the beans and tomato and cook 3-5 minutes. Add salt and pepper to taste. Slightly toast both side of the tortillas in the oven on broil (this will only take a few minutes- watch them carefully!) Spread the sweet potato mixture on the tortillas. Top with avocado and cilantro.

Nate informed me the other day that I had created 23 blog posts so far. Then he proceded to say that he didn't know I had that many ideas. HA! That's why he is designated sous chef.

If you are looking for inspiration, or ways to be more creative, I suggest you create some finger paintings yourself. Then make some sweet potato tacos. I'm pretty sure that is the magic combination for boosting your creativity. Lets hope so anyway. Otherwise, I might not make it past this (my 25th) blog post.

No More Pencils No More Books... Well, Almost

Today's post is inspired by: the fact that there are only 7 days of school left!

And... my favorite end-of-the-year book.

Oh sweet summer, you are my light at the end of the tunnel...

The peach in my pie (okay, these are not peaches, but they kinda look like it!)...

The blossom on my flower...

The belle of my ball...

Okay, enough analogies.

Can you tell I'm looking forward to summer? Well, kind of.

These last few weeks of school along with the sweltering summer heat inspires me to cook FAST, cheap, and EASY meals. Last night I made up my own version of a bean burger that fits into that category. I call it... brace yourself... a sweet potato black bean burger. It is exactly what it sounds like. Paired with corn on the cob= a super easy weeknight meal. I would have served this over a bed of greens or on a slice of whole wheat bread, but I was ill-prepared (yes, even menu planners forget things sometimes... crazy, right?) It was still yummy!

Sweet Potato Black Bean Burgers

(Print Recipe)

Ingredients:

1 small sweet potato

1 tablespoon ground flax seeds, mixed with 3 tablespoons water, set aside until thickened

1 15 oz can black beans

1/2 teaspoon chili powder

1/2 teaspoon cayenne pepper

1/2 red pepper, diced

1/2 cup bread crumbs

Directions:

Wash the sweet potato, pierce it with a fork several times, wrap it in wax paper or parchment paper, and microwave until soft (4-5 minutes). When cool enough to handle, slice the top and scoop out the sweet potato. Partially mash the beans (leaving some whole) and sweet potato together. Add the remaining ingredients. Mix well until combined. Form into patties (3-4) and grill over medium heat. Top with super simple guacamole if desired (mashed avocado, with garlic powder, salt, pepper, and lemon juice).

Since I can't post pictures of my student's faces, here is a picture I took of a child reading the class a book today. Let her feet tell you the story. She was teaching us about ocean life. I took pictures, while the class listened to her. Can she write my lesson plans too?

Yes, I will miss my little darlings. But I can't miss them until they are gone. So the count down continues.