This week's moment

{this moment} - "A Friday ritual. A single photo - no words - capturing a moment from the week. A simple, special, extraordinary moment. A moment I want to pause, savor and remember. If you're inspired to do the same, leave a link to your 'moment' in the comments for all to find and see." Inspired by SouleMama.

Favorite Trail Mix

This is my favorite trail mix. It is a great snack for around the house or when you are on the go. If I am in for a really long day then I might sneak a little chocolate in the mix but usually I enjoy it just fine without, one of the rare times you will ever hear that from me.

1 - 12oz package of Craisins
1 - 15oz box of Golden Raisins
1 - 16oz jar of dry roasted, unslated peanuts

Lemon-Dill Potato Salad

Tonight we get to go to a cookout at a friends house. What would a summer cookout be without a side of potato salad? Here is my twist on the summer cookout potato salad:

Lemon-Dill Potato Salad

Ingredients:

• 3lbs potato, cubed and boiled
• 1c mayo
• zest and juice of one large lemon
• hand full (2-3Tbsp) dill
• 4Tbsp white wine vinegar
• 1tsp celery salt
• 1/2 tsp pepper
• 3 celery ribs
• 2-3 hard boiled eggs
• 6 pickles - the type of pickles that should go into a potato salad is a hotly contested subject in our house hold. The Boss is a firm believer in the sweet pickle. I, on the other hand, am 100% loyal to the kosher dill variety. For this recipe the lemon - dill flavor works best if you stick with the dill pickle, I think.
  

this week's moment

{this moment} - "A Friday ritual. A single photo - no words - capturing a moment from the week. A simple, special, extraordinary moment. A moment I want to pause, savor and remember. If you're inspired to do the same, leave a link to your 'moment' in the comments for all to find and see." Inspired by SouleMama.

Bryson City Farmer's Market

The Bryson City Farmer's Market kicked off on Friday May 7th. I missed the first week but was able to go out last Friday and see what the local foodies had to offer. It is impressive to see how many local growers we have here in western NC. It seems like the more I search around the more I find and my trips to the grocery store become fewer and far between. Even though it is still very early in the season there was plenty to choose from. Of course I stopped by the tent of my friends from Sleepy Hollow Farm , as well as met several other local growers. As the summer progresses there will be even more produce but I was able to pick up some delicious honey, jam, leafy greens, eggs, trout, and beautiful flowers. If you are around town on Fridays this summer from 9am-1pm stop by and check out all of the fantastic food.
The Balltown Bee Farm, located right here in Bryson City, has lots to offer, including a couple of varieties of delicious honey. They are incredibly friendly and were more than happy to answer all of my questions about their bees and farm.
Just as I was getting ready to leave, Shelton Family Farm pulled up with a van full of fresh picked strawberries, which I could not resist. Throughout the summer the Shelton Family has a variety of beautiful produce. They offer the option of purchasing a CSA (Community Supported Agriculture) box early in the season or just picking up what you need at the farmer's market.

this week's moment

{this moment} - "A Friday ritual. A single photo - no words - capturing a moment from the week. A simple, special, extraordinary moment. A moment I want to pause, savor and remember. If you're inspired to do the same, leave a link to your 'moment' in the comments for all to find and see." Inspired by SouleMama.

Red Cabbage Slaw & Black Bean Tacos

This is one of the fastest, most simple meals I have ever made. It is a perfect lite summer meal that is still filling. Even if you do not want to make the tacos the red cabbage slaw is an excellent side salad. Let me know what you think.

Ingredients:

- Corn Tortillas
- Feta

For the Red Cabbage Slaw:

1/2 head red cabbage, finely shredded
1 small red onion, halved and thinly sliced
1/4 cup rice wine vinegar
1/2 cup freshly squeeze orange juice
1/4 cup canola oil
1 tablespoon honey
1/4 cup chopped cilantro leaves
Salt and freshly ground black pepper
1/4c lime juice
1/2c chopped peanuts

For the Black Beans:
2 cans or 2 c black beans
EVOO
Garlic Salt
Chili powder
Onion Powder
Crushed Red Pepper

For the Red Cabbage Slaw:
Combine honey, rice wine vinegar, orange juice, oil, black pepper, and lime juice. Stir well. Next mix in the rest of the ingredients coating well with the dressing. Cover and allow to sit at room temperature for about 30min.

For the Black Beans:
Place EVOO in a skillet over medium heat. Add black beans and warm them in the skillet coating them lightly in EVOO. Then add the spices and stir to coat. For the spices add a little at a time to taste.

Build your tacos and top with a little feta. Bon Appetit!

this week's moment

{this moment} - "A Friday ritual. A single photo - no words - capturing a moment from the week. A simple, special, extraordinary moment. A moment I want to pause, savor and remember. If you're inspired to do the same, leave a link to your 'moment' in the comments for all to find and see." Inspired by SouleMama.

A Short Pause

Today I took a pause to wander around my yard. All of the flowers are out and I wanted to make sure that I took a moment to slow down and enjoy them. It is so easy to get wrapped up in the tasks of my day that I don't take time to stop and look around and enjoy how beautiful everything is. I want to make time to pause, even if it is just for a few moments.

Lucky Girl

I am a lucky girl. I have such an amazing family, which I am grateful for everyday. They all made my birthday such a wonderful, special day. The man baked me a cake. His first cake ever and it was fantastic. Chocolate cake with cream cheese icing, all from scratch. Then over the weekend my family came to town for a visit. Now that my brother, sister and I are all out of the house and living lives that take us in very different directions it seems so rare that we are all available to be in the same place and the same time. Maybe it is just me getting older but the time that we get to spend together just seems to go by much to quickly. I find myself wanting to linger and make each moment last. I hope that we can always make time to slow down and celebrate with each other. Thank you everyone for your birthday wishes.