May 21, 2012

Roasted Green Beans w/ Parmesan

When I’m suuuuper busy, the first thing to go is dinner. I come home from work and don’t even want to THINK about what to make. When I’m talking on the phone with my mom, she always asks me what’s for dinner and I get all panicky because it never dawns on me that I need to have a dinner plan for the evening. Work totally fogs my brain!! Ummm…cereal? Mexican pizzas? But then I survey our fridge and notice we’ve got some green beans in there. Let’s roast them!

Anything roasted is considered dinner in my book! This my first time roasting green beans and it most certainly won’t be my last.

They remain crunchy and turn a little sweet! Add a little bit of lemon juice & Parmesan and they’re perfection.

Did I mention that they’re INCREDIBLY easy? Perfect thing to put in while you sit on the couch with a glass of wine at the end of a looooong day.

If I didn’t have two other mouths to feed, I most definitely would consider roasted green beans a full on legitimate dinner. The Parmesan seals the deal.

my everyday life, Photography

May 20, 2012

My Everyday Life: Week 20

Here’s what this past week looked like:

Watching flags blow in the wind while filling up my gas tank.

Uncategorized

May 18, 2012

I love lists, Friday!

I would like to stuff this in my face times two.
This makes me want to go on a road trip. SO BAD.
OOOH these outfits are ahhhhdorbs.
More than just coffee ice cream. Cafe Du Monde!
Can I vacation here? Please and thank you.
Blue, leopard & a pop of pink!!! Love the arm candy too.
Ummm. Baked Goat Cheese with Raspberries! YES.
If I can find my sewing machine…I’d totally do this.
Happy Crackers! All crackers are happy in my book.
Bacon…skillet…RICE…CHEESE….OMG.
I’m pretty freaked out by this. I apologize in advance.
This is pretty cool too. Genes are rad.
My husband would love this Elderflower Syrup.
Dance like nobody’s watching!
Do you have your tight pants on? Will Ferrell does!

On this week’s episode of the Joy the Baker podcast, WE TALK TO TYLER FLORENCE!!! Of course I ask him what Oprah smells like…Typical Tracy. Get in the FLOZONE.

Hey! What are you doing in July? Wanna find your style in food styling? Take a class with me & Joy at Teahouse! It will be deliciously FUN.

recipes, Uncategorized

May 16, 2012

Blackberry Lemon Goat Cheese Squares

I’m at that point in moving where I reeeeeeally need to clean out my fridge because the more I use up, the less I have to move. Needless to say we’ve had some pretty “creative” dinners this week. I also keep forgetting that I packed up 70% of the kitchen. I totally wanted to make something with whipped cream yesterday but when I went to pull the beaters out of my kitchen cabinet, it was empty. Sad trombone. The good news is that I still can produce tasty recipes out of this bare essentials kitchen of mine. I just can’t make anything that has spices in it since my spice cabinet is in a box somewhere…

I found some puff pastry hiding out in the freezer so I pretended like I was entertaining 10 people at my unkempt house and made these Blackberry Lemon Goat Cheese Squares. These puff pastry bites taste a little bit like blackberry pie mixed with a lemony cheese danish BUT! There’s an arugula leaf nestled under each blackberry. Not only does it add a nice green/peppery bite it provides a nice visual interest to the plate of squares. It’s practically salad (not really).

I am not at liberty to say how many I ate yesterday.

recipes

May 14, 2012

Lemon & Mint Julep

As I’ve gotten older I’ve learned to accept a few things about myself. For starters, I will ALWAYS choose the wrong lane to be in at the grocery store. You should stay away from me when I’m waiting in line because the lane is guaranteed to be cursed. I currently have at least 30 gray hairs on my head and it will only get worse. That’s what happens when your dad went fully gray at 27. I remember being younger and thinking that I’d never have to color my hair if I didn’t want to. Duhhh.

I’ve also accepted the fact that when I drink bourbon, I start craving things like Cheez-Its and Buttermilk Cheddar Biscuits. And when I’m drinking bourbon, my guard is down and I absolutely inhale said cheesy things. But it’s cool. No! I’ve accepted this.

What I haven’t accepted is the fact that I can’t eat just one Coconut Lime Bar…

That’s gonna take awhile.

my everyday life, Photography

May 12, 2012

My Everyday Life: Week 19

Here’s what this past week looked like.

My brother Ryan is in town from NYC.

Uncategorized

May 11, 2012

I love lists, Friday!

Helen Jane has really good solutions for a painful internet. She’s a genius.
I love LOVE love outfit #1. My mom would have worn that when she was younger.
This blog makes me want to travel soooo bad.
Hot Fudge Pudding Cake…for when Mondays are hard.
Speaking of travel. Bri’s trip to Mexico looked so fun and that video!! WOW.
Mini envelopes from catalogs! What a cute DIY!!
OMG! It’s the dude from UP!
Can you imagine having a fridge this color? It would be super fun.
Lessons About Motherhood & Business. Great read! I just ordered Mom, Inc. too.
Oh, Honey Balsamic Strawberry Galette…let’s make out!
Kids plates DIY. I know a few grownups (ahem, cough…points finger at self) who would have fun w/ this.
Wear it NOW!! I’m totally guilty of thinking of my clothes this way…Good motivation to dress better!
I have watched this video at least 10 times. It’s the most epic music video in a car EVER.
Man + Babies= MANBABIES. Equally creepy & hilarious.

On this week’s episode of the Joy the Baker Podcast, we talk about packing, siren songs, moms & our favorite Trader Joe’s items. Episode #48 is called Brushing My Teeth with Cookies!

I’m in the middle of moving…I give you some tips & tricks on packing over at High Straightenence this week. Check it out!

Did you check out Joy’s new website redesign??! It sure is pretty!