A Few of My Favorite (Summer) Things: Part 1

Although I am an "equal-opportunity-seasons" type of girl (and yes, that is an official term!), like almost everybody else I LOVE summertime.  Even though I have long grown up and don't get the summers off from school, work, and the like, there is still something about summertime that encourages me to sit back, relax, and "live in the moment" a little bit more than usual (I realize that this is something that I should do all of the time, and I'm working on that...cut me some slack!).


Yesterday, while thinking about some of the things that I LOVE about summer, Julie Andrew's voice from The Sound of Music popped into my head:

Raindrops on roses and whiskers on kittens

Bright copper kettles and warm woolen mittens

Brown paper packages tied up with strings

These are a few of my favorite things

Cream colored ponies and crisp apple streudels

Doorbells and sleigh bells and schnitzel with noodles

Wild geese that fly with the moon on their wings

These are a few of my favorite things

Girls in white dresses with blue satin sashes

Snowflakes that stay on my nose and eyelashes

Silver white winters that melt into springs

These are a few of my favorite things

When the dog bites

When the bee stings

When I'm feeling sad

I simply remember my favorite things

And then I don't feel so bad

(Source)

Then I started thinking about some of MY favorite things...especially about summertime, and I figured that a blog post was in order.  I have labelled this post "Part 1" because, I figure, as the summer progresses I will probably think of more "favorite things" to share with you here on the ABC blog.  I think of today's post as a warm-up for things to come! ;)

(1)  Puppy play dates!

Izzy (short for Isabelle) is an 11 week old Great Dane puppy.  At 5 1/2 months old, our Lola is a big girl for her age and breed, but Izzy gives a whole new meaning to the term!  She will be over 120 pounds once she is fully grown - WOWZA!

Once they got to know one another, Lola and Izzy had a great time together!  For now, Lola is still a little bit bigger than Izzy...but that will quickly change.  I bet that the next time we get them together Izzy will be the same size, if not bigger, than our little girl.  Lola better watch out!  Izzy is one puppy that you definitely want as a friend, not an enemy!

(2) Family vacations in Sandestin, FL.

I just got back from three days in Sandestin with my mom, step-dad, brother, and step-brother.  I purposefully didn't take my camera because I wanted to spend my limited time there focusing on family, fun, and relaxation.  We were a little worried that Tropical Storm Debby was going to ruin everything; but (thankfully) at the last minute, she took a sharp turn to the right and hovered over Jacksonville for almost two days (Bo and Lola didn't have nearly as much fun as I did since they were still stuck at home).  Instead, Destin enjoyed days full of sunshine!

Blessed.

(3) Perfect (and unexpected) gifts for the home from mom.

My mom found this little gem in her local thrift store in Springville, AL.  She knows me so well.  When I look at this little piece on my wall I think of:

my wedding (one of the flowers was in my wedding bouquets);

making a house a home;

the importance of heritage and history;

cozy, comfortable, character-filled spaces.

God willing, one day I hope that I can create an entire home that makes me fill this way.

(4) HUGE plates full of fresh garden vegetables.

Last night I quickly whipped up sauteed crooked neck squash, zucchini, and broccoli, and baked a potato that I topped with Smart Balance and nutritional yeast.  YUMM-O!

(5) True Blood

It's official.  Bo and I are hooked on HBO.  It all started with Game of Thrones, and then about a year ago someone introduced us to True Blood (Yes, it's about vampires/werewolves/fairies/witches/etc.  No, it's not like Twilight.  Yes, I've read almost all of the books that the series is based upon.  No, the "Sookie Stackhouse" book are not nearly as good as the Twilight saga, in my opinion  Oh, and yes, I still love all things Twilight!).  In a span of about four months we caught up on Seasons 1, 2, 3, and 4 so that we would be ready for the Season 5 premiere on June 10th.  Three episodes in and Season 5 of True Blood is better than ever!

If you ask us - bar none - HBO makes the best TV around.

Question of the Day:


What are a few of YOUR favorite (summer) things?!

Blessings,
Ally and Bo

Sweet (and Spicy) Potato & Roasted Broccoli and Onions with BBQ Sauce

Today, I feel like this:

So I am going to be drinking a lot of this:

And doing a lot of this:

But, before I get to my hot tea and my bed (okay, truthfully I am drinking my hot tea now, but anyway...), I have a couple of recipes that I am too excited to wait until tomorrow to share with you. 

When Bo ate this sweet potato last night for dinner, he ranked it a 9 out of 10!  He went on to say that it was "delightfully sweet with a subtle spiciness that work perfectly together."  I don't think I could improve on that description, so I will get right to the recipe!

Sweet (and Spicy) Potato
Serves 2

2 medium sweet potatoes
1 tsp salt, divided

Spicy Compound Butter
Serves 3-4

4 T Smart Balance, at room temperature
1/4 tsp red pepper flakes
pinch of garlic powder
pinch of onion powder
1/8 tsp pepper

Directions:

• Preheat oven to 400 degrees.
• Wash sweet potatoes thoroughly.
• Place sweet potatoes on separate sheets of aluminum foil, and sprinkle with 1/2 tsp salt each.
• Place the sweet potatoes in the oven for 1 1/4 - 1 1/2 hours until tender throughout.
• While the potato is baking, mix together the Smart Balance, red pepper flakes, garlic powder, onion powder, and pepper.
• Place the butter mixture on a sheet of saran wrap, roll into a log, and twist the edges of the saran wrap to secure.

• Put the compound butter in the refrigerator to solidify.
• When potatoes are tender to the touch, slice them in half, add 1-2 T of the spicy compound butter, and devour!

Alongside the Sweet (and Spicy) Potato I decided to roast some broccoli.  I know that many of you might have nightmares about the mushy broccoli from your childhood, but I assure you that this roasted broccoli is more closely related to your dreams!

Roasted Broccoli and Onions with BBQ Sauce
Serves 2

1 large broccoli head
1/2 large sweet onion
nonstick cooking spray
1 tsp salt
1/2 tsp pepper
Stubb's BBQ sauce (we have the Hickory Bourbon flavor)

Directions:

• Preheat oven to 400 degrees.
• Finely chop your broccoli and onion.
• Spray a large baking sheet with nonstick spray, and distribute the broccoli and onion evenly.

• Sprinkle the broccoli and onion with salt, pepper, and an additional light spraying of nonstick spray.
• Roast for 20-25 minutes until lightly browned.
• Drizzle with BBQ sauce, and serve immediately.

Sweet. Spicy. Saucy. Satifying. 

What else can I say about last night's dinner?!  Seriously, if you don't like sweet potatoes or broccoli give these recipes a try.  The flavor combinations are awesome!  They are sure to make your taste buds sing. :)

Question of the Day:

When your throat is sore and you feel cruddy, what are your no fail, get-well-quick methods?

Blessings,
Ally and Bo