chocolate dipped coconut macaroons

Happy Monday, my friends! I typically end my posts with that well wishing, but today, I really needed to get it started with that. Well, and these Chocolate Dipped Coconut Macaroons.

But I'll get back to these little morsels in a short bit. They were one of the highlights of our crazy weekend.

So why was my weekend crazy, you ask? Well, it was crazy good mixed with just the right amount of straight crazy to keep us grounded in reality. First, we started the weekend with an inaugural camping night in the back yard. 

If you've never camped in your backyard, you're missing out. You get the fun of sleeping in a tent, roasting marshmallows for s'mores and listening to the beautiful sounds of birds chirping in the morning without having to give up the comforts of indoor plumbing and a wireless internet connection. Not to mention, you're just steps away from your Keurig.

banana coconut cream parfaits | thursday thoughts

It's Thursday and I wanted to try something a little different. Something I'm calling Thursday Thoughts. I sometimes keep a running list of random thoughts on my phone, and I realized today that I'd gathered quite a list. So, without further ado, here are a few of my long running collection.

oatmeal for everyone | quaker perfect portions

Disclosure: Compensation and product provided by Quaker via AOL Media. The opinions expressed herein are of the author and are not indicative of the opinions or positions of Quaker.

I’m not entirely sure how I blinked and all of a sudden, my two kiddos have a real opinion on what they want to eat in the morning. It used to be that I could make the two of them the same breakfast, or lunch for that matter, and they would be completely fine with it. Well, apparently, somewhere between the end of baby food and now, all of this has changed. If the Buddy wants toast, then you can be sure that the Baby wants an egg. It never fails. 

Things changed about 6 months ago when both of my kiddos discovered a love of oatmeal. I’m not kidding, they can’t get enough. And what mom is going to argue with their kids liking oatmeal, am I right? The fact that my husband and I are also huge oatmeal eaters makes this a very good thing

balsamic vinaigrette potato salad

For a girl who loves cool weather - snuggling down in the autumn with a good book and a cup of coffee - the last couple of years (well, really this year) have shown me what warm weather can do. It can lift your spirit and rejuvenate your creativity. Just to name a few things.

I love to cook seasonally, and in my wise old age (at least according to my kids) I'm seeing that the seasons are timed quite perfectly, actually. As soon as I get sick of heavy roasted meals and over-the-top decadent desserts, the weather turns warm and brings with it a whole new wave of culinary options. 

 

Cooking in the warm months means seeking out lighter fare, foods that cook quickly and take little effort. Dishes that won't weigh you down. Meals to be enjoyed outside among your friends, while sipping an ice cold lemonade - or beer if we're being completely honest. 

My family loves a good cookout. We often get together at my parents' house to enjoy the pool and beautiful patio, not to mention the great company and delish food. There is always a lot of discussion about the food. Who's bringing what? Is that enough sides? There's only one dessert option, is that a problem? Oh, and by the way, the answer to the last question is yes, that's a problem.

Anyway. 

A few years ago, having been assigned to bring a side dish to the upcoming get together, I came across a recipe for a vinaigrette based potato salad, and I gotta tell you, my mind was blown. Growing up, I had only known one type of potato salad and it involved a thick and heavy mayo and mustard based dressing. I liked it alright, but it was never my favorite. This new salad, though, was...wow. Beyond intriguing.

chocolate coconut quinoa granola + a fair trade usa giveaway!

Can I please take a minute to tell you how excited I am about this post? Because, I am. Excited, that is. What's not to love about chocolate, coconut, quinoa and Fair Trade? Oh, did I mention the chance to win an awesome package of Fair Trade goodies?

I certainly wouldn't want to forget to mention that. 

Last Friday, I shared with you my very first ever giveaway. And, by the way, if you haven't entered, there is still time! The giveaway ends tomorrow, Thursday at midnight, so head over here to enter to win the beautiful ($120 value) bread knife from Big Kitchen! Just be sure to fill out the Rafflecopter entry form for your chance to win.

Anyway, back to Fair Trade. I'm getting distracted by all of this stuff. 

My lack of focus is nothing a cup of coffee won't fix. Or ten.

Annnnd, speaking of coffee (as usual), today, over on Food Fanatic, I am helping spread the word about Fair Trade and all of it's awesomeness. Food Fanatic and Fair Trade USA is teaming up to give away a gorgeous and scrumptious package of Fare Trade goodies to one lucky Food Fanatic reader! Including some delish Allegro Coffee!!

Okay, is it clear that I'm already on my 3rd cup of the morning. I need to cool it with the exclamation points.  

mini quiche bites with spinach, bacon + parmesan

So, there's this little day called Mother's Day just around the corner. You know...in case you had forgotten. 

And if you're family is like ours, brunch is what it's all about. There is something about Easter and Mother's Day that brings out the brunchiness in me. 

I just Googled 'brunchiness' and it's totally a word. Although, Googled is not, according to my spell check. My spell check and I rarely see eye-to-eye.

yogurt parfaits with quaker cookies

I’m not sure if you’ve noticed, but it’s already the beginning of May. I know you’ve heard it a hundred times (and most likely said it yourself as much, too) but where has this year gone? Seriously.

Time is flying, and with it, the end of the Buddy’s preschool days. Forever. As in, next year my little guy will be in Kindergarten and preschool will be a distant memory. Except for the fact the Baby will be in her first year of preschool.  I wonder how they’re coming on the whole ‘freezing time’ thing. If it were a thing, that is.