I'll take what I can get

Who needs a Valentine when you've got these...




(Baked by the little sis and decorated by me)

And speaking of my little sister, check out the Valentine baking/crafting Martha Stewart Jr. was up to this weekend...


I also got these beauties from my daddy...

(Yes, that's my adorable V-day skirt in the background.)

And lastly, I got a dozen roses from Joe*



(Trader Joe...February 15...because they were giving them away for free. Hey, it still made my day.)

I'm still alive...

I've decided to make a reappearance in the blog world. Quick recap of my life since the summer? Finished summer unpaid internships, fall semester of classes, winter break, started spring unpaid internship (I can't get enough of providing free labor), and started my FINAL semester of classes. Whooo, glad we're caught up. It would be exciting with images and sound, I promise. (I'm still working on actually using my camera more often and uploading pics).

So the motivation for my reemergence? Well, I got to write my first blog posts for my internship (in the public relations department of a hospital), and it made me remember my deserted identity out here in blog world. I also need to mess around on here because I still probably know less than the modern-day middle schooler about the layout on this thing. The posts for work were "The iPad's role in health care" and "Heart-healthy tips for Valentine's Day." I know, I know...I'll have to plan something super exciting for my next post here to top those...

Sweet Summertime

I discovered a purpose for my Red Rubin Basil...and those purplish beauties now have a new place in my heart.

Red Rubin Basil Pesto

1 cup packed fresh basil leaves

1 clove garlic

1/8 cup pine nuts

1/3 cup EVOO

Throw basil, garlic, and pine nuts in a food processor until coarsely chopped. Add oil and process until smooth.

Now take a whiff of this tasty creation and slather onto anything that seems slightly logical. I put it on baked chicken..delish.

Since a bowl of pesto may not look especially impressive, check out this beauty instead...

Yum. Happy 4th of July from me and Martha Stewart (even if the directions for this recipe were kind of screwy...I forgive you, Martha. You seem like a pretty busy woman.)

Proud Mama

This summer I embarked on my own little adventure in our backyard (or sideyard? to be more accurate).

These are some of my babies...

I just love my lush zucchini plant. But don't worry Red Rubin Basil, I love you too (even if I don't know what to do with you.)

My banana peppers grow like crazy. Must
be my amazing green thumb and tender,
loving care.