it rained on the fourth and it's still raining now...

{obsessed with my tank. the front says "running the world since 1776"}

hope you had a happy fourth of july. i think it's fitting that the above reflects my oven and my tank, which pretty much sums up my holiday. rain. all. day. but i'm not bitter people! i made a super awesome dinner (pimento cheeseburgers, sweet potato fries, grilled corn and tomato salad, and these super yummy lemon blueberry cakes). we cooked, danced and drank our way through the dreary holiday and were in bed asleep by 8. 

cheers to next year?!?! 

lemon ricotta pancakes

sunday morning, i got up and did something i never (but always aspire) to do. i made breakfast this morning. ever since i pinned the recipe for lemon ricotta pancakes it has been all i can think about...so i made them this morning and man, are these guys amazing. and easy! make these asap, but make sure its a weekend...

because you are going to be really full,
and need a nap, 

and have a baby and not be able to take a nap...

lemon ricotta pancakes with blueberry sauce

recipe adapted from food network

¾ cups cake flour
1 tablespoon baking powder
¼ teaspoon salt
2 tablespoons sugar
1 cup whole milk ricotta cheese
2 large eggs
2/3 cup milk
1 tablespoon lemon zest
1 tablespoon freshly squeezed lemon juice
vegetable oil

in a bowl, combine the flour, baking powder, salt and sugar. whisk to combine and set aside. In another bowl, combine the ricotta cheese, eggs, milk, lemon zest and lemon juice and stir to combine. add the dry ingredients into the wet ingredients and whisk gently until just combined.

heat a non-stick pan over medium heat and coat with vegetable oil. for each pancake, pour approximately 1/3 cup of the batter onto the pan and cook on both sides until golden brown.

blueberry sauce 

4 cups fresh blueberries
¼ cup cold water
¼ cup granulated sugar
1 teaspoon lemon zest
1 teaspoon lemon juice
1 teaspoon cornstarch

place ingredients in a saucepan and stir to combine over medium-low heat until the sauce bubbles. cool slightly before serving.

my island favorites

{yum}

we are heading to my hometown this week, hilton head island. believe me, i know i am extremely lucky to call this place home...i love how people are like, people actually live there?! so cute. but i think what people don't realize is that the food in hilton head is seriously good. in fact, as soon as mikie and i plan a trip down we make our mental list of must have food items. And seeing as i am continuously asked for good restaurant suggestions by friends and co-workers going there on vacay, i figured i might as well compile a little list of our favorites. 

santa fe cafe southwestern cuisine. i seriously go here every time i come home for one thing only...the chimichangas. and the margaritas of course. they have an outside terrace and an adorable little man playing spanish songs on the guitar. perfect spot to meet friends.

stu's surf side this is husband's pick. he always hits this place up for their calibogue sandwich, it's the number 18....and a new stu's koozie (we seriously have like 50 of them).

hinoki sushi!! in fact, my favorite sushi anywhere. i have scoured atlanta for anything comparable and truly...there is nothing as good. pretty much every local is in love with the tuna carpaccio from this place. i heart hinoki.

frankie bones i used to work here so of course it's on my list of favorites - i crave this food more than any other. i could shed a tear over the meatballs. it has a swanky little rat pack theme and is kid friendly. make sure someone at your table gets the coffee spiced ribeye. trust.

hilton head ice cream only listed because i am addicted to their oreo ice cream. they were closed when i was visiting while pregnant and i thought life was over.

black marlin and sunrise cafe my two favorite breakfast spots. they are located right next to each other and honestly it is a debate every sunday i am home because on one hand, sunrise has my favorite breakfast burrito of life and on the other hand, black marlin has the best three dollar bloody mary's. i know, toughest decision of life. did i mention water views....

amigo's yep, mexican. i used to go here every friday after school and get the chicken quesadilla. i have moved on to a bbq chicken salad obsession. there are two locations so its pretty much a can't miss every time i am home, and often times a to go order for the ride back to atl.

other favorites include truffles, new york city pizza, sage room and old fort pub.

great, now i'm hungry.

coconut macaroons are the way to my heart.

..and apparently to husbands. i seriously can. not. believe. how delicious and easy this was. 

and i am a terrible baker. really, just terrible. 

i used this recipe from ina garten and added the chocolate at the end. 

chocolate covered macaroons and love actually...the perfect sunday night. cheers!

sometimes i cook.

i did really good this week.

i made the perfect summer salad.

here is my version of the tomato & avocado salad that everyone in the universe

probably already knows how to make:

needs:

1 small red onion - thinly sliced

1/2 cup white wine vinegar

2 tomatoes (i like using roma)

1 avocado

1 tbl fresh basil

1/2 tsp dijon mustard

2 tbl olive oil

salt and pepper

how:

1. thinly slice the red onion (or call husband for help if you are like me and cry any time cutting onions is involved); place in bowl and cover with white wine vinegar. set aside.

2. cut the tomatoes and avocado however you like...i prefer wedges, and combine.

3. in a bowl combine basil, garlic, mustard, and some of that white wine vinegar thats been hanging out with the onions. now...a teaspoon is enough unless you are obsessed with vinegar...then use a little more. mix in the olive oil, season with salt and pepper.

4. drain the onions and add to the tomato/avocado party.

5. pour the dressing over the tomato/avocado/onion party and mix carefully. serve asap.

enjoy!

sidenote: 'sandwich' was sadly sacrificed for this salad. he will forever be remembered.

coolest cookies on the block.

{cookies by manjar}

im just not sure cookies could get any radder than this.

reason #439 why i wish i had photographer friends.

yum.

we went to the food trucks today....

which i, by the way....i really love

and on the way back....

i found king of pops....

(maker of really yummy and fun flavored popsicles)

like, Chocolate Sea Salt.

W H A T ! ! !

Heart Cake...

{heart cake via i am baker}

you guys...you can make this cake!

because i am baker...she gives you the best instructions.

so if you want to go ahead...

make this cake...

and deliver it to me...

that could be amazing.

i kid. i kid. but isn't this cake perfect?

pies are hot.

{via}

Earlier today, I was sent this link from my catering friends.

and am so excited. that pies are "in" and all.

because southern girls....

we love pies.

especially when pies are done lolli-pop style.

am begging my friend to have these as her wedding favors.

so. precious.

i make really amazing chili.

it's true.

it's supposed to snow here in atlanta on sunday.

if you live in the south you know a couple of things will happen....

1. the grocery store will be packed

2. everyone will be drunk

because when it snows here in the south, sheer panic hits.

i love it here.

so, in preparation of this occassion i have decided to make chili this weekend which reminded me that i have been meaning to share this recipe for a while now. it is seriously amazing how easy this recipe is and how much it comes off like you have slaved away in the kitchen.

listen...all you do is throw the following into a large pot:

2 small or 1 large squash - sliced in 1/4-1/2 circles
2 small or 1 large zucchini - sliced in 1/4-1/2 circles

1 medium sized onion - diced
1 can of black beans drained
1 can of pinto beans drained
1 can of light red kidney beans drained
1 large can of petite diced tomatoes
1 can of HOT rotel
1 package of Chili-O

groung beef or turkey

bring to a boil and then simmer for a few hours.

my personal feelings are that sour cream, cheddar cheese, and texas toast are must adds but you know....that's your call.

enjoy! xx.

ming makes cupcakes

{mings peanut butter cupcake}

so, unless you have been in serious denial or dieting for the past year

you know that cupcakes are pretty much everything right now.

and this website called 'ming makes cupcakes' is ah-mazing and inventive!

here is what i predict will occur...

you love ming.

ming makes cupcakes

ming takes pretty photo of cupcakes

ming provides recipe for cupcakes

you make cupcakes

you become very fat.

you hate ming.

its going to be a vicious cycle...but worth it i think.

go here and check it out.

one day i will be a really amazing cook.

i am determined. it might even be my new obsession.

however, now i am still learning. last night i made this delicious recipe for whole wheat pasta, cauliflower, and walnuts.

personally, i loved it. husbands comments "it's wierd."