Andes Crème de Menthe Chunk Cookies

It seems like we can only find Andes Crème de Menthe around Christmas time and we never fail to pick up several boxes!!  This past winter, I stumbled upon Andes Crème de Menthe Baking Chips and quickly grabbed a bag.  They’ve since been sitting in my pantry stacked with my other baking chips just waiting for the day I finally got around to using them.  Well – I finally have!

Floral Friday – July Birth Flower – Larkspur & Delphinium

I knew there was a birthstone for every month, but I only recently discovered there is also a birth flower.  Who knew?! 

First Garden Salad of the Season

This is why I love having a garden – I can simply head outside and pick whatever is ripe and create a lovely salad.  Such a great accompaniment to meals in the summer. 

Floral Friday – Schiphol Airport Flower Bowls

I love to explore different cities and cultures, and particularly enjoy sampling the local delicacies.  But I’m not a huge lover of flying.  In fact, I only fly because it is a necessary evil of travelling. 

One airport that actually lifts my spirits is Schiphol airport in Amsterdam.  Here’s a shot from a few years ago on one of the many trips to, what I consider to be, my home away from home!

Basil Seedlings Update

As you can see from my Basil & Goat Cheese Pesto post, I'm already making great use of the bountiful green leaves my little basil seedlings have produced! 

Friday Flower - Peonies

Peonies – they are my fave!  Anyone who follows me on Pinterest knows that I can’t resist pinning peony shots.  Whether repining from my feed or finding them online, they must be included on my botanical board!

Basil & Goat Cheese Pesto

The last several years I have been growing basil as it is my favorite herb and pairs so well with cucumbers and tomatoes (two other staples in my garden).  Every year I plan on making a batch of pesto, but always hold off not wanting to demolish my basil plants.  This year I said nuts on that and tackled a batch nice and early.

Carrot Ginger Soup

OMG – this soup is ridiculously good.  So good, I kept grabbing spoonfuls every time I passed the pot while it was cooling down.  Hot or cold, it was scrumptious!

Friday Flower - Freesia

I can’t think of a better way of celebrating the end of the week than by sharing a lovely picture of flowers. 

Roasted Beet & Garlic Salad with Fresh Herbs

Beets are one of those vegetables that I can’t seem to get enough of.  The method I use for preparing beets is typically to roast them with some garlic and decide from there how I want to finish them off – soup, salad, side dish, etc.  Today I am sharing one of the many salad variations in my repertoire (mostly based on what I have readily available in the fridge J).