New Salad!

Have you ever made a new recipe, been excited to try something new for a change, and have it totally FLOP?!  Well, that won't happen with this one!!!  This morning I was looking for some new healthy options--it's time to think about my wedding 'bod.  I love salads and hate to admit that I fall back on the basic green salad far too often.  But this salad is much different!  What defines a salad anyway???  This particular one could make a delicious lunch (that's what I'm doing with leftovers tomorrow), a side for grilled chicken (which I did tonight), a salsa for a chicken taco...... the options are endless.  I halved the recipe, because I knew Adam wouldn't like it and it was plenty for my side dish and there's a bunch leftover for lunch and probably dinner tomorrow too.  I also subbed vidalia onions for the red onions (because I like them better.... and next time I'll probably go lighter on the onions).  The heat was PERFECT (except when I bit right into a jalapeno).  Do yourself a favor and go make this Grilled Corn Salad!!!

What a year!

In 1 short week this school year comes to an end.  I'm usually counting down the days until summer vacation and freedom and sleeping in.... but instead this year I'm feeling a little nostalgic and sentimental!  Unlike most people I feel like my YEAR begins in August and ends in June.  This year in particular has been really great, here are some reason's why:

• BEST class E.V.E.R.  ....no seriously, ever.  

• Adam proposed, obviously!  

• Adam graduated (although this wasn't MY accomplishment, I was by his side everyday!)

• Renata gave me a new nephew!

• I made my first Thanksgiving Turkey and meal to accompany it....mmmm turkey.

• Adam and I made new friends with my new next-door-school-neighbor (Lindsay and Ronnie).
• It wasn't just that my students ROCKED this year, it was their self-motivation... i LOVED it!

• We started wedding planning, yay!
• New Years trip to Savannah, 4 words: Paula Dean's Pot Pie.  yum.

• I got to visit Maine and all the people I love there.

I'm sure there were plenty more things that happened, but those are the few that stand out :)  I'll be sad to see this "year" end..... but SO happy it all happened the way it did.  xo

What happened???

I was doing so well posting for a few days there.... then I was less than inspired.  BUT.... here's some fun news.... I planted cucumbers back in April and look at the progress!

Week 1:

Week 2:

Week 3:

Week 4:

Week 5:

Week 6:

Week 7:

So far there aren't any cucumbers or buds for flowers, but I think they'll be coming soon.  It's so fun to see their progress each week.  What will I make with all my cukes?!