summer salad

Watermelon and spinach salad

Ingredients

• 
  POPPY SEED VINAIGRETTE:
• 1/2 cup white wine vinegar
• 1/2 cup sugar
• 1/2 teaspoon ground mustard
• 1/4 teaspoon onion powder
• 1/2 teaspoon salt
• 1/2 cup vegetable oil
• 1/4 cup chopped onion
• 1 teaspoon poppy seeds
• 
  SALAD:
• 1 package (6 ounces) fresh baby spinach, torn
• 2 cups seeded cubed watermelon
• 1 cup halved green grapes
• 1 cup fresh raspberries
• 1/4 cup sliced almonds

Directions

• In a blender, combine the vinegar, sugar, mustard, onion powder and salt. Cover and process until sugar is dissolved. Continue processing while adding oil in a steady stream. Add onion and poppy seeds; process until blended.
• In a large salad bowl, combine the spinach, watermelon, grapes and raspberries; sprinkle with almonds. Serve with vinaigrette. Yield: 8 servings (about 1 cup vinaigrette).

*ben using an excessively large knife to cut grapes

Keep your friends close, but your toys closer

because life would be much less funny without dogs.

Pittsburgh Bridal Shower and Bachelorette Party!

My Sister and Mom (with the help of my bridesmaids) hosted a lovely and adorable Bridal Shower for me last weekend (7/16) 


Country themed decor, eats, and surprises!

And instead of those awkward bridal shower games.... they hired a line dancing instructor!!

Gifts and Cards (thank you!)

For our night out we hit up the Marvelous Wonderettes at the Pittsburgh Cabaret (highly recommended - so funny!)
and then settled down to live music and countless martinis at Oliver Twist!!!

What's for dinner

It's no secret that Ben and I love getting our Sunday veggie and fruit box from GrowingWashington -- not only does it make us eat veggies, it gives us a reason to try something new and delicious!


Case and Point: Carrot Latkes = amazing.
Basically, it's shredded carrots, onions, & celery mixed with two beaten eggs and some bread crumbs... pan fried in olive oil. *from my PowerFoods book.

And for dinner we had Duck egg over sauteed kale leaves and carrots.

so yummy!


and the only thing NOT from the local food box was the garlic, celery, and oil. pretty awesome.

June Recap.

June came and went like the tide this year 


June (4th) started off with my best friend's gorgeous wedding.

Wishing you all the best, Alicia and Raz!


June 11th I organized a Seattle food tour (for my SWE-PNW ladies) with www.whitemoustache.com - amazing food, great people, and my mouth is still watering over the mac & cheese we tried. Visiting seattle? go check them out - tell Bryce that Dana sent you!!

The following weekend was my big 2-5 birthday and bachelorette parties!!
This really deserves it's own post so keep tuned and I'll do a whole write up! But in the meantime, how cute is this cake Ben MADE for me!!!

Overall June has been an amazing month, so much got accomplished and with the wedding now less than 50 days away... I'm going to be even more busy sewing bunting, finishing the boutonnieres, and making all those place cards. 


Cheers to July!