post #8 - F5: Grilled Watermelon, Pilot Pens, Garden, C25K App, & Zonin Prosecco!

Linking Up - 5 on Friday!

I'm excited this week to be participating in a Link Up! Two blogs that I read and love (A. Liz. Adventures and Carolina Charm) are hosting this fun concept, where various bloggers post about the same thing and link to each other. This allows you to discover new blogs and read other blog posts about the same topics. Since I've been meaning to do a post about some things that I've been loving lately, this  Link Up is the perfect opportunity!

This week, I've been loving on:

Grilled Watermelon with Goat Cheese -

Brace yourself. Grilled watermelon sprinkled with goat cheese. I know this sounds...different, but oh. my. goodness. Heavenly.

(drizzle a few slices of watermelon with extra virgin olive oil, then throw them on the grill. when you take them off, sprinkle them with goat cheese.)

Pilot Gel Pens

I've essentially gone through this pack of pens in one week. But, I've been writing with them all day, every day. Although the subject matter I've been studying is pretty boring, this combo pack's colors make me feel a little happier. (It's the little things, people!)

(found here, or at your local Target :-))

Our Garden

This year, for the first time, Jo and I have attempted a garden! I am very excited to report that we are growing lots of baby vegetables! So far, we have jalapenos, squash, and tomatoes. Our peppers, cucumber, onions, and zucchini are all doing well and we're expecting to see them appearing at any time! We have had so much fun nurturing this garden and watching everything grow.

(the day we planted - mid-april)

(now! lots of budding plants!)

(ready to pick?)

The C25K Running App

Jo and I have started a running plan this week - so far, so good! It's a lot harder for me than it is for him, but I think it's just a guy thing to be able to run with ease. I used the Couch to 5k program a few years ago, which helps you go from not running at all to running a 5k in just 2 months! We have been using an app called C25K(Free) that you can download for your iPhone. I use it along with my Nike+ app (which counts distance and calories burned), but I like C25K because it tells you when to start walking and start jogging - no need to try to time things in your head when you're just trying to make it up a hill! You can learn more about the app here, and can download it from the iTunes store. Happy running! 

Zonin Prosecco

A few weeks ago, I picked a bottle of this prosecco up at Trader Joe's for ABOUT SIX DOLLARS. It did not disappoint, especially with this price tag! This may be my new go-to prosecco for a more "everyday" beverage. 

(i'll have the one on the left, please.)

*cheers to the weekend!*

Have y'all been receiving your May Books? Mine came in yesterday... and I'm in love...as usual. It's an addiction. I hope all of you that ordered are as happy with yours as I am with mine! 

I'd love to read your comments! Thanks for stopping by!

MBC

post #7: Jalapeno Corn Casserole

Jalapeno Corn Casserole - A Memorial Day Weekend Treat!

Happy Tuesday! Today is like an extra rough Monday, since most of us are back to work or school after a sunny three day weekend. We started off our weekend by having dinner, beer, puppy play time, and cornhole with friends on Friday. It was so much fun that we did it again on Sunday. 

Saturday was filled with studying, taco night, and Silver Linings Playbook...a perfect and needed date night in. Monday was a catch-up day, where we took Milly to the river to swim at Saluda Shoals and ran a lot of errands. All in all, a productive and happy weekend!

(testing the waters)

(too cold?)

(nope!)

On Friday, I made a dish to take to dinner that I truly forgot how much I loved. This originated as a Paula Deen recipe (found here) but I made it a little bit healthier and added a kick. It is easy to take this somewhere and pop it in the oven, since it is thick enough to travel well before being cooked. Next time you need an easy and crowd-pleasing side dish, give this melt-in-your-mouth casserole a try!

Jalapeno Corn Casserole

(serves 4-6)

Ingredients:

1 can whole kernel corn (drained, 15 oz)

1 can creamed corn (not drained!)

1 package of Jiffy corn muffin mix

1 cup greek yogurt

1/2 stick of butter, melted

1 cup cheddar or Monterey Jack cheese, shredded and divided into 1/2 cups

1/4 cup (to taste) pickled jalapenos

Step 1 - Preheat oven to 350 and chop pickled jalapenos into very small pieces.

Step 2 - Combine butter, corn muffin mix, greek yogurt, and jalapenos.

Step 3 - Add all corn and 1/2 cup of cheese.

Step 4 - Spread in baking dish (I recommend 8x8 or 9x9) and cover with remaining 1/2 cup of cheese.

Step 5 - Bake at 350 degrees for 45 minutes, or until top is browned.

Step 6 - Enjoy!

Hope your Memorial Day weekends were relaxing and fun, and that you are successfully getting back to the weekday grind! 

MBC

post #6: Maxing Out

Maxing Out

I'm a little late jumping on this train, but lately I've been loving maxi skirts. Due to studying for the bar exam, my legs will be lacking the hint of tan that they usually have in the summer time. This is sure to look amazing in photos with my sun kissed friends. I've decided that the solution to this problem is wear maxi skirts - nonstop. There are lots floating around out there that I loved when shopping... but some were a little a lot out of budget. Here are some of my favorites - can you tell which ones made me shop or drop?

1) Tibi Pleated Maxi Skirt (found here) ($395) 

2) Milly Luca Dot Print Maxi Skirt (found here) ($525, on sale for $315) 

3) BCBGMaxazria Dillon Pleated Maxi Skirt (found here) ($295, on sale for $150) 

4) Forever 21 Satin Maxi Skirt (found here) ($25) 

5) LOFT Textured Maxi Skirt (found here) ($69.50, on sale for $55)

Are YOU loving Maxis right now? What are your favorite summer looks?