Sunday Night Dinner: Take 26

I'd been CRAVING Sloppy Joe's for a few days after seeing them on TV multiple times in a matter of 24 hours. I knew I wanted to have them, but I would be enjoying a turkey version instead! I thought they'd be great for Sunday Night Dinner and almost instantly decided I'd be making them with grilled veggie skewers! Both are so easy and tasty - my mouth waters just thinking about the meal again!!! 

Oh yeah, and at the last minute I decided to make some Sweet Potato Tots too! YUM!!!

And after dinner, you just can't forget dessert! Tonight for dessert, I had cookies!!! Sounds kinda boring, right?? Well...mine were fresh baked by myself just hours before. I made two ol' favorites: Chocolate Chip and Oatmeal Raisin.

The Tomato Plant Is Back!

A few times this year I've posted about my disappointment in this year's tomato plant. I was ready to give up on it entirely, until a close friend suggested that the Topsy Turvy MAY just need more soil! Their suspicion was correct and I'm happy to report that I have new hope for this year's tomato plant! I noticed one small cluster of flowers earlier this week, and while taking pictures earlier today I counted a total of SEVEN new blossom clusters!!! I just hope they all turn into little cherry tomatoes, and more continue to grow in the next few months. I will keep you posted on the progress.

I was just going to post about the tomato plant success, but I noticed that my herbs are really thriving and my two berry pants are growing well, but sadly not producing any berries just yet!

Rosemary, Oregano, Sage and Thyme

Basil

Flat Leaf Parsley

And the mint that won't die!

Blueberry and Raspberry Plants

Lastly, I'm happy to report that I haven't seen any new caterpillars recently AND oddly enough, one of the geraniums that was infested is now THRIVING! Funny, because I was very close to getting rid of it completely! Now I'm very glad I didn't. 

Check back soon for a more complete garden update with all the goodies I currently have growing! 

Sunday Night Dinner: Take 25

Tonight's Sunday Night Dinner Post is EXTRA SPECIAL because we have a GUEST blogger! Please welcome one of my best friends, and Podcast host - Robin Rhys!!!

It's Sunday night and I'm at Robyn's for dinner. First off, this is not an unusual occurrence  and it's always a pleasure. We never seem to have the same thing twice and tonight is filled with yet more surprises! 

Alright, so here's tonight's menu: 

We started with some bomb chips and guacamole - ALL FRESH! I actually brought the avocados and they were so green and prefect for the guac if I do say so.  

After that came the main course and it was oh, so good!  

We had chicken and shrimp soft tacos, Spanish rice and refried black beans.

And oh yeah, I can't forget the oven roasted freakin' corn. Best corn I've ever had!!! 

I'm so full and rolling over on myself, but as usual - it was all AMAZING! 

Thanks to Robyn for being the most fabulous host as always. 

Summer Weekend Fun!

I didn't have a 4th of July party, but I did have a couple friends over yesterday for some Summer Weekend Fun, which wouldn't be complete without delicious food and even some pool time!!!

Because I'm a foodie, I of course got pictures of all the food, but ONLY the food. No swimming, no racing in the pool and no walk to get yummy frozen yogurt. Oh - and no sleepover shenanigans either! :) 

ALL the goodies!

Half of the goodies:

Dijon Deviled Eggs
Figs with Honey Goat Cheese and Crackers
Caprese with Homegrown Basil

And the other half:

Grilled Baby Artichoke with Lemon Aioli

Pesto French Fries with Ketchup and Ranch Dressing

I can't wait for more Summer days filled with fun like this!!!

Happy 4th from Los Angeles!

Happy 4th of July Everyone!

"We hold these truths to be self-evident, that all men are created equal, that they are endowed by their Creator with certain unalienable Rights, that among these are Life, Liberty and the pursuit of Happiness!"

This year, I got a little crafty before the holiday and put together/made these fun little holiday touches I added to my apartment. 

Sunflowers just SCREAM Summer and 4th of July to me!

I've always loved arranging flowers, but this may have sparked a new fun hobby - wreath making!!!

So easy and so festive!!!

I'm planning to head to a girlfriend's place soon for some Independence Day fun. Whatever you plan to to, I hope you have a wonderful and safe holiday, filled with fun, food, family and friends!!!

Grandma Visits LA!

This weekend, my grandma came up to Los Angeles to visit! We had a wonderful grandma/granddaughter date complete with a fun sleepover!!! 

I met up with my grandma after work on Friday afternoon. And of course I made sure to have a refreshing treat for us to enjoy!

Starbucks Unsweetened Black Tea for both of us!!

The main reason she came up was because she was getting a new computer. She was switching from a PC and making the oh so wonderful jump to the Apple world! 

Look how happy she is with her new laptop!!!

And the day wouldn't be complete without some yummy dinner with the best date! 

Grandma eating Sushi!!! 

I never would have guessed she liked it as much as I do!

It was such a great time and I can't wait for it to happen again! Soon I hope!!!

Sunday Night Dinner: Take 24

It's been a few weeks, but I'm back for a NEW Sunday Night Dinner post. And I'm back with an AMAZING recipe that I tried for the first time and I will without a doubt be making it again! The flavors of everything just went together so well and I couldn't have been happier with all my food decisions. 

Now that I've told you about the delicious dinner, take a look at the meal for yourself!

Kabobs!!!

Homemade Pesto Chicken Kabob, Bell Pepper and Red Onion Kabob, Grilled Zucchini and a Homemade Feta Herb Baked Rice Pilaf! 

It was SO good and I'm quite excited that I have so much to eat for leftovers the next few days!!

Robyn vs. Caterpillars - Chapter 3!

If you've read my blog since the beginning, you'll know that I've had my fair share of problems with caterpillars. Not just on one thing, but I've had caterpillars on NUMEROUS of my oh so loved crops! See here, here and here!

I hadn't really had many problems this year, but when I found these guys the beginning of last week, I was really upset!

TWO!!!

Oh look close - there are really THREE! 

And I was my usual self - making drastic decisions without much thought. Luckily, the only thing really affected were flowers that were sadly already getting eaten up by what I'm guessing were caterpillars!

Bye Bye Flowers! 

A few days after, I found these little guys and was really happy I'd mad my drastic decision earlier in the week. 

Grrrrr!!!

To add to my annoyance - I found ANOTHER little sucker on my Sage!

Why can't they just LEAVE MY STUFF ALONE!?!?!?! 

Go away caterpillars!!!

To make myself feel better, I decided I couldn't let the window boxes sit empty - so I bought new flowers this weekend! 

I'm on the lookout for more caterpillars and if I see any, they're DONE!!!

Trail Mix Deliciousness!

I love trail mix. I always have. I grew up eating my mom's homemade trail mix, and now from time to time I make my own. 

The ingredients change each time and what I put in it depends on what I'm craving at the moment. This time, the whole trail mix was inspired when I randomly ran across unsweetened coconut flakes at Gelson's. 

Putting the mix together is a cinch, so take a look at the very quick process.

The Goods:

Flaked Coconut

Dried Cranberries

Raisins

Almonds

Pepitas

Chocolate Chips

Peanut Butter Chips

Toffe Bits

Mini Marshmallows

Add all the ingredients....

Almonds

Pepitas

Dried Cranberries

Raisins

Flaked Coconut

Toffe Bits

Peanut Butter Chips

Chocolate Chips

And finally the Mini Marshmallows!

Mix it all up!

And store in baggies or airtight containers! 

Somehow I almost alway end up with way too much! Oh well - my friends are able to benefit from the deliciousness too! 

Sunday Night Dinner: Take 23

It's been FOREVER since I posted a Sunday Night Dinner post, and I'm sorry...but I just couldn't resist posting tonight!

Why?

Because I made pork chops for the 1st time!!! 

And made a very simple, yet super tasty homemade applesauce to eat with the pork chops! 

To finish the meal off, I made some parmesan mashed potatoes and fresh sauteed garlic brussle sprouts! 

Oh how I love a delicious homemade meal! Especially on a Sunday night for a perfect ending to a great weekend.