Zucchini Pie

{Forgive these terrible food shots!}

This is one of the most delicious brunch dishes I have ever had.  My mom re-acquainted me with it when we were down in Charlotte a few weeks ago.  It was so good, I had to have it again!  So, I used up the last of our summer garden zucchini and whipped one up.  Also I have to share that while we were at La Farm, we picked up one of their fresh baguettes to take home and I made The Pioneer Woman's fantastic Cinnamon Baked French Toast to go with it.  WOW, that fresh baguette was so so good!! So, moral of the story, always make cinnamon baked french toast with a fresh baguette from La Farm to go with your zucchini pie.  It will make you so happy.  So, so happy!

La Farm

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Have you ever heard of La Farm?!?  It is tucked away in a little corner of Cary.  I can't believe I have lived in the Raleigh-Durham area for 7 years, and I just found out about La Farm.  They had me at "European cafe"!!!  The owner is from France and the food is pretty authentic.  Wesley and I headed over Friday night for our date night and we fell instantly in love with it!  His croque madame was very well done, and my ham and gruyere baguette was good (not exactly like I remembered, but close).  But, as soon at bite into a pan au chocolate... I was back having breakfast in the basement kitchen of our hotel near L'Arc de Triumph in Paris in 2009... Needless to say, if you go and only have one thing, have one of their pastries.  But seriously, it is all so good!!!

Hope you had a great weekend!
Linking up with Molly and Carissa 

Weekend in Pictures

 We did lots of celebrating in our hometown this past weekend.  Between the wedding of some of our very favorite friends, and then meeting our brand new nephew Jacob Bennett, the weekend flew by.

 Everything, down to the couple's monogram reception decorations were beautiful!! And that dress was made for Rachel. So stunning. I had a great time trying different settings on the camera and was happy with the shots I got!
 Jacob was passed from uncle to uncle (and finally to aunt!). I think the only time he wasn't being held was while we ate dinner. He is so sweet and already such a good sleeper. Right before we left, we finally got a peak at those sweet baby blues.

Hope you had a great weekend too!!

Linking up with Molly and Carissa

Bad Art

Let me preface this post by re-iterating how much I love art.  If I could do anything for a day for just me, it would involve either producing some of my own art, or leisurely perusing art galleries.  The idea for this post came from a conversation about what people think about art and how different people, obviously, have different opinions.  I in no way shape or form believe that my opinions should be regarded as fact, because I can assure you they are simply my own thoughts and in some of these cases, emotions...bare with me and you will see why ;)

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Dada. Yes, that is the name of the movement.  The Dada movement came about in response to World War I and you can read all about it {here}. In a nutshell "Dada rejected reason and logic, prizing nonsense, irrationality and intuition."  I don't know about you, but for me, my art needs to make sense.  And, since when did painting a go-tee on a print of the Mona Lisa cry out to the world "you really screwed up the world, World War I...shame on you!"?!?

My most passionate definition of "bad art" comes from Pablo Picasso.  Yes, I know he is one of the "game changes" in modern art.  Yes, I know he spear-headed the movement of Cubism which was a monumental movement that helped redefine who could call art, "Art."  But please for the love, explain to me how you can go from this...

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to this...

 

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I don't even know where to begin to express to you how much I hate this painting.  I have hated from the first moment I saw it in my eighth grade art class.  I have never like Cubism...its just too weird for me.  I don't know how to explain it other than whenever I see a Cubist work I just can't ever render a positive feeling from it. I also feel like Picasso WASTED his talent on this huge mess. Not to mention, its just a really vulgar paining. And it's of prostitutes.  Blah!
Phew...ok, just had to let all of that out ;)  I wasn't kidding when I told you I was the most passionate about this one.

Lastly for today, I bring you abstract art from Wassily Kandinsky.  Some of Kandinsky's work I do like.  But the composition pieces to me...are just bad art.

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Here is the story behind this piece:
"An interesting story that indicates Kandinsky’s intellectual examination in the creation of his works revolves around this composition. He became exhausted during the months of studying he went through in preparation for this painting, and decided to go for a walk. His assistant at the time, Gabrielle Munter, who was tidying up the studio in the artist’s absence, inadvertently turned the canvas on its side. Upon Kandinsky’s return, he saw the canvas, fell to his knees and began weeping at the beauty of the painting. His newly found perspective on the piece would change his artistic vision and direction for the rest of his life" {via}
Maybe you have to have a really special part of your brain active to understand abstract art... because I surely have not shed any tears in thinking that this is a great beauty.  I like to be able to make out images...and that is really difficult for me in abstract art.  I do like that with abstract art, every one's interpretation will be different.  But I honestly would rather spend my time looking at other art then trying to decipher the abstract.

The great thing about art, it that you get to decide what you like and don't like; even what you consider to be art or not art.  What kind of art do you love, or love to hate?!?

As always...have a great weekend!!

{DIY} Scrapbook Fridge Magnets

 

Aren't these adorable? I love them and they are so easy to make.  We've got a stainless steel fridge, so I can only use the tiny space on the sides that stick out.  I wanted some magnets that "went" with the kitchen and I fell in love with these metal scrap-booking charms.  They are little pieces of art! Hmmm...maybe I"ll get some mini Monet's next time ;)  You can pick them up at any craft store in the scrap-booking section.  I got the magnets at a craft store too.  Of course, the super glue I already had.  Yes, between the {DIY office storage} and {no-sew burlap table runner}, you could probably tell that I am obsessed with love super glue. 

This little project couldn't be any easier...

You will want to press and hold the magnet onto the charm for a good 10-20 seconds to ensure that the super glue adheres. The other great thing about using the metal charms, is that they are already going to want to grab hold of the magnets.  The super glue just makes sure that they stay in the spot you want them to. Easy, right?!?

Easy Lemon Pound Cake

Our long holiday weekend flew by!  My most favorite part, had to be the food.  Hands down ;)  We are now officially obsessed with Spicy Dr. Pepper Shredded Pork.  I made it for the 4th, and we have not stopped eating it since.  So glad we loved it too, since I made 4.5 lbs of it.  It was the smallest cut of shoulder I could find...I swear!! 

The other winner of the weekend, was this amazingly easy and moist lemon pound cake. I got the recipe out of an allrecipes magazine that I got at the beginning of summer.  I made a few changes to the original.  The cake is only 5 ingredients and the glaze only 4.  Ready for it? Here it is...

Lemon Pound Cake

Cake

1 (18.25 oz) package lemon cake mix

1 (3.4 oz) package instant lemon pudding mix

3/4 c vegetable oil

4 eggs

1 can lemon-lime flavored carbonated beverage

Glaze

1c Powdered sugar

1-2T milk

1t vanilla extract

1t lemon juice

Preheat the oven to 325 degrees F. Grease and flour a 10-inch Bundt pan.  In a large bowl, combine cake mix and pudding mix, then stir in oil.  Beat in the eggs, one at a time, and the stir in the lemon-lime soda.  Pour batter into prepared pan.  Bake in the oven for 40-45 minutes, or until a toothpick inserted into the center of the cake comes out clean.  Allow to cool.

To make the glaze, beat the sugar, 1T of milk, vanilla and lemon juice.  Add an additional tablespoon of milk to thin as needed.  Pour over top of cooled cake.

Hope you all had a Happy 4th!
Linking up with Carissa  and Melt in Your Mouth Mondays

Currently...

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"I love daisies...they're so friendly.  Don't you think that daisies are the friendliest flowers?"

{name that movie!}

I can't believe it is July!!  We have had so much going on around here time has completely gotten away from me.  Hopefully, my blogging break is now broken ;)  Here a peak into what we are up to right now....

Currently...

....... there is only 35 more days until we leave for Europe!!! We are so excited we can hardly stand it.  My luggage is sitting in our dining room, with the tags still on it.  I decided to go with a 25" suitcase so that I won't have to worry about the weight limit. I also have a shoulder carry-on that my purse fits in.  It just needs a monogram on the front!  I know the hardest part will be leaving room to bring things back...

........Wesley surprised me with some purple daisies (^) a few weeks ago. So sweet...

........I'm re-reading all of the Harry Potter books before our trip.  Right now I'm finishing up The Order of the Phoenix.  I haven't read the books in years. As much as I love the movies....the books really are better!

.......my favorite snack is a sliced cucumber with salt and pepper.  Yum!  We are getting so may from our garden I eat 1 every day....

.......I'm helping set up satellite offices at work.  It's hard work, but so rewarding.  It's the first time in a long time where I have like my job more than Wesley likes his....

.......we are getting ready to celebrate!  Our nephew Jacob is due any day now and our good friends Andy and Rachel are getting married next weekend.  Can't wait!!

.......while waiting for our fall shows to return, we are watching Smallville.  Yes, we just might own all 10 seasons on DVD ;)  Tom Welling will always be Clark Kent to me!  And, we just started Parks & Rec.  So. Good.  !!!

......Penny is still obsessed with her bunny....its been over 3 weeks since we have had an actual sighting, but she still checks her "rabbit hole pipe" every time she goes outside...

.....I am trying hard to be good about making dinner when I get home.  We have gotten into a BAD habit of just going out to eat.  It seriously needs to stop....like 2 months ago.  So far, so good this week!  We've had breakfast for dinner, beef fajitas, and twice baked potatoes...3 for 3!  I can't wait for fourth of July...we've got spicy Dr. Pepper shredded pork, roasted corn, and lima beans on the menu...

.....I am working on a few fun sewing projects that I will be sharing soon....stay tuned!!

Linking up with Shanna