Open Your Eyes...

Even though Brett and I love (and I mean love) to travel all over the place and go on fun and memorable vacations, obviously we can't live life vacationing all year round (though we'd like to!).  So in the mean time, between our great trips, we like to take advantage of all the fun mini adventures we can go on close to home.  Whether it's finding a new place to hike or biking in a park we've been to numerous times before, just getting out there and exploring is what keeps us sane between big trips.  This past Sunday we did just that: threw the bikes on the car and drove down to Mingo Creek Park for some weekend biking fun.  I had a big ol' smile on my face the whole afternoon.  It's amazing what you can discover so close to home if you just open your eyes.

{5 Things I Loved About This Weekend}

Good morning!  It may be Monday, but the fact that I'm leaving for California in 11 days (!!) and only 9 days of work are standing between me and our super fantastic west coast vacation are making it much easier to bare.  The weather was awesomely gorgeous this weekend which, of course, meant that we spent most of it outside.  Gotta soak up these beautiful summer days while they last!

Here are 5 things I loved about the weekend...

1.  Discovering a new restaurant that has awesome beers & good eats: Industry Public House

2.  Going on a leisurely bike ride with my parents & aunt with a quick stop for froyo

(would you expect anything less?)

3.  Homemade smoothies for breakfast

4.  Spending the morning biking in Mingo Creek Park

(especially the reward of this awesome view after busting my ass climbing to the top of a huge hill!)

5.  Ending the weekend on a relaxing note with games, beers, and lounging on the mexican blanket

What did you love about this weekend?*

(See things I've loved about past weekends here!)

The Friday Five

Happy Friday!*  I was browsing through some blogs earlier today and just loved this post Sara did on "The Friday Five".  It's such a simple & fun idea, I thought why not try it out myself.  So here are my "Friday Five"!

What I'm eating:  Panera Thai Chopped Chicken Salad
(Holy yum!  When did Panera's salads get so tasty??)

What I'm reading:  Nothing (besides blogs...)!
I just finished the Hunger Games series and am desperately in need of something new to fill the void.
Recommendations?!

What I'm listening to:  The Band
So so so good.  One of my favorite bands of all time.

What I'm wearing:  Sally Hansen "Snappy Sorbet"
My favorite nail color of all time.
I think it's because it's the same color as my most favorite food: watermelon!

What I'm dreaming about:  Our California trip coming up!!
Only 14 days until we are boarding a plane to San Francisco.  I CANNOT WAIT.

Have a great weekend, everyone!!*

Pineapple, Strawberry, and Basil Salsa!

Ah, one of my most favorite things about summer is the plethora of fresh fruit and veggies available everywhere.  Nothing beats going to the farmers market or grocery store and coming home with tons of fresh food ready to make some magic with.  A few weeks ago, we were craving some fresh seafood and came up with a recipe that just screams summer: Grilled salmon with pineapple, strawberry, & basil salsa.  Holy YUM!  Lemme break it down step-by-step for you.

1.  Chop up some fresh pineapple & strawberries

2.  Mix those delicious fruits together

3.  Add some fresh basil from your very own garden

4.  Stir fry some fresh onions, green peppers, more pineapple, and fresh basil to mix with some rice

5.  Relax with some tasty snacks and wine on the patio while the hubby grill some fresh salmon

6.  Enjoy one of the most delicious (and healthy!) meals of the summer!

Oh, I'm craving this all over again just looking at these pictures.

Do you have any recipes that I need to try that just scream summer??

Please share!

{5 Things I Loved About This Weekend}

This weekend was a good one.  The weather was so insanely gorgeous.  We spent most of it outside, of course.  I'm already counting down the days until next weekend!

Here are 5 things I loved about this weekend...

1.  The weather finally cooling down enough to use our new fire pit

2.  Biking 40.24 miles (!!) on the Montour Trail in absolutely gorgeous weather

3.  Having a relaxing morning after a fun night out with college friends

(and finally finishing the Hunger Games series!)

4.  The fact that watermelons have been so cheap lately

5.  Grilling dinner & eating on the patio after a fun afternoon at the wave pool

What did you love about this weekend?*

(See things I've loved about past weekends here!)

Making Summer Count!

Happy Friday!  I woke up this morning and looked at my phone and thought 'How is it August 17th?'  I am having a hard time accepting the fact that it's already mid-to-late August.  It feels like summer is just flying by and I am not quite ready for it to end yet.  Brett and I are trying to embrace these last few glorious weeks of summer by doing as many summery things as we can.  Here's to making them count!

Row 1:
Flowers from the farmers market
Biking on the trail by our house
Delicious fresh veggie salad

Row 2:
Braids are the only way to deal with the summer heat
Strawberry pancakes on the 4th of July
Relaxing at Edinboro lake

Row 3:
Orange & vanilla twist
Our little pepper plants growing strong
Tasty bakery sweets

Row 4:
Strawberry, pineapple, & fresh basil salsa
Pirates game at PNC Park
My stud on a sweaty bike ride

Row 5:
Old Crow Medicine Show at Stage AE
Um, getting stung by a bee IN my nose on my run...
The most beautiful anniversary flowers from the most wonderful husband

Row 6:
Fresh homemade salsa & beers on the patio
Froyo!
Gyros while biking on the trail

Row 7:
Grillin' up something good
The cutest cupcake bouquet from my mama for our anniversary
Watching the 'Beatles' along the water

Row 8:
Coffee oreo ice cream (aka my new favorite thing ever)
A short stop along a pretty river
The dancing fountains in Station Square

Row 9:
Rock climbing at Coopers Rock
Picnic in the park
My love during a mini brewery tour

Ahh, these pictures make me smile.  Sometimes I freak out and think 'We aren't doing enough summery things!  We need to take advantage of this awesome weather while it's here!'  But then looking back at all the things we have been doing, I'd say we're doing a pretty good job of embracing summer.  It's going to be over before we even know it.  But the fact that we're going to California at the beginning of September definitely makes the transition from summer to fall a little easier... ;)

What have you been doing to cherish these last few weeks of summer?*

{5 Things I Loved About This Weekend}

My brain is not functioning properly today.

It's Monday...

Bring back the weekend.

Here are 5 things I loved about it!

1.  A fresh summer dinner made mostly from farmers market veggies

2.  Spending Saturday afternoon exploring Presque Isle & playing with our nephews

(even though the weather was less than stellar)

3.  Orange & vanilla twists from Sara's and letting Brita drive ;)

4.  Delicious bagels from Lakeside Bagels while showing Brita around Edinboro

5.  Ending the weekend seeing Old Crow Medicine Show outside at Stage AE

What did you love about this weekend?*

(See things I've loved from past weekends here!)

Summer...

A weekend spent almost completely outside is the best kind, in my book.  Last weekend, we jumped in the car and went on a little brewery & camping adventure.  We headed north, stopping at a couple breweries along the way: Voodoo Brewery & Southern Tier Brewing Company (separate post coming on these!).  Then we continued on and spent the summer night camping on Chautauqua Lake.  There's something about sitting around a fire, surrounded by nature, and just being completely content.  And nothing beats waking up to the sunshine pouring in your tent and going on a hunt for a delicious breakfast (on a zebra plate!) and hot coffee.

That is, until the forecast takes a turn for the worse, and the dark clouds start rolling in, and it's time to pack it up and get outta there as fast as you can!  But at least it held off until Sunday afternoon. :)