Friday Five!

{mid-week team Whitecaps outing}

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Another fast week. Busy days surely make for fast days! I would rather have it this way than not busy at all… I can’t believe it’s already time for another weekend… Although, it doesn’t exactly feel like the weekend since I’ll be meeting my teammates bright and early (6:15… WOOF!) Saturday morning to head out to NRA (National Restaurant Association) in Chicago. I haven’t been to this convention in a few years so I’m anxious to see what’s changed. Call me a loser but I’m looking forward to it. In addition to the convention I’ll be attending a Cubs game followed by a night out on the town with co-workers. Should be a pretty. Good. Time!

Friday Forte:

{TVD finale girls night! My ultimate girl crush is gone… insert sad face!}

{Mother’s Day spread last Sunday}

{landscaping fun… stay tuned for final product (sometime) in the future}

{pizza & beer at The Mitten}

Holland Adventures: Tulip Time!

Ever year Holland, Michigan celebrates the Dutch heritage with a festival lovingly referred to as “Tulip Time”. The tradition dates all the way back to 1929 (one year after over 100,000 tulip bulbs were imported from the Netherlands!) and is currently the largest tulip festival in the Unites States (according to Wiki).

Every year that I've lived in Grand Rapids I've known this festival existed but for some reason never ventured out to the Michigan lake shore during the week it’s held. This year I said NO MORE! I recruited Jenny to make the mid-week trip out with me and from the second we arrived it was like we were transported to a different country. There were traditional dancers on the street, windmills , children everywhere wearing wooden clogs, and tulips galore (100,000 perhaps)! It was absolutely gorgeous! I've never seen so many beautiful flowers in one area! It truly was magical. We even managed to squeeze in a couple breweries while we were there in between pretty flower gazing and soaking it the city. I think this made Max jealous… I suspect he’ll join me next year! I know I’ll be going back!  

Off to the Races: Kentucky Derby Party 2015

{i must say, not a fan of the mint juleps as much as i would have liked, but i wanted to be festive}

A couple of weeks ago (Derby Day!) I ventured off to Kalamazoo to attend a Kentucky Derby party with my parents at Kalamazoo Country Club (my place of work for many many summers!). It was a gorgeous Michigan Spring day, in the high 70's, spent under a tent, on the 9th(?) green completely catered with food, drinks, and hats! We were given tickets to "bet" on the horses we thought would "win", "place" or "show". While none of my horses won, I got a good idea how it all works and I'll be prepared for the next time!

It was a great, beautiful day with the family. Next year I might even try to go crazy and win the hat contest :)

{my little horses didn't win...}

Playing with Food: Mini Quiches

Recently the herbs in our garden have reached a hearty thickness that now need regular maintenance. Not a bad problem to have, because now I can start using them in my cooking nearly every day! 

Today I trimmed back my basil and parsley to season some mini quiches. I rotate my protiens throughout the week between fish, occasionally chicken and eggs. Since I work from home periodically, I thought I'd swap my go-to hard boiled egg for something with a bit more pizazz. 

I started very simple due to a short lunch break today, but now that I know just how easy this is, I'm already planning many different variations. This format is perfefct for groups as well because each cup can be made to order! 

Here's what you need to gather after you preheat your oven to 375 F: 

• 6 eggs
• Tomatoes + any other veggies you desire
• 1-2 cloves of garlic
• 1 handful fresh basil
• 1 handful fresh parsely
• Black pepper

STEP 1: (To make 6 mini quiches) Beat 6 eggs into a bowl (add milk for fluffiness, but it's not required).

STEP 2: Gather, wash and chop fresh basil & parsley. Stir chopped herbs into egg mixture.

  

STEP 2: Mince 1-2 cloves of garlic.  Add to eggs & herbs, along with a generous amount of black pepper.

STEP 3: Find (or grow) your favorite variety of tomato and chop finely, before adding to the bowl. 

STEP 4: Evenly distribute mixture into well-greased muffin tin cups. 

STEP 5: Pop those babies in the oven for 15-20 minutes. 

ENHANCE THE RECIPE SEEN ABOVE!

Feel free to do some or all of the following to enjoy this dish to your heart's desire...

*Sprinkle parmesean cheese over each cup 3-4 minutes before removing from heat.

*Grill some bacon or sausage while you're waiting for these to finish. Serve juicy breakfast meat along with a fresh, piping cup of coffee. 

*Add green onions to the bowl before baking. 

*Add a crust by cutting circles out of your favorite bread and placing in the cups before pouring egg mixture. 

*Add cayenne pepper. 

*Add chopped pieces of bacon. 

*Add sweet bell pepper.

*Add jalepeno pepper.

*Add chopped pieces of bacon. 

*Add chopped onions.

*Add bacon. 

*Add shredded cheese.

*Add chunks of ham.

*Add broccoli, spinach, or any other yummy greens.

*Or just add a bunch of bacon :) 

Enjoy! Let me know if there's a different way you take your eggs.

Friday Five!

{absolutely breathtaking tulips in Holland}

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The weather is starting to heat up here in the Mitten and I couldn't be more thrilled. Evenings now consist of outdoor activities as opposed to hurrying to curl up under my heated blanket and I gladly leave the confines of my office at lunch (ditching the coat!) and enjoy the fresh spring air! 

May is great!

This weekend is full of springtime fun! A 5k here, a bridal shower there, and tons of fun Sunday with family for Mother’s Day!

Cheers!!

Friday Forte:

{7 years at GFS! Cranberry orange muffins all around!}

{BeautyBlender = My new favorite makeup tool}

{celebrated Cinco de Mayo at the best, most authentic Mexican Grand Rapids has to offer (here)}

{absolutely FANTASTIC salmon & caper pizza at Terra GR!}