i miss this

i miss this. i miss my little blogging world. i miss the ritual of putting a little piece of me out into the world every week. even if no one was ever looking or reading i still enjoyed the process. the expectation of blogging multiple times a week became almost an impossible feat with so much happening in my life. and now that things have slowed down i am finally able to put my focus into some of the small things that got left by the wayside in those busy months. I know that this quiet time will soon be replaced with the craziness of fall but i will do my best to keep some sort of presence here.

So what have i been up to this summer? Honestly,  a little bit of everything! I just got back from my first real vacation in 2 years and let me tell you, it was unbelievable! I have been laying by the pool, cooking, drinking wine, celebrating birthdays, and even letting myself be a little lazy...shocking i know! Pretty much living the dream, and i can't remember a time i have been this calm and happy! So far one of the best summer's and it's only getting better and better! Some more amazingness planned and with time flying by students will soon be back on campus and my calm life will go back to crazy. I admit i am enjoying all this down time but i kinda of can't wait for the buzz of fall, a new school year, football, and events galore. But no more of that talk. Here are some pics from the summer so far! 

celebrated my Bestie's 25th Birthday! how completely gorgeous is she?!

and it was my roomies 30th bday as well! Here are the birthday buddies! 

threw together a last minute 4th of July BBQ complete with cheesy red, white and blue cupcakes! 

finally used my Fire Pit for the first time! SMORES galore!

Attended my FIRST timbers game! 

it was AMAZING! and they WON!! silly faces all around 

cooking lots of salmon lately :) 

then headed to VEGAS! 

and boy did we have the time of our lives! 

and we already can't wait for the next trip ;) 

tried out some new salads 

been planning a wine tasting day for when my Twin and her boy visit! 

and have been spoiled with lovely dinners, and treats from someone special :) 

See what i mean? Amazing summer so far and that only scratches the surface. 

Have a simply fantastic monday! 

tasty tuesday's

time for some tasty tuesday fun! 

it saddens  me that i no longer have a lot of time for baking. i used to bake almost weekly but with life being so busy i'm lucky to bake unless it's for a dinner party. but last week i had the urge to bake and wanted to find something not to horribly fattening but still delicious. so i grabbed my Pretty Delicious cookbook by Candice Kumai and found this amazing recipe for Banana Chocolate Chip-Oat Cookies. and let me tell you these are some amazing cookies! i already have plans to make them again in the very near future. They were so nice and moist and super easy to make. and the best part, they aren't totally to horrible for you. makes having the cookie a little less guilty. except be carful they are a little addicting. here is the recipe for you!

Gone Banans Chocolate Chip- Oat Cookies: 

preheat the oven to 350

3/4 cup flour

1 teaspoon ground cinnamon

1/2 teaspoon baking soda

1/4 teaspoon salt

2 tablespoons of unsalted butter

1 cup packed light brown sugar

1 large egg

1 teaspoon vanilla

1/2 cup mashed banana

2 cups quick oats

1 cup semisweet chocolate chips 

cream butter and brown sugar on medium until creamy. Add the egg and vanilla and beat to combine. Mix in ashed banana and 1/4 cup of water. Add flour, cinnamon, baking soda, and salt. Add the oats and chocolate chips and mix briefly. chill the cookie dough for 15 min. (this is a step you don't want to skip)

line baking sheet with foil and coat lightly with cooking spray. Use a tablespoon to scoop out balls and bake for 10 minutes.

Hope you enjoy them as much as I did! 

Have a simply tasty tuesday!