Happy birthday to my pretty pretty friend, Erin.
I love this girl more than words can say. She brings out the fun in every situation, and it’s always a blast when we are together. This picture is from college, where we first met, and I am happy to say that I still laugh this hard every time I am with her.
And that is one of the best things you can ask for in a friend.
Happy day, dear friend! I love you!
I love all things raspberry. I love raspberry sherbert. And raspberry yogurt. I love raspberry flavored seltzer and raspberry beer. I ADORE raspberry flavored chocolate, too. Mostly, I just love popping plain old raspberries into my mouth and tasting that tart wonderfully simple flavor that reminds me so much of warmer days (although I have to admit, I eat raspberries all year long).
I also love raspberry vinaigrette. I’ve become a bigger salad fan in the past few years and one that I find myself eating often is spinach with vinaigrette dressing. A few days ago I came across a recipe in the cookbook, In the Kennedy Kitchen, and jumped at the chance to make it.
Here are the team players:
(I substituted canola oil for the requested vegetable oil. No big deal.)
Here I’ve plopped all the ingredients into my trendy Cuisinart hand blender beaker.
Doesn’t it look great? So pink and pretty,
Tada! Tastes fabulous too. I added some extra fresh raspberries to my salad, chopped almonds, and GOAT CHEESE (my absolute favorite!).
There was quite a bit to spare with this recipe (I did only make an individual pre-dinner salad for myself), so I’m saving the rest for a week of salad eating. Next time I’ll probably cut the recipe in half, unless I make it for a party or group dinner. Anyone up for a get together?! Summer’s a-comin’!
On Sunday, my mom, sister, and I headed to Newton Highlands to check out the New England Mobile Book Fair. I’ve been hearing about this place for awhile now but only just found the time this weekend to finally (!!!) check the place out. It truly is a book lover’s paradise. There are thousand and thousands and thousands (no exaggeration there!) of books all at discounted prices.
I could have spent days there looking and all the books and plan on going back this summer several times! My favorite section was the teacher’s area, where they have every picture book/early readers you could ever want for your classroom. They also have a huge selection of teacher resource books and children’s games and activities.
Daily discounts include:
20% off Hardcovers and Paperbacks Everyday
30% off NY Times Bestsellers in Hardcover
40% off over Select Current Cookbook Bestsellers
This store is a dream come true. If you’ve never been, you MUST go. You will love it!
New England Mobile Book Fair
82 Needham Street
Newton, MA 02461-1621
(617) 527-5817
After my graduation on Saturday I headed over to the Boston Public Garden to stop by the Boston Bloggers Picnic. Natalie and Melissa over at the Boston Day Book organized this event for bloggers in the Boston area to network and connect with each other face to face! It was so nice to finally meet many of the bloggers I have been following for months. It’s funny, because I already felt as though we were good friends even though we had never met. It’s a really special thing to meet other bloggers in real life. I walked away feeling very happy and satisfied, knowing that I will keep up my relationship with these people through our blogs and hopefully some more real-life gatherings! I also have to add that the weather was gorgeous (hot and spectacularly sunny) and the treats were terrific!
Sponsors of the event included Boylan Bottling, Chobani, Kickass Cupcakes, Naturally Nina, Q’s Nuts, Salty Oats by Kayak Cookies, Sofra Bakery + Cafe and Spindrift.
Here I am with Natalie, Claire, and Rachael. It was so wonderful to meet everyone. With such a busy weekend happening, I’m so glad I made the effort to attend. I’m working on business cards for the next event… hope to see you all again sometime soon!
