My Papa, Mr. Handy-man

Papas are simply the best, aren't they? I came home yesterday evening to find my oh so heavy mirror no longer leaning against the coffee table, but on the wall where it properly belongs! I received a visit from Mr. Handy-man, my papa, yesterday afternoon. He came prepared with a bag a supplies including tools, nails, and . . . duct tape! I was all too thrilled to have the mirror hanging in my living room that I opted not to ask how he managed it. In the middle of our leisurely dinner (pictured above) I casually asked how he had managed the task. Suspecting my concerns, he assured me that the duct tape, though to him a tempting solution, had stayed in the bag!

Ingredients

1/4 cup low fat yogurt, preferably Greek yogurt
Zest and juice of one lemon
1 tablespoon granulated sugar
1 tablespoon poppy seeds
1 tablespoon olive oil
1 pound baby spinach
1 pint strawberries, quartered
2 tablespoons slivered almonds, toasted

Directions

Prepare the dressing. Place yogurt, zest, lemon, sugar or sugar substitute, poppy seeds, and salt, in a mini chopper. Blend until well combined.

Place spinach and strawberries in a large bowl and toss with dressing. Sprinkle with almonds and serve immediately.

Image and Recipe from Secrets of a Skinny Chef by Jennifer Iserloh

Not so flop-like!

I was fairly certain my weekend experiment would be one massive flop! Since arriving in Waco this summer, I had yet to spend an entire weekend, dare I say it, completely and utterly alone! It would seem that I was never at a loss for excuses as to why I just had to escape. The pile of laundry mounting in my tight closet, the car that squeaked and surely needed inspection, . . . or truest of all, the hugs I so desperately craved, . . . any scenario proved sufficient enough to constitute a weekend trip!

This past weekend however, despite a nagging itch to pack up the car and go, I stayed in Waco! It may be some time before I can sincerely write, " I stayed home," but this surely was the first step! I hatched my plan late Friday evening and wrote an ever-exciting weekend to-do list!

Saturday, . . .

1. Find farmer's market in town and buy local produce 2. Visit a new bookstore and sit for hours pondering life, . . . and brushing up on my magazine reading! 3. Try a new coffee shop with a quaint atmosphere (preferably somewhere downtown) 4. Drive around a bit and play get lost (only please do not get too terribly lost!)

I woke the next morning and after my morning routine, . . . grabbed my handy list and was out the door! Here are some of the delightful things a discovered on my day out and about town!

Peachy keen

Ingredients

• Flour for the work surface
• 1 store-bought piecrust (such as Pillsbury)
• 5 ripe medium yellow peaches, quartered
• 1 tablespoon honey, warmed
• 1 16-ounce container sour cream
• 4 tablespoons confectioners' sugar
• 2 tablespoons thinly sliced almonds

Directions

1. On a floured surface, roll the dough into a 12-inch circle. Gently drape the dough on top of a rolling pin, lift it up, place it over a 10-inch round tart pan with a removable bottom , and unroll. Press the dough into place. Run the rolling pin over the top of the pan to trim excess dough. Prick the dough several times with a fork. Refrigerate for at least 30 minutes.
2. Place oven rack in upper third of oven and heat to 400°F. Place a baking sheet in oven. Line the crust with parchment paper or foil, fitting it up the sides of the pan. Fill with pie weights or dried beans and bake for 15 to 18 minutes. Remove the weights and paper. Return the tart crust to oven and bake for 5 minutes more. Transfer pan to a rack to cool.
3. Place the peaches in a medium bowl, drizzle with the honey, and toss. In a bowl, combine the sour cream and sugar. Spread the mixture over the cooled crust. Arrange the peaches, rounded-side down, on top. Sprinkle with the almonds. Bake for 45 minutes or until the cream is set, the almonds are golden, and the peaches are tender.
4. Cool on a rack for 20 minutes. Serve warm or cold.