TIMBER! And this week's obsession

This has been going on at our house:

We had a couple of trees that were dying and threatening to fall on our house. Lovely. Isn't that how you wanted to spend your tax return? Actually, we got a great deal. And it was fascinating to watch them take them down. Our yard is kind of a disaster zone due to the trucks, but it's bouncing back.

Moving on to the obsession of the week...

Let's talk about some more food. My great friend Sarah is here visiting, and all weekend I've been getting flack about a question I asked her within about 10 minutes of her arrival- Do you like Mediterranean Deli's? Random I know. I won't bore you with the rest of the dialog, but the bottom line is that, yes, I have fallen in L.O.V.E. with M.D.'s. Here are the two local ones that I've given a whirl. Neomande (thank you, Amy Free) and Mediterranean Deli (Med Deli to the loc's) in Chapel Hill. The highlights: chicken salad with golden raisins, multiple flavors of hummus, and can anyone say pita? I personally prefer Neomande's chicken salad and Med Deli's pitas (they're warm and slightly crispy on the outside). I want to eat at either of these places ALL OF THE TIME. Be sure and go. Sorry that I don't have any fun pictures. Just trust me.

Another food morsel...

This is one of my all time favorite desserts.
It's a sherbet watermelon. Here's how you do it.

Shopping list: raspberry sherbet, lime sherbet, and dark chocolate mini chips

You probably will need two medium size containers of each sherbet, and you'll probably have just a tad of each left over (depending upon the size of your bowl)

Prep work: Let the sherbet sit out and soften.

1. Line a large mixing bowl with lime sherbet.

2. In another bowl mix raspberry sherbet and mini chocolate chips (dark chocolate is best in all circumstances, this one included)

3. Spoon the raspberry mix into the center of the bowl lined with lime sherbet.

4. Spread it out and make the top flat.

5. Cover and place in the freezer, preferably over night.

To serve, let thaw for 20 or so minutes. Remove the Saran Wrap (or whatever you've used). Place a platter on top of the bowl, and flip the contents over. If properly thawed, the "watermelon" will drop out. When you slice it, it will look like watermelon slices. Cute.

This is a fun and easy recipe that kids and adults love. Enjoy.

Lately...

I feel like I'm still playing catch up from being out of town, so here are a few more of our recent happenings:

Happy 1st Father's Day to my WONDERFUL husband! You are an incredible father, and I love watching you and Sadie together. Thanks for all that you do for us!

Sadie has graduated from her Bumpo seat to a real highchair. It was mine, and it includes a belt. So far, she seems to like it. (Don't worry, we don't leave her unattended in the chair since it is so roomy at this time.)
Recently, it occurred to me that I've not told you guys about something VERY important and VERY near and dear to us.
And yes, I'm still chugging through the Harry Potter books. Back to the good stuff...
Our friends Jayme and Dan introduced us to the BEST bbq ever. We go there all the time, and really they should start to pay us a marketing commission. It's Backyard Bar-B-Que. The building is unassuming, and the people couldn't be friendlier. Pictured above is the pulled pork sandwich- Eastern Carolina style (which means the sauce is vinegar based- YUM), hush puppies, green beans, and mac 'n cheese. Not pictured, the BEST fried okra you've ever had. I'm not kidding. The sides are all down home favorites- yams, greens, cabbage, brunswick stew. If you live here, you must go. If you come visit us, you must go. Did I mention that the meal above is $4.99? Awesome. I should also note that they have been on the Food Network and the Travel Channel (Throwdown and Man vs. Food). Enjoy, please!

I'll be back soon with another little home reno and some design stuff and maybe some music suggestions. Peace.

Hooray! Easter Weekend

Here we are in all of our Sunday Splendor. Sorry that I'm looking a little "pageant stance." Also sorry that Sadie isn't looking. Next time. Stephen looks great, though. Got to love a man in seersucker and a bow tie.

Sadie wore a dress that was mine. Here's a picture of her in it, holding a picture of me in it :) I love the details of this sweet eyelet dress. It is actually a wrap dress, but it ties in the back. PS-Can you tell that she skipped her morning nap at church? Exhausted.
We also spent some time goofing off.
She's a Tarheel already. We were hoping to be the winners of the losers' tourney. Looking forward to next season...

I also attempted to make a flock of these:
I made two. That was enough.

And this little bunny tried carrots for the first time:
Happy Easter to you all! He is risen! He is risen indeed!