Loren Hope color play

Loren Hope hosted a contest throughout the month of May with the tag #LHcolorplay. She encouraged putting together a colorful outfit, including Loren Hope jewelry. I love my Loren Hope jewelry, but most of my pieces are monochromatic. I decided to put on a patriotic outfit and use all of my mom's red LH pieces. These were only sold at Monkee's of Raleigh. 

Dan got involved, of course. He ended up eating the berries right out of the bowl. 

Loren Hope jewelry // Ralph Lauren oxford // J. Crew skirt (old) // Sperry Topsiders

strawberry doughnuts

Last weekend, I made strawberry doughnuts. I love strawberries and can't wait to do more with them this spring!

These doughnuts were especially tasty when they were fresh. I also enjoyed them with iced coffee the next morning.

So far, I've used my doughnut pan to make chocolate doughnuts with blood orange glaze, double chocolate doughnuts, banana doughnuts with chocolate glaze, and these strawberry doughnuts. What should I try next?!

simple green smoothie

After the holiday eating and being sick, I was eager to make smoothies with the strawberries and spinach that I'd picked up at the farmers market.

Simple Green Smoothie:

1 banana

2 handfuls baby spinach (approximately 3/4 cup packed baby spinach)

8 medium sized strawberries 

two handfuls of ice

3/4 cup orange juice

I typically start with the softest ingredients on the bottom and place the heavier, denser ingredients in the middle, with ice on the top, and liquid in last. 

This recipe made two servings. 

I went a little heavy on the orange juice. I usually throw in whatever I have on hand for smoothies; some of my other favorites ingredients are: blueberries, plain greek yogurt, almond milk, peanut butter, and oats.

I got this Tervis tumbler in my stocking. You can never have enough Tervis tumblers, and, well, we already had all of the other ECU designs. 

Do you drink smoothies? What are your favorite ingredients? 

winter farmers market

Off of work for a few days, I am mostly lounging around and fighting a cold, but I felt a little better yesterday. I talked my mom into going to the farmers market with me, hoping to find some citrus fruit for ice rings and punch. Instead, we had a fantastic fried shrimp lunch at the NC Seafood Restaurant and purchased apples, strawberries, and spinach. 

I have already snacked on an apple and used the berries and spinach in a smoothie. I plan to eat the spinach in salads, too.

I learned from my dad this summer that NC produces plenty of apples. In the winter time, the varieties available increase significantly. I tried Pink Lady apples first yesterday, then the farmer suggested this Cameo variety. They are great!

I was disappointed to have missed strawberry season this summer, but I was pleasantly surprised to find strawberries yesterday. These are "winter berries" from Lewis Nursery and Farms. According to this chart, I should be able to find NC grown strawberries all but three months of the year! What good news!

What are your favorite winter time farmers market finds?

strawberry picking

Growing up, we went strawberry picking about this time of year.  North Carolina has a lot of strawberry farms, and our local produce is GOOD.  

I haven't picked any this year, but I went a few years ago with my mom, brother, sister and law, and mom's friend.  

My mom likes to name each of her strawberries, because this one looks like a "baseball glove," etc.

My brother was a good sport about it.

This year, my mom went strawberry picking with her friend, and she got some delicious ones!  She made strawberry pie, which is one of my favorite desserts, and strawberry jam.  I have been eating a lot of peanut butter and jam sandwiches and toast.

Do you ever pick strawberries?  What's your favorite way to eat them?