A Busy Little Bee.....

School is definitely in full swing, as is the tennis season (no pun intended).  I've been spending my evenings with these fine young men. 

Not gonna lie.....my heart melted a little as one of them stopped and hugged me, along with an I love you, Melissa, just before going "down the line" during introductions.  Call me a sucker, but I happen to think I'm pretty lucky.  And although the "What day is it????" cheer drove me nuts last year, I've gotta admit, it's grown on me.  Everyday is 'Thersday! 

Let's Go 'Thers!

(Okay, okay, for those of you royally confused...as our opponents, and especially their parents usually are, we are the Panthers....get it?)



From Garden to Table [Refrigerator Pickles]

I didn't originally plan on posting about these in the middle of "Ball Jar Love", but this morning I ate one for breakfast and my plan flew out the window.   (I enjoyed them along with some lamb and tiropita from this weekend's Greek Festival.  I know, I know....it's an odd little breakfast. It's called too busy to go to the grocery over the weekend.  I didn't even have milk, creamer, or even evaporated milk for this morning's coffee....but I digress....) They were pretty yummy, if I do say so myself.  And super easy to boot. 

Ball Jar Love -- Pepper Jelly

I know it's been a while since I last posted, and I apologize!  With school starting, the tennis season underway, and the Greek Festival at my church this weekend, things have been BUSY!!  But I'm back :).

In My Lunchbox [Salmon Bento]

This week's Bento Box is simple....grilled salmon, blueberries, sautéed mushrooms and squash, and cherry tomatoes from the garden. 

Big Bend National Park, West Texas

Last March I took a little trip out West.  Bestie MHDRL delivered the most adorable, sweet, perfect little boy and I simply had to meet him.  It was a spectacular, wonderful, heartwarming week. 

Happy Hour [Grown Up Shirley Temple]

I can't count the number of times I heard "you look like Shirley Temple" growing up.  It's the curls.  I cringed every time I heard it. (Let's just say I wasn't Shirley Temple's greatest fan.)  I was, however, a huge fan of drinking Shirley Temples.  I knew a grown up Shirley Temple would make for a perfect Back to School Happy Hour.  It's light, refreshing, and decidedly yummy.

What's for Dinner [Asian Pork Tenderloin]

Recently the beloved freezer method of marinating the meat was shared, but I neglected to include the recipe.  This has been a longtime favorite at the Hive.  It's quite yummy, and easy to boot.  We've cooked it both in the oven and on the grill and both are delish. 

Freezer Cooking [Marinades]

Between school, tennis, and the summer tennis program (which is still in session, even though I'm back at school), there's not much time left for cooking.  This post is a short and sweet little tip that I love.   Freeze your meat in a marinade.  Yep, that's it.  I buy my meat in bulk, mix up a huge batch of marinade, and pop it in the freezer.....pretty simple.

This week's meat was pork tenderloin.  I usually get a large one at Costco, but happened upon a couldn't pass up deal at Kroger.  I cut the huge tenderloin into four smaller ones (although probably could have done even more).....

Back to School [Monogrammed School Supplies]

I texted this picture to Bestie KP with the caption: I may or may not have a monogramming obsession.  She simply responded with: "may"......

In My Lunchbox [A Gardener's Bento Box]

Well, it's that time of year again....school starts tomorrow.  I am determined to have an organized, stressless (ha) year and am taking some steps to help achieve that goal.  I've already mentioned my love of packing lunch  for the entire week on Sunday, and tonight was no exception. 

The beauty of this box was that I simply stepped out to the garden and everything else fell into place.  This week's Bento Box includes: cucumbers, a couple snap peas, hummus, and Indiana melon (not from my garden, but Indiana grown).

 

Tennis, Anyone?

Our door has been bare since the patriotic decorations came down after the fourth.  Finally, a plan was made and Hubby even agreed to help.