Green Bean Soup - Soupe aux Haricots verts

I think there are certain activities, like going the beach or camping, you should do every year.  If you don't live near a beach, an annual trip might not be feasible.  I live close enough to go, but I have not gone this year.

The summer went by so quickly, and I never set time aside to go.  Even though the summer is over, I am going to the beach in October.  Not the typical month for a beach trip, but it works.

Mediterranean Pasta Salad

Today I went running in the rain.  It was just a drizzle.  My favorite runs are when it is softly raining.  I am from a dessert, and I think rain is beautiful.  It is refreshing.  I enjoy the feel of it on my skin.  

Exercise is often something I have to push myself to do.  I always feel better when I exercise regularly.  I sleep better at night, and I have more energy.  

Apple Cake

It's apple season!  In my opinion, apples are one of the top five fruits.  They are the perfect fruit when you are feeling lazy.  You don't have to peel or cut them.  Other than washing them, no preparation is needed.

I would like to go to an orchard this year and pick some apples.  There is a farmers' market near my office, but a pound of apples costs twice as much as it does in the grocery store.  I like locally grown fruits and vegetables but not that much.

Vegetable Panang Curry

I am on a panang curry roll.  I have made panang curry with shrimp and panang curry with chicken.  I bought a jar of panang curry paste, and I didn't know what to do with it other than make curry.

This has been my favorite of the three.  I added a few extra spices, and the ratio between the vegetables and sauce was perfect.  With the shrimp and chicken versions, there was way too much sauce.  

Chocolate Banana Mug Cake

These are probably the least attractive photos I have posted on my blog.  This mug cake isn't very picturesque.  Despite being ugly, it was a quick, rich chocolate treat.

I am on a new schedule at work.  I work nine hours a day and have every other Friday off.  This coming Friday will be my first free Friday.  

Honey Candy

I started a new schedule at work.  I work nine hours a day and have every other Friday off.  On the Fridays I work, I get to leave an hour early.  Today was my early day.  It felt like such a treat.

It should not have felt like a treat because I worked eight hours.  That is a full day of work in my book. Needless to say, I am really looking forward to next Friday.  

My Dad's Whole Wheat Bread

In the last year my father has developed into a bread baker.  I think he was inspired by my brother, who bakes all the bread his family of six consumes.  Many of my family members are big into the sustainable, locally grown food craze.  

My parents have had a garden for years.  They grow corn, lettuce, beats, herbs, various squash breeds, onions, and tomatoes, among other things.  My dad recently purchased two bee hives.  He has been stung on a couple of occasions too.

Two of my brothers have chickens, which they have for eggs.  When I was at home last week, I ate bread my father baked, honey from their hives, and vegetables from their garden.  

Peanut Butter Pancakes with Chocolate Chips

I am a terrible disciplinarian.  Whenever I am around children, I have little will enforce rules.

Today I taught a class of 9 year olds in church.  It isn't something I do regularly.  I kept making suggestions to the students to sit in their seats and stop talking.  As the adult, I shouldn't suggest but direct with authority, right?

Southern Peach Cobbler

This is probably the last peach recipe I will make this year.  I made this peach cobbler at my parents' home.  During the summer they go to Grand Junction, Colorado and buy boxes of peaches.  When I went home for a visit, they had half a box of very ripe peaches.

I was going to make a pie, but I was too lazy.  This cobbler is evidence that good results can sometimes come from being lazy.  

Broccoli, Tomato, Ham, and Cheese Salad

There are several versions of a broccoli salad floating around.  My favorite has bacon and tortellini pasta.  If this salad didn't have a mountain of cheese in it, it would have been the healthier version of the bacon, tortellini, and broccoli salad.

I have had a wonderful vacation this week in Utah.  Tragically, today is the last day.  I have a red eye flight tonight, and I work tomorrow morning.  I'm going to need a lot of Diet Dr. Pepper tomorrow.