iFoodography

Time for my favorite post of the month! 

Lately, I've decided that my iFoodography posts are more about life in general than food, but I'm ok with that. 

Hopefully you are too. 

There will always still be food photos. 

But maybe not as much. 

That being said...here's this month's iFoodography photos!

After work...we had a little rooftop Happy Hour Party with some co-workers

Then, I wrote about my wine tasting weekend here... 

I took an early morning walk along the Portland Waterfront.

Then I got super excited about all the Spring produce out right now.

And I discovered how absolutely beautiful Spring in Portland is...

Then husband and I made some Citrus Martini's...

And we had an AMAZING dinner in Arizona...

And my little sister came to town! So of course there were Voodoo Donuts involved...

And more Happy Hour cocktails at Departure! (Check out the view!)

Check out more iFoodography posts here, here, here and here!

Old Town Scottsdale

Husband and I had tons of fun for the few short days I was in Arizona. 

We spent all of Saturday walking around Scottsdale. 

Yes we shopped! 

But just a little. 

I think I had more fun walking around Old Town Scottsdale and taking pictures. 

Here are a few from that day...

Arizona on my mind...

I promised you photos from my trip to visit husband and here they are! 

Something I didn't mention before I left...it was husband's birthday this weekend too!!! 

Which meant we ate and drank....a lot. 

Husband picked me up from the airport and we stopped by Kincaids...which was pretty darn tasty and put husband right in his happy place. 

Oh and woops...we're eating meat again! We tried, but I think it's safe to say, we're meat eaters over here in the Alexander household! 

 Wings and Sliders and Clams, oh my!

Then after lounging poolside all day (while husband had to work - hey one of us has to right...ha!), we hit up Different Point of View, which was one of the best meals of my life....

Oh and the views...

Please take a look at this view:

Then there we're cocktails...(of course)

And some amazing Mexican food at Barrio Queen...

 Check back later for more pictures from our day in Old Town Scottsdale!! 

Asparagus with Fresh Lemon & Parmesan

Can I just say that I am loving all the spring produce out there? 

Good...cause I just did ;0p 

We made yummy grilled artichokes last week and then these AMAZING asparagus to go with this little fish dish the other night! 

I am a big fan of lemon and asparagus together so this was the perfect combination. Top it off with some delicious shaved parmesan and a little salt and pepper and these bad boys will melt in your mouth. 

And, with asparagus on sale in pretty much every grocery store I've been to lately...you'll want to make this again and again! 

Check back on Wednesday for photos from my trip to Arizona!!

Asparagus with Fresh Lemon & Parmesan

1 bunch aspargus
1/2 large lemon, sliced
1/4 c grated parmesan
2 tbsp olive oil
Salt and Pepper to taste

Heat up the grill or turn your oven onto broil. Line a baking sheet with foil.

Clean your asparagus and chop of the ends. Spread your asparagus evenly across the baking sheet and drizzle the olive oil evenly over the asparagus. Sprinkle with salt and pepper.

Sprinkle parmesan evenly over the asparagus and place the lemon slices on top.

Pop it in the oven or toss it on the grill and cook until asparagus are slightly charred. (If using your broiler, watch carefully as the can char up quickly!)

Enjoy!

And We're Off....

I don't think I've mentioned it yet...

But husband got sent to Arizona for 5 WHOLE WEEKS for work. 

BUMMER!!!

 photo courtesy of Google images

Let me tell you...being a newlywed and then having your husband shipped to

 another state for 5 weeks is no fun.

But it's a GREAT opportunity (or so he tells me ;))

And you know what's an even better opportunity???

Me getting to go visit him in sunny AZ for 4 days...for free. 

Thanks husband's job! 

We were fighting, since, you know, you stole my husband from me and all, but we're friends again since you paid for me to get a suntan and leave rainy Portland for a few days! 

With all that being said...I'm off this Thursday to soak up as much Vitamin D as I possibly can. 

Don't worry...I'll be back on Monday with lots of pictures to make you all jealous ;0) 

Have a great weekend!!!

Perfect (& Easy!) Grilled Salmon

It's spring! 

Or...at least in part of the country it is. 

So, in an attempt to coax the sun out from behind those nasty gray clouds I keep looking out my window at, husband and I busted out the grill this weekend!

First up for grilling season...the perfect (and easy!) grilled salmon!

This is a tried and true recipe my mom makes almost every time she makes salmon, and she's had tons of rave reviews! 

So, I'm stealing her top secret recipe and sharing it with you! (Sorry Mom!) 

The best part about it...it's pretty too! 

So it will be quite the crowd pleaser if you decide to increase the amount of fish and serve it at your next dinner party. 

Not a bad idea, if I do so say myself!

Perfect Grilled Salmon

1 lb salmon
1-2 lemons, sliced
fresh dill
2 tbsp olive oil
6 tbsp butter, sliced thinly
salt and pepper to taste

Heat up your grill!

Place your salmon on cedar planks or foil.

Drizzle olive oil over the salmon and season with salt and pepper. Next put the butter pats up and down the salmon and then top with fresh dill and lemon slices.

Cook for 10-15 minutes on your grill or until the fish is slightly flaky. If you're using much larger pieces of fish, you'll need to cook it longer, but checking to see when it flakes is a good way to tell it's done.

Serve with lots of fresh lemon and a little bit of tartar sauce.

Enjoy!

Praying for Boston

What happened yesterday is, well, unthinkable. 

It hurts my heart to think of all the people who were injured or killed and their families who are dealing with the aftermath of that. 

But...

It warms my heart to see all the stories from all around of people giving back and helping out in any way they can. 

Boston has a special place in my heart. I lived there for 8 months after graduating from college and know the city fairly well. I have friends who still live there.

I cannot believe what happened yesterday. I know, none of us can. 

So today and this week, like so many others out there, I am praying for all those in Boston affected both directly and indirectly by the two bombs that went off yesterday. 

I saw this image on Instagram and re-posted it. I do not know where the original image came from, but if someone does, please let me know so I can give credit where credit is due.

Avocado Egg Salad

So apparently Avocado Egg Salad is a thing. 

Or so the internet tells me so.

And, of course, curiosity got the  better of me and I had to try my own version. 

I made a single serving...you know in case it was gross and all. 

But to my surprise....

It was good! Really, really good!

So you should go try it too.

Sometimes the internet is so smart.

Avocado Egg Salad

2 hard boiled eggs

1/2 Avocado

1/2 tbsp mayo

1 tsp mustard

salt and pepper to taste

Hard boil your eggs. Let cool. 

In a small bowl, combine eggs, avocado, mayo, mustard, salt and pepper. Mash well and serve by itself, on top of salad greens, or as a sandwich. 

Enjoy!

PS (You should definitely probably double or even triple this recipe...you won't regret it!)

A Little DIY Project...

Hey there folks! 

Yes... this is another post not about food. 

But... it's food related. 

Well, it's for your kitchen, so it's close enough...right?

I'm sure all of you have seen all of the adorable chalkboards (framed or otherwise) popping up all over pinterest. They're everywhere from wedding menus, to kitchen signs, to nursery's. 

Well...I'm jumping on the bandwagon!

I made two of my very own chalkboards with a little help from Martha Stewart's chalkboard paint and a little ingenuity. I stuck with the basic black, but if you're feeling adventurous, Martha has chalkboard paint in all different colors...there was a really pretty turquoise that I almost bought, but I decided to stick with traditional. 

So this little post is all about how to make your very own chalkboard. They're super cute and would be adorable in your kitchen, nursery or to give out as gifts come the holidays. 

It's so easy!!!

Here you go...

First pick up your favorite frames from your nearby craft store or, find an old picture frame/painting from goodwill that you can paint over.

You'll also want to pick up some of Martha Stewart's Chalkboard paint in your choice of color.

Next...come home, and tape up the frame, so that the paint doesn't get on the frame.

Paint your first coat.

Let dry for about an hour.

Paint your second coat.

Two coats should be enough, but if you want, a third coat won't hurt.

Let dry overnight. This way you're sure the paint is nice and dry.

Treat the chalkboard with chalk (basically scribble on a piece of paper so you get a bunch of chalk dust and sprinkle over the chalkboard).

Blow it around and then wipe it clean.

Now you can decorate your chalkboard with any cute sayings or drawings or give it to the kiddos to color on!

How easy peasy was that?