Wednesday, June 26, 2013

Simple Whole Wheat Zucchini Bread

a post with an actual recipe in it!


it's been a while, hasn't it?

sorry about that. life has been crazy busy lately.

i've been happily posting away about trips to the Tillamook Cheese Factory, Cape Meares, Beer Festivals and the like, but it's been a while since oh, i don't know, i've blogged about food.

that being said, i wish it was more creative than what i've got in store for you, but baby steps right?

we get a weekly basket of organic produce from a local farm here in Portland and we love it!

however, it has been overflowing with zucchini.

you name a recipe, i've probably put zucchini in it.

so i had to whip up a batch of zucchini bread, because what else do you make (besides zucchini lasagna, and yes i did that) with zucchini than zucchini bread!


this is a super simple recipe that's so good by itself that you really don't need to add anything to it.

some people like to dress up their zucchini bread with nuts or berries or chocolate chips, but this zucchini bread is a party all by itself and it doesn't need any help at all.


so if your garden is overflowing with zucchini, here's a quick and easy recipe to help you cope.


happy wednesday folks! 

Simple Whole Wheat Zucchini Bread
2 eggs
1 1/3 c sugar
1 tbsp vanilla
3 cups grated zucchini
2/3 c melted butter
2 tsp baking soda
Pinch salt
3 c whole wheat flour
1/2 tsp nutmeg
2 tsp cinnamon

 Preheat the oven to 350 degrees. Spray two 5 by 9 inch loaf pans with cooking spray.

Mix together the sugar, eggs, and vanilla. Stir in the grated zucchini and then the melted butter.

Add baking soda, salt and flour (in thirds) and mix well. Add in the cinnamon and nutmeg. Stir.

Pour the batter into your two loaf pans. Bake in the oven for 50-55 minutes or until a toothpick inserted into the middle comes out clean.

Monday, June 24, 2013

The Very Best Day

two years ago today, a tall, handsome, bow-tie wearing man asked me to marry him. 

i said yes! (obviously!)

 Photo by Ifong Chen

it was the best question. 

with the perfect answer. 

 Photo by Ifong Chen

and, i'm lucky enough today, to say that the tall, handsome, bow-tie wearing man is my husband!

i sure do love him lots and lots. 

and I'm pretty lucky to be married to my best friend.

 Photo by Ifong Chen


 Photo by Ifong Chen

someone who supports me, loves me, challenges me, supports me and listens to me (and he has to listen a lot...because quite frankly I TALK A LOT. a trait i happily inherited from my mother and my sisters). 

so in honor of that very special day.

  Photo by Ifong Chen

 Photo by Ifong Chen

i thought it would be fun to post some of our engagement pictures from that very special time in our lives. 

i hope you like them as much as i love them!


 Photo by Ifong Chen

 Photo by Ifong Chen

happy tuesday!

Tuesday, June 18, 2013

Berries, Brews & BBQ's

so i mentioned that husband and i went berry pickin' this past weekend...

it was super fun!


it was beautiful out.

and the farm....

breathtaking.

we had so much fun tasting beer (for husband and the MIL) wine (for me!) and bbq (for all of us!)

we also had tons of fun picking strawberries! 

so i had to share photos!
















Sunday, June 16, 2013

Happy Father's Day!

happy father's day!!!!

to all you dad's out there.

but most importantly...to my dad.


he sure is great! 

and me (my mom, my niece and all my siblings) sure are lucky to have you as our dad/husband/pop pop.



so happy father's day dad! 

love, your favorite daughter ever ;0) 






** All photos taken by Ifong Chen

Saturday, June 15, 2013

Strawberry Mojitos

i don't know about you, but i could sure go for a summertime cocktail (or two) right about now.

and i'll take a side of summertime with it too.

lucky for me, it's 80 degrees in the pdx right now, and it's the weekend.


so, i'd love it if you'd join me for one of my favorite summertime cocktails...

strawberry mojitos!!!

husband, my MIL (mother in law) and I went strawberry pickin' this weekend.


and as soon as we got home,

i whipped up some homemade strawberry mojitos!
they were delicious!

check out the recipe below and you can enjoy one too ;)




hurry up! the weekend's not over yet!


Strawberry Mojitos
Makes one large mojito

4 strawberries, hulled
6 mint leaves
2 tsp agave nectar
2 tsp fresh squeezed lime juice
2 oz white rum
Club Soda, as needed
Ice

In a cocktail shaker, muddle together the mint leaves, strawberries and agave nectar. Add in lime juice and rum. Shake well.

Fill a pint glass with ice and pour in the contents of the cocktail shaker. Top off with club soda and serve.

Enjoy!

Wednesday, June 12, 2013

Cape Meares, Oregon


on the same day that we went to the Tillamook Cheese Factory, we headed out to Cape Meares to check out the lighthouse. 


it was a beautiful day. 

and the cape was breathtaking.

and the lighthouse...so cool!

i'm telling you...

i could get used to exploring this beautiful state of Oregon. 

it sure does have a lot to offer...and we've only seen such a teeny tiny piece of it. 

here are more photos from our day trip!







husband and his mom :)












we also drove down to lincoln city...this is the only photo i took down there...woops!