Well ladies and gents - here it is, the second quarter of life.  I obviously plan on living to 100.  So with that, let's talk lunch.

Caesar dressing gets a bad rep, and now I know why. 

This is the Caesar dressing that my family grew up making (well, my second mom, Jamie, introduced to us and we made at all of our joint family holidays!) but that I just hadn't had in a few years.  Clouded by ready-made and restaurant Caesars, I completely forgot how light, fresh, and flavorful it can be, and why I stopped ordering them out so many years ago!  This is such a nice change from the standard vinaigrette, special enough to entertain with, and is bringing back the Caesar Salad for me in a big way. 

Add the garlic-grilled Romaine, and it is simply perfect. (Key word - simple!)

I have been excited to try this cocktail for a few weeks now!  I loved a classic shandy back in the gluten days, so finding this delicious alternative is a big win.  I also finally had an excuse to buy a bottle of Cassis (!!!) making the casual Kir Royale, my favorite cocktail, within reach at all times.  

I suffer from extreme 'fear of missing out'.  All the time.  I just like being right in the middle of all of the action and knowing all of the details.  Skip to hummus:  how many more flavors will they come out with?!  I needed to start replicating them immediately.  

It's so funny to me that one of the two things I loathed as a kid was cooked carrots, and now (in the winter months, anyways) I have them at least once a day.  Normally I just do the whole olive oil, whatever herbs I have, and roast them thing, so this was a really refreshing and special change!  Roasted carrots with citrus and thyme is a simple and delicious side dish that makes the best of the season.  Also, carrots are the prettiest of what seems like five things at my farmers market right now... so I left with way too much of one thing.  

I have two things to address in my latest design endeavors.  

There are some really small and non-bucket list worthy things in life that I just do not think I will ever do.  For example, finishing a tube of chap stick.  I always lose it way before its time, or buy a new one because it looks gross, etc!  

This is one of the every day, healthy, and gourmet recipes that my mom sent us all off to college with.  It is unbelievably delicious, so simple, and is only 4 ingredients - which is kind of what I deem as truly gourmet food.  Not only is it easy, and brother-proof, I can't think of a way this recipe could be better if it were more complicated, or had more ingredients.  When I say brother proof... I mean that my littlest brother, who called in a panic last summer at the grocery store - "MOM!  WHAT does un-cooked chicken look like!? I can't find it ANYWHERE!" - can make this.  Girls: this might be your shot for a boyfriend cooking dinner successfully night!  Move over, breakfast for dinner! 

I am a complete and total flower enthusiast.  I love buying them, I love growing them, and I especially love receiving them :) They fit right in with my cardinal rule of "make everything prettier than it needs to be".  I even did my graduate project on a flower shop during my Masters of Fine Arts.

When you can't have a cheese board... you have got to get creative.  This is the perfect thing to bring to a cocktail party - it is so fun and different.  I also made a ton to crumble over my lunch salads all week long, which, two days in, has been such a treat.