Peach and Basil Wine Slushies: My Diary of Us

We got a "cool front" this week in Louisiana. Which basically means the humidity went down enough to where you can breathe outside. Either way, I'll take it but it doesn't change the fact that it is still hot outside and refreshing cocktails always make life better. It's Thirsty Thursday after all and I've decided that every weekend should start Thursday instead of Friday. It just makes more sense. And what better way to celebrate tomorrow being Friday than with one of my peach and basil wine slushies?

That's right...wine slushies. Because who doesn't love a good slushie in their life, especially a peachy and boozy one.

I am going to be so sad when peach season ends. I'm addicted and frantically trying to eat as many peaches as I can before they disappear on me until next year. I bought myself a little more time by freezing some peaches for when I can no longer find them at the farmer's market. And those frozen peaches were staring at me in the freezer basically begging to be made into a cocktail, so who was I to argue...I gave those peaches what they wanted.

Sweet peaches and basil, crisp white wine, and a squeeze of lime and you are on your way to a party my friend. One that you will want to have everyday I might add.

I know I say this every week, but this might be my new favorite drink. It's just so easy to throw into a blender and the end result is one tasty cocktail that you are going to love.

PostedAugust 14, 2014

AuthorLeigh Ann Chatagnier

CategoriesCocktails

Tagsfresh peaches, peach cocktails, Thirsty Thursday, Peach and basil Cocktail, Basil Cocktail, Summer Drinks, Slushies, Wine Slushies, Wine Cocktails, White Wine, Homemade cocktails, refreshing drinks, gluten free

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Fig, Honey, and Prosciutto Pizza: My Diary of Us

At this point, I have officially declared my love for figs. Those little plump fruits that I basically went my whole life only eating if they came in the form of a Fig Newton, because for some reason until I moved to Louisiana, I had never eaten a fresh fig. I know...right? I was missing out big time. I'm glad we were formally introduced and now have a relationship with one another. A relationship where I devour those little beauties and make delicious recipes out of them. My fig, honey, and prosciutto pizza has been my go to summer pizza because the salty and sweet flavor combinations are so good that I'm going to apologize for not getting you this recipe sooner.

Seriously, it's easy, delicious, and you will want to make it at least once a week while you can still get your hands on fresh figs. If you have some fig skeptics in your family, make this pizza and I guarantee you that they will love it!

And really what is there not to love? Crispy, honey coated crust, spicy balsamic onions, sweet figs, salty prosciutto, and fresh peppery arugula. My mouth is watering just talking to you about it.

If you have never taken me seriously about a recipe before, now is the time. Make this pizza, and I won't judge you if you want to eat the whole thing. Because you just might be tempted to and that's ok.

After all, we can't be held responsible when pizza and figs are involved.

PostedAugust 12, 2014

AuthorLeigh Ann Chatagnier

Tagsfig pizza, homemade pizza, summer pizza, summer meals, pizza night, weeknight meals, easy homemade meals, sweet and salty, fresh food, real food, prosciutto

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When is the last time you just went for a drive? Just a drive...with no purpose of where you are headed, but solely to enjoy the afternoon and maybe someone that you love. I couldn't have told you the last time I went for a drive just for the heck of it. Canean on the other hand, loves to get in his truck and drive until he feels like turning around, it's like therapy to him. The kind of drive where you get lost to the sound of the music, the thoughts in your head, and the scenery around you. So yesterday, we went for a drive, the two of us and the dogs. There is just something about Sunday drives, they are good for the soul.

We loaded the dogs in the truck, I threw my to-do list to the side, and agreed that it would be nice since I couldn't remember the last time that we went on a drive together with nowhere to go.

PostedAugust 11, 2014

AuthorLeigh Ann Chatagnier

CategoriesWeekends

Tagswomen, Sundays, drives, love, nature, fresh air, you time, me time

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I'm throwing you for a loop this week I know. Don't worry I am aware that it is only Thursday, but doesn't it feel like it should be Friday? For some reason this has been a long week for me and all I really want to do is fix one (or a pitcher) of my cherry limeade gin and tonics and head to a pool or a beach....or heck I'll even take my front porch at this point.

Are you cherry obsessed like we are in this house? Whenever this time of year rolls around and sweet cherries aren't a gazillion dollars a pound, I load up at the store! I'm always super jealous of Californians because cherries are all over the farmer's markets there in the summer, which would be so amazing! Could you imagine, just rows and rows of gorgeous cherries?

Anyway back to the reason we are all here...

It's #ThirstyThursday (yeah I hashtagged) so let's just fix a yummy cocktail and take a pause from life. I think I'll just pretend I don't have anything productive to do and sit on the front porch, read a book, and sip on this pretty cherry drink. Sounds like a great Thursday to me.

This cocktail is about as refreshing as it gets and could not be more perfect for a hot day, and it is H-O-T hot out there, so drink up people!

PostedAugust 7, 2014

AuthorLeigh Ann Chatagnier

CategoriesCocktails

Tagscherries, cherry cocktails, cocktails, thirsty thursday, summer cocktails, cherry limeade, cherry gin and tonic, Limes, cheers, drink up

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This bread has me daydreaming of being somewhere in Europe drinking fine wines and eating delicious breads and cheeses like its my job. Of course I've actually never been to Europe (yet), but when I take a bite of this fluffy, airy, crusty top bread, I am transported to a little café on a cobblestone street sitting outside watching beautiful people walk by. This no-knead artisan loaf is that good.

The first time I tried this bread, I thought there was absolutely no way it was going to come out good because there was little prep work, only four ingredients, and I just couldn't grasp how it was going to turn out. Well let me tell ya....it turned out really good.

So good that instead of being this fabulous European woman, the realistic version of me was in workout clothes tearing off a piece of the bread right out of the oven and slathering butter on it standing right there in my kitchen, barefoot, with the dogs staring at me. I think they were judging me.

I have made it a couple times now, and every time it comes out perfect. There are little to no skills required to make this bread, so you have to try it for yourself!

PostedAugust 6, 2014

AuthorLeigh Ann Chatagnier

CategoriesBread Making

Tagshomemade, crusty bread, crusty artisan loaf, no-knead homemade bread, Easy homemade bread, adventures in bread making, homemade bread

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Grilled Romaine and Peach Cobb Salad - My Diary of Us

I've been needing a salad in my life lately after going on a two month, I think I'll just eat whatever I want phase. Which don't get me wrong has been great, and everyone needs to do it every now and then, but it's time to get a grip. And a good salad always helps to get me going in the right direction. This summer grilled romaine and peach cobb salad is so yummy that you won't even be thinking about the fact that it is healthy!

Trust me on this one.

Have you ever had grilled romaine lettuce? It's grilled quickly just to char to ends which is just enough to still leave a good crunch to the lettuce. It's delicious! And we all know I like to grill just about everything! Remember that grilled romaine wedge salad that I had in Lafayette a couple of weekends ago? Well that salad inspired this one.

I love updating a favorite salad with whatever ingredients are in season and that happen to be at the market. One of my favorite salads is a cobb salad, and really you add any ingredients that tickle your fancy. This week, I decided to grill some of the components to get a smoky flavor mixed with the other veggies. The grilled peaches add a nice sweetness, and then it's brought all together with a creamy homemade low-fat blue cheese dressing!

PostedAugust 5, 2014

AuthorLeigh Ann Chatagnier

CategoriesSalads