weekend recap + on the menu

i'm not sure what could have made this holiday weekend any better. the fourth of july went off with a bang (both literally and figuratively)! it was a perfect day spent with friends and family, celebrating my aunt and america! i of course overindulged in snacks and desserts, but you just can't resist homemade ice cream!

yesterday we went to the farmer's market on the square and stocked up on some homegrown veggies and fruits! the rest of the day was spent just relaxing after our busy friday (the calm after the storm) and then i cooked a delicious (if i do say so myself) all-american supper! i made some minute steak, mashed cauliflower, baked squash casserole and biscuits! we sliced some local tomatoes and cucumber to round out the meal! i also finished my book this weekend, reviewed below!

• book review: the one and only by emily giffin: i have loved emily giffin's other novels and they are all great, light reads so when this one came out in june i added it to my reading list! the novel follows a texas journalist in love with her hometown university's football program. through the wins and losses in both the main character's personal and sports world, emily giffin writes a page turner that is sure to hook you. definitely a great by the pool and ocean read for the summer! 

this coming week is going to be much more routine, which i am happy to say! nothing too major is going on, just the normal nashville life! the menu this week is looking delicious, especially since there is a trip to the pharmacy and loveless (for breakfast on saturday) in my future! 

• sunday - grilled eggplant caprese with white bean puree and salad: instead of using mozzarella cheese, i'm going to use all-skim ricotta cheese to change things up! 
• monday - leftover slawsa baked beans from the fourth with cornbread and fruit: nothing beats beans and cornbread! some sliced summer fruits will be served on the side! 
• tuesday - crockpot salsa chicken tacos with guacamole: this time i am making these using ousley ouch's peach habanero salsa! i bought it at the farmer's market and have been dying to try it! they make it with the peach truck's fresh peaches which are my favorite! i will also be slicing some fresh peaches to add to the crockpot as well! 
• wednesday - the pharmacy: i am so excited to eat here! a nashville institution apparently, i will be meeting some friends from school there for burgers! 
• thursday - spinach-herb pesto ricotta-spinach tortellini with chicken and salad: i always love pasta night! it is just an easy go-to for me that doesn't take much time or energy. i especially love barilla's ricotta and spinach tortellini because it is shelf-stable and a smaller size! 
• friday - better for you hamburger helper with a fruit salad: not sure why, but the hamburger helper craving has hit me again! i reduce the amounts of the recipe to make it single serving and it always hits the spot! 

looks like a yummy week to me! click the links above to see the recipes! on a side note, be sure to follow leona : nashville on instagram! yesterday my sale picks were featured! 

peppy peplum + frank shorts

i hope your fourth of july weekend went off with a bang as well! come see me in nashville this week and have a lovely sunday! 

xoxo,

clp

weekend recap: murfreesboro adventures and a recipe

i love weekends like this weekend. staying in murfreesboro all weekend really makes me appreciate what it has to offer.

saturday started off with the weekly trip to the murfreesboro saturday farmer's market on the square to get fresh, local fruits and vegetables with my mom. we love going to the market each week not only because the products are amazing, but it is also a social outing! i have yet to go to the market and not see someone i know! this week we loaded up on green beans, crowder peas, corn, peaches, blueberries, zucchini, watermelon, cantaloupe and bell peppers!

my mom, dad and i also toured Mayday Brewery on saturday! it was a really cool, laid-back local brewery with four different beers with names like boro blonde and angry redhead (my favorite for obvious reasons). the brewery also has live music at night and a deck and a food truck that makes it a fun place to hang out!

the "angry redhead" herself... 

inside the brewery...

saturday night was a favorite in our house: tamale night! mom buys authentic tamales from a lady who makes them for a church fundraiser and they are beyond good! between my homemade guacamole, salsa from la siesta, and chicken tamales, its safe to say we ate well! 

today i have deemed "birthday sunday" to celebrate my mom's birthday even though it isn't for another two weeks. i won't be home on her actual birthday but i still wanted to do something special. today will consist of some of her favorite things: her "cruise ship" breakfast (salmon, capers and cream cheese), laying by the pool, my homemade pimento cheese for lunch (recipe below), tomato gnocchi and salmon (chicken for me, the non-seafood lover) with salad for dinner and her strawberry cake for dessert! 

healthier pimento cheese

1/2 cup non-fat plain greek yogurt

1 4 oz jar diced pimentos, drained

1 tsp finely grated onion

1 tsp lemon juice

1 tsp worcestershire sauce

1/2 tsp ground red pepper 

1 8 oz block Cabot Extra Light White Cheddar cheese, finely shredded

1/2 8 oz block Cabot Extra Sharp Cheddar cheese, finely shredded

stir together ingredients and serve.

(adapted from Southern Living's Classic Pimento Cheese) 

tomorrow starts my last week at home before heading back to school! i do really miss my friends and sisters in knoxville and can't wait to see them, but i am really going to miss being home too. this week will be spent getting everything ready to go backs to school- from hair appointments to getting my emissions checked. i can already tell my clothes are going to be a real problem when it comes to packing. in addition to packing, i am going to cram every last minute fun thing i wanted to do this summer into this week! wish me luck!

xoxo, 

clp 

p.s. its shark week y'all!