Summer Recap

I guess the last day of summer was yesterday which is interesting since it's 80 degrees outside and I'm wearing a sundress with flip flops.  Love New England... one day its 50 degrees, the next it's hot as hell.  Anyway, in honor of the last day of summer, I thought I'd recap what an amazing summer it has been.

In early June (technically before summer really started), my husband and I along with my brother and his wife Natalia went on the most amazing Mediterranean Cruise.  I had never been abroad and this was a life goal of mine.  We saw Barcelona, Monte Carlo, Cannes, Florence, Pisa, Rome, Capri, Sorrento, Pompei, Naples, Mykonos, Athens, Istanbul, Kusadasi, Ephesus, Venice in 14 days and it was amazing.  I'll let the pictures do the talking.

It was a wonderful trip! It isn't a relaxing vacation (we woke up at 6am most days) but it is very informational, breathtaking and enjoyable.  I wish I was still there!

Shortly after we got back, my company celebrated their 41st Anniversary with an amazing summer party!

And I joined and began picking up my CSA (at City Hall).

We had a really fun 4th of July party that ended in flip cup...

And then enjoyed Boston 4th of July fireworks on BFF Courtney's family boat.

I got to meet two of my friends new babies.  Jake seemed to like me.

Cassidy did not.

We

Future boyfriend-girlfriend in 2025?

We celebrated and threw a party for my in-laws 40th Wedding Anniversary...

And celebrated our 2 year Anniversary with dinner at the Capital Grille...

... and I made Smitten's amazing shortrib recipe for the actual day of our anniversary!

I got to hang out with my cousin's baby, Zoe and my friend Caitlin's baby, Brody.

We spent the weekend at our friends Cape House in August and enjoyed the beach, oyster shooters and lobster : )

I got to meet another little guy- Owen!

My roommate from college visited and I enjoyed nights out in the city...

We had numerous dinner parties at our house...

and ended our summer on a high note with a 20 mile run, the Home Opener Patriots Game and a weekend in New Hampshire.

What a summer it's been! My only goal for the fall is to happily complete the New York Marathon! Wish me luck... (the achilles is feeling better- I will know more after my long run on Saturday)

How was your summer? Sad it's over or ready for fall?

North Conway, NH Weekend

I spent the weekend in beautiful North Conway, New Hampshire.  My mom rented a house and invited the fam.  It was a lonnnnng drive but when we finally arrived around 10pm on Friday night, it was well worth it.  The house was so nice! We hung out for awhile and then headed to bed.  In the morning, we headed to Peaches for Breakfast.

And sat outside because it was beautiful out!

I ordered the California Omlette.  And it was fabulous.  Eggs, Avocado, Tomato, Bacon and Havarti Cheese.

I love this combination!

Next up, the group broke up and Dave and I went Apple Picking at Hatch Apples.

It was about a 20 min drive from where we were staying. And the apples were only .75cents a pound!!! We got about 10 pounds of apples for $7.50.  Can't beat that!

After apple picking, we headed to the top of Cathedral Ledge at Echo Lake. 

The views were gorgeous!

Once we got back to the house, we took a walk down the path in the back yard.  And look what we found!

My mom made a delicious dinner but the photos don't do it justice.  After dinner, Dave started a fire so we could keep warm and make end-of-the-summer S'mores.

After s'mores we watched Date Night.  I thought it was hysterical!  This morning my family headed out for a hike and I passed because my achilles was acting up and I wanted to rest it for my long run tomorrow.  Around 2:30, we made the long trek home. As soon as I walked in the door, I got cooking.

First up, I got to work on those apples we picked and made the worlds easiest Apple Crisp.

Macintosh Apple Crisp
Ingredients:

3 cups (3 apples) sliced McIntosh apples
2/3 cup packed brown sugar
1/2 cup all-purpose flour
1/2 cup oats
1/3 cup butter, softened
2 tsp pumpkin pie spice

Instructions
Heat Oven to 375° F. Arrange apples in a greased 8"square pan.  Mix remaining ingredients, sprinkle over apples.  Bake until topping is golden brown and apples are tender, about 30 minutes.  Serve warm.

But no, I didn't eat dessert for dinner.  For dinner, I made Buffalo Chicken Squares!  I love this recipe- simple and perfect for watching Sunday Football.

Buffalo Chicken Squares

Ingredients:

1 can (8oz) refrigerated crescent rolls

3/4 cup shredded poached chopped chicken, cooked

1/2 cup Buffalo Sauce

1/2 cup Ranch Dressing

4 oz cream cheese, softened

1/4 cup cheddar

1 stalk of celery, finely chopped

Instructions:

Preheat oven to 375.  Spray cookie sheet. Unroll dough and separate into 4 rectangles, and firmly press to seal.

In a small bowl, mix chicken, buffalo sauce, ranch dressing, cheddar cheese and celery.  Spread 1/4 of cream cheese over each rectangle to about 1/4 inch of the edge.  

Sprinkle evenly with the chicken mixture. 

 Roll up the edges to enclose package.

Cook at 375 for 10-15 minutes until crust is lightly browned.

This was so easy to make it was really tasty!  I'm definitely going to make these again (smaller versions) for future football parties. Hope everyone had great weekends!