Summer ReCap: Outer Banks Brewing Station

so as much as im over summer, i still wish i could relive it--so im just going to start at the beginning.  my summer started off with a trip to the outer banks--and it was amazinggggg. great weather, great family, great food.  when my family vacations in the outer banks, my sister makes us stick to tradition and go to all of our usual places: goombays, black pelican, blue point.  but this year we added a new tradition--the outer banks brewing station.  loved their beer, and absolutely lovedddddd the food.  i had the scallops with balsamic reduction and summer risoto! if you can get over the crooked rugs hanging on the walls, this place is highly recommended for your next trip to the beach.

OverNight Oats..."Summer Porridge"

new obsession!!!  

i saw overnight oats, i prefer to call it "Summer Porridge" (in an english accent), on pinterest, and finally made it last week.  and guess what, its so good!  i was weirded out by the texture at first and that its cold.  which i guess i knew but was still surprised by--its weird to have cold oatmeal.  plus its not that sweet, which i also just assumed it would be.  BUT once you get over ALL that--you realize its a great breakfast, very healthy, and actually delicious.  it's just a mixture of oats, greek yogurt and milk, with whatever add-ins you like or have on hand.  very simple and easy to make, plus saves you time in the morning.  loves it. 

recipe after the jump:

best smoothie ever

best smoothie ever,

one banana

handful of ice

tablespoon of peanut butter

3/4 - 1 c of almond milk

splash vanilla

delish.

sea SCALLOPS.

my sister and i went all out this week and made the total beach meal--local fish, scallops, corn on the cob, sweet potato fries--yum.  the scallops were buttery, lemony deliciousness...the recipe is listed below.  

pasta!

WOW. i had forgotten how amazing pasta is. trying to avoid carbs, i had given pasta up altogether for a few months. but last night i went for it and WHOA--blown away.  i didnt do much to make diner, just assembled, which just proves that dinner doesnt require a lot of work, just the right ingredients.

recipe:
1/3 box of linguine
about 1 teaspoon black pesto
    (can opt for regular pesto, black is olive based)
whole foods olive bar:
a few roasted tomatoes, a few peppadew peppers, and a few sundried tomatoes
basil leaves (if have on hand)
parmesan cheese (worth it to buy a nice block of it)

directions:
cook pasta according to package
while cooking, chop up the tomatoes and peppers, and basil
drain pasta, add back to pot
add pesto and stir
add peppers/tomatoes/basil
plate
grate parm on top

CHEVRON. everybody's doing it.  i wanted to paint my desk in gray and white chevron.  but i figured id be over it in 3 6 months. SO instead i opted for chalk.  i was at michael's the other night and saw martha stewart chalk paint in teal that i knew i couldnt leave the store without.  i bought a random frame, gave it a couple coats of the paint, and then chevroned it up. 

fyi: i would use a wooden frame

sweet potato pie and i shut my mouth

i thought i had christmas all planned out this year...however i am behind as usual.  and as i write all these last minute posts, i realize that this has been a whirlwind of a week!  so if you are like me and need something to take into the office tomorrow, or to grannys house this weekend try this: sweet potato bread.  easy as pie and pretty delish.  i used this recipe, (just kidding, i used this one, but that is the best song ever) it calls for like 2 things, the only thing youll probably need to go to the store for is the sweet potatoes or yams.  also to give it something extra. i used about 2 teaspoons of the juice from a clementine and mixed it with about 2 to 3 tablespoons powdered sugar to make a pretty thin glaze.  once the bread comes out of the oven immediately pour the glaze over the bread and let harded. yum! (you could use an orange, orange juice or even water for the liquid in the glaze). one more thing, the bread may need an extra 15-20 minutes, i baked mine for an hour and ten minutes and it could have used an extra ten.  

best christmas song ever :)