Wordless Wednesday: States United

 Wordless Wednesday: States United 9/11

Image source

Image source

 

                                           United: In Strength, Remembrance, Hope and Love. 9/11

Wordless Wednesday: CLE Flats

Check out this glorious photo I took on Memorial Day Weekend -

 "American Courage" barge winding its way

along the river bends of the Cuyahoga in the Flats!!!

Symbolism? I think so...

 

 

Click the image below to enlarge and get the full effect!

Pictured CLE Flats: Detroit-Superior Bridge,  Jacob's Pavilion at Nautica,
Powerhouse Building, Cleveland Aquarium

Easy Holiday Picnic & Cookout Recipes: Thai Bowtie Pasta Salad

Yes, you may have noticed my brief blogging hiatus. Ugh. The past few weeks have been a rollercoaster ride of busyness, unexpected changes and to be honest...I've needed some JAM time. Like the lil girl in that AT&T commercial says, "we want more, we want more!"

Anyway, over this past holiday weekend, I got to enjoy one of my FAVORITE insta-pick-me-ups...A  FAMILY COOKOUT! Typically, my Mom whips up the fave staples in the kitchen, my sister brings the creativity to dishes, and my Dad, well he masters the grill! I've become accustomed to being the "table-setter" but have dipped my toe into more recipes over the past years (what can I say, I'm very lucky to have a family of great cooks!!)

I pinned this recipe and made it once before. I wanted to test it out again and get my seeester's seal of approval before I made it for her BIG BIRTHDAY party this weekend :) It's super easy and simple for anyone, for realz, even me. Win!



Necessary ingredients!

Thai Bowtie Pasta Salad

Serves 6-8 (tweaked my recipe from original found on weekofmenus.com via pinterest) 1 lb farfalle (bowtie) pasta 1/3 cup canola, safflower or other mild tasting oil 1/4 cup plus 1 tablespoon soy sauce 1/4 cup sesame oil (optional) 1/4 cup plus 1 tablespoon honey 3 tablespoons rice wine vinegar Pretty peppers all prepped 2 large red, yellow or orange bell peppers 1 shallot, diced 1 bag of MorningStar soy chicken or 2-3 cups of rotisserie chicken, cut into bite sized pieces 3 tablespoons roasted sesame seed Salt & pepper to taste 3 cups washed baby spinach 2 tablespoons red pepper flakes (optional) Boil and cook pasta according to directions. Make sure to salt the cooking water. Drain pasta and set aside. Return the pasta pot back to the stove. (You don't need to wash it.) Add the canola oil, soy sauce, sesame oil, honey, and rice wine vinegar to another pot. Heat over low heat until the honey is dissolved. Remove from heat and toss in the pasta. Add the bell peppers, chicken, shallot, pepper, sesame seeds,  and red pepper flakes (optional). Toss well to coat all the ingredients. Before serving, toss the pasta with the spinach, to keep the vibrant green as much as possible. Total time: about 35 mins, including prep. Nom, nom, nom! This can be chilled or served warm at room temperature, making it a big hit at any summer cookout or holiday picnic! If that's not a sign of approval, I don't know what is!!!! Yeah, 'Merica!!!! Happy noshing, and keep on JAMmin!

Wordless Wednesday: DC Trip in Pics

Let's face it, I'm still reeling from a whirlwind weekend trip to DC from my gal pal, Steph's, bachelorette party. So here's a less wordy highlight recapped in photos... enjoy :)

 

Sweet Treats!


Uniporn Rainho Cupcake.. yeaaah, awesome!

Banana, walnut, cream cheese, strawberry stuffed French Toast

Cucumber vodka mint + pistachio gelato =
winning combo  



Beautiful Blowouts!


Blowout Bar!

T.A., Steph *the honorary bachelorette*, Marie, me with our fab blow outs!

 



Styling and sassy!



 



Sightseeing!

 

Benny!

'Merica loves George!

 

Oh Barry!

 

WWII and Lincoln Memorial

 

Washington Mall & Monument with Marie!

 

 A Sight to See!

Feelin sunny, honey!

Say whaa?

 

We want you!

Epic patio of kickball teams playing flip cup after their game!

 

Wall of Cupcake Napkin Notes

 Definitely lived up every moment in DC with my girls and much needed reunion. Here's to JAMmin!

Monday Meditation: The Seasons of Adversity and Prosperity

 

Image source

This quote carries so much weight with all the events that have been going on in the news and in my own personal life this past week. The contrast in this quote sharply draws parallels between the seasons of change within the peaks and valleys of life.

 

 

photo by JAMinCLE

Would we appreciate the glory of a blossoming tree without enduring a seemingly endless winter? Would the yellow of the daffodils and the spring green of the grass be as vibrant without the slate gray that has painted our city this winter? Would we know the pleasant feeling of prosperity without having the sour taste of adversity? Would we count our blessings without experiencing loss or grief?

As we emerge with resilience in the face of a harsh winter or tragedy, adversity, exhaustion, etc. let's take a brief moment to acknowledge a new season of heroism, prosperity, and rejuvenation. A simple welcoming song of hope.

Photo by JAMinCLE

Wordless Wednesday: A "Political" Message Courtesy of JAM

In light of the Presidential Debates this evening and endless bombardment of political Facebook statuses, campaign attack ads, and endless mud-slinging on both parties sides,  ...may I bring to you, this "very important political" message:


Obama, "Jay-Z now knows what my life is like. We both have daughters. And our wives are more popular than we are...We've got a little bond."
vs.

Romney, "I'm kind of a Snooki fan. Look how tiny she's gotten. She's lost weight. She's energetic. Just her spark-plug personality is kind of fun."

Chew on that during the political debates tonight, 'Merica....

Ohhhh boyyyy! I am REALLY looking forward to Wednesday, November 7, 2012...