Dessert Bruschetta

This post is in partnership with Moms Meet. As always, all opinions are my own.

Summer gatherings are my favorite.
There's nothing better than friends and family by the pool or on the deck with a drink
in hand and a spread of seasonal appetizers for the taking. I've been trying to get to our
Farmer's Market more frequently this summer and being more intentional about trying
new fruit and vegetables. This year I discovered yellow zucchini and baby plums that
were amazing! Fresh berries are the opitome of summer and are always on my shopping
list!

Ganache Blackberry Brownie Cupcakes

Years ago whenever I needed to make brownies for a bake sale, picnic or potluck, I
would bake the brownie batter in cupcake pans. Sometimes I added m&m candies,
toffee bits or chocolate chips to the batter to make them more fun and festive.
They were always a big hit!

Blackberry Paleo Pancake Mini Muffins

This post is in partnership with Bob's Red Mill.  All opinions are my own. 

Sometimes you need to be reminded of the beauty in your own backyard.

Over the weekend we met some friends for dinner on Skyline Drive in the Shenandoah
National Forest. We live in the heart of the Shenandoah Valley, just 25 minutes from the
entrance to Skyline Drive, however it's been years since we have been there.  Our friends
were visiting from North Carolina (hi Tom and Betsey!) and asked us to join them for
the evening.

Mixed Berry Yogurt Smoothie

This post was created in partnership with Stonyfield Organics.  As always, all
opinions are 100% my own.

Now that spring has finally arrived I am SO ready to get outside and enjoy the warmer
temperatures.  Sunny weather makes me crave fruit smoothies, so I thought I would
celebrate spring with a mixed berry yogurt smoothie.  This fresh sprig of mint makes
me want to go out and buy herbs for my little deck herb garden!

Mini Granola Chocolate Fruit Tarts

My fridge is full of berries and I love it!
Summer is the best!

After dinner  I was craving something sweet, but healthy too.
Is that too much to ask??
I remembered seeing chocolate fruit tartlets on SkinnyTaste a few days ago and
thought they looked so yummy so I made my own version.
Mini granola chocolate fruit tarts.
Sweet tooth problem solved :)

Breakfast Banana Split

Who say's you can't have a banana split for breakfast?!?


This delicious banana split is made with bananas, Stonyfield Greek yogurt,
peanut butter granola, fresh Driscoll's berries, nuts and a drizzle of
Reese's Spreads.

Blackberry Spinach Salad

During the summer months there's nothing like a fresh cool salad for lunch or dinner.
Romaine, baby spinach and kale are my favorite greens.
I like to top my salad with some type of fruit, a little protein and then a few Diamond nuts
to add a little crunch!
Sliced almonds, chopped walnuts, pine nuts - I love them all!

Diamond Nuts recently sent me a few packages of nuts, along with some recipe cards to inspire
me to come up with some new salad combinations.
The beautiful blackberries I purchased last weekend at our local farmers market were just the
inspiration I needed.