My goodness this summer has gotten the best of me. Time to write has not been super easy to find between sports and moving and Montana and construction and kids galore. It’s all been SO FUN but has left little time for me to fire away at the laptop.
The summer days seem to never end, right? I will wake up thinking ‘ok, we are going to have a PRODUCTIVE day today!’ I’m going to make it to the store. And fold some laundry. We will only stay 1.5 hours at the pool. But then B’s friend shows up who he hasn’t seen in FOREVER and suddenly it’s four hours later and the laundry and home have been neglected, again. But we are all sunkissed and happy and exhausted so there is some good in that as well, am I right?
Last Monday was one of those days. I told myself no matter who texts or calls I am saying NO. I’m going to be mean mom today. I am going to make B take a MUCH. NEEDED. NAP. and I am not getting up from my laptop for 2.5 hours and I’m going to share some delicious recipes. Awesome. Good plan, mom.
We arrived home from our morning errands and sure enough the neighbors ran over…..’CAN YOU GUYS COME TO THE BILTMORE POOL WITH US?’ Commence L and B jumping up and down, practically ripping of their clothes already to get into their swimsuits.
This has been my summer.
Zero structure and it was finally affecting me. I stood strong, for a change, and texted the darling mom next door and said I just really needed to buckle down at home even though I was really wanting to go with her and play in the sunshine.
I can take your boys?
WHAT? Like both of them? Without me?
A total angel for sure. We got her three boys and my two into swimsuits and sunscreen and all buckled up in a million car seats and boosters and I don’t think L and B have ever been smiling so big. How fun to go on such a treat….and without mom!
I walked back to an empty and quiet home which I have not had since purchasing it. It was oddly unsettling. I gave myself one hour for chores and 1.5 to edit and write and I felt like a completely new woman. So productive, it was exactly what I had been craving. Happy. mama.
Alright, this quick and easy recipe has been something I’ve wanted to share for weeks. Because that’s what it’s been about around here these days: quick and easy. I love the concept of charring romaine, think of it as a big summer wedge salad. Where you go from there is up to you. I leaned Mexican, topping it with cotija cheese, tomatoes, charred shallots (killer) grilled corn, and avocado. A homemade avocado dressing on top would be lovely….or you can do what I did and grab this one from the store. So easy.
It’s the absolute perfect salad to sit next to some grilled flank steak. Hold the carbs because with this meal….who needs them?
This felt so good to write, I’ve missed you ALFS! <3 Hope everyone is having an absolutely lovely summer.
- 3 large heads of romaine
- 2 shallots, thinly sliced
- handful of cherry tomatoes, halved
- 1 avocado, chunked
- 1 ear corn, grilled
- cotija cheese
- avocado dressing
- Cook the shallots: slice up and toss with some olive oil, salt, and pepper. Char in a 450 oven for 10-15 minutes or so, until the edges are browned and slightly crispy.
- Preheat your grill to medium high heat. Rub the ear of corn with olive oil and grill until browned. Cut the corn off the cob and set aside.
- Char each side of the lettuce for a minute or so, until you get the nice grill marks.
- Set on a large platter and top with all of your toppings. Enjoy!
If you liked this post, check these out!
Courtney
Latest posts by Courtney (see all)
- Roasted Bruschetta Salmon - August 30, 2018
- Four hour Bolognese - August 28, 2018
- Summer sandwiches - July 25, 2018
omg that chaos sounds…well…chaotic. haha! Glad you were able to get a few minutes to yourself! There hasn’t been much structure in our summer either, and for once I can honestly say I’m okay with it. Things fall off our plate all the time though, but I haven’t been dwelling on it too much! Cheers to summer!
Tia @ Good Genes recently posted…Getting Back on Track
Twitter: charminglyuncmp
says:
This is pretty much everything good in a meal combined in one plate. So much yum! And while I will never, ever wish away summer, the promise of routine again is starting to sound just the tiniest bit tempting. Or maybe that’s just the promise of being kid free for a few hours… 🙂