Fresh Salsa!

One of my favorite things about summer is all of the delicious, fresh produce either from the store, a local fruit stand, or right from the garden! As you might have seen from one of my previous posts, I've made a small herb garden this summer and I've loved finding new recipes and cooking with the herbs! I've done pasta recipes, spaghetti, and some pork chops in the crockpot! 

One of my favorite things to make with the cilantro and green onion I've grown is fresh salsa. I've made fresh salsa a total of 4 times already and Tyler and I absolutely love it!

Pros of fresh salsa:

It's so easy to make and is great for summer parties or just to snack on!

If you have a garden, this can be a cheap and scrumptious snack to throw together. 

You pretty much can't go wrong when making this. I've never had a bad batch!

Cons of fresh salsa:

Mildly addictive so it doesn't last long - at least around my house! Haha ;)

I found a great recipe on Pinterest for fresh salsa and I added to it. I've posted my salsa recipe below in case you want to make your very own batch. :)

4-6 tomatoes depending on the size (I usually try to get two varieties so there is a mix in there)

1/2 - 3/4 of an onion (I've used both white and yellow... Can't really tell a difference?)

1/2 - 3/4 of a green bell pepper (I'm not much for spice, but if you want it hotter, feel free to add a jalapeño!)

Small bunch of green onions. I use anywhere from 6-8+ because they're quite small from my garden and I love green onion!

Small bunch of cilantro (about 1/4 cup chopped maybe? I don't like cilantro nearly as much so I add less but if you want to add more, feel free!)

1 tbsp Ground Cumin

Below are the ingredients I add to taste. So sprinkle about a teaspoon in, stir, and taste to see if you want more. I honestly don't measure too much with these ingredients.)

Garlic Powder

Chili Powder

Garlic & Sea Salt (Grinder)

Salt

Dash of soy sauce

Lime juice

Avocado*

Cut tomatoes, pepper, and onion and toss into a food processor. Depending on how you like your salsa, you can chop it up really small (this is what I like) or leave it pretty chunky. I usually do one or two ingredients at a time in the food processor, then put it into a container and repeat. Dice up green onion and cilantro (and avocado if you're using it) and add to salsa. Add remaining ingredients. Stir it all together and chill 1-2 hours before serving (if you can wait that long!)

*this is optional. I added some avocado to the last batch I made and it was delicious! However, avocado browns fast so if you add this, be prepared to eat it within 1-2 days. You can also split the salsa into two dishes and just add the avocado into one of the batches like I did (pictured).

This will last in the fridge in an air-tight container for about 7-10 days. ENJOY!

Side note: Cilantro isn't pictured because that herb is in the process of growing more leaves in my garden (I've used so much of it!). I didn't use it in my last batch and it was still scrumptious!

Memories & Fishing

Many people go fishing all of their lives without knowing that it is not fish they are after.

Henry David Thoreau

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Utah is such a fun place to live. There's always something to do - especially in the summer! You don't have to drive too far to find great camping, fishing, and hiking. Saturday was Free Fishing Day in Utah. On this day, you can fish without having to buy a license. Tyler and I went up Provo Canyon with my sister, Heather, and her husband, Christian. She knew of this great little place to fish on the Provo river in Heber City right by the railroad. We had packed a little dinner and had a blast watching the beautiful scenery and fishing. Tyler even got to fish off the railroad tracks which is supposedly a life-long dream of his. Haha Look out world, that boy has big dreams! ;) I love my country boy!

Christian was the only one to catch some fish! They were too small to keep but at least he caught something! Haha we left just before the rain hit but we saw some awesome lightening and got some great pics. I love summer time! Life is all about enjoying every day and making memories with those you love. :)

Memorial Day Fun

First off, I'd like to thank those who have served our country in the past and are still serving our country now. I am so thankful for my individual freedoms. I'm also thankful that we have this time to honor our loved ones who have passed. 

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For memorial weekend, Tyler and I journeyed down south to one of my favorite places, St George, UT. My aunt and uncle own a home down there and we had a blast spending time with them, my grandma, and my twin sister's family. For those that aren't aware, I have the absolute CUTEST nephew on this planet. See examples below!! We made sure to take lots of pics! Leo loves his bumbo!

On Friday, Tyler and I drove down with my aunt, uncle, and grandma through Zion's National Park and then went up to Bryce Canyon. I find geology so fascinating and down south in Utah you will see some of the coolest things! Thankfully the day wasn't too hot and it didn't rain on us till we were coming home. Ashley, Jonathan and Leo arrived that night so we headed over to the pool. This was Leo's first time swimming and he didn't like it too much. It was pretty cold. Haha 

Saturday we went out to breakfast at one of my favorite restaurants down there called The Bear Paw. If you haven't checked it out, you need to! We then went back to the pool and Leo was much happier! In fact I think it's safe to say he enjoyed it. :)

Ash and I then drove with my grandma up to Veyo, UT to buy some pies. There's this bakery that is apparently famous for their pies. I must say they did not disappoint! We had my grandma take our picture and we sure got a kick out of her trying to use a smartphone.

On Sunday we went on some really neat nature hikes around St George. It was such a beautiful day! 

Monday we went into town and finished the trip with some shopping and a ride on the old carousel in downtown St George. This is supposedly one of the oldest operating carousels around. It was flown in from California piece by piece and assembled in St George. It's pretty neat and Leo loved it. :)

We had such a fabulous weekend spending time with family, playing games, and holding Leo every chance we could. 

Sunday Walks

When I was young, my parents used to go on "Sunday love walks". Us kids would get left behind to do dishes while my parents took some quality alone time to walk around the neighborhood together. I always thought it was so cute and special that my parents would do that! Now I get to do this with my own husband. <3

Tyler and I have loved walking around the parks and neighborhoods around our condo - especially now that the weather is warm. This past Sunday I found the BEST surprise on our walk - peonie bushes!!! Peonies are one of my absolute favorite flowers! They only bloom the last half of May and first part of June and are VERY expensive. I was elated to see some growing right near our place so I insisted on picking some! I love having fresh flowers in my home. And I even get to enjoy some at work. Aren't they beautiful?!