images via here & here

Less comparison. More joy.  That was easy.

This recipe was inspired by the historical Atlanta restaurant Mary Mac's Tea Room.  Mary Mac's opened in 1945 and has been serving southern comfort food ever since.

My mother gifted me the Mary Mac's cookbook several years ago and slowly I'm getting around to trying more of the recipes other than the banana pudding.  The Black Eyed Pea Salad is one of the healthier recipes so I decided to put my own twist on it by adding some quinoa.

The recipe served a large group and would be a good option for a potluck.  As with many salads, it got better with time.  You can see by my photo that tortilla chips eventually made an appearance.

So good....

Recipe: Blackeyed Pea and Quinoa Salad (adapted from Mary Mac's Tea Room)

Salad Ingredients

2 (15 oz.) cans Black Eyed Peas, drained
3 tbs. chopped fresh basil
2 red bell peppers, seeded and diced
2 green bell pepper, seeded and diced
1 cup quinoa, cooked
1/2 cup diced red onion
1 tsp. pepper
1/2 tsp. salt

For the dressing:

1/2 cup champagne vinegar
1/2 cup rice wine vinegar
1/3 cup vegetable oil

Instructions:

1. Combine vinegars and oil for the dressing and set aside.

2. In a separate large bowl, combine all the salad ingredients and toss.

3.  Pour dressing over salad and stir. Chill for a minimum of  4 hours.  Serve and enjoy.

 It's the simple things in life that make me happiest.  A cup of hot tea, a good book and pretty notepad.


I made the boys a Valentine inspired bento box.  I think my kids are the only ones on Earth who do not like strawberries.  They're also not a fan of the fruit leather but I put it in there for festivities sake.


If there's one thing you do NOT want to happen while you're cooking dinner for your Valentine, it's setting off your fire alarm...twice.  Maybe three times.  The ole oven was due for a major cleaning and it got one this week.


These Fashion Plates were one of my all time favorites!  Did any of you discover an early love of fashion with this toy?

Hope y'all have a lovely weekend.  I'm laying low while I continue to fight this little cold.

photo credit

Sending all of you lots of love today!  I'm spending the day with these two little love bugs and my sweet mom.  I can't remember the last time my husband and I went out for dinner on Valentine's Day so we're keeping with the tradition and cooking at home tonight.  Menu includes some form of steak and potatoes because they say that's really the way to a man's heart.

How about you?  Any big plans for this special day?