Chicken with Avocado Ranch Sauce

 It consistently amazes me how many foods I hated until suddenly I didn't. Avocado, with its icky green color, was totally not on the "love it" list until a couple years ago, and I'm really just now starting to experiment more with it.

Last week, I made an avocado ranch sauce inspired by this one, which added great flavor and was a perfect counterpoint to the blackening spice. In a food processor, I mixed up one avocado, plain Greek yogurt and a pinch of Hidden Valley Ranch mix.

 I put it in a squeeze bottle I had, and ...let's just say I need to step up my food plating game.

But as much as I've expanded my food horizons, my hubby remains pretty stubborn. He was willing to try the sauce...this much. Bless him and his steadfast ways!

Weekend Fun: Block Parties, Cocktails & Boardwalk Art

 Hello pals! We had one of those great weekends you only seem to have in the summertime this week. My work hosted a community day and I was excited to enjoy a snowball...my favorite flavor combo? Tiger's Blood and Mango. Mmmmm so good.

 On Saturday night, Sean and I tried a new restaurant in Hampton called Venture Kitchen & Bar, a nice mix of pizza and tapas, sandwiches and entrees with a great and affordable cocktail menu! Seriously, it hit all the right notes for me in terms of having broad appeal. I had the meatball banh mi with tater tots that looked like cubes and were delicious.

 And I was completely torn about what cocktail to get. I ended up with the Eternal Sunshine (not shown), but next time, I think I gotta try the Blackberry Moonshine Lemonade.

 We left just in time to hear Phil Roebuck at Hampton's Block Party and enjoy small cups of ice cream. The most adorable toddler was dancing with perfect rhythm the whole time, and put on quite a show.

Afterward, we went to see "This Is the End" and legit laughed from start to finish. I have a strong affinity for all of those actors since I watched "Freaks & Geeks" when it aired...it makes it feel like a high school reunion whenever I see them all together. It was fun and we've been quoting it for days.

 On Sunday, we went to our very first Norfolk Tides game...for about 45 minutes. LOL. We went for a company event, but then sneaked off to go ...

 ... to the Boardwalk Art Show in Virginia Beach. It's miles of boardwalk and it's such a nice treat. Some of my favorites included:

 Ethereal landscapes by artist Maggie Grier.

 Stylish digital mixed media pieces by Sarah Collier.

 Beautiful impressionist landscapes by Larry Smith.

And beautiful impressionist still lifes by David Oleski.

It reminded me to get my brushes out and back to painting, because I think it would be such fun to really try this style.

Sunday Best v.159

Dad, early '80s in college.

Happy Father's Day to all the wonderful father figures out there! Devoting your life to providing for another little person, shepherding them to adulthood and then releasing them out to the world is no small task. Kudos to all the dads and grandpas and men who handle the challenges with aplomb.

• A good reminder about the power of Photoshop.
• An adorable collection of classic wedding moments!
• Hilarious parenting techniques.
• Honest posters for Disney films. The Beauty & the Beast one had me LMAO.
• A hilarious tumblr devoted to hipsters who dress like Jackie from Roseanne.
• The evolution of music that led to Daft Punk's "Get Lucky".
• An emotional story from the NY Times about immigration issues. 
• Send a virtual kiss!
• Love this explanation of how commenters get blocked on Gawker. 
• Another "Girls" spoof. This time, it's dead-on. Hannah at 65.

Jams of the Week: Lemon Edition

So I'm chewing my lemon gum the other day and I suddenly realize everything I've bought lately is lemon! I guess I'm craving some sunshine in my life? It's a little bit crazy how obsessed I've been without even noticing.

It started with Target's J.R. Watkins Apothecary Lemon Lotion, which smells exactly like Girl Scout lemonade cookies...sugary and delicious. Then, I spontaneously grabbed the lemon gum, thinking that sounded refreshing. I went to buy more shampoo, and came close to buying my favorite lavender mint, but for some reason — seriously, what's going on? — reached for the lemon sage. And when my friend gifted me some Moscato d'Asti, I had an idea it might be extra delicious with Haagen-Dazs Limoncello Gelato. I haven't tried that combo yet, but I'm excited!

This is one of the first times I can remember being THIS obsessed with something and not even noticing it for a month. I even bought a lemon-colored purse! Ever experienced the same thing? I do remember having a pretty intense coral phase a couple years ago.

Today I Like ... 7 Oaks Road Pottery

I have a newfound appreciation for pottery since starting work at an art center. I've never taken it, but I'm hoping to find the time soon to give it a shot. I was especially inspired after seeing this work by 7 Oaks Road, a Portsmouth-based shop, at Stockley Gardens last month. (Cake stand, $70)

Not only are the shapes right on trend...both traditional and contemporary, but the pieces seem like heirlooms you'd want to pass right down the family line. I also am a sucker for the shades of glaze used in all of the pieces. (Peony Jar, $48)

Plus, I'm pretty sure I need a cake stand just like this (no longer for sale, unfortunately).

I've been crazy busy lately, it seems, but pottery is definitely on my bucket list now!

Sunday Best v.158

Close up of Madame X, by John Singer Sargent. Amazing!

I had the pleasure this weekend of delivering meals to a friend who just gave birth, which is a pretty grand tradition of ladyhood. Isn't it weird how there are just some traditions we all know about, like delivering food to families who've had a birth or a loss? Sean had no idea! Anyways, I hope you're having a wonderful weekend. After a day of cooking, I'm ready to relax.

• Pictures of supermodels as awkward kids.
• Did you ever listen to the This American Life episode about Harper High School? You can still help!
• Is Jesse Eisenberg a dick or not a dick? You decide!
• The NY Times profiles hot twentysomethings. I pretend not to have an inferiority complex.
• OK Go delivers an awesome Tiny Desk Concert in more than 200 takes to help NPR move buildings.
• Incredible story about a man who grew up thinking he had been kidnapped and now has no idea who he is.
• I love reading about birth orders! The only child description is dead-on for me.
• Lena Dunham's wedding, as she envisioned it in high school.
• The members of Daft Punk WITHOUT THEIR HELMETS!!
• An oral history of Upright Citizens Brigade.
• How you know you're old.
• Poor, poor Baroness Von Schrader.
• A lingo map of America.

Jams of the Week

Netflix Jam: "Top of the Lake"

Elisabeth Moss, better known to Mad Men fans as Peggy Olson, starred in this mini-series directed by "The Piano" director Jane Campion in her native New Zealand. It's sorta like "The Killing" meets "The Fugitive" meets "The Girl with the Dragon Tattoo" and it will suck you right in. The scenery is mesmerizing, while the portrait of small-town New Zealand life is chilling and her Kiwi accent is incredible. Two solid thumbs up!

Art Jam: Collage

I recently bought some assorted old reference books at a yard sale with the intention of exploring collage, something I've never really tried in a purposeful manner. I find the idea a bit intimidating, but I suppose that's a good reason to try, right? Anyway, I'm looking for inspiration and I really like these collages by Kareem Rizk.

Food Jam: Peter Chang's in Williamsburg

I'm a wee bit obsessed with the Golden Mountain Chicken at Peter Chang in Williamsburg. The chef has an insane cult following that has been profiled by Calvin Trillon, no less, in The New Yorker. He's known for settling in an area and just as soon leaving, so I'm getting it while I can! The orange citrus sauce is so zesty and perfect, and the fried, shredded chicken is delicious. It's just awesome.

Google Jam: Elizabeth Taylor's Jewelry

I am STILL (months later) reading a biography of Elizabeth Taylor and Richard Burton and part of what has slowed me down is the constant stopping to Google the amazing jewelry he's buying her in the book. A lot of people viewed her obsession with diamonds and pearls as frivolous, but she saw herself as a curator and a steward. Goshdarnit, that's exactly how it turned out. Check out the collection that sold at auction through Christie's.

The Tale of the Lip Smacker Disaster

Let me tell you about the Great Lip Smacker Disaster of 2013. It's a cautionary tale I hope you'll all take to heart.

A week ago, I started our clothes dryer and I could hear that tell-tale banging sound of something decidedly NOT fabric. I immediately opened the door and rummaged through the clothes, feeling around for something hard, but my hands came up empty. So, I shrugged and moved on with my life.

BIG MISTAKE.

It was only when my load of laundry — full of my newest clothes, most for work — finished that I found the source of the clanging. A completely melted (I'm talking an empty tube) of Dr. Pepper Lip Smacker fell on the floor and I groaned.

Have you ever had one of those moments where it feels like you're watching a movie and the camera just zoomed back and suddenly you see the full scene and it's so much worse than you originally noticed? That was me looking at this load of laundry. At first, I noticed a couple grease stains and thought some Oxyclean spray could take care of business. But then I started noticing the red spots. Everywhere. On all the clothes. It was a sad day; after spot treating and rewashing the load, I still had to throw away about 5 items of clothing, including a favorite dress.

I can laugh about it now (I mean, how many 28-year-olds ruin their laundry with a Dr. Pepper Lip Smacker?), but lesson learned: TRIPLE check your pockets before you start your laundry. I'm usually pretty good about it, but I forgot one pocket in one dress and paid the price.

How about you? What's your absolute worst laundry disaster? This isn't my first; I shrunk a merino wool sweater of Sean's down to American Girl size. Oops!

Today I Like ... Jennifer Nielsen Jewelry

A few weeks ago, Melissa and I hit up the spring Stockley Gardens Art Festival and spent some time admiring the jewelry created by Jennifer Nielsen of Maine. Nielsen uses beautiful stones to create this organic and elegant jewelry and I was the smitten kitten. She said she even creates custom work with stones people find on the beaches; I love that idea! It's all a bit out of my price range, but a girl can dream, right?

Earrings, $330

Gorgeous white granite and diamond pendant, $1,100.

Sunday Best v.157

Neon art by Olivia Steele

Summer has arrived in Hampton Roads! Last night, we hit the Greek Festival and we're thinking about a Busch Gardens excursion tomorrow. I love how, no matter how old you get, warm weather makes it feel like school's out (even if it isn't!).

• Spelling Bee champions reflect on what it means to win.
• TEARS! Calvin & Hobbes all grown up.
• My favorite part of any wedding: when the groom sees the bride.
• Surprise! Fitness myths debunked.
• I LOL'd at the idea of this Twitter feed.
• America ranks sorta low on the scale of oversharing.
• But we rank really high of having poor work-life balance.
• O captain, my captain! Patrick Stewart is an amazing man.
• An accurate collection of pics showing what it was like to grow up in the 90s.
• Speaking of which, the actress who played Matilda explains why child stars are so screwed up.