my atlanta summer bucket list

April 23, 2014 Whitney Saxon

After last summer being particularly rainy and this winter being so cold and long, I couldn't be more excited for summer weather. I'm hoping for a sweltering, humid season where I constantly yearn for pool time and can boil an egg on the sidewalk (not that I've actually done that. But I want the option.).

Once the heat index hits 90, I'm officially kick-starting my summer bucket list. Here are my 14 to dos for Summer 14...

Shoot the Hooch. Last year we planned to do it twice and both times it got rained out. I ca.nn.ot wait. √ Done!
Stay in this Intown Treehouse. Ah, life en plein air. Chris and I stayed here this past weekend (I know, I totally jumped the gun on the summer portion of the bucket list by already checking it off). You won't be disappointed. √ Done!
Go boating on one of Georgia's many lakes. One day I will have a lake house of my own, but until then, you can find me posted up on someone's dock. See you soon, Lake Lanier.√ Done!
Make s'mores. Anyone have gluten free graham crackers? I'm going to need to purchase ASAP and get my bon[fire] on.
See a movie at the Starlight Drive-in. I've never been to a drive-in and I think it's high time I put my popcorn maker to use and hop to it.
Go to a concert at Aaron's Amphitheater or Chastain Park. Summer ain't summer without an outdoor concert. I'm gunning for country music. √ Done!
Grow my own vegetables. After joining a CSA last fall, I realized there were so many perks to having locally grown, pesticide-free veggies. Why not try my hand at farming? Atlanta Botanical Gardens offers free consulting from their Plant Hotline, too.
Go to a Braves game. I've got to bid the Ted farewell before they leave the city. √ Done!
Go berry picking in McDonough. And make a pie!
Get a hammock for our backyard. And read in it all the time.
Make homemade ice cream. And have sundaes on a Sunday.
Go to Screen on the Green (or Flicks on Fifth or Chastain Summer Movie Series. Whichever one is happening this summer).
Try Morelli's ice cream. And basically eat as much ice cream as possible.
Go to Shaky Knees. Hello Lone Bellow! Update: Not quite possible this year!

(A few other things that deserve honorable mention but I've already done plenty and/or have a conflict:

- Run the Peachtree Road Race on the Fourth of July, of course.

- Spend an afternoon at Sweet Water Brewery

- Go to the Virginia Highland Summerfest

- Spend a morning at the Goat Farm

- Eat King of Pops all the time

and

- Go to as many of the gajillions of amazing festivals and farmers' markets Atlanta has to offer as possible.)

Happy summering Atlantans!

that time we slept in a treehouse!

April 22, 2014 Whitney Saxon

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As much as I love traveling on the weekends, there's something so sweet about staying in Atlanta. Especially in the spring.

This past weekend Chris and I celebrated his birthday. I surprised him by booking a night in a treehouse in Buckhead. I was pretty nervous the day of - it was unusually chilly, rainy and I suddenly began to worry about if he'd actually think it was fun to stay in a treehouse, or if that was just something I thought was fun.

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But, it couldn't have turned out better. The treehouse was amazing - truly majestic and so serene. It was surreal to know I was only 15 minutes from my house but felt a world away. It sits in someone's backyard, but the foliage is so thick this time of year that it felt completely secluded - like we were in our own world. It's covered with a tin roof, which made the rain sound beautiful, and the bed has a heated blanket so being cold was not a concern.

We had so much fun eating (lots of food!), talking, drinking wine (they give you a free bottle!), opening presents and sleeping in the woods. [If you're interested in staying in the treehouse, I'm happy to provide more details. I also have this $25-off referral code. It's really kind of like glamping.]

{Do we look refreshed? That's what an evening away from civilization will do.}

Other weekend highlights include going to a dog show with Chris to cheer on his dad.

Eating dinner with his parents at Treehouse (yes - a double treehouse weekend!).

Church and Easter brunch at H Harper Station with my brothers and dear friend, Megan.

Planting vegetables in the backyard with my brothers (basil, Heirloom tomatoes, jalapenos and red peppers) and praying they don't die.

Reading and exercising in the glorious Easter Sunday weather.

And Sunday dinner at Urban Pl8.

I hope your Easter weekend was lovely! :)

Good Friday, indeed

April 18, 2014 Whitney Saxon

Hello, Good Friday!

I'm off of work today - enjoying a slow morning with coffee, quiet time and the Today show.

I couldn't be more excited for this weekend. I'm celebrating Chris (his birthday) and Christ (Easter!). That's a lot of celebrating :)

My brothers and I are debating going to our normal church service or possibly trying out Stone Mountain's Sunrise Service. The thought of hiking to the top of the mountain, enjoying a sunrise service (on the list of one of my favorite ways to spend time with God) and still getting in an early breakfast hits a lot of my favorite things.

I hope your weekend is full of love, happiness and sunshine!

spaghetti squash with avocado & kale pesto

April 16, 2014 Whitney Saxon

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Last night, on a whim, I decided to make dinner for Chris, which was the first time I've ever cooked for him instead of with him. He's Paleo (which I am not at all - I'm not even all that carnivorous these days) and a really good cook - so I was pretty nervous.

But it was oddly cold yesterday and he was working late and I decided it was time to go for it. I was inspired by Nicole's Avocado Pesto Sauce but, if you've ever made one of my recipes, you know I'm utterly defiant when it comes to following a recipe. I don't know if I'm a little bit more of a rebel than I realized or if I secretly think I'm going to be a chef someday or what.

That being said, here's my version of Avocado and Kale Pesto. I put it over baked spaghetti squash and added grilled chicken. The only thing I would have changed was to add more Cayenne and kale (as changed below) because the creaminess of the avocado and the sweetness of the squash begged for a little spicier. But I'm always up for more spice :)