Let's Go to the Movies

I have a love, hate relationship with summertime. On the one hand it means sunshine and the pool, trips to the beach, and overall just being able to relax with the kids a little bit more than during the regular school year. However, the summer also mean hot, sticky North Carolina weather, getting sick of going to the pool, and trying to figure out different, fun things to do with the kids every week. Well, last summer this became a staple of our weekly routine and I really have to say it was great. Over the summer the Smithfeild Movie theater and the White Oak movie theater (also available at Briar Creek and North Hills Cinemas) host a summer children's movie series. They are awesome, both offer two different movie for the kids to view and it only costs $2 to get in. Here's the catch, the movie are shown at 10 am. I know, early right? But it's great. Get the kids up, ready, dressed and out the door! By time the movie is over its lunchtime. Usually we met up with Grandma at the theatre and went to lunch afterwards with her. Then we'd go snag an icecream at McDonald's afterwards and let the kids play on the playground there. Whoosh before you know it's 3 o'clock! It really is great, you can't beat the cost, and it's a nice break from hot weather, gets you out of the house and away from the pool for a little bit.

Farmer's market finds of the week

If there is one thing I love about living in North Carolina is the State Farmer's Market, located off Lake Wheeler Road. It is great in the spring in summer time for finding some great, fresh, local produce at really affordable prices. This week when J and I went to the Farmer's Market, I saw for the first time orange and purple cauliflower... and well, aside from my curiosity as to how it tastes different than it's boring cousin white cauliflower, I just couldn't resist that beautiful color. (Sorry we ate the orange cauliflower before I had a chance to get a pic of it, but it was just as yummy too!)

Also, as a random side note, I think finding colorful veggies like this is great to try on the little ones. It's so different and bright from what we tend to think of as cauliflower. Maybe, making it as whipped cauliflower will be a fun and healthy substitute to mashed potatoes. I don't know, something about bright purple veggies just seems more fun than the everyday.

Along with our colorful finds we also scored on some delicious red tomatoes, green tomatoes, spinach, spring onions, regular onions, broccoli, and carrots. And believe it or not, we only paid like $15 for all that amazing produce!!! That would cost at least twice as much in the supermarket and isn't nearly as fresh. I really do love this time of year because of the Farmer's Market and the ability to each such fresh delicious foods. I cannot wait for sweet peppers to start appearing at the market soon!

Since last night was Wednesday it was date night. Instead of going out to eat we decided to cook our delicious, fresh food at home. Now, I don't know about you guys but I love to eat any form of Asian cooking, whether that be Chinese, Japanese, Thai, etc. One of my all time favorites is, Tempura. So when I stumbled upon a box of Tempura Mix at the Harris Teeter, I just had to try it.

It was really easy, I just followed the recipe on the back and read a few people's tips on the internet. And let me tell you, my purple tempura cauliflower was so flavorful and delicious and the light, crunchy tempura batter around it was amazing. Please, if you like tempura try making it at home. It was really easy, just took a little bit of time more than anything. Along with the cauliflower we fried up some carrots, mushrooms, and green peppers. We paired our veggies with some steamed rice and a fresh spinach salad and it was one of the best meals we've made at home in a long time. Out to eat, this all probably would have cost at least $30.

 

It was all together a delicious meal that I will definitely repeat again!