I am alive!

This week I was hit with the terrible flu/evil sickness that has been going around my office. Tom got it first (we work at the same place) and then kindly passed it to me. I then ended up sick as heck, only really coming out of the haze on Thursday afternoon, it was not fun at all. So I definitely have no food to talk about this week, but I can offer up some cute photos of my nurses...





We don't employ the most competent staff around here ;) I hope you all had a great week, I will be off to visit some blogs over the next couple of days.

Tuna, Black Bean, and Red Pepper Salad

While the rest of the country seems to be enjoying some Fall like weather, Arizona is still feeling the heat. I think we actually got to 105 yesterday. This quick salad filled me up and kept me out of the hot kitchen so I could pretend like maybe it might actually cool off here someday soon.


You don't need much for this salad from the magazine All You, I cut the recipe in half because canned tuna and capers make Tom cringe.


All you need are some beans, I used black beans, red wine vinegar, olive oil, olives, tuna, mustard, red peppers and if you'd like, some capers. You could even add a little bit of finely chopped onion.


There is not much prep involved in this salad. Chop up your peppers and olives and open and drain your tuna.


Mix your vinegar, mustard, salt and pepper.


Stir in the olive oil.


Add in everything else and give it a good stir.


Looks good already! Put it in the fridge for an hour or so to let all the good flavors really permeate the tuna and beans.


Serve it over some lettuce or spinach and you have a tasty lunch or side dish.

I hope you all have a great week, send some cooler weather my way!

Favorite Things #36 - The Netherlands

A few people have commented on my new header photo, which is one of my own pictures that I took in the Netherlands in 2009. Tom and I will be going back in November and to say I can't wait is a huge understatement. Tom grew up taking family vacations there because of his Dad's job and he fell in love with it. When I met him he carried a photo of Amsterdam in his wallet.

We decided to take our honeymoon there in 2008 and I fell in love with it as well, it is just such a beautiful and relaxing place to visit. We went back in 2009 and haven't been since so we are both so excited.

So here are some pictures of my favorite place after Arizona!




There are cats in most bars and some restaurants in Amsterdam. The staff will gladly get them out of your way if you are not a fan, but this adorable little guy sat on my lap through my whole meal. That is a delicious pancake with ham that I am eating, the dutch love giant eggy pancakes, almost like a super sized crepe.








The bread and cheese in Amsterdam is AMAZING.
This cat loved Tom, I will be so excited if he is still there when we go back.


Ok, all the cats loved Tom :)

Finally a very classic view from Amsterdam...



Have you been to the Netherlands? What is your favorite vacation spot?