Chicken Avocado Salad

Chris encouraged me to post this most delicious recipe that I just came up with the other day for lunch.  I love when he joins me for lunch on days when he is so very busy.  And we both really enjoyed this refreshing chicken salad on wheat bread, but you could easily serve it in a pita, in a wrap (spinach please) or alone with pita chips or tortilla chips.  Try it and remember that I don't usually measure so these are great guestimates but I promise that you will fall in love with this as much as we did. Enjoy!

Chicken Avocado Salad

3 chicken breasts grilled and cut into bite-size pieces (or you can use a rotissarie chicken cut into bite size pieces)
2 avocados, skin removed, and cute into cubes
1/4 cup mayo
1 jalepeno chopped finely
1/4 cup sour cream
salt and pepper to taste

Mix together mayo, sour cream, jalepeno and salt and pepper in a bowl.  Add chicken and avocado and stir together.  Refrigerate until ready to eat.  Serve as suggested above.

Picnic and a movie ....

Since Chris and I first met, we have valued every minute of quality alone time that we have together...given the fact that 90 percent of the time we have at least two of our five children with us.  Lately, we've had less of that time together with schedule changes and vacations.  So this week when I realized that we were going to have two days together alone, I thought that I would surprise him after work with a "date night".  I threw together a lovely picnic ... using my new pink picnic basket and a set of vintage dishes that Chris bought for me at the flea market last weekend.  Scallops wrapped in bacon broiled with a curried mango sauce, a lemon orzo and spinach salad, fresh heirloom tomato, basil and mozzarella salad (ingredients fresh from the Western Wake Farmer's Market) and to finish a lovely shortbread key lime tart with fresh raspberries were on the menu.  This delicious food and a lovely evening ... low humidity and a mild temperature... were the perfect ingredients for a truly romantic picnic.  We packed up the car and drove to Bond Park in Cary and found a perfect spot under a big tree next to a little creek and the lake near the boat house.  It was wonderful!  Bond Park offers so many wonderful spots to picnic ... wide open fields, wonderfully shaded areas, and perfect spots near the lake that allow you to catch a lovely sunset or the abundant wildlife. 

I wish we had more time after eating to snuggle up together on the blanket and watch the geese and ducks floating on the pond and talk about our day, but I had also planned a movie that Chris had wanted to see for that evening as well ... Rise of the Apes.  So we had to cut our picnic a little short and rush off to a 7:15 showtime.  And it was definitely worth it.  It was a very entertaining and touching movie and it was great seeing it together without interuption.  

And at the end of the night it was great to come home and relax and reflect and enjoy our quiet evening together in our new home.  I am anxiously awaiting our next opportunity for a quiet, romantic picnic together in another beautiful spot.  And I already know where it will be and what I will make so stay tuned and we'll share another great picnic with you. 

Edenton - love at first sight ....

That says it all ... it was love at first sight and I was happier yet that I was able to experience such a beautiful town with the love of my life.  I love the slow-paced, Southern lifestyle that is Edenton.  And I fell in love with every little bit of this pretty little town ... from the architecture, to the history, the shopping and the friendly people.  It was just awesome!  The only words that kept running through my mind were quaint and charming ... perfect!

Make this charming spot a definite stop when on your way to the Outer Banks or for just a weekend quick getaway.  It is truly lovely and you will feel very much at home while there.  And once again, you will find the perfect spot to picnic on the waterfront and there is a huge expanse.   There were several families and couples with the very same idea ... carrying picnic baskets and blankets ... looking for a secluded spot perfect for boat watching or people watching under one of the big shade trees that were scattered along the waterfront. 

After filling your tummy and relaxing in the shade, you can stroll along the waterfront and explore the main street downtown area to see what treasures you can find in the galleries and shops that line the street.  We even strolled through the lovely gardens of the Cupola House which even in the hot North Carolina summer heat still looked beautiful.  Andrew and I found a shady spot under an arbor covered in wysteria to sit while Chris took photographs of the purple plums that were growing on the fruit trees and a few plants that lined the fence. 

The Cupola House and gardens are just one of the sites that stand as a testiment to the history of Edenton.  As is the Barker House which sits along the waterfront with its large southern porches looking out over the water...the perfect spot to sit in a rocking chair and watch the boats coming and going and to catch a glimpse of the areas interesting wildlife. 

I have to admit how excited I was when I saw Chris snapping some photos that he knew I would just adore.  There are very few people who know that I have this love of old keys and locks ... and the bigger the better ... seriously!  I have always loved the idea of owning a home that used one of those old sets of keys to open the door ... impractical I know but such a romantic notion.  You can see one of the locks that he photographed in the Cupola House Gardens that hung on a gate.  As we were walking through the town looking at some of the massive and charming homes, taking in all of the amazing 18th century architecture, I was wondering how many of those homes were accessed by using one of those big keys or how many of the garden gates leading to those homes had a big lock on the gate door.  To me that would be a dream come true .... to live in one of those beautiful homes, architecturally perfect, surrounded by a romantic English garden .... living my life in love with my surroundings.  And I left behind in Edenton a little piece of my heart .... hoping to return again and again to experience a little bit more of its charm. 

Fresh figs perfect for a picnic....

Figs are in season!  Woohoo!  On Wednesday of last week, I picked up some fresh Turkey figs at the Downtown Raleigh Farmer's Market.  Yum!  Figs are one of my favorite things to eat and are perfect in many picnic dishes.  Below you will find a recipe that is just unreal and pairs perfectly with grapes, pears, and an assortment of cheese and crackers.

Prosciutto wrapped Fresh Figs

• 4 large whole figs halved
• Goat cheese
• 1 (3-ounce) package prosciutto
• 3 tablespoons honey
• 1/4 teaspoon cinnamon

Preheat oven to 400 degrees F. With parchment paper line a baking sheet and set aside.

Halve each fig and make a small indention in the center of each. Fill each indention with 1/4 teaspoon of goat cheese.  Tear in half one slice of prosciutto and wrap around the fig, starting from the top. Tuck at the ends. Repeat until all figs are wrapped. Toothpicks can be used to secure.  Place on prepared baking sheet.

Combine honey and cinnamon and drizzle over figs.  Place in the oven and roast them for 8 to 10 minutes. 

Pair this with a great wine and fresh fruit, cheese and crackers.  Delicious!

Next stop ... Plymouth, NC ... Belhaven, NC and Bath, NC

The next stop on our whirlwind trip was Plymouth, NC.  We had no idea what interesting things we would see in Plymouth if it weren't for these great books Chris found called "Backroads of North Carolina" by Kevin Adams and "Daytrips from Raleigh-Durham" by James L. Hoffman.  Plymouth, a little town along the Roanoke River and site of the second largest Civil War battle in North Carolina, is a great place to stay overnight when touring this interesting area or on your way to the Outer banks and offers some really interesting attractions ... plus great picnic venues. 

Here in this little town we found a replica of the CSS Albemarle anchored at the waterfront district in a beautiful little park.  Perfect for a picnic!  Lush green grass, massive shade trees, a boardwalk leading to the ironclad CSS Albemarle and the sound of the Roanoke River flowing calmly in the background.  It is a true gem.  And there are really interesting people, both local and tourists.  Further down the street along the waterfront is the Roanoke River Lighthouse .... and it is a magnificent sight.  The structure sits along the waterfront in another lovely park with boardwalks along the river for birdwatching ... another lovely spot for a picnic.  Its a wonderful surprise and a must see if you are visiting the area.  Pack a blanket and a basket full of goodies and pick a spot near the water to enjoy a quiet afternoon. 

Guess what, we decided to drive south a bit to catch a free ferry from the town of Bayview to Aurora.  Aurora is the home of the Aurora Fossil Museum, a really interesting little museum full of fossilized bones, teeth, shells and coral.  Kids will love it!  And you can do your own digging for fossils and shark teeth across the street in a little park.  Have a quick picnic and then pull out the shovels, sifters, gloves and storage bags to find your own treasures to take home. 

Cross back over the ferry and head to the town of Historic Bath.  Bath is the first town in North Carolina and one of the places that the legendary Edward Teach, otherwise known as Blackbeard, called home for a while.  This little town had a very interestering history having survived violent rebellions, a yellow fever outbreak, droughts, piracy and Indian Wars.  Yet today there are several lovely homes and the St. Thomas Episcopal Church that have survived.  To stroll along this sedate little towns streets is mesmerizing and makes you yearn for slower quieter times.  I fell in love with this secluded little town and the beautiful scenery.  There is a beautiful grassy point along the waterfront near the Palmer-Marsh House that will steal your heart away.  Jelly fish float up and down in the water as you walk along the tree lined edge .... amazing ... and it is a very romantic and magical spot for a picnic or just to lie on a blanket under the big shade trees and gaze out over the amazing natural beauty or up through the trees at the amazingly blue sky.  It is love at first sight!

Note the handwritten label fading away.

Let's head northeast again to Belhaven, NC.  Belhaven is the home of a very interesting and intriguing museum, the Belhaven Memorial Museum.  When I say intriguing, I mean absolutely the most unusual and quirky museum I have ever been to and its chock full of great treasures.  Let's just say that Ripley's can't hold a candle to this place!  There is every oddity in the world here plus some really interesting objects that you might say you have never seen before or might never imagine seeing.  There is just tons and tons of things to look at literally!  Everything from seashells and buttons, clothes, rocks, dolls and guns to jars full of creatures too unusual to describe.  There is even a human skeleton.  Its absolutely bizzare and very interesting!  You could spend hours just looking at everything and trying to decypher the handwritten descriptions which are fading with age.  This museum is only open from 1:00 to 5:00  on specific days so be sure to check before going. 

How funny is this "pig with one big eye"? 

This was a really fun couple of days!  I would tell everyone that it is well worth a weekend trip to see all of these "hidden treasures" that this area of eastern North Carolina has to offer.  Take the time to tour and learn ... its so worth it .... savor all that there is to see and don't waste a minute.

Chicken Enchilada Handpies ....

Okay, as promised, I am sharing the recipe for one of my favorite things ... Chicken Enchilada Handpies .... mmmm mmmm mmmm.  These big boys are just tasty!  Just ask Chris ... he loves them!

Notice in the picture I couldn't wait to bite into mine ... which explains the missing corner.  Ooops!

Basically the recipe uses your favorite pie crust as the packet that holds all the delicious meaty filling.  And please remember while making this that I typically don't use formal recipes but rather just start with a base like chicken and then add the rest of the ingredients by "feel", so to speak, without measurements. 

4 pie crusts
2 large boneless, skinless chicken breasts cooked and shredded or chopped  
    1 tsp Cumin, salt and pepper to taste
1 package of cream cheese (8 ounces)
6 ounces of chopped green chilis (I prefer mild)
1 finely chopped small jalepeno
4 ounces of shredded monterey jack cheese

Make your favorite pie crust recipe or you could use a store bought brand.  Roll out four pie rounds.  Cook the chicken breasts in water with cumin, salt, and pepper until done.  Remove from liquid to cool and then shred or chop.  Discard liquid and add chicken back to pan.  Add cream cheese, green chilis and chopped jalepeno and stir until blended and cream cheese is melted.  Remove from heat.

Preheat oven to 350 degrees.  Lay two pie crusts flat on your work surface.  Imagine you have divided each round into quarters.  Place a large spoon full of chicken mixture on each quarter (8 in all).  Sprinkle cheese on the chicken mixture of each quarter.  Now place the remaining two pastry rounds atop each of the rounds with the chicken mixture to cover.  With a pastry cutter or pizza slicer, quarter the two individual rounds.  Take each pie wedge and crimp the edges with a fork to seal them together. 

Place the eight individual sealed pie wedges on a greased baking sheet.  Bake for 17 to 20 minutes or until the crust are golden brown.  Cool them slightly and then dig in!

Enjoy!

The mermaid moment ....

Another confession...I love the water (ocean, river, lake, whatever) and I should have been born a mermaid.  Nothing calls to my heart like being near the water.  And I think we found a truly beautiful place for a quiet picnic and a very breathtaking and relaxing walk.  We visited one of the most interesting attractions when we were in Washington, NC .... this quaint little town is home to the North Carolina Estuarium ( http://www.partnershipforthesounds.org/NorthCarolinaEstuarium.aspx ) .  What is an estuarium you ask?  Well an estuary is formed where fresh water and salt water mix together and this creates an interesting and vital ecosystem. The Albemarle-Pamlico estuary is literally the second largest estuarine system in the United States.  Amazing ... and its right here in a beautiful little town in Eastern North Carolina... go figure!



The facility is quite interesting and beautiful both inside and out.  With very informative and quite artistic displays inside the center and some absolutely breathtaking views as you walk along the very well crafted and quite extensive boardwalk system. 



Photography by Chris Harper ... love of my life



There are some lovely grassy spots near the center and some further up along the boardwalk that would make the perfect picnic spots.  And the beautiful part is after you've eaten that tasty meal, you have that extensive boardwalk to explore ... which we did!  Amazing .... and when we came to the vast expanse of water lilies in bloom and all those beautiful lily pads ... gigantic actually ... floating around ... my mermaid moment struck.  I was in love.... smitten!  It was one of those rare moments that something touches your heartstrings and you smile from ear to ear.  I gazed out over those lily pads ... some that I could literally wrap my arms around they were so big and some filled with glistening puddles of water.... and I could just imagine every sea creature being drawn here .... swimming and playing in this magical spot.  And then there were the turtles.... all, oh I don't know, well over 50 that we counted that followed us along the boardwalk.... swimming along just hoping that we would drop them some little morsel to eat.  Andrew was amazed!

We actually lost track of time just walking and stopping to take photos and mostly just gazing out over this amazing natural beauty.  And I, of course, daydreamed of lounging among those gigantic lily pads ... my inner mermaid ... basking in the sun and playing with the puddles of water that glistened in those lily pads.  It was absolutely magical and a true testiment that its the small things in life that bring us the most joy and that we shouldn't sweat the small stuff .... but rather just enjoy the moment ... especially when that moment is so perfect....

On the Road ......

Okay... so I admit ... I am the queen of picnics and road trips.  I could lay out a map on the table and just pick a spot to go to and that's exactly what we did a few weeks ago.  And Chris agreed to it!  We took Andrew, the youngest of our "Brady Bunch", to some of the most interesting places, but along the way, we had a really lovely picnic in the most serene place....and it was in a city park in Zebulon, NC.  What a wonderful spot and as if on cue there was the most wonderful doe that just stood there in the park eating grass as if she had not a care in the world. 

This was the beginning of our adventure to the Eastern part of our beautiful state.  We started here with a picnic in Zebulon and found a few wonderful treasures in Plymouth, Bath, Belhaven, Aurora and Edenton, NC.  Please visit these towns ... they are just beautiful and are testiment to our interesting and eclectic history.  

I have to share the wonderful lunch that I made for the boys!  What a treat and my next post will be the recipe for these great picnic favorites.....Chicken Enchilada Hand Pies.  You will love these as much as we do!

 

Next on our stop will be Washington, NC area in my next post.  Until then.... 

It all started when.....

It all started many years ago when I was a little girl, but it took a trip to the Raleigh Flea Market yesterday to remind me of how much I loved the art of picnicing ....

Yesterday, as I was walking with my three beautiful children and Chris, the love of my life, through the Raleigh Flea Market, I found a real treasure ... one that spoke to me .... a pink picnic basket with a red interior for a real bargain price.  It reminded me of so many years ago when my little sister, Missy, and I used to give my mom some much needed "quiet time" by carrying our little picnic basket filled with whatever wonderful creations my mom came up with ... up the hill to the beautiful oak tree that sat behind our barn.  We would sit there for what seemed like forever until we knew that my mom might be missing us.  It was wonderful ... sitting in the warm sun, we would just talk and sometimes complain to go back to the house ... but it was wonderful to have that time with my sister, the person that I hold so dear in my heart.  And funny....today, I continue that ... not quiet time for me but quality time for me and my children or quality time for me and Chris.  It is such a romantic concept...especially for a true romantic at heart.  But a very real treat... one that I will always treasure and hope to share and pass on. 

This blog is dedicated to the art of picnicing ... an art that should not be lost.  A valuable treasure that should be continued and embraced by everyone.  The beautiful and magical act of sharing your love of nature and good food and togetherness with someone you love or care for.  Its an act of casual spontenaity.  The act of togetherness and family and love.  It is happiness wrapped up in one little basket to share with everyone you wish.  

This blog is about something that I hold very dear.  A fond and wonderful memory and a tradition that I have shared with my children, family and friends.  And a tradition that should be shared with everyone.  Please follow me through a wonderful journey of great picnic experiences in the Carolinas and everywhere that we travel to find beautiful picnic places and ideas that you can share with your family and friends.

Happy picnicing ....