Color is finally sprouting on Mendenhall Street! I spent my weekend seeking sunshine with my pup by my side.

In need of a different view, I convinced my friend Jessica to take a Saturday afternoon adventure. With the windows down, we traveled from town to town -from Saxapahaw west.  Lunch at the Saxapahaw General Store, a dog walk by the Haw River, a drive by the Graham Courthouse and Dollar (now $4) Cinema, by the Burlington Train Stop and quick shop at the Burlington Company Shops Market for snacks and cold drinks, down memory lane through my alma mater Elon University, through Gibsonville, Whitsett, Sedalia and back home. After the adventure  (which was renamed “the hostage” after Jessica questioned my direction in a less-desirable area between towns), we drank apricot beers on the front porch and took a walk to Fisher Park for a simple snack-dinner. I highly recommend making your own home-town adventures. There are so many charming places (and hilarious scenarios) to find between the cities and towns across our state. Find the time, things will always look differently when you get home.

With a new view, I put away my Monday -worries on Sunday and spent some time in the kitchen. I made a simple Israeli couscous salad to eat through the work week. I tossed in the pantry – lemon juice, balsamic vinegar, olive oil, piquillo peppers, black olives, basil, dried cherries, fresh spinach and toasted almonds. Sweet, salty and really additive. With an easy chicken cutlet sauteed in butter, olive oil and lemon juice – it was the perfect early supper for a quiet Easter Sunday. The leftovers are great cold the next day too!

I’ll post the recipe this week. In the meantime, here is an old favorite album for your driving or cooking adventures… if you know me, music is always playing in my kitchen!