Hello, hello!
Hope that you had a great weekend. Highlights of my weekend included hiking at Elfin Forest with my pup….
…a sunset picnic with my man:
….making spinach, goat cheese & tomato ravioli one night:
…and going for a swim in my pool for the first time this year, then soaking up the sunshine and enjoying a watermelon smoothie poolside:
Fun little fact: Most Southern Californians keep their pools open year round, but don’t swim in them in the winter. Since I grew up in the Northeast where pools are open for just the summer, I was a bit confused about pool management in SoCal at first, but I think I’ve got the hang of it all now.
I have solar panels on my roof that can warm the pool, but temperatures dip down too low at night for my pool to stay warm enough even with them on, so all winter I looked at my pretty pool that was just a little too chilly for me to swim in. But, now that it’s been reaching into the 80s a lot here and it’s not quite as cool at night, I’ve fired up my solar heater, and the water is now feeling great.
A few hours after I was hanging out in my backyard, I found these in my pool…
DUCKIES! Since we live in the middle of a big neighborhood in the midst of the hustle and bustle of San Diego County, I was pretty surprised – and the ducks were hardly scared of us. I don’t think they appreciated Harley barking at them, but they must have known that she’s too terrified of the water and would never jump in. One of them dove under the water and Harley jumped backwards as if it was about to attack her. It was pretty entertaining! While interested and wary, my pup wasn’t freaking out as much as I thought she’d be….
…that is until we went inside and I turned towards my backyard to see one of the ducks right outside of my open sliding glass door about to waddle on in. At that point, with the advantage of dry land, Harley chased it like crazy back into the pool, as if to say, “You’re pushing it buddy!”
The ducks stayed awhile, especially because my hubby started feeding them tortilla chips. They floated around and quacked at us, while making sure to poop in the pool I had just cleaned hours earlier numerous times. Thanks, guys! 😉
Well, that’s enough talk about my weekend fun! Being that tomorrow is Cinco de Mayo and I’ll take any excuse to eat meals with avocado, cheese, and beans, I thought I’d do a roundup of some of my favorite Mexican-themed recipes that I’ve shared in the past. Below includes a few newer recipes, as well as some oldies from when I first started blogging, with some vegan and gluten free options included. Here we go!
- Guacamole – This post is from forever ago, and this may be the easiest appetizer to throw together ever! I love avocado and guac is one of my favorite snacks to make… In fact, I’ll definitely be making some to celebrate Cinco de Mayo tomorrow!
Mexican-Style Twice Baked Potatoes – This recipe puts a fun, filling Mexican flare on baked potatoes!
Black Bean Tacos with Cashew Cream
- Queso Fresco Black Bean Dip
- Mexican Brown Rice & Veggie Crumbles Casserole
- South of the Border Personal Pizza
Tell me… What’s your favorite Mexican dish? What’s the most entertaining thing that happened to you over the weekend?
AHHA! Those duck in the pool photos and THAT SUNSET are gorgeous. How funny about the ducks, and your dog looks quite intrigued.
It was too funny! When she walked outside, she didn’t even notice them at first. She can be so absent-minded! I was like, “Hellooooo do you see those animals in the pool?!!” Ha.
These look amazing!! What fun ways to celebrate Cinco De Mayo!! Beautiful weather as well! 🙂 Looks like a blast! …also I used to LOVE Ravioli!! YUM! I just need to find some gluten-free dairy free ravioli and I’ll be happy! Yours looks amazing!!! 🙂
Ooooh that might be tough, but I feel like gluten free, dairy free ravioli must exist somewhere! I’ve always been a ravioli fan.
I love the ducks in the pool! Too funny. We finally went to the beach again – I can’t believe we’ve only been three times since we moved here. If you know it’s always there, there’s no rush I guess. 🙂
That is exactly what happens when you live here!! Last year my hubby and I realized that we weren’t going to the beach much at all – and we both love the beach – so this year I’ve made sure to go every couple of weeks, even just for the sunset or a picnic. It really is so relaxing every single time!
Ducks in the pool?! That is hilarious! I am loving all these Mexican themed recipes .. even more, loving the idea of a margarita tomorrow for Cinco de Mayo .. 🙂 yummm!
Hope that you enjoyed a margarita!! I wish I could get over my longstanding hate for tequila, but I still can’t stomach margaritas…
Our pool stays open in the winter too but it definitely is not heated so it gets pretty chilly! I’m already acclimated as today it is 61 and I think it is freezing! Haha.
The loaded potatoes look awesome!!!
Yeah, well even if the pool temp is too chilly, at least you can lounge around in the pool area when the sunshine’s out 🙂
I love loaded potatoes and haven’t made em in awhile… I think that needs to change!
My family loves Mexican food, I would have to say my favorite is quesadillas but since I like them golden crispy with lots of cheese and sour cream I do not eat them as often as I would like, but it is the dish we are celebrating Cinco De Mayo with this year.
I live in the Middle of a pretty decent sized city in MN and when I am out walking I run in to a duck couple as well. They let me get pretty close to them. Luckily the times I have passed them my dog was not with because she is not scared of them. She’s even had a goose bite her before.
Yessss quesaadillas are awesome!
Ha, that’s too funny a goose bit her! Yea, I don’t think it’s strange to see ducks out and about in populated areas… but I DO think it’s strange for them to be in my pool – which is surrounded by other backyards in the middle of a neighborhood.
Okay that sunset picture is freaking gorgeous!!! Ahhh, definitely a framer! 🙂 Those recipes all sound so fab, especially the black bean banana squash enchiladas….I think I’ll bookmark that recipe!
I have a similar San Diego sunset picture hung up in my bedroom on a canvas – love it!
I hope you make the enchiladas. They’re totally worth the effort!
That sunset just made me let out a big sigh. So pretty! I think we need to move to San Diego.
And all of those recipes are making me hungry! I could eat Mexican every day of the week and be a happy camper. It’s so good! Too good for me to choose a favorite. 🙂
I second that! Move on down here lady! We’ll just bake and cook and eat and play with our pups all day long together 🙂
Your dog is so adorable. I have been really thinking about getting a dog recently and your photos have made me want one even more. This post has also made me want to eat Mexican food!
I absolutely love having a dog. It definitely takes more coordination and effort when I travel and in making sure she gets exercised daily, but I just adore her!
I’m with Dannii. This post makes me crave Mexican food and of course a doggie! Although I’d add a pool to the list. I’m going to send these recipes along to my former WLC teammates looking for good veggie recipes. Thanks Nicole!
Great, thanks Robin! Ah yes, I feel like you’ve had puppy fever for awhile now – although I haven’t heard you talk about it lately so maybe it’s worn off 😉
Well that certainly sounds like a great weekend!! I’m totally jealous of your pool 🙂 We have one in our community but there are always so many people there – totally not relaxing!!
And you’re making me hungry – that ravioli and all these mexican ideas!
I hear ya, so I used to live in a big complex with multiple pools. The big pool was like a club scene with a million people, and then there was this pool that was kind of hidden in a nook in the complex, and I used to go there instead because it was usually empty! Haha.
Woww that ravioli looks super advanced but so yummy! i want to try making my own sometime!
The ravioli isn’t hard to make but it does take some time, but I think they’re worth the effort because they are super yummy!
It’s so easy to make vegetarian Mexican recipes — black beans and avocado are the bomb!
Definitely! I always know that at any Mexican place, I can get something vegetarian. Just give me the beans and avocado and cheese!
LOL to the ducks taking up residency in the POOL! 😉 If I were a duck, I’d do the same thing!! OR I would fly myself to an exotic location, DUH!