Peace out to the LONGEST. WEEK. E-V-E-R!!
Right? Ugh! I think this might be the first time since I started working four, 10-hour days that it felt like I was working four, 10 hour days. Every minute of every day has dragged on and on…and on and on!
I said sayonara to the week, and some hair, and fit in a haircut after work. 
My ‘do was getting shaggy and I was feeling frumpy. Ahhh – that’s MUCH better!
I don’t think I ever told you, but when Ben and I were in Italy we noticed that literally ALL women under the age of – ohhh 60? – have long, luscious, gorgeous flowy hair. I felt like such an American over there with my bob. Alas, I just don’t have the right hair texture to rock long locks. Get’s too stringy. 
What’s your hair situation like?
In other news, after a wickedly windy and brisk morning, the afternoon actually turned out kind of lovely! The clouds parted around noon and the sunshine warmed us all back up.
I made a cheery looking dinner to go along with the beautiful sunset. Chicken with Kiwi-Mango Salsa.
I didn’t think it was possible, but this came together even faster than last night’s supper! I started with the chicken. Smart Chicken.
Natural, with no added water.
I seasoned them simply with lemon pepper and cooked ‘em up on the stovetop. It was warm enough to grill tonight, but we’re still out of propane.
These were really thick chicken breasts so Ben suggested that we put a lid on the skillet to cook them faster and more evenly. It worked! (Please don’t judge our mismatching skillet & lid!)
Speaking of Ben…he provided the night’s entertainment while cooking up a couple slices of Garlic Cheese Bread to go along with his chicken & salsa.
Ben is one of those people that everyone likes. You know the kind!
He called his bread “The best thing I have ever created. No, seriously babe. Try this!!!” *shoves bread in my face* It was pretty good…ok it was amazing. 
At any rate, after the chicken was done, I generously topped it with my fresh, Kiwi-Mango Fruit Salsa, dug in and was blown away. Flavor explosion!
Me and fruit salsas are like this. Creamy Avocado Mango Salsa and fruity Pineapple Pico de Gallo rank as two of my favorites…
But this one is SO up there! I made it last night, because homemade salsas are always better the next day, and all the flavors had a chance to meld together overnight. Oooo it was so good! Spicy, sweet and full of great textures.
Kiwi-Mango Salsa
Serves 4
Ingredients:
2 kiwi, chopped
1 mango, chopped
1 cucumber, seeded and diced
1 jalapeno pepper, minced
1 garlic clove, minced
1/4 red onion, chopped
1/4 cup chopped cilantro
juice of 1 lime
salt & pepper
Directions:
Mix all ingredients together. Season with salt & pepper and serve.
We agreed that the chicken would have been better if it had been seasoned more mildly – maybe just pepper and garlic salt – but we both thought the fruit salsa was incredible! Fresh and bright. We ate the leftovers…with spoons…over the sink…I know.
Simply steamed asparagus made for an excellent side. I find that asparagus doesn’t need any additional seasonings – butter, salt, etc. – it’s really good all on its own!
The tastes and colors of spring! 8)
Oofta, I am full. I think I saved some room for dessert though – a Baked Chocolate Doughnut, most likely. I cannot describe to you how amazing they are!
My Mom, who faithfully reads the blog everyday, emailed me after seeing my post about them last night…
“Hi! How was your day? Hey, um, also, if you have any extra doughnuts next time, your Dad and I will totally eat them!”
Looks like I’ll be making a special delivery this weekend…
Have a good night!
~~~~~
Are you the life of the party, or the one quietly observing?
I’m actually terribly shy so, in general, I am usually the one quietly observing. I hate it when all eyes are on me!
Your mom is adorable!
oh, and this post reminds me i should get a haircut soon too…
What a cheerful dinner – love all the colors!
My gosh, you are like the only person I know who can totally rock a hairstyle like that. Seriously, gorg. I would look like a boy/pilgrim/hot mess.
I am definitely an observer. When everyone turns to me my stomach kind of flops. I actually think it’s quite fun to just sit back and observe!
I am definitely the shy type. My husband is the exact opposite of me–he *loves* all the attention on him. I am totally content sitting back at a party and observing/taking it all in.
Love the haircut! I need to chop mine because when it is long, it gets super stringy too. (yuck!)
I’m on FIRE socially all day at school. So typically in social situations, I’m much more quiet and laid back than my husband.
Love your dinner tonight, looks so pretty.
Awesome point- I tend to be more outgoing at parties, but it is related to the fact that I drive alot for work and have lots of “me time” whereas my bf is a 2nd grade teacher
so he is social all day long.
I’m also an observer–I hate whenever all attention is focused on me!
I haven’t had long hair since I was 14, and I don’t think I’ll ever let it get past my shoulders ever again!
So funny, I just got done eating chicken breast and asparagus when I opened your blog! I didn’t have amazing fruit salsa on mine though
. Our smart chicken was on sale for $3!
My hair is kinda stringy too but I love it long. It’s like a security blanket… On my head. Ha
When it comes to being the “life of the party”, that’s not me. I’m the one giggling on the sidelines
My hair is long, down to my butt! And I’m Italian! lol
That kiwi-mango salsa looks beautiful!!
I’m a wallflower, definitely not the life of the party.
CUTE ‘do!
Suave Slav is the life of the party while I’m by his side, observing
What a great spring-like dinner, looks so fresh and delicious! Question: How do you get dinner done while it’s still light out?! By the time I get home from work it’s already getting dark
I love my hair long – I cut it short a year and a half ago and did NOT like it. I have thick and wavy (unless straightened) hair so that was not the haircut for me. It’s a few inches below shoulder length now and I am lovin’ it. I can do a ponytail, scrunch it to be curly or wear it down and straight
That salsa looks amazingly refreshing. I love that there is cucumber in it! Definitely adding it to my list.
My hair is hopeless. I have to keep it short as well as it’s too stringy to do ANYTHING else with.
Yum! This looks really good! I’m trying to find new recipes, so this might be perfect!
If I’m with friends, I tend to like attention, but generally I sit back and enjoy watching
Ooh, you described me. I am shy too and HATE to be the center of attention or called out on. I’m a little worried about teaching but it’s different when it’s 25 kids!
PS: How adorable of your mom!
I just got my hair cut on Tuesday too!
I’m definitely more of a quiet observer. I’m shy too, until I get to know people, then I never shut up!
I have the same hair! I long for beautiful luscious hair but its never going to happen, i revert back to my bob every time
My hair situation is a little past shoulder length. I’m always trying to get it longer, and it just.won’t.grow. Boo. Oh well, my hair is wavy, which generally looks good long, but super fine, which generally doesn’t. I feel ya!
I was a painfully shy child. Like my 6th grade class took a survey if anyone had heard me talk shy. (jerks!) I feel like I’ve grown out of it except in crowds. I’m pretty friendly one on one, but I get so quiet in groups. Not the life of the party at all.
Also, just wanted to add a delayed sympathy over your almost car accident. I’ve been in a few – scary stuff! Glad you were okay!
If I am unfamiliar with the group – definitely a wall flower, but if i know everyone, I think I’m more outgoing. My hubby is really shy – but can totally make friends with everyone, which doesn’t make a lot of sense…I don’t know how he does it but I’m jealous! Also – love your haircut! I keep mine shoulder length or shorter with layers since it’s thick and wavy (i.e. out of control and takes 10 years to dry) if I try to wear it long.
Sooo kinda freaky…I just blogged about hair today and how I can’t decide if I want to continue growing it out or cut it really short again…and seeing you with that adorable hair cut makes me want to cut mine so bad! And that fruit salsa looks so yummy!
That really looks delicious! I love fruit salsas! There is this yummy recipe I have that uses homemade cinnamon tortilla chips with fruit salsa! Its perfect in the summer (http://www.ourbestbites.com/2009/04/sweet-fruit-salsa-with-cinnamon-chips.html). My hair is really thick. When its long, it just becomes unmanagable and has no shape. So I usually have it cut above my shoulders and then layered. Then it has some shape and curve to it. Also, don’t feel bad about the mismatching lids. A lot of our pans have mismatched lids.
I’m the life of the party for sure. That is a really weird thing to say about yourself isn’t it? In fairness, you did ask…and it’s true. I don’t like being ignored and I’m super talkative.
I realized while I was making dinner tonight that everything I ate today came from an idea sparked from your blog! B – Green Smoothie, L – Kitchen Sink Salad with Greek Yogurt, D – Spinach & Artichoke Pizza.
What would I do without you?
Baked donuts are on the menu for this weekend!
I love your food pics so much IG!!!! LOVE. So ful of color and BEAUtiful!
You seriously should make a cook book! I would buy it! But wait until I can afford it!
LOL
Serious budget going on over here!
Ooh, cute hair! I could never pull that off, ever! I have super weird wavy, thick hair. I have to decide every day if it’s going to be straight or curly. It’s not naturally beach wavy, it’s naturally “strange” wavy. Like, curls in some places and not others. . . and gets really really frizzy very easily. When it looks good, it is awesome, but more often than not, that takes a LOT of effort!!!
I don’t know if I’m the “life of the party” but I’m definitely not shy. I’m very, very outgoing and can talk to anyone about just about anything, in any situation. Sometimes I talk a little too much, or if I’m nervous, I get a little loud, which isn’t good when you’re naturally loud! whoops. . .
Love the outdoor pictures. Come faster spring!
I am finally starting to like my hair because its getting so long. But you totally rock the bob and I’m jealous!
nice haircut! btw any chance of sharing the yummy looking cheese garlic toast?:) looks scrumptious!
love the new do! Looks like a perfect, light, & healthy dinner!
Girl I hear ya! It has been a loooonnnngggg week. But TGIF!!!
You’re hair is adorable by the way!
And I love that salsa recipe. It’s also great of fish, especially salmon.
Have a great day love!
I have a bob, too (well, technically, I’m overdue for a haircut so I don’t know if you could call it a bob right now) and I noticed that 70% of girls our age have bobs here. I had super long hair for a long time but then I just needed a change so I chopped it off over a year ago, and I just love it! I don’t think I’ll ever go back.
I’m sometimes the life of the party and sometimes I hang back, depending on the crowd. I used to be painfully shy when I was a kid, and thankfully I’m not anymore but I do still feel a bit shy sometimes when I’m around a lot of strangers.
Love the new ‘do. I have thin, fine hair that has no life. It’s getting long and stringy…about time for a new ‘do too.
The chicken and kiwi-mango salsa looks yummy!
I’m the shy observer, if I’m with unfamiliar people or in unfamiliar places. Otherwise, I’m the life of the party.
What a colorful dinner! It looks so bright and cheerful! Yummy!
I love your haircut! It’s super cute! I hate my hair! It’s super thick and curly. It takes me forever to straighten. I would wear it curly but it gets really frizzy and out of control. I totally need a haircut right now.
That salsa looks good! I just wish my boyf liked cilantro :p but I’ll have to make it a day he’s gone!
And I have a bob like you! When I lived in DSM, I went to Bombshell Bettys and finally got convinced to chop off my locks… and then all my friends copied me! So we all rock short bobs! Cute hair
wow! such a fresh and delicous looking dinner!! my locks are FINALLY long (I cut it short and regretted it and have been growing ever since haha). but i style everyday (although last night i let it run free haha)- so its kind of damaged :-/
That looks delish! Asparagus is one of my all time favs and just screams spring to me… bring on the SPRING!!!
So, I keep reading about all of these fabulous doughnut pans, but I’m unable to find them at BBB where you got yours. I think you single-handedly sold them out of the pans with your blog!
Have a great weekend!
Wow! This looks so yummy! I wish my hubby would easy fruit salsa like that. Such a wimp.
girl i hear you about the hair! i have the exact same cut as yours, and im getting it trimmed on saturday. shaggy bobs are NOT chic
my boyfriend loves my hair long, but i think it looks like crap everyday and i finally accepted that i will have short hair forever. i am definitely more of the life of the party than an observer! way more fun 
What is it with boys lovin’ the long hair so much? my bf is the same way
I am 100% the same. I tend to hang back, and I HATE being the center of attention. I get super anxious about it.
Hair-wise, I try to have that long hair look, but my hair grows to a certain point and then just breaks off. Right now, it’s actually pretty long, but I’m getting a trim this afternoon. My ends are FRIED!
i’m an observer too. i’m speaking at a conference this weekend, and while i’m not nervous per se, i hate having people stare at me!
I like your hair!
I am more of an observer, too- never been the life of the party:)
I’m not the life of the party, but I’m not super shy either. (I used to be, but not now.) I typically sit back and observe quite a lot. Meanwhile my boyfriend is the life of the party. He’ll dance, crack jokes, whatever – with no self consciousness at all.
the mango salsa looks so vibrant, I can imagine it is so good for you too! I love feeling full of energy after eating a healthy meal. Mangos are just now getting into season again here so I definitely will have to give it a try
My hair is wavy so -long or short- it has frizz- TG for my Chi!!!!!!
OMG so it’s not just me! This HAS been the longest week ever w/ the longest days ever in it! I am SO ready for the weekend!!
Your salsa is beautiful!
I have super-thick hair although it’s thinned some as I’ve aged. I cut it every 18 months or so and donate the hair to Locks of Love. It’s definitely that time again–
I don’t need to be the center of attention but I’m a true extrovert. I love a crowd and will talk to anybody!
I WISH I was the life of the party…I always admired those who were! That cheesy bread looks delicious! So does that salsa…mmm so summery!
Adorable post.
The haircut is super cute.
The chicken looks delicious.
Happy weekending.
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I’ve been eating a lot of asparagus lately too. So yummy and easy to make. I love to steam it and sprinkle cheese on top .
my hair situation is long and blonde. Terrifed of hair dresser but i go every 6 weeks because my hair is very thin and long .. I do my roots myself..
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