Summer Vacation?
Well, my classes have ended, I’ve graded my papers, and I turned in grades this morning, so I guess it’s officially “summer” for me. The only problem? What else? The weather!
It’s about 60 degrees here right now and has been raining off and on for a few days, which isn’t too bad, but it definitely doesn’t say “summer”! It will probably get really nice right when we leave for our trip this Friday…but I won’t care, because we’ll be in France! 
Luckily, we got a nice bout of sunny weather on Saturday—just in time for the faculty picnic that Ryan helped plan! The picnic was at a local park, and while I was dreading it a little bit (I’m not the most social of butterflies), it ended up being a really good time. The grill was fired up for burgers (Boca for me, thanks) and dogs, and there was actually a nice spread of food!
We contributed this black bean quinoa mango salad:
…which was a hit! Another professor recommended topping a burger with the quinoa…whatever works, right?
As promised, I also procrastinated with some baking on Saturday morning, so we brought along the fruits of my procrastination as well:
Peanut butter peanut butter-chocolate chip cookies…which is quite the mouthful. Why don’t we just call them “Mmmmmmm, cookies” instead?
Okay…as much as I should be on summer vacay, I actually still have a few students that I have to deal with. It appears that some of my students are *surprised* by their grades. I’m not sure how you can be surprised with a B when you’ve made a B on every single one of your class assignments, but maybe some day I’ll get it.
Hope you’re having a great Monday!
The salad looks amazing! Those cookies look perfect for my afternoon coffee! I hate going to things, but always end up having a good time. I hope you get some warmer weather soon! Have a great afternoon Anna!
Peanut butter peanut butter-chocolate chip cookies = RECIPE Please!
They look PERFECT!
As does the salad, but the cookies steal the show for me
Haha, here’s the recipe: buy a peanut butter cookie mix. Prepare mix. Add peanut butter chocolate chips to the batter. Bake.
Hi Anna …..
Love making quinoa salads. Anything goes!
Re: MmmmmYummmcookies ….. can you give us the/your brand? Just wondering about the fat, etc. If it was vegan. Thanks!
Can’t wait to (hopefully) read your posts from France!
Enjoy!
LOL!!!!!! That’s funny about the grade and your student. I’m sure it’ll happen to me some day…
The cookies look UH-mazing! The quinoa, too. And France? Jealous doesn’t even begin to cover my feelings on that…ENJOY!
Hooray for France! Y’all must be so excited!!! The quinoa salad looks awesome. After I read your post…I ended up baking on sunday too
The cookies look great
I’m pretty sure Spring has totally neglected michigan and you as well!!! I’m still waiting though…
LOL @ your student, it’s a head shaker!
love the colors in that salad!!
and cookies look amazing
Mmmmmmm…..SUMMER!!!
Can you and Ryan adopt me so I can come on all of your vacations?
Only if we can adopt Boots too
Haha I’m loving these little student anecdotes about grading. It’s taught me that I was right in never arguing with a teacher about a grade…
Actually…while that is the lesson I USUALLY try to convey…I just bumped a student up from a B+ to an A-…he was right on the edge, and he just WOULD NOT LEAVE ME ALONE…so I guess if you catch a teacher on the right day, arguing works. I just want him to quit e-mailing me!!
Hahahahahahaha as I saw the photos of the cookies, I thought “Mmmmmm cookies…” and then read your comment about potentially just calling them that.
Great minds think alike?