veggie goodness

i'm have this salad that i eat in the warm summer months that is so, so delicious. it's a mixture of peppers, tomatoes, avocado, vinaigrette, onion, and beans. i have some marinating in the fridge and it's taking everything in me to not eat it before it's had time to sit...
so, i'll share with you how to make it and some yummy pics, in the hopes that it will be ready by the time this post is!
ingredients:
1 can black beans, rinsed
1 can chickpeas, rinsed,
1 can kidney beans, rinsed
3 peppers, diced (any color, but i prefer the red, yellow, and orange variety)
1 pint cherry tomatoes, cut in half
balsamic vinagrette, any variety, at least 1/3 of a bottle... this is really suited to your taste
1 avocado, peeled and sliced

start by mixing the beans together in the bowl.

then, add the onions, peppers, and tomatoes; mix

carefully stir in the dressing and then add the avocado

give it a gentle mix and place it in the refrigerator. you could eat it right then and there, but it really needs time to marinate in all the vinaigrette-y goodness.

give it about an hour to chill and then DIG IN!

Forgive me!

As I was so wonderfully reminded by Becca, I completely "forgot" to update my blog like promised. I say "forgot" because at one point I looked at it and thought, "Hmm, I should do that." And then promptly turned on the TV and got some ice cream. Mmmmm, ice cream. But, I digress.

Here's what's been going on in my life as late. I've been to the beach! OK, so it was just for one day, but I get to go down at least three more times before the summer is done. Here's a little pic...

Fabulous!

That's what is going on vacation wise and that is it for trips until the BIG Disney trip at the end of November. Oh man! Am I ever excited! I go to this fabulous website everyday for tips on planning. If you are going, you should check this site out!

Oh, and one more thing that is going on in my life. I had an epiphany two weeks ago when I was baby sitting at a picnic. 9 kids between 3 and 7, paint under my finger nails, grass stains on my paints, wet hugs and I was hooked. I miss being around kids so, so much. Right, so what is this epiphany you ask? I have decided to go back to school to become a teacher. I contacted Eastern yesterday for help in the Grad school process and I will be working towards starting in the spring. I'm pretty stoked. It will probably take me between two and two and a half years to complete but I know it will be totally worth it. I was so glad to have this revelation that I even thanked the friend that had me over to watch the kids at her picnic.
The only thing that I am concerned about is (actually there are two things) and that is letting my bosses know my intention and being able to work, attend school, and not lose my mind completely!
So, that's what's going on for me this summer. Anyone else have big things happening?