We just got home from an exhausting but wonderful trip to Tennessee to see my little brother graduate from Navy Sea Cadet camp!

Congratulations, David!!! We are so glad to have him home, especially because he wasn’t allowed to call or email us the entire 2 weeks he was there. The ceremony was beautiful and I felt like I was meeting a whole new young man when we were finally reunited with him. I am so impressed that he made it through this program and couldn’t be prouder of him. He went from pretty much never exercising before he went to camp to running NINE MILES on the last day. Amazing. He was even promoted to Sea Apprentice!

And BOY did he get a tan! 🙂 While we’re not what one would call a “military family”, my dad did serve in the Navy and so that made this day even more special.

The marching was awesome! Those kids are seriously impressive. This is the first military experience I’ve really ever had, and it was really awesome.

I acted as the chaffeur for both of the 6 hour legs of the drive, so I am pretty tuckered out. As soon as we got home, all I could think about was oatmeal!

I used to eat instant oatmeal and there was a flavor I really enjoyed called Peaches ‘n Cream. I’ve been meaning to make a fresh version for a long time. It’s a perfect way to use a peach that might be a little overripe to eat plain. And, obviously, I suggest Georgia peaches. As always, feel free to use cow’s milk if that’s how you roll. 🙂

Georgia Peaches ‘n Cream Oatmeal

• 1 1/4 c. vanilla almond milk
• 2/3 c. old fashioned oats
• 1/2 ripe Georgia peach
• 1/2 t. organic sugar
• dash of cinnamon

-In a small pot, heat the almond milk just until boiling. Stir in the oats, reduce heat, and cook for 10 minutes.

-While the oatmeal is cooking, finely dice the peach. Stir the diced peach and sugar into the cooking oats (reserve some for topping if desired).

-Continue to cook the oatmeal with the peaches in it for about 3 minutes, stirring occasionally.

-Remove pot from the heat, cover, and let sit for 2 minutes. Pour hot oats into bowl and top with a dash of cinnamon and any diced peach leftover. Add some cold milk (that’s what I always do) and enjoy! Makes one large serving.

The cooked peaches inside are divine. I might even throw in the whole peach next time.

Most of you already know, but I got my first photo accepted to Foodgawker and Tasteologie yesterday! It was the first photo I ever tried to submit and I was expecting to get shut down, but I was pleasantly surprised to see otherwise! I am having so much fun with photography and it feels great to know that other people actually enjoy my pictures. So this photo was my first,

And let’s hope it won’t be the last! 🙂 I don’t have the time to put as much effort into photography as I would like right now, but I will try to make the time. It really is a blast.

Thanks for reading! I’m completely exhausted and am going to get some rest!

-Lauren