Goat Cheese Roasted Chicken

On Monday night my friend and I decided to make dinner at home for our guys.  Both of us love trying new recipes, and since neither of us had ever actually roasted a chicken before we figured why not give it a shot!

We decided on a recipe by "How Sweet It Is" for Goat Cheese Roasted Chicken, and not to toot my own horn, but it was literally the most delicious roasted chicken I have ever eaten!  It was perfectly moist and tender on the inside with a crisp golden exterior and the perfect layer of herbed goat cheese hiding under the skin.  We paired it with herbed basmati rice, lemon asparagus, and an ice cold bottle of Rose, and I have to say it was the perfect summer meal al fresco in her gorgeous back yard.

Recipe below...PS - Follow Dreams in HD on bloglovin' here!

Goat Cheese Roasted Chicken

Serves 4-6 

5 pound fresh chicken, giblets removed

8 ounces goat cheese, slightly softened to room temperature

1/2 teaspoon dried basil

1/2 teaspoon dried oregano

1/4 teaspoon garlic salt

1/2 lemon

1 bulb garlic, top cut off

3-4 tablespoons olive oil

1/2 teaspoon salt

1/2 teaspoon pepper

Preheat oven to 425 degrees F. Pat chicken completely dry with paper towels.

In a bowl, combine goat cheese with herbs and garlic salt, mixing well until combined.

Rub the non-breast side of the chicken with 1-2 tablespoons of olive oil, then sprinkle with salt and pepper. Put that side down in a baking dish or roasting pan. 

Lift the skin of the chicken above the breast and stuff with goat cheese, pressing it into the thighs and as far back as possible. Rub the outside of the chicken with some goat cheese as well, using up the mixture. Rub with 1-2 tablespoons olive oil and sprinkle with salt and pepper. Stuff the garlic bulb, cloves-facing inward, in the top opening and the lemon, slice-side up, in the bottom opening. It's no biggie if they fall out while roasting!

Roast for 75 minutes, then remove and let rest for 30 minutes before cutting.  Enjoy!

Lake Como

In just about six weeks Ryan and I will be jetting off to Italy to spend 16 days in the Cinque Terre, Tuscany, Florence, and Venice.  I couldn't be more excited and will be checking quite a few experiences off my bucket list on this trip!  However, I know this will not be our last trip to Italy, one because we both absolutely love it, but two because I still need to visit the infamously chic Lake Como.

Lake Como has been a retreat for aristocrats and celebrities since the Roman times, and it is easy to understand why.  The lake -- surrounded by the mountains, hills, villas, and tiny villages and home to people such as George Clooney, Donatella Versace, and Madonna -- is widely regarded as one of the most beautiful lakes in Europe.  Sigh...until next time Italy!

And where would I stay on this gorgeous lake?  I have always thought going with a few couples and renting a luxury villa would be pretty amazing {I mean, check out this place - insane right?!}, but if it was just Ryan and I, I would love to stay at the infamous Grand Hotel Tremezzo.  A deluxe five-star art-deco hotel, it offers unparalleled views of the beautiful town of Bellagio and the mountains.  And one of the coolest parts?  A pool that floats effortlessly on the lake itself.  So glamorous... 

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Snapshots

{A peaceful morning in the country}

Good morning Dears!  I hope you are all having a fabulous week.  I know I am very much looking forward to this weekend, as it is the only one in July that we have actually be in town for!  And what's even more exciting is that we have no real plans.  Sometimes the weekends where you don't do much of anything are the best of all.  Until then, here are some snapshots of what I have been up to lately!

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{The adorable vintage bistro set my mom bought us for our yard - hooray to having a yard!}

{Afternoons spent lounging with a book by the pool}

{A birthday dinner at my one of my favorite restaurants in Indianapolis, Bluebeard}

{Birthday bouquets from friends and family - I feel so loved!}

{How cute is my dog?!}

{The most magical spot in my mom's backyard}

{Our new dining room table from West Elm - the legs look like tree branches and it's on sale!}

{Our new gold flatware, also from West Elm}

{Watermelon Vodka Coolers for a hot Fourth of July in North Carolina}

{The most amazing sky}

{Driving through Columbus, Ohio ALWAYS entails stopping at Jeni's Splendid Ice Creams}

{"The M.O.M.A." - cloverton and strawberry buttermilk ice cream, roasted strawberry sauce, salty graham gravel, int, and hand whipped cream}

{Love this guy!}

{American Gothic}

All That Glitters is Gold

{Jonathan Adler Maxime Linen Dining Chair} {Acrylic & Gold Tape Dispenser} {Deco Pharmacy Lamp} {Gold Scallop Pillow}

{Bliss Studio Fleur Mirror} {Pandan Bin} {Marni Glass} {Harry Allen Gold Piggy Bank}

I don't know about you, but I love a good gold accent in a room.  I think it adds just the right touch of warmth and glamour.  Some of my favorite gold picks are above!

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Harvest Moon Flower Farm

It's safe to say that Sunday night was one of the best dates Ryan and I have been on during our six-year long relationship.  I visit our local farmers market every Saturday morning {well, at least on the weekends that I am not out of town for a wedding} and always stop by the sweetest flower seller named Linda's stall.  About a month ago as I was purchasing a bouquet from Linda, I started asking her more about the flowers.  She explained to me that her and her husband own a flower farm about an hour and a half outside of Indianapolis, and while it is not open to the public, she told me that they were having a Farm-to-Table Dinner in July in the middle of their flower farm.  Well as you can imagine I came running home to Ryan to see if he was interested, which he was, so we purchased tickets and anxiously awaited our trip out to the country.

On Sunday afternoon we started the drive to the farm, passing through quaint towns and miles upon miles of cornfields.  We arrived at Harvest Moon Flower Farm and were completely awe-struck by the beauty.  A small farm surrounded by gorgeous rolling fields, we were surrounded by thousands of flowers in every hue of the rainbow.  Linda and her husband welcomed the small group to the farm with appetizers {tomato gazpacho, carrot salad, and goat cheese and beet souffle} and drinks {homemade teas and an amazing whiskey sour made from a local distillery}.  They explained that they purchased the land over 25 years ago and since then have turned the flower farm into a successful family business.  

From there it was on to tour the farm.  Linda taught us about their sustainable farming methods {most of which are organic} and the business of flowers.  She showed us species after species of colorful blooms, allowing time for questions, photos, and simply admiring the beauty of Southern Indiana.  After the tour it was on to the main event, dinner!

We dined under a tent surrounded by flowers listening to a musician play the banjo.  Local chefs created a wonderful gourmet picnic spread using all local ingredients.  Favorites included a creme fraiche chicken salad served on miniature house-made challah rolls with watermelon compote, a delicious local bean salad, and vegetable skewers.  For dessert we ate homemade angel food cake with fresh summer berry sauce and the most delicious peach ice cream that had just been churned that afternoon.  After our meal we sat by the fire listening to music and watching the sunset.  

It was an absolutely wonderful evening surrounded by good food, people, and flowers.  For a city-dweller like myself it was a much-needed evening away from the hustle and bustle of everyday life.  It's amazing how a few hours of fresh country air can refresh the soul.  I hope you enjoy my photos half as much as I enjoyed visiting the Harvest Moon Flower Farm!

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