I'll take an order of strawberries and cream!

It's time for my absolute favorite event in tennis. Pretty easy when there are only 4 Grand Slams, but still!! Wimbledon is upon us. Grab your tennis whites, a bottle of champers and some strawberries. Next park yourself in front of your big screen and watch some tennis. It's no secret that I'm hoping R Fed returns to his grass court glory, but whoever you're rooting for, it's bound to be a good tourny. Enjoy!

Chipotle makes Nashville Move!

It's been a hard few months for Mr Diva living in a city sans Chipotle. Well the drought is almost over. According to multiple sources, Chipotle has acquired property on West End and expects a October/November opening! Whoohoo burrito bowls and salty chips!

Happy Hour Cake

Just like the characters in The Rum Diary, my rum cake will get you schnockered....okay maybe a little more like a light happy hour buzz! The first time I made this cake, I took it into the office for a little taste test and the rum was so in your face that everyone felt like they had just drank on the job. I've since tweaked the recipe, but don't worry I left the booze amount intact.

Cake Ingredients:
1 package yellow cake mix
1 package instant vanilla pudding mix
4 eggs
1/2 c milk
1/2 c vegetable oil
1/2 c dark rum
1/2 c butter

Glaze ingredients:
1/4 c water
1 c white sugar
1/2 c dark rum

1. Preheat oven to 325. Grease and Bundt pan.

2. Sift pudding and cake mix into a large bowl. Then mix in eggs, milk and 1/2 c rum. Pour batter into pan.

3. Bake for 60 minutes. Let cake rest for 10 minutes. While it rests, make glaze.

4. In a saucepan, combine butter, water and sugar. Bring mixture to a boil and continue to boil for 5 minutes, stirring constantly to prevent burning. Remove from heat and stir in remaining rum.

5. Invert cake onto plate or stand. Then brush on the glaze until it is fully absorbed.

Diva Delight

If you know me, it comes as no surprise that I love me some spice! Last night Mr. Diva and I had the treat of hitting a Nashville pasta institution, Cafe Nonna. The pasta is homemade and ever so tasty. Not unexpectedly, I gravitated towards the Arrabiata sauce and the waiter suggested pairing it with the Agnolotti. In the words of Trace Adkins, this dish was One Hot Mama! I loved every bite of this amazing homemade spicy sauce, which I think is laced with a little chipotle. If try to pass it off as your own at your next dinner party, which would be a huge hit, head over to Nonna's Gourmet website. Feel even better about yourself because all the proceeds go to charity.

Summer Reading

When I was little, there was nothing better than completing the library's summer reading list (Okay yes, I was a tad bit dorky back in the day AND yes, even back then I was obsessed with finishing my lists!) As I grew up, I got those awful required summer reading lists. One such summer I did a quick speed read on Tess of the d'Urbervilles. Big mistake, I missed the whole part where she got knocked up! Opps! Thankfully, I've since figured out how to speed read much better...thanks Uncle D!

Now that I get to pick me poison again, I love a little mix of chick lit and thriller. There's nothing better than sitting poolside, beach side, or just about anywhere soaking up some rays and losing myself in the frivolity of a good book. Since I've polished off the Twilight series (damn you imprinting!), I had to go on a hunt. Here's what is on my short list for the summer:

The Guernsey Literary and Potato Peel Pie Society: This one has been on my list for quite awhile. I'm slowly but surely working my way to #1 at the library!

The 8th Confession: This series is my absolute favorite from James Patterson, especially after Alex Cross started to freak me out!

Not Becoming My Mother: I love everything by Ruth Reichl. If you've never tried her stuff, start with Garlic and Sapphires. She's soo fab and each chapter ends with a delicious recipe! That's where I found the ever fabulous Channing Way Shrimp Curry.

The Lost Symbol: Okay it's not coming out until September, but man oh man I'm as excited to read this book as I am to see the next Harry Potter movie!

Got anything I'm missing?

Diva Delight

So I decided to add a new feature to the blog. It's cleverly named (thanks Ken!), Diva Delight. My first delight is the French Open. For me it's teaser that Wimbledon is just weeks away, but man I love me some tennis! Here's to hoping that Fed kicks his bad luck on clay and returns to the top of his game!