um, where to begin

So, I'm still alive, if anyone had their doubts :) and have a ton (as usual) to post about.
The fashion show was great and there is an article up here about my designs! I won a serger as a "Critic's Choice" prize and can't wait to get it threaded up. I'm working on getting pics together but there are a few good ones in the Fashion Nashville article.
Summer is here, so I am out of school for a bit and trying to deal with ninety degree days. Just repeat, I love Nashville, I love Nashville, I love Nashville and eat a popsicle...most days it works. We have enjoyed some time with friends on our new-ish apartment's deck. Thankfully on those days we had some relief from the heat.
One way we have been trying to beat the heat is to eat salads for dinner. I have a couple of recipes, no glossy pics though, for some things we have enjoyed.

Tropical Chicken Salad Lettuce Wraps with Spicy Broccoli Slaw

2 cups shredded cooked chicken breasts
1/4 cup diced red onion
1/4 cup diced celery
3 tablespoons chopped green onion
1/4 cup chopped macadamia nuts ( at our local grocer they have them in a little 1/2c bag pre-chopped)
1 clove garlic finely minced
1/2 cup diced pineapple (you can use fresh or canned-if you use canned drain the pineapple first)

Combine the ingredients above in a medium sized bowl.
Pt 2...the dressing

1/2 cup plus 2 tablespoons light mayo
2 teaspoons dijon mustard
1 tsp celery salt
1 tsp chili garlic sauce (comes in a jar with a green lid and a rooster on the front)
Juice of 1 lime
a pinch of...
cayenne pepper
tarragon
thyme
oregano
and salt and pepper to taste

Combine dressing and pour over chicken mixture. Combine thoroughly with a spoon.

Spicy Broccoli Slaw

One bag (12oz I think) broccoli slaw with shredded broccoli hearts, red cabbage and carrots.
1/4 cup mayo
juice of two limes
1 teaspoon dijon mustard
1 tablespoon honey
1 teaspoon seasoned rice wine vinegar
2 teaspoons chili garlic sauce (same as used above) (this makes a medium hot slaw, if you like spicy add 1 tablespoon instead)
salt and pepper to taste

Combine dressing ingredients and pour over slaw. Let rest for about thirty min. in the fridge before serving. Or, if you are impatient like me, eat it right away :)

So serve this dish on a large platter with washed and dried leaves of bibb or boston lettuce, the chicken salad and the broccoli slaw. Pile a bit of each onto a piece of lettuce, wrap and eat. This goes really well with sweet potato fries on the side.

The next recipe is for a great, EASY, summer fruit dessert.

Fresh Peach Sauce over Vanilla Ice Cream

6 peaches, diced
1 tablespoon sugar
2 tablespoons Amaretto Liquer
A pinch of ground clove

Combine all ingredients and let rest in the refrigerator all day. Serve about 1/4 cup of peach sauce over a serving of really good vanilla ice cream.

I'll be back soon with a big update...for now enjoy your weekend!