Friday, March 27, 2015

Life through Pictures



Happy Friday!!!!

I am always so pumped for Fridays aren't you??! 

Spring Life lately over here...

My amazing cilantro lime shrimp tacos 


saw this little guy coming home from a walk


walking in this beautiful weather...shadow selfie


this weather makes me want to literally grill everything!!! Grilled halibut :)


My favorite part of the weather is sitting on the back porch talking about nothing with him :) This is where we are every night around 6:30


Dressing for Spring!!!
shop shirt here
Peplum shirt: Nordstroms
Scarf Nordstroms


Celebrating Easter over at St. Thomas


Dinner fun at our house


Cannot wait to be in ATX next wknd with just Brandon and myself!!! He planned to take me away for a long wknd and I could not be more ready!!!




Those who workout together...get skinny together :) haha!


Monday, March 23, 2015

Cilantro Lime Shrimp Tacos




SPRING HAS SPRUNG!



I am typically never satisfied with the season, for example ; When it is summer and sweat is dripping down my back as I walk from the parking lot into the grocery store I am dying and cursing for winter and Christmas and hot chocolate!!! When winter is brutal and I cannot take my three year olds outside to play and we are stuck in the classroom all day I want to scream and make summer come back ASAP!!! Right now I am perfectly satisfied and happy that spring is here :) Spring also brings new recipes and outdoor back porch eaten' kinda weather!!!!!! Right??! 

This recipe is a spin off of my Garlic Lime Cilantro Chicken except I used shrimp..and I stuffed them inside a corn tortilla!! It was genius!!!! :) 

Try this recipe and you will be so happy that you did :) It will be a staple for Taco Tuesday I assure you!

Shopping List:

1 1/2 lb shrimp deveined
package of corn tortillas
bunch of chopped cilantro
cumin
cayenne
salt
pepper
olive oil
minced garlic
limes
butter
pico de gallo ( you can make your own, or just buy store bought)

Procedure

peel all tails off of your shrimp and place in a shallow bowl
season your shrimp with a few gluts of olive oil, generous pinches of salt and pepper, a few shakes of cumin , cayenne. fresh minced garlic, and chopped cilantro. Juice your limes and pour in the shrimp.
Mix well and let marinate for one hour in fridge. 

Once marinated, over a medium high skillet melt 1/4 stick of butter. Place your shrimp evenly in the pan and cook until pink ( be sure not to over cook!!!!!)
Warm your corn tortillas and spoon some shrimp inside and top with some fresh pico!

SOOO EASY!!!! :) 

Serving side suggestions:




Wednesday, March 11, 2015

Chicken Kabobs & Veggie Quinoa Salad



This dinner is seriously so delicious!!! It is also very healthy and calorie friendly :) I came across the idea on Pinterest and decided to tweak it to make it a little more south of the border :) I love spice! 
It FINALLY has been a beautiful day here in San Antonio so I told Brandon that we were lighting the gill and eating on the back porch! This dinner is so easy you will love making it all summer long :)

Shopping List

Three boneless skinless chicken breasts ( cubed into larger chunks)
one pineapple cut into chunks ( you can buy it pre chunked at the store)
one purple onion quartered and chunked
salt/pepper
olive oil
cumin
cayenne
lime juice
chopped cilantro
garlic salt


Quinoa salad:

one cup uncooked quinoa
two cups boiling water
veggies of choice ( I chose bell peppers, onions, and black beans)
avocado for topping

Procedure

Start by chunking your chicken and placing in a contained bowl. 
Add a generous amount of olive oil and the rest of the seasonings..chop the cilantro and mix that in as well. Mix all together and place saran wrap over the top and pop in the fridge for an hour.

Meanwhile ....

If your pineapple is not already cored and chunked do so now. 
Start by boiling your water and adding your quinoa. Pop in the onion , beans, and other veggies and cook until directions say done ( I always cook my quinioa in chicken stock because I find that it adds a nice flavor..I also pop a few gluts of olive oil in the pot too!!!)

Light up the grill!!!!

While the grill is heating start to assemble your Kabobs.
Start with the Chicken, then add the onion. and pineapple. repeat until all used up.
grill until finished. I Love to sweep a little bit of Robert Rothschild's Pineapple/Habenero sauce once the chicken are finished grilling.
Simply amazing!!!!!!!








Once the quinoa is done, serve it warm next to the kabobs!! Add a fun salad and dinner is set!!!!





Monday, March 9, 2015

March Goals




On Friday...

I skipped out of work happy and excited to start my 10 days of spring break! Then came the rain...and it is now Monday and it hasn't stopped....
Forecaster says it should be done raining by tomorrow but I AM TIRED OF THE RAIN. I feel like this crazy Texas weather has been nothing but absolutely crazy this year. Basically I have been Binge watching netflix and eating everything in sight..while also online shopping and sipping lots of warm tea.  I need some sun in my life. Needless to say I wont post a bunch of pictures of Brandon and I binge watching Netflix and lounging around..that would be boring.
What I will post though are my new and updated March Goals!!!! 





1. FINISH WHAT I HAVE STARTED!! I am really bad about starting a project and then letting my ADD settle in and completely forget about it. This March I plan to PAINT one of my little ugly desks laying around in the garage with Annie sloan paint and making it completely cute for my new office! I will post my one and only DIY on here because I am sure it will be comical.

2. Do more YOGA!! I think I stated this on my previous goal lists and I have attempted to get into the yoga thing but haven't made it a priority and haven't stuck with it. So I am going to at least try and take it three times a week.

3. Plan, Create, and decorate for this years Easter Party at my house!!! I am in charge of Easter and I have the cutest idea for a table scape..I have already purchased new spring dishes from Pottery Barn  you can shop them here . They come in a multitude of colors and are so perfect for a spring setting!! Love me some PB!

4. Research and Possibly register for a cooking course over the summer. Being a teacher ( yipee!) and the fact that I am not going back to work full time next year has allowed me to have some amazing free time!! However..idol time and free time are two different things in Callie's book. Idol time is when I have nothing to do but sit and stew over my anxieties, things I haven't gotten done ( you get the picture) Free time is when I FILL my empty time with great and fun things to do!!! Therefore over the summer when I am not working I think it would be AMAZING for me to register for a cooking course. San Antonio is home of the Institute for Culinary Arts :) I am thinking my readers may possibly benefit from this course as well!

5. Get the closets and drawers ORGANIZED! 
I did a post on organization which was great! However, it was just a tidbit of organization and this GF needs to have EVERYTHING organized.. Did I mention I also have OCD? :) I am talking drawers, closets, those annoying kitchen junk drawers where all your junk piles up. Yep I am taking charge and organizing. You should too!!!


and just for grins :)
A totally random pic of us because I think he is the BEST husband ever :) For real I am so lucky to have him.


Sunday, March 8, 2015

Fast and Easy Pasta Supper



Four Cheese Ravioli in Tomato Cream Sauce

This dinner is so simple that you can put it together in literally 5 minutes!!! Many times when I am tired or just not feeling like cooking I will pop some of this amazing pasta in the pot and boil it up, add a special cream sauce, toss with parmesan, and add a salad!!! Easy!!! You will love this dinner too!!





Shopping List:

one 20 Oz Package of BUITONI four cheese raviolis
one jar of tomato sauce of choice ( I use HEB brand Tomato Basil or Four cheese)
Shredded parmesan cheese
fresh parsley
Heavy Cream


Procedure

Bring a large pot of water to a boil with a few gluts of olive oil and a few pinches of salt. Once boiling add your raviolis ( should take about 5-6 mins) When the little raviolis start to rise to the top that means they are cooked!!!!

Meanwhile..

In a smaller pot pour your tomato sauce in and allow to warm..slowly add the heavy cream ( a glug or two) and stir together. ( Sometimes I add parmesan cheese and a little fresh basil or oregano to this sauce to fancy it up a bit!) 
Drain pasta and salt and pepper it. Mix with the yummy sauce and serve warm :) Garnish with fresh parsley and parm. Cheese. We always serve this dinner with a caesar salad!!

See how simple??!!!!


Thursday, March 5, 2015

My Favorite things for Spring 2015

 
 
Favorite Things
 
 
A list of some of my favorite things for Spring
 
 


Don't they scream spring?!! I have the nude, coral, and pewter but am loving the turquoise for spring and summer this year!!!
 
 

Halaya Agate Tassel Pendant
 
Gypsette CollarBaltic Tiles Bib
 
Any of these stylish and CUTE necklaces from Accessory Concierge :)
Shop here
 

 
These two perfect lipsticks from MAC..I think they are the perfect pink for your pout. MAC'S Noveu and Nicki Minaj. I have both and I LOVE them.
 
 
Gooseberry Patch's Summer Country Cook book is a must!! I collect Gooseberry patch cookbooks and absolutely love the summer versions where there are recipes on Grilling, Cold Salads, and fun appetizers.
 
Essies Spring 2015 nail polish collection. I love the pink and greyish purple. I paint my nails twice a week and cannot live without the Essie polish. This pack Is sold for 17$$ at Nordstrom! Click here to add a few spring colors in your shopping cart!
 
 
There ya have it..  just a few of my spring must haves that I love!!!!
 
 
 
 
Gilded Stone Arrowhead Pendant (more colors)