Monday, March 28, 2016

Easter Sunday...and a few extras :)



We had such a beautiful Easter Sunday with our family... I think this year was so special because we all know I have a little bunny in my tummy :) I can't wait to spend next year's Easter with my baby boy. The church service was beautiful and so was the company afterwards. I worked SO hard on my tables cape ( something I LOVE doing) and I think it turned out great! Easter is my given holiday so I try and always make it really special for everyone!!! Here are some pictures...


Here I am about to walk into my SEVENTH month of pregnancy...time is flying and to be honest I LOVE being pregnant :) I think I might have to do it again!


My Easter centerpieces were so easy to make. I went to hobby lobby and got the vases for 50 cents, tied a yellow ribbon around them, and hot glued the little butterflies. Then got my Tulips from Trader Joes' for 5 bucks! 


My nesting situation is in full force..if I am not organizing it, I am either online ordering something or rearranging furniture! My house has never been more organized or clean!! This is my newest online endeavor :) My rug really brightens up the space!


a few too many pictures of my table scape :)



My little pottery barn name place bunnies I got on sale last year!














Loving on our baby boy <3



I really did try hard to get a decent pic of my husband...he spilled water on his shirt so this is what I get.. 




The food!!!


The family!!!


The parents!













A little project I worked on!! I love #anniesloanchalkpaint




That was our Happy Easter!!! I am looking forward to my THIRD trimester and baby showers:) New springtime recipes will be posted soon!

Tuesday, March 8, 2016

Cilantro Lime Shrimp Tacos with a Mango Salsa



These tacos scream summertime!! This is actually one of my favorite recipes to make during the hot summer months because of all the yummy fresh ingredients that I usually grow in my garden. Just kidding I don't grow anything.. I kill everything. 

Anyways, I am ready for SUMMER!! Not just because my sweet baby boy will be here but because that is when all of my favorite veggies and fruits are in season and that my friends, is what makes all the difference when cooking!!!! 


Cilantro Lime Shrimp Tacos with a Mango Salsa



Shopping List:

One lb of shrimp- tails cut off, peels off, and deveined ( or you could just buy them that way...I choose to go the harder route :)) 

One cup of cilantro- rough chopped

Two Roma Tomatoes chopped and diced

One red bell pepper seeded chopped and diced
one large clove of garlic-minced

one Jalepeno- seeded chopped and diced ( to cut the heat put the pepper in an ice bath for about an hour before cooking with it)

1 purple onion chopped and diced

One mango- diced

One Avocado -diced

juice of two limes and some zest

Seasonings: cumin, cayenne, S & P, a little chilli powder, olive oil

Fresh corn tortillas

Procedure:

Start by preparing your mango salsa. In a bowl combine the diced mango, 1/2 or even 1/4 of your chopped purple onion, chopped Romas, bell pepper, 1/2 cup of the cilantro, Jalepeno-  seeded & chopped, Avocado, and the juice of one lime.  Mix together with your hands until nice and combined, throw in some salt and pepper and then pop in the fridge to let those flavors marinate for a while. 

Meanwhile start deveining your shrimp if you haven't already. In a medium bowl place the shrimp, the rest of the cilantro, a glug or two of olive oil, salt/pepper, - the rest of the seasonings ( to your taste), the juice of the second lime plus the zest, and the rest of the purple onion. 

Over medium high heat place two pats of butter and let it melt. Then throw your minced garlic on ( watch your garlic so it doesn't burn!!!!) when it starts giving off that yummy garlic smell, throw the shrimp with all the goodie with it into the pan and turn the heat down just a little. Usually my shrimp take about 2 1/2 -3 minutes per side to cook. Make sure they are PINK!!! We don't want to cook them to long or else they become rubbery.. and nobody likes that so babysit those shrimps!!! Once you are sure your shrimp is cooked then its time to build that taco!

Start with your corn tortilla, place some shrimp on them and top with some mango salsa that has been marinating in the fridge! Need some extra tang? Squeeze some lime juice on that sucker and then squeeze the rest in your Dos Equis!! ENJOY!









Monday, March 7, 2016

Over halfway there!!! Pregnancy update!!!

How far along:  22 weeks!!!
Total weight gain: 10 LBS
Maternity clothes:  Oh yes most definitely. 
Stretch marks: nope!
Sleep: Still getting up every night to go pee 
Best moment of this week: Spring break is on Friday and I am looking forward to relaxing with the family at our beach house
Miss anything: not really.. 
Movement: yes!! He moves mostly after meals or if I drink some sugary juice like OJ. I LOVE LOVE LOVE feeling my baby move!!
Food cravings: Frozen yogurt, anything sour, and cheeseburgers
Anything making you queasy or sick: My gag reflex is still pretty sensitive..so gross smells make me wanna throw up.
Have you started to show yet: Definitley rocking the bump...
Gender: Boy!!
Labor signs: nope to early
Belly button in or out:  its in but it looks flat like a pancake
Wedding rings on or off: On
Happy or moody most of the time: People and certain things def. annoy me a lot more...but I'm not sure if it is because I'm pregnant or because of my lack of cafffiene/ alcohol :) 
Looking forward to:  Just feeling him move more and more each week...also my baby showers in April and May!



Life Lately!!



Here is some of our life lately...




I have not had any "weird"cravings this pregnancy...the only thing I actually have to have like 3 times a week is Frozen Yogurt..this is a combo of Pink lemonade and Cotton Candy my two favorites at the moment...


switched out some ugly chairs and came up with this little combo on one side of my living room!! 


New pillows to brighten up the space!


Sunday at moms.. I love these boys :)!!!!


Another bumpie bc lets face it I LOVE my bump :) That sweet boy has me wrapped around his little finger already


We started getting the nursery together.. This is Jax's Honey ( my mom) hanging the sweet pics I ordered from Etsy!! They came in beautifully!!!


His new rug..bedding..and Moose monogram which is now hung above his crib! SO CUTE!



Headed to our spa day!


One happy pregnant lady about to get a back massage and facial!




My newest recipe.. Cajun chicken pasta!! Recipe up soon!!!



Thats it for life lately!

Friday, March 4, 2016

Hummus Crusted Chicken





Happy Friday People!!!


I am so ready for this weekend! My best friend Joanne comes in town, we have our annual St. Thomas GALA ( Silent and live auction benefitting my preschool that I work at), and its the last wknd before Spring Break..then I am off to the beach!! :) I tried an amazing recipe last night that I found off of pinterest.. I sadly didn't take any pictures because I didn't think it would be that great however I was wrong. It was wonderful!!! So I am going to share this super easy and very healthy recipe with you today!!! 


Shopping List:

two boneless skinless chicken breasts
one zucchini 
one squash
olive oil 
salt and pepper
one container of your favorite hummus
smoked paprika ( or regular paprika)
juice of one lemon


Procedure

Preheat your oven to 450 degrees
dice your zucchini and squash and throw them in a bowl. Combine salt and pepper and olive oil and toss with the veggies...then spread them out on a lined baking sheet.
meanwhile pat your chicken dry, lay it on top of the veggies and salt and pepper them both. Then take a good dollop of hummus and smear it over the top of both your chicken breasts. ( they should be covered) Then squeeze the juice of your lemon over the chicken and the rest of the veggies and top with smoked paprika. Bake for 25-30 minutes. Amazing flavor and so healthy!!!! 




** this is not my original picture, however this is what the dish will look like!!!


Enjoy!!!!