Birthday Weekend and a Summer Spaghett!!!!

I had such a Happy Birthday this year...It was great last year and usually is but it was just very sweet and special and I am grateful for my family and husband who made it that way!!! 

A few pictures from the weekend

Friday night we had our very first cooking class at Sur La Table...needless to say I may be taking a few of these over the summer with or without Brandon! It was so much FUNNNN!

Getting prepared #knifeskills

This is Brandon telling the teacher some ridiculously corny jokes. He thinks he is funny...

Saturday morning ( my actual B-day) Brandon brought me my favorite breakfast that I ask for every single year - Donut holes, Kolaches, and a Starbucks breakfast sandwich.  Hey its once a year people..

Starbucks in bed

Around 11:30 my mom and dad came into town..the boys ran Birthday Errands while the girls did this

:) relaxed, got massages, and ate yummy food by the pool. 

After we were done at the JW we got cleaned up and headed to the salon where we received BLOW OUTS! :) Here is mine.. I opted for beachy waves.

Right before our yummy dinner at Flemings. I am so grateful for him!

Birthday Girl!!!!!!

My dad bit the bullet and ordered the seafood tower in which was devoured in 5 minutes by the hungry beggars at the table!

And for dinner tonight its my...

Summer Spaghett!!!!

A quick and easy pasta supper that is light..and can be thrown together in five minutes!!!!

Caprese Chicken with Zoodles

Caprese Chicken with Zoodles

Yes you read that right...zoodles. Interesting word...think of it as the combination of Zuchinni and Noodles..:) Healthy and fabulous. Don't fret if you do not have a zoodle maker because you can totally swap out the zucchini for a spaghetti squash and make veggie noodles as well.

First off...invest in one of these you will totally love it!!!

This one is sold on Amazon for 14.99.  This is what I ordered and what I will be cooking with tonight :) Here are other options that have great reviews

Also sold on Amazon this one is hand held and even cheaper!!!! 8 bucks people!!!!

THIS ONE didn't have a picture but its William Sonoma..and I mean do I need to say more? I am obsessed with their products!!!

So why am I using a zoodler do you ask?? Well because I am limiting my carbs..and the zoodler allows your veggies to take the shape of pasta and trick you into thinking you are eating the bad stuff :) I think its such a great neat trick to eat an extra scoop of vegetables during meal times. 

Now for the dinner...

Shopping List

Three boneless skinless chicken breasts

olive oil

1/4 stick of butter

S&P

Dry oregano

Dry basil

garlic powder

red pepper flakes

balsamic vinegar

buffalo mozzarella cheese ( big slab)

Procedure

place your chicken on a baking pan and drizzle with olive oil

sprinkle seasonings on top and rub thoroughly to coat the chicken in the seasonings. 

on a pan of high heat drop the butter and allow to melt before placing each chicken in the pan. Only place chicken in the pan enough for it to brown both sides then place back on the pan and into a 400 degree oven for about 35 minutes. Searing the chicken locks in the flavor and keeps it really juicy while its baking in the oven :) Once the chicken is cooked ( no pink and only clear juices when pierced with a fork) place a slab of buffalo mozzarella on top and a few torn leaves of basil. Drizzle with a little more olive oil, S/P, and balsamic vinegar!

Since this is a new post and you may or may not have the zoodler yet I will leave that option up to you. I can also tell you that serving this chicken over a bed of Spaghetti squash or placed next to a caesar salad is absolutely amazing!!!!

Friday Favorites !!!

Happy Friday!! Praise Jesus I never thought this Friday would come any faster..seriously it has been a week!!!! #twoweekstil'summer but who's counting?? This Friday is our Mother's day Spring program at school and Brandon comes home tonight after a long two weeks of training:) It is a much deserved Friday. Today I am sharing some of my favorite things with you!!!

1.  

this book is one of the most inspirational books for women I have ever read. It is all about living in your faith and setting yourself free from worry and fear. Sound like something you might like..order it today!!! I start by reading my daily devotional in Jesus Calling, followed by the corresponding scripture in the bible and then finishing with a chapter of this book. It is so good!!!!

2. 

These cuteeeee shorts from Loft are among my favorite pairs to wear right now..and they are 40 percent off!! I got my loft shipment in from the big sale they were having last week. Check them out right here!!!!!!

3.       

This oil right here is a total must have for your face. I am all about using lotion on your face with a good SPF, however I found this at sephora and cannot stop raving about it. It prolongs wrinkles, moisturizes, and sets the tone for a dewy blowy look after you put your make up on. Oh and its NOT GREASY!!!! I love it!!! Try it :)

4.  Bath and Body works Lemoncello Candle is what my kitchen is smelling like at the moment. I love a fresh clean kitchen scent...and for me it's always something to do with Lemon :) I love all of their candles but the lemon cello, lemon mint, and plain lemon are my favorite.

5.  I am currently lusting over THIS POTTERYBARN BEDSPREAD I am planning to do POSSIBLY both guest rooms this summer:) and for one of the rooms this is totally what I am planning on doing for the linens. Maybe pops of yellow and coral?? I don't know I will have to stalk pinterest for some ideas...isn't it pretty?

Salsa Verde Chicken Tacos and Skinny Margaritas

In honor of today I figured I would post a south of the border kinda meal :) Because it is Taco Tuesday I decided to do my salsa verde chicken tacos. They are SOOO flavorful yet so easy because all you have to do is put them in the crock pot and assemble them when finished. Easy peasy. 

Shopping List

Three boneless skinless chicken breasts

chicken stock

 salt and pepper

cumin

cayenne

smoked paprika

salsa verde

corn tortillas

shredded jack cheddar

cilantro

onions and bell pepper sliced

Procedure

six hours before you decide to eat ( or before you go to work) place your chicken in the crockpot with a few gluts of chicken stock to keep them moist. next sprinkle on a generous amount of S&P, and the rest of the spices. top with the verde sauce and cover on low for 6-7 hours. After the time is up you can shred the chicken and mix in all the spices..let sit for a few minutes while you prepare the veggies.  Slice your onion and place it in a pan on med-high heat with a few drizzles of olive oil and butter.  Add your peppers and cook until nice and caramelized..add a bit of seasoning to them as well. warm up the tacos and stuff with the veggie mix, chicken, and top with jack cheddar and garnish with cilantro. I know its ridiculously simple.. and SO yummy!!!!

 

Skinny Marg

in a martini shaker squeeze the juice of 6 limes, one orange, add two shots of patron silver or just a few glugs..we all know we don't measure our tequila!! Add a few squeezes of agave nectar and shake over ice. Serve and garnish with a lime wedge...so refreshing and light on the calories!

Turkey Meatloaf Muffins

Happy Tuesday Everyone!!!

Today I am coming at you with a totally new spin on the boring old meatloaf...I have transformed the so called "loaf" into muffins!!!! This way they are portioned out and I can stick them in my lunchbox for lunch. They also freeze really easily!!!!!! I used turkey to keep things a little bit on the lean side however you can used 100 percent ground angus beef and they would be amazing. 

Shopping List:

two tubes 85 % lean ground turkey

one tube of regular pork sausage

fresh parsley 

1/2 cup shredded white cheddar

one egg

one cup breadcrumbs

1/3 cup ketchup

few gluts of worstechire sauce

salt/pepper

1/2 cup shredded carrot

1/2 cup chopped celery

1/2 cup chopped zucchini and squash

1/2 cup chopped onion.

greased muffin tin

two sweet potatoes peeled and chunked

Procedure

preheat oven to 350

In a bowl combine your tubes of turkey and about a third of the tube of pork

mix in your egg ( this is your binder) cheese, and bread crumbs...you can go ahead and season the meat the way you would like as well. I generously salt and pepper it.

Wash your hands and start sautteeing the veggies. In a pan over med. high heat start by adding a third of a stick of butter to warm the pan up then pour all of the veggies in and coat with the butter... add some salt and pepper. Cover and cook for about 7 minutes... once veggies are soft add the ketchup and worstechire. Coat well. Pour veggies into the meat mixture and mix well. add the parsley and fold in with your hands. Next place the mixture into the muffin dish filling the cups all the way to the top. Squirt a little more ketchup on top for good measure :) Im a ketchup freak. 

Stick the meatloaf muffins in the oven for a good 45-55 minutes. Mean while boil your potatoes until soft..add butter and salt and pepper and give them good mashing. 

Once your meat loaf muffins are done pull them out and they should slide out of the tin relatively easy ....top with the mashed potatoes and serve with a side of veggies :) Done!!!! aren't they cute?? I love cute food! 

Friday Favorites!!!!!!

Happy Friday!!!!!

& Greetings from H-town :)

I am currently sitting in my Hotel room sipping a latte' and eating my pancakes in bed. #donthateme

It has been a very relaxing two days!!! Husband is here for business and I thought I would tag along for fun and then meet up with him Friday night at our beach house :) So far there has been lots of napping, eating, and laying out by the pool happening up in here and I'm lovin' it. Today I am linking up with Mix and Match Mama and talking about my FRIDAY FAVORITES.  I have quite a few so get ready.

There is no recipe post today since I have been out of town, but this weekend at our beach house I am going to cook up my fabulous grilled shrimp summer salad so I will post that next week!!! Onto the favorites

1. 

OPI CONEY ISLAND COTTON CANDY: Must have polish for spring/summer..it looks so fresh and clean on your pretty nails :) I am wearing it right now!

2. LOFTS AMAZING SPRING SALE!!!! Everything is 40 % off right now and they have some seriously cute summer dresses.. I may have bought three..or six ...just saying'

seriously how cute..and such great prices!!!!!!!!! I am in love with the Paradise Henley Blouse paired with the cute emerald shorts. LOVE! click here to shop the sale :)

3. 

While on vacation here, I literally downloaded this book on my e reader and read it in four hours flat. This story is truly an amazing inspiring story of hope from three beautiful girls locked away like prisoners in a small neighborhood house by a man named Ariel Castro. The lifetime movie is premiering this Saturday and I for sure will be watching it. This story will bring tears to your eyes and will tear your heart to pieces but it encourages women and humans in general to never give up hope. No matter how dark your situation is, God is always with you and will never ever forsake you. The women that share this incredible story of faith are amongst some of the strongest humans I know and applaud them and look up to them for their courage. I strongly suggest everyone to read this!!!!!

4. 

The fact that I will be sitting here in a few short hours thrills me beyond belief. Although our beach in Texas is QUITE not this beautiful it's still a beach...and I am so beyond ready to taste that sweet salty air and sit in the sand with yet another good book :)

5. This magazine appeared in my mail box one evening and I have been getting their issues every month. NEW FAVORITE MAGAZINE ALERT. This magazine has 5 star restaurant quality recipes but are SUPER easy to make in the at home busy working person kitchen. I have cut a few clippings out and put them in my cute little self made cook book and plan to make my husband some FABULOUS dinners this summer while I'm not working :) OH I can just taste summer time :)

  

Spring Carrot Bundt Cake

This weekend was one of the nicest weekends I have enjoyed with family in such a long time!!!! I had an 80th birthday for my grandpa and all of the family came over to celebrate. I absolutely love hosting birthday parties ( or anything for that matter!) and  I got a little theme happy and customized special details like napkins that said "happy birthday pawpaw" in teal and silver, matching balloons, and special customized cookies from Lily's that went along with the theme. It was absolutely beautiful...however the one thing he insisted upon was his homemade carrot cake. I obliged to this request of course and created the perfect carrot cake!!! This is my own recipe so I hope you enjoy it!!!!

shopping list:

One box carrot cake mix

one box raisins

grated carrot ( about 1/2 cup)

one box vanilla pudding

one box cheesecake pudding

1/2 cup veggie oil

4 eggs

 1 1/4 cup water

1/2 stick butter softened

one package of creme cheese softened

almost two cups of powdered sugar

Mexican vanilla.

Procedure

In a mixing bowl combine cake mix, water, oil, eggs, and puddings...beat until smooth. Add in about 1/2 cup of raisins and fold in. Pour batter into a greased bundt cake pan and bake at 350 for 45 minutes. Then in a separate bowl add the butter, creme cheese and mix on high until creamed and smooth...slowly add in the powdered sugar little by little to thicken and form a nice paste..add the vanilla during this portion of the process too.  Once cake is cooled invert onto a cake plate and frost with the frosting...garnish with the grated carrot. AMAZING!