Inspiration.

I am always so inspired by beautiful writing. I absolutely love reading blogs or books where words just capture my senses and make me feel like I am living and breathing an author's story. As many books as I delve into each summer or read while staying up late in my office I can say with a full heart that there is not a story on my bookshelf that houses more beautiful imagery or truth than the word of my savior. As I was reading my morning devotional these beautiful words struck me and I am just in awe of what a beautiful author Jesus really is. Through his death he wrote our story and because of him we can use our stories to inspire. I was inspired this morning by these words;
 " By the word of the Lord were the heavens made, their starry host by the breath of his
 mouth.
He gathers the waters of the sea into jars, he puts the deep into storehouses.
Let all the earth fear the lord; let all the people of the world revere him. For he spoke, and it came to be; He commanded, and it stood firm"

I don't have any followers(except my mom..thanks mom!) but just maybe one day I will inspire someone to cook something they never would have thought to make for their family. Thank you Jesus for being such an inspiration to us all!

Weekend Happenings in the SA!

This weekend went by way to fast maybe because it was so nice and relaxing! I just love a weekend :) Brandon's parents came to visit the house for the first time so we enjoyed the past two days shopping, cooking, coffee drinking, and fixing things. See, my father in law is kind of the ultimate Mr. Fix it. A leaky faucet, a running toilet, and hanging T.V. cords that need to be drilled and dropped into a wall are a few chores problems  EASY FIXERS that just put a little more pep in his step. The desire just sparks inside of him and then the glorious words seep out of his mouth " I'll fix that!!" Its kind of a dream and its even more awesome that he LOVES to do these things..its not a chore.. its a passion!! Sadly however that super jean that did not exactly find its way to my husbands DNA.  So anytime Doug comes to visit our house feels pretty much like brand new!!! This weekend we spent some time at La Cantera and The Quarry.. pretty much my homes away from home:)  but the best part about the whole trip was that Doug The Fixer fixed up my pretty homely cabinets with some new cabinet handles and made them sparkle and shine!!!

 

Us before our big day of shopping :)

 

My new MK glasses from my man!

 

fixing at its finest

 

They look pretty!!!!!!

 

Church day on Sunday :)

Jalepeno Popper stuffed Snapper with Orange Marmalade Sauce

So you can probably figure by my last post and now this one that I am kind of obsessed with snapper. Even better than that, I am kind of obsessed with awesome neighbors who share their fresh caught snapper with this girl and her husband!! WHOO!! It's SO good. The contrast between the jalapeño and marmalade are the perfect combo of sweet and spicy!  Every Sunday I make a big Sunday dinner for Brandon and myself and usually our next door neighbors or whatever friends we invite over.. my kitchen is literally always open!!! This Sunday I was looking for something to make that was interesting and different but I was craving fish! So when my friend gave me this recipe I had to have some. It was devoured in minutes. WINNING. For this appetizer recipe you will need the following:

two filets of snapper ( you can also use any firm clean white fish of your preference EXCEPT TILAPIA)
oyster sauce
orange marmalade
soy sauce
candied jalapeños (or sweet and spicy ones)
WHIPPED cream cheese

Directions:

Horizontally slit your fish all the way down without cutting through the skin ( kind of like making little pockets..make sense?)
next slice your jalepenos into slivers( make sure you slit them to where they can be lenghthy and fit into the slots)
pour a little juice from the peppers over the fish to juice it up and give it some spicy flavor!
then spread the fish with cream cheese
*
in a bowl mix together 1/4 cup marm.
1/4 cup oyster sauce
two table spoons soy

and finally pour the marmalade mixture over the fish

bake at 375 for 20 minutes

the fish will flake and you can serve with crackers..DELISH

Snapper Tacos & creamy cilantro sauce

The weather has been so beautiful in San Antonio lately so I was inspired to make one of my favorite summer dishes. Normally all through the summer we are at my family beach house just lounging around and fishing or laying out. My dad always catches fresh fish and shrimp and makes the best tacos! Lucky for us our next door neighbor recently came back from a successful fishing trip with some FRESH snapper!!!! Even better then that news was that they shared some with us!!!!!

I make fish tacos of all different kinds however my favorite are snapper. If you don't have an ocean in your backyard to catch fresh delicious snapper from you can just go get some tilapia, halibut, or mahi mahi- these all make great tacos.

For the cilantro sauce you will need:

bunch of cilantro
8 oz of cream cheese
16 oz of  sour cream
one jalapeno pepper-(diced and seeded)-unless you like super spicy
two packets of the hidden valley ranch seasoning

place all of the ingredients in a food processer and process away!!!!!

It will look something like this

 

 

 

 

Next

 

 

Pico de gallo ( I really hope I am spelling * GIYO right)

 

one large tomato-chopped

1/2 cup chopped onion 

small bunch of cilantro chopped

2-3 limes juiced

salt/pep

jalapeño pepper-optional

 

place ingredients in a shallow bowl and squeeze the lime juice over then place in the refrigerator so it can marinade while you cook the rest of your dinner

 

*** I also make a small bowl of guacamole but will not include the recipe since everyone has their own way of making it

 

SNAPPER TACO TIME:

 

two large snapper filets or any fish of your choice

Seasoned with salt, pepper, and either lemon pepper or a seafood rub

Juice of one large lemon

pre cut cabbage for the tacos

Bake in the oven at 375 for 13 minutes OR my personal favorite is to grill them on the grill either or works great

 once the fish is cooked and flaky take it out of the oven and place on some delicious homemade corn tortillas and top with the pico, cilantro sauce, cabbage, and guacamole!

 

TADA!!!!

 

Oh and a beach pic..because I am really missing the beach right now

 

 

DELICIOUS!



Crockpot Chicken Taco Bowls

I LOVE me a crockpot!!!! If you are working all day or busy with errands and don't have time to chef it up in the kitchen for a big ole' meal then your  new best friend is the crockpot. I cook approx. 2 dinners a week in this thing simply because its easy and I love the way my meals turn out! Chicken taco bowls are a  yummy Mexican and low carb bowl to make starting with:

four boneless skinless chicken breasts
two cans of black beans
1/2  cup of frozen corn
one jar of salsa-I use pace medium
cumin
chili powder
cayenne pepper
salt/pep
one clove of minced garlic
cilantro for garnish
shredded Monterrey Jack cheese

Directions:
Simply place the chicken on the bottom of the crock pot-it doesn't matter if they are frozen or not
then add the beans and corn and pour over the chicken
pour the jar of salsa over
add the spices ( I typically add about two tspns of each however you can always add more)
add the garlic

place on low ( if not frozen)
place on high( if frozen)

for about 6-8 hours

once its done the chicken will easily shred with a fork and you will have a yummy delicious taco bowl!!!

garnish with my fave CILANTRO, some monterray jack cheddar, and hot sauce :)

* I apologize for my not -so -pretty- food picture.. I forgot to snap a picture and I had already begun eating my food!

25 things

1. I am obsessed beyond obsessed with candles. There is always one burning in my house and they are ALWAYS seasonal. Never will a pumpkin candle be burnin' in April!

 

2. I may or may not have eaten a pint of ice cream today..the chocolate peanut butter kind..

 



3. Cooking soothes my soul. I live and love to be in my kitchen:)

 

4. I thought I had it all figured out before I got married

 

5. I don't and I like it better that way

 

6. My husband is the most patient and loving man in the world. HE has truly taught me what it means to be faithful and that is why god blessed me with him. Not a lot of people see that side of him.. he reserves it for me :)

 

7. I want a boy and a girl and I have the CUTEST names for them ever..and hopefully they have Brandon's precious baby curls.

 

8. I am a mama's girl

 

9. I started this blog so that I could quit annoying people with my food posts on Instagram

 

10. I don't have any followers but that's okay this is my secret little outlet to boast about all of the delectable recipes I make!!!!!

 

11. I could be a professional shopper. Hire me. Please.

 

12. I was blessed with an amazing neighbor who has become one of my best friends. She is also Cuban. And spicy. watch out ;)

 

13. The beach is my happy place. A book and my toes in the sand is just about the best medicine ever!

 

14. I met Brandy In spin class xoxo

 

15. He hates that I call him brandy... but it stuck..and now my family refers to him as brandy too! Sorry Brandy!

 

16. I love to workout!

 

17. I suffer from anxiety. God, my husband, and my family have helped me through so many anxious times. I have grown so much stronger and more faithful in the process of dealing with this. I am thankful in a way because it has drawn me so much closer to my savior.

 

18. Mine and Brandon's next really big trip is Californiaaaaaa Napa, Disneyland, and the Orange County:) ..wont be for another two years though.

 

19. I pick my clothes out every night. Even if I have nowhere to go the next day it makes me feel better knowing I know what I am wearing. I know. OCD.

 

20. I am writing this blog while simultaneously writing an essay while simultaneously replying to an email about another preschool job.

 

21. I had a rustic princess wedding. My mom and dad are pretty much the best ever!

 

22. I have a feeling this summer is gonna be one of the most amazing summers yet!

 

23. I really want a clarisonic..really bad..

 

24. We are having Mexican chicken taco bowls tonight

 

25. I think my mom will be the only one to read this post. I love you mom thanks for supporting my foodie blog!!!!

 

 

Skinny Baked Brie Bites

If you are anything like me you absolutely positively LOVE AND ADORE a girls night:)
Girl talk, wine, food, more girl talk, more wine, and more food... what isn't fun about that? I feel like a girls night is a much needed social event in every girls life. I recently started our monthly girls night with all of my favorite girls that I met at church! Each girls night is themed and every member contributes in some way. For example.. last girls night theme was pinterest pot luck supper and it was at my house :) we all brought one dish that we homemade from a recipe from pinterest. The fellowship and food was so wonderful! My skinny brie bites were such a hit! and very easy to make for any occasion

Ingredients:

phyllo shells
one wedge of brie
craisin cranberries
chopped pecans or walnuts
honey

Directions:

In a small bowl mix together the cranberries, chopped nuts, and two tspns of honey

Cut your wedge of brie into thumb size bites and place inside the shell

spoon a small amount of the mixture onto each brie bite

bake at 325 for 8-10 minutes

serve immediately

ENJOY!