Sunday, April 27, 2014

Easter

Easter is by far our favorite holiday.  Dee Dee goes all out and pulls out all the bells and whistles for the Bunny!  I took off work on Friday and we all went to Chattanooga to see our family.  We also got to see our Huntsville family on Sunday.  It was a wonderful weekend filled with tons of food, presents and laughter!


We started the weekend off on Thursday night with treats from GrandBobby and Dee Dee!



We visited Mimi at her assisted living home and participated in a huge egg hunt!








This has to be one of the best pictures...ever!



So thankful we got to visit with our Mimi!


Saturday morning started off with egg dyeing in the kitchen!




We loved the pretty weather and enjoyed exploring Grand Bobby and Dee Dee's yards!





The girls loved all the one-on-one time they got with their grandparents!



We had at least 15 egg hunts in 3 days!



The Easter Bunny hopped over to East Main and brought the girls lots of goodies!


Katherine is ready to hit the courts!


Lish loved her new Minnie goggles....bring on summer!


Nothing makes me happier than everyone dressed up in their Easter best!








After church and a delicious meal compliments of Dee Dee, we all took it outside to enjoy the sun and of course, some more egg hunting!






The white jeans are out in full force now...woo hoo!  Happy Spring, y'all!

April Recipe Club


Caron's Honey Lime Shrimp


1 pound large shrimp, peeled and deveined
1/4 -1/2 cup olive oil
2 T -4T honey
juice of one small lime, or half a large lime (2-3 T)
zest of one small lime, or half a large lime
2 cloves garlic, smashed
1/2 tsp kosher salt
1/4 tsp black pepper
1/4 tsp red pepper flakes - more if you like it HOT

1.) In a large ziploc bag, combine all the marinade ingredients. When everything is well-combined, add the shrimp, squeeze as much air as possible out of the bag, and close it up. Place it in the fridge.
2.) Let the shrimp marinate for 30-60 minutes, flipping the bag around once or twice during that time, so that all the shrimp stay evenly covered in the marinade.
3.) When you’re ready to cook, take the shrimp out of the fridge and let them sit at room temperature for about 10 minutes. Heat a large skillet over medium-high heat; there is no need to add any oil or butter to the pan, as the marinade has enough oil in it to keep the shrimp from sticking to the pan. (If you would prefer to use the grill for these, you can thread them onto skewers and toss them on the grill at this point.)



Rhonda's Fruit Salad




Anna Kate's Pimento Cheese Twice Baked Potatoes


6 large baking potatoes, washed and dried
2 Tb olive oil
1 Tb kosher coarse salt
1/3 cup of soft butter
3 oz of soft cream cheese
1/2 cup sour cream
2 1/2 cups of shredded cheddar cheese - divided
1 4 oz jar of diced pimentos drained
1/2 tsp salt
1/2 tsp ground pepper 

Instructions:  Preheat oven to 350 degrees and line a baking sheet with foil.  Rub the potatoes with olive oil to coat skins, sprinkle with kosher salt. 


Dede's Baked Ziti


3/4 bag ziti noodles
1 lb. ground beef
1 package taco seasoning
1 cucp water
1/2 package cream cheese
1 1/2 cup shredded cheddar
rotel

Boil pasta until just cooked.  Brown ground beef and drain, mix taco seasoning mix and water with beef for 5 minutes.  Add cream cheese to beef mixture.  Stir until melted (add rotel here).  Remove from heat.  Put pasta in casserole dish.  Mix 1 cup of cheese with beef mixture and mix gently.  Top with cheese.  Bake for 350 for 30 minutes.



Jordan's Stuffed Shells


1 Box Jumbo Shells

Cheese Mixture
12 oz mozzarella cheese
3 C. ricotta 
3 eggs, slightly beaten
3/4 C parmesan cheese
1 t. salt
2 T. parsley (dried)
3/4 t. oregano
1/4 t. pepper

Sauce
2 lbs beef
1 sm. onion
1 Lg. Ragu (or your favorite spaghetti sauce)
1 sm. Ragu

Cook shells.  Cool with a colander in cold water.  Make spaghetti sauce.  Cook onion in meat.

Cover the bottom of a 9x13 casserole dish with spaghetti sauce.
Stuff shells with the cheese mixture.
Place stuffed shells in casserole in a single layer.
Spoon sauce over the shells.  You can save some to serve on the side.
Bake uncovered at 350 degrees for 35-40 minutes.
Makes about 40 shells so it is an easy recipe to share with others or freeze.  



Whitney's Cilantro Lime Rice


2 cups chicken stock {I used broth and it was fine}
1 cup Jasmine rice
1 large lime, juiced
2 garlic cloves, crushed
2 tbsp butter, cut into small cubes
1 pinch crushed red pepper
1 large handful fresh cilantro, chopped
Salt and pepper to taste

Cook rice according to package directions. While the rice is cooking, prepare and combine the rest of the ingredients in a bowl and set aside. Once the rice is finished cooking, add other ingredients and mix well.


Melanie's Broiled Salmon with Lemon and Olive Oil


4 (6-ounce) salmon fillets 
1/2 teaspoon salt
1/2 teaspoon coarsely ground pepper
1 teaspoon grated lemon rind 
3 tablespoons fresh lemon juice, divided 
2 tablespoons extra-virgin olive oil, divided 
1 teaspoon fresh or dried rosemary
Vegetable cooking spray 
2 cups hot cooked brown rice
4 cups arugula or uncooked baby spinach
Garnishes: lemon slices, rosemary sprigs 


Sprinkle salmon fillets evenly with salt and pepper.
Place fillets, lemon rind, 1 tablespoon lemon juice, 1 tablespoon oil, and rosemary in a large zip-top plastic bag. Seal and turn to coat. Chill 30 minutes.
Remove fillets from marinade, discarding marinade. Place fillets, skin side down, on a rack coated with cooking spray in an aluminum foil-lined broiler pan.
Broil fish 5 1/2 inches from heat 10 to 12 minutes or until fillets flake easily with a fork.
Arrange rice and arugula on a serving platter; top with fillets.
Whisk together remaining 2 tablespoons lemon juice and 1 tablespoon oil; drizzle evenly over fillets. Garnish, if desired.



Amy's Blueberry Corn Mini Muffins


Muffins
1 cup Yellow Corn Meal
1/2 cup All-purpose Flour
1 teaspoon Salt
1 Tablespoon Baking Powder
2 Tablespoons Sugar
1 cup Buttermilk
1/2 cup Milk
1/2 teaspoon Baking Soda
1 whole Egg
1/4 cup Shortening, Melted
1/2 teaspoon Vanilla
8 ounces, weight Dried Blueberries
Vanilla Butter
1 stick 1/2 Cup Butter, Softened
1 whole Vanilla Bean
2 Tablespoons Sugar

Preparation Instructions
Preheat oven to 400 degrees. Combine corn meal, flour, salt, and baking powder in a mixing bowl. In a separate bowl, combine buttermilk, milk, egg, and baking soda. Stir to combine. Add melted shortening, stirring constantly. Add vanilla extract, then stir in dried blueberries (you can use a little more or a little fewer if you'd like.)
Pour into a greased mini-muffin pan, trying to make sure blueberries stay evenly distributed. Bake for 10 minutes or so, or until golden brown.
To make the vanilla butter, combine the softened butter, the caviar from the vanilla bean, and the sugar. Stir until totally combined, then spread into a ramekin and serve with the warm muffins. (Butter can be made ahead of time and stored in the fridge.)




Lauren's Collard Greens


Bunch or bag of Collard Greens
Low Sodium chicken broth
3 slices of bacon
salt and pepper to taste
TBS of EEVO

Bring chicken broth, bacon and EEVO to a boil.  Add Collards and return to second boil. Then cover and simmer on low for 50 to 60 minutes.  Salt and pepper to taste.



Ashley's Bottega Salad


2 T fresh lemon juice
4 T olive oil
salt and pepper

Mix with arugula (spinach can be added) and top with shaved parmesan.



Virginia's Bunnytail Bonbons


1 1/2 (4-oz.) white chocolate baking bars, melted according to package directions
1 (8-oz.) package cream cheese, softened
3/4 cup crushed coconut cookies
1 tablespoon coconut rum or water
1/8 teaspoon kosher salt
Parchment paper
1 1/2 cups shredded coconut
Preparation

1. Beat chocolate and cream cheese at medium speed with a heavy-duty electric stand mixer until smooth. Add cookies and next 2 ingredients, beating just until blended. Spread in a parchment paper-lined 9-inch pie plate; cover and chill 2 hours.
2. Shape into 1-inch balls (about 2 tsp. per ball), and place in a single layer in a parchment paper-lined jelly-roll pan. Cover and chill 12 to 24 hours. Roll balls in coconut; chill 1 hour before serving. Refrigerate in a single layer in a container up to 1 week.
Note: We tested with Baker's Premium White Chocolate Baking Bar and Pepperidge Farm Sweet & Simple Coconut Cookies.



Sunday, April 13, 2014

I'm back!


So, I've been asked by several faithful blog followers to update the ole blog.  I apologize for being gone so long!  I'm going to update you on the last three months with a few pics and of course a few hashtags!


I turned the big 3-0 back in February...I celebrated with the family at Highland's.
#bucketlist #bestmealever


My parents surprised me with this custom cake from The Albertville Home Bakery...Nicole never disappoints!
#pink #monogram #peonies


I drug the fam out to The Collins (yes, you heard me right!) for a few drinks after dinner!
#momwasinshock #periodictable


We had an extra "winter break" this year the week of my b'day, so I spent a few days with Sister and the girls...our mom taught her well and she had this spread for me when I woke up!
#threepresents #oneforeachdecade


I celebrated the big 3-0 with work friends at El Barrio for a tasty brunch and then at Avondale for a few beers!
#trunksup



 Celebrated the upcoming nuptials of these two, Chase and Tricia!  Love them!  So excited they're finally tying the knot!
#elmorepartyoftwo


Had a reunion with my favorite ppl from Albertville...never a dull moment when we're together!
#threemusketeers #friendssincebirth


My homies!
#wehaventchangedmuch


I learned that my BFF was PREGNANT!!!
#cantwaittobeanauntagain


Used a little birthday money and bought these new pillows for my couch from Stock and Trade!
#obsessed #thankyouToriforintroducingustoStockandTrade


Received the heartbreaking news that my friend Alex had been diagnosed with Stage 2 Hodgken's.
#prayerwarrriorsforAlex 


Doodle-Bug started her spring soccer season!
#MiaHammintraining


I occupy the Lish at most of the games!
#pinkpower


Kinzi joined the club and turned the big 3-0!
#theyearofthirty


I found out that the Kardashians had gone to Soul Cycle in Beverly Hills...Sister and I were just there in January at the same studio.  
#OMG #OOC #wesawnoonefamousthere #wouldhavediedifwehadseenthem #soucycle #kardashians #ihaveherjacket



In March, I met up with Bailey, precious William and Allison for a walk at Railroad Park!
#heisanangel 



Erica and I redid our bulletin board for The Nest!
#owls #readyforspring


The fam went to our beach house for Spring Break!
#thirdrow #frozen 


A trip at the beach is never complete without a dinner at Bistro!
#prosecco


GrandBobby and DB!
#theyareobsessedwitheachother


The Lish never gave us a dull moment!
#suchapistol #loveher


DB is obsessed with collecting things...she was so proud of this marble from Greyton Bar & Grill.
#shesgrowinguptoofast


We introduced Libby to one of our favorite places...Starbucks, or as I like to call it, Starby's!
#weneededcaffeine


Love a cup with my name on it!
#theyspelleditright #sugarfreecaramelsoylatte


We love a dinner at George's and then pictures afterwards!  
#toowindy #lovemygirls



Sister and her girls!
#stylinmom


In April, I showed up to go to K's soccer game and we were dressed the same!
#twinsies #greatmindsthinkalike


Last week, my classroom and the entire Nest flooded.
#OMG #imanomad #smellsawful



Erica and her mom made me this ADORABLE pillow for Easter...I LOVE it!
#theyaresupercrafty #ilovebunnies #igetitfrommymomma


Jessica turned the big 2-9 and we celebrated out on the patio at Brio!
#greatnight #loveher #cheers



Ok, so that sums up the past couple of months.  I promise to try and keep the blog updated! 


 
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