Lately

Happy Monday lovelies! Have y'all recovered from your Super Bowl food coma?  I'm moving a little slow today but that's ok for a Monday right?

We visited my friend, Amber this morning for her Matilda Jane trunk show.  I just love this company so much.  Not only are their clothes beautiful, they are so comfy and well made.

This outfit was from last fall's collection, but this Spring is just as beautiful.  So colorful and so much attention to detail.

I love the versatility of their women's pieces too.  Not going to lie, 75% of the time you'll find me in their big ruffles or finns.

Hank is not much of a fan of shopping.  Or venturing out of the house when its below 30 degrees out so we went to Starbucks afterwards for a nice little reward. And I might be shamelessly stalking every store in town for the new A + O mugs.

He picked out his cake pop and said "Mommy, how I eat this?"  I told him he had to bite and he bit the whole thing off and replied "All gone."  I love that boy.

We had a very low key weekend as usual.  We cooked and I did a little reading.

What are y'all reading now?  I'll keep you posted on how this one turns out.

And speaking of cooking, its not Super Bowl weekend without some guacamole, right?

We always use The Pioneer Woman's recipe and its so so good.

Carsyn finally started ballet again last week and she absolutely loved it.

I'm so proud of my little tiny dancer!

And you can tell Hank is too!

Cheers to a great week ahead friends!

Wednesdays are for catch up!

Here I am catching up...again.. Bear with me folks.  I hate to bore you by saying I'm in a blogging rut. BUT. I'm in a blogging rut.  I struggle with writing to vent and writing to enjoy vs. writing as a means of a digital scrapbook.  Regardless, here's what's going on.

W and I went to Keeneland to meet up with friends Saturday.  We all know W has discovered the blog, but I think it bores him and he doesn't read anymore.  So now I can say my hubby is pretty darn cute, right?

..Even when he can't remember where we parked the car.  (Don't mind me using that situation as a great photo opp...clearly it was funnier if you were there).

 

It was SO cold Saturday. I spent an hour in my closet Friday night putting outfits together and still didn't really come up with a winner.  I really wanted to break out a sundress and thought about wearing one with a cardigan, but decided against it. Here's what I went with.

 

I spent most of the day shivering like an idiot with my scarf used as a shawl.  I think W had a good time catching up.. we had not seen Kevin in 4 years!

I got in major cleaning mode and got my front porch ready for Spring.  We actually got egged on Easter Sunday and I needed to do some major scrubbing....And yes, apparently my hilljack neighbors think Easter is a reason to celebrate by egging homes in the neighborhood.  (And since I am guilty of hashtagging conversations...#getmeouttathesticks)

I could not find any pretty ferns, but I'm hoping this hydrangea will last a while- they're my favorite!

So if you drive by this summer you will likely see my butt parked right there sipping my morning coffee or evening wine.

Speaking of wine,  this is my new favorite.  I'm not a huge white wine fan, but I do prefer it during warm weather.

 

Its also a little more friendly on the wallet than Cakebread ;)

 

Little man is a chewing machine...We go to the park a lot and he loves to gnaw on the swing.  Thank goodness that's completely sanitary..

 

 

And...a pinterest recipe that's actually good.  I think I have a version of this pinned, but I tweaked it a little.  This is closer to what I used.  Creamy Italian Chicken

 

 

 

What I Have Learned From My Grandma

Heaven gained an angel recently as my beloved grandmother joined my grandfather. Ado was such a classy lady; An amazing cook and an even more amazing mother and grandmother. Words can't do her justice really. After I graduated college I returned home to work for my dad who lives next door to my grandma. My mornings would be spent over coffee and banana bread listening to her words of wisdom. Sound a little too idyllic? It was. Too bad I didn't realize what a gift I had.

Maybe you've heard some of these before, but maybe not. I'll even include a recipe for her cranberry salad.

* True friends don't care if your house is dirty or messy. They're there for your company. And if they do think or say something of it they're not your true friend anyway.
(Somehow she always told me this, but her house is always spotless and perfect..hmmm.)

* If you're a hound dog, be a hound dog all the time. I think she means no one likes someone two faced. I'd rather you be an evil witch all the time than have an alter ego.

* If you REALLY want something you'll find a way to get it. Life's about choices..choose wisely and you'll get everything you wish for.

* Never, ever try out a new recipe on guests.

* Also, never tweak a recipe until you've made it once.

* Glasses make just dandy biscuit cutters. (And rolling pins if necessary)

* Marshmallow creme is the secret to a good meringue.

* Store bought eggs will never make a fluffy cake like farm fresh ones. (Yes, I was spoiled and had fresh eggs up until a few years ago)

* Get up, get showered, and get dressed for the day. It doesn't hurt to put in a full days of house work, or whatever "dolled" up. And you're ready for unexpected guests too!

* Even a barn looks better painted. Ha-I think she might have stole this from someone else.

* Though she never said it I don't think I ever saw her wear pants to church. I still can't. Sundays if I'm in church I"m in a dress or skirt.

* Everyone should put out their own garden, even if its a little one or a tomato plant in a bucket.

* Always overcook and overdress. You never want to be under dressed for an occasion or even worse, run out of food.

* Always ask anyone who enters your home if they'd like anything to drink.

* Cook for your friends! Or the plumber who came and rescued your kitchen sink.

* Good chicken and dumplings start with a fresh hen. (Sorry, but gag-can't do this one)

* A new outfit is the best confidence booster!

* It doesn't take a whole lot of time to pick up everyday, but it will take FOREVER if you let things pile up for a week. Funny, I always think of her when I throw my clothes on the floor.


Ado's Cranberry Salad

Prepare 2 small boxes of raspberry jello according to box directions. Place in refrigerator to begin setting.

Place in a food grinder- 1 bag cranberries, 1 orange (unpeeled and sliced), 1 lemon (unpeeled and sliced). Set aside.

Mix together 3 cups of sugar and 1 large can crushed pineapple (undrained). Stir in 2 cups of chopped pecans.

Once jello begins setting mix all together. Refrigerate overnight.

Calling All Tuna Lovers!

Its no secret I LOVE tuna...could live on spicy tuna roll and Subway tuna salad. I started making this tuna dip back in high school after a friend's mom and dad loaned me the recipe. I still think of her every time I make it.

Ingredients needed:



(of course any white wine will work...pregnant momma just didn't want to uncork a bottle for a few tablespoons)

The finished product:





(just wanted you to see the consistency)

Tuna Pate'
(5) slices of bacon
(2) 8 oz cream cheese
(2)7 oz canned tuna, drained (I prefer chunk light in water)
(2) tablespoon white wine
(1) tablespoon soy sauce
(2) tablespoon lemon juice
(1) tsp chopped dill
(2) tablespoon chopped parsley

Prepare bacon and crumble

Beat together next 6 ingredients.

Stir in parsley and bacon reserving some bacon to sprinkle on top

Serve with crackers of your choice

What I'm LOVING!

 

Baby Hot Browns

What are you loving now?

Catch Up..

Folks, I need an intervention. Seriously...technology is kicking my tail. I just realized I've sent like 500 tweets. Between tweeting and blogging I feel like my life is spent on a computer, ipad, or iphone. Sheesh, I have a child to raise-and a job to do!! I'm actually glad at times my facebook was hacked. I try to follow those who follow me and comment back and answer questions (I'm from the South, we call that courtesy) but at times its overwhelming. That being said here's a few things I'm catching up on.


I made these chicken salad croissants this week. The recipe is posted here. Many people tell me they love my chicken salad and its so easy..





We had Carsyn's 1 year photo shoot this week and I got a little dressed up hoping to capture some mother/daughter moments. Carsyn was having none of that so we'll just have to wait another year for that mommy/daughter moment. Thanks for your comments on the outfit though ladies!






I was happy to get my 8 month session canvas hung. My SIL & BIL got Carsyn that blue outfit and its probably my favorite session yet.






Lastly, thanks for the recent sweet comments. I WISH that were my front porch! That picture was taken at my MIL & FIL's new home-which is gorgeous by the way. Please read their story here. Anyone who knows me would know my front porch would not have mums that gorgeous. My mums are already dying..see..







and Laura, those are my Coach old faithful boots...I was afraid to wear the Fryes to a pumpkin painting party ;)

Hope that answered some questions ladies!! Please bear with me as I'm getting Carsyn's first birthday photos organized. Here's a little peek at the birthday girl..

Static

My mind is such a full mess right now! There are a MILLION things I need to be doing and I feel like I'm always behind. I start each week writing down all the tasks I need to do and feel so overwhelmed. My house is a disaster,my hubby rarely gets a home cooked meal, and I'm so grouchy I can't stand myself.

Fall has always been my time of year. Some say its a spiritual time, or a time of renewal and I kind of like that. I like the fact that summer is over and I can sip warm drinks and curl up under a blanket. I like to look outside and see the leaves dying and the dew dripping off the colors of autumn. I like the chill in the air. I'm hoping the calmness of the weather outside will somehow put me in that same calm state.

I went to church yesterday morning and honestly didn't comprehend a word the preacher said. I set there completely annoyed at myself for letting the noise in my head interrupt this time. I guess I can partly blame that on it being baby girl's first time in the church nursery. (Luckily she LOVED it). I don't know why I let little things like mounds laundry and cleaning to do get inside my head. Reschedule pictures, get windows cleaned, cut back trees, clean out closets, put up baby stuff.....its never ending. Its like I need an off button to turn down the static. While I had hoped the church service would help me clear out the junk I think I finally succeeded during my evening run. Before mile 1 I was already feeling better. As the gravel crunched under my feet and Bruce sang about lonesome days I begin to think clear thoughts. I think I'm going to make it a point to get back to running at least 3 days a week. And yes I'm aware of the fact I say this every week or two! My mom always said when she walked she thought and I guess I'm just like her. Running=therapy :)

Thankfully, the hubby and Carsyn had daddy/daughter day and I also worked some outside. I always feel better when I accomplish even small tasks, but I'm going to try to relax more also. Speaking of relaxing we had a very low key Saturday. We went to my MIL & FIL's house to watch the cats play. I might have fallen asleep during the 4th qtr. We lost, but part of the fun is getting dressed up in KY gear and cooking, don't you think?















I made 3 appetizers dishes and they turned out pretty well. Do y'all have a great buffalo chicken dip recipe? I keep tweaking mine!







Well, my goal for this week is to lose the grouchiness...wish me luck!

Family Favorite Recipe

When I was in college I was lucky enough to live with my big sister who spoiled me rotten. She always cooked homemade meals for me and my favorite all time meal she cooked was Chicken Crescent Rolls. I'm not where she came up with the recipe but I fix them a lot as they are now my hubby's favorite.

Chicken Crescent Rolls



-

1 lb boneless chicken tenders
2 tbsp chopped celery
2 tbsp chopped onion
4 oz cream cheese
3 tbsp butter
2 containers Pillsbury crescent rolls
Salt and pepper(to taste)

Cook chicken with celery and onion until chicken is done-drain and transfer chicken and veggies to plate
Chop chicken into bite size pieces and add cream cheese and butter while chicken is still warm (I have found that the listed amount of cream cheese and butter are the perfect combination but feel free to alter to suit your taste)
Sprinkle chicken mixture with salt and pepper and set aside
Spread crescent rolls on baking sheet but leave them in squares instead of dividing- I think most containers include 8 crescents so this would be 4 squares per container.
Spoon chicken mixture onto squares and fold corners to meet.
Bake at 350 for 15-20 minutes.

We serve ours with mashed potatoes.

Of course no meal is complete without mommy's little helper..

Baby its Cold Outside

Its been a bit chilly here in KY and there's nothing more I'd rather do than snuggle up with baby girl, but I'm still trying to get all of my decorations up. She's been very good about keeping herself entertained...



and taking nice long winter naps....



Cold weather always gets me in the mood for certain foods and 2 of my favorites are Chicken Casserole and Potato Soup. My SIL makes the best potato soup, you should try it!

As far as chicken casserole my favorite is from Paula Deen:


Pats Almond Chicken Casserole:

3 large boneless chicken breasts or 8 tenders
1/2 c almonds-(I prefer slivered)
1/2 cup chopped celery
1 can cream of chicken soup
1 can cream of mushroom soup
1 can cream of celery soup
1 cup sour cream
3 envelopes of ritz crackers, crushed
1 1/2 sticks butter, melted

Cook chicken then chop into bite size pieces
Toast almonds
Combine chicken, almonds, soups, celery, and sour cream in a bowl- add salt and pepper to taste
Pour into greased pan
Combine crackers and butter and pour on top of casserole
Bake at 350 approximately 30 minutes or until bubbly

What's going on

I don't know about y'all but things are busy, busy here! This weekend we had our Christmas pictures done and things went much more smoothly than I thought..Carsyn definitely had a few crying spells, but she finally tuckered out and I think the perfect sleepy picture got captured.

I am never one to rush the season- I hate that Christmas is forced down our throats before Halloween is over and I never put up a tree until after Thanksgiving, but with baby girl I take all of the free time I can. So this weekend Carsyn did this....


**Yes, she might be a bit blurry because that swing was cranked up full force..and yes that is a big turkey on her onesie!!

and I did this....


Now I can focus this week on the big tree I put up in the living room and a few others....

and this..


Seriously, I think that is probably the non-sexiest pantry I've ever seen!! We're such boring people..can you spy multiple bottles of hot sauce and A1?? I guess that's a total indication that the hubby has been doing about 90% of the grocery shopping, huh?

This year is a little sad for me because I'm just not sure how we are going to spend time with everyone for Thanksgiving. Usually for Thanksgiving I help my family cook so I spend a great deal of time at moms while Shane goes to his family. With baby girl we are trying to make the rounds everywhere and I just don't know how. Does anyone have a great plan on how to divide time between your and your spouse's families??

Always before the Friday after Thanksgiving we stay at home and watch Christmas movies and decorate the house. This year I'm super excited that my in laws will be moving into their new home. Their home burnt down just days before Christmas last year. I think we'll be able to do our decorating Saturday and Sunday as I'm really looking forward to getting them in their new home- Its gorgeous and I hope to post pics soon..to see the progress you can always check out my SIL's blog.

In the next month we will be celebrating is my SIL's birthday, my aunt's, my 2 cousins, my mom's, my sister's, my grandma's and my and Shane's 10 year anniversary!! I was hoping we would take a weekend trip, but between all of the birthdays, Carsyn's sip and see, and his company Christmas party I think our weekends are booked.

Some people have been asking for my chicken salad recipe and I'm happy to post it. I adapted it from the Johnny Fleeman's honey mustard dressing bottle. My husband and sister refuse to eat anything with mayo so I'm always excited to find recipes for dishes that traditionally use it and have a substitute.

Hawaiian Chicken Salad

(3) 10 oz cans premium white cooked chicken
(4) stalks celery -chopped
(1/2-1 cup) pecans-use whatever size you prefer-I prefer larger chunks
(1) granny smith apple chopped
(1) small can crushed pineapple-drained

Mix all ingredients together and add honey mustard dressing to taste- I always used Johnny Fleeman's brand (about 1- 1 1/2 cups) but I have not been able to find it lately and have been substituting Kraft honey mustard. It seems to work fine and I use about 1/2 -3/4 of a 16 oz bottle.

**please bear with me as I usually guess at this recipe-I still do not have it written down..Enjoy!!