Foods

Here are a few recipes I've either tried recently or have made a part of our regular menu! :D

Parmesan Crusted Chicken- one of mine and Johns favorite meals!

INGREDIENTS:

1/2 cup light mayo

1/4 cup grated Parmesan cheese

4 boneless, skinless chicken breast halves (about 1-1/4 lbs.)

4 tsp. Italian seasoned dry bread crumbs

DIRECTIONS

Preheat oven to 425°.

Combine light mayo with cheese in medium bowl. Coat chicken with the mixture, then coat with bread crumbs.

Bake until chicken is thoroughly cooked, about 20 minutes.

Macaroni and Cheese!- this recipe stays with me ;-)

Sausage rice mix- I actually made this up with food I had at home. It turned out really good though! I will definitely be making this again.

INGREDIENTS:

1lb Turkey Sausage

2 cups cooked Rice

1 Green Pepper- diced

1 Onion- diced

8oz Tomato Sauce

Italian seasoning

Garlic powder

DIRECTIONS:

Cook the rice according to directions.

Cook the peppers and onions.

Add sliced turkey sauage in frying pan until browned.

Add the tomato sauce.

Add Italian seasoning and garlic power (i guessed at how much)

Saute for about 5 minutes.

Add to rice!

Herb Crusted Catfish- We really liked this one too! Will be making this again :D

INGREDIENTS:
4 (6 oz.) catfish fillets

Vegetable oil for pan

1 1/2 cups fresh breadcrumbs

Grated zest and juice of 1 lemon

4 tablespoons flat-leaf parsley, chopped

2 tablespoons fresh chives, chopped

2 tablespoons mayonnaise

1 teaspoon Dijon mustard

Sea salt

Freshly ground black pepper

DIRECTIONS:

Preheat oven to 425°F and lightly grease a shallow baking dish. Lay the cod in the dish.

In a small bowl, combine the breadcrumbs, lemon zest and juice, and fresh herbs.

In a separate small bowl, mix the mayonnaise and mustard, season with salt and pepper, then spread evenly onto the cod.

Top with the breadcrumb and herb mixture and bake for 18–20 minutes or until the crust appears golden and crunchy.



Friday Favorites

Happy Memorial Day weekend! I'm really trying to work on being content, but hearing how much fun everyone is having this weekend makes me want to smack someone. haha. I hate working on a weekend when so much is going on! I know I volunteered (so I can use this time as flex time, but still...haha :D) Anyway, It hasnt been a bad weekend! Just not a fan of working this one.

A few favorites from the past weekish:

1) License Plate- We got our NC State License Plate for our car! SO EXCITED :D

2) Physical Therapy- John 'graduated' from physical therapy! They are going to leave his case open in case his back starts to hurt him again, but at least it's much better! I went with him to his last visit and his therapist showed me how to work the knots out of his back and showed me his exercises. Now I can hopefully help him a little more.

3) Steve- Last week we had Steve over for his birthday and I made my mac and cheese and parmesan crusted chicken- SO good! John also made a pitcher of lemon drops- YUMMY! It was a good time :D

4) Trivia Night- We go every now and then to trivia night with Kristen and AJ. We went the past two Tuesdays. Its a lot of fun! We one 3rd place this past week! SCORE! :D

5) The Farm- John and I finally made a trip down to the farm. Unfortunately, it was because Uncle Wilson had a minor heart attack and his other uncle is still very sick. Well we went to the farm first and there ended up being about 18 of us that got together! We also got to meet baby James- so freaking adorable. Almost enough to make me want one! I'm just not ready for the 24/7 part ;D After we spent a few hours at the farm we went to visit his other uncle- it was really nice to see everyone :D
SO adorable!!

 Eeriley like a family photo! haha Look how excited John is. :D

 He'll be a great daddy one day!

6) Lis and Jennie- Lis came into town this weekend! We went to dinner and all caught up. I love those ladies. I can always be myself around them- so completely comfortable with them. I also got to meet their pups! they are adorable and very sweet too :D

7) Django Unchained- Amazing movie. Highly recommend it!

8) Mexican- I've been on a HUGE mexican food kick lately. It's delicous and I just cant seem to get enough. and now I want it for lunch. haha

I am off tomorrow- I am VERY much looking forward to some time at the pool with the hubby :D Have a great day!

Weekend Fun!

This past weeknd was a TON of fun! I did work the entire weekend, but I still managed to make the best of it :D

Friday night John didnt work- so we had a date night! We decided it would be most fun to hit up some of our old favorites. I chose I love NY Pizza- because it's amazing! They had my favorite too!! Then we hit up Big Boss and hung out for a long time. We played darts, which I lost at. We played shuffle board, which I also lost at. Then we played pool! and I finally won! haha. It was a good time.

Cruisin'

 LOVE our car!

Trying to beat me at pool- HAH! 

Saturday, I worked all day then just chilled with the puppy, made some lasagnas, and of course indulged in some Prison Break :D

Sunday, I worked again- but it was Mother's Day! After work I had my mom and brother over and made some dinner for them. Then we took my mom to see the Great Gastby because she has always LOVED the book. It was REALLY good. (side note- when did movie tickets get to be $10 a ticket?! geez louis!) Anyway, I highly recommend it. Maybe wait until it comes out though- because you can buy the movie for the price it would cost to see it. lol. It was nice spending time with my mom and brother :D My mom also got a new (to her) car! (Hers was totaled shortly after ours was...we have NO luck with cars. haha. She actually got an amazing settlement out of hers and didnt have to pay much for the new one!) She let me drive it to the movies- its really nice!! Anyway, it was a lot of fun. It was the first Mother's Day in a loooong time I got to spend with her:D

Monday, we continued to celebrate Mother's day and made dinner for John's mom and dad. His dad usually always makes the food when we go over, but John and I thought it would be nice if we took dinner to them this time! We ended up staying over there past 11! It was nice to catch up with them and hang out. Carter was of course THRILLED to be at Grandma and Grandpas. And of course he harassed them thoroughly to throw the frisbee with him. haha I love that dog!

I am VERY excited for this weekend too! I have Thursday off, only have to work 3 hours on Friday, and then am off Saturday and Sunday. It is much needed! :D

Friday Favorites!

Always late...BUT 'Ive worked straight through last week and this weekend, I am pooped and very ready for a day off :D It's coming soon!

1) the Weather- it has been AMAZING. Finally no more rain :D

2) 10K training- I started this past week! Very excited about it. Def on my way to running a half marathon! I thought a 10k would be a good next step. Plus- I can handle the training schedule for it. The training schedule for a half marathon is a bit out of my skill level still. haha.

3) Prison Break- I picked it back up and am on the last season! It's gotten really good again :D

4) Pans!!!- For our wedding John and I got Calphalon Contemporary Non-Stick pots and pans. Well they have a lifetime warrenty if there is a manufacturer issue! (THANK YOU KRYSTAL!) I sent back two of my pans that the non-stick had come off on and they sent me two brand new pans to replace them last week. I am SO excited!

5) Laundry Detergent- I made my own laundry detergent! (again, thanks to Krystal!). It smells amazing! and was super cheap!!! and it made a ton. It works great too! SO happy with it :D

Friday Favorites!

I know I say this most Fridays, but praise the Lord for Fridays! haha. SO gald it's already here :D There have been SO many favorties between this week and last!!! I've been waiting for pictures for some, but i'll go ahead and share what they are!

1) MY SISTER IS MARRIED!!!! Very sweet ceremony and I couldnt be happier for her! I'll have a much more detailed post after I get pictures :D
                                                   Me and the beautiful bride!!!

2) WE GOT A NEW CAR!! We FINALLY were able to replace Woodstock. Still working on a name for this one- but I am in love with it! It's a 2009, so 4 years newer than the other one and we got it at a GREAT price! :D YAY! We've finally been able to ride with the top down :D

This one is orange! :D Still working on a name!

3) Week off- It was BEYOND nice to have so many days off. It may have included buying a car and getting my sister married, but just not having to worry about work was wonderful! We definitely relaxed when we could and got to spend some time with friends.

                                  Hanging out with the bride and groom on rehearsal day!

 Krystal and Josh came for the wedding!! So Carter and his girlfriend got to hang out

- they exhausted themselves! haha

4) John's new job!- John got hired as an editor at WRAL! I am SO proud of him!! It's still part time and not the best hours, but he did get a raise and this job will give him some different experience. I know he loves to edit too, so I think he will be happier. So far so good! This week he trained and he actually worked normal hours! haha It has been great having him home at night!

5) This week- I mentioned John has been home every night this week- between that and the weather being so dreary all week- I decided to stop stressing about working out and everything else. I've enjoyed having him home and just relaxing with him. The week off from all of that has been good and it will be good to have had it before I start training for my half marathon!

6) American Aquarium- it's tonight! SO excited!!! :D

7) Mani/Pedi- I took Sherry to get a mani/pedi before she got married and I have not had one in SO long. It was a GREAT one too! So relaxing and they did a great job :D Made me wish I could do it all the time! haha

Happy Friday! I hope you all have a great weekend!!!!