Lovin' It

Summer Time Parties!


Ok, so most of you know that going to the Kentucky Derby is on my bucket list and we actually were thinking about going this year to celebrate my 30th (holy shiz!) birthday.  But instead we've decided to go to Hawaii.  We thought it would be much easier to go to Kentucky once/if we have kids than Hawaii, so the Derby will have to wait.  No worries though, because we are for sure celebrating next weekend with a "Derby de Mayo" party at our house.  Margaritas, mint juleps, Mexican food, and Derby attire...I mean really could there really be a better weekend to throw a party than on Cinco de Mayo/Derby day.  No, I didn't think so!  I sent out these really cute e-invites I found here.  I've been getting text all week from my girlfriends as they find their hats and outfits.  I can't wait!

Da Beach!


I'll be soaking up the rays, cold adult bevie in hand in exactly 21 days.  Girls trip with my sisters, mom, and nieces to Destin.  I should come back with a few more laugh lines, a golden FL tan, and a relaxed mind.  Again I say, can't wait!

 My Fitness Pal!


So as I'm getting my body into "um, hello you're turning 30 and you're going to Hawaii" shape this year I've been using this handy little app to track my progress.  It helps you track calories, your workout, your goals, weight loss/gain...and I love that I can scan the barcodes of products and the nutritional information is logged on the spot.  I find it very useful when I am dying for a bag of Funyuns...I scan the bar code, view the calories and lack of protein, and sadly place them back on the shelf and move to the fruits and veggies department.  It's a free app and you can link up with your friends for a little encouragement along the way.

 New Shades!


I picked these beauties up while back in Tahoe.  Love them!

I hope you all are lovin' this beautiful weekend!

Recipes from a Pescetarian

A few weeks ago I blogged about how delicious our Easter lunch was and I promised to share a few recipes with you, and here they are brought to you by my favorite pescetarian, Jackie.

What in the world is a pescetarian you may ask?  Well, a pescatarian is very similar to a vegetarian; the exception is that pescatarians eat eggs, dairy, fish, and shellfish...but no meat from any land animals. 

Her Texas Caviar and Strawberry Spinach Salad were to die for...yet nothing had to die for it. ;)

Texas Caviar

1 can black beans, drained

1 can black eye peas, drained

1 can corn, drained

1 jar pimentos, chopped

2 stalks celery, chopped

1 red onion, chopped

1 cup olive oil

1/2 cup sugar (or splenda)

1/2 cup cider vinegar

On stove top, heat olive oil, cider vinegar, and sugar until sugar is melted. Mix everything together, with liquid, and chill overnight. Drain before serving. Serve with Chips/Fritos/Scoops.

 

 

Strawberry Spinach Salad

*Note: I usually double the recipe for more than ~6 people. I double the dressing, too, but only use about 3/4 of it for the salad, then save the extra for dinner salads and throughout the week.

1 bag baby spinach

1/2 cup toasted pecans (whole or cut)

1 pint strawberries, cut

Mix ingredients together just before serving (otherwise, salad gets soggy!); dress salad before serving

Dressing, mixed together in a small jar/container with lid:

1 T poppyseeds

2 T toasted sesame seeds

1 1/2 tsp minced dried onion

a few shakes worcestershire sauce

a few shakes paprika

1/3 cup sugar (or splenda)

1/2 cup olive oil

1/4 cup cider vinegar

In Honor of Earth Day

Since today is Earth Day I thought I'd celebrate by sharing some pictures of various plants, blooms, and bounty from my yard/garden!  I'm so proud of it, can't you tell?!  I hope there is a big ole garden in heaven that I can work in right next to my Mama...just imagine a garden with no weeds, snails, or squash bugs!  :)

 We're going to have tomatoes coming out of our ears!

Mom, I'll need you to come teach me how to can!

 This, I think is truly amazing, how our cucumber plants have 

little fingers that reach out and curl around the trellises to help steady the plant as it grows. 

Absolutely ah-mazin'!

  

 Look at all of those Hydrangea blooms!

 Magnolia blooms...one of my favorite smells.

 Japanese Yew

 My squash plants are lookin' good too!

 Baby squash

and baby zucchini 

 Isn't she beautiful...Louisiana Iris 

 

If I'm ever feeling sad and blue all I have to do is walk outside, God is telling me he loves me in every bloom...and my heart smiles. 

Skiing Lake Tahoe

Drew and I went on our first snow skiing trip together two weeks ago and man did we have a blast!  While Drew had been a few times before, it was my first time skiing so the first day we had an instructor who taught me the basics.  I did pretty well on the greens (those are the easy runs for all of you ski bunny virgins out there) then at the end of the day we hit a blue....I must have fallen literally 40 times down the side of that damn mountain!  And I was very frustrated by the time we headed back to the resort.  And sore, oh my gosh I as so sore the next morning.  But we hit the slopes again and I only fell twice all day!  Not too shabby for my second day as a skier.  The weather was perfect for skiing it snowed the whole time we were there so we had fresh powder every morning and it was so cool to sit in a hot tub while the snow came down all around us.  We bought season passes for next year so hopefully we'll get to take little Andrew during his spring break.


The landscape was absolutely beautiful Lake Tahoe looks so out of place.  This bright blue lake set down in the middle of the mountains, truly a sight you should see before you die.  I definitely want to go back during the summer one day and spend some time on the lake.

 Drew, who seems to be naturally good at EVERYTHING, liked taking pictures of me falling.  Trying to stand up on skis is harder than skiing itself!

 "I'll travel the world with you..."

 Nice and toasty!

 Ready for day two!

 Kisses on the Gondola.

 Only my honey can find a hot dog stand on the side of a snow covered mountain. 

 Isn't he just adorable?!

We could have stayed another whole week...that is if we would have had our Jaxy Boy along with us.  We sure did miss him a bunch!  My niece, Aubrey, did a great job house sitting and taking care of Jax and our garden.  Everything was still alive when we got back, can't ask for much more than that! ;)

Sweet Home Baton Rouge.

Next trip:  Destin, FL!

Heavenly Lake Tahoe

I woke up with excited butterflies in my stomach this morning at the thought of a mini-vacation around the corner!  Drew and I love to travel and I am so grateful that we have the ability to go places and see things together.  There is nothing like new experiences with the person you love.

Come Thursday this will be me....

via

Easter Weekend with the Days

I must say this was a terrific three day weekend and I could use a few more of them in my life.  Friday I spent the day shopping with my sister and niece then went out for sushi with my love.  Saturday we spent the day piddling around the house until it was time to go to a dear friend's wedding.  It was a beautiful spring afternoon for an outdoor ceremony.  God was definitely smiling down on Young and Shelby.  It was a perfect Southern wedding between a southern gentlemen and an Asian beauty, under the stately oaks on the family's estate, just wonderful!

 A beautiful Live Oak tree.

What a sunset! 

Today we celebrated Easter with our church family and with our Day family.  Bro. Jay's message was so great and not your typical "Easter Sunday Message."  I thought I would share a few of his key point with you.  

His title for today was, "A Better Life."  Bro. Jay said, "that through Jesus' resurrection power, change is possible in any and all aspects of our lives, but only if we open up to Him.  We can begin to live a better life by doing three things,"

Open Your..

• Mind to God's Power- Romans 12:2
• Heart to God's Grace- Romans 3:22
• Life to God's Love- John 10:10

If you have a few minutes, read these versus and I hope they speak to you in the same way they did me.

Now on to Easter lunch which I'll share with you via photos, it was so delicious!

Cuttin' up some filets

Dad/Chef/Butcher/Builder/Lover/Pilot/etc...he pretty much does it all!

Great fresh salsa made by Jackie  

 Mmmm...beef tenderloin steaks.

Does it get any better?  No ma'am!

 Twice baked potatoes made by Erin

 Orzo pasta salad made by yours truly

(I recreated the Whole Foods version, which I love.

Get the recipe here.)

Fresh spinach and strawberry salad with homemade poppy seed dressing also

made by Jackie.  Two words:  "So go-od."  I'll post the recipe when she sends it to me!

I was so excited about dessert I forgot to take pics, Drew requested homemade coffee ice-cream made by yours truly.  For my first time making coffee ice-cream I'd say it turned out pretty good, especially when paired with Erin's homemade choc-chip cookies, macaroons, and hot fudge!  YUM! 

 Poppie and Carrie

 Jax and Rigby

 Jackie and Nate

 Jax checking Carrie out

 Sweet baby girl.

While I missed my Mom & Dad so much today, I am so blessed to be apart of the Day family also.  There is never a dull moment and I always laugh so much when we are all together; if I have to get wrinkles I'd much rather laughter wrinkles over worry wrinkles!  

I hope you all had a wonderful Easter and I hope you all have a truly blessed week!