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Tuesday, October 16, 2018

*Recipe* Dilly Beans


I started getting the Martha and Marley Spoon dinner delivery box a couple months ago, and one of the first recipes that came in the box was a delicious Dilly Bean salad with fresh dill and green beans. Everyone knows that I love pickles and this dish is so light and simple that I just had to try to make it on my own.  I think I have it mastered and wanted to share it with all you pickled bean lovers out there!

Ingredients

-1/2 lb green beans
-2 shallots trimmed and thinly sliced
-1/4 cup red wine vinegar
-1/2 bunch fresh dill (about 1 cup)
-1 clove garlic finely chopped
-2 tsp salt
-2 tsp sugar


Directions

-Bring a large sauce pan of salted water to a boil.
-trim stem ends from beans and cut in half.
-trim ends from shallots then halve, peel and thinly slice.
-In a medium bowl, combine vinegar, whole dill, sliced shallot, garlic, sugar and salt.


-Add beans to saucepan and cook until tender crisp, about 3 minutes.


-Use slotted spoon to transfer beans to vinegar mixture and stir in 3/4 cup of cooking water and let cool.


-Use slotted spoon to transfer beans, shallots and dill to plate.
Enjoy!




Thank you to Marley and Martha Spoon for the recipe!

Friday, September 14, 2018

Fab Friday Faves 9.14.18

Happy Friday all! I hope you all had a fantastic week.  I don't know why but this week seemed like it was over in a blink.  The main news at the moment is of course Hurricane Florence.  She is ravaging the the east coast right now and has barely even hit the shore.  My thoughts and prayers go out to everyone in her path.  I know how scary it is waiting  to see where the destruction is going to go and how bad it will be, after our home being in Irma's direct path last year.  We lucked out but I know Florence hasn't been so merciful.

On a brighter note, tomorrow is Josh's birthday!  We don't really know what we are doing yet but it's just nice to actually know that he will have the weekend off and not have to work on his birthday.  Probably for the first time ever.

Another interesting fact... I'm headed to Saskatchewan next week for a few days.  Since it is a short trip, I am going to be really busy, but I'm excited to see whoever I can!



Happy 12th birthday to Smudge!  we had a little party for her on Sunday.  She is such an amazing cat that puts up with my BS on a daily basis.  Sometime she even humors me by wearing things like party hats.  Thanks to Pugs2Persians for the adorable birthday girl collar.

Also, thanks to Whiskers Crafts for the new bow tie collar and bandana that Smudge won on an Instagram contest a couple weeks ago!

My first nail day back in Florida was this week and I got some cute Fall ones, done by my girl Tee @teerific nails in Palm Harbor.


Josh came home with some beautiful flowers for me this week.  The Peruvian lilies are just like my tattoo. They are just the right amount of Autumn colours for the still very hot weather in Florida.


We went to the USF vs. Georgia Tech game here in Tampa on Saturday.  It was hot but cloudy at least, and we had club seats so we got to enjoy some lovely Air conditioning at halftime.  USF ended up winning and the game was super exciting and fast paced. 


When I was in St. Pete today I found this gorgeous mural in downtown.   Seriously, how talented is the artist that painted this?


 Also in St. Pete today I stopped in at Trader Joes to get some of their new Fall and Halloween items. The only one I have tried so far is the Candy Corn Popcorn, and even coming from non Candy Corn lover, this stuff is delicious!  The Popcorn really balances out the sweetness.  Highly recommend.

Today I'm linking up with:

Friday, September 7, 2018

Fab Friday Faves 9.7.18

Happy Friday All!  I'm a little late today, its been a busy day, as most of them have been since we got back here.  Between unpacking, organizing, doing normal cleaning and cooking and doing errands, it pretty much takes up every day.  We are still getting thunderstorms every single afternoon, which I love because I love storms, but it also pretty much makes it impossible to do anything in the afternoon.
Tomorrow we are going to the USF vs. Georgia Tech football game here in Tampa.  Josh got tickets at work so everybody pray for me that its not as insanely hot and miserable as the Bucks vs Bears game we went to around this time last year!
Happy birthday to my Dad today,  he would have turned 63.  <3
Lastly, today is "Wear Teal For Ovarian Cancer Awareness" Day and September is Ovarian Cancer month.  For anyone who doesn't know, I am an Ovarian Cancer survivor.  When I was 22, I was not feeling well and took some search engine (I don't even know if Google was a thing back then?) to see if I could figure out what was wrong.  I discovered I had the symptoms of Ovarian Cancer.  I knew that the chance of me having it were almost zero, but I also knew I was very ill.  I went to several doctors, who gave me pills for gas because I was very bloated.  I actually so bloated from the fluid that was building up inside of me from the tumors, that I couldn't even brush my teeth without throwing up.  Finally, I managed to get a referral to a gynecologist, who also really didn't think that anything was seriously wrong.  At this point I was so frustrated, that I demanded they do SOMETHING because I was convinced I was going to die.  They sent me for an ultrasound and within seconds, the ultrasound tech looked at me and looked like he was going to fall over and said "we need to get your doctor." Turns out that my ovaries were the size of tennis balls.  From there it is all a blur.  Within a few weeks I was booked for a surgery in Edmonton.  They ended up removing my ovaries, my omentum, a chunk of my liver and many "cauliflower like growths" from all over my organs.  I was very lucky in the fact that they were able to remove everything that they needed and I didn't have to have any chemo.  It was obviously a life changing ordeal, but I listened to my body and kept pushing for someone to help me, and I am convinced that is why I am still here today.  Here is me in my teal today (btw, this is a Liberty Humane Society shirt, an amazing rescue in Jersey City, NJ) and a little infographic with the main Ovarian Cancer symptoms.  I had all of these quite severely, but most women's are subtle until it is too late.  Pay attention to your body!  It is always telling you something!


Now on to my Favorites of the week!  everyone have a fantastic weekend!


We got a new car this week!  Well, its not new but new to us.  A 2014 Jetta TDI.  Its pretty and I love my TDI in Saskatchewan so much that I suggested we should try to find one here.  It will be Josh's commuter but I still zoom around when I get a chance.  


I got this necklace a few months ago, and I finally remembered to get a cool picture of it at the beach.  It's made by Nine Styles, a great little designer out of Saskatchewan.  For anyone that doesn't know, this is the shape of my home province and the heart is approximately where my hometown of Kyle is located. 


I won this cool "Friends" style America sign from Word Sky Designs in an Instagram contest a couple weeks ago.  How awesome is it? Now I just need a matching Canada one!  Anyone?  Hint Hint!


Josh and I went out to our Local Brewing Company for a beer on the weekend and they had jut gotten in their Punkacino beer.  A pumpkin coffee porter with a caramel cinnamon sugar rim.  This is the perfect Fall beer, even in Florida!  


 I have been eying this Pineapple lamp at Target for a few months and last week it finally went on clearance for 50% off!  I was so excited!

Today I'm linking up with:





Friday, August 31, 2018

Fab Friday Faves 8.31.18

Happy Friday everyone!  I'm coming live to you today from sunny Florida, AND not only am I in Florida, Josh, Smudge I are now full time residents of the Sunshine State!  We packed up and arrived here from Maryland about 10 days ago and we are so excited.  Josh got a job here in Tampa and started on Monday and so far he is loving it.  It has been hot and very stormy and rainy, but that is normal for the coast. No hurricanes yet thank goodness but some of the loudest thunder I have ever heard! We are looking forward to exploring the area, making friends and settling in some where for the first time as a couple. I know I haven't blogged for a while, obviously I have been quite busy, but I am hoping that now that things are less crazy I'll be able to get back in to it a bit.  These are some of my favorite things since we have been back in Florida.  Everyone have a great Labor Day Weekend!


Honestly one of the things that makes me happiest about being back here is how happy Smudge is.  She has always loved it here, the space, all the critters, the sunshine coming in the window... she is usually laying in her bed on the window seat watching geckos and birds or laying in a sunbeam having a nap.  She loves it outside too, but this time of year I don't really trust her or the Florida wildlife enough to just let her roam the backyard! 



Also we are pretty happy too :)


As a housewarming gift for myself, Josh and I went out and bough a Avocado tree and a Key Lime tree.  It will be a while before either produce but I'm excited to watch them grow! 


We got this lovely Dish Garden from my parents and brother as a "Welcome Home" gift.  So pretty.  Another plant to nurture and watch grow.  


On Saturday, Josh and I braved the heat and went to the New Port Richey Caribbean Festival.  We got some delicious food (I got some of the Paella pictured) and listened to some great music.  We ask wandered the streets of NPR and looked at all the old buildings and beautiful murals.  


We went to one of my favorite food trucks, Reel Bar-B-Que near our house.  He had posted that he had some Wagyu brisket left over from a catering event he was doing later in the day and we had to try it.  Not even kidding, this was one of the most amazing foods I have ever tasted. The brisket was fall apart, melt in your mouth and seasoned perfectly.  Seriously, I can't even describe it.  I gave Smudge a tiny little taste when we got home, and she ran around like a crazy cat for about 20 minutes after.  


I got these compostable phone cases from Pela Case, a Canadian company, and I am so excited about them.  They are apparently super protective and shock resistant (which I need), they are cute, a portion of the sales goes to environmental initiatives and when I am sick of them I will just go bury them in my yard. Such a great idea!

Today I'm linking up with:








Monday, July 30, 2018

*Recipe* French Onion Chicken Skillet



This is another one of those "viral Facebook recipes" that has been floating around the last couple weeks.  I am a huge lover of French Onion Soup so I had to try it.  It seriously turned out amazing.  I highly recommend doing it in a cast-iron skillet, although I know there is also an Instapot version of it floating around too.  However you do it, I highly recommend it!

Ingredients


  • 2 lbs Vidalia onions, sliced
  • 2 lbs chicken breasts (or thighs)
  • 2 cups beef broth
  • 1 cup Swiss cheese, grated (I used pre sliced)
  • 1/3 cup olive oil
  • 2 tbsp flour
  • 2 tsp balsamic vinegar
  • 1/2 tsp dried thyme
  • 1/2 tsp dried sage
  • salt and pepper to taste

Directions 

Preheat oven to 350F.

Heat 2 tbsp olive oil in skillet.

Season onions with salt and cook, stirring occasionally, 15-20 minutes or until softened and caramelized. 


Add Balsamic vinegar and cook another 3-5 minutes darkened but not burned.

Remove onions from heat and transfer to medium bowl.

Heat remaining oil in skillet and raise heat to medium high. 

Season chicken breasts with salt, pepper, thyme and sage, then place in skillet and sear both sides until golden brown.  Remove chicken from heat and set aside.



Pour beef broth into skillet and bring mixture to a boil, scraping at the bits stuck to the pan.  

Return to medium-low heat and whisk in flour until smooth.  Cook for 5-7 minutes or until mixture has thickened.  Taste and adjust seasoning if necessary. 


Return chicken and onions to pan, stir with beef gravy, then top with Swiss cheese.  



Transfer skillet to oven and cook until cheese is melted and bubbly and chicken is cooked through.  


Remove from oven and serve hot.   Enjoy! 



Friday, July 20, 2018

Fab Friday Faves 7.20.18

Hello, and a very late happy Friday from Southern Maryland.  I know that I have been absent for a while, there has been a lot going on and it has been a very trying, stressful few weeks. We are now staying in Maryland at least until the end of August, and I was able to get the apartment extended until then as well, so thats one less stress for a little while.  I'm hoping to make it back to Florida very soon!  I need some beach and my house and some R&R.  Josh is still on nights, hopefully flipping back soon!  Everyone have a fantastic weekend, can July really be over half over already?


Josh and I went into Alexandria for lunch on Sunday, to the Del Ray area.  We went to Pork Barrel BBQ, probably the best BBQ we have had in this area.  It was also National Ice Cream Day so we got sundaes at Dairy Godmother.  Delicious!


I have gotten myself a couple cute necklaces over the last few weeks.  The first is a moon stone from the Etsy shop Sun vs. Moon, an Australian artist.  The second is from of those ads on Facebook, an opal pineapple from a company called Seek for Chic.  Both really cute.



I got a couple packages in the mail in the last few days too.  This relaxation package fro my Auntie Lorri with some great homemade relaxation products and this cute Canada shirt from my mom.  Thanks ladies!


I decided to try another meal delivery kit, this time one called Martha and Marley Spoon.  I heard a bout it and got a coupon code on KIIS FM.   Martha has never let me down before and this meal kit is amazing.  I have included a couple pictures of the delicious food.


Starbucks new Vanilla Bean Coconut Milk Latte is definitely one of their best drinks ever!


I got these super cute compression work out leggings with palm trees on them this week at Old Navy, regular 32.99 and all of their compression leggings were on for $12.  They were a steal and I have been eyeing them for a couple months now.  Also Old Navy has all of their remaining summer stock on clearance now, and there is a ton!



Today I'm linking up with:

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Thursday, June 21, 2018

Summertime (Wineless) Sangria



We all know that I love a good Sangria, but sometimes, due to my migraines and not being a total wino, I just want something wine free that is also light and summery.  Nicole sent me this recipe from  Kate at the Small Things blog and we decided we should try it.  It is so delicious and perfect for summer on by the pool!  Of course, if you aren't feeling the no alcohol idea, you can substitute the cranberry Ginger Ale for Prosecco or Champagne and doe cranberry juice. 

Ingredients

  • 3/4 cup Country Time Lemonade Mix
  • 1 liter (about half the big bottle) Cranberry Ginger Ale
  • 1 cup orange juice
  • 1 tbsp fresh lime juice
  • 2 oranges, sliced
  • 2 limes, sliced
  • 5-8 strawberries, sliced


                                Directions 

  • Layer sliced, fresh fruit on the bottom of a pitcher.




  • Add the lemonade mix.
  • Pour orange juice and lime juice over top of that.
  • When ready to serve, pour cranberry ginger ale into the pitcher, stirring as you pour.  
  • Let the drink sit for about 30 minutes to let the lemonade mix dissolve and the flavors come together.