Instagram - Week in Review 4

This time of year often feels like someone is holding down the fast-forward button. Or that perhaps life itself has been tossed in a blender and pureed. Life is whirling by, full-speed-ahead...and frankly (as obsessive as it might seem) I'm glad that I do use an app like Instagram to document all the goings-on. Helps me to pause, reflect and remember...something we preach to our kids daily. The second week in April was fast-paced and beautiful...have a look + I think you'll see what I mean. 

the princess herself. this is her spot. and she'll be glad to tell you so.

finished up Easter weekend with a lovely meal at my Momma's!

  

made butter roasted carrots for our Easter dinner. so easy and sooooo good!

peel and halve carrots. toss in melted butter + sprinkle with salt and pepper.

put in the oven on cookie-sheet @ 425 for 15-20 minutes. WOW! Thanks, Cooking Light!

started the week off right with a beautiful sunrise.

 [as seen from our 3rd floor bedroom]

true story. 

[get-it-together-lady!!]

aww my kiddos really like me!

mid-week pedicure + dinner date with Mom! glorious!

throwbackthursdays- myself circa 1994 and our family dog, Happy.

that was in Happy's happier days. she became quite grumpy later in life.

this pic does not need any explanation. 

truly thankful for the incredible spring weather we've been granted.

TGIF!! -- datenight -- me likey. 

weekend uniform--> chambray. 

had a blast + a half at The Baltimore Comedy Factory. 

what a hoot ;)

nothing like catching up with a friend you've known since the 9th grade!! 

xoxo

had my 1st gig of my soon-to-be summer job. 

worked a gorgeous wedding @ Stronghold Mansion. 

getting married? know anyone getting married? check it out! 

this place is not to be believed. so stately! 

oh and hire US! amazing food + event design. truly impressed!!

 on the flip-side: I worked my pah-tooty off. 2pm-12:30am. OUCH! 

my body is not used to all that lifting, walking, running, carrying, and drink-pouring.  

spent the majority of Sunday morning recovering. 

Yes, that is my husband's superman blanket. 

and yes it does have magical powers.  

know what else has magical powers?? this guy. 

Yacht Club Bloodymary. Found @ Isabellas [downtown Frederick] 

during a fabulous rendition of SundayFunday.

[shrimp, olive, annnd pickle? sold.] 

sat outside and enjoyed THIS incredible brunch. 

2 eggs on an open-face ciabatta bread sandwich 

with chorizo gravy, bacon, and manchego cheese. 

served with roasted potatoes + arugula salad.

[face-plant]

Sunday ended with a mini-dinner party at mi casa. 

used my favorite bowls [crateandbarrel] from one of my favorite ladies [SDS!] 

for some yummy guac + chips!

look who came for dinner. aww sweet Murph-Murph! 

 it was just another Mani-Monday. 

I grabbed this manicure idea from Pinterest. {shocker} 

[Essie --It's in the bag with a dab of

Sally Hansen Gem Crush -- Big Money on the ring finger]

boom!

[Easy] Homemade Tortilla Chips

Tortilla chips and pita chips are a staple in our pantry. We love them for snacks with salsa, guacamole [check out my no-fail easy recipe for guac!] + hummus!! The other day we ran out just as I was getting ready to stock the pantry for lunches. But..I had leftover tortillas from my Tostadas I made a couple weeks ago. So! Using that good ole think-tank of mine, I cut them into sixes, threw them on a lined cookie sheet, sprayed them with olive oil spray, drizzled them with EVOO, and sprinkled them with salt, pepper, and a little Old Bay! In the oven @ 375 degrees for 10-15 minutes + WOW! Soooo good! And so easy. They are crunchy + flaky with just enough spice. And they serve as the perfect travel device between myself + my hummus. [score!]

 This week instead of buying my usual bulk stash of Stacy's Naked Pita Chips, I'm making these again. You could season them with practically anything your little heart desires. I'm thinking of trying some cinnamon and sugar ones next. YUM!! 

the little post that could

this is the 2nd edition of what was originally titled "finger food rules!"

2nd edition because...when trying to edit a photo I inadvertently deleted the entire post. [[GAHHH!!]]

holy frustration, batman. 

the cat was definitely judging me as I threw my technology-tantrum. 

If this was a live cooking show we'd definitely have a couple #$&@'s to bleep out 

+ would have to go to an immediate commercial break. 

but as they say in the biz... 

[breathe]

...Annnd we're back!

~~~

some snap-shots from a cozy + chilly weekend [it snowed!!]

 stayed warm by the fire ;)

mom + I enjoyed a little local hibachi and cocktails

The Mr. got home from his NC soccer tourney just in time for FOOTBALL on Sunday. 

[a moment of silence for Raven's fans...] 

we started a mini tradition this football season.

it's a little ditty we like to call FOOTBALL DINNERRRR!! [said in an echoing manly voice]

it's pretty simple. 

only one rule applies.

FINGER FOOD ONLY! 

finger food + football = couch potato laziness at its best!

here's what I came up with this weekend...

The Perfect Guac
[seriously, I've tried a lot of guacamole in my day]


Ingredients:

• 4 avocados
• 2 tbsp chili garlic sauce
• 1 tbsp lemon juice
• s + p
• 1 tbsp celery salt

Directions:

1. Cut and spoon out avocados into a medium sized bowl. 
2. Mash with a fork until smooth[ish].
3. Add remaining ingredients and stir until well-blended. 
4. Grab your favorite chip and go in for a dip! boom! 

~~~

Ranch-Cheeseburger Crescent Roll-Ups
:crescent rolls make for a fabulous foundation when coming up with creative finger foods:


Ingredients:

• 1 can Pillsbury Crescent Rolls
• 1/2 lb [lean] ground turkey
• 1 cup cheddar cheese
• 1 cup baby spinach
• 2 tbsp [light] ranch dressing  
• 1 egg [for wash]
• 1 tbsp garlic powder
• 1 tbsp worchestershire
• s + p

Directions:

1. Pre-heat oven to 350 degrees.
2. Brown meat in pan over medium heat.
3. Add garlic powder, worchestershire, and s+p to season.
4. Remove from heat and empty meat into a medium-sized bowl. 
5. Stir in ranch dressing and set to the side.
6. Line a cookie sheet with foil and grease with non-stick cooking spray. 
7. Pop open crescent rolls and lay them out on the cookie sheet.
8. Begin layering each flat roll with 1-2 spinach leaves, 1 tbsp of meat mixture, and a sprinkling of cheese. Repeat on each crescent roll. 
9. Carefully roll up each one. Trial and error worked best for me. [they do not have to look perfect!]
10. Brush egg wash onto each roll-up. 
11. Place in oven and bake for 9-11 minutes.
12. Watch carefully! Remove when golden brown. [thank you, egg wash!]
13. Let cool for 2-3 minutes before devouring :)  

~~~

check out my latest pinterest experiment.
they say you can re-use and re-grow your old {mushy} green onions.
snip off the old bits and submerge the roots in water.
place by a sunny window + watch grow. {apparently}
we shall see-stay tuned! 

xoxo