Freebie Friday

Just wanted to share this cute FREE desktop theme to get you in the mood for Spring courtesy of Leelou Blogs.

Click here to get this free March 2011 desktop background for your computer.

February Recipe - numero dos

Okay, Okay so I know I have been falling behind on blog posts, but it has been really busy at work and by the time I get home - sorry to say - I just haven't like looking at a computer. But I am here now and ready to share my second new recipe for February (if you remember by first was the cake balls).  I actually made this recipe last Sunday night for dinner and it was kind of unusual but very good. Mr. C gave it two thumbs up and said it was keeper.

Tandoori-Spiced Chicken
Source: January/ February 2011 Cooking Light

Ingredients

• 1 1/2  cups  plain 2% reduced-fat Greek yogurt
• 2  tablespoons  grated onion
• 1  tablespoon  grated peeled fresh ginger
• 1  tablespoon  canola oil
• 1  teaspoon  ground cumin
• 1/2  teaspoon  ground red pepper
• 1/4  teaspoon  ground turmeric
• 3  garlic cloves, minced
• 4  (6-ounce) skinless, boneless chicken breast halves
• 1/2  teaspoon  salt
• Cooking spray

Preparation

1. Combine first 8 ingredients in a heavy-duty zip-top plastic bag. Add chicken to bag; seal. Marinate in refrigerator 2 hours, turning occasionally.

2. Once the Chicken as marinated for at least 2 hours, place a small roasting pan in oven. Preheat broiler to high. Remove chicken from bag; discard marinade. Sprinkle both sides of chicken evenly with salt. Place chicken on preheated pan coated with cooking spray. (Make sure the pan is really hot so it sears the chicken when you first add it to the pan.) Broil in middle of oven for 15 minutes or until done, turning after 7 minutes.

I served the chicken over white rice and fresh green beans on the side.

Sisters

Sisters are one of the best gifts God gives us. If you have one, then you know what I am talking about. They are our best friends and always there when we need them, no matter what. I am so thankful everyday for my big sister. She is one of a kind.  When I moved away from the beach to the big city of Tallahassee, I knew it was going to be hard not being able to see her whenever I wanted, but we make do and talk on the phone at least twice a day, if not more!

So, I was super excited when last week she said that her and little Eli were going to come visit me. We had such a great time, as always.  We did a little shopping, ate some good food and watched Social Network - very relaxing. It was some much needed sister time. I miss them already!

P.S. - If you haven't seen Social Network, I definitely recommend it.

Here are a few pics of my handsome nephew from this weekend...

Weekend Roundup

There is only one word I can think of to describe this weekend, beautiful. I mean how awesome is it that I got a beach weekend in February - that is one reason why I love living in the sunshine state!!

My SIL, Holly and her husband Graham traveled to the beach this weekend too for a mini family reunion. We always have so much fun when we get together. Saturday was busy, but we fit everything in. We started out the day at the Gumbo Festival. It was so packed and note to anyone planning to go in the future, get there early. The festival started at 10 a.m. and by the time we finally got there at 11 a.m. most of the gumbo was all gone. But that was okay, it gave us an excuse to go to one of our favorite restaurants for lunch, Killer Seafood. My sister and Eli also drove over to the beach for the day, so even though we didn't get any gumbo it was great hang out with my sister for a bit and see a few friends I don't get to see that often.

After lunch, we headed to the beach. Mr. C and I couldn't wait to bring Mags to the beach for the first time.  She loved it. Mags wasn't too sure about the water, but I don't blame her, the water was freezing!  We ended the night at Reagan's for some delicious oysters. They were hmmm good.

This weekend was so relaxing and fun. I can't wait for summertime to get here, however, I know that mother nature probably has one more cold spurt for us before spring gets here!

Sweet Goodness

Okay, so I was a little bit behind on my two new recipes for January, but I am on the ball for February!

My first new recipe for February it is a dessert and a good one - Cake Balls. I first read about cake balls when I was planning my wedding, however I never actually got a chance to try one until recently and let me tell you they are DELISH.

For our Super Bowl party, I wanted to make something sweet and was kind of a finger food. Cookies came to mind and cupcakes, but we do those all the time - I wanted something different. So, I remembered that I saw a recipe on one of my fav blogs, Hostess with the Mostess, for Cake Balls. (Side note: If you are ever planning a party or just like to read about parties this site is A-M-A-Z-I-N-G so many good ideas.) They were a BIG hit and so simple to make. Some parts were a little time consuming, but definitely a keeper. I think I heard someone describe them as "Heaven in your mouth!"
What you will need:

- 1 box of yellow cake mix
- 1 can cream cheese frosting
- Chocolate Candy Melts – 2 bags
- wax paper

Instructions:

1. Bake cake as directed on the box. When it is done, let it cool completely.
2. Then crumble cake in a large mixing bowl. Mix in almost entire can of frosting. (This is the messy part, I recommend using your hands rather than a spoon. Works better.)
3. Roll the cake-frosting mixture into quarter size balls and place on a wax paper-lined cookie sheet. Makes approx 45-50 balls.
4. Chill in the refrigerator for several hours or if you are in a hurry you can put in the freezer.
5. When you are ready to coat the cake balls, melt your chocolate. Then drop your cake balls in the melted chocolate, once covered remove them using a fork or slotted spoon. (After I dipped them, I put green sprinkles on them to be festive.)
6. Then place them back on the wax paper to let the chocolate dry. I put them back in the refrig for a little while.



Not the best picture, but they sure are good.




For the recipe from Hostess with the Mostess, click here. She actually made hers into cake pops, which would be a fun way to display them. 

Super Bowl Champs!!

What a great weekend. It's great to be a Green Bay Packer!!!!! I still can't believe we won the Super Bowl.

Mr. C and I went down to the beach this past weekend. We decided to stay Sunday and drive back to Tallahassee this morning so that we could watch the game with everyone. We had such a blast hanging out with everyone and got a chance to see my sister's new home. They did such a wonderful job with all the renovations. And Maggie got a chance to meet everyone including her cousin Jake. They played and played all weekend - she slept the whole way home this morning. Glad one day is down...only four more to go. I am ready for next weekend already.I am pooped!

My sister and I enjoying a beer & tomato juice.

  

Eli in his lucky packer outfit. Go Pack Go!!

James taking care of the little ones befor the big game.

Cutie pie!



Maggie and Jake playing.



Somebody else is pooped.



Maggie Diaries: Week One

Its been one full week with our new canine bundle of joy and already we love her so much. And Even though it has been a little bit of adjustment having a puppy around the house- one of us has to go home at lunch to let her out, have to get up in the middle of the night and no more going straight from work to happy hour - we love having her around. As I mentioned to Mr. C when we first brought Maggie home "This will be a good trial run for when we have kids!"

 Pooped after playtime