Return with Recipe -- Protein Pico

Hi folks!

Happy Saturday! After a 6 month hibernation from my blog, I decided this morning to make a return! Reunions are best celebrated with good food, so I brought an appetizer/side to share. This is a recipe that I ran across a few months ago and it is a new favorite. (Carl, whose usual response to "Do you like it?" is met with a manly "Yeah, it's alright." actually requested this one!) I hope you'll enjoy it as much as we do! So, let's get the party started!

Protein Pico

Ingredients:
→ 1 red bell pepper                      → 1 green bell pepper**
→ 1 red (or sweet) onion             → 1 container grape tomatoes
→ 1 bunch cilantro                       → 1 can white shoepeg corn**
→ 1 can black bean (drained & rinsed)
     ** Grilled corn, cooled & cut off the cob is delicious too!
     ** Add a yellow and or orange bell pepper for a little more color! :)

So, the first thing you are going to do is chop all of your veggies. I like to hand cut everything, with the exception of the tomatoes. When it's time for the tomatoes, I pull out my handy-dandy Pampered Chef chopper and go to town! However, for time sake, you can use the chopper for all of the veggies, if you prefer. It's important to note that I am not a specific "chef". I more of a "little of this and that" and "Whoops! Well, that'll work!" kind of cook! ;)   

Once everything is chopped and mixed up, it's time to prep the delicious dressing!

Dressing:→ 1/3 cup Extra Virgin Olive Oil (EVOO)
→ 1/3 cup Apple Cider Vinegar

→ 3-4 tsp sugar (after you make this the first time, you will
                      be able to taste this and tweak it to your taste.)

→ Chili powder -- maybe 2-3 tsps

Whisk the dressing well until everything is blended and give it a taste. It will have a sweet, but zingy taste! (You may like a little more sugar or a little more chili powder -- make it your own! It will be different, but TRUST ME, mixed with the veggies, it's amazing!)

So, it was at about this point that Leah decided it was time for a mid-morning follow-up snack. She saw the "salsa" and B-lined it for the pantry and came dragging out chips and crackers saying, "Hmm, I thinks so -- Please mommy! 'nack?"

So, we had a quick little 3-chip break and then it was back to the pico!

So, once your dressing is whisked and ready, pour it all over your pico and mix well. Let it chill for about an hour to help blend all of the flavors and then it will be ready to serve!

I think you will love this one! I'd love to hear your feedback or changes! Comment below or leave me a note on my facebook page or pin it to your favorite foodie board! :)

Take care! Until next time, cheers! :)

Cheers!

As 2015 comes to a close, I invite you to raise a glass and share a toast with me...

To all the days...

To the wonderful and fabulous days that brought laughter and memories that will be remembered for days and weeks and years to come. To the joys and gifts that come with sharing our hearts and time with loved ones, family and friend alike.

To the hard days. To the days that we wish we could change or take back, but know somehow that in coming through them made us stronger, wiser, and better equipped to tackle times that may one day muddle our path once again. Again, to the family and friends that we leaned on and that held our hands through those days that reminded how how precious love is in this life.

To the accomplishments that we reached and the goals still set, for they motivate us to do better each day!

To those who have left us, a toast to the sweet times shared with them, and the promise to tell their stories so that their memory will live on in our hearts.

To the little boys and girls who embraced 2015 as their year! To the tears of joy and prayers for health and happiness come true!

To the sunny days, to the rainy days, to sickness and good health, raise your glasses high and cheers, my friends, to all the days!

Welcome 2016!

My Grown-Up Christmas List

It's been a while, friends, but I've been blessed to be busy this holiday season. I've been blessed with friends and family who have lent their time and hands, and I've been blessed with love and support from family, friends, and customers alike. So, before I get into my "list", I wanted to begin with giving thanks.

Now, I suppose it seems cliché to say that I have a "grown-up" Christmas list, but in the 21 months since my daughter arrived, I feel so much has changed in my life and in my heart. I find now that I am happiest when I see someone open something that they are truly happy to receive. That makes my heart happy. My list, however, is less tangible. So, without further ado, my list:


1. More Time: More time with my husband and daughter, just the 3 of us. More time with my siblings who live across the state. More time with my family and friends. More time laughing and smiling. More time finding the best part of each day. More time in the sunshine, breathing in beautiful days. More time with Leah, letting her be silly, making believe, making messes... more time with little Leah before she is no longer little.

2. More Good News: I love staying connected with friends and family on social networks. However, I want to see positive news and more of the "good stuff" shared. The story about the guy or gal that spread happiness rather than hate, that lent a helping hand, rather than a hurting one. I want to see good people doing good things go viral, not hateful people doing terrible things. I'll read or watch the news to stay informed, but would like to enjoy my social feeds for positive anecdotes, light-hearted humor, and up-to-date notes from friends and family.

3. Change: I will continue to pray that the world we will one day leave for our daughter will be a better one than the one we live in now. Can I change the world? No. However, I can influence the way that she sees the world. For instance, I can teach her to love rainy days, because she can pull on her boots and stomp around and then come inside for a hot shower and cocoa. I can teach her that rainy days force us to be imaginative and make pillow forts or paint all day. Or, I can teach her to appreciate rest and quiet and the simple joy of sitting on the porch with a book listening to the rain. The point is, I can teach her to love all the days; to change her point of view and spin a dull or upsetting or hard day into an exciting or learn-from-it day. If I can help her do this, than the world that she will live in can be changed and she will have the power to change it!

Is it a dreamer's list? Maybe. However, it is truly what I will wish for this Christmas and all to come.

Merry Christmas, folks! Love and blessings for a fabulous 2016! ♥

Seasons of Life

One week from today, I will celebrate my 28th year. Some of you will think, "When did we get so old?" Others, "You're still a baby!" Still others, "Ahh, to be that young again." Personally, I'm pretty excited!

I've just rounded the corner and am coming into the "summer" of my life. My proverbial "spring" was a time of learning, molding, and growing. All of my experiences, good and bad, changed me. All of my friendships, some that have remained and some that have moved on, made me a better person. The memories from my childhood, youth, and young adult years taught me a great deal. With all of that to be reflected on, it is time for a new season! 

I am looking forward to "summer"! I am looking forward to another season of memories! I do hope this season moves a little slower than the last. I remember rushing through spring, always waiting for "some day". I think I'll slow down a little and try to stroll, and not run through summer!

Cheers to the changing of seasons! 

The Truth About Motherhood...

The truth about motherhood... is that only you and your little one will know the whole story...

Only she will see you at your best. Only she will see you laugh hysterically at something no one else would laugh at and, in turn laugh with you, simply because you are both just plain happy. Only she will see you share a bite of everything on your plate, even though she has the exact same thing on her plate. (Because yours is better, of course.) Only she will see you dance around, make ridiculous faces, and act "her age", because it makes her smile. 

Only she will see you at your worst. Only she will see you lose your temper and the tears roll down your cheeks as you hold her and apologize. Only she will hug you back, never saying a word, just silently understanding that you love her to the moon and back.

Only she will wonder why your eyes aren't dry, even when you are laughing. She doesn't yet understand how bittersweet these moments are; how fleeting they are. She'll wonder why you hold her so long before you lay her down to sleep. She wonder why you ask for 1,000 hugs a day and kiss her squishy cheeks every chance you get. She doesn't know that everyday you know that tomorrow, she will be a little bit older, a little more independent, and a little bit closer to being a "big girl"... a teenager... an adult. She doesn't know that even though you are holding her hand and cheering her on for every step she takes in that direction, your heart hurts longing for the clock to slow down and make the days and years just a little bit longer.

Only she, because the moments shared with others are the good times and the edited versions of the hard times... you will tell stories of her new words and accomplishments, her silly actions and exciting news. Your family and closest friends may hear a little more, but only she will know it all. Her version is uncut, uncensored, and purely truth. 

Everyday is a new page in her book and for now, you are the author. One day, you will blink, and she will be writing her own story. I look at my daughter and I try everyday to see more smiles than tears. (At 1½, sometimes the wall looks at her the wrong way and her feelings are hurt, but we try. ;) ) There is a tremendous learning curve with parenting and for a while, I asked too many questions, asked for too much advice, from far too many people. Now, I am confident that God made me LJ's mommy because He knew I was made for the job. I make mistakes... and she sees that. BUT, I also make great choices, and she sees that too. We are learning and growing together and I love that.

The truth about motherhood is that there is not a blanket statement, quote, or piece of advice that works for everyone. The truth about motherhood is that every mother is doing their best to do what is best for their kid(s). The truth about motherhood is that we could all write a book and while they would all be completely different, they would all have the same subtitle: I love you kiddo, and we are learning as we go. ♥

Fall Coffee ♥

I want to share with you a quick tip that will make your fall morning coffee that much better!

Have you ever tried sprinkling spices on your coffee grounds? If you haven't, let me tell you, it is the best!

My personal favorites are cinnamon or pumpkin pie spice, but you can do cocoa, nutmeg, allspice, or any mixture of those. Now, I like using French Vanilla creamer with any of these, but you can "spice it up" with any selection of seasonal creamer as well!

Cheers, my fellow coffee lovers! ;)

To My Siblings...

I'm sure on your social media reel you've seen a meme or worded photo talking about best friends or true friendships. The list of qualities include "a good listener", "always there", "walks right into your house like they live there", "pick up conversation like no time has past".... Well, I am blessed to have such friends. One who has known me my entire life and two who I have known their entire life. They have seen me at my very, very worst, know all of my secrets, and I can talk to about anything. They aren't very good at keeping secrets, however, for if I tell one, all three will somehow know about it. That's really perfectly okay though -- it's usually because they know one of the others is better suited to talk about whatever it is that's going on. I don't really call them friends though -- they are my brothers and my sister.

We've been through a lot together. We have stories and secrets that no one else knows -- inside jokes that only we find funny. We tell the same stories over and over and over and they are ALWAYS funny! Was it always like that? Absolutely not! I fought with my siblings terribly! When I was probably 8, 9, 10 - 14ish, my big brother was my living nemesis, my baby sister was the most annoying human on the face of the earth, and my little brother had middle-child-syndrome where he made it quite clear that I wasn't the boss of him -- and I was, in a word, bossy, so that annoyed the snot out of me! (Surely this is true of most, if not all "siblinghoods".) Family anecdotes aside, our years growing up together unknowingly crafted a bond that is unbreakable. They are 3 of the greatest people I will ever know. My brothers and my sister are 3 of my most treasured friendships. They are the foundation of who I am and I couldn't be more grateful for them. I would be lying if I told you that we always agree with each other -- we don't. BUT, what makes our friendship stronger than most is that even when we don't agree, we are in each other's corner. We will always stand beside each other proudly or lift the other up, when need be. That's what makes the friendship of siblings different.

As we became adults (the "baby" turned 22 this year and the oldest turning 30 this winter), we spread out across the state, started our own little families, and/or began new journeys. With that, our family grew.
I have, in the past 5 years, gained 3 sisters and in return, my siblings gained another brother. Our village is growing and each person makes it a little stronger. They are the Aunts and Uncles to my little girl and though she doesn't know if yet, they will be her circle of confidence and strength, as they are mine. When she doesn't agree with her Daddy and me (and Heaven knows, she won't always), and she runs to one of them for advice or to rant, they will dry her tears, tell her funny stories about "when we were kids", and remind her that we love her. They will because that's what brothers and sisters do -- that's what Aunt and Uncles do.

I am blessed. Sometimes it slips my mind, but never for long. In my prayers, I count my brothers and sister... sisters some of my greatest blessings!