{On the Menu:} Crab Cakes

May 22nd, 2013 Leave a comment
Posted in: Eats

Looking for the perfect summer delight? This crab cake recipe is a family favorite (we even served them at Lauren’s first birthday party), but they come with a serious warning.  Once you make them you will NEVER be able to eat crab cakes in a restaurant again.  These crab cakes are so good that no others will compare and you’ll only be left disappointed (trust me it’s happened).

Maryland Crab Cakes

Printable Crab Cakes recipe.

1 lb cooked crab meat, picked over

1 cup fresh breadcrumbs

1/3 cup milk

¼ cup mayonnaise

1 egg, lightly beaten

2 tbs. finely chopped fresh parsley

2 tbs. finely chopped green onion with top

½ tsp. baking powder

½ tsp. salt

¼ tsp. freshly ground white pepper

2 tbs. unsalted butter

2 tbs. olive oil

all-purpose flour

tarter sauce (recipe follows) Read more

{Preview:} Lauren’s 3rd Birthday

May 21st, 2013 Leave a comment
Posted in: Entertaining

I have to admit, one of my biggest motivators to get back to blogging was my desire to share the details of Lauren’s upcoming third birthday party.  I can’t believe my baby girl will be THREE in less than a month.  The time has flown by and, if I’m being honest, I’m just a little sad.  ”Two” still seems like a baby age, but “three” is a big girl.  I LOVE her and love planning a special celebration for her each year!

I usually like to choose her party’s theme and start planning in January.  However, this year we had a really hard time picking a theme.  Lauren isn’t the kind of kid who gets really into just one thing.  There are lot of things she loves, but no clear “favorite.” Then, one afternoon as we walked through the produce department of our local grocery store, it hit me.  As she had on nearly every previous shopping trip, Lauren asked about the pinatas displayed high above the bins of vegetables.   Suddenly, it was perfectly clear.  We could combine our Texas roots and LOVE of Tex-Mex cuisine with Lauren’s desire for a pinata and have a “FIESTA” themed party!

Of course, I started a Pinterest board to streamline my ideas.  Andy loves the theme because it gives him a great reason to grill up one of his favorites-fajitas!

So today, I just wanted to share a few sneak peaks of what we have in the works for her party ”FIESTA” next month.

I knew from the get-go that I wanted to put a colorful, girly spin on the “traditional” fiesta.  I purchased digital paper and clipart from Lilly Bimble on Etsy. EVERYTHING in this shop is so cute. I highly recommend you check it out.

I also created this fabulous mesh wreath to place on our front door and welcome guest to the FIESTA.  (Sorry about the horrible iPhone photo, pregnant Aleah has no time for photo editing.) I love all the bright colors and the adorable mini pinata.  Ole!

I’ll share all the details from her party in a few weeks! Be sure to check back soon!

 

{Menu Monday:} Week of May 20, 2013 & a BIG surprise!

May 20th, 2013 6 Comments
Posted in: Eats, Family

It’s hard to believe that just one month from today we’ll be back here (Kauai, Hawaii) celebrating this (our TENTH wedding anniversary)! The time has flown by, and while this won’t be our first return visit to the Garden Island since our big day back in 2003, it will be Lauren’s first trip to the Aloha State.  She’s such a fantastic little traveler and did so great on the longs flights to and from Paris earlier this year that we figured there was no better time than now for a trip to this place we love.

Here’s our menu for this week: (and keep reading for a BIG surprise at the end of today’s post) Read more

{Menu Tuesday:} Week of February 19, 2013

Feb 19th, 2013 Leave a comment
Posted in: Uncategorized

It’s a Tuesday that feels like a Monday.  Here’s are menu for the week just one day late.

Tuesday: Chicken & Wine with Brown Rice and Steamed Broccoli

Wednesday: Meatballs & Marinara with Linguine

Thursday: Grilled Chicken Salad

Friday: Pizza & Salad

We were lucky enough to have Andy home for the long President’s Day weekend.  First the first time in a while, we didn’t have any big plans so we decided to take advantage of the time at home and try using “The Three Day Method” to potty train Lauren.  She’s been ready for a while, but I was the one who wasn’t ready, plus finding three straight days to stay home is tough for us.  The good wonderful news is the method seems to be working for us! *Knock Wood*

Happy Tuesday!

{Winter Vacation 2013:} Quebec City

Feb 13th, 2013 2 Comments
Posted in: Family, Fun

We’ve just returned from our winter vacation to Quebec City, Canada, and to say we had a wonderful time would be an understatement.  We enjoyed ourselves every bit as much as we did four years ago and honestly even more because we were able to share the fun with people we love. Read more

{Easy} Valentine’s Breakfast Ideas

Feb 11th, 2013 Leave a comment
Posted in: Eats, Entertaining

Since we’re away, I don’t have my regular {Menu Monday} post to share with you today.  Instead, I have some easy Valentine’s breakfast ideas.  Lauren and I served up these goodies to our friends last week.  They are perfect for a Valentine’s morning playdate or just a quite morning at home with the ones you love.

“We’re Bananas for You!”

Serve up some of homemade banana bread or muffins.  My Chocolate Chip Banana Bread is an extra sweet start to the day.

“We’re Berry Glad We’re Friends!”

How about some simple yogurt parfaits.  Strawberry yogurt topped with blueberries and diced strawberries.

“You’re the Apple of My Eye!”

And, I’ve saved the easiest for last! Apple slices!

A well stocked craft room and five minutes on the computer allowed me to whip up the buffet labels.  Another cute idea for a beverage is “You’re My Cup of Tea.

Come back soon because I’ll be sharing a few more cute Valentine’s ideas as well as my most recent party (a “Snow Sprinkle”) later this week!

{On the Menu:} Asian Meatballs

Feb 7th, 2013 Leave a comment
Posted in: Eats

These deliciously saucy Asian meatballs, for via FoodGawker years ago, make a great appetizer or accompaniment.   Try whipping up a batch to celebrate Chinese New Year this weekend.

Asian Meatballs

1 pound ground beef or pork (I used half a pound of each)

1 teaspoon sesame oil
1 cup Panko
1/4 teaspoon ground ginger
1 eggs
2 teaspoons minced garlic
1/4 cup thinly-sliced green onions

Sauce:
1/3 cup hoisin sauce
1 garlic clove, minced
1 Tablespoon soy sauce
1/2 teaspoon sesame oil
1/2 teaspoon ground ginger

Preheat oven to 400.

In a large bowl, mix together meatball ingredients until well-combined.  Shape into balls, and place on a greased baking sheet or in a 9×13 baking dish.  Bake for 10-12 minutes, or until meatballs are golden on the outside and no longer pink on the inside.

While the meatballs are baking, whisk together all of the sauce ingredients until blended.  Once meatballs have finished cooking, pour the sauce over the meatballs and gently stir them until covered. Serve warm.

If you’re looking for a great children’s book on Chinese New Year, I highly recommend Sam and the Lucky Money  by  Karen Chinn.  It’s a heartwarming story that not only teaches about Chinese New Year traditions, but also about the importance of helping those who are less fortunate.

Gung Hay Fat Choy! (Best wishes and congratulations. Have a prosperous and good year.)

{On the Menu:} Sweet & Sour Chicken

Feb 5th, 2013 Leave a comment
Posted in: Eats

They say necessity is the mother of invention and that’s definitely the case with this recipe.  It’s no secret that Andy’s a bit of a picky eater, especially when it comes to Chinese food.  Currently there aren’t any “acceptable” options in our area for take out, so after a bit of experimenting Andy has created his own recipe for all white-meat Sweet & Sour Chicken.  I don’t think I’m being biased when I say it’s the best I’ve ever had!  What I love most about this recipe is that you know exactly what’s in it, and it’s really nothing out of the ordinary.  We hope you enjoy! Read more

{Our Winter Holiday:} Carnaval de Quebec

Feb 4th, 2013 1 Comment
Posted in: Fun

A few years ago, Andy and I traveled north of the border to Quebec City for a winter holiday.  We timed our visit so we could attend Carnaval de Quebec, their winter ice carnival, and we had an amazing time.

At the time we talked about how nice it would be to go back and share the fun with our families and future child(ren) one day.  We decided 2013 was the year! Lauren is such a great little traveler and we think she’s the perfect age to enjoy the fun. Andy’s parents, always up for adventure, are coming along this year too!

Carnaval de Quebec has tons of family oriented attractions including parades, sledding, ice skating, snow sculpting, and pretty much anything else you can image that’s related to snow, ice or winter fun.  (See the official page here.)

Andy and me in front of the Ice Palace in 2009

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{Menu Monday:} Week of February 4, 2013

Feb 4th, 2013 Leave a comment
Posted in: Eats

I’m often asked how I go about planning our menu each week.  One of the primary things I consider when deciding what we’ll eat is what we already have on hand.  Not only what’s in the pantry, but especially any perishable items.  Our menu this week’s menu is a good example of this.

Andy loves avocados and they’re a staple in our house.  We buy bags of them at Costco a few times a month.  Rightnow we have several that are ripe and ready to be enjoyed.  For this week we’ve chosen dinners that highlight them.

Monday: Tacos
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