Weekend Update

Our weekend was quite lovely.  Since I have a slight “case of the Monday’s,” even though it's Tuesday, my post will be a bit condensed. Ha!  : )  All in all, we had just the right amount of fun and just the right amount of rest over the weekend.  Well, at least, I would say so on the balance of fun and rest…hubby might have a differing opinion from slaving away  diligently working in the garden with me.  We did actually have a great time gardening together.  It’s very therapeutic getting your hands in the soil as well as great fun for your relationship!  "Building" something from {literally} the ground up with your spouse.  I adore all those little things we do together that keep us so close!  I so enjoyed the digging, tilling, raking, planting.  Such good exercise and a good start to our little outdoor grocery store!  Tomatoes and more peppers still to come.  I'm debating adding carrots.

These are the before shots.  Of course I forgot to get the after!
Will post some as our little garden grows.

Saturday evening, we got washed up from our gardening extravaganza and put on our finest attire to attend the opening of a new restaurant on Canton Street.  This was “invitation only” so you imagine how VIP we felt strutting up to the door.  Yes, I said strutting. Little Alley Steakhouse is A-M-A-Z-I-N-G.   The decor is trendy yet serene and the food is…well…the only word I can think of to describe it.  Exquisite!!!!  So refined. Our dear friend, at another restaurant on Canton Street, hooked us up with the invite so we were able to have fabulous food and drink for FREEEEEEE!!!!  Yes, I was giddy with excitement that something this good, GRAND, could be free.  When "they" say “it pays to know people,” they {whoever “they” are} mean it!  Networking, folks!  It’s so so worth it!  : )  

We had a great time Saturday night and know the restaurant is going to be a huge success.  Opening to the public last night, the buzz around town is that this restaurant is a force to be reckoned with! I'm so pleased how wonderfully it's been received.  Ahhh….and I’m so excited to go back soon whenever that may be!  Their website is not yet completed, so you have to “like” them on facebook which I HIGHLY recommend!  We sampled the Kobe meatballs, the Angus steak, the center-cut filet, and the jumbo shrimp.  All fabulous!!!

Sunday was more of our rest day, as it should be.  Church, then a teeny little bit more yard work, then a date night with Oscar and some jazzed up spaghetti.  Great end to another great weekend!

Hmmm, so is it Friday yet?  : )

Friday Favorites

Oh happy day!  Oh happy Friday!  I'm reveling in the plans for our weekend and can't wait until 6 pm this evening when the weekend actually begins. 


For this week's Friday Faves:

1. English Muffins.  Good for breakfast, lunch, dinner.  We obsess over enjoy a fried egg on just about anything.  A Saturday morning staple for us is an English muffin sandwich with a little bit of olive oil mayo and a fried egg {salt and peppered well of course}. You can use these muffins in many different ways.  For a healthier version of mini pizzas for example.   Just take one muffin and spread marinara sauce over and sprinkle a little cheese and oregano and a turkey pepperoni or two and pop in the oven.  Super simple and if you are into portion control {which lawd knows we all should be} then this is a good option for lunch or for dinner along with a small green salad.

2.  Smitten Kitchen website. http://smittenkitchen.com/  Hmmmm…have I mentioned this site before?  Maybe here or here  ; ) Third time’s a charm, right?  I’m tellin ya, check it out. 'Nuff said.

3. Basil.  I love basil in just about every dish.  So fresh, fragrant, clean tasting.  I decided to get a teeny little basil plant to keep in the kitchen until I’m able to plant it in the herb garden.  I hope this is no sign of what’s to come.  My thumb best be green with all the gardners in the family.  It’s got to be genetic, right?!?  Let’s hope so!  Until then, I’m initiating “Operation Save the Basil.”  This is purely shameful but here’s a current pic of the poor ole thing. Horrific I know.  I believe I have now read every online article there is on indoor and outdoor plants and gardening in preparation of what’s to come in our backyard.  I CANNOT let this happen to another plant!  Unacceptable.

4. Five pound dumbbells.  With Spring fast approaching, now is the time to think about getting back in shape.  Enter my trusty ole dumbbells I've had for years.  These are light enough to not bulk you up like The Hulk but heavy enough to give some tone and definition.  Great to use while watching tv.  Mix that with some crunches during commercial breaks and your exercising without even thinking about it!  For habitual DVR users {myself included}, purposely let the commercials actually play out.  No fast forwarding if you're going to use this time for some light exercise.

   

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Someone else likes them too!

5.    Spicy Bloody Mary Crostini.  These are out of this world, super yum!  I can't get enough of them.  They are spicy and cheesy and light and airy all at one time.  One guess where this snack comes from.  Wait for it...Roswell Provisions of course!  Every now and again if we've been super frugal, I'll treat myself to some.  These come in handy if you need an afternoon snack or some nibbly things prior to a dinner party.  Love em!  Keep the good stuff coming RP!

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Note that this is what the basil {in background} originally looked like. 
So depressing but "Operation Save the Basil" should work...hopefully!

Hope you've enjoyed my Friday Faves and I hope you enjoy your weekend!

Southwestern Pulled Brisket

As promised, here is the recipe for Southwestern Pulled Brisket courtesy of Smitten Kitchen.  Let me just say that this site rocks.  I love the pictures {the camera used is clearly quite pricey}.  The recipes are delectable, some being easy to prepare and others that take a bit of time and effort.  Deb, the writer, always keeps me entertained and connected.  She's honest. She's funny. Yet informative.  This site will be a Friday Favorite for sure! : ) Check it out at http://smittenkitchen.com/ if you haven't come across it already.

Let's begin...

First, you know me, always the stickler to have everything out on the counter ready for prep work.  This is an absolute must for me as I never know what critter pup or kitten I might step on {who are both constantly underneath me while I'm in the kitchen} so moving around needs to be kept to a minimum.  Sneaky little beggars just waiting for me to drop a morsel of food for them to devour.  I totally get it though.  I'd be doing the same thing if I were them, especially in the harsh reality that they do not get people food!  At least not yet, I'm sure we'll cave eventually.

As I mentioned yesterday, the molasses is the star of this show to me.  The chipotle peppers have become a fave of mine also and I like to dice them and put in chicken and veggie fajitas.  Husband and I LOVE the spice!  Nearly every ingredient here can be used in many other dishes. 

Look at our little salt and pepper shakers!  I've had these for a long time but
they still make me giggle.  Esp Mr. Salt cause he's all chubby.



Next, salt and pepper your brisket.  I washed it and patted it to dry it as much as possible.  I'm weird I suppose, but those yucky juices that come running out of the brisket packaging gross me out.
Up to you to wash or not to wash.

 
Into skillet and brown on both sides. Then, transfer into your slow cooker.

Slice up onion and chop garlic.  Saute in the same skillet that the brisket was in and add the coriander, cumin, and chili powder. Stir to scrape up those yummy bits in the bottom of the pan from the brisket.

Add vinegar and stir then let bubble away.  Then, add the water.  This part smells kinda stank to me {as I imagine it will to you unless you just adore the smell of vinegar}.  After it bubbles down, your kitchen smells good again.  Just give it a minute.  I promise.



Pour this entire mixture over the brisket in your slow cooker

Next up, add the tomatoes and chipotles as well as the bay leaves and molasses.

Yummy, Ewwwy-gewwy molasses!

Lid on and cook for 8-10 hours on low.  The brisket will be super tender and easy to "pull."  Simply take two forks and pull apart the brisket and by the time you're done, it's all shredded and deee-lish! 

And voila!  Dinner is served.  This brisket is also good tucked in between sandwich buns and next time, I'll be taking a stab at the Green Onion Slaw and Pickled Red Onions to accompany the brisket in sandwich form.  I'll report back on those.

Full Recipe from Smitten Kitchen found here: Brisket Recipe

I'm Back!

Please excuse my brief blog hiatus!  We've been busy little Bowden bees.  Let's see, where do I begin?  I won't be able to shrink the last week or so into one blog so I'll let the photos do most of the talking.  I will say, my husband is soooo sweet!  Valentine's day, as promised, was quite a treat and we had the best weekend a girl could ask for.  Then, as if that's not enough loveliness {gag, I know!}, I had President's day off and am proud to say have checked many o things off my to do list.  If only every week was a four day work week.  Sigh. 
Over the course of the last eight days, we've tried some new recipes, worked on the house {in the cheapest ways possible of course...it truly is amazing what a can of paint can do!}, organized and finalized our merging of assets finances and how we'll handle them as a new married couple, and many other things!

I was invited to go with one of my besties to tour her wedding venue over the weekend.  The locale is top secret till those invites go out but I will hint towards the super cute and fabulous.  Can't wait to see her marry the love of her life come summer.  Then, I top it all off with a emergency much needed hair appointment last night after work.  They sure do pamper ya at Soda Salon which is so nice and relaxing and fun all at the same time.  My girl, Courtney doesn't disappoint nor does the glass of Pinot Noir they serve you after a long, tiresome work day.  Husband has enjoyed some time with his buddies which he needs just like I need time with the girls every now and again.  And hello!  So looking forward to continuing our inaugural ladies' Supper Club!!  Next one is in March!
 
In the midst of all our to do's and newlywed nesting, we still have yet to get to the garden.  It's been revolving on my list for a week and a half and this weekend I'm determined {weather permitting} to at least get the ground ready.  Stay tuned!  Recap of last week/end in photos below.

~Valentine's Day Goodies~

~Southwestern Pulled Brisket~  Full Recipe coming soon...courtesy of Smitten Kitchen

Serve alongside french bread or garlic bread.

~Chalkboard Paint~

This paint is brilliant!  Sold at Joann Fabric.  Turned my old pink rose picture into a chalkboard for our dining room!  Total project cost...$6.99. 

~Jalapeno Popper Dip~

Serve with chips or smear on french baguette

~Grocery Store Spending...ideas continued...~

This adorable bag was a wedding shower gift from my dear friend, Sue Ellen.  Who, by the way, just had her beautiful baby boy!!!  Congrats again!!!  As discussed in another post on Grocery Store Spending and how to cut costs, another idea popped into my head.  I decided to use this bag for groceries{along with one other small Publix tote}and whatever groceries are on my list for the week must fit into these bags only {save for the dog food and kitten chow which we buy in bulk and those barely fit in my SUV let alone this bag!}.  Of course, paper towels, t.p, cleaning supplies and the like are also bought on occasion and in bulk so they don't apply here. This is meant for food purchases for the week.  Basically, if something doesn't fit, I can't get it or I have to decide on something to put back.  Last week was my first run at it and it worked perfectly!  I'm determined to continue.

I'll leave ya with some more pics of our cute little munchkins!  Sheesh, I really can't wait eight days again to blog!  Too much to recount!

Please get off of me already!  ~Sushi

Okay, fine then, I'll bite you and walk away!  ~Sushi

Dad consoling Abbey after Sushi abandoned fled from her.  Poor Abbey.

My Funny Valentine

Happy Valentine's Day to all!!!  And to one person in particular...my sweet, loving, funny valentine, Dylan.  You make me so happy and I love you more and more every day! 

Speaking of, I can't wait to see what ole hubs has in store for me this evening.  Per Dylan, I am not to make anything for dinner.  He's handling it all!  I am very impatient with surprises so I have a sneaking suspicion that this day is gonna drag a bit.  Countdown to 5:30 pm!!!

Whether you are single, dating, engaged, married, don't let this day make you gag.  Yes, it's a bit cliche, overrated I suppose.  Have fun with it anyway.  If single, this day doesn't have to be about not having a "honey," it can be about you!  Love yourself, love your friends.  If you are, in fact, attached...love your spouse and celebrate that love!  Either way, enjoy it.  Everybody likes chocolate, right?  Well, today's a great excuse to indulge! : ) 

Here's a funny pic to brighten up and lighten up today!

Friday Favorites

F.R.I.D.A.Y!!!!  'Nuff said.  Celebrate and enjoy your weekend!  Up for us: grilling tonight {probably with a little added fire pit action to keep us cozy while we grill in the brisk Roswell air}, cleaning tomorrow as well as prepping the garden and some more DIY projects for me, Sunday church, maybe a little thrift store fun, a walk with Abbey and much needed relaxation time! 

Here are my Friday Favorites:

1.  Peacock Feathers.  They are truly delightful to decorate with.  Yet another 'big-on-style' item as our friends, Mr. Burlap and Mrs. Mason Jar.  I put peacock feathers in a floor vase in our dining room beside the china cabinet for a little color and richness.  I purchased mine at 425 Market Place Antiques in Roswell {check them out on facebook}.  Most craft and fabric stores carry them now as well.  Michael's does for sure!

2. Takeout sushi from Zest.  Divine.  My fave, the Super Crunch Roll and 2 pieces of Salmon nigiri. Perfect for a night when we have just enough leftovers for Dylan and I need something just for me.  {Note: Husband doesn't care for sushi at all. Well, he cares for our kitten Sushi, just not the food!}. Hence, a great opportunity for me to indulge in one of my favorite foods while he's still happy as a clam with his leftovers.

3.  Vintage red velvet pumps c/o Lily James' Vintage.  Check out the Etsy Shop.  I purchased these a few weeks ago and am in love!!!  Thanks CC!  They are perfect with skinny jeans or black leggings.  They are super comfy and for a true vintage shoe, they are in fantastic shape.  My love of all things vintage led me to this purchase.  If you share such a passion, I highly recommend taking a gander through the etsy link posted above.  Also, check it out on facebook.

Here's Christie's pic.  Mine above it is a bit blurry.

4.  Rex-Goliath Cabernet.  Perfect to pair with steak dinners, any red meat for that matter.  Its great for cooking purposes, for de-glazing.  {Note: Never use a wine to cook with that you wouldn't drink!  It won't bode well for you or your dish~at all.  This is a tip from my girl, Ina Garten}.  This particular wine is a fave of mine and Dylan's and it's not expensive in the least.  Total Wine sells it for only $4.47 a bottle.  YES, you read correctly! Not $40 not $14 but $4.  Grocery store chains, however, you're looking at around $9 or $10.  Total Wine is waaaay less expensive. 

5.  One of my favorite new blogs to follow...here's the link to Mini Manor.  I came across this one somehow while perusing Pinterest.  And so glad I did!  Its filled with fun recipes, DIY ideas, decorating tips, the works! Check it out.

Have a fab weekend!  

Salmon with Pineapple Salsa

Delicious and healthy.  Two of my favorite words and even better that they best describe this dish. The only real splurge here is the salmon.  Have your fishmonger slice and weigh the amount you'll need for yourself, your hubs, friends, whomever you're cooking for.  Then, as my last post suggested {Grocery Spending}, the leftover pineapple salsa can be used in another meal...example: on shrimp tacos or just spooned over brown rice.  Look at me, always thinking!  : )  The salsa will keep for at least 4-5 days in an airtight container in your fridge so feel free to double the recipe if you like!  Just make certain to place the salsa, uncooked, into another container for later use.

Let's begin, shall we!

Get your veggies out and onto a cutting board for the prep work.  You'll also need 1 can of chunk pineapple in juice, not heavy syrup {hello! fat}.  Fresh pineapple is best but I was in a hurry Dylan was starving so the can worked faster than butchering an entire pineapple and covering my counter in sticky pineapple juice.

Dice 1 green bell pepper, 1 red onion {or half if you aren't a huge onion fan}, 1 jalapeno {again-half if you aren't a huge fan}.  Slice 1 lime in half.  A little trick with the lime: before you half it, press down on it with the palm of your hand and roll back and forth.  This simply releases the juice from the flesh and skin so you get more of the good stuff out when you slice and squeeze. 

In medium size bowl, stir together: pineapple with some of the juice from the can, diced onion and peppers.  Squeeze lime juice over.  Add about 6 dashes of low sodium soy sauce.  Stir. 

Spray Pyrex with pam or brush with olive oil, place salmon in dish, salt and pepper, and cover salmon with the salsa. I'm talking apply so much of the salsa that you can no longer even see the fish. This ensures those yummy flavors settle in.

My fish is playing hide and seek.  He's under there, I promise!

Pop it into the oven on 400 degrees for 20-25 minutes.  Presto!  It's ready to be devoured.  Hubs requested a baked potato as his side.  For me, just the salmon and salsa alone worked well {especially while heeding the loss of my "love weight" I've gained since the wedding}. "Love Weight" defined: When you eat like a little piggy, while super happy and cooking constantly to impress your new husband and the scale nudges north about 10 {aaheem} 5 pounds.  This weight must quickly be shed prior to Spring : ) Again, that's why this is such a great recipe.  It's delicious and healthy.  In my endeavour to shed said weight, I'll be posting more waistline conscious meals in the near future. Enjoy!