Biscuits and Pizza

Yes yes, carbs and more carbs:) I have never attempted to make biscuits. Mainly because I don't eat them, but also they seem so hard to make. Sunday morning changed my mind. Just take a little bit of bisquick add water and you have some yummy biscuits. We added some turkey sausage and had sausage biscuits. A much healthier version than what you would get at Bojangles.

Our Sunday night dinner is always pizza. However, I have been trying to make it at home and try different combinations. I was really craving guacamole so I thought a taco pizza would be something different. It was really easy and tasty.

1 Mama Mary's pizza crust

Ingredients in order by layers

1/2 can refried beans

salsa

ground turkey with taco seasoning

red onion

cheddar cheese

Bake at 450* for 10 minutes

Top with your favorite taco toppings. Enjoy, you need a fork!

Radiating Love

I left Scott in Charlotte today while I headed home to Winston. I had a baby shower to go to, and also wanted to stop and see my dad. Every time I go back I always find myself longing to move back home. But this time I was looking forward to heading back to Charlotte to meet my husband for dinner.

To fix Scott's Italian craving we went to Macaroni Grille. We thought there wouldn't be too much of a wait but we were wrong. We decided to just sit at the bar and have dinner there. I am so glad we made this decision. We had the best time. I think we even had fewer people around us then we would have if we sat at a dinning table. We each enjoyed a cocktail while snacking on their bread, mediterranean olives, and stuffed pepadew peppers. We could have just ordered that for dinner and been fine. They were delicious. (peppers not shown.) Sitting beside us was an older couple who also chose not to wait for a table. The lady asked me if Scott and I were newly weds. When I replied "no, we have been married for just over 4 years," she seemed surprised. She said we were so cute together. She then told me that her and her husband had been married for 42 years. I let her know that it was encouraging and then we had a short, sweet talk about marriage. As they were leaving she wished us "many many many more years together." The conversation and the apparent love Scott and I have for each other made our evening. We hope one day we are sitting at a bar beside a young couple, and can tell them we have been married for 40+ years.

Showering Cambria with lots of love

This weekend was Cambria's first baby shower. It is very clear how much she is loved, and how much Miss Ali will be loved. I had great plans for a gift that Cambria would love. She always gives gifts that are thoughtful and planned ahead. I wanted to give her something that I made and something she wouldn't forget.

Sometimes the best laid plans don't happen accordingly. With the past few weeks shopping or

making something wasn't going to happen. I wanted to put together a gift basket for her with lots

of goodies. Still wanting to add my touch to her gift, I spruced up some burp clothes.

The finished gift basket.

Just a small glimpse of the gifts she received.

Instead of cards, we all bought a book and wrote a message inside to Ali. Julie, Cambria's mom, bought this book. When you open the book, you hear Julie's voice reading the book.

Baby bedding.

Cambria digging thru all the goodies.

Center piece for the food table.

The glowing mommy to be and I.

I am looking forward to June. I cannot wait to meet Miss Ali.

Who wears the apron better?

Saturday night after splitting a bottle of wine we thought it might be best to make some dinner. We need you guys to tell us who wears the apron better?

(really bad picture of me...and this was the best out of 3.)

So honestly, neither one of us was very photogenic Saturday night.

I think he looks so cute in the apron. He needs to wear it more often. Oh wait...that means he would have to cook:/ That doesn't happen unless it involves a grill.

With a team effort we whipped up spaghetti and meatballs in homemade sauce with olive & roasted garlic bread.

And because I was picture happy you can see how this meal came together.

And because we were starving by the time dinner was ready, I forgot to take a picture. But you can find what the finished meal looks like here.

Faith, Family, and Friends

These three things have always been important in my life. Some have been more important than others at times. But today I have realized that it is these 3 things that have gotten me and my family thru the past 2 weeks.

Faith- Why is it you always rely on God most in a time of need? Lately I have found myself praying and relying on God more than I do on a day to day basis. Why is it that I don't find myself "needing" God as much when things are running smoothly?

I cannot even begin to count how many people have had my family in their prayers. When you stop to think about it it is pretty amazing. Thanks to the prayers that God has answered and is still continuing to answer my dad is doing extremely well.

Family- It is life without them that I couldn't imagine.

In a time of need we have relied on each other for comfort, love, support, and company. It has been amazing to see my family come together no matter the differences. Over the past 2 weeks my dad has had a wife not want to leave his side, 2 kids spend their college spring break at the hospital, 2 daughters take off work, and a daughter from Boston fly in for one night just to see him.

I thought surely he could come up with a more exciting way to get us all together. But nevertheless this is what family does for one another. My dad continues to thank us for driving and visiting him. He seems to have a hard time accepting the fact that we want to be there.

Friends - The volume of friends and church members that have come to visit my dad have been incredible. The phone calls, visits, cards, prayers, and preparation of meals have been thoughtful and heartfelt.

I cannot even begin to express my gratitude to my friends that have stopped by the hospital, given us a place to crash, met us for dinner, sent cards, or helped out at work. I feel very blessed to have such wonderful friends. For those of you reading I hope you know your prayers and phone calls have meant the world to me. Thank you for your love and support.

Craving for Cooking

For the past week I have not cooked a single meal. Unless you count oatmeal for breakfast. I can't wait to get back into the kitchen and cook. I have stumbled across some tasty looking treats. Here area few things I plan to bake/cook in the kitchen.

Sweet way to start off my morning and dunk in a cup of joe.

I have been on an avocado kick lately. Looks light and delish.

Baked "Fried" food. Looks so good!

Scott has been so sweet and helpful this past week.

I want to bake him this sweet treat to show my appreciation.

PB & banana smoothie

If you like bananas and peanut butter, you must give this recipe a try. We found a recipe on www.skinnytaste.com but tweaked it for our liking. Give this easy smoothie a quick try. We promise you won't be disappointed.

1 whole frozen banana

8 oz. frozen lit n' fit yogurt

8 oz. skim milk

Peanut Butter * desired amount

1 tsp honey

Serving size 2 smoothies

Enjoy!

Persistence pays off

Since running I have been begging Scott to run with me. "I hate running," he would say. Well with a little bit of persistence, a smile, and bashing of the eyelashes, he has started running with me. A few reasons this is excellent for my running: 1. He sets a fast pace. 2. I have company. 3. I can run longer:) (self confidence boost on my part)

So today guess who signed up for their first 5k run?

Yes, that's right, Scott has signed up to run his first 5k with me! There will be a friendly

competition.

2 cute for words

She is looking a little perplexed.
This is my all time favorite picture of Coby!

International cuisine

Mexican Night

Appetizer- Black bean hummus

Beverage- Spring Blue Moon

Ingredients

• 1 garlic clove, peeled
• 2 tablespoons fresh lemon juice
• 1 tablespoon tahini (roasted sesame seed paste)
• 1 teaspoon ground cumin
• 1/4 teaspoon salt
• 1 (15-ounce) can black beans, rinsed and drained
• 1 small jalapeño pepper, chopped (about 2 tablespoons)
• Dash of crushed red pepper
• 2 teaspoons extra-virgin olive oil
• Dash of ground red pepper
• 1 (6-ounce) bag pita chips (such as Stacy's Simply Naked)

Preparation

1. Place garlic in a food processor; process until finely chopped. Add lemon juice, tahini, cumin, salt, black beans, jalapeño pepper, and crushed red pepper; process until smooth. Spoon bean mixture into a medium bowl, and drizzle with extra-virgin olive oil. Sprinkle with ground red pepper. Serve with pita chips.

Recipe from Cooking Light

Entree- Blackened fish tacos

Ingredients

• 1/4 cup reduced-fat sour cream
• 2 tablespoons chopped fresh cilantro
• 2 tablespoons fresh lime juice
• 1 jalapeño pepper, seeded and chopped
• 1 cup thinly sliced white onion
• 1 1/2 teaspoons paprika
• 1 1/2 teaspoons brown sugar
• 1 teaspoon dried oregano
• 3/4 teaspoon garlic powder
• 1/2 teaspoon salt
• 1/2 teaspoon ground cumin
• 1/4 teaspoon ground red pepper
• 4 (6-ounce) tilapia fillets
• 1 tablespoon canola oil
• 8 (6-inch) corn tortillas
• 1/2 ripe peeled avocado, thinly sliced
• 4 lime wedges

Preparation

1. Combine first 4 ingredients in a food processor; process until smooth. Combine jalapeño sauce and onion in a small bowl.

2. Combine paprika and next 6 ingredients (through ground red pepper); sprinkle evenly over fish. Heat oil in a large cast-iron skillet over medium-high heat. Add fish to pan; cook 3 minutes on each side or until desired degree of doneness.

3. Warm tortillas according to package directions. Divide fish, onion mixture, and avocado evenly among tortillas. Serve with lime wedges.

Recipe from Cooking Light

Dessert- Puff pastry filled with strawberries and raspberries topped with cabernet chocolate sauce and vanilla ice cream.

Chinese Night

Entree- Fried rice with steamed chicken pot stickers.

Both courtesy of Trader Joe's frozen food aisle.