Archives for May 2014

Don’t mind if I do.

May 30, 2014 / By Courtney / 3 Comments

So, M has been traveling a lot lately. Like, most of the past 4 weeks a lot, including leaving Sunday nights.

A lot tends to change while he’s gone. To start, I have a little roommate that moves in with me and that begs me every single night to go to bed at the same time as him. Honestly? Sometimes I do.

Things get a bit more lax in the sense that I don’t have to worry about the home being perfect upon M’s return from the city. Not that he ever puts that pressure on me – that’s all in my head.

And dinner? Well, that’s anyone’s game. Take for instance the other night. We had a fun play date with a baseball bud that lasted close to 6:00. With no real prep for the boys being done, a Happy Meal, a rare yet big deal, seemed to be ideal. Off we went and the whole time of driving there, waiting in the drive thru, then waiting in a parking space for the order was a harsh realization that italian sausage on the grill would have been so. much. easier. Oh well, a movie in the car and Pokeman toys? The boys were content.

Then it came time to feed mom (that’s me). I had this grilled spicy salmon recipe on my brain for quite some time to blog about and man, was I in love. I bribed the boys with popsicles to leave me be while I grilled away, photographed, and devoured the delicious meal that sat along side brown rice and a veggie kabob. Oh, and let’s not forget Brad Pitt’s new Rose, Miraval. I mean, he’s not bad to have around.

So, yes, M….we miss you while we’re gone for sure. But we are hanging in pretty well here, for the most part.

Grilled Spicy Salmon

2014-05-29 23:28:21

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Ingredients

1 lb Salmon
1 tablespoon Sriracha
1/4 cup soy sauce
2 teaspoons minced fresh ginger
1 teaspoon sesame oil
1 teaspoon agave
Freshly ground pepper

Instructions

Whisk together marinade ingredients and let it hang out on the salmon for awhile - honestly anything works, 20 min or a few hours.
Prepare a grill over medium heat and grill for 10-15 min, until salmon is cooked through.

Adapted from Dinner A Love Story

A Life From Scratch. https://a-life-from-scratch.com/

wwww.

May 28, 2014 / By Courtney / 6 Comments

Yippee for pics full of sun kissed skin, wavy hair, and water! Could Memorial Day weekend have been any nicer? No. And we were due this. We were so due this.

For What We Wore Wednesday this week, here are the boys summer time pool looks:

On L: I know, he is already so tan! I swear I put SPF on him….to start, at least. I’ve had people ask me where he is from. Um…..here?! Anyway, he’s sporting a Crewcuts suit which holds up so well, especially since he is in a swimsuit 95% of the summer.

On B: Shark swimsuit from the Gap that states ‘let’s do lunch’ on the bottom. So cute!

On C: My best accessory this weekend? My napping toddler while we cruised around Lake Geneva. Never want to forget that.

That’s enough of us – let’s hear about you! Comment below to tell me about your holiday weekend, I’d love to hear.
C

Memorial Day weekend.

May 24, 2014 / By Courtney / Leave a Comment

Happy long weekend everyone! Let us not forget in between the bbq’s, baseball games, sunshine, wine with friends, boating, and pool time fun not to to pause and remember what it’s all about. I will be thinking of my Papa, Thomas, who served in WWII and was awarded a purple heart for his bravery. Big deal, right? Beckett has the honor of Thomas as his middle name.

Now for some food chat. We’re headed to Henry’s birthday party Saturday night and I’ll be bringing along an old stand by: summer time pasta. This sauce literally cooks itself! Magic.

Sunday we’re having an All American day – I’m hosting a family bbq after L’s baseball game. Can’t wait! On the menu? Summer ribs along with mexican street corn. Bowls of fresh fruit as well. This summer I’m all about cute little bowls offering one type of fruit instead of it all mixed together in one bowl.

Monday we are heading up to Lake Geneva with this crew which should be a blast. I’m hoping to get in time early to make this to die for summer tart.

Oh yes, we’ll be eating good this weekend! Tell me – I’d love to hear about your plans and who you are remembering.
C

Therapy.

May 23, 2014 / By Courtney / 1 Comment

Some people run for therapy. Some people paint. Some people see a therapist. Some people do all three. Me? I chop pretty things up into tiny pieces. And then arrange them imperfectly perfect on top of freshly cooked tortellini. Well, hello there gorgeous.

I’m not quite sure what it is about it that soothes me, but I know I’m happier because of it. Maybe it’s that I get to play with a knife. Maybe it’s the pretty colors. Maybe it’s that I get to serve a pretty chopped tortellini salad to people I love.

Whatever it is, it works. And so does this chopped tortellini salad recipe. Full of fresh vegetables, pasta, and drama as just before serving you get to mix it all together in a whirl of motion. Bam – perfect Memorial Day side, done.

Chopped Tortellini Salad

2014-05-20 16:10:48

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Ingredients

2 packages of fresh tortellini, cooked according to directions and cooled
1 yellow pepper, chopped
1 red pepper, chopped
2 carrots, peeled & chopped
2 scallions, chopped on an angle
Can of olives, chopped
handful of feta
small head of broccoli, chopped
package of good seasons Italian dressing, mixed according to directions

Instructions

Place tortellini in a large bowl and arranged chopped items on top. Toss with dressing right before serving.

By my neighbor, Julie

A Life From Scratch. https://a-life-from-scratch.com/

Best of summer gear!

May 21, 2014 / By Courtney / 4 Comments

With Memorial Day around the corner and some consistently nice weather (woohoo!), I can finally truly think about summer fashion. Doing a little mix up with the normal What We Wore Wednesdays to bring you our family’s favorite summer gear. These are pieces we love, keep going back to, and ordering more and more. Tried and true favorites.

To start, we are a Ray Ban aviator family for sure (see dorks above). Only one missing a pair is B. I did a little mix up this year and got this pair (pictured above), and it’s fun to have another option when getting dressed!

L lived in these shorts last year, and I just ordered another 3 pairs for this year as he went up a size. Same look and fit of the Crewcut shorts, but hello – Old Navy price. They are dressy enough for a nicer event and school, but also hold up well to his running around the yard shenanigans.

I thought this would be the year I ‘grew up’ and ordered a real nice pair of flats, but when I see the $225 price tag on the Tory Burch display, I just can’t do it. Instead I got two pairs of these from Target. They are beyond comfortable, and I saved $175.

My boys live in graphic tees from J Crew. I love them. They love them. All is well.

On my toes will be this color. I’ve tried many others and always seem to go back.

These luxe touch polos from Banana are perfect for M’s summer wardrobe whether he is in the office, on a plane, or the golf course. They rock.

Alas! I’ve found the perfect day dress! I don’t know about you, but I tend to live in dresses in the summer. It’s all about the ease and having only to think about putting on one thing, instead of what shorts go with what tops, etc. These from Boden are so comfortable, soft, and can easily be dressed up or down.

And 90% of the time, on our feet are Rainbow Sandals. They are beyond comfortable (once you break them in) and will last forever.

Play shorts are much cuter when they are striped. B will be living in these.

For fun? This top by J Crew fits beautifully. It comes in solid colors as well and pairs perfectly with shorts, cropped pants, or skirts. Basically, it’s super versatile and an easy update piece.

From my home to yours – those are our favs. Tell me, what am I missing?
C