Archives for May 2015

Back to the beach… for the boys.

May 31, 2015 / By Courtney / 22 Comments

We’ve already talked about what’s going in mom’s suitcase for South Carolina, so now how about the boys? Here are some seasonal essentials for your boys at the beach this summer.

1. This hat says it all.

2. I am so that mom at the pool who never has goggles for her kids. That changes this summer.

3. B is obsessed with these; obsessed. Perfect for plane rides and dinners out.

4. Ah, too cute, right?

5. I’m trying to keep L excited about reading this summer. I so loved the Nancy Drew series; hoping he will get into the Hardy Boys.

6. Loving this all organic spray sunscreen for kids! Maybe this will entice me to actually put sunscreen on them more (I am so that mom as well).

7. Our toes hit the pool deck and this goes on B. Peace of mind, man, peace of mind. And woohoo for him swimming without mom in the pool!

8. Just ordered L’s new Rainbows. Apparently he’s grown 3 sizes since his last pair – whoops.

9. Ah, a classic! Little boys in lacoste makes my heart swell.

These are just a few of the items going into my boys’ suitcases this summer. What are your must-have items for going to the beach with boys?

*The fine print: this post contains affiliate links which means that if you use these links to make a purchase, I may receive a small commission. Of course, you are not obligated to use these links to make your purchase but please know that when you do, it supports my blog and for that I thank you.

A fresh take on asparagus.

May 29, 2015 / By Courtney / 6 Comments

Let’s continue to keep things simple, shall we? I’m convinced May and June dinners need to be filled with this chicken and this balsamic parmesan asparagus. Dinner is done.

Look, it’s no joke that asparagus is hot hot hot right now. Being in season is oh so trendy. All it really needs is to be rubbed down with olive oil, salt, pepper, and thrown into the oven or on the grill. Totally delicious, but adding a little balsamic oil and finishing it off with fresh grated parm, well, it gives a whole new kick to your typical asparagus routine.

Just in time to test out this weekend. Happy Friday everyone!

Balsamic & Parmesan Asparagus

2015-05-27 14:55:33

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Ingredients

one large bunch asparagus, washed
olive oil
balsamic
salt
pepper
freshly grated parmesan cheese

Instructions

Rub all of the above together, except for the parmesan. Grill over medium heat for 10-12 minutes or so, or, roast in a 425 degree oven for 10-12 minutes.
Top with freshly grated parmesan cheese.

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

Smothered chicken.

May 26, 2015 / By Courtney / 10 Comments

How was everyone’s Memorial Day weekend? I hope it was great. We could not have had more fun, and I was kitchenless! I’m so thankful for many wonderful friends and family to entertain us throughout the long weekend and keep us so well fed.

Well, now that it’s officially summer (!!!), it’s time to get a new smothered chicken recipe going on that fired-up grill. Let’s kick it off with a bang, shall we? This one could not be more ridiculous. I mean, look at it. You basically cover grilled chicken with lovely things like cheese, and bacon, and bbq sauce, and green onions, and olives because, well, why not?

Exactly. There is no reason. Just like there is no reason to eat this three times in two weeks, but, we have. And loved every single bite.

Happy Summer friends!

Smothered Chicken

2015-05-19 15:58:21

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Ingredients

4 chicken cutlets, boneless, skinless
2 teaspoons grill seasoning
olive oil
1/4 cup bbq sauce
4 oz mushrooms, sliced (canned or jarred works, but fresh sauteed are better)
4 oz black olives, sliced
4 slices bacon, cooked and broken into 2 inch pieces
1/4 cup green onion, chopped
1 cup colby/monterey jack cheese, shredded

Instructions

The original recipe called to brine the chicken for an hour before grilling. I'm not sure it's necessary but I did it anyway. Place the chicken in a quart of water with 1/4 cup sugar and 1/4 cup salt for one hour prior to cooking.
Alright, now that the chicken is brined (or not, doesn't matter), pat dry and rub with some evoo and grill seasoning. Grill just a few minutes a side - get the nice char marks but don't fully cook through just yet.
Make up a little assembly station with all your fixings. Brush the bbq sauce on and top with bacon, cheese, mushrooms, olives, and green onions. Close to grill to cook an additional 2-3 minutes or so until everything is nice and melted.
Dig in!

Adapted from Nibble Me This

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

Back to the beach… for mom.

May 24, 2015 / By Courtney / 16 Comments

Anyone dreaming of summer vacation? For a girl with a torn up kitchen, it can’t come soon enough. I’d escape already if it weren’t for L. He’s always the problem with school, sports, etc. Ha.

Anyway, in T minus 26 days, we are out of here and back to the beach at Isle of Palms, South Carolina. A new little tradition started by M’s side of the family, this will be our third time going with the whole crew. So much fun.

And without further ado, here’s what’s going into my suitcase. I hope it gives you an idea or two for any trips you may be jetting off on this summer.

1. When all you basically wear is a swimsuit, a new one must be on the agenda. I’m loving this diffused floral print, such a refreshing change from my typical navy stripes. Still deciding on bottoms but don’t worry, there will be some.

2. A trip to the beach without Rainbow sandals? It just can’t be.

3. I am drooling over this Stella & Dot necklace. The turquoise beading is removable, so can be worn simply as a layered gold necklace as well. Genius.

4. Fresh pajamas are always a must when you’re traveling with extended family.

5. J Crew made a killer version of this dress two summers ago. Luckily I grabbed it in both white and orange. I’ve gotten so many compliments and always felt bad telling people it was from a few years ago. I saw this version recently on Boden and it’s almost identical. The absolute perfect dress for when it’s completely sweltering out and you literally feel like wearing nothing.

6. Can’t wait to start reading this book by Paula Hawkins.

7. A completely organic spray sun screen for me and the boys? Loving everything about this brand.

8. When it’s 1000% humidity I completely give up on any blow drying or straightening of my wild wane. There will be a lot of braids, messy buns, and beachy waves. This spray helps it all come together.

9. I don’t leave the house without this product, ever. The boys’ hands get sprayed often and I spray down the airplane armrests and tray tables before we sit down. Because you know no one else has. Gross.

What must-have items are going into your suitcase this summer? Let’s chat about it in comments below!

A kitchen farewell.

May 22, 2015 / By Courtney / 24 Comments

Wow. This might just be the strangest post I’ve ever written on ALFS. So much so that it’s been on my mind since our permit was released and in my drafts for weeks. Just sitting there. Taunting me that it must be written. I mean, hey, I’m primarily a food blogger – suddenly I’m going to have no kitchen? Some explanation is in order here.

Then I started to sift through the last six years of photos to select one for the post. Photos of wild haired L when he was two, sitting at the peninsula counter, munching on a banana.

Photos of B as a newborn, propped up on my shoulder as I attempted to get dinner going during the dreaded witching hour.

Photos of B and L together, coloring on the floor, tripping me every time I’d shift positions to get a different pot, spoon, ingredient, or spice. Photos of L helping me cook, photos of B messing it all up. Photos of a super chubby B in his high chair chowing down on pot roast while his eyes never once left his big brother over at the counter.

Photos of entertaining family and friends over and over and over and over again. Football parties and birthday parties and Christmas Eve Eve and random Fridays and just becauses.

Photos of happy moments and sad moments and messy moments and impressive moments and failed moments. Because it all happens in the kitchen, right? At least it does in our home and I suppose that’s why it’s so incredibly hard for me to let this one go. Tears, really.

I know I’m going to have better. The best, really. We’ve designed and purchased our dream kitchen: signed, sealed, and delivered (well, almost). There’s no turning back. But that doesn’t neccesairly equal happiness. Sure, it’s all nice… grand, really. But what I’m really looking forward to, what I’m aching to have start, is the memories that occur in that new kitchen.

So while the La Cornue rocks so much I can barely sleep, and I can’t wait to cook this summer stew in this pot, what I’m really looking forward to are the moments of life, not the cooking, that occur in the new kitchen in our home. The great report cards brought home, and the double play in baseball stories, and the sad day at recess and up all night growing pains, and the big big big decisions at M’s work, and the frantic typing on my Mac as I try to get one more sentence written for a killer new recipe while B pulls at my leg to bring me outside to pitch.

Because, while great food is my world, nothing compares to those moments. Nothing. I’m going to be a bit, well, lost in my own home over these next 4-6 weeks. I know life will go on as normal butI can’t wait for our life to be back in the… kitchen.

And with that, my old kitchen is signing off, friends. I have some reserves to keep ALFS moving along, but expect a bit more lifestyle posts until we are back up and running in the kitchen. Fingers crossed for July 2nd, please. Toes too if you’re able.