Weekend Recap

Happy Monday!  

I hope you all had a wonderful Mother's Day weekend filled with all of your favorite people. 

I sure did miss my mom, but Jeremiah surprised me by booking tickets to Florida for this weekend. 

We leave on Saturday and I am so excited! 

On Saturday, we attended the wedding for Jeremiah's cousin and his gorgeous fiance (now wife).  

It was held in a quaint little chapel on a lake out where J's family is originally from.  

Between the sunshine, location, and the fact that is was a wedding... I was crying like a baby.  

We aren't even that close to the couple, but I still managed to bust out the waterworks.  

On Sunday morning, we got a little visitor outside our house. 

I asked J if we could keep this adorable little duck... obviously he said no. 

We spent the afternoon with my in-laws and J's brother hanging out on the deck -- soakin' up the sun.   

I absolutely can't get over the look on her face in this photo.  

She's trying to get him to smell one of her flowers.  

That is a mother's love right there.  

Amazing.  Melts my heart. 

  

The rest of the day we spent with my fur babies.  

Seriously, though... who needs a baby with a poop diaper when your husband treats the cat like this:

Luckily J has all of his limbs intact and was not mauled alive by Dexter.  

Ain't nobody got time for dat.  

Did  you have a nice weekend?

Linking up with Syndal and Sar!

What's a "Mom"?

Today is Mother's Day.  

A "mom" can be {and is} many things... 

She is the person who gave you life, whether she birthed you or not. 

She loves you unconditionally, and always knows what to say... and most importantly what NOT to say. 

She hugs you like no one else does. 

She thinks you're funny, even when you aren't. 

She is the best nurse, and her medicine always helps make you feel better. 

She makes the best food. 

She has seen you at your best... and at your worst. 

She thinks you're beautiful, no matter what you look like. 

She sounds like you...or you sound like her... and it creeps you out sometimes. 

She gives advice that will stick with you forever. 

She is a mom not only to you, but to anyone who needs one. 

She drove you crazy as a teenager, but as an adult you realize how much you need her. 

She knows when you need to talk, even without words. 

She makes holidays special.

She worries about you.

She is your biggest cheerleader.   

She is beautiful. 

She is smart. 

She is passionate. 

She is loved. 

I have been blessed with the most amazing Mom.  

She is all of those things, and much much more.  

I love you, Mom. 

And to all the "moms" out there... Happy Mother's Day. 

  

{Friday}

I know I usually count down the top 5 things about my week on Friday, but other than going to photography class on Tuesday -- which was amazing -- not much happened.  After class, Kelly and I got a few requests to posts some "DSLR How-To's" -- is that something you'd be interested in?  I think we're going to make it happen.   

Anyway, the blogger interwebs was full of dramaz this week.  Absolute silliness.  

So, I wanted to point out a few posts that made me think... literally laugh out loud... or that I just loved.  

***

Kelly wrote about her hilarious and oh-so-true "peeves" [and also briefly recapped our photography class].

Allie from Hyperbole and a Half  is back with a true and accurate portrayal of depression.  If you or anyone you know have ever suffered from depression... take a read.  

It will make you laugh, and might make you cry too.   

Whitney wrote an "Ode to Non-Blogging Blog Readers" that was spot on.  

I know I've got a few of you here, too!  Rock on, you non-blogging blog readers.  You are loved. 

My friend Diana started an amazing project called "A Year of Minnesota Nice" where she will spend 365 days going good for others.  She amazes me. 

What have you been reading this week?  Who else deserves a shout-out? 

When I Dip, You Dip, We Dip...

Please tell me you remember that song? [see the video here]

It takes me back to middle and high school dances.  Ahhh. 

Anyway, SPD is back and I decided to go big.  

Summer entertaining season is upon us, and I've got 3 super easy (and pretty healthy) dips to complete any party menu thanks to some Pinspiration.  

First, edamame (soy beans) are packed with protein.  Combine them with chickpeas and you've got a healthy protein and fiber delight.  

Second, is a buffalo dip made with cauliflower.  Meat free, y'all!  

The last is a little indulgent, but it is amazing... bacon jalapeno popper dip.   

Something for everyone! 

Edamame Hummus 

Ingredients

20 ounces cooked shelled edamame (I used the ‘steam in the bag’ kind for easy prep)

1 can chickpeas, drained and rinsed

2 cloves garlic, smashed

1/2 – 3/4 cup olive oil, depending on consistency

1 lemon, juiced

1/2 lime, juiced

2 tsp salt

1 tsp pepper

1/2 cup chopped fresh cilantro

Directions

In a food processor puree half the edamame, chickpeas, garlic, lemon, lime, cilantro, s+p and olive oil for about 30 seconds.

Stir, then and add in the remaining ingredients.

Puree until your desired consistency is achieved.  This could take a while! 

You may want to use more or less olive oil based upon your preference.  

Buffalo Cauliflower Dip 

Ingredients

1/2 head cauliflower, grated (it will look like rice)

3/4 cup cayenne pepper sauce (I used Frank's Red Hot)

2 (8 oz. packages) low fat or fat free cream cheese, softened

6 ounces plain Greek yogurt

1/4 teaspoon dried parsley flakes

1/4 teaspoon garlic powder

1/4 teaspoon dill weed

1/8 teaspoon onion powder

Pretzel chips or Celery sticks for serving 

Directions

In a small crockpot, mix all ingredients well. 

Cook for 1 hour on low or until heated through. 

This can also be made on the stovetop in a medium saucepan until heated through. 

Serve hot or cold.  It’s delicious either way! 

Bacon Jalapeno Popper Dip 

Ingredients

8 ounces cream cheese, room temperature (I used “Whipped” style, and it turned out great)

1/2 cup light mayonnaise

1/4 cup cooked turkey bacon, chopped (3 pieces)

3/4 cup green jalapenos, chopped (about 2 large peppers)

2 cloves garlic, minced

1/2 cup onion, chopped

1/4 tsp ground cumin

3/4 cup shredded cheddar cheese

Topping

1/2 cup panko breadcrumbs

1/2 cup grated Parmesan cheese

2 Tbsp melted butter

Directions

Preheat the oven to 375F.

In a large bowl, mix together cream cheese, mayonnaise, bacon, jalapeno, garlic, onion, cumin, and cheddar cheese.

Spread mixture into 9” pie pan (or other casserole dish).

In a small bowl, mix together panko, Parmesan cheese, and butter until evenly moistened.

Spread on top of cream cheese mixture.

Bake for 20-25 minutes or until the top is golden brown and dip is bubbling.

Let it rest for a few minutes before serving.

It's really not spicy at all!  Don't be afraid to try it! 

***

Linking up with Katie and Steph! 

Enjoy!

Pantry Reorganization + Chalkboard Door

While browsing Pinterest, I came across this pantry from Country Living Magazine, and I was instantly smitten. 

We have a 1950s stucco rambler, and our kitchen is awkward.  

The "pantry" is right next to our stove, and a broom closet is right next to that.  

They were both hot messes, let me tell ya...

Every time I went to search for spices, every one except the one I needed came tumbling out.  

{which Lily loved}

It was so disorganized and in need of an overhaul.  I had to do something about it!  

Pantry Supplies

Libby 4.5 oz spice jars (2 sets of 12) - soak them in hot soapy water to get the stickers off of the bottom. 

Bistro Chalk Marker

Chalk Labels

Mason Jars (I had those babies everywhere)

Funnel  

The first thing I did was get everything out of the pantry, and set into groups of "like" things. 

I started with the spices, since that was the biggest issue.  

Check to make sure that your spices aren't expired.  

Yes, apparently they expire -- and when they do, they lose their flavor... making them pointless.  

   

When I ordered the jars, I had a general idea of how many spices would stay, and which would go.  

24 jars was plenty for my pantry.  I had a lot of duplicates!  After I filled the spice jars, I purged and condensed the rest of the items into mason jars.  

Next, it was on to the broom closet door.  I loved the idea of having a chalk board in the kitchen.  

We originally wanted to make it magnetic, too -- but the magnetic primer we purchased ended up being a dud, so we took it back.  

Chalkboard Door Supplies

Chalkboard paint

Painter's tape

Extra fine sandpaper 

Small foam roller + tray 

Small paint brush 

We had all of the supplies except for the chalkboard paint, so this was a super inexpensive project! 

Remove the door, then start by prepping it for the paint.  

I sanded the area with extra fine sandpaper, then wiped it with a damp cloth and let it dry.  

Afterwards, I taped it off and added a plastic drop cloth because I am incredibly messy... 

Follow the instructions on your paint can.  

You will need to apply thin coats.  We applied 3, and alternated directions each time.  

The pain then needs to "cure" for at least 3 days before you write on it -- which feels like forever, by the way.   

Then, it all came together... 

I am in love with the new pantry and door.  

It is sooooo easy to find what I'm looking for, and the chalkboard door is ridiculously fun.   

Organization for the win! 

{Whoops}

This post is brought to you in part by the fact that I forgot my memory card to upload/edit photos for my intended post today... 

You see, Kelly convinced me to join a DSLR Photography Class with her that starts tonight.  So last night I was a nervous student making sure my camera battery was charged, a fresh memory card was in place, the lens was all squeaky clean -- typical Jess Type-A OCD.  

This caused me to space out on the memory card-to-purse transfer that usually takes place every night.  

I knoooow, I know.  I could blog all at once on the weekends and make it super easy on myself.  

I don't know about you, but I like to be outside living on the weekend.  Especially when it's nice out. 

And I like sleep far too much to blog late at night.  

So there's that.  

Anyway, our weekend was delightful.  Dexter's pose sums up how we felt by Sunday evening.  

Saturday we watched the Kentucky Derby, and once again vowed that one day we would be there to see it live.  We've been to Churchill Downs before, and it's absolutely gorgeous.  

Louisville is such an awesome city. I wrote about our travels there... here. 

On Sunday, my in-laws and brother-in-law came over to celebrate Cinco de Mayo.  

We had a wonderful time and I have some yummy recipes to share soon! 

I promise! 

Cinco de Mayo Recipes

Happy Thursday!  The end of the week is almost here!
Hubs and I are oh so very excited about Sunday, because it's Cinco de Mayo and The Kentucky Derby. 

Summer is welcome any time after those two events take place.  

I didn't prepare a special recipe for this post, but I wanted to point you in the direction of some of my older recipes that I posted when this blog was just a wee baby. Two of them are Cuban, not Mexican.  

However, they are absolutely delicious, family recipes that are perfect for any celebration.

 [Tostones :: Cuban Recipe]

[Shrimp + Rice :: Cuban Recipe]

[Southwest Quinoa]

[Not-Cho Mama's Casserole :: one of my favorites]

Here's to a fun weekend with your biggest hat, sombrero, mint julep, or margarita...