Five on Friday [The last of January]

This week was L.O.N.G.!  I couldn't even tell you exactly why, but boy was it ever!!  Looking forward to some quality time this weekend with friends.  Maybe we'll watch the Super Bowl, maybe we won't.  (Although it would be a first not to, I'm just not into watching Brady and Belicheat. Yes, I said it.)  But, I digress.....now, for this week's Five on Friday.

ONE
Last week April posted some copycat recipes.  They all looked terrific, but I immediately made the Ruth's Chris copycat salad.  It was delicious!  The only change I made was that I cut some of the sour cream with Greek yogurt to lighten it up a bit.  Yum!

My Spot

Last week the incredibly talented Amanda from Dixie Delights shared her spot.  Every inch of her home is gorgeous, and she never overlooks a lovely detail.  She has asked her readers to send in pictures of their spots and it got me thinking.  Our home is not "finished" and probably never will be, always evolving. Every year around this time (after spending so much time indoors) I decide I'm sick of everything and begin dreaming of how I'd really like it to be.  So, I'm going to share my spot, and what I'd like my spot to really be.....

On My Bookshelf [The Husband's Secret]

The other day when writing about Big Little Lies, I realized I had not posted about The Husband's Secret, penned by the same author.  The premise of the book is completely intriguing, and at times did make me pause and think about what I would do in the same position.  Overall, I quite enjoyed this book, even if I did find parts of it predictable. 

Local Love: Bazbeaux Pizza

The other night I just simply didn't have it in me to make dinner.  So, Hubby was sweet enough to suggest ordering pizza from our very favorite Bazbeaux Pizza. It. is. delicious.  The crust is thin and the topping combinations are fabulous! 

On My Bookshelf [Big Little Lies]

Big Little Lies, by Liane Moriarty sucked me in right away with it's shenanigans and kept me entertained through the majority of the book.  It did annoy me that I didn't know which character had died, however, near the end, I was over it (being annoyed, not the book). Big Little Lies is a good, quick read that focuses on relationships of all kinds and the conflicts that can arise within them be it friendships, marriages, or between parents and children. In short, this is a book I would recommend.



Five on Friday [Food, Monograms, Food, Food, and More Food]

It's been another short week at school this week, and let me tell you....I could get used to this :).  I've loved having Bestie MHDRL home and just can't get enough baby snuggles.  He is the sweetest thing!!  Looking forward to getting some more time in this weekend.  With that, here's my Five on Friday for this week.

ONE
We started the week off on Sunday with friends, football, and the most delicious buffalo shrimp burgers.  They were absolutely divine.  I will definitely be trying to reproduce these at our hive soon!  My contribution to the meal was spinach dip.  I took the easy way out and used the Knorr mix (a first for me) and was so happy with how it turned out.  Unfortunately our Colts didn't pull out the W, but I'm sure by now you've heard all the drama surrounding the game.  I'm not saying we would have won, but I will say: once a cheater, always a cheater....

Although pictured here with crackers,
 the dip was actually served with Hawaiian bread.

What's for Dinner [Pepperoncini Beef with Vegetables]

A few weeks ago Hubby and I had yet another delicious dinner with dear friends D and S.  (They are fabulous cooks....we're always guaranteed terrific company and a good meal to boot when we're together.)  I immediately knew this dinner would be one that I would try to repeat at home.  It's made in the crock pot (I'm always in search of Hubby approved crock pot recipes), full of flavor, and different than our typical recipes.  Don't be concerned with it being too spicy....it's not.

Happy Birthday, Brother #2!!

Today, I'd like to wish my brother a most wonderful birthday!  I'm so lucky to have such a caring brother.  He is thoughtful, kind, and generous to a fault.  Here's to you, Brother #2.  Wishing you a wonderful year in which all your special wishes come true!  Happy Birthday!!

Happy, Happy Birthday!!

What's for Dinner [Sticky Chicken]

I'm not quite sure how this recipe got the name Sticky Chicken, as it turns out beautifully crisp, but I'm not complaining....it's one of the few chicken dishes Hubby will eat.  Bestie B gave this recipe to me many moons ago.  We were in college and it was one of the few dishes we could cook.  In fact, she'd make it when cute boys would come over to study in hopes that the smell would convince them to stay for dinner...usually it worked.....

In My Lunchbox [Soup in a Jar ~ Chicken Tortellini Soup]

Y'all already know what a huge fan I am of packing an entire week's worth of lunches on Sunday.  (If you don't you can see my other lunchbox ideas here.)  It doesn't really take any longer to pack a week's worth than it does one lunch, and this method ensures that I actually have one every day.  This week I decided to do a little something different than a bento box or salad in a jar, even if I didn't venture off too far from the jar....this week it's soup in a jar.  Sunday afternoon I cooked up a big batch of chicken vegetable soup, ladled into 5 different jars, and voila....lunch for the week.

Believe in Blue

Today my Colts take on the evil New England Patriots.  We're not big fans of them around here..... This clip from Dan Dakich's radio show was floating around Facebook the other day.  (And it gets bonus points since it features Dakich, former IU basketball player and coach.) 

Five on Friday [Je suis Charlie]

ONE
I always feel a little bereft after taking down the Christmas decorations.  This year I compensated by making a giant snowflake wreath for our front door.  It makes me smile as I pull in the driveway....even if the snow itself doesn't.

15 Minutes a Day

Fifteen minutes a day.  That's all it's been taking for me to get a little lot more organized in 2015.  The thought of reorganizing the entire kitchen and pantry all at once was a little daunting.  Setting aside 15 minutes a day (typically while dinner is cooking) is much more doable.  I literally set a time are attack one drawer, one cabinet, one shelf at a time.  Things are coming together in our little hive and it's feeling great. 

Black Eyed Peas with Ham Hocks ~ Slow Cooked

I'm a little late in posting this recipe, since this is one of our traditional New Year's foods, but if I'm being honest, I could eat black eyed peas every single day, not just the first day of the year.  These are the perfect side dish or served over rice a delicious main dish.  They are easy to cook and this recipe is packed with flavor. 

Snowflake Wreath DIY

I always get a little sad after taking down the Christmas decorations.  The house feels so cozy and homey with them up, and while I like trying to put things in order and freshening it up for the new year, everything just seems a little lacking.  Considering we've had snow and extreme frigid temperatures, I thought a large snowflake wreath would be the perfect addition for the front door before the Valentine touches go up.  It was an easy project, and I'm delighted with the results.

Five on Friday [Happy New Year]

Happy New Year!!  It's been an extremely bitterly cold week, quiet and low key as we mainly stayed inside trying to keep warm.  So, let's get down to my first Five on Friday of 2015....

ONE
We started off the new year with the traditional Vasilopita celebration with my family.  It's one of my very favorite traditions and also makes the best breakfast.  I've been enjoying it with a little Greek coffee all week!

What's for Dinner [Paul Prudhomme's Cajun Meatloaf]

I'm sure you won't be surprised to see another Paul Prudhomme recipe posted here.....I've already professed my love for him here and here.  And I can just hear you now....Meatloaf??  I don't like meatloaf!  Just trust me on this one.  This will be one of the tastiest things you will ever eat, and will certainly be the best meatloaf you've ever tried.  It. is. scrumptious.  Truly.

Vasilopita 2015 [Part Two]

Yesterday I mentioned that I was starting the year off making our family's Vasiliopita.  I thought I would take a minute to briefly explain just what that means.  The Vasilopita (Sweet Bread of Basil) is one of my favorite annual traditions celebrated by Greeks (and Orthodox) around the world. The bread is sweet to symbolize the sweetness and joy of life.  It is hoped that the New Year will be filled with that sweetness of life for all who enjoy the Vasilopita, but the one who finds the coin hidden within will be especially blessed for the year. 

Vasilopita 2015 [Part One]

I'm starting the new year off doing something I've never done before....making our family's Vasilopita.  (Vasilopita is the Greek New Year's Bread.  More to come on that later.)  I'm extremely a little nervous, as I find the recipe somewhat intimidating.  (I mean, it calls for 5-6 pounds of flour! And it's only made once a year....mess this up and I've blown our one chance for the year!!)

What I'm loving most though are the incredible memories of those I held dear surfacing.  I can feel my Great Aunt's presence in the wording of the recipe and relish in knowing that I'm continuing the tradition in not only the same manner as her, but in the many generations before her as well. 

Although the process started out a little rocky.....

At this point I was running out of flour, and the mixture was
very clearly still too sticky.  Panic may have seeped in for
a moment....


Happy New Year [2015]!

I can hardly believe that it is 2015.  It just seems strange.  But I always enjoy new beginnings: the beginning of a new season, a new school year, and, yes, a new year.  I love the possibilities and the opportunity to better myself and my life.  With that thought, I happened across a terrific list on Pinterest.  I'm planning on using it as my list for the new year.  2015, for me, is going to be the year of balance.



via Pinterest