My Pinterest Menu: Week of April 28th

So with my new non-driver status, I am going to do my best, but to be honest, I don't know if I can make all of these recipes this week or not. A trip to the grocery store is greatly needed! I tried to choose some recipes that may have a few ingredients, but the directions are not complicated.  I can't do complicated right now : )

I'm excited about the Garlic-Yogurt Baked Chicken and the Spring Chopped Salad looks so light and delish! Let me know what you guys think!

Here is this week's menu...Enjoy : )

Monday: Garlic-Yogurt Baked Chicken

via diet hood

Tuesday: Italian Chicken

via Our Story

Wednesday: Spring Vegetables in Lemon Goat Cheese Sauce

via flourishing foodie

Thursday: Chicken Marsala

via Closet Cooking

Friday: Spring Chopped Salad

via Not Without Salt

The Grocery List:

Garlic-Yogurt Baked Chicken-
4 chicken breast halves
salt and fresh ground pepper, to taste
6 garlic cloves, minced
1/2 cup plain yogurt
1/2 tablespoon fresh thyme leaves
1/4 cup panko bread crumbs

Italian Chicken-
1 1/2 lbs boneless skinless chicken breasts
4-5 roma tomatoes
2 garlic cloves
1 jar un-marinated artichoke hearts
extra virgin olive oil 
S&P 
sugar 
flour 
mozzarella cheese
fresh basil 

Spring Vegetables in Lemon Goat Cheese Sauce-
1 1/2 cups potatoes, chopped
1 yellow zucchini, sliced
1 small leek, sliced thinly
1 garlic clove, chopped
2 tbsp olive oil
1/2 tsp flake salt
5 asparagus spears, chopped
5 broccolini shoots, chopped
1 tbsp butter
1 tbsp flour
1 cup broth
3 oz goat cheese
1 small lemon
chopped green onions
cashews

Chicken Marsala-

• 1 tablespoon oil
• 4 small chicken breasts, pounded thin and seasoned with salt and pepper
• 1 tablespoon butter
• 8 ounces mushrooms, sliced
• 1 medium shallot, finely diced
• 1 clove garlic, chopped
• 1/2 cup marsala
• 1 cup chicken broth
• 2 tablespoons lemon juice (~1/2 lemon)
• salt and pepper to taste
• 1 tablespoon butter
• 1 tablespoon parsley, chopped

Spring Chopped Salad-
5-6 cups cut, cleaned greens, cut in 1-inch ribbons (I used romaine & treviso)
1 cup blanched fresh (or frozen) peas
1 cup chopped fresh herbs (chives, mint, parsley)
4-5 radishes, chopped
1/2 avocado, diced
1 cup garbanzo beans
1 cup chopped sharp cheddar
1 cup chopped salami such as finocchiona
1/4 cup toasted pepitas
Other options: cucumber, red onion, scallion
6 tablespoons olive oil
3 tablespoons apple cider vinegar
1 tablespoon fresh lemon juice
1 garlic clove, minced
3 tablespoons finely chopped shallot
1 teaspoon dried oregano, crumbled
pinch sugar
Salt and pepper to taste

So things have changed for me a bit...

A couple weeks ago, I fell down the stairs and this is the result.  Three days after this happened, we headed to DC for Easter.  I LOVE DC! And this time, I got to see it from a completely different perspective of a wheelchair : )  I do think I got a bit spoiled being surrounded by my family and friends.  It almost made me forget that anything had changed.

When we got back into town on Tuesday, I began to see what life would look like for the next few weeks, and it is going to be very interesting...to say the least.  Now, my proud moments consist of getting a cup of coffee up the stairs without spilling it, rather than the multitude of diy projects I had planned.

My apologies for being completely absent for a while.  I found my motivation was taken away with my mobility. But I woke up today with a new attitude, and hopefully I can stop lamenting what I can't do, and actually focus on what I can.

Because, truly, what do I really have to complain about?

 I have made some new friends...

...and I get to see beauty up close...

...and sometimes the big picture is easier to see when you are not right on top of it...

...and it is good to remember how small you are in the whole scheme of things...

 ...and it is even better to remember that sometimes, you CAN NOT do it alone...and that's ok because...

...even though he steals my wheels sometimes, he makes me SO HAPPY : )

I hope you all have a wonderful week!  

 

Have you seen this?...Minimalist vacation home inside of a rock

This minimalist vacation home made out of a concrete rock is beckoning me to Spain.  The amazing collaboration of the architects of Ensamble Studio and a cow named Paulina have created one of the most unique vacation homes I have ever seen.  Now back to Paulina (the cow)...the structure was made by stacking hay bales into a form they wanted, then covered in concrete.  After it was allowed to cure, the structure was cut open and Paulina's talent was utilized to perfection.  She ate the hay out of the structure and the form that was left behind became the minimalist rock vacation home we see here.  

I absolutely LOVE it!  The rock home is strategically placed on a cliff overlooking a lake, and though it is rustic and modern at the same time, every thing you need is at your disposal. I LOVE the fireplace and the hidden toilet.  Genius  : )

(via Fubiz)

Artist Spotlight: Katerina Plotnikova

I am absolutely amazed by these surrealistic fairy-tale-esque (I know that is not a word, but it seemed appropriate : ) ) images by photographer Katerina Plotnikova.  You may think that some of these photos are courtesy of some mighty good photo shop skills...but they are not. Each photo is a real moment caught between the model and the animals.  Never fear though...all the animals' trainers were there to ensure they were on their best behavior : ) LOVE!

(via Fubiz and My Modern Met)

My Pinterest Menu: Week of April 7th

I am crazy excited about this week's menu!  Looking on it now, I am amazed by all the color. I'm going to blame it on the fact that Spring is finally here, because everything in my life lately has been all about color. Obviously, the food is no different : )

When I saw the recipes for the Beef Burgers with Bacon Jam and Gorgonzola, I think my mouth hit the floor. I chose Wednesday for this meal for a reason.  Jason's birthday is Wednesday, and I think he is going to LOVE this meal!  I'm also excited about the 5 ingredient Easy White Chicken Chili.  Sometimes, I need easy and Tuesday is looking very busy already, so I don't want an excuse to eat out.  Easy recipes are what I need on the busiest of days, and this one looks SUPER good.  So without further ado...

Here is this week's menu... Enjoy : ) 

Monday: Spaghetti Carbonara

via Gimme Some Oven

Tuesday: 5 ingredient Easy White Chicken Chili

via Gimme Some Oven

Wednesday: Beef Burgers with Bacon Jam and Gorgonzola

via Simply Delicious

Thursday: Saffron Chicken and Herb Salad

via  Ottolenghi

Friday: Cilantro Lime Baked Shrimp

via Gimme Some Oven

The Grocery List:

Spaghetti Carbonara-
1 lb. spaghetti
1/2 large onion, diced (about 1 cup)
1/2 lb. bacon (regular or turkey bacon), diced
5 eggs
1/4 cup milk
1/4 cup parmesan (or more)
1 tsp. freshly ground black pepper
olive oil

5 ingredient Easy White Chicken Chili-
6 cups chicken broth
4 cups cooked shredded chicken
2 (15-oz) cans Great Northern beans, drained
2 cups salsa verde (storebought or homemade)
2 tsp. ground cumin
optional toppings: diced avocado, chopped fresh cilantro, shredded cheese, chopped green onions, sour cream, crumbled tortilla chips

Beef Burgers with Bacon Jam and Gorgonzola-
1 lb. streaky bacon, roughly chopped
4 large red onions, peeled and roughly chopped
4 garlic cloves, crushed
1 bay leaf
2 tsp smoked paprika
1 tsp salt
1/3 cup (60ml) Balsamic vinegar
1 cup soft brown sugar (I used Muscavado)
1 cup apple juice
1 cup water
1/2 red onion, finely chopped
2 garlic cloves, crushed
1 lb. lean beef mince (ground beef)
1/2 cup bread crumbs
1 egg
1.5 tsp salt
1 tsp pepper
fresh breadrolls
lettuce
thin slices of red onion
Gorgonzola, crumbled

Saffron Chicken and Herb Salad-
1 orange
1/4 c. honey
1 tsp saffron threads
1 tbsp white wine vinegar
1 and 1/4 c. water
2lbs. skinless chicken breast
4 tbsp olive oil
2 small fennel bulbs, thinly sliced
1 tbsp picked coriander leaves
1 tbsp picked basil leaves, torn
1 tbsp picked mint leaves, torn
2 tbsp lemon juice
1 red chilli, thinly sliced
1 garlic clove, crushed
salt and black pepper

Cilantro Lime Baked Shrimp-
2 lb. raw shrimp, peeled and deveined
3 cloves garlic, minced
zest and juice of 1 lime
1/2 tsp. cumin
salt and pepper
2 Tbsp. melted butter
1/4 cup Panko bread crumbs
1/4 cup chopped fresh cilantro
(optional garnishes: additional lime slices and fresh cilantro)

A Saturday Song...

We have jumped right into Spring cleaning this morning.  Jason climbed to the very top of our house to replace a piece of flashing that blew off in a windstorm last week.  I couldn't look! Heights are not my favorite thing : / Now, he is power-washing the house, and I am in the middle of deep cleaning the downstairs.  Normally, I would be sad that I am not out enjoying this beautiful weather, but I have every window open and the breeze is filling the house.  My favorite candles are burning and my favorite music is playing. Feeling pretty good right now : )

Here is a song for your Saturday... 

I hope you have a wonderful weekend : )

The Friday Five...

Well...this week did not turn out the way I thought it would. I had all these good intentions, but plans changed every day as one thing after another popped up and needed my attention.  I did have some time work on my office this week though...and thankfully, it's almost done. I have been living in this room for months now, which has definitely slowed down the process...but, at the same time, I have realized how much I am loving all the changes.  I can't wait to show you when it's complete, which will hopefully be next week : )  

{ Started the week off right with some pretzel sticks and beer cheese dip at Heist Brewery}

{ I was so excited to find these two books while I was in Nashville- a book to record
all of the crazy things the girls say and a journal for moms and their daughters. }

{After collecting spindles of all sizes and shapes, I am glad to finally have them set up and ready to go }

{ The never-ending project that is my office is almost done.  Two projects I worked on this
week is a chalkboard wall calendar and Jason FINALLY installed my light!!!  So happy : ) }

{ LOVE billy buds!!! And now I have some of my very own for my office }

What are Your Five?