Cooking Success and ABC's

So, last night Emory and I decided to cook a new duck recipe I found! Cream cheese duck. Basically it is butterflied duck breasts, tenderized with cream cheese and jalapenos and wrapped with bacon and grilled on the grill pan! They were GREAT! We soaked them in Italian dressing (thanks to Brittany's suggestion)  and then cooked them last night. I also made the Parmesan potatoes that I mentioned a few weeks ago! It was a GREAT meal! Have I mentioned that I love LOVE my Le Crueset? Because I really really do!

And now for the ABC's, I found this over at Cait's blog!

A - Age: 25
B - Bed size: Queen
C - Chore you hate: Putting away clean laundry!!!
D - Dogs: I have two. Scout, a lab/shepherd mix who is almost 5 and Max, a Weimaraner, who is 8 months!
E - Essential start to your day: Letting the dogs out and COFFEE!!
F - Favorite color: green and red
G - Gold or Silver: Silver. Gold just doesn't look good on me!
H - Height: About 5'3"
I - Instruments you play: None. My brother got all of the musically ability in my family!
J - Job Title: Stay at home um wife
K - Kids: None yet. Maybe one day!
L - Live: Sweet Home Alabama
M - Mom's name: Ginger
N - Nickname: Becky (real name is Rebecca) and my brother calls me Deanie (no idea why, he just always has)
O - Overnight hospital stays: When I was about 3, but I don't remember.
P - Pet Peeve - not using the blinker and driving slow in the left lane!
Q - Quote from a movie: This one is lost on me. I have no idea!
R - Right/Left: Right!!
S - Siblings - Older brother Chris.
T - Time you wake up: Between 6 and 6:30 most days.
U - Underwear: Victoria's Secret and  I have way too many!
V - Veggies you dislike: Tomatoes unless they are green!
W - What makes you run late: I HATE being late. So, if I am late it is because of someone else!
X - Xrays you've had: We should talk about the ones I HAVEN'T had! It would be quicker!
Y - Yummy food you make: Everything! I LOVE LOVE LOVE to cook!
Z - Zoo animal: Elephants and giraffes!

OK, now go and have fun! I want to hear from you! And HAPPY FRIDAY! Have a great weekend!

Say hello!!

Well, Thursday and Friday, I am going to be filling in at a local law office while they are out of town so I won't be checking in quite as often probably! But, I have noticed that I have gotten a few new followers! I would love to hear from you! I know there are also some readers who read the blog often, but who don't ever comment! I would love to hear from you and know who is out there! So, give me a shout out! If you don't want to leave a comment, at least drop me an email! You can let me know what you like (or don't like) about my blog or just say hi! Sometimes as a blogger it is hard to remember that you are actually talking to people out there because we never hear from some of you! I also have a facebook badge on the side if you want to be my friend! Just let me know you are from the blog and I will add you!

Since you read about my life everyday,  now it is your turn to say hi! Hope you all have a great end to the week and I can't wait to hear from all of you!!

Spring Fever!

The weather has been absolutely perfect around here for about the last week! Although it has been a little cloudy, the temperature has gotten us ready for Spring! This weekend was a long weekend for us and Emory and I took the opportunity to get everything prepared for springtime! We have fruit trees in the backyard, we pruned them, we have a pergola on the patio that we have grapevines growing up, we pruned them. Our tulips in the front of the house are starting to grow, and we decided to add to the house and build to new flower beds. We built one in the front, and one in the back! Then, we planted some bulbs. If I can keep a little gray four legged person out of them, we may actually get some flowers! Needless to say, after building two flower beds out of concrete pavers and then shoveling dirt (TWO TRUCK LOADS!) I was so sore yesterday that I could barely move! My back was so stiff, I didn't think that I was going to be able to go about a normal day. I tried to really stretch it out, and it wasn't until this morning that it really felt better! I am SO glad! Anyway, all of this wonderful weather has really put us in the mood for Spring, which is just around the corner! We are ready at our house!! Now, we just need the warm weather to be here for good! I am so ready to see green everywhere and see our flowers grow! And to plant our garden and have some fresh veggies for Summer! What are you looking forward most for Spring?

Playing Catch Up

I feel like this week has been super crazy. Nothing has really  happened and I don't think I have much to show for it, but I didn't really get a chance to sit down at my computer and write anything. Our taxes are filed! That makes for a burden off your shoulders and a relief! Our trip to Palm Beach is booked and is driving me crazy because I have to wait til MAY! (But it gives me time to look my best, or better than I do now, if not my best!) The husband and I started running this week! We will also be starting P90X when we get the nerve. We have done all of the prep work, we just have to start. Like I said, this week has just not allowed for anything! I had TWO Valentine's swap partners and they were AWESOME! They really made my day! If my camera wasn't dead, I would put pictures up, but of course it is and I can't! I went to the Library yesterday and I checked out a few books, I started reading one yesterday afternoon and I couldn't put it down, so I finished it! In one afternoon! It is called Sam's Letters to Jennifer by James Patterson! It is worth reading! So, go now and get it, it isn't a huge book and it was great! I had tears and couldn't stop reading!! This weekend is a long weekend and I am SO excited! The husband has some Fridays off, so he is off today (even though he is fishing, it doesn't seem like he has today off) and he is off Monday for the holiday so we get to spend some much needed extra time together!! VERY excited! Well, I guess that is all I have to share, I hope this post hasn't been too all over the place, even though I know it has! I hope you all have a glorious weekend! It looks like the weather is much prettier these days all over the place, so maybe you can get outside and soak up some sun!! See you guys next week!!

Happy Birthday....

to my wonderful husband!!! Today, Emory is celebrating his 27th birthday!! Last year, we were at the beach for his birthday, and not only was it a great day because we were celebrating the day of birth of my #1 man, but he also asked me to marry him!! Yep, last year, on his birthday, we began the journey to husband and wife! (Click here and here for the story!)
So, today, just one year later we are celebrating again! This time, as husband and wife! What a wonderful year it has been! I am looking forward to celebrating SO MUCH MORE for years and years to come!

I know I talk about him sometimes on the blog, but I don't think I have ever dedicated a post just to him! So, what better way to celebrate him on his birthday? A little about my husband....he grew up in south Alabama. He was the quarterback and valedictorian. He graduated from The University of Alabama and then got  his masters. He now works as an engineer. He is a duck hunter in the winter, a fisherman in the summer and the best guy I know! He knows how to take care of anything at home! He likes to build things and will always do things himself (and correctly)! He always makes me smile and he cares about everyone else's happiness above his own! He can be quiet and shy, but once he warms up to you and becomes your friend, he is the best friend anyone has ever known! He works so I can stay at home. I love being here when he leaves and greeting him when he comes home! I love that he loves tradition as much as I do! I love roadtrips and traveling with him or just snuggling on the couch and watching tv with him! Anything we do together is always thes best time! He is the sweetest husband and I am so happy to be celebrating him today! So, Happy Birthday Emory! I love you so much!

Menu Planning Part 2

Well, I got so many questions about my menu planning yesterday that I decided to post for all of you the menu at our house this month. I subscribe to Myrecipes.com and I get recipes emailed to me daily. I have been saving them in my email for a couple of years. I went through the Publix sale paper insert last week (the first of the month) and made my list loosely based on what was on sale at Publix. I would go through my email and see what recipes I had stored in order to best use what was on sale! Keep in mind we are trying to get healthy, so I tried  to stick with recipes that were light. They all mostly come from Cooking Light, so they are pretty healthy! If you would like any of the recipes that I have listed below, just comment or email me and I will be glad to send them to you! I thought for now I would just list our menu and if you want the recipe, just let me know, I will be happy to share! (I cook Mon.-Fri.)

February 2011 Menu

2 - Grilled Tilapia, Rice and Scalloped Oysters
3 - Maple and Soy glazed steak with steamed veggies and noodles
7 - Chicken Quesadillas with chips and salsa
8 - Fettuccine with shrimp and portabellos
9 - Turkey Burgers and Roasted potatoes
10 - Chipotle Bean Burritos, Chips and Salsa and guacamole
11 - Garlic Chicken Pizzas
14 - Shrimp and Broccoli Stir Fry and Rice
15 - Cream Cheese Duck and Potatoes
16 - Roast Chicken with Balsamic Peppers and Cous Cous
17 - (Prior engagement)
18 - Tex-Mex Lasagna
21 - Chicken Penne with Lemon Caper sauce
22 - Pork with Parmesan Potatoes
23 - Fish Steaks with Heart of Palm salad and Cous cous
24 - Drunk Duck with Rice
25 - Baked Chicken Tortillas
28 - Mahi Mahi with Verde Caper salsa and rice

Notice, we have a few nights that we have duck on the menu, my husband is a duck hunter, and I don't think you should just shoot to kill, if it is killed while he is hunting, we eat it. It isn't my favorite meat, but I am learning new ways to cook it where I am actually beginning to like it! The pictures are of my menu calendar and a fuzzy picture from my Publix receipt. The total says :$135.39! Have a great Tuesday! Let me know if you have any questions about my meal planning or recipes!

Menu Planning

Happy Tuesday everyone! We are finally past Monday and now the week can start to get better! This is a happy week around my house! Friday is my husband's birthday and also the anniversary of our engagement! S very happy and exciting day! It is great that it is on a Friday this year! Even though he has to work, it will still be a great day!

Who doesn't love to save money? I have tried the couponing thing and honestly, I just can't get it, or maybe I am just not that good at it. Anyway, I wanted to try something that I have heard people doing but have just never tried! The last day of January I sat down and looked at recipes and what was on sale at Publix and I made a menu of healthy recipes (we are trying to get beach ready at my house) for the whole month of February (cooking Monday through Friday, eating left overs for lunch the next day). I then went to the grocery with a HUGE list and purchased what we didn't already have at home to make all of the recipes. I spent less than $150.00 at Publix for groceries for THE WHOLE MONTH!! I was stunned! And all of the recipes are gourmet stuff, not just something boring! I was SO excited! That is less than half of the money I put aside in our grocery budget. We usually don't eat regular scheduled meals on the weekends and we have lunch/supper and my mom's on Sundays. But I have a few ingredients that can be used if we choose to eat at home! 

If you knew me, you would know that I am the queen of planning and the queen of lists! I have a daily to do list and I love marking things off. I even add things to the list that I have done that wasn't on the list just to mark it off! So, with this whole menu thing, I wake up with a PLAN for dinner, which I LOVE and it takes the stress out of wondering what is for dinner! It is even great because if I am doing something (like working out) where I am not home right at dinner time, my husband can look at the calendar (because the calendar is filled out with what is for dinner each day and recipes are in a binder) and see what is for dinner, look at the recipe that is with it and start dinner, and KNOW that he can find the ingredients in the pantry/refrigerator! It is awesome! 

Anyway, just wanted to share for some of you that want to save money but are like me and can't get into the couponing thing. Plus, just having the plan is worth it for me! Hope you all have a great Tuesday! I am off to run some errands and am looking forward to dinner! I think tonight is linguine with shrimp and portabellos! Yummy! Have a great day!! 

A whole lot of random!

Well, I have been MIA for the latter part of last week! Sorry about that, I just let life get in the way! LOL Actually when my husband has days off from work, I like to spend the day catching up with him and blogging usually doesn't make it into the agenda!

Actually, we had a pretty fun weekend. Friday, we got some errands out of the way and had to spend most of the day inside because it was nasty and rainy! Saturday, it was cold and snowy but we decided we had been in long enough and took the puppies to the local Botanical Garden for the Bow Wow Boneanza! They let you walk around the Garden with your pups (they are only allowed in winter) and they had some vendors set up and they had a dog agility course up that you could try. Well, Scout is a mama's boy and he likes to stay close (he is a rescue) but Max is pretty fearless. He LOVED the attention and he also LOVED the agility course! I mean, we walked him through one time and showed him what to do, and the second time, he sprinted the whole course and LOVED it! His favorite part was the tunnel! The guy that owns the agility training place told us to bring him to classes because he did so well! We were proud parents! Scout was also a proud big brother! He watched him the whole time!

Sunday, we tried a new church and didn't care for it. Then, we came home and watched a movie (AND BOOKED A FLIGHT TO PALM BEACH IN THE SPRING) before heading to my parents house to watch the super bowl. They are huge Steelers fans, so it was a let down for them. I was super disappointed from the beginning. How do you mess up the National Anthem Christina? I mean really? That is pretty disgraceful! Then the commercials were not THAT great, they have been better, and the halftime show was a story in its own! It was just a no-go the whole way through.

Here's to hoping this week is a good one and it doesn't get too cold!!

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