Monday, July 28, 2014

Summer Squash and Sausage Rigatoni

It's on rainy days, like today, that my need for comfort food dominates my stomach.  I also had no desire to go out and shop, so I came up with this recipe using things I already had in my fridge and pantry. It filled the comfort food void, for sure!!! I'll be sure to make it again soon!

  Summer Squash and Sausage Rigatoni

30 minute meal
Serves 6

16 oz. box of Rigatoni
1 Tbs. Extra Virgin Olive Oil
1 Tbs. butter
1/4 c. chopped onion
1 Garlic clove, minced
1/2 lb. mild Italian Sausage
2-3 small yellow summer squash
1 tsp. fresh basil, minced
S&P to taste
Parmesan cheese (optional)




Boil a large pot of water for your pasta.  In the meantime, add the olive oil and butter to a sauté pan heated to a medium heat and allow butter to melt.  Add your onion to the sauté pan and stir occasionally until the onions just start to turn translucent.  Add your sausage to the onions and brown.  Next, add in garlic, summer squash, and basil and stir occasionally. Taste for seasoning and add salt and pepper if needed. Once your water is boiling, add in your pasta and cook until preferred doneness (follow the box directions).  Drain your pasta and combine the squash and pasta mixture being sure the noodles get coated.  Again, taste for seasoning and add salt and pepper if needed.  Garnish with more basil (if desired) and/or Parmesan cheese.

Saturday, July 26, 2014

Entryway Before and After

 This entryway has been such a process.  Before finishing this entryway last night, it's been a blank canvas the whole time.  I've just never really had any idea of what I wanted this space to look like!  Well, at last, it's finished, and I'm super thrilled about it!  Not just because it's finished, but because I think it looks gorgeous.  All it needed was a new door, paint, and a few pieces of furniture.  Also, I realize Jade is sitting in the corner in one of the pictures...it was too cute not to put in here! See my Master Bedroom/Bath redo here and my Dining Room here 
Picnic Basket : Treasures Antique Mall, Springville Utah
Table : My AMAZING husband built it!
Wall color : Valspar Tempered Grey
Coat Hook : Anthropologie (gone now) similar here
Door color : Valspar Magic Mist
Rug : Target (found only in stores)

Friday, July 18, 2014

Tomatillo Ranch Chicken


Ok, ok, I know I've been on a total food kick lately, but I'm going with it.  Anything that gets me to cook dinner after a long day watching my little ones is fine by me.  This recipe didn't disappoint.  It was yummy, looked amazing, and the kids devoured it...as did I!!!  I served this with Zataran's Spanish Rice.  Enjoy! 
 
Tomatillo Ranch Chicken
 
 This juicy chicken is flavorful and delicious after being marinated, cooked, and smothered in creamy tomatillo ranch dressing!
 
Serves: 6-8
Ingredients
  • 1 cup mayo
  • ½ cup buttermilk
  • 1 package buttermilk ranch dressing mix
  • 2½ teaspoons garlic
  • 1 cup cilantro
  • 3 tomatillos, husked and chopped
  • ½ teaspoon lime juice
  • 3-6 boneless skinless chicken breasts
Instructions
  1. Blend together mayo, buttermilk and next five ingredients. Pour 1 cup of dressing into a large ziplock back. Add chicken breasts. Seal and chill at least 30 minutes or overnight.
  2. Preheat oven to 375. Discard marinade and place chicken breasts side by side in a shallow baking dish. Bake 20-25 minutes until chicken is cooked through. Top with additional dressing and serve with rice if desired. Enjoy!

Saturday, July 12, 2014

Whatcha eating?

If you're anything like me, Pinterest is your go-to for just about anything you want to know.  Step aside Google, cause all of the ladies are going to Pinterest from now on for answers.  It's my go-to to find new recipes for sure, and while I've had hit and misses, I've also had some really great success. So today I'm sharing some of my favorites from Pinterest.  These are not only super easy recipes to follow, but they don't take a lot of time and they are LOVED by my kids(who are not always the easiest to please)!! 
http://damndelicious.net/2014/06/13/one-pot-zucchini-mushroom-pasta/
 
 
 
 
If you want more awesome recipes, check out my Tried and True board on Pinterest!!

Tuesday, July 8, 2014

Dining Room Before and After

 As many of you know, when we bought our house 5 years ago it was a disaster.  Mike and I got a steal of a deal and decided to put in some serious elbow grease and fix up this dump of ours.  After months of renovations and blood, sweat, and tears, we finally got it finished!  Sorry to say that it took me this long to finally post pictures of our house on this blog of mine, but here we are. 
The walls were stripped of their dated wallpaper, the carpet was ripped out, and the railing was thrown out the window.  After paint, flooring, and a bit of wall building, I'd say it might be my favorite room in my house.  I feel like it just exudes who we are.  The colors fit us and I am pleased.  Want to see more?  Check out our Master Bedroom and Bathroom re-haul HERE!!!

 


Saturday, July 5, 2014

Deep Cleaning

There's nothing like a deep clean that make me realize just how big my house is.  I mean, don't get me wrong, I'm not living in a mansion or anything, but the upkeep always baffles me.  I'm the kind of cleaner that moves from one room to the other.  So when I got to my kitchen I loaded the dishes, wiped down the counters, swept, and then...I looked under my fridge.  Ew!!! Not only did I find a million magnets the kids have hidden under there, but I found wads, piles, and mounds of dirt and dust.  I'm talking the size of a real bunny!  So, then it hit me.  My house is huge!  At least, huge enough to feel defeated when cleaning it.  On I went cleaning every nook and every baseboard...all because of the space below my fridge.  Ugh.