5 on Friday!

1. Very excited about this weekend!  Can't say why  just yet, but I'll definitely share details later!

2.  Did you all have a "You are special" plate when you are growing up?  We did in my family, and it was so fun to use for birthdays, or if you had a good report card, etc.  I saw this cute one with directions on how to make your very own plate. I can't wait to start this tradition with Hadley!

 

 

3.  This little girl had a bad little stomach bug last week, right before our long 4th of July weekend started. Thankfully it only lasted 24 hours and we were able to fully enjoy our first Krispy Kreme the next day! Red, white, and blue sprinkles and all :)

4.  Y'all know I love to eat, thus I've really gotten into cooking. Since I have celiac, and Hadley has egg/dairy allergies, planning healthy, easy, and man-approved meals is, ummm, interesting :)  This one is awesome - made it last night - Crock Pot Sesame Honey Chicken via Skinnytaste.com. I served ours in lettuce wraps with a little steamed brown rice.  Delish - must try it.

 

 

5.  I have a couple little books with short daily reads that I love. Today's message in one of my books (Wisdom for the Way, Charles Swindoll) is about our attitude. Wanted to share because it is so true.

I believe the single most significant decision I can make on a day-to-day basis is my choice of attitude. It is more important than my past, my education, my bankroll, my success or failures, fame or pain, what other people think of me, my circumstances, or my position. The attitude I choose keeps me going or cripples my progress.  It alone fuels my fire or assaults my hope. When my attitudes are right, there's no barrier too high, no valley too deep, no dream too extreme, no challenge too great for me.

Happy Friday! About to head out and enjoy the sunshine!

What I'm Loving Wednesday

Loving my sweet little girl - can't believe I am already planning her THIRD birthday party. We rented a pavilion at our favorite park/splash pad so it should be a really fun time! Every time we go to the park, she asks if its her party day. Memory like an elephant!

 

 

 

 

 

I am loving that Hadley is officially potty trained!  No accidents in nearly 2 weeks!  We still sleep in a diaper at night, but I am soooo proud of my girl!  I made her a sticker chart for when she pee-pees and she gets one M&M when she goes poo-poo.  She loves putting stickers on her chart and realllly loves getting the candy! 

 

I am loving a website I found via Pinterest (of course that is where I found it). A Well Dressed Home - could spend hours here and on other home design blogs. I really need some help in this department in my own house...but seriously, I love all their designs. I really want to redo our living room, I have since we moved in. I have a major case of decorating paralysis at the moment.

 

 

I am loving this awesome recipe we tried on Sunday - I don't cook with red meat often, so this was a treat! Served with roasted asparagus and fresh cut fruit. Will definitely make again!



Grilled Flank Steak with Black Beans Corn and Tomatoes (via Skinnytaste.com)
 

Ingredients:
1 1/2 lb flank steak
1/2 tsp cumin
2 garlic cloves, crushed
1/2 tsp kosher salt
fresh cracked pepper to taste

For the black bean, corn and tomatoes:
3 tbsp red onion, minced
1 tsp olive oil
1/4 cup fresh squeezed lime juice
2 medium vine ripe tomatoes, diced
1 cup canned black beans, drained and rinsed
1 cups frozen corn kernels (fresh is fine)
2 tbsp finely minced cilantro
kosher salt and fresh pepper to taste

Directions:
Season steak with the crushed garlic, cumin, salt and pepper and set aside 5-10 minutes. Combine red onions, olive oil, lime juice, salt and pepper in a medium bowl and set aside a few minutes. Add tomatoes, black beans, corn, cilantro and set aside.

Heat a clean lightly greased indoor or outdoor grill on high heat. Grill steak on high heat, 6-8 minutes on each side or until your desired degree of doneness. Let the meat rest about 5 minutes before slicing. Slice the beef into thin slices across the grain, place on a platter and top with corn, black bean and tomato salad.

Make it. You won't be disappointed people.

Loving this is my last day of work this week! Woohoo July 4th festivities and a 4 day weekend! The weather isn't supposed to be that great the next couple of days, so we may be at the movies rather than the pool! I'm totally getting some sparklers today after work. I.can't.wait.

 

 

5 on Friday

Almost the weekend friends!

1. I've gotten up everyday at 5:00 am to workout this week before work. For a couple reasons - to have more relaxing evenings at home with my family, and also because it is seriously too hot to run after work. We've been taking Hadley on walks after dinner when the weather permits. Last night it was just Hads and I - she was in her stroller eating an ice cream cone while I pushed her. A pizza delivery car drove by and Hadley said "mommy, that car has on a party hat!"  I could not stop laughing.  I love our little strolls and interesting conversations lately :)


2. I reallllly want to do something crafty.  I have two ideas in mind, now just need to convince the Mr. to help me :)

The first is this adorable Ikea table that someone painted with chalkboard paint and other colors to make it super cute. I think something like this would be perfect for Hadley in the kitchen to keep her occupied while I cook!

 

The second is a framed chalkboard in our kitchen, also for Hadley. There are so many ideas for this on pinterest! I've been wanting to do this since we moved in - we have the perfect space for it. I'm sort of terrified to try this myself though.

 

 

3.  Excited about the July 4th holiday coming up and a few days off work!  We are going to a get-to-gether with friends to celebrate, and I really want to make something festive.  Here are some cute things I found on pinterest that I'm thinking about making:

Red, White, and Blue Sangria



 

 

Light Berry Dessert Pizza

 

 

Brownie Fruit Kabobs

 

 

4.  I took Hadley to the splash pad on Saturday (and Sunday too actually).  5 minutes prior to this picture, she was the only kid pouting for a mile away I do believe.  I had to get in there with her and jump around for a few minutes, and then she LOVED IT!  We were there for almost 2 hours, then headed to a pool party.  We had the most fantastic weather this weekend - spent almost all our time outside which I loved!

 



5.  Excuse the boring blog for a few weeks, someone is helping me with a new look here. Can't wait to share soon!

Happy Friday!

Meal Planning Monday

Meal Planning Monday!

On the menu this week....loving all the clean eating recipes I've been trying.

Honey Sesame Glazed Salmon (reci below) and Fiesta Bean Salad

 

Hummus Crusted Chicken with squash, zuchinni, and onions (link here)

Sushi Date Night! Thanks mom :)

 

 

Turkey Stuffed Red Peppers (link here)

 

 

 

This is so good y'all, made this at least 3 times already. It's sweet and spicy and easy! And I love the fiesta bean salad with it.

 

Honey-Sesame Glazed Salmon

 

1 lb fresh salmon

¼ c honey

2TBSP soy
3 tsp sesame oil
1 tsp dried chopped onion
½ tsp ginger
2 tsp sesame seeds
1 tsp red pepper flakes
¼ cup chopped green onion
Salmon filets

Preheat oven to 375, line baking sheet with foil. Combine above ingredients and dip salmon in on both sides.  Place on foil lined sheet and bake 10 minutes minutes…add more liquid mixture and bake for 10 minutes. Top with remaining mixture and bake 5 minutes.

5 on Friday

 

1.  Excited to take a couple of girl friends to their very first barre class tomorrow!! I know they will love it as much as I do!

 

 

How could you not love a great workout with these awesome instructors?

2.  I am totally obsessed with this big girl room from PBK. I am really getting the itch to start on Hadley's new room, but she still sleeps so good in her crib :)

3.  We are going over to our dear friends' house tomorrow for a little pool party, and I signed up to bring dessert. Of course I am making this Banana Pudding Poke Cake. It's seriously one of the easiest and most delicious desserts I've ever eaten. I am already excited to eat it!

 



 

4.  I've totally resisted the Matilda Jane temptation for 2.5 years. Then I found a facebook group called Matilda Jane Mania. I bit the bullet and ordered Hadley the Vigilante dress for this fall.  Now on the hunt for these matching leggings.  Oh my word she is going to look so precious in this!  Already planning a fall session with our favorite photographer in my head :)

 5.  Have you seen the Puddle Jumpers for kids? A little girl at our neighborhood pool had on one, and her mom let Hadley try it out and she LOVED it.  Hadley is sort of scared of the water and will barely jump to us when we have our arms out to catch her. Once she had this thing on we couldn't stop her. I was AMAZED!  I read reviews online and ordered one - can't wait to get it!

 

 

 

TGIF friends!