May 30, 2014

Easiest Peanut Butter Pie Ever



My husband celebrated his birthday this week, and there's one thing I know always makes his day: His grandmother's Peanut Butter Pie of course! It's the only way he takes his PB pie, and it couldn't be easier. It has become one of my favorites as well.

Grams has always been known for her cooking, particularly her Christmas cookies, peanut butter pie, and pancakes (among other things). It's your lucky day if you are reading this, because this recipe is a real treat :)

Grams' Famous Peanut Butter Pie

1 pie crust (I prefer graham but you could use pastry)
1 package instant chocolate pudding
1/2 cup crunchy peanut butter
3/4 cup powdered sugar, plus more for the whipped cream
whipping cream
vanilla extract

Make the pudding according to package directions. In a separate bowl, mix together the crunchy peanut butter and the confectioner's sugar until crumbly. Add the crumbs to the bottom of the crust evenly (reserve some for top). Pour pudding over crumbs. Allow to set in the fridge. While that sets, whip your cream on high until soft peaks form. Add some confectioner's sugar and about a teaspoon of vanilla extract. Continue to whip until stiff peaks form. To assemble, add the whipped cream and remainder of crumbs. Enjoy!



May 29, 2014

Easy Breezy

Tonight we went to eat for my husband's birthday. I love getting dressed in summer. - it's just so easy! Slipping on shorts, a swingy blouse, and comfy flats is the best. We had a delicious dinner at Cantina Laredo, and our son Rowe ran around like a wild man. Summer nights are the best.




Top: Carriage House (local)
Shorts: Loft
Shoes: TJ Maxx
Purse: Zara
Necklace: Stella & Dot


May 26, 2014

Happy Memorial Day!

My absolute favorite weekend of the year is coming to a close. We enjoyed great friends, hot air balloons, delicious food, a lots of relaxing. I couldn't ask for more.








May 19, 2014

Weekender

Well it rained a little this weekend, but that didn't stop us from enjoying ourselves. My summer officially began Friday, so it was especially sweet. Here are some snapshots.

Pretty little Lily & Laura gifts for the graduates and other deserving peeps in my life. 
Rowe's last day of school! 
A little art gallery perusing 
Live music downtown courtesy of The Wheelers
Strollin
Dinner in the back yard
Best meal yet on the Big Green Egg - boursin filet, creamed corn, and seared broccoli. Props to the hubs.



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May 17, 2014

One Minute Egg McMuffin

Breakfast is hands-down the hardest meal of my day to make. This is not because I don't like it, it's definitely because I'm running around like a mad woman trying to get out the door on time, usually forgetting completely about eating until I'm halfway to work. But I have found the perfect little recipe for on-the-go mornings.


I'm a big fan of savory over sweet, especially when it comes to breakfast. I love eggs but I never thought I had time to make an egg breakfast. I found using the microwave to quick-cook your egg in a mere 45 seconds (no messy pan for one measly egg...yay!) is the way to go. The rest is thrown together. 


I use Ezekiel English muffins, but you can use any English muffin you like. These are frozen, so I set mine out to thaw for a bit before I begin. After it's thawed enough to split, throw it in the toaster. While it's toasting...


Crack one egg in a 4-5 inch glass bowl (it's the same size as the English muffin, so makes assembly easy), and break up the yolk a little with a fork. Microwave for 35-45 seconds, then sprinkle with salt and pepper. Grab your toasted English muffin, and top one half with a slice of cheese (I use white cheddar, but any cheese will do). The slip your cooked egg out of the dish and place on top of the cheese. If you want, you can add another slice of cheese on top (the more the merrier in my opinion!). Then add a dab of salsa (I use salsa verde) for a kick of flavor. Top with the other half of English muffin. You're ready to go! I wrap mine up in aluminum foil while it's hot and take it on the run. 

One Minute Egg McMuffin
1 English muffin, toasted
1 egg
1-2 slices of cheese
s & p
tsp of salsa

Toast your English muffin, and in the meantime crack one egg into a small (4 to 5 inch) glass bowl. Microwave 35-45 seconds, until firm. Sprinkle with salt & pepper. Top each half of English muffin with cheese, then add the cooked egg. Top with a tsp of salsa, and assemble.

May 13, 2014

Weekender

Our weekend was pretty uneventful. But that was just what I wanted for Mother's Day weekend .... to do nothing except hang out with my family. We grilled out, played in the yard, rode bikes, and relaxed. Here are some weekend snapshots.

Our favorite slaw
Yard work
Rowe's big boy room is coming together (bedspread, bridge pictures from Zulily, and curtains)
The mint is going wild in the back yard. Oh and I got poison ivy from pulling it up. Yay. 
My husband's best friend
Rowe & Mo are besties (I know Mo looks scared but he loves Rowe. Promise.)
Silliness
Yep

May 9, 2014

Church Cookbook Bake

Is it just a southern thing to have a plethora of church cookbooks in the kitchen? I use my church's cookbook all the time. People don't put so-so recipes in their church cookbooks - they put the tried and true, real-deal family favorites, and that's why church cookbooks are awesome! One of our go-tos is the spaghetti bake. It's particularly good on a rainy, gloomy day (like today), when you just want comfort food.

The finished product. YUM.
The simmering sauce
The goodness that turns plain spaghetti into spaghetti bake
This is comfort food at its finest

FBC Spaghetti Bake

1 lb ground beef
1 med onion, chopped
1 tsp salt
garlic powder to taste (I use fresh garlic, 1-2 cloves)
pepper to taste
1 can (15 oz) tomato sauce
1 can (15 oz) crushed tomato
*Italian seasoning to taste 
*fresh herbs of your choice (I use rosemary and basil in season)
8 oz spaghetti noodles of your choice
4 oz cream cheese, softened
1 cup sour cream
1 cup grated cheddar cheese

Preheat oven to 350. Brown onion and then beef. Drain excess grease. Add the salt, garlic, pepper, and tomatoes, seasoning and herbs. Simmer for 15 minutes. Meanwhile cook spaghetti according to package directions. In a separate bowl, mix cream cheese and sour cream. Grease a 9x13 baking dish. Put drained spaghetti in bottom of casserole dish. Spoon meat sauce over spaghetti, then spread the cheese mixture over the meat sauce. Top with grated cheddar. Bake 20 minutes or until bubbly. (Contributed by Missy Alexander)

*These ingredients are not original to the recipe and are added by me to amp up the flavor even more. 

Enjoy!
L



May 6, 2014

Current Obsession - B & W

I think I may have a problem. It all started with this awesome umbrella I ordered for our patio last year. Then it spiraled out of control from there! I hope black & white stripes don't go out of style soon. 

JCrew shirt
Umbrella from Ballard Designs
Custom chair with the same fabric as the umbrella above. That's how much I loved it.
This little gem was a Target special.