May 29, 2012

KEY LIME PIE


I made Emeril Lagasse's Key Lime Pie yesterday. It was our Memorial Day treat :)  The recipe was really simple and delicious.  J has already requested I make some more, and soon!  If you're in the mood to do some baking today, definitely give this a try...

INGREDIENTS:
1 1/2 cups graham cracker crumbs
1/2 cup granulated sugar
4 tablespoons (1/2 stick butter) melted
2 (14-ounce) cans condensed milk
1 cup key lime or regular lime juice
2 whole eggs
1 cup sour cream
2 tablespoons powdered sugar
1 tablespoon lime zest

DIRECTIONS:
Preheat the oven to 375 degrees F.  In a bowl, mix the graham cracker crumbs, sugar, and butter with your hands.  Press the mixture firmly into a 9-inch pie pan, and bake until brown, about 20 minutes.  Remove from the oven and allow to cool to room temperature before filling.  Lower the oven temperature to 325 degrees F.  In a separate bowl, combine the condensed milk, lime juice, and eggs.  Whisk until well blended and place the filling in the cooled pie shell.  Bake in the oven for 15 minutes and allow to chill in the refrigerator for at least 2 hours.  Once chilled, combine the sour cream and powdered sugar and spread over the top of the pie using a spatula.  Sprinkle the lime zest as a garnish on top of the sour cream and serve chilled.

I'm sure it's obvious, but there are some easy ways to cut the calories with this recipe.  Substitute low fat or fat free graham crackers, condensed milk, and sour cream so you don't feel so guilty about eating a big slice.  Enjoy :)

May 28, 2012

THANK YOU ARMED FORCES


Happy Memorial Day weekend!  In addition to all the hamburgers, watermelon, and backyard get-togethers, I hope everyone has taken time to honor and remember our military. These brave and courageous soldiers risk their lives for ours.  That includes you Benjamin & Kyle!  Thank you for all that you do!

J and I had a pretty busy weekend. Friday... our weekly date night... we grilled shrimp and corn on the cob. On Saturday, J worked most of the day and I had a FEMA certification class. That evening we met up with Lisa & Adam. Lisa & Adam are huge NOLA foodies. I feel like they've been everywhere.  Whenever
 J and I need a restaurant recommendation, they always steer us in the right direction.  We went to the Crab Trap in LaPlace for crabs and crawfish.  It was delicious and so nice eating outside with breezes coming in off Lake Pontchartrain.  Get the BBQ crab if you go!  Yesterday, we went to church with Megan & Chase in St. Bernard Parish and babysat Miss Jude for a little bit.  Then, it was time for Jude's 1st birthday party!  The Clunan's, by the way, are moving to Miami at the end of this week.  We are going to miss them sooo much.  I'm excited about what the future holds for Megan & Chase but sad we won't see them on a daily basis anymore.  They are an amazing couple and we've enjoyed watching Jude grow up this past year.  I was happy to spend so much time with them on Sunday.

Now... who's ready to see pics?!?


FRIDAY - MAY 25, 2012

FRIDAY - MAY 25, 2012
SLAP YA MAMA CORN

FRIDAY - MAY 25, 2012
J ENJOYING HIS CIGAR ALL THE WAY FROM JAPAN.  THANKS KYZIE!

FRIDAY - MAY 25, 2012

SATURDAY - MAY 26, 2012
THE CRAB TRAP IN LAPLACE, LA

SATURDAY - MAY 26, 2012

SATURDAY - MAY 26, 2012
ORDERING CRABS & CRAWFISH

SATURDAY - MAY 26, 2012
LISA & ADAM (GETTING MARRIED ON JUNE 17TH!)

SATURDAY - MAY 26, 2012
LISA, ADAM, & J

SUNDAY - MAY 27, 2012
THE CLUNAN FAMILY (CHASE, MEGAN, & JUDE)

SUNDAY - MAY 27, 2012
HAPPY 1 YEAR JUDE

SUNDAY - MAY 27, 2012
MEGAN MADE YUMMY CUPCAKES

SUNDAY - MAY 27, 2012
THE BOYS IN CHARGE OF GRILLING (J, CHASE, & MATT)

SUNDAY - MAY 27, 2012

SUNDAY - MAY 27, 2012
THE BIRTHDAY GIRL

MONDAY - MAY 28, 2012
THE FLAG IN FRONT OF J'S WORK.


Happy Memorial Day y'all. Fly that American flag extra high!

May 23, 2012

VOODOO

Friends invited us to go see New Orleans' very own arena football team, the VooDoo!  We went last Friday on the 18th and watched as the VooDoo beat the Orlando Predators 68-61.  Thank you for taking us Jenna & Joe!  We came to a group consensus at the end of the evening... don't know if we'll get the urge to go back anytime soon but it was fun one time experience.  I especially had a great time laughing at some of the fans and listening to the music!

VooDoo are coming for you!

Our lovely hosts Jenna & Joe

me & J

The next evening, Saturday, Josh and I had our BBQ.  It was great seeing everyone!  Thank y'all for coming!  We had quite the packed house.  With work and school it's rare we get to have friends over so I'm glad we were able to plan something before J starts summer session.  Sorry, but I don't have a single photograph to share from the party.  I'm normally good about taking pics but it slipped my mind.  Instead I'll share this Japanese T.G.I. Fridays advertisement from Kyle.


"Let's American Party!" and have a great day y'all!

May 17, 2012

HAPPY 3 YEARS

As of yesterday J and I have been married for 3 years!  Yes, 3 whole years!  We had such a nice morning together.  Our normal AM routine involves J walking out the door as I'm getting out of bed.  But yesterday he stayed home instead of going to work early so we could get in some extra cuddle time and open presents together.  While the present J gave me (a leather guitar strap) is awesome, I love the card he made!  It's wonderful and so sweet!  He put the A&P logo on the front of the card because that is my first memory of him... buying alcohol for Mardi Gras at the A&P on Magazine Street in 2001.  Soooo romantic ;)  That was 11 years ago.  Goodness gracious, where has the time gone!?!  Anyway... it was a wonderful anniversary with a wonderful man.  We babysat for friends last night so had a celebratory dinner tonight instead.  Pics from yesterday and today are below.  Happy Anniversary baby!  Thank you for another great year!  I love you with all my heart, all the time!

My present for J from Frame the Date.

We went to Redemption for our anniversary dinner.  The restaurant opened in 2005 after Hurricane Katrina and the building is a former church that was built in 1914.  Redemption Pros:  cool atmosphere, yummy appetizer, yummy dessert, and a very attentive and friendly waitstaff.  Redemption Cons: the main course!  Both J and I did not like our entrees.  They just weren't good.  I'm assuming people are aware because the place was practically empty when most NOLA restaurants would have been experiencing a busy dinner rush. 

My happy husband.

Our appetizer:  Crispy Avocado Cup with Louisiana Crab and Remoulade
We really liked the app.  It was refreshing and piled high with crab meat.

Our Desserts:  Mid-City Crepes and Chocolate Torte
They gave us both desserts on the house since we were celebrating our anniversary.  Wasn't that sweet?  The crepes were excellent and my favorite part of the entire meal.

Me & J after our anniversary dinner :)

May 15, 2012

BAYOU BOOGALOO



It's almost time for the annual Mid-City Bayou Boogaloo on Bayou St. John! The festival takes place this weekend (18th - 20th) right down the street from our rented shotgun. There are 3 stages of live music, an art market featuring 65+ local artists, and plenty of food and drink booths.  And guess what, Bayou Boogaloo is free :)  J and I love this festival!  Maybe we'll see you out there.  Saturday night we are having a big group of friends over for dinner to partake in all the fun.  Nothing fancy.  The menu is hot dogs, hamburgers, chips, watermelon, brownies, and beer.  I wish our house was larger and had a nicer backyard to entertain but we'll make do.

May 13, 2012

HAPPY MOTHER'S DAY

I read this short article on Fox News last year written by author Jennifer Quasha and wanted to share...

It’s Mother’s Day--again! The Hallmark holiday with good intentions.

My mother always marched around the week before Mother’s Day saying, “Every day is Mother’s Day! You don’t have to do a thing this Sunday!”

What? Ignore Mother’s Day? It was a risky proposition, one I never fell for. That would be simply un-American, and what were the possible repercussions? Nothing I was willing to risk.

Now that I'm a mother myself, I got to thinking about some of the crazy (and funny) things that kids say to their mothers. Here are actual quotes from our kids that my friends and I have heard recently. I guarantee they will make you smile...no matter how you feel about your mother.

1.) “Mom, why do you have those lines on your face?”
2.) “If you have a baby growing in your tummy, what’s growing in your bottom?”
3.) “Mom, you have zero imagination.”
4.) “Wow, mom, you used to be so pretty!”
5.) “If daddy’s job is to go to work, and my job is to go to school, then what’s your job?”
6.) “Mommy, your hair looks brown. You need to put some yellow in it.”
7.) “I love daddy waaaay more than you!”
8.) “Mommy, why do you have so many more shoes than I do?”
9.) “Dad and I were talking and we think you need to be more athletic.”
10.) “Mommy, what do you want to be when you grow up?”

It’s not easy being a mom, so perhaps this Mother’s Day you will consider telling your mom the five sentences I've listed below. They are what I hope to hear from my own kids this Sunday over breakfast in bed.

1.) “Mom, you are right.”
2.) “I hope that I am as good of a mom as you are.”
3.) “Thanks for all that you do for me.”
4.) “I should have listened to you more.”
5.) “Mom, I love you very, very much.”

My Mom & Dad in June of 1980, 2 years before I was born.  They were about to embark on a cross country road trip from Maryland to California.  My Dad would like everyone to take note of their VW bus with his surf board on top.  A bit difficult because of the image quality but I think you can still make it out.

J's Mom.  I love this photo of her laughing at the beach with the wind in her hair.  I want to blow it up and frame it for our house. I'll need to get more details from her... what beach, what year, etc.

In closing, Happy Mother's Day to the most wonderful, amazing, and extraordinary women in our life. We simply could not live without you. Thank you a million times for being so supportive, so loving, and giving the best hugs!  We love you very, very, very much!

May 12, 2012

CLARK LITTLE PHOTOGRAPHY

I am a huge, huge, huge fan and admirer of Clark Little Photography!  My Mom saw him on Good Morning America 3 years ago and e-mailed me a clip of the appearance. I've been hooked ever since. Part of the bio from his website:

"Award-winning photographer Clark Little was born in Napa, California in 1968. Two years later, a move to the North Shore of Oahu (Hawaii) dramatically changed his future. In the 80’s
 and 90’s he made his name as a pioneer of surfing at the Waimea Bay shorebreak. Clark had a unique talent for taking off on hopeless closeout shorebreak waves and surviving in one piece.

In 2007, Clark discovered his ability and passion to capture the extraordinary beauty of the shorebreak when his wife asked him for a picture of the ocean to decorate a bedroom wall. With the confidence of an experienced surfer, Clark jumped in the ocean, and started snapping away, recording the beauty and power of Hawaiian waves. 'Clark’s view' is a unique and often dangerous perspective of waves from the inside out, captured in photos for all to enjoy from the safety of dry land."


This first 2 photos below, Sand Monster and Aqua, are definitely two of my favorites.  Although, I love Behind the Barrel, Sand and Sea, Hawaiian Tunnel, and Ouch, too.  So many amazing images it's hard to pick just one.  I would love a big (34x50) framed Sand Monster to hang above my fireplace mantel.  It'll give the house that relaxed beach vibe when you walk in.  It's a splurge so I'll have to keep saving.  J?  Are you reading this?  Feel free to buy me my very own Sand Monster for our wedding anniversary next week.  I know the traditional 3 year wedding anniversary gift is supposed to be leather but I'll accept this as a substitution :)


SAND MONSTER - Clark Little Photography

AQUA - Clark Little Photography

DANCING HONU - Clark Little Photography

LIFE SAVER - Clark Little Photography

MANGO BLUSH - Clark Little Photography

MEMORIAL DAY - Clark Little Photography

SANDY SHACK - Clark Little Photography

CAST AWAY - Clark Little Photography

TRIPLE CROWN - Clark Little Photography

May 1, 2012

KBH TURNS 25


My youngest brother, Kyzie Doo Berry Boy as the family affectionately calls him , turned 25 yesterday!  Happy 25th KBH.  And just look at how adorable he was as a beach baby!  So little and tiny!  Although in Japan flying helicopters for the Navy, he was able to sneak away for a week and is visiting Benjamin & Alisha in Hawaii.  They've been kayaking, surfing, hiking, to a luau, and a pineapple farm so far.  Not too shabby for a few days vacation.  What on Earth is left for them to do?  Alisha took this pic of the boys getting ready to kayak...


Doesn't the water look gorgeous?  I'm ready to jump in!  And here are some more pics of Benjamin & Kyle's Hawaiian adventures thanks to Alisha...





J and I hope you enjoy your birthday week in the aloha state, Kyle.  Love you!