it's almost over!

I only have a couple days left this week and it's over for the summer!

I got so much accomplished in such little time last week that I'm really going to be able to spend time on the little things that need to get done.  

This weekend, David and I went to and helped out at the Georgia GOP Convention.  Neither of us had been in 4 years and it was so much fun!  There were a lot of events-including seeing Yacht Rock at the Georgia Theatre on Thursday night!

My sister and her husband also visited this weekend!  We didn't get to see each other a whole lot with David and I at convention and them attending a wedding, but Hazel got to see her cousin dog ALL day!  She has been so worn out today she's hardly moved!  And here is the proof!

 A week ago the hubs noticed that the flowers in one of our hanging planters the flowers were dying. "Mama" as David and I refer to her as, has built a nest for her babies in our hanging basket. And now there are two eggs!

I hope you have had a great weekend! We certainly have!

Garlic and Herb Salad with Chicken

Today was my last day with kids! Woohoo! The kids are out for the summer! I'm not quite out yet, but it's getting closer and closer! YAY! 

Now onto the salad....

One thing my new husband can attest to since marriage is that I am a creature of habit.  And I don't like change much.  Or handle it well for that matter.

The most basic example of my habitualness is seen at dinnertime.  If I try out a new recipe and we like it, you can be assured I'm making it again (probably the next night!)  I don't think David minds too much!

This salad is super easy!  I cooked some seasoned chicken over the stove.  I used onion powder, garlic salt, and some Italian seasonings.  The salad dressing is a packet I found at Kroger, Good Seasons Salad Dressing Garlic and Herb.  On the packet they give two preparations.  One with more olive oil and one with less.  Depending on how much you use will depend on the calories in your salad.  However, they are still low if used sparingly.  Lastly, I chopped up some cherry tomatoes, YUM!  It made for a beautiful, yummy and EASY dinner.

Garlic and Herb Salad with Chicken  

1-2 Chicken breasts

Any seasoning you want for the chicken

Good Seasons Salad Dressing Garlic and Herb

Romaine lettuce

Cherry tomatoes

Optional:

Cheese

Onions 

Grill chicken over stove in seasoning.  Cut into strips when done.

Mix salad dressing and chill for at least 30 minutes.

Mix everything together!

So easy, but I had to share!  We love making new healthy dressings for salad!

Are there any dressings that you love?

School's ALMOST Out For the Summer!

I'm purely exhausted....

and it can only mean one thing....

school's ALMOST out for the summer!

While I still have to go into work some, make brand new lesson plans, learn new curriculum, and create common assessments aligned with the standards in my time off.... at least I can do it wherever I want!

Today, one of my cousins, Alex called me!  We talked about what all we were going to do this summer.  We talked about going to the pool and playing with Hazel at the dog park.  It gave me a glimpse of summer and there is no going back!  Above is a picture from Christmas (when Hazel was HALF the size she is now!)  We can't believe how fast our precious puppy has grown!

Hazel is REALLY excited about hanging out with her cousins this summer!

Thinking about summer is getting me through these long and exhausting days.  I am so excited to spend time with the hubby, my family, go on vacation, celebrate our 1 year anniversary, and the most important thing of all, GET A TAN!

 Hazel was also not very happy that I was paying attention to the computer and not her!  This last one is her begging me to play right now! So I will appease her :)

I know we are all looking forward to summer summertime!

Balsamic Roasted Veggies

With the beautiful weather we've had today, I couldn't help but pick up tons of fresh veggies at the grocery store! Something about a sunny day with a breeze screams crisp summer vegetables to me! I picked out brussel sprouts, cherry tomatoes, mushrooms, and French green beans! They smelled so good while cooking, we couldn't wait to dig in!

Balsamic Roasted Veggies

Two handfuls of green beans

8 cherry tomatoes halved

Handful of mushrooms

8 brussel sprouts halved

1 tbsp olive oil

2 tbsp balsamic vinegar

Kosher salt to taste

Pepper to taste

Optional: 1 tsp Parmesan cheese grated

Preheat to 400.

Put all ingredients into a large freezer bag and cover well.

Spread out on aluminum cover baking sheet. I would also suggest spraying the aluminum with Pam to ensure that the veggies come up nicely.

Put in the oven for 20 minutes and ENJOY!

things I'm crushin' on: SPRING edition!

Spring has finally sprung around here!

Although we've had our share of rain these days, when the sun is out, it is BEAUTIFUL!

With each new season, I try to share with you some of my new favorite things!

I had a lot to chose from, I narrowed it down to these seven items!

1. Maybelline's Volume Express Falsies Mascara

The last tube of mascara I bought was $20, and while it was great mascara, Maybelline's Falsies outdoes it in price and volume.  With one brush I have dramatic and full eyes!  I am not someone who has naturally dramatic eyes or great lashes, but Falsies curls my eyelashes and makes them stand out.  I absolutely LOVE this new mascara!  It has truly made my 5am mornings much better :)  I would highly recommend purchasing some!

2. Batiste Dry Shampoo

I am seriously about to change your life.  This is the best new hair product I have tried in a long time!  It has actually made my life SIGNIFICANTLY better.  Not only does it do wonders to my hair, but it smells great!  I always apply dry shampoo immediately after blow drying my hair.  This dry shampoo literally makes my hair look brand new!  I have tried several brands and this is the best!

3. Edy's Outshine Fruit Bars

Making my evenings more than enjoyable every now and then are these popcicles.  The first GREAT thing about them is that they come no sugar added (meaning they still have a small amount in them).  The second GREAT thing about them is how seriously YUMMY they are.  And the third GREAT thing about them is that they are only 25 calories a pop!  I'm telling you, these are so good you hear yourself saying "yyyuuummmmm" as you have one.

4. Sam Edelman Natural Wedge

This style wedge is so popular right now and why wouldn't it be!  It's so CUTE!  These Sam Edelman's come in under $70 and will make a great addition to your spring or summer wardrobe!  The best part is how versatile they are!  They could go with anything! Casual, dressy, shorts, skirts, and dresses!

5. Marly Lilly Brown Holly Cross Body Purse

Okay, so I don't have one of these (yet!), but how adorable is this.  Let's be honest here, I love anything monogrammed.  BUT this is the cutest purse!  Let's be honest one more time, everything Marly Lilly is adorable, so you can't go wrong ordering anything on the entire site!

6. Monogrammed Hats

Monogramed hats are all the rage right now.  I'm wishing I was still in undergrad so I could get a ZTA one, because they are so cute!  But what I would do for one of these beauties for the beach and around town!  It's on my wish list for sure!

7. Essie Resort Collection

All of the colors in Essie's Resort Collection are precious, but I am absolutely in love with this pop of purple.  This purple is known as Splash of Grenadine and it's sure making a splash in my life.  Purple is my absolute favorite color, so I'm glad we'll be seeing it around this season!

Well that's a wrap for what I'm crushing on this spring!  If you are interested in what I've crushed on in the past you can check them out HERE and HERE!  If you would like to purchase any of these items or some that I have mentioned in the past, use the link to the side!  Just click the picture of the product you want and have it delivered to your door :)

Have a great Wednesday!! (Half way there!)

homemade hummus

When I had some time off in March, I went to Hollywood Beach in Florida with my mama and grandma.  On our first night we ate at a really good and FUN restaurant, Taverna Opa.

Typically, if you go to a nicer restaurant they bring you complimentary bread before your meal.  Well, at Taverna Opa they bring out a mortar and pestle bowl with marinated chickpeas in it and a side of bread.  At first, we couldn't figure out what to do with it.  Our waitress quickly showed us how to mash up the chickpeas for hummus!  It was the best I had ever had!  I was so in love with it I had to have the recipe.  I was shocked at how easy it was!

Later in the week, my grandma bought me a really nice mortar and pestle so I could make my own (and think of her when I did!)  I have finally gotten around to trying it and it was so easy and YUMMY!

Homemade Hummus

Serving Size: 6

1 can Progresso Chickpeas (19oz)

1/2 cup olive oil

3 cloves of garlic

1/4 tsp salt

1 tbsp lemon juice

Pinch of pepper

Marinate the chickpeas in olive oil, garlic, salt, lemon juice, and pepper for 2 to 3 hours.

Drain chickpeas from marinade and put them in your mortar.

Use pestle to mash chickpeas for hummus!

ENJOY!

egg salad sammie

Happy Easter!! I hope you are having a wonderful day!

We have spent the day honoring our Lord and Savior, spending time with family, playing with the pup, and napping :)  It has been really great!

David and I boiled a dozen eggs and dyed them last night in honor of Easter.  It was really fun and has provided for a week's worth of yummy egg salad!  While I enjoy it by itself, I have been buying Sugar Free Whole Wheat Premium Bread for David at Kroger for his sandwiches.

I always start a new semester with my favorite get to know you game.  It's derived from something we did when I interned at the UGA Wesley Foundation.  It's quick, fun, and I don't lose much instructional time doing it. I call it "Hot Seat." I usually spend about the last 5 minutes of class playing it with the students until we've been through everyone (about a week).  Each student is asked three questions.  I always ask the first one and allow other students to come up with the others.  And these questions are usually silly.  Most famously, I ask "How do you like your eggs?"  The kids always think this is funny, but I'm really asking!  I love eggs! Weird, I know!

However, getting back to the basics of egg usage is egg salad!

And I LOVE egg salad!  I fell in love with it as a kid and it's never changed.

It's so easy to make and high in protein.

Easy Egg Salad

1 serving

2 hard boiled eggs

1 tsp Light Hellman's Mayonnaise
1 tsp French's Spicy Brown Mustard

Spoonful of Vlasic Sweet Relish

I mash up the eggs and mix in the mayo and mustard.

I suggest using equal parts of both mayo and mustard to the consistency of your liking.  Start off just adding a little of both.

Mix in a small spoonful of sweet relish and refrigerate!

We enjoy it by itself, on a bed of lettuce, or on bread!

ENJOY!