Couscous Shrimp Salad

This super easy recipe was inspired from a EatFit for Life dinner I bought. So yummy, light, and healthy.

1. Cook a box of instant couscous according to directions (takes literally 5 minutes)
2. Cook shrimp in a fry pan with some seasoning (I used Lawry's Seasoned Salt)
3. Dress lettuce in a lemon-y light dressing
4. Pile together the lettuce, one portion of couscous, and one portion of shrimp


Enjoy!

Dark Places

Book of Choice

Dark Places

By: Gillian Flynn

Background:

Gillian Flynn is a new author who wrote my favorite book of all time: Sharp Objects. It is so creepy and demented. My friend at work has her second book, Dark Places, and gave it to me to read. After loving her first book so much, I knew I had to read this one as well.

First Thoughts:

Dark Places is a story of a young woman whose family was killed when she was a child. Her brother was convicted of the murders of their mother and two sisters but maintains his innocence. Some crime junkies convince Libby that they need to look deeper into the murders when the evidence does not point to the brother. The book's layout is different in that it is told from several different view points

1. Libby Day (the living sister) in present day

2. Ben Day (convicted murderer) in the days leading up to the murders

3. Mommy Day (forgot her name, obvi the murdered mother) in the days leading up to the murders

So interesting!

Final Thoughts: 

This book did not disappoint. It was just as dark (pun intended) as the first with a great twist in the end. I still love Sharp Objects the most, but this is a great follow up! 

Salmon with Brussel Sprouts

I wanted to share this quick and easy recipe that is perfect for weeknight cooking. This recipe is a great one for just 2 people as well. Enjoy!

Salmon:

I buy the fresh salmon from the fish market at HEB. Their fish is always yummy. I layered on a lemon-dill sauce I bought from HEB and baked per instruction. It usually turns out to be 15-ish minutes on 425. The trick is to put a rack 1/3 from the top of the oven. I also make salmon with just mustard on top. Cannot be easier.

Brussels Sprouts:

I have never made these before and I was a little nervous. I love them but was unsure if Johnny did. I texted him as I walked into the store asking him how he felt about them. Since he was busy at work and didn't respond, he lost his chance to say no. Sorry! I adapted this recipe from Food Network's recipe here.

(Recipe made for 2)

1 10-oz package of brussels sprouts 

4 strips of bacon (to hide the taste of the veggie from Johnny)

Salt and Pepper

1. Trim the root end and cut each sprout in half

2. Cut the bacon into 1/2 inch pieces, cook in a medium skillet, set aside

3. Add the brussels sprouts to the skillet, saute for a few minutes, add S&P

4. Combine the bacon pieces and brussels sprouts in an oven-safe dish, bake at 375 for 30 minutes.

Enjoy!

Misty's Shower

My cousin's wife is pregnant with their first baby (a boy!) so we threw her a shower last weekend. Please remember, I use the term "cousin" loosely in my family. I think Misty is actually my second cousin, once removed, in-law? Anywho, we are related. Moving on! 


The shower was held at my mom's house and my sister, another "cousin" (who happens to work for a wedding planner), and I were in charge of the decor. The baby's room will be rock-and-roll theme so we did the shower to match. I think it turned out so cute!


Sign-in book. I love this idea for all showers. I used it here. The party-planning cousin had these flowers made at Central Market with the baby blocks. I am so using that idea in the future. One says "D+M" for the mommy and daddy Dustin and Misty. The other is "1-2-3." I went Hobby Lobby creative on this shower and made the picture frame. It currently holds the shower invite but will hopefully hold a pic of baby Colton one day!

The Mantle! I copied the clothes-line idea from another shower. I love the decorations that are also gifts on display. The 2 guitar prints were from her registry and I made the "C" for Colton. She used the "C" in some maternity pics that turned out really cute.

Close up of the mantle flowers:

This was my first attempt at a diaper cake. I am kind-of proud of myself. I looked up a video on YouTube of how to do it and it is actually super easy. Time consuming, but easy. I think I used 110 diapers. 

And finally... My favorite shower dessert: Crave Cupcakes. We, again, matched the theme with music notes, baby bottles, and strollers. Crave always makes beautiful cupcakes and they are super easy to work with. Highly recommend!

Can't wait to meet the little one in about 8 weeks!

Mel J/Mel K's Wedding

Happy New Year! (2 weeks late...)


We had such a wonderful New Year's Day this year. I worked NYE so we won't talk about it. My high school and college friend, Melissa, got married in Austin on New Year's Day at an AMAZING ceremony and reception at the Four Seasons.


Our trip started off a little hairy when we got in town at 3PM (wedding started at 5PM) and our room was not ready. I still needed to shower and get totally ready. I fiddled around a little, went to the bar, and met up with some of the wedding party. My friend Kathryn graciously let me shower in their room while I was waiting. Around 4, they finally let us in our room. Apparently, we were upgraded to a lake-view so I did not complain.

This was the first Jewish wedding I have gone to so it was so neat to see all of their traditions. In the program, they had a page devoted to explaining the traditions. Did you know you do not stand during the bride's processional? Good to know! Here is us at the ceremony. I know I took pics before their wedding but I think it is on my real camera. I did not take any during the ceremony because I cannot stand when people do that. It is so distracting. Johnny looks mildly possessed so please ignore.

Their flowers were beyond amazing. See below:

The Bride and Groom

Grooms cake. Ha! It was huge!

This looks like the most terrifying thing in the world!

Party favors: Whataburger Taquitos to-go. Superb idea.

This was the first night we left Gus. We left him with my parents so I knew he'd be in good hands. I only sent him with 1 page of instructions for the 26 hours he was in their care. Trust me, I held back. When we went to pick him up, he seemed happy and not starved and not stressed. I guess I'll trust the grandparents to watch him again!

I'll update this post with more pics when I upload my camera!

First Emergency Room Visit

My poor Gussie. Let me just start off saying that this story includes me bawling crying at least 6 times, so bear with me. 


Yesterday, I was walking my sweet little man in the neighborhood. I had big plans of going to a movie with a friend and I felt bad about leaving him alone for a few hours. Walks usually get him pretty tired so I hoped he would nap most of the time I was gone. We set out on a random route through the neighborhood as per usual. Throughout the neighborhood, the sidewalks are up against the fences of each house. Well, maybe with like 6 inches of grass in between. Gus loves other dogs and people and is always so curious to meet anyone new. He always goes up to the fences where other dogs are to do his usual sniffing. Even if the other dog is barking, he'll go up just to say hi. He truly never barks, postures, or shows any signs of aggressions. If he did, I wouldn't let him get that close! Anyway, we were on the final stretch of our walk when he goes up to this one wrought iron fence with 3 dogs behind it. I think they were all pretty small, I honestly didn't get a good enough look. The next thing I know, one of them has it's head through the fence and has bitten and grabbed onto Gus's mouth. Gus was pulling back trying to get free while the other dog was pulling the opposite direction so I'm looking down at his lip being stretched out in this other dog's mouth. The other two were going crazy and barking while all of this is happening. I reach my hand down to try to get him off but it doesn't work. I finally put my foot through the fence to push the dog off. Gus is freed, he falls back onto the sidewalk. I kneel down at his side and see his lip cut up and that he is bleeding. I burst into tears and try to pick him up. He weighs more than 40 pounds so that was difficult! Plus, he was so worked up that he didn't want to be held. I immediately call Johnny at work who says he'll meet us at the vet. I was still about half a mile away from my car so we had to walk back. I felt so helpless! I called the vet on the way and since they only had one vet in the office at the time who was treating another emergency, they gave me the name of a vet close by I would call. After what felt like forever, I made it to the car and bolted for the vet's office. I called my friend and said I couldn't make it to the movie. Which was a total bummer because I was really looking forward to The Girl With the Dragon Tattoo!


On the way to the vet, I tried to get pics but he would not cooperate! The pink on his fur is blood and you can see some of the scratch marks. However, the part I was most worried about was a split at the base of the lip. The skin was kind of hanging off (it was gross, I know.) Please excuse my face in the bottom right corner, I was trying to get a pic!

When we got to the vet, they saw us immediately. The doggie nurse said he would probably need sedation and stitches but that the vet would have to check him out first. When I was telling her what happened, I started sobbing again. She was so sweet and understanding. I was definitely more upset than Gus was. This was a pic from the vet's office. You can see the scratches better and where the split is closer to the center of his mouth. I was also worried about disease but they said the only disease we needed to worry about after a dog bite was rabies and since he was vaccinated, we were fine.

Just as the doggie nurses suspected, he did need stitches. Since he's a dog and stuff, he would have to be sedated. He didn't even need an IV, just a shot. They watched him for a few hours after the sedation to make sure he tolerated it. We picked up a very sleepy little boy 2 hours later. You can see how tired and swollen he is! They said he did very well during the procedure and cooperated nicely. Good boy! He slept from 6PM last night to 5AM this morning. I took him out and he went right back to sleep. 

This morning, he woke up with a vengeance! I guess he had to make up for being so tired yesterday. I took this picture today while we were playing outside. It kind of looks like ground meat. He would never sit still enough for me to get a good shot of the stitches and I did not want to push it.  Now, he has 2 weeks of antibiotics and they want to see him back in 10 days. 

I felt so terrible all day yesterday. I felt like I should have protected him from the other dog. I also felt bad because I am sure he was so scared while it was happening. I haven't decided how I'm going to tell those other owners. Obviously, I am not blaming their dog, he was in his yard and being protective of his property. However, the fence they have is not adequate if their dog can put his head through it. So, we'll see how it goes. 

Merry Christmas x2

Merry post-Christmas! I hope everyone had a beautiful holiday!


We celebrate Christmas in several stages: big family, small family, couple family. Christmas Eve is always spent with all of the sisters (and their families) at my parents' house. The kiddos are too excited about presents so we start with that.

I got my first registry gift: Juliska plates!

I also got great gift cards and Christmas socks for next year.

Our tradition for Christmas Eve dinner stems from my dad's mom- stacked enchiladas. They are very easy to make and good for a crowd. You need:

Corn Tortillas

Red Enchilada Sauce

Green Enchilada Sauce

Ground Beef

Baked Chicken

Lettuce

Cheese

Pico de Gallo

Pretty much any topping you like on tacos

1. Cook your tortilla for about a minute in either sauce. 

2. Layer with meat. 

3. Cook another tortilla in either sauce.

4. Layer with meat.

5. Add your toppings.

Easy enough?

I worked Christmas Eve so after dinner, I headed to the hospital.

Christmas morning, I went back to my parents for Christmas #2. There, I got my second registry gift: Kitchen Aid Mixer with Ice Cream Maker attachment. So beautiful!

I also got some more gift cards and a Juliska service piece. 

We finished the morning eating breakfast while watching the Disney Christmas Parade. We all spent the day napping, snacking, playing Chicken Foot Dominos and enjoying our gifts. For dinner, we had beef tenderloin with yummy mashed potatoes with green beans. 

Later that night, Johnny and I exchanged our gifts. He got me a great Macy's gift card so I could choose something from the registry. I got him a wallet (brown, tri-fold, lots of pockets as requested), Vinturi wine stand, and an IOU for a new watch. The one he wanted was out of stock online and unable to be found in any stores, naturally. 

How can I forget the best Christmas present of all? Gus! Who knocked over my "Gus-proof" tree stand and broke 3 glass ornaments. But I still love him.