Big News!

Well folks... I told you I'd be back, and with some very exciting news too! Bri and I are so happy to announce that there will be a little Baby Edwards here by the end of next June!

Baby Edwards' first picture!

We are more than excited about this wonderful news! It's been so hard keeping it a secret until our first sonogram! All I've ever wanted was to be a wife and mommy, and I am feeling so very very blessed right now! I wake up every morning and wonder if it was all a very good dream!

I'm a little over 9 weeks along, and have had some pretty major morning all day sickness. I'm tired a lot, and definitely haven't felt like cooking. Most food smells & pictures make me nauseated... thus the lack of posts on recipes! Bri has been so stinkin' wonderful! He graciously stepped in to help get groceries, and clean up the house. He's been so understanding with my crazy cravings, food aversions, and general lack of energy.

These pesky first-trimester symptoms will be more than worth it when we get to hold our sweet little baby in the spring!

So until further notice ... it's saltines and Sprite for me... and a big ol' smile that won't go away! :)

Happy Thankgiving!

I'm sure some of you have noticed the sudden lack of blogging from this girl here... but never fear! I'll be back at it real soon. Things have just been a little crazy around here... that ever happen to you?

In honor of the wonderful holiday we're about to celebrate tomorrow, I thought I'd take the time to reflect on what I'm thankful for. After all, God gives us so many blessings throughout the year... both big and small! So before I start getting the bird ready or whipping up those ol' casseroles...

I'm Thankful For...

My savior, Jesus Christ... who died for my sins.
My amazing husband... he's so good to me. I'm truly blessed.
My wonderful family... we're super close and I'm so blessed in that way.
My friends back home... who are there for long phone chats & when I need a quick word or prayer.
My new friends out here... we have such a great community... our family away from home.
The way God has provided for Bri & I... he's always faithful. Always.
The answered prayers recently... he's always listening. He loves me and wants good things for me.

I hope you all have a very special Thanksgiving! God bless you and yours!

P.S. Don't forget to eat some pe-can pie! It's my favorite!

While the Hubby was away...

Bri went away to a Men's Retreat with our church this weekend, and while he was gone I decided I'd better keep myself busy to avoid the crazy quiet and tidyness that was our condo all weekend.
Friday night I headed to Queen Bee Market. It was AWESOME! There were so many more boothes than last year! I came away with a ton of business cards so I can start my online Christmas shopping soon!
Of course I left with a few things for myself.

Adorable signs by Julie @ Joy's Hope:

This Darling Necklace from Allora Handmade:
I bought one last year too! She's so talented.

Here's a few more shops I discovered and fell in love with...

The Paisley Mill... ADORABLE Wood & Paper gifts & Wall Hooks!
Stacey Winters... I just LOVE her Christmas Cards... and her beautiful photography!
The Lovely Letter... Beautiful handmade jewelry!
Pumpkin Pie Originals... The cutest little onesies I've ever seen... and they're organic!
Crystal B... I lover her gorgeous vintage jewelry!
All things for Baby... Teeny tiny little baby shoes... so stinkin' cute!

After my trip to QB, I headed to Whole Foods (where Bri hates going b/c it's too crowded) to get some delicious Mushroom Pizza (which Bri also hates). I also picked up a few non-nessescities that were calling my name... Belgian Chocolate Waffles & an organic version of Lucky Charms... YUM! I'm such a kid... with a huge sweet tooth.

Saturday I spent some quality time at Anthropologie with my birthday money... yay! I love that place.

How was your weekend?

My favorite place to be... My Kitchen!

It’s taken this girl for-ever to get some pictures of our new condo up the ol’ blog… but slowly but surely, I’ll post’ em. Now that you’ve seen the place where all the food is gobbled up, let’s peek inside the space I spend a WHOLE lot of time… My Kitchen!

Here's what it looked like before we moved in...

And here it is full of all my kitchen things... lots of red, which I just LOVE!

It's not big... but it's cozy and it works.

The chalkboard Bri & I made... still needs something above it.

Notice my beloved red Kitchen Aid Mixer...

This is the sign above the sink (purchased HERE) We love it!

The adorable Anthro kitchen towel my sister got me for my birthday...

So there it is folks. Next up... the cozy living room. Have a great weekend!



Burger Friday #13!

Have there really been THIRTEEN @ home burger nights here at our little abode? Kinda crazy how quickly time flies by. Well these little sliders I'm showin you today are just delicious. Rach's mag (which I have almost every issue of) has a great little burger spot... which lately has been my go-to for new burger ideas. At first I was a bit hesitant about combining all these ingredients... but boy oh boy do they come together beautifully!

Here's the cast...

Poblano Popper Sliders                                                                     Rachael Ray

2 large Poblano chilies
Juice of a lime
S&P
EVOO
1 avocado
1/2 cup sour cream
A small bunch of cilantro (finely chopped)
1  jalapeño (seeded & finely chopped)
1lb ground sirloin
1/2 palmful cumin
1/2 palmful ground coriander
1/3 cup beer (optional)
4 slices sharp cheddar cheese (1/2 slice per slider)
1 vine riped tomato (thinly sliced)
8 slider rolls

First you'll wanna char those poblanos. You can either hold them over an open flame, using tongs for about 5 minutes, or you can turn your broiler on high, leaving the door slightly ajar and rotate them every few minutes till they've got color on all sides.When they're charred, stick 'em in a bowl with a lid and let them cool for a while.

Meanwhile, you'll mix up the yummy topping! Mash together your avacado, sour cream, cilantro, lime juice, jalepeno, and a little salt with a fork. Then set it aside.

Now grab those poblanos and use a paper towel to rub the skin off. Then seed them and throw 'em into your food processor and give it a whirl.

You'll also wanna toast up your slider rolls under the broiler!

Grab a large bowl and mix the ground sirloin, pureed poblano, cumin, coriander, S&P, and beer if you're using it. Divide the mixture into 8 even patties. Using a large skillet cook the burgers in a tbsp of EVOO for about 3-4 minutes on each side. Add the cheese on top in the last minute or so to get it melty!

To assemble, put a slice of tomato on the roll bottom, top with a patty, plenty of the avacado sauce & a roll top. They'll be gobbled up in no time!

Happy Friday Ya'll!

Whatcha Got Wednesday #9... Just Shopping Around!

With birthday money in hand, and Christmas around the corner... this girl is spending a lot of time surfing the web for all kinds of goodies! Here are a few of my favorite places to browse!

Lindsey @ The Pleated Poppy Shop... How will I choose?!

Handmade petal drop necklaces, pouches, petal pushers and posy pins... some of the cutest accessories on the web!

Vanessa @ The V&Co Shop... Patterns Galore!

I just LOVE all of the patterns in Vanessa's shop! Most of them are on my sewing "to-do" list! 

Jessica @ Allora Handmade... Gorgeous Rosette Accessories!

I bought an awesome grey rosette necklace last year @ Queen Bee Market, and EVERYTIME I wear it I get tons of compliments!

 

Lisa @ Lisa Leonard Designs... Beautiful Handmade Jewelry!

Lisa's jewelry is so incredibly stunning! Each piece is detailed and personal... and just lovely.

Speaking of shopping... this is where I'll be heading this weekend...



It'll be fabulous... and I'll spill all the juicy details later! Happy Wednesday!

Tequila-less Lime Chicken & all the Fixin’s!

Being out here in Cali… Bri & I have had our fair share of DE-LICIOUS Mexican food! (It’s probably more like Tex-Mex if you get right down to it) Since we try to keep to eating out to once a week… I needed a way to get our fix on the cheap! THEN… Pioneer Woman posted the most amazing chicken recipe I’ve EVER had! It’s got a fantastic, easy marinade that keeps the chicken moist and FULL of flavor! It calls for tequila, but we don’t keep that around here, so I just omitted it… can’t imagine it tasting any better anywho! I serve it up with melted cheese, homemade pico de gallo with avocado, Mexican rice & refried black beans with jalapeños! It’s a plate full of restaurant quality food for a whole lot less!

Here’s what you need…

Tequila-less Lime Chicken Marinade:
4 chicken breasts
2 limes
A bunch of cilantro
S&P
2 jalepenos
5 Tbsp EVOO

You’ll want to let your chicken soak in the marinade for at least 24 hours, so make sure you mix it up ahead of time! Just put all the ingredients in your food processor and give it a whirl! I put my chicken in a gallon sized zip-lock bag and pour the marinade in and stick it in the fridge till I’m ready for it.

When you’re ready to grill up the chicken, here’s the rest of the cast…

AND my favorite fixin’s! (I know I cheat, but I LOVE Trader Joes!)

Tequila-less Lime Chicken                                     Ree Drummond
with Avacado Pico de Gallo                                                                                                               
1 lime
2 jalepenos
S&P
Small bunch of cilantro
Avocado
2 Roma tomatoes
4 marinated chicken breasts
1 cup shredded Monterey Jack Cheese
Refried black beans
Mexican rice

First you’ll wanna whip up your pico. Grab a small bowl and chop up your tomatoes, jalepenos, cilantro & avocado. Squeeze the juice of one lime over it and season with S&P. Then set it aside and heat up your rice & beans. If you wanna go all the way, HERE’s Ree’s recipe for homemade Mexican rice.

Next you’ll throw your chicken on a foil-lined grill over medium-high for about 8 minutes on each side or until the juices run clear. Then put some cheese on top each breast and stick it under the broiler for a minute.

To serve it up, put a generous spoonful of the pico on the chicken (and beans too… trust me!) and a hearty helping of rice!

Happy restaurant meal at home ya’ll!

Whatcha Got Wednesday #8: How do you Decorate?

This week I'm highlighting some of my favorite places to get a little inspiration when it comes to making our home nice and cozy! Now these ladies, they have got some talent... that's for sure! I'm always humbled when I stop by their beautiful blogs...

Dee @ Farmhouse Country Style: Her Beautiful Home!

You simply MUST check out her Farmhouse! Every picture's got me droolin'! Her kitchen is exactly what I want mine to look like someday!

Liz @ Hoosier Handmade: Fall Mantle & Hoosier Cabinet!

Hoosier Handmade isn't just full of adorable ways to decorate for every season, Liz is THE Cupcake Lady... when you need a sugar fix, head on over there... you won't be dissapointed!



Jolie @ Shopping Candy: Amazing Room Transformations!

This girl has done a fantastic job with her first house! Her style is beautiful... every picture looks like something out of a Pottery Barn catalog!



Jessica @ Jessica Leigh: Beautiful Mantle & Patio area!

This blog is just plain pretty! Wonderful pictures, colorful and inviting decor, and a heart for the Lord! You'll love what you find!



Elizabeth @ Blue Clear Sky: Dining & Family Rooms!

Elizabeth's home looks so warm and inviting! I'd love to sit in that gorgeous dining room for a meal, or in her beautiful family room! She has a knack for decorating that's for SURE!



Rhoda @ Southern Hospitality: Cozy Den & Porch!

Southern Hospitality is the perfect name for Rhoda's blog! Every room in her home is decorated perfectly right down to the last detail! You're sure to feel a nice warm welcome if you stop by!


I love a home with Pottery Barn furniture, a mix of old and found items, and lots of warm colors, giving it a cozy feel. Now that we've peeked into these ladies' homes, how do you make your's cozy? Where do you get your inspiration?

Stoup for a Cool Fall Day!

You know those days where you just wanna curl up with a good book, or crawl under a cozy quilt, put on a good movie and drink hot chocolate? Well, since the grey, wet and gloomy days here in So Cal are few and far between… I’ve been soakin’ up the crazy weather we’ve had the last few weeks! When I was a kiddo, on those cold dreary days, my Mama always made tomato soup & grilled cheese sandwiches. This little meal is Bri and I’s version of that combination. Here’s what you need…

Oops... forgot the Chicken Stock...Sneaky stock in a box!

Salsa Stoup & Cheese Quesadillas                                          Rachael Ray

Canola Oil

S&P

2 or 3 jalapenos (seeded & finely chopped)
1 green bell pepper (seeded and chopped)
1 large onion (finely chopped)
3 ribs celery (finely chopped… getting the picture?)
28oz stewed tomatoes (diced works fine if you have ‘em)
14oz can crushed tomatoes (or tomato sauce)
2 cups chicken stock (a little less if you like your stoup more stewish)
Small bunch of cilantro (finely chopped)
Dash of hot sauce

For the Quesadillas:
2 tbsp canola oil
4 flour/whole wheat tortillas (or one per person)
1 cup shredded Cheddar
1 cup shredded Pepper Jack

First grab your big ol’ soup pot. Add a couple tbsp of canola oil over medium-high heat. Cook the jalapenos, bell pepper, onions, and celery for about 10 minutes until their nice and soft. Then add the crushed & stewed tomatoes and stock and bring it to a bubble. I usually let it cook for about 10-15 minutes to let the flavors come together. Season it with S&P & a dash of hot sauce. Stir in the cilantro right before stirring.

To make the easy peasy quesadillas, Paint one side of a tortilla with canola oil and put it oil side down on a cookie sheet. Sprinkle both Cheddar & Pepper Jack cheese liberally and then put another tortilla on top and brush it with oil as well. Repeat this process until you’ve made enough quesadillas for everyone! Bake at 350 for about 10 minutes. A little tip…I usually flip ‘em with a pancake spatula half way through, and then cut them with a pizza cutter when their done.

Serve up the stoup with a couple wedges of cheesy quesadilla and Enjoy!