Hey Good Lookin, What Ya Got Cookin

Everyone having a good summer? I can hardly believe that it is already August. Lately, time just seems to be flying by and I have to stop and remind myself to take it all in. I feel really old talking like that..... plus, I just bought some stuff from Talbots, so I am definitely an adult. (Talbots is awesome lately. I am in love with their fall collection.... now, I just need to wait for it to go on sale.)

Anyway, when we are experiencing temps of 107, I like to keep the cooking to a minimum and NOT turn on the oven. Last night we had the best summer salad. I have always had this as a side salad, but since I was making it the main dish, I decided to add some grilled chicken to the mix and call it a meal.

I really think the dressing is the kicker... I am sure you could use a store bought vinaigrette, but this is easy to whip up and is delish.

Dressing:

2 tb vinegar

2 tb oil

2 tb honey

1/2 tsp paprika

s/p to taste

Salad:

Mixed greens

Sliced strawberries

Goat cheese

Sliced almonds

Diced purple onion

Grilled chicken

(The dressing recipe makes enough for 2 large salad portions.....)

In Love

Have you ever seen pictures of a house and thought - that is me! I stumbled upon pictures of Suze Yalof Schwartz's NYC apartment and fell in love. (She is the fashion editor at large for Glamour Mag)

The all white kitchen. CHECK.

The all white bathroom. CHECK.

The turquoise glass collection. CHECK.

The color coordinated books. CHECK.

The gallery wall. CHECK.

The occasional pop of color. CHECK.

Here are some of the after pictures of her apartment..... for some of the before, go here.

She recently announced on her blog that she is about to move to LA. Can you imagine completing this wonderful apartment only to have to move?!?!

Access DENIED!

Hello blogworld.

I need some assistance from my more technical minded friends.

Is there any way you can block certain IP addresses from accessing a blog? I have Google Analytics, so I assume I could use that to figure out the exact IP addresses..... But other than that, I need help!

It is the little things....

Here is a little sunshine for your Monday morning..... a pretty little bloom in a cute little glass bottle.

Hey Good Lookin, What Ya Got Cookin

My dad's birthday was last week and I tried out a new recipe for his birthday dinner!

Chicken Tomatillo Enchiladas

I make mexican crock pot chicken all the time, so I used my chicken recipe and then Tyler Florence's recipe for the tomatillo salsa. We all loved it.... this tomatillo salsa is definitely a keeper.

Mexican Crock Pot Chicken

*** these are not exact measurements. I just sort of throw some stuff in there and it always comes out perfect. Adjust amounts based on the amount of chicken. Just make sure the chicken is pretty well covered with the juice and "other stuff."

• Chicken Breasts (I usually use 3 large breasts. They can either be frozen or thawed out.)
• 1 can of chicken broth of chicken stock
• 1 jar of salsa (I usually use medium and it is great. Miss A can eat it, it does not get too spicy)
• Optional - taco seasoning. If I have it, I use it. If not, then oh well.

Put chicken breasts in the bottom of the crock pot and cover with the rest of the good stuff. Stir together to incorporate everything. Cover and cook! Low for 7-8 hrs. I then shred the chicken with a fork and let it sit in the juices while I am getting the rest of the meal prepared. This is wonderful on top of salads, in tacos, quesadillas, enchiladas, etc.

And here is the recipe for the tomatillo salsa.

Yum Yum Yum.

Tomatillos, garlic, onion and jalapeno prior to roasting

Mexican crock pot chicken

Completed tomatillo salsa

The enchilada filling

And in case you were wondering what my sink looks like after I prepare a birthday meal like this:

Sweet, Sweet Summer

As we are in the dead of Summer here in Dallas, I have to think of the positives about this unbearable heat. Otherwise, I would stay inside and not come out until October. Or November. OR I would just purchase a one way ticket to a better climate.

Splash Parks

We LOVE playing in these parks all over town. You don't have to worry about life jackets, the deep end of the pool or constantly having to hold your little one.

Fresh Fruit

Blueberries. Cantaloupe. Watermelon. Strawberries. Our family eats tons and tons of fresh produce year round, but especially in the summer when you can get huge containers of blueberries for $1.50 and cantaloupe melons for $.50.

Pinot Grigio

Wine is my beverage of choice and there is nothing better than a crisp glass of pinot on a hot evening. Drop in a couple of frozen berries and it is delish.

Summer Smells

Do you switch your perfume/lotion in the summer? I love to wear light and airy scents in the summer.... gardenia is my favorite. And my allergies may hate the smell of fresh cut grass, but I love to take in that scent.

Storms

The grass looks greener. The air smells sweeter. And my veggies and herbs love it.

Cajun Shrimp

My toes are always painted with OPI Cajun Shrimp in the summer. It is a great coral color that goes with everything. It is kind of ironic that I am deathly allergic to shrimp, yet it is my favorite color.

What are you loving this summer?

The Blue Grass State

Long time, no talk blogworld.

Last week we were up in Lexington, KY for a little family vacation. My cousin got married and then everyone stayed in town for a family reunion. We have been getting together every summer for 23 years now. When this tradition first started, there were only 5 kids in the picture. Now, that number has grown to 11 and these "kids" are married, getting married, bringing their boyfriend/girlfriend, and having babies. Most summers, there are about 25-30 people that get together... and we enjoy every minute of it. (Most of the time. ha ha ha)

Here are just a few of the zillion pictures I have from the week.

Here we are at the rehearsal dinner.

My cousin and I are the same age.... and we both have daughters that are the same age. We are best friends and I am positive our daughters will also be best friends.

We went to the KY Horse Park and Miss A loved every second of it. She had no fear when it came to touching the horses... I think she wants a pony for her birthday. Poppa - you reading this?

KY is known for their bourbon so we had to tour a local distillery - Woodford Reserve. Miss A even got her first taste of bourbon at the end of the tour. Just kidding!

And when we weren't drinking bourbon, we were out on the lake. Miss A loved being out on the water and even had her first tube ride.

Want to see pictures that actually show her face? Head over to the Baby M blog.

Blogging Silence for Cohen

COHEN MARSHALL