Chicken Sausage and Veggie Bowl

One of Alex's best friends, Scott, and his wife, Katie, are having a baby!  Alex always gets frustrated when I say "they are having a baby" and quickly reminds me that "they" are not having a baby, but "she" is having a baby.  Details, details.  I was so excited when I heard the news and couldn't wait to start planning a shower.  With the help of a few other girls, we put on a good spread of food and Katie got many of the essentials for their new baby boy!

 What is a baby shower without a diaper cake?

 The food table:  we served brie bake, veggie platter, chicken salad sandwiches, fruit, sausage balls, hamburger sliders, pasta salad, and my spinach artichoke dip.

Summer and Jessica

Scott's mom (soon to be grandma to baby Buchholz) and my wonderful mother-in-law, Susan

Joanna, who is due one month after Katie, Jessica, and Summer

Yummy desserts!  We decorated with blue hydrangeas since it is a boy!

Katie's friends

There's the mom to be, Katie, Mrs. Kimberlin, and Kay (another one of the grandma's to be)

Unfortunately, the next night I came down with a stomach bug and couldn't enjoy all the left over food.  It was a rough experience.  My stomach took a full week to recover, but only missed one day of work thank goodness.

Since I wasn't feeling so hot the next week, we kept our meals simple.  I grabbed a package of Trader Joe's chicken sausage and figured we could mix it in with some veggies from the garden.  

This recipe was super easy and quick!  Feel free to change it up with whatever veggies you have in the refrigerator.  

Chicken Sausage and Veggie Bowl

Ingredients:

• 1 tbsp. olive oil
• 1/2 of an onion, chopped
• 2 zucchini's, chopped
• 1 squash, chopped  
• 2 chicken sausage links, sliced
• 1-2 tsp. minced garlic (your preference depending on how much garlic you like, I did 2 tsp.:)) 
• salt and pepper to taste

Heat pan over medium heat.  Add olive oil.  Add onions and garlic, saute for 1 minute; add zucchini and squash, saute for 5 minutes; add sausage and cook until sausage is browned.  Add salt and pepper to taste.  

Father's Day Menu

Father's Day is coming up this Sunday, just in case you didn't know. :)  This is when you can really impress those you love.  What says love more than a home cooked meal!  Whether it is for your dad, father-in-law, step-dad, or husband I think you will find something to suite most of the dads in your life.  I have searched through my recipes and found a few of my favorites that might inspire you to cook for your dad.  Anyone can take Dad to the local steak restaurant, and we all know you aren't just anyone!

I still have no idea what I am doing yet, but I promise you will see a blog on it in the near future.  My dad is an amazing cook, must be where my passion comes from!

Mini Taco Meatloaves are great for the dad who needs portion control (but don't tell him that)!

Scallops are great for the dad who isn't a huge red meat person (does that dad exist).

Or maybe he likes seafood and you really want to impress him with...

Lobster Tails with a little butter sauce, you can't go wrong here.

Cilantro Steak for the red meat lover.

Pineapple Pork Tenderloin for the dad who is so sweet!

Or...

Herb Pork Tenderloin if dad isn't into sauces and fruit with his meat.

Butter Chicken for the dad who likes to branch out and try Indian food.

Hoisin Shrimp and Fried Rice for the dad who likes the Asian cuisine.

Does your family have any Father's Day traditions?  What is your Dad's favorite food?

Spinach Parmesan Dip

Bad picture, but it sure was yummy!

Where did this week go?  We were so busy over Memorial day weekend, that we have spent all week recovering!  Here is a highlight of all the fun we had.

Friday night I picked some veggies to cook up for the weekend.  I forgot how great home grown veggies taste.  I am going to have to get creative with cooking zucchini and squash because I have more than I know what to do with right now!

Here is a little peak of what came off the vine.  

Saturday, I spent the day running errands.  Then we headed over to Brody's 2nd birthday party.  I can't believe he is 2!  Check our Lauren's blog for all the party details and pictures (I was bad about taking pics because there were so many "photographers" already capturing the big day).

It was great to spend time with Ms. Molly Kate (MK) and Nicole (her mom).  Nicole and I went to PT school together.  I don't get to see them nearly as much as I would like!  MK is still trying to figure out who I am and why I have this crazy camera in front of my face.  

Saturday night we celebrated Susan's birthday.  Again, no pics:(  Dinner consisted of grilled pork tenderloin with a simple dry rub of salt, pepper, and garlic powder, salad, and grilled veggies.


Sunday, I headed to the pool with my work friends while Alex helped a good friend build a fence.  It was nice to just relax in the sun.

This is Jake's, my boss, daughter Abby.  She might be the cutest thing ever!

I finally finished a book that I have been reading since our Mexico trip.  I highly recommend it for all women.  It is Beth Moore's So Long Insecurity.  I don't consider myself an insecure person, but after reading the cover it caught my attention.  I am so glad I read this book.  It really opened my eyes to areas I am insecure and ways to deviate away from those feelings.  I think most women have times, even if only for a day or two, that they feel insecurity in some way.

In an attempt to be frugal, I scanned the book shelf for something I haven't read yet.  I found this Donald Miller book that Alex read a few years ago.  I enjoyed his other book, Blue Like Jazz, so I thought I would give this a try.  I will post a review when I am finished.  

Monday, Memorial Day, finally rolled around and we were off to the lake.  Alex and I had a great time with his parents and close family friends.  

Just hanging out!

Check out this awesome boat that Matt made.  Yes, he made it!  I am super impressed.

Dakin got to ride too.

The ladies went out on an evening "cocktail cruise" on the pontoon boat.  

I made the dip for the "cocktail cruise", but we finished it long before when we got hungry for an afternoon snack.  I love garlic so I added two cloves vs. one when I made this.  Looking back, one would have been plenty.  It was a little too strong with two, even for my taste.

Spinach Parmesan Dip

Source: Real Simple

Ingredients

•          1 10-ounce package frozen chopped spinach, thawed
•          1 cup sour cream
•          1/4 cup grated Parmesan
•          1 garlic clove, minced
•          kosher salt and black pepper
•          dippers (such as carrot sticks, tortilla chips, pita chips)

Directions

1.     Squeeze any excess liquid out of the spinach.

2.     In a medium bowl, combine the spinach, sour cream, Parmesan, garlic, 1/2 teaspoon salt, and 1/4 teaspoon pepper. Serve with the dippers.