BB: Grilled Herb Shrimp

Whew! Is this month flying by or what?! Goodness. The second recipe for May's Barefoot Bloggers was very yummy. Grilled Herb Shrimp was selected by Penny from Lake Lure Cottage Kitchen. I could not wait to make this and we served it with ribeyes and a veg. The kids even devoured it!! I did not, however, make the accompanying mango salsa to go with. We are not mango eaters and I know that would have gone to waste, so we just did the grilled shrimp part. This is definitely going on our "make again" list. Thank you, Penny!!

Here is the recipe, which can also be found online and in Barefoot Contessa Parties, page 138:

• 2 pounds large shrimp (16 to 20 per pound), peeled and deveined (see note)
• 3 cloves garlic, minced
• 1 medium yellow onion, small-diced
• 1/4 cup minced fresh parsley
• 1/4 cup minced fresh basil
• 1 teaspoon dry mustard
• 2 teaspoons Dijon mustard
• 2 teaspoons kosher salt
• 1/2 teaspoon freshly ground black pepper
• 1/4 cup good olive oil
• 1 lemon, juiced

Directions

Combine all the ingredients and allow them to marinate for 1 hour at room temperature or cover and refrigerate for up to 2 days.

Skewer the shrimp. I use 3 or 4 shrimp on a 12-inch skewer for dinner. Heat a grill with coals and brush the grill with oil to prevent the shrimp from sticking. Grill the shrimp for only 1 1/2 minutes on each side.

Note: I leave the tails on when I'm peeling the shrimp.

The REAL Housewives of El Paso County

Today marked the very last MOPS (Mothers of Preschoolers) meeting for me. I joined the same year I decided to become a stay at home mom. For me, making the decision to join a mom's group where I didn't know anyone and getting put at a table where several friendships had already been forged was difficult for me and a decision that made me very nervous. Instead, I have developed friendships with 8 women (Nicole is not pictured but she is very much included) that I value so much. This group has had our share of tears, frustrations and more laughter than you could ever possibly imagine. Each of them brings something special to the table and I am incredibly blessed that God put them in my life.

I love you Kendra, Kristen, Laura, Karen, Kristy, Mel, Lauren and Nicole!!

BB: Spring Green Risotto

Ok, now that I have my wits back about me (see previous post if you'd like a good laugh), here is the first recipe for the month of May for Barefoot Bloggers! It is for Spring Green Risotto and was selected by Kimberly of Indulge & Enjoy! I paired this recipe with some BBQ steaks (I figured what could have gone better as this included both a starch and veggies!). Unfortunately, this was not a hit with my family (for the record, I loved it). My husband is weird-picky about anything containing lemon and since this did have zest and a little bit of juice (which I even cut back on hoping he wouldn't notice), the lemon flavor is bright and does come through. To me, it was a perfectly refreshing dish and I loved how it incorporated the mascarpone and parmesan cheeses with the leeks, peas and fennel. Everything I love all in one dish. Thank you, Kimberly for a great pick! I am looking forward to the next recipe as well this month (Grilled Herb Shrimp).

On my thankfulness for having daughters

So technically I am supposed to be posting about my latest Barefoot Bloggers recipe, which I will later, but I just need to get this off my chest. I should also apologize in advance to my friend, whose child this post is about. You know I love ya and your kids...but today's events brought out an inadequacy in me that I did not know existed until today.

So, I am currently watching my friends kids while she attends an event for her husband. She informed me upon arrival that her son had not pooped yet today (and followed that up with an apologetic smile). All went well for a few hours until the telltale smell wafted its way into my kitchen and I became faced with a situation I have not before encountered: changing a male child (I don't know how I have never had the opportunity, but let's just say I have also avoided it at all costs. The hardware frankly scares me). Changing a girls diaper is pretty straightforward...there isn't much that can 'get in the way' so to speak. I attempted to get my husband on Chat and of course he was not available. My mind raced with thoughts of how I was going to deal with this and if it would be wrong to just leave him poopy in his diaper so I could avoid this situation altogether (that was a fleeting thought until I smelled him again).

I gathered the supplies and mentally braced myself for what was to come. HALLELEUJAH he had not yet pooped when I checked his diaper (There IS a GOD!!!) so I whisked him quickly onto the toilet and promised him treats if he would just poop in the toilet like a big boy. Proud of myself for handling this so far, I hear a tiny voice from the bathroom proclaim that he had done his business and he was ready for treats.

At this point I should mention that I was barefoot.

I walk into the bathroom and am getting ready to clean him up when I realize I am standing in something wet. The sweet boy then informs me that he peed too...UH YAH. Realizing I am standing in it, and in what probably came across as a very high-pitched whine, I ask him, "WHYYY did you pee on the floor?!" and bless his heart, he says (I can barely type this because I am laughing so hard), "It doesn't reach!"

Apparently this is why they have splash guards on some potty seats. And I didn't realize the utility until today because God knew I was not equipped to deal with the peepee.

Thank you, Lord, for giving me daughters.

Wordless Wednesday

Mother's Day 2010

What a nice day! We went to church and came home to quickly change and head out to our favorite park for a picnic and some relaxation. I got a quick pedicure in while the kids napped and we headed to Red Robin for dinner (not my choice but the kids begged to go there so I relented. For the record, I wanted fish tacos at Wahoo's!). Hubby brought me some beautiful roses and I got cards from all three of them. Couldn't have asked for a nicer day!!
It's good to be Mom!

Ally's Preschool Mother's Day Tea

This had to have been the cutest thing I have ever attended in my life. The moms were escorted into the classroom one by one, had pictures taken, and then found our spot on the floor where a picnic blanket was set up and basket with all sorts of goodies. The children apparently hand-dipped the strawberries in chocolate, made biscuits with strawberry jam and put together the little baggies of baby carrots and Hershey's kisses. We were served lemonade as a refreshment. The picture of me in the top corner is one that Ally took of me. The papers you see in the middle are from a little book the kids put together for their mom. My child has since been scolded for incorrectly stating my age (I may be approaching that age but I am not there yet!!!). Anyway, this was absolutely darling and I cherished every minute!

Our little Cubbie becomes a Spark!

Tonight, Ally graduated from AWANA Cubbies and is officially a Spark now for the Fall. These are pictures from tonight's award ceremony. We are so proud of our little girl!! In the Fall, Emily will be old enough to participate as a Cubbie and she is SOOO excited.