Fourth of July Food

Later this afternoon, David and I are heading to Lake Sinclair to spend the weekend with the Coody side of my family. With all the aunts, uncles, cousins, siblings, etc., there will be a lot of hungry people to feed. I wanted to post what I am taking in case any of you need a last minute recipe!

These sausage English muffins are always a HUGE hit...they are filling and the smell is mouthwatering in the mornings. I like to make them ahead of time and freeze them - it lets you get a few more zzzzzzz's but still pull off a delicious breakfast.

Shopping list:
English Muffins split in halves
Jar of Cheez Whiz
Jimmy Dean Sausage
It all depends on what ratio you want your cheese to your sausage; I use 2 tubes of reduced fat sausage and only half of the can of cheese over 2 boxes of whole wheat English muffins. (6 muffins x 2 halves each = 12 breakfast muffins per box)

I like to place the muffins on cookie sheets then freeze them. Afterward, I will divide them into Ziploc freezer bags. When you get ready to eat them, take them out, place back on a cookie sheet, and cook in the oven for about 25-30 minutes on 350!
My next recipe was featured on here a few weeks ago, but I wanted to include pics this time! You can find the recipe here.


I tripled the recipe for the long weekend.

David loves the "As Seen on TV" section, and the last time we were ooohing and aaaahing over the incredible, life changing gadgets, we decided to try the Vidalia Chop Wizard - we are believers now! Look at how neatly it cuts bell pepper!

I think this is the most beautiful dip! My grandmother Baboo always said it was good to have a lot of color in your recipes and on your plate - she would be happy with this.
The last thing I decided to take to the lake was a little variation of the always-popular Italian caprese salad. Its hard to beat, especially when you have the freshest ingredients.
My basil plants are doing so well, and fresh herbs make all the difference when preparing meals.
Little grape tomatoes pack so much flavor, and are a hint sweeter than larger ones. Fresh mozzarella goes a long way when chopped finely, and a little red onion always add a little something extra.
Hope you all have a wonderful weekend celebrating the Fourth of July! Don't forget to wear sunscreen!

Movie Date Night

David and I went to see Tom Cruise and Cameron Diaz last night in their action-romantic comedy, Knight and Day. While it was totally over-the-top, it was Tom Cruise at his Mission Impossible best...packed with stunts and car chases. It was really entertaining, and I recommend it definitely for the boys.

Our show was at 7:30, so when we got out it was around 9:30. We were greeted by Twihards waiting for the midnight showing of Eclipse! I really wanted to stay and join them, but I had to work today. Even though David's not as super duper pumped as I am about this latest installment of the Twilight Saga, he's going to go with me tomorrow night to see it! Now that's love!

Just your basic weekend

This weekend had its share of fun times on the lake...Sydney did a little tubing...
And everyone had a shot at being "Iced"







And this beautiful moon was glowing over the lake late last night when we were on our way home after the Jaycees party at Jaime's mom's house. Plenty of fun, lots of sun, and many laughs - it was a good weekend.

Happy 6th Birthday Paisley!

When I turned 21, my gift was this beautiful, fluffy Persian cat; this tiny little kitty covered in fur with the most inquisitive personality. He was gray-blue with amber eyes, and I named the little angel Paisley. He and I lived in Athens for the next 3 years, and I loved playing chase with him, rubbing his back, and having him sleep at my feet. Paisley really is the smartest cat ever - he's helped my dad find bats, told us where his brother is, and sometimes he'll even respond when you talk to him. While he's kind of a snob (as so many cats are), he's really protective and thoughtful. If he could talk, I'm pretty sure it would be in a British accent.

Paisley has a brother named Oliver, or Ollie cat. When I got Paisley, my Baboo got Ollie, and Ollie brought my Baboo and Gongaman so much joy too. Now, my parents have Ollie full-time.

In the process of me graduating from UGA and moving to a non-cat-friendly house in Atlanta, Paisley moved home to have a little vacay with my parents. Over the course of my and David's engagement before the wedding, we all decided that it was best to let the brothers stay together - they tussle in the mornings, receive daily brush-brushes, and basically rule the roost. Paisley really likes hanging out with my brothers and dad, while Ollie seems to like my mom and Abbye the best. Even though David and I have Sandy here at our house in Gainesville, I miss Paisley every day. There's a portrait of him in my hallway that I see every morning. Its awesome to know that my parents and siblings take great care of him, and I am so appreciative of that. He loves living there with them, and he and Ollie are truly a part of our family!

Happy Birthday Paisley!

Father's Day weekend!

Happy Grand-Father's Day to my Gongaman!
Happy Father's Day to "The Dads!" We are lucky kids!

David and I are so blessed to have our dads as our role models, confidants, and as friends - they've steer us in the right direction while letting us be our own people. And even better, they're friends with each other! It sure does make things easy on us...one big extended family!
Over the weekend, I had the pleasure of attending one of David's cousin Kimberly's bridal showers. She's getting married in about a month, and we are excited to head to New Orleans with the Curth side of the family! Here is David's Aunt Jane, Aunt Noel, Mom Pam, Cousin Kimberly, Sister Amanda and me!

After the shower in Atlanta on Friday morning, David and I headed to Macon to camp out with Brince and Becca and work on his new house! Check out my other blog for more on that!
On Sunday, we were able to celebrate Father's Day with my two grandfathers and both of our dads! Here are the Coody kids with Dad! My mom prepared the most wonderful meal, as usual, and had the table set especially for Father's Day. She's always doing something to make any event special, and while it was Father's Day, we appreciate all Mom does for us too!
And here we all are with Datee!

**my weekend wardrobe provided by Hollie B. Hill couture! :)

Summertime eatin'

Our favorite part of summertime, or anytime for that matter, is our Ben. I took this photo of our sweet little nephew last summer while we were all enjoying our time on the water. He has learned to swim so well, learned to fish, and enjoyed being our youngest sailor. David and I are looking forward to spending time with Ben on the lake!
Another part of summer that we love so good is cooking with all the ripe produce that's available now. Here, I've made rice with vegetables and David's grilled pork chops topped with my homemade tomato and mango chutney.
David loves scallops and I try to include them in my menu planning when I can. Its hard to beat any kind of delicious shellfish with good, ol' cream cheese grits. In true Last Resort style, I paired them with sauteed kale served with a side of mango. Doesn't that offset the grits with cream cheese, mozzarella, heavy cream and butter?
Tonight we paired a Santa Fe marinated pork chop with black bean cakes and steamed broccoli - delish! I've included recipes at the bottom!

Black Bean Cakes
2 teaspoons olive oil
1 cup chopped onion
3 cloves garlic
1 cup chopped green bell pepper
2 teaspoons ground cumin
2 teaspoons chili powder
2 cans black beans
1 egg, lightly beaten
1 cup plain bread crumbs
1 cup grated sweet potato
Sour cream and lime zest

Saute onions, bell pepper, garlic, cumin and chili powder in olive oil in medium skillet for about 5 minutes. Mash beans with potato masher adding egg, onion mixture, bread crumbs and potato with salt and pepper. Shape into patties and add to cooking spray covered cookie sheet. Bake for 7 minutes on one side, and 3 on the other at 500 degrees. Garnish with sour cream and lime zest.

Spicy pork chops with mango-lime salsa

For the salsa:
1 ripe mango, pitted, peeled, and cut into small dice
2 plum tomatoes, seeded and cut into small dice
1/4 cup small-diced red onion
2 scallions (white and light- green parts), thinly sliced
3/4 cup loosely packed, roughly chopped fresh cilantro
1/4 cup fresh orange juice
2 Tbs. fresh lime juice
1/2 tsp. Tabasco
Kosher salt
1 Tbs. peanut or canola oil

For the chops:
1 Tbs. cumin seeds
1 Tbs. freshly cracked coriander seeds
1 Tbs. ground dried chile (chipotle is good, but ancho or New Mexico will work, as will a mild chili powder)
1 Tbs. kosher salt
1 Tbs. freshly cracked black pepper
4 bone-in center-cut pork chops (1 to 1-1/2 inches thick)
2 Tbs. olive oil; more if needed

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Make the salsa:

In a small bowl, combine the mango, tomatoes, onion, scallions, cilantro, orange juice, lime juice, and Tabasco. Toss gently to combine. Season with salt to taste. Drizzle with the oil and gently toss again.

Cook the pork chops:

Combine the cumin, coriander, ground dried chile, salt, and pepper in a small bowl. Pat the pork chops dry with paper towels and rub each side evenly with the spice mixture. Heat the olive oil in a very large sauté pan over medium-high heat until hot but not smoking. (If you don't have a sauté pan large enough to fit the chops without crowding, use two smaller sauté pans, heat 1-1/2 Tbs. olive oil in each, and cook two chops in each.) Cook the chops until well browned on one side, 3 to 5 minutes. Turn and cook the other side until the meat is done, 2 to 4 min. (If they start to burn, turn down the heat slightly.) To check for doneness, make a small cut near the bone and look inside—the pork should have a hint of pinkness. If it's still red, cook for another minute and check again. Transfer the chops to a plate, tent with foil, and let rest for 3 to 5 min. before serving with the salsa.

Refreshing Recipe

Wanted to share the recipe for the dip that I brought to Monday Night Girl's Dinner last night!

Black Bean Salsa with Roasted Corn
2 cans (15oz.) black beans - I use the reduced sodium
Red bell pepper, chopped
Yellow bell pepper, chopped
Orange bell pepper, chopped
Green bell pepper, chopped
1/2 of a medium size red onion, chopped
2 ripe mangoes, chopped
2 teaspoons of fresh chopped cilantro
2 scallions, chopped
1/2 medium jalapeno, chopped *don't forget your gloves!
3 tablespoons olive oil
2 limes, juiced
1 teaspoon kosher salt
1 can fiesta corn
Handful of grape tomatoes, chopped
Avocado, chopped

Combine all ingredients, let chill for one hour, and serve with your favorite snack chips!

Afternoon playtime

As most of you know, our little Sandy enjoys her natural predatory ways in catching mice and chipmunks. Well, today was no exception. I heard a bit of commotion in the basement, peered down the stairs, and saw this lovely scene. She doesn't kill the little guys, just plays with them like toys. I've shut the door, and am waiting on my hubs to come home and run the thing back outside!

Wedded Weekend Fun!

Nice, relaxing weekends are always a plus for us, and this one was great. It began with David and I having an afternoon shopping date to check out the deals at the Pottery Barn Outlet. Although we left empty handed, we found these fun things...like the seagrass chair - great for a desk chair or dining chairs!
LOVE this ticking sofa for less than $1,000! So adorable!

We walked into the Restoration Hardware outlet across the way, and the "deals" aren't quite as good as PB's. Either way, I wish I had a place to tuck this beautiful lantern, and that it wasn't so pricey.

But, I did think these red ceramic lamps were so pretty and had a decent price on them too.

Saturday brought Meredith's shower, and it was nice to see her sis Lauren and her grandmother, Poppie T!

We ended up at Ormsby's after a dinner of fish taco's at Taqueria del Sol. Nick and Kim played pool....
...and David and Hunter were the coaches and observers.

Today brought a day on the lake - which was just what we wanted! As we were heading back in late this afternoon, we were caught in a funny little rainstorm. A cooler of beer, a few magazines and some chips and dip helped us wait it out under a bridge.