Taco Salad & A Trip Down Memory Lane

When my husband and I went on our very first date, he took me to this old prison-turned-restaurant in downtown McKinney.  He won MAJOR bonus points for originality and creativity. It was called "Prison Bar and Grill".  I should've been a little frightened, but I thought it was the coolest thing!!!! You could even sit inside of old cells and eat.  It was the most memorable first date ever and it clearly won me over because I accepted his proposal one year later to the date.  The restaurant has since closed, but downtown McKinney turned into our little spot after that very first date.

We moved to McKinney...brought our two sweet boys home in that little town...and celebrated every anniversary right down the street from that old prison bar and grill right there on the square at Rick's Chophouse.  Before we moved to Houston, we spent lots of date nights and family days on the square.  

There was a little Mexican restaurant there (I heard it closed) that was just amazing.  I can't remember the name to save my life, but it was right across the street from my favorite antique store.  We liked to antique shop for just a bit...or as long as the kids wouldn't scream...and then head across the street to eat.  We ate there quite often.  They had the most AMAZING taco salad.   In fact, I think that's the first place I ever had a taco salad.  When I eat Mexican, you can always guess exactly what I'm going to get...either beef fajita Tacos al Carbon or some type of street taco.  I don't venture out much because I'm predictable and boring.  However, I always got the taco salad at this little Mexican restaurant.  I'm typically more of a "beef girl", but their shredded chicken was out of this world.  SO amazing.  I'm taking the boys up to Dallas this weekend and can't wait to stop by the square for some good food and a little trip down memory lane. I just wish that restaurant were still there!!!

When I found this recipe, I was hoping it would be just as good as the taco salad on the square.  While it wasn't exactly the same, I was pleasantly surprised at how delicious it was and knew this would be my new go-to taco salad.  We have this at least once a week and...so far...I haven't tired of it yet.  Always a good sign, right?!?!  HA!

SHREDDED CHICKEN TACO SALAD

2-3 boneless, skinless chicken breasts

1 can of black beans, drained and rinsed

1/2 tsp. Nature's Seasoning

1 TBSP. chili powder

1 tsp. ground cumin

1/4 tsp. ground chipotle chili peppers

1 tsp. garlic salt

2 Cups of water

3-4 green onions, chopped

1 green bell pepper, chopped

1 red bell pepper, chopped

1 head of iceberg lettuce

Buttermilk Ranch dressing

First things first.  When I make my chicken, I like to put it in the crock pot and let it simmer all day long while I'm busy working and/or running errands.  One less step I have to go through when it's actually time to start cooking!  I typically season my chicken breasts (thawed, not frozen) with a little salt, pepper, & garlic powder then place them in the crock pot and cover them with chicken broth.  Then I cook on low for about 8 hours.  When the chicken is cooked through, I drain the broth, return the chicken to the pot, and shred with my hand mixer.  Done and done!  

When you're ready to prep the salad, here's what you'll need to do.

Transfer the shredded chicken to a large skillet.  Add the black beans and toss in all the spices & seasonings...Nature's Seasoning, garlic salt, chili powder, cumin, and ground chipotle chili peppers.  Mix well to combine and then cover with 2 cups of water.  Turn heat to medium and let simmer until all of the water has evaporated (about 8-10 minutes give or take).  Stir continuously to prevent anything sticking to your skillet.

While the chicken mixture is simmering, chop your veggies (red & green bell peppers, green onion).  Then go ahead and chop the lettuce and place in a large bowl.  Toss in the veggies.  

Once the water has evaporated, transfer the chicken mixture to the bowl full of lettuce and veggies.  Mix well to combine.  

I personally prefer this salad with homemade buttermilk ranch.  I can't handle the ranch in a bottle!!  Top with your choice of fixin's...shredded cheese, sliced cherry tomatoes, tortilla strips, etc.  I typically just top mine with a little sprinkle of shredded cheese and call it a day.

I can't tell you how much I LOVE this salad!!!  You'll just have to try it for yourself to see what I mean.

Of course, you can always sub the chicken with ground beef or ground turkey and it's pretty much just as delicious.  The secret is to ditch the pre-made taco seasoning.  This little combo of spices is SO much better!!!!  

What the Teacher Wore Wednesday

Hey y'all!  I'm linking up with The Pleated Poppy again today for What I Wore Wednesday.  I don't have much to share because I spent lots of my time in "workout" gear.  It was one of those weeks...you know...the kind where you wake up and throw on your workout gear because you swear you'll workout as soon as you drop off the kids..but then your coffee is SO darn good that you sort of forget where you are and then you get so engrossed in your work that you "forget" to workout.  You're just happy you're comfy :) 

Dresses are so easy and I love this time of the year because it lends itself to these kind of outfits.  I was pumped to find this frock for a whopping $15!!!  It's so comfy and the ruffle is such a fun touch.  I didn't really accessorize because the ruffle was enough for me, but I did wear a rust pair of medallion earrings to give it a little something extra.  I will be revisiting this dress quite often. 

Dress: Layered Southwestern Print Dress, Forever 21

Shoes:  Franco Sarto Gelato Sandals, linen

Jewelry:  Earrings, Forever 21 (forever ago!)

I was with my precious friend, Hope, last summer in Vegas and she was wearing this ADORABLE dress.  She looked too cute with this darling dress and the cutest pair of gladiator sandals to go with it.  She has style for miles and I find myself wanting to copy her way too often.  This was no exception.  I HAD to have this dress when I saw it.  As soon as I got home from our trip, I gifted myself this dress for my birthday :)  This is, hands down, my most favorite dress of all time.  It's cute with sandals...cute with boots...it's just cute any way you cut it (in my opinion, of course).  I absolutely LOVE wearing this with my boots and a little pop of color (earrings and necklace).

Dress:  Bermeja Tunic Dress, Anthropologie (last summer) THIS ONE has a similar feel (short sleeve), and THIS ONE is adorable (baby doll style)

Boots:  Corral Chocolate w/ Chocolate Lizard Inlay Snip Toe Boots

We went out to dinner and then to a little country bar in town to celebrate a friend's birthday.  We both dressed the part :)  This man never owned a pair of boots...or a belt buckle...until we moved down to the Houston area.  I'm pretty sure this is his favorite kind of attire now :)  I definitely can't complain :)  I love this man!

#cowboytakemeaway

I found this shift dress in Round Top a few weeks ago for $20!!  I love it!!  It was perfect for church on Sunday and will be a great little outfit for future conferences.  I'll probably pair it with some leggings and flats for those 8 hour days on my feet!!  On another note, I really need a tan.  

#butImscaredofthesun

Dress:  Round Top

Shoes:  Deirdre Wedge Ralph Lauren (last season) - THESE are similar;  I like THESE, too

Jewelry: Tory Burch Double Wrap Studded Bracelet, turquoise drop earrings (Francesca's, 3 years ago), turquoise drop necklace (Sam Moon)

A tiny little coldfront blew in (it was probably in the 70's...hahaha) so I busted out the flannel shirt..with shorts,of course :) Casual and comfy.  Boom. I probably could've tucked in the shirt for a more tailored look, but nah.  That would require a belt and I'm not ready for belts or swimsuits just yet :)

Shirt:  Old Navy (last year, maybe?!?!)  - THIS ONE looks similar

Shorts:  American Eagle (last year)

Shoes: Converse All Star Shoreline Slip-On

That's about it!!!

I posted this pic of my boys on IG last week and several people were wondering about thier tees.  Goodness, I love these tees!!!  I found them on Zulily back in March.  They're from The Talking Shirt.  They love wearing the Lord's word!!!

Home Tour Tuesday - The Kitchen

Hello, friends!  Welcome to another edition of  Home Tour Tuesday.  So far we've seen the "mystery room" and the not-so-formal dining room and today we're headed to the kitchen.  

For as long as I can remember, I've always wanted a white kitchen.  Maybe it's because I grew up with one.  And our very first starter home as a married couple had a white kitchen, too.  But really, I just think white kitchens are so clean and pretty.

When we were looking for a home 3 years ago, we only had one day to find what we wanted and there were only a handful of houses on the market in our area.  I didn't exactly have the luxury...or time...to be picky.  I absolutely adored the house we're in now, but I wasn't a fan of the kitchen at all.  It was just so dark and not "us" at all.  

I thought the cabinets were beautiful...but they weren't white.

I wished for butcher board countertops...not granite.

And I didn't know what in the world I would do with all the roosters.  LORD...the roosters!!!!!

Please understand me when I say that I'm not knockin' roosters.  But my kitchen was filled with them...on the backsplash...on the pulls and knobs for our cabinets....in the chandelier...they were everywhere!!!

Instead of pulling the trigger and changing everything as soon as we moved in, we decided it would be better to live in the house for a while before making any major changes.  Figure out exactly what we wanted, what we couldn't live without, and what we wanted to do away with.  Since we planned on this being our "forever home", I didn't mind waiting it out.

No matter how hard I tried to love our cabinets, I just didn't.  At all. Our kitchen doesn't have a ton of natural light and the cabinet stain just made the space feel so closed in and dark.  After 2 & 1/2 years of going back and forth, "should we??  should we not??", we finally decided to have the cabinets painted.  And I couldn't be happier with the results.

Rug:  Threshold Floral Bell Hand Tufted Area Rug, 5x7, Target

We don't have a huge kitchen, but it's open to the rest of the main living areas so it feels a lot bigger than it is.  After living in two homes with lots of counterspace, I can say that I definitely prefer the minimal counterspace in this house.  Less to clean and keep clean.

We decided against an island because we don't want to close in the space anymore than it already is.  However, I recently saw a skinny island and thought "maybe" that might work.  We'll see...

I would still love butcher block countertops, but Mr. Spouse isn't sold.  And I've heard they're a beating to maintain.  But man, they're beautiful.  I'd love to change out the chandelier, too.

All in all, I'm in love with our "new" kitchen!!!

I love our farmhouse sink.  One of my most favorite kitchen features.

Glass flour & sugar jars:  Wal Mart (I've seen them at Target, too)

Utensil holder:  Pressed Tin Planter, Southern Living at Home (11 years ago!)

Remember the roosters I was telling you about earlier?!  Here they are in all their glory.

We are not taking them down.  These guys have grown on me and I'm in love with them.  The former homeowners were so very proud of this kitchen.  The husband painted these roosters by hand.  I love that we still have something of theirs as a way to pay homage to them and their vision for their "dream house".  Plus, it's a great conversation piece and the butt of so many jokes with our friends :)  They really do add so much character to this little space!

These glass cabinets were always here and when we painted them all white, I decided to have the inside of the glass enclosures painted a charcaol gray to help give it a little depth & dimension and break up all the white.  Plus, I really wanted all of my white dishes and pitchers to pop against the darker color!!!

My dishes are just plain white and I love them.  Nothing fancy.  Nothing expensive.  Just plain white.  I love being able to display my grandma's china, too.  Her teacups are my favorite little sentimental piece.  

Decorating the top of the cabinets called for a complete overhaul, too.  I did away with all the dated greenery and whatnot and decided to use that space for my white pitcher collection.  I've also displayed a few wooden trays and crates, some galvanized tin, and metal canisters.

This is a work in progress because I'm not totally happy with it.  Maybe I'm thinking too hard.  I don't want it to be cluttered, but I don't want it to be plain, either.  Still workin' on it.

Grocery sign:  Hobby Lobby

White pitchers:  ALL over the place...mostly Marshall's & Ross, but several are from antique stores

Wooden trays:  Ross

Galvanized tin buckets:  Ross

Farmers Market Turquoise canister:  Home Goods

Bird pictures:  local trade days, but I've seen these everywhere!!!

Does anybody else have this fridge??  Can I tell you how much I don't like it??  The freezer on the bottom is ALWAYS leaking.  Always!!!!!  I have a friend with the same one and she says hers does the same thing!!!  Grrrr!!!  I kept the top of the fridge minimally decorated.  The artichoke pillars are from Ross and so is the Farm Fresh crate.  Such a fun find!!!  I put two more of those exact same crates on the opposite wall right above the cabinets on either side of the stove.

Right next to the fridge is our little coffee bar.  It's a bit busy and cluttered, but I love it.  And you know what I love even more?!?!  That precious artwork from my boys!!!!

Coffee & Tea canisters:  Marshall's

Mug tree:  World Market

Coffee sign:  handlettered by me, from Hobby Lobby

Wooden tray:  Ross

Moving right along...

Here's our little breakfast nook that's attached to the kitchen.  I love this space!!!!  It's so quaint and cozy.  We eat dinner at this table every night and this is where the boys do their homework, too.  

Rug:  World Market (3 years ago on clearance!!!  $75!!! )

Table:  Hand-me-down

Chairs:  antique fairs and local trade days

Chandelier:  Home Depot

Curtains:  Home Depot, Martha Stewart (I have two panels on either side)

Woven wood blinds:  Lowe's

EAT letters:  Hobby Lobby

This is the table I grew up eating on.  It eventually followed my brothers to college and then ended up back at my mom & dad's.  As you can imagine, this table has seen it's share of rough times...especially in a bachelor pad in College Station...so when I got her she really needed some TLC.  I painted the legs white and then the top brown.  This table is A LOT bigger than this...it has two leaves that fold out...but I like to keep it small so we'll have more space.  

Beaded charger:  Target

Stand:  antique fair

Boxwood ball:  Ross

My husband followed this tutorial to make these shelves.  When we hung them, it was about 3 in the morning the night before I hosted a baby shower for my sister and we hung them the wrong way.  The bottom should be on top and vice versa, but I actually sorta love it better this way.  And Adam refused to put more holes in the wall :)  Hahahaha.  I inherited the buffet from my grandma and it's been several different colors.  I finally settled on white and it fits so perfectly in this little room.  I think I even love the decor on the shelves....FINALLY!!!

Buffet:  grandma's

Window:  local trade days

Pitchers:  Marshall's & Ross

Glass bottles:  Home Goods

Subway art:  Hobby Lobby

Nesting bowls:  Anthropologie

Shelves:  made by husband following THIS TUTORIAL

Milk crate:  Home Goods

Milk jugs:  TJ MAXX

The curtains on these windows have changed more times than I like to count, but I'm happy to report I've finally found a winner!!!  We've had these hanging for a little over a year or so and that's more than I can say for the others.  There  used to be white wooden blinds on the windows, but it needed a different look and loved the idea of adding some dimension with woven woods (kind of echoing the window treatments in the other rooms).

Mom and I found this antique washing table at a local trade days several months ago.  I got it for a steal and knew exactly where I'd put it!!!  I love this thing!!!  I found this amazing piece  above the table at Home Goods and had to scoop it up.  It was the only one.  I had lots of china teacups I inherited from my grandma and couldn't wait to display them.  They're the perfect size.  A girlfriend of mine suggested I use this piece as an advent calendar during the Christmas holidays and that's EXACTLY what I plan to do!!!!  Such a great idea!  I'm not 100% sold on the way this space is decorated at the moment, but it'll do for now...and then change about 15 more times in the weeks to come.

Table:  local trade days

Wire basket:  Ross

Pitcher:  Marshall's

Moss balls: Tuesday Morning

White tray:  Ross

Display shelf:  Home Goods

Fresh Eggs sign:  Home Goods

So that's our kitchen & breakfast nook in a nutshell!!!  Next week...the living room!!

A #RedNation Meal

In case you're not from around these parts, I need to tell you that our beloved Houston Rockets are in the playoffs right now.  They're playing our former favorites, the Dallas Mavericks.  My husband will tell you I'm FAR from a sports buff much to his dismay, but when it comes to basketball, I'm all over it.  

I lived in Houston when the Rockets won their first two championships during the 93-94 and 94-95 seasons. Those were the good days!  Robert Horry...Hakeem Olajuwon...Vernon Maxwell...Kenny Smith...Sam Cassell...Otis Thorpe...those were some of my most favorite players (even though Maxwell had quite the temper).  I will never forget the celebrations that followed their victories.  I remember hopping into the bed of my dad's white double cab Ford truck (GASP!!!!!) with all the other kids at our Rockets watch party and driving down the street honking the horn and screaming at the top of our lungs.  The excitement was palpable.  And then hopping in the car with my cousins...after decorating it with shoe polish and Rocket's paraphernalia...and driving circles around the Summit (now Lakewood Church). Clutch City, anyone?!?!?!  Times sure have changed!  HA!!!

I got to feel that same kind of excitement all over again when the Dallas Mavericks went to the playoffs in 2011.  We went to every.single. home playoff game that year.  Some of our most favorite date nights!!

We couldn't go to Orlando for the final playoff game that year, but we did meet some of our best friends downtown close to American Airlines Center that night.  We sat on the patio at St. Ann's (my favorite Dallas restaurant...hello HUMMUS!!!!) and watched the game...with hundreds of other fans...on the big screens outside. We all erupted into serious fits of screaming and cheering when they won the championship.  I remember walking from St. Ann's down to the AAC and celebrating with the hundreds and hundreds of people who filled the streets of the city.  GAH!!!  That was genuinely one of my most favorite nights of all time!!!!  I loved my boys in blue!!!!

When we moved back to the Houston area a few years ago our family insisted we get right on board with our hometown team.  A move from the Metroplex meant a change in our sports team loyalty (I've NEVER been loyal to the Cowboys...NOT a fan at all. #sorrynotsorry).  While we loved our Mavs (#MFFL) we really wanted to root for our hometown team.  We're #RedNation all the way these days, but watching my two favorite NBA teams go head-to-head tugs on my heartstrings thismuch.

We couldn't wait to cheer on our Rockets Tuesday night and I figured a #RedNation themed dinner was in order.  Enter "FIRECRACKER CHICKEN" because, well...Rockets & Firecrackers sorta go together...no?! Okay.  That might have been a stretch, but in my tiny little mind, I think the two things have a connection.  Word association anyone?!  

Even if you're not a Rockets fan, I guarantee you'll LOVE this dish!!!!  

FIRECRACKER CHICKEN 

1 TBSP. olive oil

1-2 lbs. boneless, skinless chicken breast tenderloins (sliced into thin strips)

3 cloves of garlic, chopped

1 bag of snow peas, ends snipped

1-2 red bell peppers, sliced

1 medium yellow onion, sliced

1 (8 oz.) can of sliced water chestnuts, drained

1/2 Cup + 1/4 cup of Asian Toasted Sesame Dressing (Kraft)

1/4 tsp. crushed red pepper (more if you like it hot!!!)

2 Cups of rice, cooked

Salt, to taste

In a large skillet, heat oil on medium/high heat and toss in the chicken and garlic.  I sliced my tenderloin into thin strips to help speed up the cooking process and make for a more manageable bite :)  Saute until the chicken is browned.

While the chicken and garlic are satueeing, cook your rice.  I'm a boil-in-a-bag kind of girl, so that's what I did. #easymultitasking

Toss in the snow peas, bell peppers, and onion.  You can sub 1 red pepper for a green pepper or omit 1 altogether.  I love veggies...especially red bell peppers!!!...so we piled 'em in.  Saute veggies in the chicken/garlic for about 4-5 minutes or until they're tender and chicken is cooked through.  

Now toss in the water chestnuts, crushed red pepper, and 1/2 C. of the dressing.  This is the dressing we used....

Cook until heated through (4-5 minutes).  Now let me tell you that we like heat, so we added a bit more crushed red pepper...and a pinch of salt for good measure.  Once the mixture was heated through, I added another 1/4 C. of the dressing and mixed well to combine and reduced the heat to low for about 2-3 minutes.  I wanted a bit more of the dressing added to the mix since we were serving this over rice.  You could always omit the extra, but I would suggest adding it in :)  

Seriously one of the yummiest meals we've had in a while!  The perfect game night meal or any night meal for that matter.  As you can see, this was extremely easy to prep and my total time in the kitchen was about 20 minutes!  Quick, easy, and tasty...a winning trifecta.  I'm thinking this meal was a lucky charm for us because our boys won on Tuesday.  I guess I'll just have to make it tonight and for the rest of the playoff games as well...I sure would hate to jinx us ;)  NO complaints from these fans!!!  HA!  SO good!

GO ROCKETS!!!!!!!!

#RedNation

What the Teacher Wore Wednesday

Linking up again with The Pleated Poppy for What I'm Wearing Wednesday!

This is a rather short post because I was out of town for a few days and didn't document any of my outfits while I was out of town.  In looking at the very few pics I took this week, I realize I have an identity crisis when it comes to clothing.  I don't have a "style"...I like it all!!!   

Some days I feel a little boho.  Some days I wanna be a cowgirl.  Some days the "preppy" look makes my heart sing.  Some days casual calls my name.  I seriously like it ALL. 

I absolutely LOVE this little top.  It's one of my most favorites.  I love anything that's flowy.  My husband, on the other hand, doesnt like these kind of shirts at all.  Bless.  I always like to pair a bigger/flowy top with skinny jeans and I think this will be super cute with jean shorts and either boots or gladiator(ish) sandals in the summer!  The only thing that bugs about this top is that it wrinkles so easily.  I wore this on my flight to Nashville and by the time I arrived in Tennessee, it looked like I had slept in this shirt overnight :)  But dang...it's so cute!  I've been wanting a pair of fringe sandals, but wasn't ready to make the commitment.  So many of them are full of fringe.  This is the perfect pair for anyone who's teetering or non-commital like me :)  For $20, they're worth every penny and super cute to boot.  I've been wearing them almost non-stop!!!

Shirt: I got it at a boutique online back in January, but can't remember which one!!! HERE'S ONE that's kind of similar

Jeans:  Express Legging Jeans

Sandals:  Fringe Sandal, Target

Jewelry:  Bracelet - I got mine at a little boutique last May, but THIS ONE is similar (pictured above);   Kendra Scott Rayne Tassel Necklace

Here's another little dress in my dress collection and this one couldn't be more comfy.  I like that I can dress it up with wedges and pops of color with my jewelry if I want.  This is definitely a stretchy t-shirt kind of outfit, so it absolutely lends itself to dressing down while still looking somewhat put together!  I just threw on some sandals and a simple necklace and while it wasn't fancy, I still felt semi decent.

Dress:  Old Navy (last month, but I'm not seeing it online??  THESE are the same style, but the black and white stripe isn't an option); THIS ONE is very similar;  I absolutely ADORE this one!!!;  This isn't black and white, but THIS IS ANOTHER Old Navy stripe dress...cute!

Shoes:  Women's Veronique Quarter Strap Sandals, Target

Jewelry:  Longline Tassel Necklace;  Tory Burch Leather Double Wrap Logo Stud in black 

I adore this top and couldn't resist it when I found it.  Right under $20, it's the perfect little pop of fun I'm sure I'll be wearing more often than not in the hot months to come!  I have some different colored shorts I'd love to pair this with to change it up.  These coral jeans need to be retired.  They're a bit faded and don't fit quite as well as they used to, but they sure are fun.  And y'all....these sandals.  I got these at Target (online) and love them.  I usually wear a 6.5 so that's what I ordered, but they're a little big.  I want the cognac pair and if I get them, I'll probably order a 6.  They are SO dang comfy!!!!

Shirt:  Tribal Print Tank, Forever 21 (it's all sold out!!!)

Jeans:  Target, about 4-5 years ago

Shoes:  Women's Veronique Quarter Strap Sandals, Target

Jewelry:  Kendra Scott Danielle Earrings in Coral;  Nixon Timeteller Watch;  Tory Burch Leather Double Wrap Logo Stud in black 

That's about it!

Now, I didn't wear this outfit out yet, but I had to take a pic because I'm trying to figure out if I like it or not.  I bought this dress back in January because I knew I'd wear the pieces out of in during the summer.  I love the way the model paired it with a kimono, so I've been on the search for one I thought would pair nicely.  I eventually settled on this one because I figure I can wear it with a lot of different outfits.  The dress is longer in the back than in the front and the kimono is the same length.  I will wear boots with just about ANYTHING and I do love the dress with the boots.  These are my favorite pair and just worn to pieces.  I know all the cowboy-boot-hating Texans are rolling their eyes right about now...this is not representative of how people dress in Texas all the time.  However, it's how I like to dress.  Bring on the boots!!!!   But seriously....the dress and the kimono.  Yes??  No??  

Dress:  Love Comes Around Dress, LaRue Chic Boutique

Kimono:  Sheer Lace Paneled Kimono, Forever 21

Boots:  Old West Jama Ladies Classic Tan Handcrafted Western Boots

Linking up with The Pleated Poppy

It's Like Crack (Or So I Hear)

HAPPY MONDAY!!!!

Do you have yours on yet?!

I had quite an eventful weekend.  I headed to Nashville on Friday for a weekend with the girls.  Part business, lots of play.  We were part of a focus group for this amazing company called GoNoodle.  If you're a mom with kids at home, you MUST check it out.  And if you're a teacher who isn't GoNoodling yet...get on it ASAP!  Saved my sanity in the classroom!!!  

Anyway, we enjoyed a weekend full of fun, lots of laughs, and ten times more food.  Donuts at The Donut Den, barbeque, best ice cream ever (holla, Jeni's!!!!), a fancy dinner at Sinema, and the world's most amazing breakfast.  Monell's is my happy place.  I even got to meet Top Chef alum, Dale Levitski!!!  I was such a #fangirl (not embarrassed) and had to have my picture with him.

I was supposed to get home in time to tuck the boys in last night, but the Lord had other plans.  The weather was absolutely awful here in Houston and judging by the terrifying turbulence during the flight, I'm pretty sure the weather was bad all over.  Our flight was diverted to New Orleans and we sat on the plane in Louisiana a little over an hour to wait out the storms in Texas.  When we were headed to our final destination, the turbulence was about 10 times worse.  White knuckle flying.  Needless to say, I couldn't be more thrilled to be home...and safe.  And I won't be getting on a plane again anytime soon :)

Now let's talk food.

I love potatoes in any form and when I found this recipe I knew it would be a keeper.  Easy to prep and sounded like a definite crowd pleaser.  I made this as one of the sides I served on Easter Sunday and there wasn't a bite left in the dish.  Everyone was a fan.  The only problem was that I wish I would've made a few more pans!!!  

LOADED POTATO CASSEROLE

via Plain Chicken

2 (16 oz) tubs of sour cream

2 Cups shredded cheddar cheese

2 bags of real bacon bits

2 pkgs. Ranch Dip mix

1 large (28-30 oz.) bag of frozen, shredded hash browns

In a large bowl, combine sour cream, cheese, bacon bits, and Ranch Dip packets.  Mix well to combine and then add your frozen hash browns.  I gave my hash browns about an hour to thaw out prior to prepping this dish because I figured they'd be easier to stir into the mixture if I didn't have to work to break them up while trying to coat them.  

Lightly grease a 9x13 baking dish and add the potato mixture.  Heat oven to 400 and bake for about 60 minutes.

What I love about this recipe is that it's ridiculously delicious, easy to prep, and lends itself to adding a few additional ingredients to really take it to another level.  Chopped green onions would be a great addition.  We tossed in a little Tony Chachere's to give it an extra kick and HELLO!  YUM!!!  

Like I said before, this was a crowd pleaser and something I will definitely be taking with me to future get-togethers!!  So easy and SO delicious!!!  

A Tex Mex Throwback

I was cleaning out some of my cabinets the other day and ran across a little box full of recipe cards. I remember getting this when I got married 11 years ago. All the women in my life knew my cooking skills were limited to Hamburger Helper and frozen pizza and they were trying to set me up for cooking success.  Bless.

It took forever for me to learn how to cook something without burning it.  Or to find "green onions" in the grocery store. (I was #sosmart...I'd sift through all the yellow onions trying to find the greenest.  Did I just admit that?!)  To say my kitchen skills were sub-par is the understatement of the century.  When I finally did learn a thing or two about following a recipe, I stuck to a very limited menu and repeated it week after week for the first 3-4 years of our marriage.  It looked a little something like this...

Monday: Fiesta Chicken

Tuesday:  Taco Salad

Wednesday: Hamburger Helper (beef stroganoff, please!!)

Thursday: Chicken Squares

Friday & Saturday:  Out to eat

Sunday:  Pizza

Dear Lord.

I'm happy to say we've come a LONG way since those childless days and worn out meals.  My husband can't say the words "Fiesta Chicken" & "Chicken Squares" without inducing his gag reflex. I have the same reaction when I pass by the boxes of Hamburger Helper at the grocery store.  I'm not knockin' any of these meals, but if you eat the exact same thing every week for the first 3-4 years of your marriage, I'm pretty sure your gag reflex would go into overdrive, too :)  

All that to be said, I came across a recipe card I haven't seen in ages.  Tex Mex Chicken and Rice.  While I'm no whiz in the kitchen, I decided to add a few new things to this dish to take it from bland to grand (<<<<< see what I did there?!) and now it's a family favorite.  But I PROMISE not to keep this one on repeat :)

TEX MEX CHICKEN AND RICE

2-3 boneless, skinless chicken breasts, cooked and shredded (OR rotisserie chicken, shredded)

1 medium yellow onion, chopped

2-3 jalapenos, seeded and chopped

2-3 cloves of garlic, chopped

2 Tbsp. olive oil

1 (4 oz.) can of chopped green chiles

1 (12 oz.) can of Rotel

1 tsp. salt

2 tsp. cumin

1 (12 oz.) can of evaporated milk

2 cups shredded colby & monterrey jack cheese

1/4 C. chopped cilantro

2 eggs, beaten

2 cups of cooked rice

Panko bread crumbs (optional)

First, let's go ahead and preheat your oven to 350.

Prior to getting started, cook your chicken, shred (or shred your rotisserie chicken), and set aside  I cheated and used rotisserie.  You'll also want to make your rice and set aside, too.

Chop your onion, jalapeno, and garlic.  Put the olive oil in a pan and heat on medium/high.  Add the onion, jalapeno, and garlic to saute (about 5 minutes, give or take).  

Add the cans of chopped green chiles and Rotel to the pan and toss in the salt and cumin.  Mix until combined and let simmer for about 3 minutes.  

Add the chicken and mix to combine.  Simmer for another 3 minutes.

Now add the cooked rice  & evaporated milk, stir, and remove from heat.  Toss in the cilantro and shredded cheese and mix well to combine.

Beat two eggs in a small bowl and add to the chicken & rice mixture.  Mix well to combine and transfer mixture to a lightly greased 9x13 baking dish.  

If you're looking for a little more texture, sprinkle the top with some Panko bread crumbs.  Bake at 350 for about 60 minutes.

The addition of the egg sets the chicken and rice and makes this dish more of a meal that can be cut and served in squares.  A "thick" meal, not creamy. Amazingly delicious.

If you're wanting a creamier version of this chicken and rice dish, omit the eggs and replace the evaporated milk with  1 & 1/2 cups of half and half or whipping cream and reduce the baking time to about 20-25 minutes (or until bubbly). 

We've had it both ways and both versions are delish.  Just depends on the kind of texture you're wanting!!!  

This is just the kind of throwback I'm happy to revisit!!!!

What the Teacher Wore Wednesday

I'm linking up with The Pleated Poppy again for another week of What I Wore Wednesday.  This week's theme was WHATEVER.  Let's just say I need to do laundry in a bad way.

In the warm months ahead, I will be sporting dresses as much as I possibly can.  They're comfy and forgiving and just perfect for running errands or attempting to make it appear as though I put a lot of thought and/or effort into my choice of clothing.  I found this dress last year when I was in San Antonio and knew if I didn't get it right then and there I'd miss the boat.  This little number even has pockets!!!!  I love the way it fits!  

Remember when I said I don't have any style?!  I don't live by the current fashion trends or fads.  I'm not too worried about this being out of style because I love the pieces out of it.  This won't be the only time you see this one.

Dress:  Target (last March) 

Jewelry:  Plain Gold Hoop earrings; Necklace:  Kendra Scott Rayne Tassel Necklace

Shoes:  BCBG Richmand Sandals (they're all sold out...BUT...these are a cute, inexpensive alternative)

Another one of my favorite dresses because it's cute and comfy.  I've worn wedges with this before to try and dress it up just a bit, but on this day I put on my favorite sandals.  I absolutely LOVE this style of sandal.  I feel super self conscious wearing wedges with shorter dresses, so when I wear this I most often wear it with some type of sandal.  #imnot21anymore

Dress:  Target (last year)

Jewelry:  Necklace - Sam Moon;  Bracelet: Tory Burch Leather Double Wrap Logo Stud in black

Shoes:  Target (last year...THESE are a similar concept and THESE leopard sandals couldn't be any cuter!  Already in my cart!!!)

Dirty hair don't care.  Nothing a little dry shampoo and a baseball cap won't cure.  It was my grocery/errand day and I clearly needed to wash my hair and do some laundry.  Not impressive, but perfect for the day.  This hat was one of my favorite Junk Gypsy purchases at Round Top and it definitely came in handy this day!

Jeans:  Forever 21 skinnies ($10)

Tank:  Old Navy Perfect Tank

Shirt:  Oversized white tee, Forever 21 (4 years ago)

Shoes:  Converse Shoreline Slip-Ons

Accessories:  Honkeytonk Angel trucker cap;  earrings: Round Top find

I clearly have a bit of a chambray obsession right now and had to snag this one at Target as soon as I saw it.  Between this one and my chambray popover, I should be good to go.  Rounded this look out with my KS necklace and tried and true sandals.   I swear I just buy things and wear them to death.  I'm a one trick pony, people!

Chambray button down:  Target Favorite Shirt Merona - Shadow Blue (HERE'S another that's similar)

Jeans:  Express legging skinnies

Shoes:  Steve Madden Comma Sandals

Necklace:  Kendra Scott Rayne Tassel Necklace

I bought this top last year and must have stuffed it in the closet as soon as I brought it home because I just found it (tags still attached!!!).  I remember buying it and thinking it was cute, but it's not the most flattering.  I know that's the "style" of the top, but still.  I do adore the detail.  I pulled it out the other day and threw it on with my 8-year-old jeans from Old Navy and wore it to bible study.  This is the only pair of blue jeans I've ever bought from Old Navy.  They never fit me the right way, but these do!  Now, their Rock Star colored skinnies are a totally different story...I LOVE those!!!   

  And what a shocker...those dang sandals...and necklace...AGAIN!!!!

Shirt:  Forever 21 (last year...I can't really find anything similar : (

Jeans:  Old Navy (I'm pretty sure they're about 8 years old!!!  

Shoes:  Steve Madden Comma Sandals

Necklace:  Kendra Scott Rayne Tassel Necklace

I tend to gravitate toward stripes when I shop.  I love any and everything of the striped persuasion.  When my mom and I go shopping together and I pick out something striped she'll always say, "don't waste your money...looks like everything else you own!"  Touche, mom...touche.   #motherknowsbest

I've had this top for several years and love it just as much now as I did when I bought it.  Simple and cute....or at least I think it is.  We were headed out for a day full of walking and whatnot, so I kept it simple with sandals.  

Shirt:  Forever 21 (about 4ish years ago.  THIS ONE is super cute)

Jeans:  Old Navy Midrise Rock Star Skinnies

Belt:  Merona Leopard Print Calf Hair Belt, Target

Shoes:  BCBG Richmand Sandals (they're all sold out...BUT...these are a cute, inexpensive alternative)

This might be one of my *favorite* tops.  I absolutely ADORE the detail.  I bought it from Forever 21 last year and I'm shocked to see they still carry it!!!  I love tops like this one!!  So feminine :)

Top:  Pintucked Swiss Dot Top, Forever 21

Jeans:  Jessica Simpson Skinny Jeans

Shoes:  Louse Et Cie Palma Espadrille Wedges (got them at Dillard's last year and looks like they're sold out online :(  SAD!)

Necklace:  Sam Moon

Now...time for some laundry!!!!

Home Tour Tuesday - The Not-So-Formal Dining Room

Welcome to Home Tour Tuesday!

Today we're touring my not-so-formal dining room.  This room has been through several transformations since we moved in almost 3 years ago.  It's finally a space I enjoy.  Not only is it our dining room, but it doubles as my office, too :)  

It's still a bit of a work in progress.  I need to move the plates over to the right...I'd love a few more textured chairs to replace the wood ones...I'm thinking about making the plate display bigger or adding something on either side?!?!  That's what's in store next for this little room.  Ideas?

Rug - Keno Trellis Rug, Rugs USA

Table, bench, & chairs - Pier 1 (about 4 years ago)

Two fabric covered chairs on either end of the table:  Marshall's (last year)

You'll notice that the chandelier is slightly askew and NOTHING in this room is centered.  The chandelier story is one we'll laugh about in the years to come, but the wounds are too fresh to rehash right now.  Let me just tell you that I don't say I-told-you-so very often, but it was absolutely necessary during the installment process.  

Moving right along...

Over in the left corner of the room used to sit a corner hutch.  It housed our fine spirits and craft supplies, but it was a bit of an eyesore (in my opinion).  It just didn't go.  We decorated around it...all the plates...and when we removed it from the room, we didn't adjust the plates to be centered in the wall.  As much as I love this space, all those off-centered details drive me a little bonkers (and yet here I sit too lazy to change it.  Story of my life.)

Light Fixture:  Gray Vintage Chandelier, World Market

The dining room is the first room you see (to the right) when you walk in the house.  You can see the kitchen from the dining room and in the little hallway off to the left is the guest room, boy's room, and jack-and-jill bathroom.

This is my view when I'm standing in the kitchen.  Like I said, don't pay too much attention to the chandelier.  The fact that the wire wasn't woven into the chain is driving me batty right about now. 

 GAH.  

Those little chalkboard plates hanging from the wall in the left corner are a bit too small for the space.  I threw them up there a couple of weeks ago to try them out and I'm still not feelin' it.  I found them at Marshall's back in January.  I'd love to find a neat set of botanical prints...or maybe even bird prints...to put there.  I even thought about chicken wire baskets filled with old book pages and cotton bolls.  Ideas?!?!?!

The antique buffet was a fun find at our local trade days.  I absolutely LOVE it.  Let me tell you a quick story.  I know I said the wounds were fresh, but the story needs to be told :)  

When my handy husband was installing said chandelier, he thought putting a step stool on top of the table would be a good idea (even though I BEGGED him to get it off for fear that he'd fall off and break his neck).  Like any confident man would do, he ignored the woeful pleas of his better half and well...he fell right off the step stool and onto the floor from the top of the table.  I freaked my freak.  I thought I'd be calling 911.  It banged up the front of my buffet pretty good and the table and one of my chairs are dinged up, too.  He swears he cracked a rib.  He's just now starting to feel better and it was installed over a month ago.  Needless to say, he won't be doing that again any time soon :)  (Is this a bad time to say I-told-you-so?!?!?!)  In more serious news, I am SO happy he wasn't injured badly!!!!  I would've lost my mind!!!!

The buffet decor is pretty minimal.  Just the way I like it.  To the left sits a bowl of green apples, an antique pewter pitcher filled with my wedding bouquet, and a topiary.  The pewter pitcher was a wedding gift from Adam's late grandma.  We just adored her and love displaying something so special as a reminder of her in the house.  The topiary was from Marshall's (about 2-3 months ago, but I still see them in store from time to time).  

The lamp bases are from Kirkland's (last year) and the shades were from another set of lamps I scored at Ross (in December).  The wire basket (Home Goods) is filled with mason jars and my grandma's old silverware and books.  The wire cage to the right was a $6 find at Kirkland's (January) and I think it's missing a base which is probably why I scored it so cheap!  The frame is, of course, from Marshall's. I added the linen table runner for more texture and love it.  

Moving back to the table, I never know what to do for a centerpiece.  I go back and forth and it all feels like a hot mess.  This is finally a set-up I really like.  I've had this up for a couple of months and think I'll keep it for a while longer.

Tall candlesticks - 15" Antiqued White Candlestick, Kirkland's

Hurricane glass - Ross ($6 a piece, they always have them)

Large clear vase - Marshall's, $14.99 (they have this one all the time!)

Glass filler - Dollar Tree

Here's my view from the living room.  See that tile in the entry?!  I'm not a fan.  It's a little out of place.  It continues in the kitchen and I get that.  But not so much in the entry.  We'd like to have it replaced with wood in a herringbone pattern.  Add that to our list of to-do's.  

The plates are all random finds from Marshall's/Home Goods/TJ Maxx/Ross.  I've had them for several years.  

We had the chairs on either end of our table in our bedroom for about a year.  I've been wanting to add some different fabrics and textures to the dining room for a cozier feel and so we moved them out of the room to try them out.  I loved the way they look, so they stayed :)  My office is the big chair closest to the French doors and makes working so much more comfortable :)  We found these at Marshall's last year.  

Here's a little view of the right side of the room looking toward the front of the house.  I bought that little white table at an antique auction about 7-8 years ago.  It's run the gammut of paint colors and antique white is the color it will stay for a long time to come.  I love this cozy little corner.

Here's a little close-up of the randomness.  I need to redecorate this little tabletop in a major way. #soon  

Since I work right next to the table, I keep my laptop, mouse, and cords in the crate.  Easy and efficient storage.  Love it.

Chalkboard from Marshall's, chalk art by me

Bless Your Heart art - Hobby Lobby

Candleholders - Home Goods

Hydrangea urn - inherited from my grandma

Distressed crate - Ross (last month)

Here's a view of the dining room standing outside the French doors.  A very, very crooked view.

I'm typically sitting in this chair right here, so this is my usual view.  When I work, the TV stays off and I just listen to Spotify.  The snoring pug in the house is the only other noise I hear :)  

This little set-up is in the "hallway" which I consider part of my dining room.  My family likes to joke that time always stands still in my house because not one of my clocks is working.  I mean, they all work, I'm just #toolazy to put the batteries in.  SAD.

Blue table:  inherited from my grandma

Metal ball - Marshall's

Boxwoods:  Ross

Clock:  Kirkland's (in January)

On the other side of the doorway next to the blue table is this little file display.  That giant wood frame used to hold a huge piece of wrought iron.  We found it when we lived in Dallas at a local trade days.  We were sort of over all the iron, so Mr. Spouse removed it and then we hung the file inside.  I'm still not 100% sure I loveit.  The frame is a bit big for the small file.  But I do love the file itself. 

Hanging file:  Michaels (current)

My favorite thing about this space is the French doors.  I love that they open up and I will often keep them open when I'm working or on really cool days.  I especially love to keep them open when it's raining outside.  

And that's it!  My not-so-formal dining room/office :)

Not too sure where the tour is headed next week, but I'll be back to give you another peek next week!

Tour the "Mystery Room", too!!