- broadway here we come -

My little Broadway star at her finest!

She absolutely kills me...such a performer! But only in the safety of her own home...get her in front of people she doesn't know and she clams right up! Some people who have only met her once or twice are blown away when they see videos like this of her "out of her shell". But you know what, I love my girl exactly as she is...she's so unique and amazing in so many ways!

- quick recipe of the week -

Happy Monday everyone! I hope you had a stellar weekend. 

Today's recipe comes from yours truly (yup, that's me!)

It's a recipe I have been cooking for quite awhile now. I realize it might be a little but heavy for a hot summer evening. If so, just file this recipe away for the colder months, because it's delicious

and you do not want to miss out on it!

Artichoke Chicken

1 (15 ounce) can artichoke hearts, drained and chopped
3/4 cup grated Parmesan cheese
3/4 cup mayonnaise
1 pinch garlic pepper
4 skinless, boneless chicken breast halves or thighs

Preheat oven to 375 degrees F (190 degrees C). In a medium bowl, mix together the artichoke hearts, Parmesan cheese, mayonnaise, and garlic pepper. Place chicken in a greased baking dish, and cover evenly with artichoke mixture. Bake, uncovered, for 30 minutes in the preheated oven, or until chicken is no longer pink in the center and juices run clear.

Printable Recipe

I promise you'll think it's to die for, and there are definitely ways to make it healthier if the 3/4 cup of mayonnaise and 3/4 cup of Parmesan cheese scares you! I've used yogurt in place of the mayo, and it still tastes delish!

- strawberry fields forever -

We've been making some progress on our summer bucket list! Just a few things have been crossed off the list so far, but it's been fun, and I can't wait to tackle a few more!

The homemade sangria was kind of an easy one to cross off the list! I mean, who couldn't resist homemade sangria on a hot summer day? And the farmer's market and hiking were both pretty easy to get to, and very fun! I am sure we will frequent the farmer's market quite a bit in the next few months! It's become one of our favorite things to do on a Sunday morning in the summer time!

And the strawberry picking was awesome! I am so glad we managed to squeeze it in last week because the strawberry fields were pretty close to closing for the season. Turns out most of the strawberries were sour and not ripe because we got the last of the crop...but it was all about the experience anyway. And Ellie loved it! She kept calling it our "adventure"...

We went home with a gigantic container of "mostly sour" strawberries, very dirty shoes, a tired, happy, strawberry stained toddler, and a great summer memory!

- i'm an aunt again -

My sister had her second baby boy yesterday! 

Ethan Douglas, 6lbs 13oz and so cute...

His big brother, Carter is so proud!

I can't wait to meet him!

- quick recipe of the week -

I hope everyone had a wonderful 4th of July last week! I've been missing from blogland for the past week because we were celebrating the 4th up at the lake...a fun family tradition that we started when I was still pregnant with Ellie. We had an awesome, relaxing time, and I wish were were still there! I think Ellie enjoyed it a lot more this year now that she is a little older. We actually got her out on a floatie in the lake this year!

So now it's back to work and back to reality! I'll share pictures of our trip in a few days...once I catch up reading all of your lovely blogs!! :-)

I am so excited for the recipe today, because I absolutely love any sort of pasta recipe! Gina, from Contemplating Beauty , posted pictures of this pasta dish on Instagram, and I just knew I had to share the recipe with you guys.

But first, let's meet Gina! Gina lives in St.Paul, Minnesota with her husband of 10 years, her two teenage daughters, and her little apricot bichon-poo, Nells. She is a writer, and will be starting classes to become a Lay Counselor this Fall. In her free time she adores spending time with family, friends, her pooch, volunteering, and finding thrifted treasures. She is an amazing woman whom I have already learned so much from just from following her blog!

(Image credit Gina)

Gina's Linguine
4 cloves of fresh garlic (chopped fine)
1/4 cup of olive oil (extra virgin or regular is fine)
2 Tbs of butter
1/2 cup of shredded or grated Parmesan
1 tomato
1/4 tsp of crushed red pepper
About 8 or so fresh leaves of basil, chopped
Salt and pepper

Cook your linguine al dente, drain, and rinse with cold water.  Place the linguine back into the pot, and mix in all the other ingredients. Salt and pepper to taste. Keep it on the stove on low for 10-15 minutes and then serve.

(Image credit Gina)

(Image credit Gina)

(Image credit Gina)

Printable Recipe

This sounds like a perfect quick and easy summer recipe! This will definitely be one of my favorite pasta recipes! Don't forget to go visit Gina and her blog and tell her how good her recipe sounds! Once you're there, take some time to get to know her! You won't regret it!

And...here's another special treat for you today. If you haven't tried out my Crockpot Chicken yet, head over to Cropped Stories. I'm taking over Elena's blog today and sharing another delicious, quick, and easy recipe over there!

- happy 4th -

Happy 4th of July!

Ellie's first two Independence Day's up at the lake were filled with smiles all day! 

And she's is definitely enjoying her third year up here even more!

I hope everyone has a wonderful 4th of July!

Her first year at the lake...

Year number two...I love her squishy face!

- quick recipe of the week -

I hope everyone had a great weekend! Although it's Monday, I only have a one day work week...we are leaving on our annual 4th of July trip to the lake, and I can not wait! Rest, relaxation, and fun! I plan on doing absolutely nothing except lounging on a floaty all day with a drink in my hand, and a happy husband and toddler enjoying the lake! Just what the Dr. ordered huh?

Today I am so excited for you to meet Michelle, from You're my favorite today. Michelle is seriously a breath of fresh air in the blogging world! She's hilarious...and real! It's always so nice to read her posts! Michelle is a wife and momma to 2 girls (whom she lovingly refers to as "Thing 1" and "Thing 2" on her blog). She loves her family with everything she has and takes such good care of all three of them. Her favorite thing to do is spending time and making memories at her happy place. And who could blame her? It looks like a marvelous and so family orientated!

(Image credit Michelle)

Today she is sharing one of her and her hubby's favorite recipes! Enjoy!

Bruschetta Chicken
4 small boneless, skinless chicken breasts
1/2 cup KRAFT Sun Dried Tomato dressing, divided
1 small carton of grape tomatoes, cut in half
1/2 cup shredded mozzarella cheese
1/4 cup fresh basil or 1 tsp dried basil leaves

Marinate chicken breasts in 1/4 of cup dressing for about 30 minutes. Broil chicken for about 20 minutes. While chicken is broiling, cut tomatoes and mix with basil and cheese and the other 1/4 cup dressing. After about 20 minutes, take chicken out and top with tomato mixture. Continue cooking an additional 8-10 minutes.

(Image credit Michelle)

(Image credit Michelle)

Printable Recipe

Thank you Michelle! That recipe look so easy and tasty. Definitely a weekday must do! Make sure you go over to Michelle's blog. You will love her witty, funny and "real" writing style. She's just plain awesome! Simple as that! As for me, I am off to pack up our car and hit the road for a little bit of family fun! I may or may not post from the lake...(okay, who am I kidding? Writing a blog post is probably one of the last things I'll be doing when I'm up there). But don't worry, I'll be back before you know it!