Paleo Chicken Pot Pie

This post is short.  Like really short.

And that's because I have only one thing to tell you.

Go make this Paleo Chicken Pot Pie.

Now.

(I used oversized muffin tins because my ramekins were too small, and they were a crumbly mess when I tried to get them out, but they were still ridiculously delicious.)

Whole30 Meal Plan: Week Three

I am one-third of the way through this Whole30, y'all. I'm still feeling really good, and my energy levels are increasing. Mentally, I feel strong, although I have discovered that I'm incapable of eating dried mango (unsweetened and Whole30-approved) in moderation, so I decided to forego it for the rest of the Whole30. My mental resolve isn't quite strong enough to allow me to determine how much is a reasonable amount, so it's just best if I don't eat it at all. 

Work is going to be insane this week, so I picked meals involving minimal prep work to save some time. And then I bought all of our groceries for the week at Trader Joe's. You guys, that place is amazing. The hype is so legit. So many healthy, organic options for really reasonable prices. Plus, I just feel so freaking cool going in there.

Monday: 

Dinner: Paleo Chicken Pot Pie

Prep: None

Tuesday: 

Dinner: Trader Joe's Chili Lime Chicken Burgers with buffalo cauliflower (I'm just steaming the cauliflower and then drizzling it with this sauce)

Prep: Make ranch dressing, grill chicken

Wednesday: 

Dinner: Grilled chicken cobb salad with avocado and homemade ranch 

Prep: None

Thursday: 

Dinner: Eat out

Prep: None

Friday: 

Dinner: Paleo Chicken Fingers, roasted zucchini, and roasted shoestring sweet potatoes (we didn't get around to making this last week)

Prep: None

Saturday: 

Dinner: Eat out

Prep: None

Sunday: 

Dinner: Sweet Potato Nachos

Prep: Boil eggs, make Whole30 mayo

What are you guys eating this week?

Whole30 Meal Plan: Week Two

Hi friends!

Day 4 of this Whole30 is nearly in the books. I've had a pretty legitimate headache the past couple of days (so, so normal), but I'm feeling pretty strong mentally. I was surrounded by cookies and cake and queso (my true love!) today at my in-laws' and never even contemplated taking a bite. Mostly because my in-laws were sweet enough to make some delicious fajitas (with  meat prepared specifically without packaged fajita seasoning because they knew I couldn't have it), roasted onions, and guacamole for lunch. So I loaded my plate up with the good stuff. I just love them.

But I know it's going to get significantly harder, and that's okay. No pain, no gain, right?

Here is this week's menu plan. I've got a couple of day-trips this week, so I'll have the challenge of trying to find something compliant at the airport. (It's nearly impossible.) But other than that, I'm excited about what we'll be cooking up.

Monday:

Dinner: Chicken Curry (recipe found in It Starts with Food, similar here)

Prep: Dice zucchini, onion, and carrots (for Wednesday's chili)

Tuesday:

Dinner: Out of town

Prep: none

Wednesday:

Dinner: Paleo Chili with steamed broccoli

Prep: Trim chicken, chop zucchini, peel and chop sweet potatoes

Thursday:

Dinner: Out of town

Prep: none

Friday:

Dinner: Paleo Chicken Fingers, roasted zucchini, and roasted shoestring sweet potatoes

Prep: none

Saturday:

Dinner: Pizza Spaghetti Pie and spinach salad with Tessemae's Southwest Ranch dressing

Prep: none

Sunday:

Dinner: Bacon Chorizo Chipotle Smothered Meatloaf

Prep: boil eggs for the week

Now it's your turn! Link up your own Whole30 post below. If you don't have one, feel free to shout out meal ideas or Whole30 rants in the comments!

Whole30: Recipe Roundup

I had donuts for breakfast yesterday morning. And then dessert with dinner last night. 

Y'all, I NEED this Whole30 in a bad way.

The great thing is that, because I've done one before, I know what to expect, and I know that I'm capable of finishing. If this is your first Whole30, let me just put your mind at ease: you are also capable of doing it and finishing it. If you slip up, don't give up. Just keep going, and I promise you won't regret it.

I've been promising to get you guys a list of my go-to, Whole30-approved recipes for months, and I'm finally delivering. I'll do one more tips and tricks post, and then I think we'll be ready to go for Thursday. Eeek!

We mostly make these for dinner and then I take the leftovers for lunch at work. A lot of people have asked what I do about Micah and Grace. Mostly, they eat what I eat, even if I have to modify it a bit. Grace is picky about vegetables, so I usually supplement her meal with some organic yogurt, cheese, or fruit. But some nights, Micah's not in the mood to eat the healthy stuff, so he makes himself a hot dog or grilled cheese. Ain't no shame in letting the husbands/kids fend for themselves sometimes, y'all.

And also? Make extras. If you're lazy like me, you'll appreciate being able to cook once and have meals for a few days. :) 

Main-Dish Recipes I've Tried and Loved:

Beef and Bacon Casserole (this one is one of my very favorites and makes a lot, but it's time-consuming)

Chicken Curry (recipe found in It Starts with Food, similar here)

Beef and Broccoli Stir Fry (this one was pretty good, not amazing)

Roasted Cauliflower Soup (recipe found in The Paleo Kitchen is PHENOMENAL, similar here)

Turkey burgers with sauteed sweet potatoes and mango or strawberry-mango salsa

BLT Wraps

"Tacos" with homemade taco seasoning and guacamole in iceberg or romaine lettuce wraps

Cilantro and Lime Salmon (use olive or coconut oil to make it Whole30 approved)

Grilled steaks, baked potatoes, and roasted asparagus

"Fried" Cauliflower Rice (add chicken to create a main dish, or serve alone as a side dish)

Oven Fajitas

Avocado and Tomato Salad (great, simple, and easy side dish) 

Chicken Salad (recipe below)

Chicken Avocado Lime Soup 

Recipes I've Been Wanting to Try

Oven Roasted Brussels Sprouts with Bacon 

Damn Fine Chicken  

Baked Chicken with Spinach and Artichokes (use ghee instead of butter)
Very Greek Grilled Chicken
Avocado Pasta (make with zucchini noodles)
Paleo Chicken Fingers
Cauliflower Paleo "Tator" Tots
Pizza Spaghetti Pie
Bacon Chorizo Chipotle Smothered Meatloaf
Paleo Chicken Pad Thai
Paleo Chicken Pot Pie

Chicken Salad

1/2 lb. chicken | 1 cup grapes, halved | 1/2 cup onion, diced | 1/4 cup slivered almonds (optional) | 3 T. flat-leaf Italian parsley | 1 T. fresh or freeze-dried dill (don't leave this out!!) | 1/2 to 3/4 cup olive oil mayo | 3-4 dashes hot sauce (I like Lousiana Hot Sauce) | salt and pepper to taste | Mix everything together and stir to combine. If you have time, let it chill in the fridge for 30 minutes or more. The longer it sits, the better it tastes!

Have you done a Whole30? What were your favorite recipes?

A Whole30 Update...

Today marks Day 8 of my Whole30 journey.  I haven't been blogging it out day by day because I figured that'd bore you guys into an early death, so here is a summary of how the first week went:

Day 1:  This is a breeze.  These foods are delicious!  Thirty days?? Heck, I could do 60 days easy!

Days 2-4:  My head feels like Mike Tyson's punching bag.  Why do I feel like death warmed over? If I have to eat another egg for breakfast I will cry.

Days 5-6:  I'm hangry and want to eat ALL the things.  Except eggs.

Day 7:  Headache is gone and my energy seems to have returned to normal-ish, but I'm still craving sugar like nobody's business.  And it feels like every picture on my Facebook and Instagram news feeds includes ice cream. Or cookies. Or cake.  Mmmmm... cake.

It has been a challenge, but it is doable.  And I can tell you honestly that I haven't cheated once yet.  I can also tell you honestly that sitting at lunch yesterday with my in-laws while Micah ate a plate of bacon (non-compliant, as it contained sugar) and biscuits and gravy (my FAVORITE) was torturous.  He has been wonderfully tagging along on this adventure with me whenever we are together (I told him to eat whatever he wants for lunches), but I couldn't let him skip out on his momma's homemade biscuits and gravy yesterday.  And they sweetly made a separate meal for me, including a bowl full of delicious fruit and fresh tomatoes from Micah's dad's garden.  But those biscuits, y'all.  They were calling my name.

I'm not supposed to be weighing myself, but I can't help myself.  I'm down about 6 pounds, which isn't at all crazy if you consider the binge I went on last weekend before I started.  It's definitely motivating, but I really am trying to focus on health rather than the numbers on the scale.    

I plan on doing a roundup of my favorite recipes at the end, but here are a few I've loved so far:

• Nikki's Sweet Potato, Apple, and Bacon Hash.  This stuff is out of this world.  It's a little time-consuming, or else I'd make it EVERY morning.  After devouring it this weekend, my plan is to make a big batch tonight so that I'll have plenty for breakfasts this week.
• Sliced bananas with raw almond butter melted on top.  I keep convincing myself that I'm not using this as a substitution for dessert (which is against the rules and the reason that no paleo baking is allowed) because it's so tasty.
• Yellow Curry Chicken Bowl (prepared according to the directions laid out in It Starts With Food).  Micah devoured this and keeps asking for more, so I'll definitely be making more this week.

There have also been some total and utter failures in the kitchen this past week.  I'll make sure and include those on my recipe roundup, too.

Overall, I'm really, really happy I took the plunge.  I recognize that my struggles with food (i.e., my unadulterated love of all things delicious) will likely be something I have to deal with for the rest of my life, and I know I won't be able to forego glazed buttermilk donuts forever. But for now, this is workable, and it's working.

So I'll just be over here with my eggs and spinach.  I bet you're so jealous.

... a hot mess

First, I just want to say how much I appreciate all of your kind words and sweet thoughts about my Mimi.  Even after several years of being a part of this incredible blogging community, you all still manage to blow me away with your outpouring of love and support when I need it most.  It really is incredible.

I'm doing as well as can be expected. We knew it was coming, and I am really thankful that I got the chance to say goodbye, with no regrets.  She will be very missed, but I carry her with me in so many ways.  She was the kind of woman who made an impact and an impression. :)

Understandably, we mostly stuck around the house this weekend.  I did go see Divergent (for the second time... I'm so cool, y'all) with my sister-in-law.  It was as good as the first time, and we had fun spending some much-needed quality time together.  Plus, we had popcorn.  And mozzarella sticks.  And Junior Mints.  In my opinion, it's not a movie theater experience unless I have Junior Mints. (For the record, it was a cheat meal... I'm not regularly inhaling Junior Mints, I promise.)

Gracie has cut three teeth in the last week and a half, and she is not happy about it.

She has basically whined and screamed for four days straight, and I'm definitely ready to put this teething business behind us.

And in case you were wondering about the adorable leggings Grace is wearing...



I got them from here.  I've bought quite a bit from Chelsea (she also has an Instagram resale shop @kickinlegscloset), and I'm always pleased with what I purchase.  She makes these hand-painted leggings, and I just think they're adorable.  The little kitties... I die.

I'm contemplating doing a link-up post for everyone to share their favorite Etsy shops.  We could do baby/toddler themed, or just leave it wide open.  Would anyone be interested in that?  I just always LOVE ordering handmade/small business when I can, but I do appreciate referrals from people who can vouch for quality.

Last, but not least... if you've been around these parts for awhile, you may remember the time where I basically made Pioneer Woman's food for each and every meal (i.e. all of law school).  One of my all-time favorites is a recipe she featured (but didn't create) called Butter Chicken.  It's not as unhealthy as it sounds (only half a stick of butter - ha!), and it's apparently a well-known Indian dish.  Anyway, it's delectable, and we had it for dinner last night.

(It probably doesn't look very appetizing, but I'm telling you... it's money.)

So that's life for us right now.  I'm currently working from home today (or apparently blogging from home) because I've worked nearly every day for MONTHS, and I needed a mental break.  And some time to do some life stuff (like cleaning out Gracie's closet... I finally packed up all of her swaddling blankets and 6-9 month clothes and was on the verge of bawling) plus pick up some stuff for her birthday party.

Mostly, I'm a hot mess right now, you guys.  Bear with me...

Indian Summer Soup...

Am I the only one who associates certain foods with particular moments in my life?  I mean, I can get just a whiff of something and be instantaneously transported to another place and time.

For instance.

Soggy chocolate cake.  It's the summer before law school, and I am curled up on my Mamaw's couch, telling her all about my first day at my summer internship.  She smiles as I scrape the last bit of frosting off the bottom of the plate with my fork.

Chicken fettuccine alfredo.  Micah and I have been in Houston for four months.  My dad and stepmom come to visit us, and I am, once again, whipping up the only thing I know that I can make without screwing it up.  I am so happy to see them.

Chimichangas.  This.  

This recipe is a staple at a restaurant that my mom and I went to all the time when I was a little girl.  Every time I eat this soup, I am ten years old again, spending the afternoon with my favorite person on the planet. We've almost gotten full on bread and stuffed jalapenos, but there is always room for soup.  Particularly this soup, which is creamy, cheesy, smoky, and the perfect cure for a broken heart or a bad hair day.

Indian Summer Soup

adapted from here

Ingredients

3 boneless skinless chicken breasts, grilled or baked and cut into bite-sized cubes*
1 medium onion, sliced into 1/4 inch rings (you can cut them into half-rings if you prefer smaller pieces)*
1-2 poblano peppers, sliced into 1/4 inch rings (I cut these in half, too)*
2 tablespoons butter
1 tablespoon olive oil
3 cloves garlic, minced
8 ounces frozen whole kernel corn (canned works great, too)
1 quart chicken broth, separated (water works fine, as well)
1 to 1.5 lbs. Velveeta cheese, cut into cubes (I feel like more cheese is always better)
4 tablespoons cornstarch
salt and pepper to taste

Directions
Melt butter and olive oil in a large heavy pot over low heat.
Saute garlic over medium heat until fragrant, 1-2 minutes.
Add onions and peppers and saute over medium heat for 10 to 15 minutes, or until the vegetables are soft.
Add the chicken, corn and 2 cups of chicken broth. Mix and simmer for 5 minutes.
Add cubed cheese and simmer until the cheese has melted. DO NOT allow the soup to boil.
In a separate bowl, mix the cornstarch with 1/2 cup chicken broth.
Stir dissolved cornstarch into the remaining 1 1/2 cups of chicken broth and add to soup.
Cook over low heat until thickened, about 10 minutes, stirring occasionally.


* The original recipe calls for grilled/smoked chicken, onions, and poblano peppers, but I like simple and quick, and it'll taste just as good this way.  Promise. :)

Two more days...

I feel the need to pop in and say hello, but I have to be honest.  All I keep thinking is...

... I'M ABOUT TO HAVE A BABY!

Still no labor or contractions, so we're still scheduled to induce on Wednesday. 

(us at 39 weeks... I'd say we're both ready! :))

I am going to do my very, very best to keep you guys updated via Instagram (and possibly here on the blog if I can).  So if you want to go ahead and follow so you don't miss anything, you can find me on Instagram at @mrshargrave (and I usually publish all of my Instagram updates to Twitter, so you can find me there at @Mrs_Hargrave as well).

Until then, we're just trying to stay busy.  We celebrated our last child-free weekend with a little Cheesecake Factory and a trip to the iPic theater to see Oz: The Great and Powerful on Saturday.  Was it just me, or was the movie only okay?  As a devoted Wizard of Oz and Wicked fan, maybe I just wasn't in love with this take on the back story of Oz?  Even so, we loved the theater.

 

 

The chairs were so comfy, and the dessert we ordered was delicious.

 

On Sunday, we took it easy and ended up grilling a delicious dinner:  Italian chicken, chopped BBQ salad, and these campfire potatoes.  (The potatoes were phenomenal.  I'd add a bit more butter next time to keep them from getting dry, but altogether fabulous.)

 

 

I also made these cake batter Rice Krispy treats. 

It was a different recipe than the one I've used in the past (and courtesy of my girl, Kristin), and so much better.  The frosting sent the whole thing over the edge (I used regular vanilla buttercream frosting rather than cream cheese), and I'm not ashamed to tell you that we've already devoured the entire pan.  Judge away, y'all.  They're delicious.

Today, Micah has worked from home, and we've just been tying up some loose ends around the house.  I got new tires (Micah insisted that we get that done before Grace arrived) and did the last load of Grace's laundry (mostly towels and burp cloths).  We also got a fun surprise in the mail.

Grace's baby book came in!  I ordered it on Etsy from here, and I love it.  It's really well-made, and I like the pages and layout.

Alright, friends.  I'm just waiting for Micah to get home from his last softball game of the season (poor guy had to go alone because I get so uncomfortable sitting on hard surfaces for long periods of time these days).  And then I'm going to try and get some sleep (if I can get my mind to shut down long enough to rest). 

XOXO, loves.

Meal-planning Monday...

We made it to the grocery store this week, which means that I was able to plan for a few meals this week. 

So here's what we'll be having at our house for the next few days!

Crockpot Potato Soup and salad

Dorito Taco Salad

Tilapia with Shrimp Bayou Sauce and rice

Buffalo Chicken Mac and Cheese (thanks for the idea, Charlotte!) and salad

Heaven on bread...

It's trial prep time, y'all.  And when it's trial prep time, posting tends to get a little... patchy.  Mostly because I tend to do a lot of writing before trial, and it's hard to want to write all day and then come home and write some more.  Feel me, dog? (Oh wow, I so can't pull that off, can I?)

But I wanted to drop in and say a quick hello anyway because we all know that I can't stay away for too long. :)

We had a fabulous weekend, even if I did have to work some.  Dinner to celebrate my brother's birthday on Friday, hair cut/color and maternity pictures on Saturday (which went fabulously... Lauren sent me a couple of sneak peeks, and I love them - can't wait to show them to you guys!), lunch with my momma on Sunday, dinner with Micah's parents that evening, and then a little Oscar watching before I hit the hay.  At 8:30.  It was glorious.

And then this happened last night:

Micah had his first softball game of the season, but I had to work, so I came home and made what I am convinced will go down in history as the best sandwich I've ever made.

Think of it as a cross between cinnamon toast and a peanut butter and banana sandwich.  Except with Nutella instead of peanut butter.

Yeah, I said it.

I just buttered the bread, sprinkled sugar and cinnamon on top of the butter, then flipped it over and slathered it with Nutella like my life depended on it.  After that, I laid sliced banana on top of the Nutella and then buttered/sugared/cinnamoned the other slice of bread and placed it on top of the bananas (with the cinnamon/sugar side up).  I slapped that baby on a hot griddle, cooked it like I'd cook a grilled cheese, and devoured it in about 50 seconds.

Heaven, y'all.

Looks like I've got another long night ahead of me tonight, and I think I know what I'll be having for dinner... :)

(And I know I owe you guys a 32 week bump date, but I'm thinking we'll probably roll weeks 32 and 33 together, if that's okay with you guys.)

High Five for Friday Five...

See what I did there?

It's Friday, y'all!  To celebrate, I'm linking up with Lauren and Joy for High Five for Friday and Friday Five, respectively. 

{one}  I'm getting my hair colored tomorrow. Finally. I'm just a little worried because my maternity pictures are also tomorrow, and the color might be a little too... vibrant since I won't be able to wash it afterward. But I guess that's what Photoshop is for.

{two}  This happened last night.

It's S'mores Crack Dip.  And it's heavenly.  The recipe really couldn't be any easier, but there's something about dipping the graham crackers into the chocolatey, marshmallowy goodness that feels so gourmet.  And I used low-fat graham crackers, so it was totally healthy.  Ha.

{three}  I ended up paying for my just-before-bed indulgence because I woke up last night at midnight with crazy reflux.  Even Zantac couldn't save me.  So I headed to the couch, propped myself up on pillows, and finally fell asleep.  (I may or may not have slept in this morning to make up for the lost hours.  I guess I'd better do that while I can because I'm pretty sure Grace won't be as forgiving as work is. :))

{four}  I get to see my favorite niece tonight at my brother's "birthday" dinner, and I couldn't be more excited.  (Technically, my brother doesn't want to celebrate his 30th birthday, but there's really no getting around it.  I mean, today is his birthday, and there will be presents.) 

Little princess is just so freaking sweet and just a little bit obsessed with her Uncle Micah right now.  Every time I call my sister-in-law, I hear Stella in the background saying "Micah, Ry-Ry, Micah, Ry-Ry!"  Apparently we're a package deal to her. 

(One guess as to which one of us was behind the camera and which was the recipient of that little grin...)

{five}  There's a chance I'm going to speak in court next week.  It'll be my first time (depositions don't count because they're not in court or before a judge/jury), and I'm terrified.  And thrilled. 

It probably sounds weird that I'm a third-year attorney and haven't yet spoken in court, but I work on big patent cases.  At most firms who do these kind of cases, I probably wouldn't have even been inside a courtroom yet, but my firm is really great about getting good experience to young attorneys, so I've been to trial (as part of the trial team) three times now, and this is the next step.  Fingers crossed I don't totally blow it... :)

So how has your week been?

 

Go link up and tell us!

Meal-Planning Monday (and our weekend)...

How is it already Monday?

We had a pretty low-key weekend around here.  So low-key that a recap is probably unnecessary, but heck... why not? 

Friday night, we met for dinner at our local Mexican restaurant (and were treated to a free "Valentine's Day" cheesecake for being regulars... gotta love that).  But at least, by some miraculous burst of self-control, I made myself order a salad instead of cheese enchiladas.  So I say it evens out.

I went to a baby shower on Saturday morning for one of my co-worker's wives.  True to form, I waited until the last minute to get a gift, so I found myself perusing Pottery Barn Kids at 10:00 am on Saturday morning.  And in case you didn't already know, there are entirely too many adorable things in that place. 

After the shower (which was fabulous and oh-so chic), I headed home.  Micah had made plans to go fishing with his dad, so I had the afternoon to myself.  One guess as to what I did...

Yep, I slept for about two-and-a-half hours.  It was glorious.  My mom and step-dad dropped by after I woke up to see how the nursery is looking (I swear, it won't be too much longer before I can show you guys... maybe two or three more weeks?).  We ordered a pizza and visited, and it was a wonderful way to spend our Saturday night.

On Sunday, we got up to go to church but realized that this might the last chance we'd have to get to Ikea to pick up some picture rails for the nursery (that I'll be using as bookshelves).  So we headed out and made plans to attend the new contemporary evening service our church started this week.  After picking up more than we needed at Ikea, we came home so that Micah could change and get to softball practice.  I was tempted to take another nap, but I made myself plan our meals for the week and then go back out and pick up some groceries. 

Just as I finished unloading the groceries, Micah made it back from practice, and my dad and step-mom dropped by to see the nursery.  (I love how much they're loving every step of this pregnancy.)  We had to keep the visit short so we could make it to church, but we really liked the service.  We'll probably try and make it every couple of weeks.  After grabbing a quick dinner at Panda Express (why is it so delicious?), we headed home and almost immediately got into bed. 

We're officially an old, married couple...

And here's what we're having for dinner this week.

Crockpot Italian Chicken, rice, and roasted potatoes

One-Pot Pasta and salad

Pesto, Mozzarella, Spinach, and Avocado Grilled Cheese Sandwiches with homemade sweet potato fries

Crock Pot Chicken Enchilada Soup

Queso Smothered Chicken, rice and Jalapeno Cream Corn

And because I'm still craving sweets like a crazy woman, I'm planning on making these things sometime this week, as well.

S'more Crack Dip (I had some of this at a party once, and it was to. die. for.)

Caramel Pretzel Brownies

So what are you guys cooking this week?

Some pictures of my dog and my handsome husband...

Never mind the fact that it's been over a week since last weekend and that I owe you a bump date and a weekend update for this weekend... let's talk about last weekend, shall we?

We were busy, y'all.  I volunteered to judge my sister-in-law's undergraduate mock trial competition (which made me feel stupidly old... until I saw the other judges, who were all at least 45.  Then I felt like an infant and kept getting looks like, "what's this pregnant teenager doing in the judge's room?"). 

We also watched the Superbowl with our Sunday School class.  I brought red velvet brownies and jalapeno popper dip, and they were delicious.  (And, speaking of feeling old, I felt ancient when Kelly Rowland and Michelle Williams popped up next to Beyonce on stage, and the little girl sitting next to me had no clue who they were.)

I also got a fun email from one of my law school loan servicers telling me that one of my loans is now paid in full.  Whoop, whoop!  I had totally forgotten that this month's extra payment would pay the loan down to zero, so it was a nice surprise.  One down, three to go. :)

After I got home from the competition on Saturday, Micah wanted to take Lilly on a walk down to the pond to play with her favorite toy:  her frisbee.

So, off we went.

When we got to the open field near the pond, Micah and Lilly had a little bonding time before they got down to business. 

(This girl loves to give high fives.)

And then they played.

And played.

And played.

And then we walked over to the pond so she could cool off and splash around.

Miss Priss loves to play around in the water, but don't you dare expect her to actually swim in it.  Heaven forbid.

Daddy was mean and tried to push her in.

Yeah, good luck with getting that frisbee back, Dad.

He may be mean, but he sure is handsome...

Man, alive, God sure knew what he was doing with this one. :)

Rats, babies, and a meal plan...

I woke up in the middle of the night on Friday, screaming at the top of my lungs.  Apparently I had stumbled across a rat in my dreams, and my subconscious was smart enough to wake me up before I actually came into contact with it.  Thank the Lord...  Micah, worried that something real was actually wrong, started shaking me and asking me what was going on, and I just started laughing uncontrollably.  I still laugh when I think about it because I was seriously screaming at the top of my lungs.  I really hate rats, y'all.

In other, non-rat news, my sweet cousin had her third baby on Friday, and she is such a doll.

via instagram

Her name is Ainsley (don't you just love that?!), and I got to hold her for, like, 30 minutes on Saturday.  It was pure bliss, and it really hit me that I'll be holding Grace in a little over three months.  So incredible...

Before we went to the hospital to see Ainsley, my best friends came over for a little baby shower planning session, and I'm getting really excited for March.  We're going to have the shower at my house, which I'm thrilled about because it puts the pressure on me to finish up all the to-do projects I have around the house and get the nursery totally finished by then.  So be expecting some house updates between now and March. :)

Poor Micah spent the entire weekend in the nursery (1) painting the crown molding, (2) installing the ceiling fan, and (3) putting the crib together.  Y'all... I seriously cannot wait to show you the finished product when we get it all done.  I'm in love already!  (Maybe I'll post a little sneak peek soon so you can at least get an idea of the colors we're using.)  On to curtains, wall decorations, and all the little accessories...

I also did some meal-planning this weekend.  Here's what we're having this week in the Hargrave house:

Homemade Chicken and Dumplings (we actually made these last night using Micah's parents' "recipe" [I use the word very loosely, as it was a lot of "a little of this" and "a pinch of that], and they were incredible)

Hot Chicken Salad and Homemade Creamed Corn
Papaw's Tilapia and broccoli with cheese
Creamy Garlic Pasta and salad
Summer Stir Fry and salad

Hope everyone had a fabulous weekend!  Check back in later for a baby bump update. :)

Best of Pinterest Recipes...

I'm taking a page out of Miss Charlotte's book today and sharing with you some of my favorite Pinterest recipes.  Although I've only made a fraction of the 503 dishes I've pinned, there have been some definite winners.  (To be fair, I feel like I should admit that there have also been some utter failures.  Like this dip and this pasta.  Blech...)

So the next time you're looking to try something new, give one of these babies a go (click on the titles for recipes).

Fudgy Chocolate Chip Toffee Bars

image via

I made these for my Christmas party last year, and they are absolutely scrumptious.  A nice change from the classic chocolate chip cookie (although, let's be real, I'm pretty crazy about those too).

Creamy Garlic Pasta

image via

I've told you guys about this stuff a billion times before, but I'm telling you again... if you haven't tried it yet, you totally should.  It's just the perfect creamy, garlic-y, cheesy flavor, and a fabulous, interesting texture, too.  Plus, it really couldn't be any easier to make.

Banana Bread Pancakes

image via   

I was definitely more in love with these than Micah was, but they are seriously the most dense, flavorful pancakes I've ever had.  And they really do remind me of banana bread.  I omitted the maple flavoring from the glaze because I'm more of a plain-jane vanilla girl, but I'm sure the maple version is just as fabulous. 

BBQ Chicken Salad with Creamy BBQ Dressing

image via

I could seriously drink this dressing.  If you've never had a BBQ-based dressing, you should really try it.  It gives any salad a summery, smoked flavor, and this recipe, in particular, is thebomb.com.  (And for the record, my salad looks nothing like this one, with the dressing perfectly and delicately drizzled over the chicken.  My salad's swimming in the stuff.)

Red Velvet Brownies

image via 

Yeah, I said it.  Red velvet brownies.  They're heavenly, beautiful, and the whole darned pan disappeared in a day at my house.  I'd blame Micah, but then I'd be a liar.  And one shouldn't lie about red velvet brownies.

Cream Cheese Sausage Balls

image via 

I liked these because they were so much more moist than regular sausage balls.  Next time, I'll probably use a teensy bit less cream cheese to appease my picky husband (who apparently prefers his sausage balls a bit drier... blasphemy), but these are for sure getting made again.

Banana Bread Bars with Brown Butter Frosting

image via

What can I say... I love banana bread.  I made these and took them to work, and they lasted maybe forty-five minutes.  The brown butter frosting takes them over the edge, for sure.

Paula Deen's Frito and Corn Salad

image via 

If Paula Deen makes it, you can bet that it's probably going to be delicious.  This recipe's no exception.  I served it as a dip, rather than a salad, and it will definitely be a go-to recipe for me for parties and get-togethers.

Cake Batter Puppy Chow

image via 

If you can believe it, I like this stuff even better than the original puppy chow.  It's so easy to throw together, and it's strangely addictive. The cake batter flavor is delightful.

Southern Pimento Cheese

image via 

Now, technically, I didn't actually find this one on Pinterest.  I pinned it myself after I saw it on Charlotte's blog (hi again, friend!), but I had to share it anyway.  I absolutely hate the plastic-y pimento "cheese" you can buy pre-packaged at grocery stores, but this stuff is phenomenal.  And oh-so very southern. :)

If you're looking for more inspiration, come check out my Yum board here.  (And if you're a foodie/Pin-a-holic like me, tell me where you're at so I can come follow you.)

Six things...

{One}  I took two naps this weekend.  For some reason, I've been unusually exhausted this past week.  Here's hoping the second trimester energy burst hasn't left me already.  I've still go too much to do to go back to being tired all the time!

{Two}  We got the crown molding up in Grace's bedroom!  By "we," I mean my incredibly talented carpenter of a stepdad and my handsome husband.  It looks fantastic, y'all.  Micah still needs to paint it, but I'm already in love.

{Three}  My brother texted me this picture on Friday, and I just laughed and laughed when I saw it.

He had borrowed Micah's shotgun and was dropping it off at our house while we were at work.  Apparently Lilly was happy to see him. :)

{Four}  My mom's house caught on fire last Friday night.  Micah and I were on the way home from our anniversary dinner when we got a text from my mom telling us that her house was on fire.  We immediately turned around to head back into town where she lives when we remembered that we had accidentally left a candle burning while we went to dinner (something I never do).  After turning back around, driving to our house, blowing out the candle, and driving back to my Mom's, we drove up expecting the worst.

Thankfully, though, it was contained to their garage, none of their house was damaged, and they both made it out safely with their sweet puppies.  My stepdad had dumped some ashes from their fireplace into a trash can, and apparently some of them weren't completely out and caught the trash can on fire after an hour or two.  I'm still marveling at the fact that everyone was okay and that they only sustained very minor damage to their garage.  So, so thankful.

{Five}  The Bachelor starts back up tonight.  As usual, I'm seriously contemplating not watching because I feel like I lose brain cells every Monday night.  But if I was a betting woman, I'd wager that my TV will be stuck on ABC tonight from 7 to 9 p.m...

{Six} I put together a short menu for this week.  We're having One-Pot Pasta and Broccoli, Chicken and Pineapple Quesadillas, Cilantro Lime Chicken Tacos (again), and Slow-Cooker Tortilla Soup.  What are you guys cooking this week?

Christmas food...

Look at me, remembering to share my Christmas recipes!  It's like I'm almost a real blogger.  Almost...

As one of the "kids," I'm not usually charged with bringing anything super important to our family get-togethers.  I plan on milking this for as long as I possibly can... :)  But if you're ever in need of some yummy desserts/appetizers, here are the things I brought this year.  Click on the titles or pictures for the recipes.

Dad's Christmas:  Butterfinger Pie.

via

The verdict:  This was delicious.  My aunt made a version of this for Thanksgiving, and I loved it.  The best part?  It only takes four ingredients and about 2 minutes to whip together (although you've got to give it some time to chill in the fridge after it's all put together).  I'd recommend buying an extra Butterfinger bar to crush on top for presentation.

Mamaw's/Mom's Christmas:  Paula Deen's Corn "Salad"

via

The verdict:  loved it.  I've made corn dip before, but this was simpler, and the addition of the chili cheese Fritos made it even more delicious.  I served it as a dip with tortilla chips, rather than as a salad, because I love dip.  As the recipe suggests, you can make the dip ahead of time (and I'd recommend doing so to let the flavors blend), but don't add the Fritos until just before serving, or they'll get soggy.  Also, this recipe makes a lot.  I took half to one Christmas and half to another (and had plenty at both). 

Mom's Christmas:  Hot Louisiana Crab Dip

via

The verdict:  hated it.  Although the "base" dip was pretty darned scrumptious, it was completely overwhelmed by the intense crabby taste.  Perhaps I need to try again with different/more fresh crab?  I also think it'd be delicious with a half-pound of sauteed, chopped shrimp instead of the crab. 

Micah's Parents' Christmas:  The "World's Best" Macaroni and Cheese

via

 

The verdict:  liked it.  This was definitely good, but the consistency was just a teensy bit off for me.  It could have been because I made the sauce the day before and had to reheat it the next morning before I added it to the pasta.  But honestly, if you're looking for an interesting, slam-dunk mac and cheese recipe, I'd go with this Blue Cheese Mac and Cheese.  Marry me.

Micah's Extended Family's Christmas:**  Hissy Fit Dip

via

The verdict:  loved it.  This is a fabulous variation of the ole' Velveeta/Rotel standby.  It calls for cream cheese, white American cheese, and, of course, a little Velveeta.  But it also has other interesting ingredients like Worchestershire sauce and curry powder.  I'll definitely make this again when I'm in the mood for cheese dip.

** In the interest of full disclosure, I'll admit that we didn't actually make it to Micah's aunt and uncle's house because of the snow/ice, so I didn't get to test this one out on anyone else but Micah and me.  But I had already mixed up the dip, so I threw it in the oven when we got home, and we enjoyed it for our Christmas dinner.  :)

Micah's Extended Family's Christmas:  Creamy Jalapeno Corn

The verdict:  liked it.  My mom makes this jalapeno cream cheese corn (which I adore), but I had seen this recipe floating around the internet and wanted to try it. Overall, I think I prefer my mom's mostly because I really like the pickled jalapeno flavor with the corn better than the fresh.  (But I do think I'll add a few tablespoons of butter to my mom's recipe next time, though.  It added a richness and thinned the creaminess out a bit.)  I also prefer the canned corn to the frozen corn, but maybe I'm just crazy.  Plus, I didn't think the use of the crockpot was necessary -- it all mixes together perfectly in just a few minutes in a saucepan on the stove.

What did you guys make for Christmas?

Meal-Planning Tuesday...

We made it to the grocery store yesterday, and I actually grabbed a few things which, when put together, might actually resemble a meal or two.   Here's what we're having this week, just in case you needed some inspiration.

Cilantro Lime Chicken Tacos

Pasta Bake (I'm planning on just throwing together some cooked penne, a jar of pasta sauce, browned hamburger meat, and TONS of mozzarella and throwing it in the oven, kind of like Jenn did)

Tortellini and Pink Sauce (using this alfredo recipe + some jarred tomato pasta sauce to make it pink) and salad

Tomato Soup (we use Pacific Organic Creamy Tomato Soup as a base and add some half-and-half, garlic powder, onion powder, cajun seasoning, and LOTS of salt) with Homemade Croutons and Bruschetta 

What are you guys making this week?

Eat, celebrate, relax...

Things we did this weekend:

{Ate}

Boy, did we eat.

I made this blue cheese mac and cheese and skinny cheesy jalapeno popper baked stuffed chicken for dinner on Friday, and they were both fabulous.  (Although I sort of feel like the mac and cheese effectively negated the "skinny-ness" of the chicken, but whatevs.  I'm not sorry because the pasta was heavenly.)

We had Razzoo's for lunch yesterday after church, and it was delicious, as always.  We grabbed the off-menu swamp fries (which came with cheese, tomatoes, and green onions, and were laid on top of etouffe sauce.  holy cow) to start after I saw my best friend post a picture of them on Instagram on Thursday and couldn't get them off my mind.  We also enjoyed some rat toes (cheesy seafood-stuffed jalapenos) because I can't, in good conscience, go to Razzoo's without ordering rat toes. 

We also both ordered entrees like idiots and will be enjoying them for lunch today. :)

I made this cheesy crockpot chicken and rice for dinner last night.  It was good, and relatively healthy, but I'd make the following changes:  (1) don't use a whole onion.  maybe half? (2) spice it UP!  Without a good half-teaspoon of cajun seasoning and salt, it was pretty flavorless.

{Celebrated}

It was our nephew's second birthday this week, and his "choo-choo" themed party was Saturday.  My sister-in-law outdid herself with the cuteness.

Sorry for the crappy quality photo, but look how adorable everything is?! We had a wonderful time and loved getting to celebrate Landyn's birthday with Micah's sweet family.

{Relaxed}

On Saturday before the party, I headed to Massage Envy for a massage.  This month has been hellish, and I deserved it, dadgummit. :)

I had also made plans with the girls from work to meet up at Bliss Spa at the W Hotel on Saturday evening for mani/pedis.  I had never been to the W before, and it was definitely an experience.

This was the lounge area where I hung out before my appointment, sipping on fruity water and munching on brownies.  Oh, Dallas... you're so much fancier than I am.  But I can try to pretend to fit in when brownies are involved. :)

After we were all thoroughly gelatinous, we grabbed Thai takeout and headed to my friend's house to watch Hunger Games and snuggle with her dogs.  Can I just tell you how much I love and need girl time?  After Thursday, I seriously feel so, so blessed to have good friends.

On Sunday after lunch, we enjoyed a LAZY day of football-watching and napping.  And Dexter!  Who else watched the premiere?  Oh. Em. Gee.  I am so excited for this season!

So that's what we were up to this weekend.  What were you guys up to?

Oh How Pinteresting {Healthy Recipes}...

I haven't linked up with The Vintage Apple for Oh How Pinteresting in practically forever, but I'm dedicating today's post to the {relatively} healthy recipes I want to try and make in the next couple of weeks.  I'm determined to get my eating back on track,  y'all.  :)

Weight Watchers Mushroom Bisque

Zucchini Lasagna

Smudgies

Baked Pickles

Skinny Crockpot Chicken and Rice

Italian Chicken

Dried Strawberries

Cheesy Jalapeno Popper Stuffed Baked Chicken

Raspberry Vinaigrette Salad

Weight Watchers Cheesy Soup

How good do these dishes look, y'all?  Who says food that's good for you can't be tasty, too!