Happy Mother's Day!

Wishing all of the amazing Mothers a beautiful weekend!

This is where I will will be spending the majority of mine...

We've made progress, hope to make more!

I'll be back regularly really soon...with some recipes, a giveaway, coffee talk and my feelings on selfies & OOTD's

Thanks for visiting!

Big weekend Coming Up

 ~ The Kentucky Derby & Cinco de Mayo ~

What are your plans for either day? Will it include dressing up and a mint julep or Mexican music & culture?

Here are a few of my crowd-pleasing recipes that are event appropriate.

Enjoy!

Bacon Herb Cupcakes

Rosemary Chicken Kabobs

Roasted Veggie Tart

Skinny Chicken Enchilada Lasagna

Mexican Chicken Parm

{all images via Pinterest}

Thanks for visiting and have a fabulous weekend!

Spring Cleaning {Closet Cleaning Tips}

and closet purging.  Do it now before the sultry allure of summer summons you to the outdoors for a few months.

I've recently finished my own closet and hope to tackle husband and kids this weekend. 

I took everything out and made piles:

Keep

For Friends/Family/Co-Workers

Goodwill

eBay

Garbage

It was simpler than I thought.  7 bags to Goodwill, 2 bags to friends, 2 bags to list and sell on eBay and 2 bags of garbage.  Into the garbage went anything that was compromised with tiny tears or stains.  Friends et al, got stuff I love, but sadly don't fit into anymore be it too large or small.  

With a more organized closet, I was able to organize swim suits, scarves & belts and even sweatshirts.

Before the clothes went back in, the closet was cleaned deeply and cedar accessories were added to keep it fresh.  All wire hangers were switched out for wood, metal or plastic.

eBay got the brand name stuff that I could make a decent profit on.  I'm happy to say that I've already made over $200 and sales keep coming.  Can you say replenish?!

I also worked on my costume/fashion jewelry.  I've had this Pottery Barn accordian hook rack for ages.  Hung it on a bare wall in my closet, hung the costume-y stuff.  I can see it and make better use of it now and it allows my good/heirloom jewelry to rest less cluttered and cramped in my jewelry box.  I did NOT get rid of any jewelry!

Winter shoes and boots cleaned and stored away til' next year.  Winter coats and sweaters are at the cleaners now and will be stored for the summer.  

Basic Closet Cleaning Tips

Create your piles

*

Make a shopping list for basics you will need to replenish

*

Be honest.  It may be sentimental, but will you (or can you) wear it again?

*

Upgrade your hangers

*

Organize by color or type of clothing (work/play/outerwear/camisoles, etc.)

*

Keep it neat!

Thanks for visiting!

Hutton Happenings

A plethora of parties...this one had Mr. Scott, our favorite local children's entertainer

Anniversary reflections and a night out

A jackpot, albeit a small one {penny slots!}

A total yard makeover.  Long overdue.  New sprinklers, sod, beds and plantings.  

Can't wait to show off the after pics & enjoy a more maintenance-free summer.  We've chosen leyland cypress, white pines, inkberrys, pampas grasses, red maple, southern magnolias, pee gee hydrangea...just to name a few.

Little monkeys tree climbing

Clean eating.  I am down 10lbs. since January....now if I can only get back to the gym.

Why can't cooking, cleaning, taking care of kids, gardening + plus a full-time job be enough?!

I purged my closets this past weekend and got control of the chaos.  7 bags to goodwill and donations and 2 piles to sell on Ebay.  Have to replenish a little bit!

It's still chilly here on the Jersey Shore, everyone is starting to get crabby about it.  How long before we are all complaining that it is too hot...

Hope you are doing well lately ~ Thanks for visiting!

Us {5 years}

Through the years...

Happy 5th Anniversary to the best husband and father anyone could be blessed with...

...and this is what it's all about xoxo

Skinny Chicken Enchilada Lasagna {Recipe Swap}

Layers, before cooking

Skinny Chicken Enchilada Lasagna

3 Chicken Breasts (marinated 24 hours with marinade of your choice), baked and shredded

3- 4 Cups of reduced or fat free Mexican cheese blend

1 Can of fat free Cream of Celery soup

1 Can of fat free Cream of Mushroom soup

1 Cup of fat free plain Greek yogurt

6-8 Small corn tortillas, dipped in water to moisten, before you layer

1 Can of Rotel, drained

1 Tsp. Cumin

S and P, to taste

Sprinkling of Paprika

Preheat oven to 425*.

Mix soups, yogurt, drained Rotel, cumin, S and P and ½ cup of cheese together to create a cream mixture.

Moisten corn tortillas

Prepare your layers: ½ cup of cream mixture on bottom of baking dish, then layer a row of tortillas followed with cream mixture, chicken and cheese. You should be able to make 3 layers. Eyeball your ingredients, saving enough cheese for the top layer.

Sprinkle with paprika, baking for 20 minutes.  I broiled the last 3-4 minutes to get it nice and golden brown.

You can add or subtract from this dish, making is as spicy or subdued as you like.  I added a few drops of hot sauce to the rims of the plate for an extra kick.  It is just as delicious leftover. Enjoy!

Thanks for visiting!

 

What I'm Pinning Lately {tgif}

Great use for old belts; loving the texture.  I think daisies would look really sweet as well...

How many times have you propped your I-products up to reference directions or a recipe and down they go?  Me, almost daily.  Here is a sweet way to relieve that problem.

My family room (aka the boys room) is boring me to death lately.  You can see it HERE.  I'm digging this design board from Laura. I may do a Spring spruce-up using some ideas from this board.  My room is chocolate brown and pale blue and I've dying to add some splashes of orange; and I need some pattern as well.

A FAB vignette from one of my favorites. Check out Mary Ann. Everything she does, I just love(sigh).  This little set-up is making me want to change my color scheme in our foyer.

Brilliant idea....especially with a spacious yard.  Paint & stick an old mailbox in your yard to hold garden tools, so they can be grabbed quick.  I am never without my gardening gloves, although I still manage to get dirt under my nails.  Worth it though...gardening is the best form of sweat equity.

Always looking for fresh new ideas for lunch.  I bring it to work 5 days a week; after awhile sammies, soups and lean cuisines get boring.  I'm digging the whole bento box thing and plan to post a week of my own bentos shortly.

Check out a plethora of unique lunch ideas for you or the kiddies here.

What have ya'll been pinning lately?

Thanks for visiting ~ have a great weekend!