Scenes From Our Weekend + 7 Layer Mexican Dip Recipe

Happy MLK Day. I hope everyone has enjoyed the long weekend.

Matt bought Sterling a trampoline a few months ago and we finally had it put together last week.  So we spent a lot of time on the trampoline this weekend. Sterling loves that thing, and I have to admit it is pretty fun and good exercise jumping on it.   I was out of breath after every time we played on it (or maybe I am just out of shape).

I snapped this picture Friday night before bath time.  I love Frances Moon's enormous belly.

Friday night we celebrated my Mother-in- laws birthday.  I made my favorite 7 layer Mexican dip. Several of you wanted the recipe, so here it is :

 7 LAYER MEXICAN DIP

Layer one | Refried Beans 

Layer Two | Guacamole

Layer Three | 16 oz sour cream mixed with taco seasoning (I use our homemade kind but you can use a packet as well)

Layer Four | Shredded Cheese ( I grate my own and use Cracker Barrel Sharp White Cheddar)

Layer Five | Diced Tomatoes

Layer Six | Sliced Black Olives

Layer Seven | chopped green onions

Saturday I got up early and went on a run.  I am slowly getting back into a workout routine.

Speaking of working out- I am totally obsessed with the new high waisted Lululemon workout pants.  Get a pair, worth every penny.  They are amazing and suck in all the flab!  I have one pair in black but now I want every color they come in!

|| High Times Pant

I did some pantry organizing Saturday. I found these clear bins at TJMaxx and they work perfect for storing the kids snacks.

I also cleaned out and organized the snack drawer of our fridge.  I am totally that mom that they targeted with the snack drawer.  It is actually what sold me on the fridge and is honestly my favorite part.

Between Matt and the kids we spend some money on snack food.

Saturday night I made Barefoot Contessa's Marinated Feta for Happy Hour.  The recipe is in her new cookbook and was so delicious.  As was this wine from my Wine Awesomeness box.  Love the butterfly label.

Saturday night Sterling lost his first tooth!  The day before he told me he had a wiggly tooth and sure enough it was loose.  So Saturday night I asked him how his wiggly tooth was and he opened his mouth and it was gone.  I think he swallowed it or something, who knows.  I was trying to be excited for him but inside I was crying because loosing that tooth meant my sweet baby was growing up.

He however was so excited ( and I am awaiting a tooth to appear in his poop).

Thank goodness I actually had some cash on me.  It was either a $5 or a $20 so we went with a $5.  

 I had several requests about the shark tooth fairy pillow.  My mom bought it somewhere out of town but I was able to find the same one online HERE.

We had chili cheese dogs and truffled tots for dinner that night that were out of this world good!

Wore double plaid for church.

Dress | Coat

Sunday night we celebrated one of our good friend's birthdays. Caycee and I could not resist the photo op:)

Outfit Details:

 Blouse (similar) | Necklace (use code DBDD-LSJ for free shipping | Jeans (use code GOODJEANS for 30% off) | Pumps

 

 Piperlime is offering 30% off all their jeans with code GOODJEANS!

If you want a distressed pair, these are my favorite.  A great time to buy new jeans if you need them.

Here's to a great week!

(I have been listening to my Eckhart Tolle book A New Earth and really liking it, some inspiring stuff).

Mediterranean Orzo Salad

After I posted this on instagram so many of you commented and wanted the recipe, ask and you shall receive.  I honestly can't beleive I have not shared this recipe yet, it is one of my favorite salads.   I can't even remember where I originally found this recipe, in some magazine years ago.   I think maybe an old Cooking Light, but then I made a few changes.  This is such a great salad.  It saves well in the fridge and is full of so many of my favorite Mediterranean flavors.  You could easily serve this with grilled shrimp or chicken and have a meal.  I made it for my lunches last week.  This makes a lot of orzo.  I actually took half over to my neighbor who had surgery, so be warned it makes a huge batch.  I find it is best served room temperature.  

The dressing measurements are not exact, so alter to your taste.

|| M E D I T E R R A N E A N    O R Z O ||

- 1 box orzo

- 1 small jar chopped sun dried tomatoes

- 1 jar marinated artichoke hearts (save liquid)

- 1 can chick peas, drained

- 1 pint cherry tomatoes diced

- 1/2 red onion diced

- 1/2 cup chopped kalamata olives

- 1/2 cup good feta cheese crumbles

- 1 cup spinach sliced thinly

DRESSING

-Liquid from Artichoke Hearts

- 1/2 cup olive oil

- 3-4 tablespoons white wine vinegar

- salt and pepper

Cook orzo according to box, drain and let cool slightly.  Add all other ingredients but feta to a large bowl.  You may need to chop the marinated artichoke hearts smaller depending on the size.  Add the orzo to the veggies.  Whisk together the dressing and pour over the orzo and veggies.  Add in the crumbles feta.  Season with more salt and pepper if needed.

Tasty Thursday

Ok so I am still on my health kick trying to shed a few pounds before the annual Debnam beach trip, which I inevitably will gain back after a booze and food filled week! But for now I'm dieting:) I made up this recipe with stuff I had at home and it turned out pretty tasty! I love all salads especially any version of a pasta salad and this one is filled with healthy veggies!

LEMON ORZO SALAD
- 1 CUP UNCOOKED ORZO (BOIL 8-10 MINS)
- I CAN CHICKPEAS DRAINED AND RINSED
- I TOMATO DICED
- SMALL JAR MARINATED ARTICHOKE HEARTS (RESERVE THE LIQUID)
- 1-2 CUPS OF FRESH SPINACH SHREDDED
- FETA CHEESE
- 1/3 CUP OLIVE OIL
- 1 GARLIC CLOVE MINCED
- JUICE OF ONE LEMON

MIX TOGETHER OLIVE OIL, LEMON JUICE, GARLIC AND SALT AND PEPPER- THIS IS THE VINAIGRETTE. COOK ORZO AND DRAIN. ADD TOMATO, ARTICHOKES, AND SPINACH TO THE ORZO AND TOSS WITH DRESSING. ADD THE FETA LAST. I ALSO POURED SOME OF THE ARTICHOKE MARINATE OVER THE SALAD FOR EXTRA FLAVOR.