Creamy Beef Stroganoff

This is creamy and rich! INGREDIENTS 1 lb beef stew meat, (if chunks are too big cut in half); 2 TBL olive oil; 1 container Philelphia Cream Cheese Cooking Cream - (10 oz) 1 small yellow onion, chopped; 1 package mushrooms, washed and sliced; 2 cups of water,; salt, pepper, garlic powder, Tony's cajun seasoning (all added to your taste preference); a few dashes of Crystal hot sauce; 1 package noodles, cooked DIRECTIONS Heat olive oil in a large skillet over medium heat and add beef and onions. Brown for about 10 minutes until cooked thru. Add mushrooms and water - simmer for about 25 minutes (this will make the beef strips tender). There should be a little water remaining, if not add about 1/4 cup of water. Stir in cooking cream and spices. Cook for an additional 5 minutes. Serve over noodles.

A Day at the Park

My friends and I wanted to hang out at the park yesterday because it was such a beautiful day. I have to admit, I haven't done this in a while. They have 2 kids, so it was fun watching them run around. People were flying kites and it brought back many childhood memories! Although, this time, I was indulging in amazing food - not the playground! We grilled hotdogs, deer meat sausage and jalapeno poppers! All were amazing. If you want a fun, inexpensive way to hang out on a weekend - be creative and grill up some grub!

Cajun Shrimp Fettuccine Alfredo

This was dinner last night and it was sooooo yummy!!! INGREDIENTS 1/2 yellow onion, finely chopped; 3 TBL butter; 2 cups heavy cream; 2-3 dashes of Crystal Louisiana Hot Sauce 1 cup parmesan cheese, grated (add more if needed); 2 cloves garlic, minced; 1 pound jumbo gulf shrimp, peeled, deveined, and chopped in half 1/4 cup green onions, chopped; fettuccine, cooked; SEASONINGS sprinkle of salt and pepper; garlic powder; cayenne pepper (however spicy you would like it - a little sprinkle goes a long way!) 1/2 teaspoon of Italian Seasoning; -Remember the seasoning level is however much you prefer as far as salty, spicy, etc. Start off with a little sprinkle of each seasoning, taste-test and gradually add more. DIRECTIONS Saute yellow onion in butter - about 3-5 minutes. Add cream and bring to a boil. Add seasonings, including hot sauce. Let simmer over medium heat for about 8-10 minutes, stirring constantly. Add cheese and stir until melted. Once sauce is thickened, stir in cooked fettuccine and green onions. Serve with garlic bread and a side salad.

Steakhouse Anniversary Dinner

To celebrate our 8 years together (we have been married 2 - but known each other for 8!) - my husband and I went out for a delicious dinner! We went to my favorite steakhouse, but I don't get the steak. I CRAVE their crab cake! It looks like this...

I also get the shrimp & lobster bisque. AMAZING! Then, because it was our anniversary - they bring out a delicious cheesecake for desert!

Along with a few glasses of wine, it was the perfect dinner! A wonderful celebration. Can't wait till our 40th anniversary!

Mardi Gras Part II

So it's been another weekend filled with parades and fun! I love to use my beads to fill up vases around the house. This is one of my favorite vases I got as a wedding gift!

It looks perfect on my little marble side table in the living room!

We caught a lot of beads last night!

It's been a great Mardi Gras - I can't wait till next year! Until then - Laissez Les Bon Temps Rouler!!!!

Ash Wednesday & Lent

Ash Wednesday is next week. It's the day after Mardi Gras - everyone parties until midnight - and then is stops. The season of Lent leads up to Easter (40 days). It lasts from Ash Wednesday to Maundy Thursday (Easter Eve) and it's a spiritual time, especially for the Catholic faith - a time of reflection. My husband is Catholic and I'm Episcopal. They are pretty similar in beliefs - we have a Bishop instead of the Pope, being a major difference. No meat on Fridays - so in my household I will be making a lot of seafood. A lot of people "give up" something for Lent. One of my friends gave up alcohol once. I have chosen to give up Facebook. Can I REALLY go 40 days with no status updates,check-ins, looking everyone's cute baby and pet pictures? I will have to because I have already made a promise that I will not be on Facebook. It may require prayer - when I have the temptation. I will still have Instigram and my blog though. I'm going back to the era of no Facebook!

King Cake!

King Cake is special to the Mardi Gras season. It comes in all different flavors and fillings - cinnamon, cream cheese, raspberry, chocolate. My favorite is the traditional cinnamon king cake. It's topped with icing and then sprinkles of the colors of Mardi Gras - purple, green and gold. Sometimes a little plastic baby can be found inside. However, now because of choking hazards, most bakeries put the baby on the outside of the cake. Whoever gets the baby on their piece has to bring the next king cake to the party!

The inside looks like this....

This particular year of Mardi Gras has extra special meaning. This was when I met my husband at Mardi Gras in New Orleans! A big group of us in college went down for the festivities. I was on Canal Street (drinking a "Hand Grenade"- they're deadly!) and that's the spot I met my husband. The rest is history! We are getting ready to celebrate 8 years together! - I'm so glad I caught this bead at the Bacchus Parade. It will always be close to my heart:)