Friday, February 27, 2015

Friday Follow #12

Happy Friday friends! I hope you had a great week! It's been a "Guess what today is going to be like" kind of week here. One day it's been nice and warm, the next day it's been cold and chilly. Rain storms are forecasted this weekend, like they were last weekend. Saturday, Katelyn has a Robotics competition at ASU all day, with schools from all over the Valley. Surprisingly, while she wants to be an Equine vet, she shares her father's love for electronics. Her coach, worked on the animatronics at Disneyworld. Lindsay even jokes about one day her sister will build a robot to do housework. I asked her what would she do if she didn't have her chores to do! Of course she said "Have Fun"!      The Jetson way of life is not too far off, my friends!

I wait all week for this day! Friday Follow's are one of my favorite post, because I hope it helps you to find new and inspiring blogs to follow! Thanks to Pinterest and Instagram their Inspiration gave me so many ideas, with too many being my favorites, that  I would really love to share them all with you. I just don't want to take up all of your time, so here are a couple to spread the love and inspiration!


Love the book shelf with the drawers. She also has some amazing burlap projects!

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When I first popped in, I instantly enjoyed her graceful style! Love the hanging bedside artwork, and printable calendar, not to mention the simple beauty of the pussywillows!





 This isn't a new blog for me, but if you are looking for inspiration on Chic Coastal Living, then this is fabulous blog to add to your list!




Her home is just that....Enchanting!



Have a great weekend! Until next time!
xo, Christine


Thursday, February 26, 2015

Healthy Mediterranean Quinoa Salad


Quinoa is a healthy whole grain (well, a seed actually), of the amaranth family, cultivated mainly in Peru, Bolivia, and Chile. One half cup of Quinoa is packed with 12 grams of protein. It fills you up and leaves you satisfied. You can find the quinoa in the rice section of your grocery store.

This was my husband's first time eating quinoa. He loves salad, and when he asked me what this was I told him it was a salad with Mediterranean flavors – quinoa, cucumbers, roma tomatoes, kalamata olives,, basil, baby peppers, extra virgin olive oil, fresh lemon, red wine vinegar, avocado and a little feta cheese. I'm pretty sure he was expecting a romaine salad he could pour blue cheese dressing on, (which is what I would do IF we weren't trying to eat healthier), and maybe next time I will serve this on a bed of lettuce. I am happy to report, there was a lot left over and he took it to work for lunch, and told me it tasted even better the second day. It really is a light refreshing salad. That only takes less than 15 minutes to make. Which would come in handy for a late night supper, if you only wanted something lite!


I cooked the quinoa according to the package, ( saying 1 1/2 cups water) but ended up adding about an extra cup of water, about 2  to 2 1/2 cups of water. While the quinoa was cooking I chopped up the basil, baby peppers, cucumber, tomatoe, and avocado.


After the quinoa was finished cooking, I set aside to let it cool about 5 minutes. After it had cooled for a bit,  I fluffed it with a for, and then added the chopped veggies, basil, avocado and olives with olive oil, lemon juice and red wine vineagar. Topped it with some feta cheese


Mediterranean Quinoa Salad

Ingredients:

  • 1 cup quinoa
  • 2 to 2 1/4 cups water
  • 1 avocado, diced
  • 1/4 cup basil
  • 1/2 a lemon, squeezed
  • 1/4 cup kalamata olives, pitted and sliced
  • 2 tbsp extra virgin olive oil
  • 1 tbsp. red wine vineagar
  • 1 cucumber, diced
  • 1 roma tomatoe, diced
  • 1/3 cup crumbled feta
  • 5 baby peppers, diced (they are not hot, so you do not need to seed them), you could use red, green or yellow bell pepper, I just had these in my fridge
  • salt and fresh pepper, to taste
Directions:

1. Fill a medium pot with 2 cups water. Add quinoa and salt to taste and bring to a boil . Reduce, heat to low, cover and simmer, 10 minutes. Remove from heat and keep covered for another 5 minutes. Do not lift the lid. Fluff with a fork and set aside in a large mixing bowl to cool.

2. While the quinoa cools, dice all the vegetables. Add the avocado, basil, olives, cucumber, tomatoe, baby peppers to the cooled quinoa, and squeeze 1/2 lemon over it.  

3. Toss with the olive oil and red wine vinegar, with the quinoa and veggies. Top with feta. Salt and pepper to taste and toss again. Serve with a wedge of lemon.

Makes about 6 cups.

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Wednesday, February 25, 2015

A Week in CASL photos: February 19- February 25

I am so glad you stopped by to visit me today! What I love about Wednesday is that I get to share with you a peek into what my week has been like, and possibly a sneak peek to what next week will bring. I've tried 365 Photo or Daily photo memes several times before, and surprisingly, I am getting farther posting my photos once a week, instead of once a day. It makes a big difference, and it's really nice to look back and see a slice of my day!

February 19th...Fresh...Love the smell of fresh lemon and basil. I made a delicious Lemon-Basil butter, that I added to my Greek Lemon-Basil chicken soup. Finishing the soup with the butter gives it a rich, velvety taste, giving it that happy combo of the lemon basil.

 
February 20th- This is so me...It was a gorgeous night out. Had the windows down, you couldn't help but not put your hands out the window. Why this is so me? I love road trips. The feel of the open road. Just to drive, finding new adventures. Spring break is in a week and a half, and I'm getting super excited. Heads it's California, Tails it's Vegas.
 
 
February 21st- Matching...My favorite pair of earrings. I love these shell earrings. They remind me of the ocean. If you are looking for a project to chase away the winter blues, over at 11 Gables, she has a gorgeous project involving gold leaf and shells! Which would really brighten up my day!

 
February 22nd- Macro...I don't really own a Macro lens, I just use either my phone or my tablet to take pictures. Macro photography is photography producing photographs of small items larger than life size. For keeping a clear shot, I think I did pretty good. If you couldn't allready tell, I love photography. My father was a really great photographer. Back in the 70s he took most of my baby and toddler photos in black and whites that are very dear to me. My oldest daughter, living in Washington state, has taken some amazing shots of Mt. Baker and of the surrounding forests. For me Photography captures the beauty of our world. Here's a shot of a Daffodil I picked up this past
weekend.
 
 
 
February 23rd- Fixing...My original thought was to take a shot of me fixing dinner, but after I stepped outside I thought this shot, fixing for a storm at dusk was prettier, than the one of me sautéing chicken breasts. Living here in Arizona, this seems to be the norm. One day it's gorgeous, the next it's rainy and freezing. I shouldn't complain, it's no where near negative temperatures.


February 24th... 12:00...My lunch...Mediterranean Quinoa salad...This is a sneak peek of a recipe I will be posting tomorrow. Again, loving the lemon basil flavors, quinoa, red bell pepper, and avocado with feta cheese. Delish!

 
I am missing a day, this morning I need to take my daughter to a doctors appointment. She's had a really bad cough that won't go away. Will update this post when I get back!
 

Are you on Instagram?  You really should be!!  I recently started a photo a day prompt on #fmsphotoaday.

 

 Let me know if you decide to join in the fun!
Have a great rest of your week! Until next time!
xo, Christine

Tuesday, February 24, 2015

Greek Lemon-Basil Chicken soup


When my oldest daughter had the flu, she only wanted Minestrone soup. Even to this day, when she's sick this is what comforts her and gets her feeling better. This is also one of my husband's favorite soups, and while I'm not a huge fan of Minestrone, when I added my touch of a Lemon-Basil butter to finish the soup, it changed my whole world, simply for the fact that I love anything with lemons in it.




The first step is to make the Lemon-Basil butter. Basically it's about 1 cup of Basil chopped, 1/2 cup butter, softened, but not melted, the juice of 1 lemon, 1 Tbls. minced garlic and a pinch of salt. All mixed together, and refrigerated for an hour.


In two small batches, sauté half the bag of spinach with 1/2 Tbls. lemon butter. Wilt the spinach, until it is reduced in size by about half. Repeat with the remaing half. Set aside.


Usually I use chicken breast or tenders, but this week, chicken wasn't on special, so I picked up some chicken thighs. Again, if I buy thighs I usually buy boneless, but couldn't find any. Truth be told, I like chicken thighs, their fat, adds so much flavor to a dish, that I thought this would be perfect for the soup. I sautéed the chicken thighs on medium high heat, in 1 Tbls. of lemon-butter for about 12 minutes on each side, until the skin is a crisp golden brown, and the juices run clear. I cooked six thighs, in two batches.



While the chicken is cooking. To a large stock pot, I added the chicken stock, tomatoes, white beans, spinach and shells. Season with salt and pepper. Bring to a boil. Then reduce heat to medium, and cook the shells for about 8-10 minutes.


After the chicken is fully cooked,  the juices run clear, set aside for 5 minutes to cool. After slightly cooled, shred the chicken off the bone and add to the soup. Then add the Kalamata olives.

I love this part. One day I will share my Nana's Clam Chowder recipe, but this is what I love about finishing soups. She told me that her mother told her, after ladling the soup, and before serving the soup, place about 1 tsp. of butter on the top of the soup. She told me it's this loving touch that gives the soup it's rich flavor. And she was right. Every time I do this, it really makes the soup complete with the added extra touch of butter and basil. Hope this soup warms you up on a cold winter's day!

Greek Lemon-Basil Chicken soup
Lemon-Basil Butter:
1 cup basil chopped
1/2 cup (1 stick) of softened butter
Juice of one lemon
pinch of salt
1 Tbls. minced garlic
Soup:
6 chicken thighs, sautéed and shredded
6 cups chicken broth
1- 15 oz. can diced tomatoes
Salt and Pepper
1- 15 oz. can white beans, drained
1- 16oz. box of shell pasta
10 oz. fresh spinach
1/4 cup Kalamata olives
1. In a small bowl add 1 cup of Basil chopped, 1/2 cup butter, softened, but not melted, the juice of 1 lemon, 1 Tbls. minced garlic and a pinch of salt. All mixed together, and refrigerated for an hour.
2. In two small batches, sauté half the bag of spinach with 1/2 Tbls. lemon butter. Wilt the spinach, until it is reduced in size by about half. Repeat with the remaing half. Set aside.
3. Sauté the chicken thighs on medium high heat, in 1 Tbls. of lemon-butter for about 12 minutes on each side, until the skin is a crisp golden brown, and the juices run clear. I cooked six thighs, in two batches.
4. In a large stock pot, add the chicken stock, tomatoes, white beans, spinach and shells. Season with salt and pepper. Bring to a boil. Then reduce heat to medium, and cook the shells for about 8-10 minutes.
5.  When the chicken is fully cooked,  the juices run clear, set aside for 5 minutes to cool. After slightly cooled, shred the chicken off the bone and add to the soup. Then add the Kalamata olives.
6. Ladle the soup into bowls. Just before serving add 1 tsp. of the Lemon-Basil butter to melt on top.
Serve with crusty Italian bread!

Monday, February 23, 2015

Happy Monday! Thoughts of Spring and the Color Purple

Happy Monday! Hope you all had a great weekend! It wasn't too busy of a weekend, just doing fun little things! We worked on two small Spring crafts, planted tomato seeds, picked up a couple new pillows for my couch, and got hair cuts. The weather has been pretty nice lately pushing 80F, except for this weekend, winter tried to push back spring with a cold chill and threat of rain. So I'm sitting here drinking my tea, dreaming of Spring!

1. Lilacs

 
via Country Living: 6 Ways to bring luck to your home
 
Besides being beautiful, fresh flowers are good luck in your home! I love lilacs. My grandmother has several in her back yard that I am thinking about taking several cuttings and try propagating them this spring!


2. Plum, amethyst, violet, lavender, lilac
 
 
 
While I admit, purple is not one of my favorite colors, I do love how rich, warm and dramatic of a color it is. It is so versatile, from the softest lavender to the brightest violet. Finding all the shades of purple lovely,  I could easily make purple work in my home.
 
For my living room, I would love to mix the jeweled tones of purple and turquoise.
 
 
3. Lavender
 
 
Lavender is one thing I don't have a problem growing here in Arizona. One tiny plant can overgrow my garden bed in a year without very little water. For this reason, and many more, for instance it's medicinal properties, the calming effect it has, and  you can bake and craft with lavender, making it one of my all time favorite plants.
 
 
 
4.  Amethyst
 
I can almost feel the spring breeze and smell the fresh air, sitting outdoors on a veranda. Love this monochromatic tablescape in amethyst, from the palest shade of amethyst of the tablecloth to the deepest and brightest shade of the calla lilies and every shade in between with the glassware and vases. Absolutely superb!
 
 
 
5. Blackberry
 
My daughter and I were talking about berries yesterday. She heard that berries help protect us from cancer with their antioxidants.
The things these children are learning at school, amazes me! Wish I was taught that at school, we just knew to ear our fruits and vegetables. 
Since she's allergic to raspberries, she asked me what other berries I liked besides strawberries and I told her I like Blueberries and Blackberries in my smoothies. Aside from foods, I never gave Blackberry a thought about being a shade of purple,  I love to find new inspiration.
 
Again, I love this color pallet, with the jewel tone clors of the kitchen bowls.
 
 
Aside from my love of roses, this flower arrangement reminds me that
 "No winter lasts forever, and No Spring skips it's turn!" ~ Hal Berland
 

 
Wishing you all a great week! Until next time!

Friday, February 20, 2015

Follow Friday #11 : Denim and Spring

Happy Friday friends! I hope you had a great week! It's been sunny and warm here in AZ! My roses and tulips are blooming. My shrubs are coming back to life. Spring is definitely hinting, that it is on it's way! What I have been working on this week: My husband did bring me a belt sander, and I did start sanding my accent table. Let's see how much I get done this weekend! I'll have a sneak peek sometime of that project! He also is getting the top ready for Katelyn's dresser, I just need to go pick out the legs for the bottom! Who ever said some things take time wasn't kidding!

I wait all week for this day! Friday Follow's are one of my favorite post, because I hope it helps you to find new and inspiring blogs to follow! Thanks to Pinterest and Instagram their Inspiration gave me so many ideas, with too many being my favorites, that  I would really love to share them all with you. I just don't want to take up all of your time, so here are a couple to spread the love and inspiration!


 
Crushing on Mason jars! These look lovely in denim!
 
 
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Love the name of her blog! She also shares some pretty cool and amazing DIYs!
 
 
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Love her decorating style! She also has some real fun DIYs!
 
 
 
 
Found her article on Tips for shopping at HomeGoods very interesting!
 
 
Have a Great Weekend! Until Next time!
 

Thursday, February 19, 2015

Easy Dark Chocolate Nutella Brownies



Hello! Happy day before Friday! Wow, this week has just flown by! My children had Monday off in observance of President's Day and they had early release yesterday, so for today being Thursday, I am wondering where the week went! It is definitely feeling like Spring around here, for those of you in negative numbers, I hope it being close to 80F, sends you some warmth and sunshine! My tulips are blooming, and there are even a couple buds on my rosebushes. I don't even think they know it's still winter!

If you saw my post yesterday, then you read how I'd been procrastinating on writing this post, simply because, and I can't believe I'm saying this, but I had enough chocolate to last a month or at least until I ran out of, which is what happened two days ago. It started with the cake I made for Lindsay's 9th Birthday! It was a  Dark Chocolate ganche, and strawberry filled cream cheese heart cake.  I got the inspiration from Pioneer Woman's Chocolate Strawberry Nutella cake. With that cake and all the Valentine's chocolate, I could not look at or eat anymore.

I had planned to cover the entire ganache covered cake with cream cheese frosting, except the strawberries left a huge gap between cake layers, so I went with a more open cake concept. I actually like the double black on white look with the heart on top! Oh my gosh, this cake was gone in two days! The recipe was really moist but dense and really easy to make! It is definitely one of my top chocolate go to recipes.




This Nutella glazed brownie recipe is even easier than this chocolate cake recipe, because it only has 4 ingredients and you can make it in one bowl (after you melt the chocolate)! After I took one bite of these brownies, it reminded me of eating a Ferrero Roche, bursting with  Nutella hazelnut flavor. Total prep time and baking time was around 30 minutes or less. If you need a quick dessert, or need a chocolate fix immediately, this is one to make.


Dark Chocolate Nutella Brownies
Ingredients:  

  • 1 1/2 cups dark chocolate chips, divided
  • 1/2 cup Nutella
  • 1 stick (4 ounces) SALTED butter
  • 3 large eggs, at room temperature
  • 1 cup all purpose flour 

  • For topping:

  • 1/2 cup Nutella
  •  Mini chocolate chips or chopped nuts
  • Powdered sugar and fresh fruit

  •  Instructions:

    Instructions

    1. Preheat oven to 350F.

    2. In a small saucepan melt the butter and 1/2 cup of the chocolate chips over medium-low heat, stirring frequently. Once the butter is completely melted and the chocolate chips have completely melted, stir in the nutella. Remove from heat to cool for about 5 minutes.
    3.  Now I did not add a cup of sugar the recipe called for, I am trying to cut back on sugar, but you may at this time add up to 1 cup of sugar and beat well. Then add eggs, and  flour, stirring until just combined! Fold in remaining chocolate chips.
    4. Pour batter into a lightly greased 8×8 baking dish and bake for 20 minutes.
    5. Remove from oven; let cool for at least 5 minutes, then cut into squares and serve!

    6. If topping, simply glaze brownies with extra nutella and sprinkle with chocolate chips, chopped nuts, or powdered sugar and fresh fruit right before serving.
    Here are a couple more Nutella recipes (with or could be made with) I would love to try for next time! Enjoy!

    



    Wednesday, February 18, 2015

    A Week in CASL Photos: February 12- February 18

    I am so glad you stopped by to visit me today! What I love about Wednesday is that I get to share with you a peek into what my week has been like, and possibly a sneak peek to what next week will bring. I've tried 365 Photo or Daily photo memes several times before, and surprisingly, I am getting farther posting my photos once a week, instead of once a day. It makes a big difference, and it's really nice to look back and see a slice of my day!
     

    February 12- Pointy- How does that saying go again? "All we need is LOVE!!" When I think of pointy this time of year, I think of Cupid's Arrows!


    February 13- What tempts me...Chocolate gets me every time!! I've even dedicated a full board on There is a lot to be said about planning your blog posts. Not that I've been procrastinating, well maybe a little. Truth be told I am all chocolate out! I didn't think I could say it, but there it is..Seriously...I had a post planned for brownies, but with the cake I made for Lindsay's birthday, (which is the post I should have written, and I do have a picture of that), and the mountain of chocolate for Valentine's Day, I couldn't look or eat anymore chocolate! With that my post is coming, since I ran out of chocolate last night! It did help me realize to become better at planning out my posts. Does anyone else plan out their posts in advance, or do you post when you feel inspired?


    February 14- LOVE- Me and my husband about two years ago in Vegas!
     
    Every Valentine's Day my hunny gifts me with Yellow roses, because they are my favorite, and since we are high school sweethearts, the first time he gave me yellow roses, for friendship. I think he didn't want to scare me off, with red roses. He is my best friend, so it always seemed perfect for me and, it's lasted ever since. This year he surprised with another one of my favorites peach orchids.
     
     
     
    February 15- Spot...I spotted this giraffe at Home Goods the other day!
     
     
    What I was really looking for were some new candle stands and coastal décor, like these!
     
     
     
     
     
     
     
     
     
     
     
     February 16- Where I stand... After Home Goods, I stopped by my favorite used bookstore to pick up my favorite magazines and a cook book or two. Can anyone else get lost in a used book store like me for hours?
     
     
    February 17- Routine- My morning routine... A cup of coffee in my favorite DIY Watercolor mug (that just happens to be my #1 on Pinterest) and a Triple Berry Smoothie today! Both help jumpstart my morning for this busy momma of 4! You can find more smoothie recipes on my
     
     
     
     
     
    February 18...Bedside...Teatime reading my new magazines. The quote on the teatag reads
    "Tomorrow is the first blank page of a 365 page book. Write a good one."- Brad Paisley
     
     
     
    If you are interested I am following THIS photo a day prompt!

    You can  Follow me here on Instagram !

    Let me know if you decide to join in the fun!
    Have a great rest of your week! Until next time!