Steph's Pick - Panini Recipes

Mar 26, 2010

Remember this post? Probably not.... that was back in May of 2008. I can't imagine that anyone was reading our blog at that time :)


Since receiving our panini grill (which happens to be on sale!) as a gift, we've used it countless times. It's been an awesome appliance to have around the kitchen. And for those of you questioning this statement - we have a very small kitchen and don't have a ton of storage space, but I'd gladly make space for our panini grill. It makes for very easy lunches, dinners, desserts and we've even used it for "Make your own Panini Parties" (so fun btw!!!).


The following Panini recipes came from my friend, Michelle, who has yet to enter the blogging community so I've taken it upon myself to post all of her delicious treats on our blog :)


Ham and Cheese Panini (serves 4)


ingredients.

8 slices prosciutto ham

brie cheese

1 granny smith apple, thinly sliced

1/4 cup thinly diced scallions

4 tbsp. butter

8 slices sourdough bread


directions.

1. melt butter and stir in chopped scallions. spread onto bread

2. layer prosciutto, brie slices and apple slices onto bread

3. grill in a panini grill or saute in a pan for 3-5 minutes, or until cheese melts.



Slider Panini (serves 2)


ingredients.

4-6 slices good grade roast beef deli meat

2 portobello mushroom caps- sliced

3 cloves garlic - minced

1 sweet onion - sliced

1/3 cup blue cheese

4 slices sourdough bread

1 tbsp butter

2 tbsp olive oil


directions.

1. saute the onions with 1 tbsp olive oil on low-med heat for 15-20 minutes, until oinions are caramel color

2. saute the mushrooms with garlic and 1 tbsp olive oil for 5 minutes

3. spread butter on outside of bread, top with roast beef, mushroom mixture, onions and blue cheese. grill in panini press or in a saute pan for 4-5 minutes.

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i♥hats

Mar 24, 2010

thanks laura and phil... you're the best!!!

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Steph's Pick - Amy Butler Fabric

Mar 19, 2010

Now, I'll admit, I'm a little biased towards pretty things. I think most of us would admit that we are, right? So when I was first introduced to textile design guru, Amy Butler's fabric a couple months back, I couldn't help but be pleasantly surprised. Fabric that actually looks like it was designed in the 21st century, what???!!! Although I have yet to purchase any of her lovely textiles, I'll admit, I've been drooling over so many of her lines and dreaming of my first fabric store outing ever since :)

Some of my favorite lines are featured below.


And if I am completely honest I'd have to say that one of the other things I love about Amy is that she's spent the last 20+ years in the Midwest (Kansas and Ohio). I love me some Midwest ladies.
I've got a Favorites Folder full of DIY ideas begging to be completed with Amy Butler fabric. Now I just need to convince a friend with a sewing machine to let Nora and me come over.
I can't wait...

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Scottsdale Moms Blog - Skype

Mar 17, 2010


In today's Flies Blend post over at Scottsdale Moms Blog, check out one of my favorite mom-techy resources, Skype. A must have for all parents out there. (Added bonus: It's FREE!)

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mr. sun

Mar 15, 2010


oh mister sun, sun,
mister golden sun,
please shine down on me!


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Steph's Pick - Cream Cheese Salsa Chicken

Mar 12, 2010

Interested in an easy-peasy recipe??? And by easy I mean E-A-S-Y!!! Isn't every cook looking for the occassional recipe that takes no time and tastes super yummy?


My sister-in-law, Sara (due any day with baby r), gave me this recipe and since sending it to me I've probably made it half a dozen times. Gotta love my sister-in-laws!!!


cream cheese salsa chicken


ingredients.

3-4 Frozen Chicken Breasts

1 can black beans (rinsed)

1 can whole kernel corn

1 jar salsa

8 oz cream cheese


directions.

Simply throw everything (minus the cream cheese) in a crockpot and cook on high for 5 hours. Add the cream cheese to melt over everything the last 30 minutes. Shred chicken and serve over rice or in tortilla's.


(And for those of you wondering about the frozen chicken breasts - yes - that's the best part of this recipe. Throw it in and don't even think about dethawing them.)

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SpaFinder.com Deal Days

Mar 9, 2010

Spa Deals - yes please!!! Count me in! All across the nation spas are offering select treatments for only $50.

Although I have yet to actually participate in this event, I just got off the phone with the Hotel Valley Ho booking my treatment - The Best Fifty (25 min Facial and 25 min Massage) - yipee!!

Go
here to enter your email and zip code to find participating spas in your area. There are all kinds of treatments like massages, pedicures, body wraps, facials and more.

Everyone could use a little pampering, right? Book your appointment before Sunday.

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Nora Recommends - Personalized Inchbug Labels

Mar 8, 2010


I'm not ashamed to admit that I LOVE our church nursery!!! What an incredible blessing that other people are willing to watch our little cutie-patutie while we go to church. After retrieving Nora from the nursery a couple of times we would always find all of our valuables (the 3 B's - Baby, Bottle and Bag) labeled with Nora's name written on masking tape. You know me - that just wasn't going to do.

Introducing InchBug Labels for Bottles and Sippy Cups. Perfect! We were lucky enough to receive an order of these for Nora from some dear friends and they have been so fun. As you can see from the picture above, they are perfect for our bottles and will work just as well with her sippy cups in the future.

On another note - it's cold (brrrrrr...) and rainy here in AZ today. Although it isn't preferrable weather it was a great reason to bust out one of Nora's cute hats. Yipee.... love me some TwoSeasideBabes hats!!!

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Steph's Pick - ScottsdaleMomsBlog.com

Mar 4, 2010

As most of you know, I became a mom to our daughter, Nora, in July. Mommy-hood has been such a great adventure!

In my short stint as a mommy, I quickly noticed that there were not many resources online for Scottsdale Moms. So, my friend Joy and I decided something must be done. So we have started a blog highlighting great things to do in Scottsdale, local businesses, mommy resources and soon Scottsdale Moms Spotlights (highlighting mommies right here in Scottsdale who have extraordinary skills and wisdom to share.)

To launch our site, we want to give YOU a present! We have a $25 GIFT CARD to the dawwling little baby store
Moonbeams. (I did say we are about supporting those small business owners around these parts.)

Just go to
www.scottsdalemomsblog.com and read the short, super simple instructions. Then, pass it onto your friends.

(oh - and look for us on Facebook too!)

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Florida Keys

Mar 2, 2010

Last week we were fortunate enough to spend a 5-day family vacation in the Florida Keys with Mom and Dad Triggs, Mom Flies and Nick, Abby and Adelyn. How fun is that!!!???Seriously.

We spent our days playing with babies, watching a little Olympics (Go USA!!!), chatting with the ladies, getting some sun, taste-testing Key Lime Pie, cookin' yummy food and lovin on our family. It was such a blessing to have some serious R&R with both of our families.
I thought in order to give you all an idea of how our trip went I'd give you a short list of the Do's and Don't's in traveling with a 7 month old :)

DO be sure to pack enough diapers in your diaper bag for the flight (wish I would have taken this advice - yes - we did spend 30+ min frantically looking for a couple more diapers in MIA)

DON'T bring a stroller that won't fit through security. It only adds more time onto your already lengthy security check.

DO bring a portable DVD player for easy access entertainment on the plane and in the car

DON'T plan on reading on the plane. I used to love this aspect of traveling.

DO vacation with your family. It was a blast!

And finally DON'T try the Rum Runner (the Key Lime Pina Colada was much better - hehe)

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Steph's Pick - Free Photo Canvas

Feb 26, 2010

There's something about canvas art that I just love. I'm always thinking of new things I can create with canvas. Remember this monogrammed wall art?

Well since receiving Nora's newborn photos from Kimberly Bee I've been searching for a company that prints photos on canvas. The hardest part of this search has been finding affordable printers. I wasn't about to spend hundreds of dollars.

Canvas People is having an AWESOME deal right now. They are offering a FREE 8x10 photo canvas per household. (A $55 savings). All you have to do is pay s&h (app. $15).

Now I waited to post this until receiving my canvas in the mail (just to make sure I was suggesting something worthwhile). It came last week and looks great!!! I'd highly suggest you snag one of these today.

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Gone - Beach style

Feb 24, 2010

Yahoo - we're in the Florida Keys this week and LOVING it!! Will post about our trip when we return.
xoxo

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Steph's Pick - Peach Crumb Cake

Feb 18, 2010

Alright Kristina - you're dead!!!
Seriously.
Just a couple weeks back my dear friend Kristina introduced me to
Bakerella and my life hasn't been the same since. You all don't even want to know all of the things I've made off of this site since we met. One of the things I've had 2x (yes - 2x in 3 weeks) is Bakerella's Peach Crumb Cake. It's probably the easiest thing I've EVER made and for those of you with a serious sweet tooth - I promise you - you will thank me.


Peach Crunch Cake

Ingredients.
24.5 oz jar of sliced peaches in light syrup (yes - you saw that right - CANNED peaches - I still can't believe it)
1 package yellow cake mix
1 stick butter (1/2 cup), cut into 16 pieces
1 cup brown sugar
1/2 cup chopped walnuts

Directions.
Preheat oven to 350 degrees F.
Layer ingredients in a 13 X 9 dish, in order starting with the peaches.
Bake for about 40 minutes.
Serve warm or cold… with or without ice cream.


See Bakerella for drool-worthy step-by-step instructions.

Photos: Bakerella.com

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Nora Recommends - Mustela Dermo-Cleansing

Feb 16, 2010

Like so many things, I heard about Mustela's Dermo-Cleansing from another mommy friend. It came up in conversation as we were talking about Nora's baby acne :) I figured I really had nothing to lose so I ran over to Babies "R" Us and bought a bottle. Now - the price tag is a little shocking (around $16/bottle); however, I assure you, it lasted nearly 6 months for us.
I fell in love with it after the first use. Couple things I love about it - it's neutral pH, hypoallergenic, makes baby's skin so soft and lastly, it smells so good. I really would recommend it above the other baby washes. If you do try it - let me know what you think.

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BrandedPHX - Become a Modern Day Abolotionist

Feb 15, 2010


I know, I know - not the kind of posts our blog is known for. However - we should be known for things like this. Because as it says in Hillsong’s song, "Inside Out"

“…Consume me from the inside out Lord
Let justice and praise become my embrace
To love You from the inside out...”

jus-tice [juhs-tis]- noun – the principle or ideal of just dealing or right action

This past weekend Alan and I were invited to attend a viewing of a documentary film called Branded. Although we knew a little about this city initiative of Food for the Hungry we were in for a real shock to the intensity of the information presented.

For example – Did you know that the average entry age of a child prostitute in Phoenix is 13 years old? Every day hundreds of children wake up in an enslaving nightmare. And every day they know they will have to complete the most dehumanizing of tasks before they will be allowed to sleep again.

You see there is a subtle myth that slavery was vanquished in the 19th century. In reality it hasn’t been defeated and there are more slaves today than any other time of human history. In fact, everyday, there are thousands of slaves across the United States. Thousands brought in and sold for sex and labor

Here are just 5 Quick Facts taken from the BrandedPHX website.
1. Slavery has been outlawed in every country but still occurs everywhere
2. Child prostitutes serve between 100 to 1500 clients per year, per child.
3. One million children are forced to work in the sex industry every year. Between 100,000 and 300,000 children in America are at risk for sex trafficking each year.
4. Among the millions trafficked each year hundreds of thousands are teenage girls, and others as young as 5, who fall victim to the sex trade.
5. One of the fastest growing markets for child prostitution is in the United States.

So the big question is – what can we do? Our voice can make a difference. From what we can understand, the city is prepared to slash in half the Phoenix VICE Squad due to budget cuts. This will severely handicap the effort to eradicate child sex slavery in Phoenix, and put more of our young girls at risk. Therefore, we have only one option. To raise the voices of concerned Valley citizens in opposition to this cut. Please see the below suggestions for political advocacy.

1. Sign the Petition - http://apps.facebook.com/causes/petitions/375?m=750a8b7e

2. Call the Phoenix City Council 602-262-4800
3. Write the PHOENIX City Council budget.research@phoenix.gov
REMEMBER: Phoenix VICE Officers have jurisdiction beyond the city of Phoenix. Losing the VICE squad in Phoenix means losing the VICE squad that serves YOUR community.
4. Attend a Hearing. There WILL be a hearing in YOUR district. http://phoenix.gov/budget/index.html

5. Educate EVERYONE in your sphere of influence. Each and every one of us can make a difference.

Note: This is not just an isolated Phoenix situation. This problem is everywhere. BrandedPHX is just working to establish a plan for eradicating child sex slavery with hopes that this can become a nationwide campaign.

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Valentine's Day Gift Idea's

Feb 12, 2010

Need some fun idea's for Valentine's Day Gifts? Here are just a few fabulous (and fairly easy) ideas.

1. Cupcake Take Along - believe it or not. isn't that the cutest way to package up all one might need to make cupcakes. I'm already dreaming of how I might be able to use this idea soon.
2. A Valentine's Day Gift Box of Cake - yes! really. Bakerella has done it again.
3. Printable Valentine's Day Gift Tags
4. Rock Candy - Sorry Nora - You have no say in your upcoming Valentine's day treats for your fellow classmates - we will be doing Rock Candy ASAP. Even if it's in a few years :)

Happy Valentine's Day Everyone!

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{♥♥xoxo♥♥}

Feb 10, 2010

{xoxoxo}

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wishing away these days

Feb 8, 2010

there are days when I just can't get enough of nora at this age.
i just want to eat it all up and pay attention to each and every detail.
i'm constantly reminded that God has so much for me right NOW.
wishing away these days will only mean missing out on what treasures He has in store.
however, i'll be honest... when I find little shoes like these...i can't help but look forward to the day she'll fit in them :)
...oh please come soon cute shoe days...

so here's to TODAY and all of the today's to come
xoxoxo

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Steph's (and Alan's) Pick - 5 Great Websites

Feb 5, 2010

Isn't the internet so great?!!! (and so bad at the same time) I can spend countless hours on the internet reading about people's lives, drooling over delicious food, researching child-rearing questions or shopping for Nora's new outfit. I'll be the first to admit - I spend way too much time on the computer. However, it's hard not to when there are so many great sites. Which is exactly what I wanted to post about. Below are four of my favorite websites/blogs and Alan will make it five with one of his favorites.


Our Top 5 Websites.
1. Cool Mom Picks - a great guide for the coolest gifts and gear for parents. Plus they do lots of FREE giveaways! I've found so many great things on this site.

2. Young House Love - the story of two young people falling in love with their first house. Love it! This site makes me want to buy a 50+ year old home and get to work. Plus she's expecting a little girl - so fun.

3. Bakerella - Incredible (and easy) recipes for those of you who love to bake. I was just introduced to this and am in love. Bakerella - where have you been all of my life?!!!

4. Becoming Mom - Another great mommy blog. One of the things I love most about this blog is her photography and photoshop tutorials. Although she has a ton of other great stuff as well.

5. Alan's Pick - BlogMaverick.com - Mark Cuban's (arguably one of America's finest entrepreneur) weblog.


What sites do you love? Comment below...

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happy (belated) 6 months

Feb 1, 2010

6 months.
17 lbs 4 oz.
27 inches.
extrovert. (yes. already.)
swaddle-less. finally.
solids.
passionate.
almost crawling.
fearful of hats.
errand lover.
energetic.
we. love. you. nora.
think i'm creative? think again. i'm simply surrounded by very creative people who inspire me.
(above dress made by a dear friend - so cute, huh?)

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