Hi world! :) I probably don't blog enough. Oh well, things get busy. I need this to release all of my thoughts & creativity, though...something like a diary. I think I need this blog more than it needs me. Anyway, I'd stop reading now if you are expecting some sort of structure, because I'm afraid I have none to give today :( No sole purpose for this blog, just an array of nonsensical thoughts, all of which are pretty fabulous. For one, (because it's important to get it out of the way early) I started a business! And it was successful. And I'm doing what I love. Every. Single. Day. And still having the opportunity to raise my child on my own. Pure Bliss. I tithed 10% of my first earnings the other day, because all of that was waay too much of a blessing to not give back. I owe God every single ounce of that success. And I'm happy. :) Clearly too happy to come up with the words to create real sentences. Moving on to all of my random thoughts..possibly numbered in the form of a list of no consistency.
1. It's my birthday MONTH! In fact, I have only 8 days exactly! Here's where we'll be spending that night with some close friends and too much wine:
2. Anyone who has yet to listen to Adele's albums, needs to make this your first introduction to her voice. Homegirl has some serious pipes.
3. I'm ordering THIS bedding! We have all white bedding already (I'm obsessed) but nothing close to this gorgeous texture. It's a must.
4. Cash has been a sick little bear :( He had a killer eye infection, that has caused his immune system to fall down the drain. I feel like it's hurting me more than it does him, as he's still his normal, boyish, exuberant self. He's randomly been adding "Um" to the beginning of each sentence, as an adult would who's trying to find the right words to say. He just kills me... "Um, Deuce?" (juice) "Um, Mama?" He also has come down with a terrible "fake cold" that he busts out in, with coughs & sneezes on cue. He'll stop, as long as you say "Bless You" after each one.
5. Frozen grapes are my favorite Summertime Snack! I know it's such a simple thing, (aren't those the most important?) but if you haven't frozen your grapes, then you haven't lived life fully. Or maybe you have, but they're still really good.
6. A couple of fashion mentionings, since I don't do it enough. If anyone of you haven't heard & care, Missoni for Target is coming in September, and I'm dying!!! I want scarves scarves SCARVES for fall, in their signature prints & colors. They are coming up with all of the designs now, but I saw a sneak peek online and it looked like there will be Clothing, Accessories, Bags, IPad Cases, Bicycles!?!, Home Goods, Children's Clothes...YOU NAME IT! Somebody pinch me...
7. Fashion note #2: Rachel Zoe is coming out with a freakin' kids line!!! And let's add, since she has a boy, she's paying "special attention" to the boy clothing, which she says will make up the majority of her line. In an interview, she claimed that part of her reasoning was because it was "so hard for her to find cute clothes for Skyler in the hundreds of lines out there for children." AMEN, SISTAAAA!
8. Lastly, for the fashionistas, who's ready to ditch the bikinis & rompers, and move on to something more comfy, cozy, classy, flattering & WARM!?!? I know I am!
Oh and P.S, those Tory boots... They WILL be mine!
9. I think my own mom has always been on the cutting edge of things...Or at least I like to think so. She always planned us extravagant parties, had big hair, drank lots of wine, and bought us personalized song tapes. This sounds like someone else I know? I remember my little sister having a cassette tape (bring it baaack bring it baaaack) filled with songs personalized with her name... I remember a basic kids lullaby about stars or moons or some nonsense, and then all of a sudden it'd pop out with "Alexissss, loveee the skyyyy" etc. and we would FLIP! I've been looking for something like this for Cash since he was born. His face always lights up when he hears his name on television "Cash For Gold" "Cash Money Records" "Johnny Cash" etc. etc, and I always think back to my little sister's tapes. Well...I've found it!!! A site that offers personalized songs with your kids name on a CD filled with basic kids songs. They are super cute, and I JUST ordered mine for Cash. You can find it at www.nameyourtune.com
10. I've been thinking of ways to get rid of Cash's pacifier. His "Noonie" aka lifeline aka drug aka biggest addiction has GOT to GO. He only takes it at night (thank ya Jesus!) so he's not one of those "big kids" running around the mall with one, but it still bothers me that he's so attached. I've been thinking of creative way to get rid of it, that will not make him sad. My Papa suggested that I do as he did all of us, and let Cash feed it to his Great Dane.. I'd rather not scar the kid for life. Instead, I have decided that his Daddy & I will take him out somewhere alone, tie the "Noonies" to a big bunch of balloons, and let Cash let them go. He has a huge fondness for balloons, and I feel like if I explain to him that "they will be going to other little babies" and he lets them go voluntarily, it will make for an overall pleasant experience. Wish me luck on this venture, as we are planning to do it in the next couple of weeks!
I wouldn't leave you guys without recipes!!! This blog's recipes is all about SOUTHERN CHARM. I've compiled some of my verrryyy favorite Southern staples, that I just can't live without. Eat up, ya'll!
CREOLE SHRIMP & GRITS
NEED:
2 pounds unpeeled, medium-size raw shrimp (26/30 count)
1/4 cup vegetable oil
1/3 cup all-purpose flour
1 medium onion, finely chopped
2 celery ribs, chopped
1 medium-size green bell pepper, chopped
2 garlic cloves, chopped
1 (6-oz.) can tomato paste
1 bay leaf
1 1/2 teaspoons Tony's Chacheres Creole seasoning
1 teaspoon lemon juice
1/2 teaspoon Worcestershire sauce
2 1/2 cups milk
1 teaspoon salt
1 1/2 cups uncooked quick-cooking grits
STEPS:
1. Peel shrimp, reserving shells; devein shrimp, if desired. Bring shells and 4 cups water to a boil in a medium saucepan over medium-high heat; reduce heat to low, and cook 20 minutes. Pour shrimp broth through a colander over a large bowl, pressing shells with back of a spoon; discard shells.
2. Heat oil in a Dutch oven over medium heat; stir in flour, and cook, stirring constantly, until flour is caramel colored (about 8 to 10 minutes). Add onion and next 3 ingredients, and cook, stirring often, 5 to 7 minutes or until tender. Stir in 2 cups shrimp broth, tomato paste, and next 4 ingredients. Reduce heat to low, and cook, stirring occasionally, 45 minutes. Add shrimp, and cook 10 minutes, stirring in 1/4 to 1/2 cup remaining shrimp broth to reach desired consistency.
3. Meanwhile, bring milk, 2 1/2 cups water, and salt to a boil in a saucepan over high heat. Gradually stir in grits. Reduce heat to low, and simmer, stirring occasionally, 10 to 12 minutes or until thickened. Serve Creole Shrimp over grits.
FRIED GREEN TOMATOES
NEED:
Oil
4 green tomatoes, cut into 1/4-inch rings
Kosher salt and freshly ground black pepper
3/4 cup all-purpose flour
1 tablespoon garlic powder
4 eggs
2 tablespoons milk
1 1/2 cups Panko bread crumbs
Pinch cayenne pepper
Pinch Paprika
Buttermilk Ranch Dipping Sauce, recipe follows
STEPS:
1. In a deep-fryer, preheat oil to 350 degrees F.
2. Season tomatoes, on both sides, with salt and pepper.
3. Place flour and garlic powder in a shallow dish. In another shallow dish, beat eggs with the milk. In another dish, mix bread crumbs with cayenne and paprika.
4. Dredge tomatoes through the flour, then the eggs, and then through the bread crumbs.
5. Add only a few pieces to the fryer at a time, so they can cook evenly, about 2 to 3 minutes.
6. Drain on paper towels and serve with:
Ranch Dressing:
NEED:
1/3 cup sour cream
1/2 cup mayonnaise
1 cup buttermilk
3 tablespoons freshly chopped chives
2 tablespoons freshly chopped Italian parsley leaves
1/2 teaspoon dried dill
1 teaspoon salt, divided
1 teaspoon freshly cracked black pepper
1 tablespoon white vinegar
1 tablespoon garlic paste, (use half of the salt and 5 cloves garlic smashed with the flat side of a knife, to make paste
STEPS:
In a medium bowl, combine the ingredients and blend well with fork or stick blender. Cover and refrigerate for at least 1 hour before serving.
STORMI'S GLAMMED UP GRAPEFRUIT MIMOSAS
Pour ¼ cup cranberry juice and ¼ cup pink grapefruit juice into a Champagne flute or a thin glass. Top with your favorite Champagne or Prosecco (whichever you prefer! I do Champagne!) Garnish with Grapefruit Slice & Serve immediately. Keep the juices and bubbly chilled for refills.
I'll leave you with THIS. LOOOOOVELOVE!
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