carolina shrimp and grits.

I’m from the south. I don’t think that’s any kind of secret. It never fails, that this time of year, I crave delicous southern meals more than ever. With the weather finally perking up, I can’t wait to get out of town and head east to some of my favorite coastal areas, Charleston being one of them. Today I’m living by the motto “If you can’t be in Charleston, you bring Charleston to you.”

Carolina Shrimp and Grits

Ingredients  For Shrimp

1. 2 slices bacon
2. 1 lb unpeeled medium raw shrimp
3. 1/8 teaspoon salt
4. 1/4 teaspoon pepper
5. 1/4 cup all-purpose flour
6. 1 cup sliced fresh mushrooms
7. 2 teaspoons canola oil
8. 1/2 cup chopped green onion
9. 2 garlic cloves, minced
10. 1 cup fat-free low-sodium chicken broth
11. 2 tablespoons fresh lemon juice
12. 1/4 teaspoon hot sauce

For Cheese Grits

1. 1 (14 ounce) cans fat-free low-sodium chicken broth
2. 1 cup nonfat milk
3. 1/2 teaspoon salt
4. 1 cup uncooked quick-cooking grits
5. 3/4 cup shredded 2% reduced-fat sharp cheddar cheese
6. 1/4 cup freshly grated parmesan cheese
7. 1/2 teaspoon hot sauce
8. 1/4 teaspoon white pepper

Directions

For Shrimp:.

1. Over medium heat cook bacon in a large nonstick skillet for 10 minutes or until crisp; remove bacon, crumble, and drain on paper towels, reserving 1 tsp drippings in skillet.
2. Peel shrimp and devein, if desired.
3. Sprinkle shrimp with salt and pepper; then dredge in flour.
4. Sauté mushrooms in hot bacon drippings with oil in skillet 5 minutes or until tender.
5. Add green onions, and sauté 2 minutes.
6. Add shrimp and garlic, and sauté 2 minutes or until shrimp are lightly browned.
7. Stir in chicken broth, lemon juice, and hot sauce, and cook 2 more minutes, stirring to loosen particles from bottom of skillet.
8. Spoon shrimp mixture over hot Cheese Grits; sprinkle with crumbled bacon.

For Cheese Grits:.

1. Bring first 3 ingredients and 1 1/3 cups water to a boil in a medium saucepan over medium-high heat; gradually whisk in grits. Reduce heat to low, and simmer, stirring occasionally, 10 minutes or until thickened. Stir in Cheddar cheese and next 3 ingredients.

recipe source

four years.

On this day four years ago, John and I were hopping off a plane and sinking our toes into the gorgeous white sand of some St Lucia beach.

Don’t think that I’m not living vicariously through our honeymoon pictures currently. Our four years have given us quite the roller coaster. We’ve battled unemployment, new jobs (multiple times!), two rental homes, a baby, and a plethora of other curve balls that life can throw at you. Honestly though, there is no one else in this world that I’d rather face it all with than John. I look so forward to this next year and what it will bring.

boston and motherhood

I’m sitting here watching the television coverage of the Boston Marathon bombing, like most of the world. My son, is sitting in the floor in front of me playing with his cars, trains, and blocks. The irony is not lost on me of this moment. Here is something tragic, sad, and scary occurring in our world, and his biggest concern is filling his dump truck with blocks. He isn’t aware of the situation, he has no idea what is going on, his innocence is still perfectly intact. Thank God.

How to we raise our children in a world that is full of ugliness, hatred, and sin? How do we teach them that despite what the world does, you should LOVE your neighbor as yourself.

I know that one day, far before I am ready, I will have to face tough moments with my son. I will have to explain, as best as I can, why bombs go off while people are running marathons, why planes are purposefully flown into buildings, or why children are shot in their elementary school. This is the world my son will grow up in. This is the only world he will know. And that is terrifying to me as a mother.

I would hope, that in those tough moments, I can teach my son about grace. I hope I can teach him that in the midst of these horrific situations, there are heroes who are helping others. And that in the middle of the tragedy, there is good. And he should be that good.
I really don’t care if Landon wants to be a doctor, lawyer, or politician. What I care about is my son’s heart. I care that he knows what it means to love other people. I care that he has a kind and giving spirit. I care that he is good, in a world where there is bad.

Lets face it, being a mom in this scary world is just that….scary.

"When I was a boy and I would see scary things in the news, my mother would say to me, "Look for the helpers. You will always find people who are helping." To this day, especially in times of "disaster," I remember my mother's words and I am always comforted by realizing that there are still so many helpers -- so many caring people in this world." -Fred Rogers

bloglovin

Here's the obligatory google-reader-is-out-and-bloglovin-is-in post. So with that said....follow me on bloglovin!

Easter

We had an amazing weekend full of family, fun, eggs, and surprisingly gorgeous weather. After temperatures in the 40s and 50s the past few weeks, we were graced with a gorgeous mid-60 degree day on Saturday. Perfect for egg hunting! This was Landon’s first egg hunt, and I think its safe to say he loved every minute. Watching him have so much fun just fills my heart. I love Landon being at this age and getting to have so much fun at every holiday.

 

Happy Easter from our family to yours.

He is Risen, He is Risen, Indeed!

squinty eyed.

This kid. Everyday he is learning something new, testing his boundaries, and making me laugh. Lately, his favorite way to smile is with this squinty eyed look. It gets me every single stinking time. It’s the “I know I shouldn’t dunk my shoes in the dog’s water bowl but I’m doing it anyways” grin.