Cajun Chicken Salad

I made this salad for dinner last night and had to share the recipe with you. It was to-die-for.

Cajun Chicken Salad (adapted from Simple but perfect salads)

Ingredients
4 servings

4 skinless chicken breast
4 tsp. Cajun seasoning
1-2 ripe mango peeled and cut into thick slices
7 oz mixed salad green
1/2 red onion,chopped
5-6 medium sized beets
7-8 radishes, sliced
1/4 walnut halves

for the dressing
4 T walnut oil
2 t Dijon mustard
1 T lemon
salt and pepper

Preheat oven to 375. Wash beets and put in a foil pouch on a baking sheet. Drizzle with olive oil, salt and pepper. Roast for 25-40 minutes depending on the size of the beets. Remove from foil and allow to cool. Once they are cool to the touch, peel the skin and dice.

Spray the chicken with canola oil and sprinkle seasoning all over. Grill for about 3 minutes per side or until thoroughly cooked. Remove the chicken and set aside.

Add the mango slices to the grill and cook for 2 minutes on each side. Remove and set aside.

Meanwhile, arrange the greens in a large bowl with onion, beet, radishes, and walnuts.

Put the walnut oil, mustard, lemon juice, and salt and pepper in a bowl and whisk until well blended. Pour over the salad.

Place the salad on a plate, top with sliced chicken breast and grilled mango.

DJ Jazzy Gray

Do you remember this classic Fisher Price record player? I remember having this when I was a kid and loving it. I was so thrilled to see I could still find it. Since Gray is a music junkie (he loves dancing, listening to music, "singing" at the top of his lungs, jamming out on his maracas & drum and going to music class) we decided to get it for him for his 9 month birthday!

Gray is loving his new turntable and has already mastered the art of "scratching."
This may be the start of something big! I can see it now...

DJ Jazzy Gray and The (not-so) Fresh Ellie

Cloud 9.

My little man is getting so big.

We are so lucky to have such a happy baby!

So sweet.

"9?!?!?! Really? Mom, where does the time go?"

Pure goodness.

Pulling myself up to stand on my own.

Just a matter of time before these little legs start walking.

Taking Gray's monthly photo with his "Giant Verdi" is not as easy as it used to be.
I love the last photo where Verdi is reaching for Gray and he is crawling away.
Don't be sad Verdi, that's how I feel too. LOL.

This is a picture of Gray on his actual birthday in our hotel in DC. He was having a little business meeting in bed on his iPad. He is such a ham. I can't get over it.

Happy 9 Month Birthday Gravy!

(a little late!)

Month 8 came and went faster than I could blink my eyes. Now, my little guy is 3/4 of a year old. We spent Gray's birthday in DC. It was a perfect day. I was lucky enough to have lunch with an old friend from high school that I haven't seen in 13 years and Gray was lucky enough to meet her. Thanks for having lunch with us Kathryn!

Here are some of the things that have happened in the last month...

• Gray+crawling=Superman (faster than a speeding bullet.)
  
• Gray can now pull himself up to stand and wants to do it on everything. He has no fear. I, on the other hand, am scared to death.
  
• Gray is now taking 2 naps a day! WOO!HOO!
• Waving, when you wave at him, sometimes.

Here are some things I have learned in the last month...

• NOT to give a baby prunes if they don't really NEED prunes. BAD IDEA.
• having your baby take naps really helps with your sanity, I highly recommend it. ;)
• If you must stay in a hotel with your baby, ALWAYS get a suite.
  
• If you must fly with your baby (especially once they are as fidgety as Gray), always get them their own seat.
  
• Children are amazing. Watching Gray figure things out is such a thrill and pretty comical.
  

Gray is such a bundle of joy! Just when we thought we couldn't love him any more than we already do, he proves us wrong. Every day our hearts are filled with more and more love for our little man.

Nelson David Bohn

Happy 3 Week Birthday Nelson!

I am so far behind on posting a picture of my nephew Nelson. Isn't he the cutest? I am so in LOVE with him and I haven't even met him. I have always wished I lived closer to my family, but times like this really make me sad to be so far away. We all can't wait to meet him! We plan on taking many trips with Brian, Kristen and Nelson down the road and I look forward to making many memories with them.

Congratulations Brian and Kristen!
He is absolutely perfect! Enjoy every single moment!

AB"DC"- Our Nation's Capital with a baby.

Meet your future President of the United States. Gray and Willa quickly pulling off their new shades!

Jonathan, Courtney and Willa
Gray's face in this picture is so funny. He looks smooshed.

Gray and Willa together are too cute for words. Courtney and I think they look alike.

Gray misses Willa already.

Gray's view from his crib. He really liked pulling himself up to look out the window and then screeched at the top of his lungs. It was a happy screech, but I'm sure our neighbors weren't too thrilled.

The humidity helped us realize that Gray may have curly hair.
Finally, something he got from his mom.Such a flirt.
Gray got so tired during this meal he started to rub his face and this is what we ended up with.

In front of the Captial.

I'm not sure what they were looking at, but this picture is adorable.

Such a gorgeous day!

Gray in the lawn at the DC Botanical Gardens.

WW II monument

Hirshorn Sculpture Garden.
I loved this work of art because I could see all of our initials in it.
K, D, G.

I had to throw this picture in. Anytime we were near the Washington Monument, we would see dozens of people taking pictures like this...pretending they were hugging, touching, kissing the monument. It was pretty funny. Needless to say, we didn't do it.
Running on The National Mall is so amazing.


Gray visits the President
Drew had a seminar in DC at the beginning of the week, so we decided to go a few days early to meet up with some of our friends (Courtney and Jonathan) who have a baby (Willa) that is 1 week younger than Gray. Courtney went to high school with Drew. She and Jonathan are so much fun to be around and Willa is the sweetest little girl. We had such a great trip with them and were so sad to see them go back to Pittsburgh.

The next few days, while Drew was in his meetings, Gray and I went for runs, ate at great restaurants, and took naps. It was fabulous. We also celebrated Gray's 9 month birthday while we were there...more on that later!

I am so glad to be home. We did the same trip last year when I was pregnant and let me tell you... this was a totally different experience. Traveling with a baby is challenging and eye opening, but it was so fun to share this experience with him.

Derby/Mother's Day

These two are ready for the Derby.

Greta is placing her call and betting on the "Jockey in the pink shirt."

Mint Julep with homemade mint simple syrup. Thanks Galen!

Gray's shirt describes my Mother's Day perfectly.

Fabulous Drew!

One of my favorite summer dinners.
Recipe to follow.

My favorite summer drink!
Recipe to follow.

We had such a wonderful Derby/Mother's Day weekend!

Mother's Day started with breakfast (made by Drew and Gray) on our patio (it was an 85 degree day.) Then, the best gift...Gray took an almost 2 hour nap. This allowed me a little time to relax in the sun and read my US Weekly (trashy, I know.) Drew surprised me with a spa day that I am so anxious to use. The thought of being pampered for 4 hours makes me so, so giddy.

We decided we would spend the afternoon buying/planting some new flowers. It was so nice. Gray then took ANOTHER 2 hour nap! He must have known it was Mother's Day. What a sweetie! Our dinner and drinks were the perfect ending to the perfect day. They are the perfect recipes to welcome summer. Hope you enjoy them!

Chicken Orzo Salad with Goat Cheese

Ingredients

• 1 1/4 cups uncooked whole wheat orzo
• 3 cups chopped chicken breast (we buy a rotisserie chicken and shred the breast)
• 1 1/2 cups trimmed arugula
• 1 cup grape tomatoes, halved
• 1/2 cup chopped red bell pepper
• 1/4 cup chopped red onion
• 2 tablespoons chopped fresh basil
• 1 teaspoon chopped fresh oregano
• 1/4 cup chopped kalamata olives
  
• 2 tablespoons red wine vinegar
• 1 tablespoon extra virgin olive oil
• 1/8 teaspoon salt
• 1/8 teaspoon black pepper
• 6 tablespoons (1 1/2 ounces) crumbled goat cheese

Preparation

• Cook pasta according to package directions, omitting salt and fat; drain well.
• Combine pasta, chicken, and the next 7 ingredients (through olives) in a large bowl; toss well.
• Combine vinegar, oil, salt, and black pepper in a small bowl, stirring with a whisk. Drizzle vinegar mixture over pasta mixture; toss well to coat. Sprinkle with cheese.

Enjoy.

Drew's version of the Mike-a-rita

Ingredients

• equal parts (a shot or a little more, depending on your taste)premium tequilla and orange liqueur, such as Grand Marnier
• splash of Simply Raspberry Lemonade
• splash of soda water
• 5-6 raspberries
• 3-4 mint leaves

Preparation

• Muddle raspberries and mint, add tequila, liqueur and lemonade and stir.
  
• Fill glass with ice and add a splash of soda water. Gently stir again.
  
• Garnish with raspberries and mint.

Inspired By.

Who hasn't been inspired by Hulk Hogan?

Oh, don't lie.

Platinum hair, handle bar mustache, muscle tee, bandanna, fanny pack?
I don't think it gets much better than this... or should I say, much worse?

Gray is bringing the fanny pack back. Hope you all still have yours from 1986.

Happy Mother's Day Mom!

I love Brian's smile in this picture...pure joy!

I wish she still had this dress and those shoes. I would wear them both!
Check out the Atari in the back!

Thunder Mountain at Disney World.
Notice how awesome my side pony is!

Totally 80's!

Mother of the bride.

Happy Mother's Day Mom!

I am so lucky to have such an amazing mom!
Wishing you--my best friend--an amazing day with your new grandson!

I love you!
xo

Happy Mother's Day to my Grandmas!

I love my Grandmas! They are the BEST! I wish I could give them both a hug today!

Have a wonderful day!
I LOVE YOU!
Gray