Showing posts with label Weekday. Show all posts
Showing posts with label Weekday. Show all posts

Friday, May 24, 2013

A`ole Pilikia Pineapple Chicken

A'ole pilikia means "no problem, you're welcome" in Hawaiian, so I named this dish after that phrase... because, it's no problem!

I was at a loss as to what to make for dinner the other night.  Another night, another chicken dinner.  We try to eat chicken or fish for 80-90% of our meals.  It's basically because that's what we prefer to eat, but also to try to stay healthy (ish).

I've been getting a little more swagger in the kitchen lately, and I saw the pineapples, potatoes, sweet peppers and thought, let's do Hawaiian.  Or, you know, the 'Merica version of Hawaiian.  I always like a little spicy with my sweetness (kind of like me in general), so here's what I did.


I used chicken tenders (originally imagined doing fajitas with these), but I'm sure you can use breasts, or whatever you have on hand.  I used most of the juice (save a little) from the sliced pineapple can instead of chicken broth. On top I sprinkled chili powder, garlic salt, and chili flakes to add some kick.  I put it in the oven at 375 for about 20 mins.


Once the chicken was cooked almost all the way through I added the pineapple slices to the top.  Cooked pineapple is underused in my book.  At this point I bumped up the temp to 400 so the pineapples would cook quick.  It was in maybe another 10 mins.

While that finished cooking I sliced up two russet potatoes, dropped them into some boiling water, and let them cook until they were almost soft.  While those were cooking I cut up some sweet peppers.  Once the potatoes are soft enough to poke through with a fork drain the water, add a pat of butter, some of the pineapple juice, the sweet peppers, and a little chili powder.  Simmer that all together for a few mins.

While that simmered I checked the chicken, and it was almost done.  I threw together a quick and easy salad (just spring mix with cucumbers and salad toppings because it's what we had), and tossed that on a plate.

I cooked the potatoes until all of the pineapple juice was gone and they came out perfect.  Sorry my "plating" isn't pretty.  I was hungry and bedtime was fast approaching for Simone.  I threw each thing on the plate and snapped a quick pic before scarfing it down.


It was quick and easy, and Todd asked, "how the heck did you do this?!"  Which is always a great sign for me.  Sorry the directions aren't exact.  Need to start writing things down as I go, but this kind of came together out of "what do I have in the house".

Enjoy!  Aloha! 

Tuesday, May 14, 2013

Time Makes You Bolder, Children Get Older, and I'm Getting Older, too...

One of my favorite lyrics from my Mom & my song, Landslide by Fleetwood Mac.  Man that song can turn me to mush.  I think of how much I miss my Mom, how she must have been feeling when she knew she was dying, and how hard it would be to look at your children and know you are leaving them far too soon.  It also makes me think of  some great times with her.  We danced to this song at my wedding, and any time we were anywhere you could request or pick a song...she'd do it for me.  Man, I love and miss that crazy Mom of mine.  

But, truly this post is about the last line in the title... I'm getting older.  Last Wednesday was my birthday, and realizing that I'm heading out of my twenty's soon is a little surreal.  I can't believe that I'm nearing thirty, am married, and have a daughter of my own.  I must say that I'm proud of where I am at this point in my life.  Proud of the woman I am, and my morals.  Proud of the home I've built with Todd.  Proud of myself as a Mother (although I'm constantly forgiving myself for my mistakes).  Some days I slip, and I do things or say things I'm not so proud of, but I've been working at becoming the person I want to be.  

I was not worried about gifts I'd get, or getting "my" birthday time to do anything I wanted, or anything like that.  I just wanted to spend my birthday with people who love me, appreciate me, and know my heart.  That's exactly what I got.

Wednesday I spent the day with my Aunt Noelle & Uncle Mike who were in town from New Jersey meeting Simone for the first time, and my Dad.  We went to Mimi's Cafe for a mimosa and some lunch.  Todd came to grab Simone & I after he got off work and we headed over to On the Border for a margarita.

Me wearing my Uncle's reading glasses at Mimi's!, Me & my Aunt Noelle, & my girl, Simone!

We ended the night doing my favorite thing at home... hanging on our patio.  We've been working on making our patio (and home in general) more fun to chill at.  We strung up some lights recently so we relaxed on the patio, under the soft lights, talking.  I opened a few presents from our family in Michigan and from Todd.

Simone was worn out by the end of the night!  Us three at dinner (her face...I'm dying!), and big girl with her sippy cup!

 Todd got me the coolest at home coffee machine ever!  It's the Verismo, so now I can have my Starbucks at home, AND I can make it with one hand... amazing & important for this busy Mom.

Perrrrrfection! 
My Mother in law made me the SOFTEST quilt ever, and it's beautiful.  I've slept and snuggled with it every night since I got it!  She's wicked talented and it's such a sweet and personal gesture when someone hand makes you a gift.

Me & Simone snuggled under my new quilt! 
After Wednesday I wasn't thinking about my birthday anymore.  We were enjoying the last few days with our family in town from Jersey.  But, Todd and my favorite girl, Amanda were busy planning for my family and a few close friends to surprise me at dinner on Friday night at one of my favorite spots, Arrivederci.  Todd asked me to go out with him on Friday, so I casually got ready (I didn't even blow out my hair!).  Todd suggested Arriverderci and I was against it until he called to make sure they had high chairs.  Ha!  When we walked in I swore I saw my brother in law out of the corner of my eye, and heard SURPRISE!  That's such an awesome feeling, and I totally was NOT expecting anything like that.  Everyone was very sweet for taking time to celebrate with us.  A big, huge, gigantic THANK YOU to my Husband who always out does himself on my birthday!  I love you so much, Todd and I just look forward to getting really old with my best friend!!  Thank you to Amanda for helping set it up, and thank you to everyone who came.  I will also say so many sweet people left me love on Facebook, texted, and called me to wish me the best on my birthday.  Makes a girl feel loved, I'm tellin' ya! :)

A few pics... we were too busy chatting to take many!  

Thank you all, I appreciate it!

Yeah, I'm getting closer to thirty... but I think I'm just getting better with time. Wink!

Sunday, April 21, 2013

Our Monkey at the Zoo

My friend Josie and I went to the Phoenix Zoo last Wednesday with our little ones.  It was a really awesome day, beautiful and warm with a good breeze (um, WIND I should say).  The zoo is big and I liked getting the exercise of walking the whole thing (and carrying her most of it).  


Simone had a blast.  Though, I think she loved watching the other kids a little more than the animals.  Can't wait for her to be a little older so that she can get into the play areas more.  No rushing though... she's already growing faster than I can handle.

Real Life Sophies!
         
I dressed her for the day in an elephant onesie, but we missed the elephants!  Not sure why they weren't out, every other animal was.  But, she looked adorable none the less, and of course, I had to match her.


They force you to exit through the gift shop... so this purchase happened.
 The zoo was so much better than I remember it being!