Cucumber Dill Salad

This cucumber dill salad is one of my absolute favorites for summer...I look forward to cucumber/dill season for this reason!!!

I posted the picture above on Instagram earlier today and got such great feedback, I thought I'd share! This is an easy, fast side dish to whip up and is great for the summer because it is light and cool!

First let me say that I wish there was an actual recipe for this, but I just made it all up several years ago and so there are no real measurements! But, here is my best guess!

Cucumber Dill Summer Salad

I usually serve this as a side dish, for anywhere from 2-4 people.

Ingredients:

• 4 Peruvian cucumbers, sliced
• 2 Tbsp. Sour Cream
• 2 tsp. vinegar (choose your favorite kind! I love to use sherry vinegar)
• 1/2 tsp. salt
• 1/4 tsp. freshly ground black pepper
• 2 tsp. fresh chopped dill

Directions:

In a bowl, combine the sour cream, vinegar, salt, pepper, and dill until you have a creamy dressing. Pour over the cucumbers and stir together!

Like I said, it's fast, easy and fresh! I've also been known to whip this up using basil or lemon or lime juice, just depends on what ingredients I have on hand at the time! But, it's best with vinegar and dill!

Happy Summer, ya'll! What's your favorite summer dish?

New Year, New Goals...

I feel like every year I set out with lofty resolutions to eat better and workout more. While those are always good ideas, this year I'm striving to make my new years resolutions more focused on things I need to do in order to help my mental health and our family's well being.

I definitely need to eat a little healthier and workout more often, but I feel like that is a constant battle, and what I want to do is set some habits that help me to be a better mom and a better wife. So, this year, I have two resolutions...or goals really because it's going to take me some time to get the hang of the first one!

ONE: Wake up BEFORE my child. Chandler is almost two years old and she, for the most part, sleeps through the night. Occasionally she does wake up to put on her very on musical in her crib, but for the most part, she is sleeping from about 8:00pm to about 6:30 or 7:00am.

My goal is to get up at 6:00, go for a short walk or run, get back home do a short arm workout, unload the dishwasher and have a cup of coffee. I know, it sounds lofty...but when I am able to get up at 6:00, I am AMAZED at what I can get done in an hour before I get Chandler up!

Side note: I've been giving this hot lemon water thing a try and it is GREAT. Definitely an acquired taste, but it's grown on me and when I can, I start my day with a cup...or even end my day with a cup! I started doing this around Christmas when I had a killer cold. It's a great way to start your day or just a great little drink to sit and relax with a night.

TWO: Eat a meal, at the kitchen table, as a family, at least once a week. Chandler has been eating solo in her high chair since she started eating meals. Adam and I are usually right there with her, but it's not the same. So last week we kicked off our first family meal on Tuesday night. I'll admit, it took some planning to get supper on the table by 6:15...but it was worth it! Adam and I usually eat after Chandler goes to bed, which means 8:00 or 8:30 sometimes! It was so nice to be finished for the night once she was in her bed! We actually had time to relax! I'm also hoping that maybe this can get me in bed earlier!

What are your goals for this year? How do you plan to get there?

Awesome Chili!

Before we get started...I want to tell you a little about the title of this post...(very original, right?)..the truth is, it I titled the post with a real description of this recipe...you might not actually read it...SOOOOO.. I didn't.

The real title should be Pumpkin Turkey Chili (that is Paleo and Whole 30 friendly AND awesome).

So Adam and I started the Whole 30 last Monday...it's Wednesday now and we've officially retired. Whole 30 is great, but not for us, at least not right now. That's another story for another post. However, while embarking on our short-lived Whole 30 experience, we discovered some really good, pretty easy recipes. A friend of ours from college sent me to The Spunky Coconut specifically for this recipe. I tweaked it a little to make it more our style...

Here you go...

Pumpkin Turkey Chili

2 yellow onions, chopped

1 red onion, chopped

1 bell pepper

1 jalapeño, seeds removed from one half

2 Tbsps. minced garlic (I use the kind from the jar)

1 pound of ground turkey

2 (15 oz) cans fire-roasted tomatoes

1 (15oz) can of pumpkin puree

1 cup vegetable broth

4 teaspoons dried oregano

2 teaspoons chili powder

1 teaspoon of cumin

1/2 teaspoon ground cinnamon

1 teaspoon sea salt

Directions:

-In a large stock pot, saute the onions, pepper, jalapeño, and garlic in coconut oil until the onions begin to become translucent.

-Add the ground turkey and break it up with a spatula as it cooks. There may be some excess moisture from the vegetables, if so, drain them before adding the turkey.

-Once the turkey has been browned, add the rest of the ingredients, stir and bring to a simmer.

-Simmer, uncovered, for 15-20 minutes.

-Serve with a salad, or if you're not Paleo or Whole 30, a cheese quesadilla or some cornbread! 

This is a great recipe for tailgating and enjoying this great fall weather! I'm already planning to make a big pot for Halloween night to share with our neighbors!

What are some of your favorite fall recipes? What are some of your favorite Paleo or Whole 30 recipes?

Happy Fall, y'all! It's almost Friday!! 

Home Updates

Y'all...this is happening...

We are having our master bedroom and bathroom painted this week!!! And Chandler's bathroom and our playroom/sun room...I am one happy lady! Our house is chaos right now, but I'm so excited for fresh coats of paint! There is nothing like a new paint color to brighten up a room and really get my inner designer heart pumping! 

We're painting in all Benjamin Moore colors. Our bedroom will be Linen White and I'm hoping to throw in some pale blue/green accents in the way of drapes, bedskirt, pillows. I'm also saving my pennies to commission a work for our bedroom from one of my FAVORITE artists, who also happens to be a dear dear sweet friend, Mrs. Angela Zokan! Check out some of her work here.

Our bathroom will be Hollingsworth Green which is the perfect pale green. 

Chandler's bathroom is going to be Potpourri Green..such a fun lime to go with this adorable shower curtain from Target...

And lastly, the sunroom/playroom is going to be Old Glory (Blue). Old Glory is a great deep blue and I'm really excited about adding some color to our downstairs. We painted every room downstairs, except the half bath and the sunroom, Edgecombe Grey (Benjamin Moore...do you sense a trend?) It's a beautiful color, but is very neutral, so I'm loving the idea of warming everything up by painting the sunroom blue! 

I also couldn't pass up this runner that was SUCH a steal on RugsUSA yesterday! It's going to really bring a little life to our second floor hallway! I'm excited to make another decorating stride at our house...only about a million other things to go!!!

What are some of the house projects on your list? What is your favorite decorating project you've completed recently? Do you work with a designer or on your own? What are some projects on your list (drapes, painting, wallpaper)???

I just love to hear about everyone's progress! Happy Monday!

Five on Friday!

It has been forever since I've linked up with April and Christina for Five on Friday, but I am so happy to be back at it today! Here are five very random things...

ONE

We started the Whole 30 this week! It's been great so far...I'd be lying to you if I didn't tell you that there have definitely been times where I could kill for a Starbucks soy latte and a heaping spoonful of Nutella...but otherwise it's been okay! I even baked a cheesecake with out caving...so I'm pretty proud of my will power!

TWO

Y'all...I have a new friend...she makes insane jewelry. My friend Taylor of Layla Charlie Designs makes amazing necklaces! The one pictured below is the first one I purchased...and ya'll, the second one is even more amazing. I'll post a picture of it soon! In the meantime...follow her on instagram @laylacharliedesigns

THREE

This little nugget...OMG we are having so much fun these days! She is talking to us...mainly using a single word, but sometimes stringing a couple together. She is even starting to sing! I love this time! She's also starting to get serious about her accessories...she wants to have a necklace, shoes, and a purse most of the time! Bonus points if anything has a cat or a "weow" on it. Precious angel! Love spending my days with this little bug!

FOUR

Speaking of the little bug, how cute is this UGA shirt? Old Navy has the cutest selection of college team shirts for adults and kids! You should definitely check it out! The t-shirts are soooo soft!

FIVE

I'm obsessed with my new jeans from J. Crew! Y'all know I love the Lookout High-Rise Jean and it comes in grey this season and is sooo cute! I had to add them to my collection! AND they are an additional 30% off today with code YESPLEASE.

What items have you added to your fall wardrobe so far? Happy Fri-YAY! Everyone stay safe during this crazy hurricane weather!