Thursday

When Life Gives You Lemons...

...You make lemon cookies. DUH!

I am a self-proclaimed sweets addict.  I love chocolate everything, I love strawberry cupcakes, and LEMON COOKIES! Here is a recipe that I made today.

Lemon Box Cookies

1 Roll of Pillsbury Sugar Cookie Dough
1 Lemon
1 1/2 cups of Powdered Sugar

Directions:

Bake the cookies and let them cool.  While they are cooling you can make the glaze.  Combine in a bowl, the zest of 1 lemon, the juice of 1 lemon, and the powdered sugar.  Whip until all ingredients are combined and the glaze is smooth.  When cookies are completely cooled, add a teaspoon of the glaze on top. And, you are done!  So easy and so yummy!

If you love lemon flavored sweets, I suggest you try these! :)




Chicken...

...it's what's for dinner!

Here in the Oxendine/Soto house, we love our chicken.  We mostly eat chicken or seafood for dinner.  We love our red meat, but we aren't spring chickens anymore and need to watch our waistlines. ;)

Last night I tried a new marinade, thanks to Pinterest.  Here is the recipe:

Balsamic Yumminess!
2 Boneless, Skinless Chicken Breast
1/2 cup of Olive Oil
2 Tablespoons of Balsamic Vinaigrette
1 teasp of Garlic Powder
1 teasp of Salt
1 teasp of Pepper
1 teasp of Italian Seasoning

Sauce
1 cup of Low Sodium Chicken Stock
1/4 cup of heavy cream
1 teasp of Salt
1 teasp of Pepper
1 teasp of Onion Powder

I let the chicken marinate for about 6 hours in the fridge. *Tip* I poke each breast with a knife a few times so the marinade can get inside the chicken - it enhances the flavor. I sautéed the chicken for 6 minutes on each side with a little butter (I know!)  Then I put them in the oven for 10 minutes.  They will still have a nice crust and be super moist.  Let them rest for about 2-3 minutes before cutting.

The sauce really is optional because the chicken is great without it but I wanted to try making a sauce. Once the chicken has been placed in the oven, turn the  burner to about 3.  Pour the chicken stock in and whisk to get all the little bits off the bottom.  Then stir in the cream, and season to taste.  It will thicken up, just keep whisking.

I served the chicken with corn and brown rice.





       
       
  





                                           My sweet little helpers.



The finished product! 

Wednesday

Facelift!

So, since I have left good ole North Carolina and no longer am Zach's guardian angel, I will be giving my blog a facelift.  It will now be more personal.  It will chronicle my journey of becoming a Floridian and adjusting to living with a boy (ewwww).  I love you babe! ;)

It has almost been 3 months now, since I moved.  A lot in my life has changed.  I have gained a child, Junior.  I have started a new job.  I have made new friends.  I have learned that living with a boy in't so bad, laundry aside.  Let me tell you, doing laundry for two people is a continuous chore.  My life is great and I am reminded every day how blessed I am.  



So here's to a new blog, a new life, and tons of fun stories.