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! 

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. 

Change.

Change.

When it comes to change, some people adapt well, others do not.  I, not only adapt poorly, I hate it.  I like the comfort that comes with routine.  I've been working on this post for almost two months now, if that tells you anything.  The thought of moving to Florida and starting a new job - hell, a new life - frightened me.  Who does that?!  Who up and leaves the best job, the best family, and the bestest friends?!  Not me!  Not Candace!  Yessss, Candace.

Some of you may know that in May, I moved to the Sunshine State.  For those that didn't know, you may be asking for what?  I can't help but think of a scene from one of my favorite movies, Sex and The City.  I recall Carrie asking Louise why she moved to NYC, her response was "...to fall in love."  I, I moved to Orlando for love.  Unlike Louise, I had already fallen.

The support I received from my family, my friends, and my Go Family was refreshing.  I have always known that I was blessed to have the most amazing people in my life.  People that don't judge or question.  They just love and support.  Why I expected anything less about this big move, I'm unsure.  I want to thank everyone that made the move a little less hard and a little less stressful.

To My Go Family, you are the coolest people I know, hands down!  Thank You for welcoming me with open arms and open hearts.  The laughs I have shared with all of you are priceless!  You are one by one, changing the real estate world.  Keep on, keeping on! <3

To Zach, who believes in me like none other.  I will forever be grateful for the knowledge I have learned from you.  I will forever be grateful for the experiences you have afforded me.  I will forever be grateful for you allowing me to join your amazing Go Family.  I can honestly say that you have made me a better person!  Keep thinking outside the box, never lose that fearless attitude, and know that you are awesome!  Thank you for my angel wings. :)

Sometimes you have to risk it all.  Here's to taking giant leaps of faith...