Down with the Dearmore's: April 2013

{tasty tuesday} fresh spring vinaigrettes

I don't know about you, but I have my "go to" salad dressings and often want a nice change! I came across this article in SouthernLiving and wanted to share. Not only can these recipes be used as dressings, but also as marinades. A win win in my book! Check out SL free gift tag download here.

Ginger-Basil Vinaigrette
Use this as a sauce for fish or shrimp, crisp lettuces, avocado, or rice.
Process ½ cup loosely packed fresh basil leaves, chopped; 2 Tbsp. fresh lemon juice; 2 tsp. minced fresh ginger; 1 garlic clove, minced; 1 tsp. honey; and ½ tsp. kosher salt in a food processor until smooth. With processor running, pour 2/3 cup grapeseed oil through food chute in a slow, steady stream, processing until smooth. Makes about ¾ cup

Red Pepper Jelly Vinaigrette
Pair this sweet, piquant vinaigrette with fresh greens and tangy goat cheese. It also works as a marinade for chicken or pork.
Whisk together 6 Tbsp. red wine vinegar; 1/3 cup olive oil; 3 Tbsp. red pepper jelly; 1 shallot, minced (about 2 Tbsp.); 1 Tbsp. coarse-grained mustard; ¼ tsp. kosher salt; and ¼ tsp. black pepper in a small bowl. Makes about 1 cup

Peach-Poppy Seed Vinaigrette

Pair with any lettuce, or drizzle over grilled pork.
Process ¾ cup frozen sliced peaches or mango, thawed; 3 Tbsp. peach preserves; 2 Tbsp. plus 2 tsp. apple cider vinegar; ½ tsp. Dijon mustard; and ½ tsp. kosher salt in a food processor until smooth. With processor running, pour ½ cup canola oil through food chute in a slow stream. Process until smooth; stir in 1½ tsp. poppy seeds. Makes 1¼ cups

{lot's of catching up to do}

Hello, hello! How are you? I have been reminded from several that my last blog entry was April 9th...yes, I do realize I've been MIA for the past several weeks. So, I'll just give you a little run down of what we've been up to around here lately! Some things fun and some things not so fun....here goes.

Just as soon as I thought our little family was on the mend from E's UTI, I began to get sick. It wasn't a normal sick though. I will spare you from all the details, but let's just say I've never been so sick in my whole life and pray I never experience anything like it again. After 7 days of being sick to my stomach, I knew it wasn't just a "stomach bug". I was finally able to get into a doctor {which I don't do often}. They ran some tests and a few days later called with the results....I had ECOLI. Whaaaa?!?! By the time I found out the results, my body had already taken care of itself {again, I'll spare you details}. I was finally able to eat normal again last week! Ecoli can be a very scary thing, so I'm grateful it wasn't even worse than it was.

I know I'm a little late on this one, but I'm a new Instagram junkie! Maybe it's just me, but I think I like it more than Facebook. Sometimes people share just way to much in my opinion! I love seeing all the fun pics...whether of kiddos, outfits, fresh flowers, home decor, recipes, I'm loving it all! If you don't already see enough pics from me on here ;), you can check our my instagram @jen_dearmore.

I realize we do live in Texas, but we have had the craziest weather lately! We have had some absolutely gorgeous "typical Spring" days and some very not so typical Spring days. They are calling for lows in the 40's here this weekend...hello, we are days away from May! Oh well, I guess I better keep my mouth shut, because before you know it, it'll be in the 100's! We have had some really fun days outside. Ella can't get enough! It is quite a scene trying to bring her back in the house!

We took Ella's pictures this past weekend and I cannot wait to see all of them! We were able to see a few and absolutely love how they turned out! Little Miss absolutely loved her new boots...I have a feeling these might become a regular addition to her wardrobe! Stay tuned for more pics!

I know I'm leaving out lots of fun activities, pictures, etc from the past several weeks, but you get the idea of what we've been up to! It's no joke when they say the days may be long, but the years are so short. I'm loving this stage with Ella and remind myself often to cherish each moment! Wishing you a very happy Monday!

{on the mend}

What was suppose to be a busy {and really fun} weekend, turned into doctors appointments, shots, Tylenol, cold baths, snuggles, Nick Jr., and forcing liquids down an 18 month old. :/ Sigh! However, Little Miss is a completely new child and back to my sweet girl! Ella started running 102.5 fever Thursday afternoon which quickly turned into 104.2. I knew right away this was more than just teething {as she had fun a low grade fever just a few days before}. We took the first doctor's appointment available the next morning. She had no other symptoms than a fever. I was stumped on this one! I'm so thankful for a thorough doctor who is very proactive {and maybe a little conservative on some issues}, but a blessing to us! He ran multiple tests {strep, flu, and UTI}. Sure enough, step and flu were negative, but her culture came back positive for a UTI. This was unfamiliar territory for this momma! My poor baby didn't shake her fever until Sunday morning. Isn't it the most pitiful thing seeing your baby so sick?! After much TLC over the weekend, she is finally well {knock on wood}! Whew....praying we never cross that bridge again! Here is a progression from Thursday to Sunday!

Here's to a happy and healthy week!

{friday fancies} project polka dot

Happy Friday to all! Welcome to {Friday Fancies} on Down with the Dearmores! I'm excited for this weeks project polka dot! I have a shirt that is almost exactly like this one, so it was fun to play around and create some possible outfits in my future. First things first, must go get some coral pants! Don't these just scream Spring?! Speaking of Spring, the high today was 54 here in the Houston area. Where did you go Spring?! And speaking of Texas, I just ordered this adorable tank from Hazel & Olive. If you haven't checked out there website, it is a must! I can't wait for that little package to come in the mail! Happy weekend, y'all {I just had to say it}!

{cinnamon roll french toast casserole}

I hope you're ready for some super yummy goodness! I made this for my MOPS meeting this past week and there wasn't a drop left...success in my book! I am always a little nervous making a recipe I've never tried before, much less, making a dish for about 50-65 other women! I have to say, this was another Pinterest winner and I WILL be making it again soon.

Ingredients:

1/4 cup melted butter
2 cans (12.4 oz each) Pillsbury® refrigerated cinnamon rolls with icing
5 eggs
1/2 cup heavy whipping cream
2 teaspoons ground cinnamon
2 teaspoons vanilla
1 cup chopped pecans (optional)
3/4 cup maple syrup

Garnish:

Icing from cinnamon rolls

Directions:

1. Melt butter and pour on ungreased 13×9 inch glass dish. Separate cans of dough into 16 rolls reserving the icing for later use. Cut each roll into 8 pieces and add to buttered baking dish.

2. Beat eggs in medium bowl. Add cream, cinnamon and vanilla and beat until well blended. Pour over cut pieces of cinnamon roll pieces.

3. Sprinkle with pecans (I chose not to add pecans this time, but might the next time) and drizzle 3/4 cup syrup over the top. Bake at 375 for 20 to 28 minutes or until golden brown. Cool 15 minutes.

4. Remove the covers from icing and microwave on medium or 50% power for 10 to 15 seconds. (Should be thin enough to drizzle.) Drizzle icing over the top.

Recipe found @ http://ohmysugarhigh.com/cinnamon-french-toast-bake-from-pillsbury-recipe/.

{little lady love}

Happy Tuesday! Today, I'm sharing some of my current Spring/Summer favorites for my little lady! Girls can be so dangerous; however, you don't have to break the bank for some cute finds! Below, you will see outfits from Baby Gap, Carter's and Target. I check these websites often and am on their e-mail lists to know of their great sales and coupons. Aww...little girls are so much fun!

{easter weekend recap}

I hope you and your family had a blessed Easter! We started our Easter celebrations this past Wednesday for Ella's little school party. She {once again} had so much fun hunting eggs {actually opening the eggs to find the goodies}! Here are a few pics from the day as well as a picture of the little treat bags Ella handed out to her friends {thank you, Pinterest for this cute idea}.

Thursday, our little family traveled to the beach to spend some time with Josh's parents. The weather was so nice, the breeze just perfect, the sun not too hot {yet}! Miss E had an absolute ball riding on the golf cart, picking up seashells, building sand castles, and splashing around in the water {that girl is brave, it was still too cold for me}!

Saturday, we headed to my parents to spend the rest of our Easter with them, Jess and Jeff. We always have such fun together! We enjoyed relaxing, "helping" mom and dad in the backyard {we might have actually started a bigger project than inteded}, and eating, eating and more eating, and had a wonderful Sunday celebrating at Crossorads!