my favorite place in atlanta

my weekly fix...enjoy it

breakfast for dinner

so bacon, challah bread, and red onions are on my top 10 favorite things in the world i do believe...so why would this recipe be anything but amazing! cannot wait to try this after tennis on Sunday!

fried egg sandwiches

what you need...
4 (1/2-inch-thick) challah bread slices
2 tablespoons butter, melted
1 (0.9-oz.) envelope hollandaise sauce mix
1/4 teaspoon lemon zest
1 1/2 teaspoons fresh lemon juice, divided
2 cups loosely packed arugula
1/2 cup loosely packed fresh flat-leaf parsley leaves
1/4 cup thinly sliced red onion
3 teaspoons extra virgin olive oil, divided
4 large eggs
1/4 teaspoon kosher salt
1/4 teaspoon freshly ground pepper
12 thin pancetta slices, cooked
2 tablespoons chopped sun-dried tomatoes

what you do...Preheat broiler with oven rack 5 to 6 inches from heat. Brush both sides of bread with butter; place on an aluminum foil-lined broiler pan. Broil 1 to 2 minutes on each side or until lightly toasted.  Prepare hollandaise sauce according to package directions; stir in zest and 1/2 tsp. lemon juice. Keep warm. Toss together arugula, next 2 ingredients, 2 tsp. olive oil, and remaining 1 tsp. lemon juice.

Heat remaining 1 tsp. olive oil in a large nonstick skillet over medium heat. Gently break eggs into hot skillet; sprinkle with salt and pepper. Cook 2 to 3 minutes on each side or to desired degree of doneness. Top bread slices with arugula mixture, pancetta slices, and fried eggs. Spoon hollandaise sauce over each egg, and sprinkle with tomatoes. Serve immediately.

**dont forget if you dont use your broiler normally, you need to watch CAREFULLY if you are going to shut the oven door the whole way...if you cant watch it like a hawk, crack the door so that it can vent...otherwise you'll likely char what ever is in the oven.

creamy spring pasta

i made this last week and had all intentions to get some pictures of the completed product but we ate it so fast & then joe took the rest for lunch the next two days! its a cooking light recipe from this month's issue on 40 meals under $40...with asparagus on sale the past few weeks, this really is a budget meal! joe likes to have some substance on his aka meat so we grilled chicken and added that to the top of this! yummm!

creamy spring pasta
what you need....
2 ounces French bread baguette, torn into pieces **I just used panko breadcrumbs
1 tablespoon butter
3 garlic cloves, minced and divided
1 1/2 cups (2-inch) diagonally cut asparagus
1 cup frozen green peas
6 ounces uncooked fettuccine
2 teaspoons olive oil
1/3 cup finely chopped sweet onion
1 tablespoon all-purpose flour
1/4 cup fat-free, lower-sodium chicken broth
1 cup 1% low-fat milk
3 ounces 1/3-less-fat cream cheese
1 ounce Parmigiano-Reggiano cheese, grated (about 1/4 cup packed) **I borrowed Wilson's parm cheese from the jar vs investing in fresh/expensive cheese
1/2 teaspoon kosher salt
1/4 teaspoon freshly ground black pepper

what to do...Boil water for the pasta. Place torn bread in a food processor; process until coarse crumbs form. If you use breadcrumbs no need to do the food processor bit.  Melt butter in a large skillet over medium-high heat. Add 1 garlic clove to pan; sauté 1 minute. Add breadcrumbs; sauté 3 minutes or until golden brown and toasted. Remove breadcrumb mixture from pan; wipe pan clean with paper towels.

Add asparagus and peas to boiling water; cook for 3 minutes or until crisp-tender. Remove from pan with a slotted spoon. Rinse under cold water; drain. Add pasta to boiling water; cook 10 minutes or until al dente. Drain and keep warm.

Heat olive oil in skillet over medium heat. Add onion and the remaining 2 garlic cloves; cook for 3 minutes or until tender, stirring frequently. Place flour in a small bowl; gradually whisk in chicken broth. Add broth mixture and milk to pan, stirring constantly with a whisk; bring to a boil. Reduce heat; cook 1 minute or until thickened. Remove from heat; add cheeses, salt, and pepper, stirring until cheeses melt. Add pasta, asparagus, and peas; toss well. Sprinkle with breadcrumbs.

showering baby emerson

as we wait for emerson to arrive we had an amazing baby shower this past weekend (& my first time organizing one ever). hopefully i made carrie proud! enjoy some cute pics! 

before food was out

one of my favorite parts...the precious diaper cake! 

beautiful petit fours and handmade christening gown napkins

bibs, onesies, and bloomers all specially made for emerson

presents arrived before guests even did! what a spoiled little girl we have here! 

great banners made by monica! 

guest book for all to sign and cute chocolate pops for guests to take in the shape of bottles & carriages 

emerson's favorite...aunt ali 

sisterly love!

lizzie, andy, & emerson

maybe baby

showering baby emerson...

cannot wait to see my beautiful 29 week pregnant bestie this weekend at our first official baby shower! preview below of not only the darling invite but also the mom-to-be!