on home-style pork chops...

Recently, I have been challenging myself to get more creative and original with dinner making. It always seems like I rely on hunting down recipes, jumping from blog to blog, or attacking Pinterest. There's nothing wrong with that but I want to be more independent in my kitchen. Plus it's fun! So, last night I made pork chops. I'm not a huge fan of pork but when made right I enjoy eating it. For me pork chops need to be nice and tender since they do have a way of getting dried out. This is what inspired me to make this dish last night-- Home-Style Pork Chops.

Ingredients:
2 tablespoons onion (grated) 
6 thin sliced boneless pork chops
1 tablespoon garlic salt 
1/2 tablespoon Paprika
1/2 cup flour + 1 tablespoon
2 tablespoons vegetable oil 
1/2 cup chicken broth
1/2 buttermilk
salt & pepper to taste
2 tablespoons fresh parsley 

First combine flour, garlic salt & paprika. Mix evenly. Then go ahead and pound your pork chops a little. I always do this with pork chops. 

Lightly salt & pepper pork chops but beware that the flour mixture has a little garlic salt. So, do not over do it! Starting heading the oil on the stovetop. Next, dip chops in flour. Coat them and shake off excess. 

You are ready to put these babies in the hot oil. You are going to shear these until brown. Don't worry about cooking them all the way through. 

After you shear all chops remove them and set on the side. Turn burner low and add 1 tablespoon flour right into the oil and mix with a whisk. Add chicken broth and buttermilk. Use a small grater and grate about 2 tablespoons of onion. I picked this trick up from Rachael Ray. I hate chopping onion and so this method is a brilliant! Put chops right into the sauce and cover. Let them cook for another 15 minutes so they cook all the way through and for the sauce to thicken. 

 Lastly, add your fresh chopped parsley stir it up and there you have it! Home-Style Pork Chops. Tender, juicy and YUMMY! Make a side of your choice, I made a lovely blend of couscous, orzo, quinoa & garbanzo beans. I know, it's load. So tasty!

Bon Appétit! 

♥A.

on inside a box...

I came across Umba Box a while back after spotting it on another blog. I was instantly in love. Lovely handmade things being delivered monthly, never knowing what may come. I'm in! I only did one month of it so far. I have this weird anxiety about committing to something that I'm new too. One month as a test run. Here are some photos of what I got...

Three little items is what I found in my box. I'm not going lie I was a bit disappointed of the lack of items. Don't get me wrong I am a big supporter of handmade but for about $30 I was sort of expecting a few more items. I think this is because I am comparing it to the Birch Box. What can ya do!

The sweet blueberry dishrag in the fruit container is my most favorite. Super darling and it's been sitting on my kitchen counter being displayed. I just don't seem to have the heart to wipe dishes with it. I just can't!

A notepad. Right up my ally no doubt about that. I have my own collection of notebooks, journals & notepads. This will come in handy when I am in need to scribble down some inspiration. It has found a home in my purse :) 

Fleur de Sel Caramels from The Caramel Jar. Handmade here in Philadelphia!! I thought that was neat. And five stars. Yumm! Even Sebastian and Bobby will agree. 

I think a subscription from Umba Box might just be on my birthday wish list. But whose thinking about that already?! Not me...

♥A.

on my baby garden...

For Mother's Day my mother-in-law gifted me with some herbs and veggies to start a garden. I was thrilled! My dad a few years back bought me a fun patio garden that was perfect size to put on our fire escape. My mother-in-law is seriously so wonderful and I know you all are just as jealous as ever :) She's so great that she even came to my house to help me dig up a quick garden. It's not all that fancy, the ground is lopsided which by the way makes me want to rip my hair out and let's not get into the whole I think rabbits are eating my zucchini leafs right off the stems. But none the less, it's my baby garden and I heart it.

Isn't it darling. It's the best feeling being able to just go out back for all my essential herbs. I have rosemary, parsley, basil, cilantro, mint & dill!

Like I said nothing extravagant but it does the job. You really should see my mother-in-law's garden--BEEAUTIFUL! And by golly I already have myself some baby tomatoes. Hurrah! Although I have noticed some bothersome vermin eating my zucchini leaves. They should be ashamed of themselves! It looks like they are shallowing right off the stem...WHOLE! I'm thinking that it's those cute wittle rabbits who hop around our lawn that are doing the deed but no proof yet.
I've been getting some inspiration off Pinterst for some neat garden crafts since I do plan to spiffy it up a bit. I might have to resort to putting up a low fence if whatever it is doesn't stop helping themselves to my crop. Dangit!

Well, there you have it my little darling garden. Note to friends (wait, what friends?) you must be extra sweet to this lady if you want any of my harvest. Just saying. Are you growing a garden? My dream is to have my own green house! How cool would it be to have all these delicious veggies year round!

♥A.

on these days...

sometimes all you need is a salad to brighten your day :) 

I confess that I am an absolute tv show junkie. No shame about it. I've watched the season finale of Glee a handful of times (not even exaggerating) and every time I end up in tears. It's so hard saying goodbye to all those characters that I've come to love. I was especially heartbroken about Rachel & Finn. Hot mess. Although the season came to an end it was sort of bittersweet. You know? I am looking forward to see what Glee has in store for next season.

On tv show junkie topic number two, TrueBlood is starting up again next Sunday. Drumroll! I'm ecstatic about this, so are my co-workers and to kick it off we are having ourselves a super fun season premiere taco night shindig. Tacos & vampire. What more can you ask for?! Oh and not to forget Teen Wolf. But i'll just stop there...

It's JUNE! That means my ever so sweet hubby's birthday month. But don't tell him that. Next Friday is in fact his birthday and we both took the day off to spend it together. Awe sweet. I planned a fun filled day just him and I at Dorney Park. Sebastian has preschool so I thought why the hell not take the opportunity and be big kids for the day. We plan to hit up all the crazy scary roller coasters and eat too much funnel cake. Seriously it will be a epic kind of day for the both of us. Note to self: don't eat anything next week.

I am really starting to pump myself up for New York City! It's only two months away and with how fast these months have just been floating by it's going to be here quicker than I know. Eeek! I get to attend my first ever BlogHer conference! So cool. I'm looking forward to meeting some new people, learning & connecting. Best of all it get to spend some much needed quailty time with my two favorite gals, Tanya & Julee. This I am most thankful for! If any of ya'll are attending BlogHer, I'll be the creepy chick standing awkwardly who won't stop grinning :D Okay?

Here's a nice little tidbit for you, after having my camera for almost three years and spending lots of time reading & learning I have finally started to shoot in Manual Mode! There's so much more to it than point and shoot. After learning what it means to shoot in Manual you get more of an appreciation for what this thing in your hand does! It's funny because now whenever I see someone that has a SLR camera and who is using Auto I have this sudden urge to just march up to them and tell them that they are not using it to it's fullest potential. It shames me. Oh look at me I'm like totally a professional photographer. Not. But I can pretend I am ;)

On another note, Sebastian can write is name all by is self! Well, when he wants too. Also he has said his phone number (my cell phone number since we don't have a landline) to his teacher correctly twice! Come on. If that's not impressive than I don't know what is!  I swear he surprises me everyday with something new that he is saying or doing. And to think soon I'll be the proud owner of a four year old. Said like a true parent. Aye Aye.

Well, I'm off to enjoy a quiet (yeah right) evening with my little boy. There is a storm happening soon over here and nights like these are my favorite. Reminds me of home :)

♥A.

on our weekend...

It's me here for a quick post of some pretty silly pool photos :) This weekend is the kick off for pool season. And Sebastian was all for it :) He is such a water bug! Him and his cousin were doing all kinds goofy jumps off of the pool side. I had fun taking these pictures. 

Bobby had work all last night and because we were having a Memorial Day Garden Party on today, Sebastian and I decided to have a sleepover at my in laws. I cooked up a light dinner of Gnocchi with Summer Vegetables and also whipped up one of my all time favorite summer desserts--Warm Berries 'n' Dumplings (yes, martha is my friend). Yummy! 

Well, can't chat for too long. I'm off to have a good 'ol time sitting poolside with a beverage in my hand. I'll be back with part two of our weekend :) Get out there and soak up the sun! And don't forget to rub on that sunscreen!! 

♥A. 

on one year...

Can't believe it's been ONE year already! We had a lovely time in Maryland this past weekend. The weather was beautiful and our stay at The Sandaway B & B was top notch. I would love to go again. 

We arrived on Friday a bit early and decided to take a trip on the ferry over to St. Michaels to have a look around plus grab a bit to eat. 

We ended up eating at a place called Big Pickle. Such a cute little restaurant which were famous for their fried pickles! I had a genuine Maryland cream of crab soup for lunch. Speaking of crab, I think Bobby and I ate crab in most every meal we had in Maryland. Crab dip. Crab cakes. Cake soup. Crab pasta!! You can call me "crabby anny". Just kidding. Don't. 

The B & B was much more than I had expect. My in laws were the ones who recommended Sandaway after staying there last year and for some reason the vision in my mind did not do justice! 

We ended up getting one of the bigger rooms and so it wasn't right in the main house. Even though we chose to have that sort of experience it was still nice to sort of be spread out and not all be the same house. If you get what I'm hinting at ;) 

 The second photo up was the main house. The photo above is where we stayed which was just right next to the main house. We were on the lower level with a screened in porch. It was so lovely to sit out there in the evening and watching the sun go down. You could even see the bay just by laying in bed! To. Die. For.

 My favorite part of our stay was the sailboats. There were so many on the water that weekend and it was so beautiful watching them glide on the sparkly water.

Saturday we splurged on a kayak rental for 24 hours. We packed a picnic and heading out on the bay in the afternoon. We spent a good four hours out exploring the water. Have you ever been kayaking?? Not as easy as it may look! It was a work out man! Oh and let's not forget about the sun burn...ouch!

I was even able to wake Bobby up early on Sunday (our last day) to take one last kayak ride on the bay. It was hard but I did it! Sipping on some coffee on a kayak in the bay...not something you do everyday :D 

All in all, the weekend away with my husband of one year was nothing short of amazing! It was peaceful and relaxing and fun! We did miss our little boy but it help knowing he was in good hand. Thanks to my wonderful in laws :)

ps: fun fact-- our room had it's own guess book and after going through it one night guess who I found? Mother-in-law and father-in-law. Yep we stayed in the same room. How funny is that. haha.

♥A. 

on coconut crusted chicken...

Today we took a little family trip to Maple Grove to see some drag races. With Sebastian being sick the past week, and currently still is, we needed to get out somewhere and since Bobby came across some free tickets it seemed like the perfect thing. Have you been to a drag race? Super loud man! Although we didn't stay too long it was still nice. We got ourselves from fresh air and in my eyes the drive is a beautiful one. I have a special place in my heart for farm land and driving by a few cow farms today made me smile. You see, I grew up around cows and they always bring back familiar images in my memory. 
Gee, that being said we got home in time for me to whip up something for dinner and considering that today is Cinco de Mayo, I couldn't help feeling like Coconut Crusted Chicken with some Sweet Chili Sauce would be perfect on this happy fifth of May! 

Ingredients:
2 lbs chicken breast
1 cup flour
1 cup coconut flakes
2 eggs 
salt & pepper 
1/3 cup vegetable oil
1/4 cup coconut milk (optional)

You'll want to start out cutting up the chicken breast into little chicken tender pieces. Salt & pepper the tenders. Beat coconut milk into the eggs. Coconut milk isn't a key ingredient so if you don't have any on hand don't panic. 

Set up your breading station. It used a handy tray for all of this. Less clean up is fundamental! Flour, egg and then mix 1 cup of panko with 1 cup of coconut flakes and mix together. 

Flour. Egg. Panko. Repeat. 

Once you are are done it's time to heat 1/3 cup of vegetable oil in a skillet. 

Fry one side and flip!

There you have it! Serve these crispy goodies with some Sweet Chili Sauce and you are set for a festive dinner or appetizer or snack or dessert or what ever your heart desires. You can find this Sweet Chili sauce at Wegmans, Trader Joe's or using this recipe. Not going to lie, the hubby pretty much cleaned the plate of these little guys :D That good people!

 ♥A.