Take Me Back Tuesday: May 26th, 2014 - Part 1

Last May we decided to take a mini vacation to visit Temple Square. We started the day by having lunch and visiting the new City Creek. Abi loved the water. And I loved the shops, especially the Steve Madden shoe store! {So many beautiful boots and so little money, ha.}

 After lunch we headed to Temple Square. 

Abi was so excited to see where David and I had been married almost 8 years ago.

 We were lucky to spend some time with my childhood friend Brittany and her husband Ian.

These two were seriously too much together. :)

We visited the Joseph Smith Memorial Building too.

Admiring the poppies - some of my favorite flowers.

Inside one of the visitor centers on Temple Square there is a replica of the temple and what is inside. This was so neat to see! There were mini models of practically everything. Chairs, lights, etc. 

While visiting we also talked with some of the sister missionaries and Abi felt right at home. There is a large stand filled with Books of Mormon all in different languages. Abi grabbed one from the stand and took a seat on the floor asking this Sister missionary to read it to her. She really is too cute for words.

Visiting the Christus. One of the most peaceful rooms at Temple Square - with the exception of the temple its self.

I love this. Daddy making owies all better.

One of the greatest parts about temple square this time was getting to see our sweet friend Sister Opeda. She was in the first ward that David and I had been in after we were married and had left to serve a mission on Temple Square. She is one of the kindest people you will meet, as well as her sisters. We were so blessed to run into her and feel of her amazing and strong spirit of the Lord's work on this earth.

We were also able to visit the Beehive House. The rooms, light, decor and architecture are always my favorite things about these old homes. {Sometimes I think I may have been born in the wrong era.}

She loved the fountains. Can you tell?

Part 2 - Coming Soon...

Food For Thought: Something Good

My sister reminded me of this yesterday...

#perspective

>>> please feel free to use this photo. it's not the greatest but it was taken and edited by me and i'd love to share this sweet gem of a thought with others. because who doesn't need a mid-week pick-me-up? <<<

Weston - 5 Months

Since he turns 6 months old tomorrow I figured these should probably get posted...

The block he just happened to grab and play with had a five and he was holding it just like this! Too perfect!

Weston has mastered some new skills in his fifth month of life and is getting so big! He's definitely put on some weight and some rolls. Which mom is sure to nibble on regularly. He really is perfection!

Bananas for the little man

The little man has tried his first solids! He tried bananas just like his sister did. He also LOVED them just like she does too!

He loved them so much that he kept trying to grab the spoon and push it in faster. His top lip flared out because he was concentrating so hard on getting the food to his mouth. Needless to say all of us enjoyed watching him eat for the first time. This sure are exciting with a baby in our home!

He really is the SWEETEST little baby!

Vegetarian for dinner

We've been trying to branch out around here and try some new things at the dinner table. A few nights a week I try out a new recipe that is usually vegetarian. We are by no means vegetarians. To say my husband LOVES meat would be an understatement (not to mention he can cook a seriously good steak) we have just decided to cut back and have meat with dinner 3-4 nights a week instead of everyday.

{This was from Father's Day this year. He cooked 18 steaks total that day.}

On the menu tonight: 

Lemon Spinach Orzotto

Makes 4 servings

Start to Finish: 30 minutes

Ingredients

1 tablespoon extra-virgin olive oil

3 shallots, minced {I didn't have shallots so I just used what onions I had- 1 medium yellow onion}

1 garlic clove, minced 

1½ cups orzo

½ cup white wine {I used cooking sherry instead}

3 cups chicken or vegetable broth 

4 cups baby spinach 

1 lemon, zested and juiced 

3 tablespoons unsalted butter

⅓ cup grated Parmesan cheese

Salt and freshly ground black pepper

Directions

1. In a medium pot, heat the olive oil over medium heat. Add the shallots and cook until translucent and fragrant, 1 to 2 minutes. Add the garlic and cook until fragrant, 1 minute more.

2. Add the orzo and stir to combine with the shallots and garlic. Add the white wine and bring to a simmer. Cook, stirring occasionally, until the wine has been mostly absorbed into the pasta, 3 to 4 minutes.

3. Add the broth gradually, about 1 cup at a time. Bring to a simmer, stirring occasionally, and cook until the orzo has absorbed the broth before stirring in the next cup. Continue until the orzo is completely tender, 12 to 15 minutes.

4. Stir in the spinach and let it wilt in the warm orzo. Stir in the lemon zest, lemon juice, butter and Parmesan cheese. Season with salt and pepper. Serve immediately.

Note: To reheat leftovers, add a little broth or water and microwave for 1 to 2 minutes, pausing to stir once or twice.

Here's the link to where I found the recipe: http://www.purewow.com/recipes/Lemon-and-Spinach-Orzotto

I really enjoyed this dish {they had me at lemon and cheese.} Mr. Carter wasn't big on it but he's not exactly a lover of pasta or rice so...

We've tried a few other things that have been pretty good. However, I have yet to find anything that I love so if you have any favorite vegetarian recipes please share!

A few new things...

We have learned a few new things around here...

WESTON:

Wes has figured out how to put his toes in his mouth today. It's funny to me how when babies do certain things it can be so adorable and yet if an adult were to do something like this it would be so disgusting.

Babies just make everything cute!!!

ABIGAIL:

Within the last week Abi has braved the water. This has been a HUGE step for her! 

For the past two years she has wanted nothing to do with actually being in the water. She has always just sat on the side or in the most shallow part of the water.

For some reason she was just ready. And she is LOVING it!!!! She now asks to go swimming everyday. {I've created a monster.}

Not only has she been super interested in swimming but she has been  really big on doing arts and crafts as of late. She is always coloring and today I gave in and let her paint. The smile on her face will be worth the mess when she is done.