Jalapeno Popper Chicken

It all started with the jalapenos. A pint of them at the grocery store - easily 8 or 10 peppers - for just $1.99! I had no real use for 8 or 10 jalapenos, but nonetheless, I was instantly sold. I went home with my little peppers and started cooking up a plan. Jalapeno Popper Chicken - a favorite dish, reinvented. Perfect!

Perfect Pomarita

There's less than a week to go until Cinco de Mayo....a great excuse to eat delicious food and enjoy a beverage or two! You'll fall in love with these Perfect Pomaritas, made with fresh lime juice and agave nectar....first round's on me!

1000 Words #5 {Cafe Press}

Hey Everyone! Happy Friday!! I'm back today with another 1000 Words post...only today, I'm going to share some pictures from a great website called Cafe Press! Have you ever heard of it? Cafe Press is a HUGE online store, selling everything from clothing to gifts to home accessories....and anything you can think of in between! They have thousands of awesome products to choose from, as well as the option of creating your own custom designs. Pretty cool, if you ask me!

So when Cafe Press contacted me about reviewing and sharing their products with you, I was thrilled! I spent an entire naptime perusing the site (despite the hundreds of other things I should have been doing...) and wanted to share some of my favorite finds with you today! Better yet, in the near future you'll have the chance to win one of these great finds, courtesy of Cafe Press! Check out a few of their fun products:

custom shirts- http://www.cafepress.com/make/custom-t-shirts

Hummingbird's View Giveaway!

So.....you want to hear my exciting news? Yesterday Lemon Tree Dwelling hit 1000 followers on Facebook! Woo hoo! You want to hear my other exciting news? To celebrate, I'm going to be giving one of you a special present made by my good friend Lisa from Wine & Glue! Check it out!!

Almond Joy Popcorn

 All the flavors of an Almond Joy.....in popcorn form!

Before we get started, I have a quick little confession to make. I'm a little nervous to tell you this, because of the nature of this post.....but here goes. I don't even really like popcorn! Or Almond Joys, for that matter....! So how I decided to make this tasty little treat is beyond me. I think I can blame it on Trader Joe's. Ah, yes. Trader Joe's. I'm pretty sure it was the coconut oil.

Balsamic Strawberry-Mozzarella Bites

Fresh strawberries paired with fresh mozzarella and drizzled with sweetened balsamic vinegar....it was only a matter of time!

I want to let you in on a little secret about the way I do food. I am not a recipe person. Or a list person. I am not someone who plans out weekly meals, and when I go to the grocery store, I rarely have more than a vague idea of what I'm looking for. I don't have an orderly pantry (or refrigerator, for that matter.....) and even my ideas for the blog are written on little scraps of paper and strewn about the kitchen. In short, it's safe to say that, when it comes to food, organization is not my strong suit.

Spring Twig Tree {In Full}

Hi, Everyone! I hope you all had a wonderful weekend! Mine was nice and relaxing - we spent some time with good friends and went to my sister's yesterday for a belated Easter celebration. The weather was finally nice enough for the kids to play outside, and I got a much needed glimpse of spring. This little tree project was originally posted over at Nap Time Is My Time, but I thought I would share it with you (in full) here today, as a little reminder of spring. I'm not sure what yours has been like so far, but around here, we need all the reminders we can get!

Cookie Butter Scotcheroos

Cookie Butter Scotcheroos - just like your favorite treat....only better!

When I first met my husband Jorden, we were at a cocktail party two days before our college graduation. I spotted him across the patio and couldn't help but feel that I HAD to meet him. From the moment I laid eyes on him, I knew that I wanted him in my life (you can read the whole story here.) And when we had our first date, and talked like we had known one another our entire lives, and ended up closing the restaurant because we couldn't get enough of one other, I couldn't help but wonder, "WHERE HAVE YOU BEEN ALL MY LIFE??"

Quinoa Stuffed Peppers

 Long red peppers stuffed with Greek-style quinoa - a fresh new answer to "What's for dinner?"

This past December marked an important milestone for our family. After six years of night classes, Jorden (finally) graduated with his MBA! Yipee!! There are SO many reasons to celebrate.....no more late nights, no more papers, no more "group" projects, no more single parenting, no more final exams, no more grades, no more stress....(okay, still some stress)....but for the most part, it has been a really nice change!  But every now and then, when Thursday rolls around, I find myself wishing he was back in school.....

Lemon-Raspberry Phyllo Tarts

These little tarts are the perfect spring dessert, combining lemony-raspberry goodness with a touch of almond in one (very) delicious bite!

I  am always amazed when I drive past an Olive Garden and see the parking lot full of cars. And not just on Friday and Saturday nights, but pretty much anytime. All the time! We don't even bother stopping anymore...after so many times of being told there is an hour long wait, you eventually give up....especially when you have 3 kids in tow!

Mother's Day Vases {for little hands}

Mason jar vases painted with circle flowers are simple enough for little hands...and make the perfect Mother's Day gift!

Before I became a mom, I always dreamed of having little artists. I'm not really sure why... (artists can be temperamental! and messy!)... but I guess I just loved the idea of having a house filled with creativity and the work of little hands. So, from the time Ellia was little, we have been drawing, painting, cutting, pasting, embellishing, glitterizing, messing, CREATING....and I must say, I think my dream has come true!

Peanut Butter Banana Wontons

  Peanut butter, bananas, and honey.....all rolled up in a wonton and dipped in powdered sugar....your new favorite dessert! (Or, if you're lucky...breakfast!)

One of my favorite breakfast choices as a child was toast with peanut butter, sliced bananas, and honey.....drizzled generously over the top.....dripping down on my fingers....the perfect combination of salty and sweet. It always felt like a breakfast treat! Little did I know, back then, that it was actually (decently) good for me. (Had I known, I probably wouldn't have liked it as much...)

A {Very Cool} Giveaway!!

Hey Everyone!! I am so excited to be hosting my second {very cool} giveaway with a huge group of {very cool} bloggers!! One of the best gifts I have ever received is my DSLR camera....I use it daily and rarely go anywhere without it! It has helped me capture awesome shots of my kiddos, my backyard, and, of course, the yummy food I love to share with you here at Lemon Tree Dwelling. So when Lisa from Wine & Glue asked me if I'd like to be part of a Canon Rebel giveaway, I just couldn't pass up the chance to give one of my favorite things to one of you!

Happy Weekend & A Giveaway Preview!

Happy weekend, everyone! I hope you are all up to something fun today.... here's a little glimpse at what I'm up to...!

A little painting....

Sweet 'n' Hot Creamy Grilled Cheese

Did you know that today is National Grilled Cheese Day? Funny.....I wonder who comes up with such a day!? I actually didn't know about it until yesterday afternoon, when I checked my email and saw that a local sandwich shop is offering free grilled cheese sandwiches today....! If it weren't for the long lines and ungodly wait time, I just might consider taking advantage of such a fun offer! But, instead, I think I'll make myself one of these.....

Co-Hosting Tickled Pink #141 ~ 504 Main

Hey guys! I am so excited to be co-hosting 504 Main's weekly linky party, Tickled Pink! When Holly asked me a few week's back if I would consider co-hosting and helping her select a week's worth of features, I was....well....tickled pink! Holly has a wonderful blog and seems to be able to do it all!! From cooking and baking to crafting and DIY...it's always fun to see what you'll find at 504 Main! So.....after last night's mini basement flood, I'm looking forward to sitting back, relaxing, and partying with Holly (and, of course, all of you!) I hope you will link up your latest projects....I like to feel like I'm contributing something to the party (don't want to show up empty-handed, ya know?)  :)

Ok.......on to the party!

Lemon Meringue Martini

 Limoncello and whipped cream-flavored vodka join forces in this delectable martini - like lemon meringue pie in a glass!

One of the first things we noticed when we moved into our Lemon Tree Dwelling was the fact that the sump pump never stopped running. All through the day and night we could hear it churning - loudly - until eventually we had heard it long enough that we stopped even noticing. What we didn't stop noticing, though, was the fact that, despite the sump pump running constantly, we still had water in our basement. Apparently running constantly is not the same as actually working!

1000 Words {#4}

Hey, Everyone! It's been a while since I've done a 1000 Words post....my version of Wordless Wednesday. My original intent was to do one every week, but I feel like I always have projects and recipes I want to share instead. Today is no different, except for the fact that I went out for sushi last night with my good friend, Lisa from Wine & Glue (have you visited her yet? If not, you should!!) instead of writing a blog post. In other words, real life got in the way of blogging.....and it was totally worth it.

So, for now, I thought I'd share a few pictures from our weekend.....back when it was sunny (for a day)...and we all got to spend some time outside.

Everyone loved getting outside (well...everyone except me....still too cold for this gal!) but no one loved it as much as Nora.

Can you guess who got her dressed?

She liked being outside so much that the thought of going back inside started a tantrum that grew....

....and grew.....

Turns out we should have let her stay outside all day....because ever since then it's been raining. The good news is the rain boots are ready to go whenever we are....right where we left them :)

How is your spring so far....?

Thanks for taking a peek inside my Lemon Tree Dwelling!

I hope you feel right at home :)

-Cathy

Glazed Strawberry-Peach Muffins

 Strawberry-peach muffins can't help but make you think summer....and when you add a sweet peach drizzle, you can't help but think yummmmmm!

Do you ever feel like you're living in the movie Groundhog's Day? Where the same things happen day, after day, after day? Every morning here at our Lemon Tree Dwelling is a little like that....first Nora wakes up waaaaay too early (this morning was 5:00), then Ellia comes in our bedroom and asks if she can go get the ipad, then Greta climbs into our bed and asks for a new pony (she is obsessed with high ponytails and asks us to re-do them about 18 times a day)....and then, when we can't push the time any longer, and we are running the risk of being late for school, we all head downstairs for breakfast. And Groundhog's Day continues.

Olive Tapenade Meatball Subs

So have I told you that both of my sisters AND my sister-in-law are all pregnant right now? Two of them with their first and the other with her second? Yep....I'm actually the only one in my family who's NOT pregnant....nothing like family pressure to get you thinking about baby #4!

May Day Wreath

 

Remember making May Day baskets in elementary school? For some reason, it's one of the things that always stands out to me when I think back. The idea was to give someone flowers as a celebration of spring, so we cut out paper flowers and put them in baskets... and our teacher instructed us to hang them on someone's front door as a little May Day surprise. I loved the idea of surprising someone with flowers - a sweet little way to brighten someone's day....and as May approaches, I find myself thinking May Day might be a fun holiday to bring back. Instead of "boo-ing" our neighbors, we can "flower" them!

Spaghetti Pizza Pie

 

Is it just me....or do leftovers in the fridge induce stress? Maybe it's because of the way I was raised (clean plate club, anyone?) or maybe it's because I know the time and money that went into making the meal....but when I see containers of food piling up on the shelves, I feel like I need to come up with a plan....quick!

Spring Twig Tree

Happy Thursday, Everyone! It's almost Friday....right? And today is a great day, because I was invited to guest post today over at Nap Time Is My Time! (Thank you, Emily!!) If you've never been to her site, be sure to check it out....she does a great job with all things parent and family related, from meal planning to product review to parenting tips! Today I am sharing my Spring Twig Tree with all her readers....and I'd love for you to come check it out! Here's a quick preview...

....but to see the rest, come find me hanging out with Emily in her neck of the woods! Hope to see you there!


Thanks for taking a peek inside my Lemon Tree Dwelling!
I hope you feel right at home :)
-Cathy

Salted Caramel Chocolate Sauce

I have a confession to make: this recipe was actually a HUGE fail! Okay....not in its finished form...but that's only because its finished form is not at all what I set out to make. SCORE!! I have always wanted to have a successful recipe fail - you know - one of those great recipes that is created by accident.....? I feel like it's one of the only types of failure that actually signifies success....(you must be somewhat successful if you can salvage the mess....ha!)

Turkey Cuban Sandwich

My kids are on spring break this week. Woo hoo! Except not really....because on Friday I had sinus surgery, which means that all weekend I was "recovering" (what's that?) and today, the start of spring break, was my first day flying solo. There is a lot I could say about my surgery, but I'll spare you the gory details. Except to say that going cold turkey on pain medication is NOT a good idea after surgery....a lesson I learned the hard way....today.