White Chocolate Bread Pudding

One of my favorite desserts ever is from a restaurant in B'ham called Prairie Fire Grill. I don't usually like bread pudding, but this is absolutely to die for!!! I found out they did a special on a news station here and gave out the recipe on their website, and it actually appears to be really easy to make! Click here to get the recipe and even see their chef make it!

My Eldest...

Here's a few pictures of the Grif-man...I just can't believe how he's growing up and seeming more like a "big boy!" His personality is developing more and more and we just love watching him! He's become so friendly...everywhere we go he strikes up a conversation with any stranger who will listen. His favorite thing to say right now is, "That's what I'm talkin' about, baby!" He makes us laugh all the time and his joyful spirit is contagious. The last two pictures are from his swim lessons a few weeks ago. In the last one he's getting the other kids to give him five, telling them "I mean a hot one!"

Memorial Day at the Lake!

I'm sorry I'm a little behind here, but I'm going to try to catch up! The past couple weeks have been very busy...swimming lessons, Griffin going to VBS for the first time (he loved it), and last week we were at the beach. I wanted to post a couple pictures from our really fun weekend visiting Michael's parents at the lake a few weekends ago for Memorial Day!

6 months old!!!

I've got to ask you to humor me a bit on this one, because I realize that these pictures are really similar. I'm so indecisive anyway and I just couldn't decide which ones were my favorites! I can't believe my sweet little pumpkin is already half a year old! I'm just enjoying this great stage right now before she gets mobile!!!

Collier's Baptism

A few weeks ago was a very special day for our family--Collier's baptism! Collier did so well, and believe it or not the boys were so still and quiet during the whole thing! We were in shock! We were so thankful to our sweet family for coming to share in such a special day with us! Here are some pictures...

Our family of five...
With Nana and Poppy
Aunt Nanette made this beautiful (and delicious) cake!!
Collier with her big brothers (and biggest fans)!
With Daddy
With Nana
With Grannybee (my grandmother)

With Granny and Papa Dave
With Aunt Bonnye and Uncle Tom (Michael's aunt and uncle)

Take that Cheesecake Factory...

Today has been a great day! As much as I love to travel, it's been so nice to have this weekend at home. Michael and the boys went out on the kayak and fished, we all went to the pool, we were able to get some things done around the house, I dropped to four feedings with Collier (love this stage)...it was a great day! Tonight I made a copycat recipe of my favorite meal from The Cheesecake Factory--Chicken Madeira. I've never ordered anything else there because I love it so much! I am on Weight Watchers right now (love that program by the way), so I researched the nutritional info on that dish before I went the last time--let's just say it was horrifying! I found this copycat recipe of it online and just tweaked a few things--it was so delicious and only 5 points!!! I thought maybe some of you might like that meal as much as I do (on the menu it says it's their most popular chicken dish), so I'm sharing the recipe below. Now if I can just find a healthy version of the Chocolate Peanut Butter Cookie Dough cheesecake...

Chicken Madeira
(this recipe made way too much sauce, so next time I'll either add more chicken or make less sauce)
* 1 tsp extra virgin olive oil
* 4 boneless skinless chicken breast
* 8 asparagus spear
* 4 slices part skim mozzarella cheese
* 2 cups fresh mushroom, sliced (I used baby bella)
* 3 cups madeira wine (I tried 3 grocery stores and finally got this at a liquor store)
* 2 cups beef stock
* 1 tablespoon light butter
* 1/4 cup cornstarch (optional)
* 1/4 teaspoon ground black pepper

Directions

1.Heat 1 Tsp olive oil in a large skillet over medium heat.
2.Cover each chicken breast with plastic wrap and using a mallet flatten to about 1/4 inch thick.
3.Sprinkle with salt and pepper.
4.Saute chicken for 4 to 6 minutes or until the chicken has browned just a bit.
5.Remove from pan and keep warm.
6.Do not clean pan.
7.Add the sliced mushrooms and saute for about two minutes.
9.Add the Madeira wine, beef stock, butter and pepper.
10.Bring the sauce to a boil, then reduce heat and simmer for about 20 minutes or until sauce has thickened.
11.The sauce will be done when it has thickened and turned a dark brown in color.
12.(optional-Make a paste from cornstarch and some of the sauce. Stir into sauce until thickened.).
13.As the sauce is simmering, bring a medium saucepan filled halfway with water to a boil.
14.Add a little salt.
15.Toss the asparagus into the water and boil for 3 to 5 minutes.
16.Drop the asparagus in a bowl of ice water to halt the cooking.
17. Set the oven to broil.
18. Prepare the dish by arranging the cooked chicken fillets on a baking pan.
19.Cross two asparagus spears over each fillet, then cover each with a slice of mozzarella cheese.
20.Broil the fillets for 3 to 4 minutes.
21.To serve, arrange two chicken breast on each plate, then spoon 5 tablespoons of Madeira sauce over the chicken on each plate.

A Week in Destin!

We've had a crazy past few weeks on the run, but they've been lots of fun! We spent a week in Destin with my parents and grandmother which was such a treat!