Meal Plan: May 21-25

Monday:  Buffalo Chicken Taquitos

My husband laughs at me because I've become quite the Buffalo chicken afficianado.  In the past year my opinion of Buffalo chicken has gone from "oh, that's way too spicy" to "that's freakin' awesome!!"   I have no idea what happened.  Maybe I'm closer to The Change than I know???  Anyway, I love it.  And these taquitos look delish!

Tuesday:  Avocado Pesto Pasta

Pesto is one of my favorite flavors on the planet!  Add avocado?  I'm there!

Wednesday:  Chicken Fried Steak with Gravy, Mashed Potatoes and Marinated Tomato Salad

I watched the Pioneer Woman make this on her show Saturday morning, and now I can't stop thinking about it!

Thursday:  Open Face Chicken Caprese Sandwiches

Oh, my goodness, do these look good!!  Simple, fresh flavors.  Yum incarnate.

Friday:  Deli Skewers with Cucumber-Ranch Dip

I've decided that we need to go on a picnic this week.  The weather forecast is ideal, and I just found this fabulous idea for deli skewers.  I'll make some of our favorite potato salad, chop some veggie sticks, and we're good to go!

Happy Eating, Friends!

Chris

Weekly Meal Plan: May 14-18

Hello, Friends!  Hope you had a good Mother's Day. 

Here's the scoop on what the Perkinses will be eating this week.

Monday:  Maple Mustard Chicken
Doesn't this look scrumptious?!  And it's easy too.  You're welcome.




Tuesday:  Chef Meg's Eggplant Napoleons
We're trying to eat healthier this week and exercise more, so what could be better than a yummy recipe from SparkPeople.com?




Wednesday:  Thai Chicken Pizza
Some beautiful, exotic flavors on a simple canvas of naan bread.  Mmmmm....




Thursday:  Southwestern Breakfast Skillet
You know I'm a sucker for breakfast time any time!



Friday:  Inside Out Spring Roll Salad
A whole lotta yum in that bowl right there! 



Wishing you all good eats and good times this week!

Chris

Friday Favorites: Week 5

Favorite imaginary boyfriend:

I'll admit it - flawed as he is, I like Don Draper.

Did you know that Jon Hamm shares my hometown of St. Louis?  Better yet, he's a

fellow Blues hockey fan.

Honey, you can cook for me any. day. of. the. week. [sigh]

And speaking of Don Draper, one of my favorite boutiques here in St. Louis, Maven, sells Don Draper glycerin soap!  I just bought some for my husband last weekend, and he loves it!  It's "a surprisingly refreshing mix of gin martini and bay rum.  Very fresh -- don't knock it 'til you try it!"  I concur.  It would be a great gift for Father's Day.  Just sayin'. 

Favorite funny:

This applies to a lot of people I know...including me from time to time!

Favorite new song:

Mermaid by Train

"Can't swim, so I took a boat

to an island so remote,

only Johnny Depp has ever been to it before..."

Favorite refresher:

Basil Lemonade.  I tasted this at a local coffee shop last weekend - so satisfying!

Favorite summer getaway:

Treehouse!

Favorite gasp of the week:

Look at this gorgeous shot of the moon over the Caribbean!

Favorite snack:

Churro chex.  Yowza, does that look yummy!

Favorite sunroom:

Don't you just want to call all your friends over, make some fresh lemonade and snacks and hang out here for a couple of hours?  I do!

Favorite thing I'd do if I had too much time on my hands:

Make my own designer band-aids!

Favorite kitchen tile:

Look at this gorgeousness!!!  The colors make me think it's slate, but I really love the iridescence.  Beautiful!

Have a wonderful weekend, my friends!

Chris

Friday Favorites: Week 4

TGIF!!!!!!!!!!!!!  Hope you all had a great week.  Me, not so much.  Work has been crazy, I've gained 3 lbs. and my back hurts.  On the other hand, the weekend's here and tomorrow I, your humble blogger friend, turn the BIG 4-0!  Yes, I'm a Cinco de Mayo birthday baby.  Wasn't it nice of Mexico to give me an even bigger reason to party?!  ;-D 

Here are some of my favorite things this week:

New Favorite Song:

"Spinning Around in the Air" by The Proclaimers, from their upcoming album "Like Comedy" which drops on May 7.  I've loved these guys for at least 15 years, ever since I saw Benny & Joon and heard the immortal "I'm Gonna Be (500 Miles)".  I've traveled to Chicago twice in the past three years to see them in concert.  Craig and Charlie Reid are awesome!

Favorite "Oh no, they didn't"!

Chubby Hubby Snack Mix from Cookies & Cups

Okay, make that *15* lbs. that I'm gonna gain this week!  Can you imagine all this yumminess rolling around on your tongue???  Oh. My. GOODNESS!

Favorite new way to keep clean:

Microdermamitt Body Mitt.  No, it's not a new way to support Mitt Romney (although that guy does have good skin for a man, don'tcha think?).  This is an exfoliating mitt that you use in the shower 2-3 times a week.  You simply wet it with water (or add some body wash if you prefer) and scrub your body to slough off dead skin and dirt.  You'll have smoother, healthier skin in one use.  FOR REAL!  I got one in my April Birchbox.  I love this thing and can't imagine how I've lived 40 years without it!

Favorite cute dog photo:

Just...LOL!!!

Favorite DIY fashion project:

Copycat Anthropologie necklace.  I've seen this necklace on a bunch of fashion bloggers and I can't wait to make my own version!

Favorite refresher:

Just in time for Cinco de Mayo, check out this lime freeze!

Favorite posies:

Don't these just scream spring to you?!  I love ranunculus flowers.

Favorite sweet sentiment:

Awwwww!  Reminds me of my sweet husband.  :-)

Favorite birthday cake idea:

I think I need a rainbow cake for my birthday tomorrow!

Other Favorite birthday cake idea:

Or...I might want a cherry cake instead.  I'm difficult that way.

Have a wonderful, fun-filled, cinco-de-mayo-celebrating weekend!

Chris

Weekly Meal Plan - April 30-May 4

Monday:  Cheesy Enchilada Stuffed Shells from Crumbs and Chaos

If you're like me, you eat at least one Mexican-style meal each week.  Since Saturday is Cinco de Mayo, I suggest you get it out of the way on Monday so you're not burned out when it's time for the *real* fiesta!! 




Tuesday:  Sourdough BLT with Avocado Mayonnaise from The Tasty Cheapskate

I tried a Barefoot Contessa recipe for a California BLT which included avocadoes as a separate ingredient.  Bill and I both agreed that it was delicious!  I'm thinking this might be even better because the avocadoes are part of the spread and won't slide out of the sandwich when you take a bite.  My mouth's watering just thinking about it!


Wednesday:  Sweet and Spicy Ginger Noodles with Roasted Vegetables from Heather's Dish

The sound of this just makes me happy!  I've discovered this year a deep, abiding love for ginger that I never knew I had.  :-)

Thursday:  Pork Loin with Coca-Cola Barbecue Sauce from Crumbs and Chaos

I got a great deal on pork loin last week at Dierbergs, and I can't wait to try this recipe!  I've fixed quite a few pork loins in the past couple of years, but never with barbecue...



Friday:  Pecan Crusted Chicken and Apple Salad with Maple Balsamic Vinaigrette by Kitchen Simplicity

Doesn't the title of this recipe alone make you start salivating for this salad?!  It looks light, crisp and scrump-dillyicious!

Friday Favorites: Week 3

Favorite Funny:

Apparently, there's already a sequel to the movie "Battleship" in the works:

We so should have seen it coming...

Favorite pop of color for the home:

Painted orange curtains from Suburbs Mama.  How cute are these?!

Favorite dessert I *have* to try:

Homemade ice cream without the ice cream maker from Hello Brit Blog

Favorite springy craft idea:

Spring Poppy Vase from Crafts by Amanda



Favorite arm candy:

Beach Time Bangle Set by Sweet Auburn Studio

Favorite silly animal photo:

Favorite meal idea I found this week:

Veggie Pesto Pizza from Lauren's Latest

I just discovered this lovely blog and can't wait to try more yummy recipes like this one!

Favorite blast from the past:

Panama by Van Halen.  I keep hearing it on the radio this week, and every time it gets to this part

Got the feelin', power steerin'
Pistons poppin' ain't no stoppin' ((((now))))

I see this image from the video in my head, and I have to do jazz hands just like Dave.

Favorite cute summer dress:

Banded Multi Dot Dress from Dress Barn.  Just add a fun clutch and some sandals!

Favorite place I want to hang out in:

Somebody bring me some fresh squeezed lemonade.  Pretty please??

Enjoy your weekend, friends!  :-)

Chris