Here are some random pictures from July. I didn't realize how many photos I hadn't posted yet...so prepare yourself.
Poor, sick nugget...
Fun with Ellie...
Blowing Bubbles...
9 years ago, today, I married the man who has made all of my dreams come true! I am so thankful for the amazing husband, father & friend, that Travis is, and am humbled daily that God continues to bless me with and through him. Happy Anniversary, Baby~
When we moved into our new house, there were only a few Indian Hawthorne bushes still living in our front flower beds. So my brother helped me create a cottage style landscape design and my grandmother and I went to work! To say that completely landscaping a new yard on a year where it fails to rain...EVER, would be a major understatement. It has been really challenging, but Travis and I are so pleased with the results. Granted all the plants are new and pretty small, but we can envision what the fruits of our labor will look like next Spring. :)
Here are the before pictures. Like I said, we pulled up all but 3 Indian Hawthorne's from the original beds.
...and after.
A few of my garden favorites...
"Dallas Red" Crape Myrtle...I LOVE this tree!
"Homestead Purple" Verbena
"May Night" Salvia
"Rosy Glow" Barberry
Hollyhocks
Maiden Grass
"Valentine" & "Marie Pavie" Antique Roses
I made this Pioneer Woman recipe last night & my handsome husband, the self proclaimed food snob, said that it was one of the best sandwiches that he's ever had! I've happily added it to our collection of favorites. I served it with Jalapeno Kettle Chips. Easy & very tasty, the winning combo for a busy momma. And an added bonus, your house will smell fantastic while the pork is cooking! :)
Pork Sandwiches with Cilantro-Jalapeno Slaw
1 whole Onion, Peeled And Quartered
1 whole Pork Butt (pork Shoulder Roast)
Salt And Pepper
1 can (11 Ounce) Chipotle Peppers In Adobo Sauce
2 cans Cola (Dr Pepper, Coke, Etc.)
2 Tablespoons Brown Sugar
12 whole Good Quality Kaiser Or Deli Rolls
12 Tablespoons Butter
1/2 head Cabbage, Sliced Thin
1/2 head Purple Cabbage, Sliced Thin
1 whole Jalapeno, Halved Lengthwise And Thinly Sliced
1/2 cup Whole Milk
1/2 cup Mayonnaise
1 teaspoon White Vinegar
1 Tablespoon Sugar
1/4 teaspoon Salt
1/4 teaspoon Cayenne Pepper
2 cups Cilantro Leaves, Barely Chopped
Preparation Instructions:
MEAT
Preheat oven to 300 degrees.
Generously salt and pepper the pork roast, then set it on top of the onions in the pan.
Pour the can of chipotle peppers over the pork (include the sauce.) Pour in both cans of Dr Pepper. Add brown sugar to the juice and stir in.
Place lid tightly on pot, then set pot in the oven. Cook for at least six hours, turning roast two or three times during the cooking process. Check meat after six hours; it should be absolutely falling apart (use two forks to test.) If it’s not falling apart, return to the oven for another hour.
Remove meat from pot and place on a cutting board or other work surface. Use two forks to shred meat, discarding large pieces of fat. Strain as much of the fat off the top of the cooking liquid as you can and discard it. Return the shredded meat to the cooking liquid, and keep warm until ready to serve. (You can also refrigerate the meat and liquid separately, then remove hardened fat once it’s cold. Then heat up the liquid on the stovetop and return the meat to the liquid to warm up.)
SLAW
Combine shredded cabbage and sliced jalapenos in a bowl. In a separate bowl mix milk, mayonnaise, vinegar, sugar, salt, and cayenne. Pour over cabbage. Toss to combine. Cover and refrigerate two hours.
Before serving, toss in cilantro leaves.
SANDWICHES
Butter both halves of Kaiser rolls, then brown them on a griddle or skillet until golden and crisp on the surface. Load up each sandwich with shredded pork, then REALLY load them up with the slaw.
Our friend, Lynette Reeves of Only Imagine Photography (onlyimaginephotography.com) recently took photos of our sweet kiddos to mark Cy's 2nd birthday & the half way point in Lila Grace's first year of life (a bit belated...she's now 8 months old!). We are beyond thrilled with what Lynette captured...beautiful moments with our precious little ones. Here's a sneak peek at the session...more to come soon. :)
