Shrimp and Grits: The Easy Version

A few months ago I promised to start posting a few of the recipes that I cook because if I can make it anyone can! I'm a little domestically challenged. :)

I have been getting bored with my usual recipes, so I decided to branch out and try Shrimp and Grits. Many of the Shrimp and Grits recipes I found intimidated me. There were so many ingredients, and I wasn't really sure what I was supposed to do with all of them. Although, I hear that the complicated looking Shrimp and Grits recipe is not that hard to make I decided to come up with an easy version. I cooked the easy version Thursday night, and my husband loved it! I thought I would share the "recipe" with all of my blog friends that struggle in the kitchen like I do.

Shrimp and Grits: The Easy Version
*Have your local grocery store (Kroger) cook a pound of shrimp for you in Old Bay Seasoning
*Peel your shrimp
*Cook Quick Grits according to package directions
*Once grits thicken, add spices to taste (Keep grits warm on stove while adding ingredients)
*I used salt, pepper, garlic powder, red pepper flakes, and a Cajun seasoning. I found all these in the spice section of the grocery store.
*Add grated sharp cheddar to grits. For an extra little kick, you can use extra sharp cheddar instead.
*Serve grits in bowl and add your shrimp on top.
*If you want a little more spice, add a touch of Tabasco sauce to your serving.
*Enjoy!!!

It's Best to Wait

I have always known that I eventually wanted children, but I was not in a hurry for them. To be honest with you, the whole birthing process just didn't appeal to me. Translation: The actual act of giving birth scared the crap out of me.

Now, I have baby fever. In fact, I have baby fever so bad that I don't really care that I have to give birth. If giving birth gets me a baby, then I will do it! What? Who am I? Have I been possessed? What am I saying? I'm actually in shock! I never thought these words would be coming out of my mouth. I guess mother nature has a way of preparing you for these sorts of things.

Michael and I have talked about it, but he isn't quite ready for children. I have happily agreed to wait. We first decided to wait until the end of this year, but after finding out a friend is getting married in May of 2010 we decided to wait until after their wedding to begin trying.

Well, I think we might have to wait just a little longer. Here's why:

This past Tuesday there was absolutely nothing on television that Michael and I wanted to watch, so we decided to watch "America's Funniest Home Videos". I was having a great time watching the show and giggling, but Michael didn't even crack a smile. That is until a toddler came waddling onto the screen only to be knocked down by a huge black cat. He laughed hysterically. The only videos that made him laugh were videos where small children got knocked down. I mentioned this to him, and he simply replied, "It's funny to watch kids fall down". Ummmm, yep this is a definite sign that it is best to wait! :)

Oh, and just so you know-my husband really is a sweet guy. I promise he does not go around knocking down children and laughing. In fact, my niece had to write a paper in school about someone she admires. She wrote about Michael. She said he was smart, and funny, and he took her to Chuck E. Cheese. See, she didn't mention anything about him knocking her down! :)

Monday Edition on A Tuesday: My Favorite Things

I had so many responses about the cute lunch tote that I am giving away (Enter here) that I thought I would make it my favorite thing! It's true! I do love a cute lunch tote! Some people may think that using a brown bag is a little more economical-not me! A lunch tote may cost a little bit of money but having a cute lunch tote makes me want to take my lunch to work! Anything that motivates me to take my lunch to work instead of eating out is a great investment! It helps my budget and my waist line!!!!

Here are a few of my favorite lunch totes!

The above lunch tote is from wrapables.com. It can be yours for $10.95 or for free if you win my give away!

These totes (above) are also available at wrapables.com for $24.95.

These precious monogrammed lunch totes are available at stitchatlantic.com. It is a little pricey at around $35.

This precious lunch tote looks just like a cute purse. It is available at fortunoff.com for $30.00.

I guess you could always have fun with a old school look! I definitely had this lunch box as a kid!

And this one too!

Did you have a favorite lunch box as a kid?

Weekend Re-Cap!

I don't have much time to blog today since my day is filled with meetings. However, I had to do a quick blog about my weekend. This weekend was so busy, but it was so much fun.

Friday night after work Michael and I headed to Atlanta to celebrate my brother-in-laws (Michael's brother) birthday. It was great! I had a wonderful time spending time talking to Matthew and all his friends. I even had some bonding time with his precious girlfriend. Below is a picture of me and the birthday boy (please note that the red eyes on Matthew are from him getting something in his eyes, we didn't drink that excessively).

Michael and I stayed at Matthew's house that night. We slept in late, and then went to a wonderful brunch with our friend Martin. Below is a picture of Michael and Martin from Friday night. I don't have any pictures from brunch. :)

When we got back to Athens Saturday afternoon, we celebrated the birthday of one of our friends by grilling out at his house. Him and his wife were such great hosts! Another couple we are friends with was also there, so we had a fun, relaxing night.

Sunday I went to lunch with my friend, Erin. After lunch, Erin and I took a trip to the pet store. We had so much fun playing with the puppies. We played with the sweetest Lhasa Apso puppy. He looked a lot like the picture below. He was so fat and fluffy!

Sunday night, Michael and I attended The Taste of Athens. Sampling the different foods, wine and beer was amazing. Of course, we ate way too much, but I think everyone there did the same thing! I just wish I didn't have to weigh in at Weight Watcher tomorrow!

The Taste of Athens also hosted a silent auction. At the silent auction, I fell in love with a terra cotta pigeon. It was precious, and it had a great story behind it. I stalked the pigeon all night long to ensure that I was the highest bidder. Below is a picture of my pigeon.

Here's the story behind the pigeon that made me love it so much!

All in all it was a wonderful weekend! I hope you had a wonderful weekend too! I'm not sure I am going to have time to do my usual Monday post, but if I don't I will definitely make up for it tomorrow! Have a happy Monday! I'm off to another meeting!

The Best Giveaway Ever

TheTale of a Southern Belle is having an amazing give away! She is giving away a trip!!! Enter here!!! Oh, and if you win, please consider taking me! :)

Cutting Corners Give Away

My give away is scheduled to end on Friday, February 27th. Be sure to visit the Cutting Corners post and leave a comment with your money saving tips to enter. The more tips you share, the more times you will be entered to win. Here's what you could win:
A cute insulated lunch tote, so you can look stylish while saving money by bringing your own lunch to work.



A reusable water bottle to help you save money and the planet! Oh, and it is really cute too! Don't you just love the pink tree and the fact that it is dishwasher safe!



And a $10 Starbucks Gift Card because we all need to splurge every once in a while!!!

Monday Edition: My Favorite Things

Happy Monday and Happy Presidents Day! I don't have the day off today, but I don't mind much. Work has been pretty entertaining today! Heather and I decided to take a break from the normal lunch, and we went to a local pharmacy to eat lunch at their soda shop counter. It was so much fun! I always enjoy eating there. It makes me feel like I live in Mayberry.

This weekend was a great weekend. I came home on Friday to find a package from Jules at Chic and Pink! I was so excited when I won her fabulous giveaway! Thanks again Jules!!!!! Jules is just the sweetest!!! If you haven't visited her blog, make sure you do! In all the excitement of playing with my new things I forgot to take a picture. However, if you go here you can see what I won!

Michael and I had a fabulous Valentine's. It was pretty low key! Michael had to judge a mock trial competition, so he was gone until late afternoon. When he came home, we went to a very late lunch and then took a little field trip down the road to see the baby lambs at The University of Georgia's farm. The baby lambs are so cute!!! They are always a favorite of mine this time of year! We weren't very hungry when dinner time rolled around, so we went to a little wine and coffee bar instead of going to dinner. There we enjoyed the romantic atmosphere along with a couple of glasses of wine and a cheese tray. It was perfect! As promised, I made Michael chocolate covered pretzels, and he surprised me with a very nice bottle of red wine.

Staying with the theme of Valentine's Day, my favorite thing today is a book that my minister had Micheal and I read before we got married. I know many of you have heard of it and even read it. It is called The Five Love Languages by Gary Chapman. This book really opened my eyes and helped Michael and I learn to communicate better. It even helped me to get over a few issues that I harbored from a very bad time in our relationship because I finally understood the reason our relationship was so rocky during that period of time. This book is a great tool in any relationship! Heck, I would suggest reading it even if your single!