Bacon Chicken Pasta

This was originally called Garlic Chicken Farfalle, but thats a stupid name because I doubled the amount of garlic, and it isn't garlicky at all.  But it is amazingly creamy and bacony.  You know a recipe is good when it calls for a pound of bacon and heavy whipping cream.


Bacon Chicken Pasta, originally from Cheat Day Cafe.

16 oz. Farfalle pasta
1 c. heavy whipping cream
1lb frozen chicken breasts
3 tablespoons minced garlic
1 Tbsp. pepper
1/2 c. butter
1 lb. bacon, crumpled
1/2 c. shredded Parmesan cheese
1 (12 oz) Lawry’s mesquite marinade with lime juice (I used the Target version)


Put chicken in crock pot with a bottle of marinade on low for 6 hours. Pull marinated chicken out of the juices, allow to cool a little bit, and shred. Set this aside and pour some of the juices on top of shredded chicken for added flavor.

About a half-hour before serving, boil the pasta. In a small saucepan, melt butter, add garlic, whipping cream, pepper, parmesan cheese, and crumpled bacon. Whisk together on low heat for 3-4 minutes until cheese is melted. 


In a large bowl, pour over cooked, drained pasta, add chicken and stir through. Sprinkle a little bit more shredded parmesan cheese on top.

Pink blazer

There are apparently three types of women when it comes to breastfeeding.  Those that lose the baby weight, those that lose the baby weight and then a ton of extra weight, and those that keep on an extra 15 pounds until they wean, and then lose it.

I've kept on the extra 15.  And surprisingly, for the most part I'm pretty okay with it.  Since breastfeeding has made me very top heavy, I actually think I look better being a little more well balanced as a whole, if I'm going to be stuck with these boobs.  However, after spending the last 20 years dressing a thin frame with small hips, no butt, and no boobs, I'm still struggling to figure out what looks flatter this body.  I used to live in dresses year round, but since I'm too busy/cheap/tired to get them all taken in as would look best, I've turned to separates.  My current style is pretty much the same every day.  If I'm not in workout clothes (remember, I work from home everyday), then I'm in skinny jeans, booties, a tank and a black blazer (for running errands).  I cycle between several different tanks and blouses, and switch up the shoes, but the black blazer has been my staple.

I'm tired of the black blazer.  I'm tired of winter, and I need color.  Enter:  the pink blazer.  Its been making its rounds on the fashion blogs, especially the Zara version, for a year?  two? and I doubt it'll be around much longer, so I scooped an H&M version for under $20.

I'm boring today for a trip to Target.

And I thought about grabbing a cute clutch for the pictures, but lets be serious - this kid needs toys, diapers, snacks, and a million other things - I barely cram it all in my massive diaper bag, and this thing is almost as big as I am.

But I'm excited about wearing this more in Spring, when its time for skirts and brighter colors!  (And Mystic Spray Tans, yikes!)

Please tell me that I'm not the only one that has a "fashion show" of trying on combinations of outfits when you bring home something new!

Blazer - H&M. Tee - Target. Jeans - Gap. Heels - ShoeDazzle. Purple tank - Target.  White skirt - Express.  Diaper bag - Kate Spade.

Sleeping beauties

I am exhausted.  It has been a long week of very late nights and very early mornings, and I am a girl who needs a solid 9 hours every night.

Last night, we picked up a couple that we are good friends with, then dropped Guinevere off at my parents' house, and headed out for a fun night of dinner and drinks.  Except that everything had finally caught up to me, and I was completely beat.  After dinner, I proposed calling it a night, and was solidly vetoed to a chorus of suggestions to order a Red Bull.  And so I did.  It didn't help.  Then, miraculously, the bar called last call at 11pm, and we headed off to my parents' to get Guinevere and head home.  And no matter how many times I whine about needing a night out, or complain about how much work it is to be a mother, there is an undescribable feeling when you pick up that sleepy, snuggly babe.  Was she good? Did she miss me? Did she cry/eat all her dinner/poop?  What did you do? I feel relieved that she was so good...sad that I missed out on putting her to bed...anxious to get her in my arms, and back in my care.

We probably hadn't made it half a mile down the road, on our way to drop off our friends, when I passed out in Guinevere's lap (rearfacing carseat), holding her hand.  And my sweet friend snapped a picture, and emailed it to me last night.  Its blurry and dark, and I absolutely love it.

*First time posting from my new Samsung Galaxy S2*

Nursery changes

Since I've got the home-renovation bug bad, I have been really amped to finally make some progress this spring/summer on updating our home.  

The first room in our house that was every truly done was Guinevere's nursery.

I'm still madly in love with her room, and its gotten some pretty amazing exposure, so I guess some other people like it too.  It was shown on Bryn Alexandra, Nest Design Studio, and Baby Lifestyles (which included a pretty neat interview, too).  Last November, it was picked by Jillian Harris (girl crush!) as her Room of the Month.  I also have seen it pop up on Pinterest which is super, super flattering.


But, as perfect as that room was for a baby...it doesn't quite look the same anymore.  We've had to make changes for our "pre-toddler" (because I'm positive she'll be toddling in a month or two!)  Its still my favorite room in the house, but I need to figure out a way to make it both chic and kid-friendly.

The canopy was the first to go.  We loved the airy chiffon curtains that my mother sewed, but we were nervous about her being able to reach and grab some of the fabric, and the metal base potentially being able to fall on her head.  I think some of those wall-mounted curtain tiebacks would work perfectly to keep it up, and out of her reach, but I haven't found any I like yet.  


In light of the sitting and pulling herself to standing, the crib was lowered.  She also now has a lovey in there, and her Sleep Sheep sound machine.  The mobile is also new, although I rarely use it, so should probably add it to my blog sale page.


We read a lot, but I'm trying to get better about a nighttime routine, so there are some books on the end table that help me remember to do two stories before bedtime.  And, since I do 99% of my nursing while at home in this rocker still, the Boppy stays put for easy access :)

The shelf above the changing table has become a dumping ground for her weekly onesie stickers, and I added a canvas that her aunt made her that says "G - est 2011".  We also keep lotion out on the table now, since she seems to have really dry skin (is that normal for babies in Winter?  I know its normal for me...), and then at the far left you can see her Noah's Ark nightlight from her godparents.

The closet is pretty much the same...just much bigger clothes :(

Hairbow storage moved from the closet to the back of the door - makes it much easier for me to see all of them and pick one out :)

Guinevere's Aunt Candra made the frame with the ribbons for her clips, and the organizer underneath has little clothespins for all of her pre-made hairbows.  I LOVE how organized this keeps everything!!


How did time so quickly go from her very first nap in the crib:

To her being able to stick her legs out the side and stand up in it?

Slow down, baby...

PS - new things listed on my Blog Sale page...a swing, bathtub, bathseat, bouncy chair, purse, crib sheet....check it out.

Our Love Story

Linking up with Mrs to Mama!

1. How long have you and your significant other been together?

We first started dating in 2000, and broke up for a year-ish in college, but stayed very close, and were back together for good at the end of 2005.

2. How did you meet? 

We were 16.  Tyler was a busboy at Don Pablos, and I left my number and email under my plate, along with my five other friends that were at dinner with me.  I had a boyfriend at the time, and had every intention of setting Tyler up with a girl I knew.  But we became friends, and months later, we became inseparable.

3. If married, how long have you been married? 

It will be four years this summer.  Time has flown!

4. If you are married, where did you get married at? Big or small wedding? 

It was a big wedding, and while it was nothing like I'd ever envisioned for myself, the end result was perfect - I'm married :)

5. Do you have any nick-names that you call one another? Do share!

We both say Babe.  We are boring.

6. Name 3 things you love most about your honey.

He is hilarious, and cracks me up, even when I'm furious at him.  He is kind and compassionate, even to a fault sometimes.  And he is a phenomenal husband and father - he takes care of us girls (dogs included!), and loves us unconditionally.

7. Tell us how he proposed? Or your ideal proposal?

We went to a white tie Debutante Cotillion over Thanksgiving. He'd planned on proposing there, in front of a beautiful Cinderella-esq carriage. He asked me how I felt about being proposed to in front of people. I'm picturing him grabbing a microphone and telling the whole room how much he loved me. And I figured he was kidding, and told him it was a dumb idea since we didn't even know anyone there. Later, a friend's dad kept taking pictures of us in front of the carriage, and encouraging us to "try a new pose." He missed the memo that his photography skills were no longer needed for a proposal, since Tyler thought I'd hate his idea! I teased him later that during those photos, he should have proposed, at which point all he could do was stare at me. Classic us - total miscommunication! 
 
So, now I knew it was coming, and his actual proposal was ten times better. We were 16 when we first started dating, and since 16 year olds don't have much to do at night, we'd hang out at the playground by his house. After dating for two months, I was still waiting for the first kiss, and one night slid down the slide, where he was waiting at the bottom, hand on each side, leaned over...and walked away. Chicken. I've teased him for years about ruining a perfect first kiss. So November 25th, he took me back there to recreate the moment - and he was waiting on one knee. 

8. Is he a flowers and teddy bear kind of guy for v-day, or strawberries, champagne, and rose petals?

He's a I did the dishes and got up with the baby last night kinda romantic ;)

9. Are you a sunset dinner on the beach kind of girl, or pop a movie in and relax on the couch?

Of those choices, sunset dinner on the beach, but I'd much rather a dressy night out in DC ;)

10. Tell us one thing you'd like to do with your significant one day. If you could do anything? Go anywhere?

Travel!  We never got a honeymoon, and while we got to go to Puerto Rico twice last year, I was pregnant, so I spent a lot of time not feeling well.  I'd love to travel with him now that we're done having kids!

11. Tell us what you plan on doing on this Valentine's Day.

My birthday is the 26th, so Tyler is combining the two and taking me out on the 24th.  I'll keep you posted ;)

12. Are you asking for anything this Valentine's day?

We don't usually do gifts for any holidays.  But Tyler - feel free to stalk my Pinterest Birthday wishlist board ;) http://pinterest.com/mrs_in_training/birthday-wishlist/

Source: homedecorators.com via Kelly on Pinterest

13. Give us one piece of advice of keeping a relationship strong and full of love.

Communication.  If something upsets you - talk about it.  Forgive.  Compromise.  Watch the action movie when you're in the mood for a romantic comedy.  Laugh.  Never let your relationship grow settled or stale.

14.  Show us a picture of what love means to you.

Dear Monday,

Love,
The Johnson Family

Great Room status

While organizing my pictures, I came across pictures of our living room from when we moved in, in 2008.  

Looking back, I hate that yellow paint SO much and it makes me super happy that we've repainted it!  


And now:

Normally, I walk downstairs and think about how much work we still have to do in here, but when I look back - its SO much better! 

Our current "To Do" list:

We're about to undergo a kitchen renovation, which will require new crown molding.  Since its all one large room, this room will get new crown molding, too.  


The ceiling fan looked great with the old furniture and yellow paint, but now this room needs something a lot more sleek.


The four small frames, end tables, crystal bead lamps, and most shelf decor is all borrowed from my office.  All of it needs to be back in my office, stat, and I need a new coffee table/end tables, and really bold lamps.  I also need to find some awesome artwork with much larger frames to go on the back wall.


The three windows need some sort of wooden plantation shutters, they need to be framed in, I need a large curtain rod going over all three of them, and I need to find some awesome curtains that won't compete with the new, busy rug.


We originally bought 8" taper legs for the sofa, stained them a rich brown, and put them on the couch.  They were crazy sexy.  And then one of them bent and snapped off (wahhh!) so we need to find a better way to attach them.  Because really, when you put them side by side - there is NO comparison!

And before anyone asks:
Entertainment Center, Ikea
Couch, Ikea
Coffee Table, Target
Rug, Home Goods
Pillows, TJ Maxx
Ceiling Fan, Lowes


And for the other side of the room:

Get rid of pretty much everything there now, add in these two chairs from Home Decorators, find an end table and lamp, and do a giant gallery wall of pictures.  I think we'll then need to do something in the far right corner (where Guinevere is currently chilling in her jumperoo), but I want to wait until I get the furniture in there, to see how much room we actually have to work with.


New Years Resolution:  Complete this room before Guinevere's first birthday party.