a bit of life lately.

Things have been quiet on this little blog.

More to come on that later...

I plan on picking things up here real soon.

In the meantime...

We've got grass!!!

Or if you're a Minky you call it... "gwwwassss."

{before...}

Upon moving into our house the landscaping bids were

craaazzy expensive so my studly husband did some research and set out

to do it himself. Chipping away at it little by little throughout the year. Loads of digging and moving dirt and rock around. He poured the patio with a few kind buddies in exchange for breakfast and coffee. Built the retaining wall with the help of his wifey...I even had a few wood slivers to show for it:) dug and designed the sprinkler system with our dads. And finished with the laying of the sod accompanied by a little Mink!

We have a few little touches to add..but so grateful for all that has been done.

So proud of you husband!

 

This weekend was the Tough Mudder.

I froze while spectating this craziness..so I can't even imagine how freezing these

manly four were.  I did really enjoy laughing as all the participants ran

through the electroshock obstacle :) except when it was my man's turn to get shocked!

and lastly my new FAVORITE recipe...

your house will smell heavenly and I promise you will just LOVE it.

 

Ingredients:

1/4 cup olive oil

4 cloves of garlic, minced

2 tablespoons sugar

2 whole lemons, one juiced and one sliced

2 whole oranges, one juiced and one sliced

1 tablespoon Italian seasoning

1/2 teaspoon paprika

1 teaspoon onion powder

1/4 teaspoon crushed red pepper flakes

Kosher salt and freshly ground pepper, to taste

10-12 pieces (about 4 1/2 lbs.) bone-in chicken parts (thighs and legs are best), pat dry

1 medium onion (any kind), thinly sliced

1 teaspoon dried thyme, or fresh chopped

1 tablespoon dried rosemary, or fresh chopped

Chopped fresh herbs (rosemary, thyme, parsley), for garnish, optional

Directions:

Preheat oven to 400 degrees F.

In a small bowl whisk together olive oil, garlic, sugar, lemon juice, orange juice, Italian seasoning, paprika, onion powder, red pepper flakes, and salt and pepper.

Place chicken in a rimmed 13-in. x 9-in. baking dish. Place parts skin side up and spread them out evenly in the pan. Pour olive oil mixture all over chicken, turning pieces to coat all sides. (If you marinated the chicken in this mixture, still add it all in). Arrange slices of lemon, orange and onion around and under the chicken. Sprinkle all over generously with thyme, rosemary, salt and pepper.

Bake uncovered for about 1 hour, or until chicken is cooked and juices run clear. Remove parts to a serving platter and garnish with additional chopped fresh herbs, if desired.

*Just 30-40 minutes is all that's needed to bake this recipe with chicken breasts in place of chicken parts.

*For best results, chicken can be marinated in a plastic container or bag for several hours or overnight in the olive oil mixture.

{recipe>comfortofcooking}

 

Enjoy!!!

 

Happy Monday, y'all!

xo