Fabulous Friends: Michelle Edwards

Today I am featuring the talented fellow blogger Michelle Edwards. I discovered her on Pinterest. She is a holiday decorating specialist and owner and designer of her own Etsy shop. She creates beautiful home decor items to make your home feel warm and inviting. I love her style and wanted to share it with you. Check out how she transforms a mantle for the Christmas season. Visit her blog at Sweet Something Designs

I love the simple elegance of it all.

(See more below)

Summer Salmon Recipe

I am always trying to find something new to make for dinner with minimum effort. I made this one up. Throw a piece of salmon on the grill. Take a jar of sundried tomatoes in olive oil and spoon over salmon. Serve over butter lettuce with avocados and olive oil, lemon and garlic dressing. You can make the dressing or buy Tessemae's from Whole Foods. It its fresh with no preservatives. Easy and delicious! Bon Appetit!

Morning Ritual

I am sitting here right now with Bella and Charlie enjoying my morning ritual. Really appreciating what a beautiful morning it is. Perfect temp with a nice little breeze while listening to Jason Mraz. Download his song Life is Wonderful. I really miss these mornings on the porch in the winter so I truly soak up every minute of it.

Charlie and Bella :)

Summer Recipe

Goat Cheese and Strawberry Gilled Sandwich

Southern Living

I got this recipe off Pinterest and thought it would be so fun to try for a nice summer lunch. It's a different version of grilled cheese and is yummy and refreshing. Read more below for the recipe:

Mother's Day

It was a beautiful day to celebrate Mother's day. I started the day by going to church with the hubby and our girl (the boy is in New Orleans). Then I was treated to Le Pain Quotidien for breakfast where we splurged on waffles and a salmon omelette. Yum! I frequently go to this place. It is a great place to meet up with a friend for a cup of coffee and a pastry. I love having lunch there too. The food is organic and delicious. It is located in Bethesda Md in the heart of town on Bethesda Row. There are some great boutiques and it is a great way to spend a sunny and warm afternoon. The day ended at my sister's/brother in law's for a wonderful dinner with friends and family. Hope your day was awesome too.

Find my Fashion:

Dress: Michael Kors similar

Necklace: Lou Lou's boutique (Bethesda)

Celebration!

Ok, so I will admit it. I had a birthday and my sister, her husband and daughter had a beautiful and very gourmet dinner for me. It is never disappointing going to dinner at their house. The table is always beautifully set and the food exquisite. The hubby and I would rather dine there than in a restaurant. Shrimp and grits this time. Yum!!

See recipe below.

Photography by Blaire Butcher

Martha Nesbit's Shrimp and Grits.

Ingredients

• 4 cups water
• Salt and pepper
• 1 cup stone-ground grits
• 3 tablespoons butter
• 2 cups shredded sharp cheddar cheese
• 1 pound shrimp, peeled and deveined
• 6 slices bacon, chopped
• 4 teaspoons lemon juice
• 2 tablespoons chopped parsley
• 1 cup thinly sliced scallions
• 1 large clove garlic, minced

Directions

Bring water to a boil. Add salt and pepper. Add grits and cook until water is absorbed, about 20 to 25 minutes. Remove from heat and stir in butter and cheese.

Rinse shrimp and pat dry. Fry the bacon in a large skillet until browned; drain well. In grease, add shrimp. Cook until shrimp turn pink. Add lemon juice, chopped bacon, parsley, scallions and garlic. Saute for 3 minutes.

Spoon grits into a serving bowl. Add shrimp mixture and mix well. Serve immediately.

Find my Fashion:

Jacket: Zara

Morning smoothie

I begin every day with a green smoothie. This is a new thing that I have been doing as part of my effort to live a healthier life. It has all fresh ingredients, is delicious and hydrating. Serve it in a pretty glass. I am sipping one as we speak. For some of you, don't let the ingredients fool you. It is really sweet and yummy and I really encourage you to try it. See my recipe below. Enjoy and I hope you are having a great weekend!

Green Smoothie

(all FRESH ingredients)

Spinach

Romain lettuce

1ripe banana

one honey crisp apple or 1 cup (approx.) chopped pineapple

low-fat yogurt (optional)

I make mine without the yogurt.  Fill the blender (or food processor) with fresh spinach, 1/2-1 cup of shredded Romain lettuce and 1/2 cup water mixed with crushed ice. If using blender grind until very smooth. Add the apple or pineapple or both if desired. Grind again until very smooth. Serve and enjoy. 

Happy Weekend!

Hope you have a wonderful weekend with whatever you are doing.  Wanted to mention that the photographer in these posts is Kaelynn Serena.