A BIG reveal.

..............................drum roll please...........................................

our new blog is up and running! Christal and I have been planning this for months, and since she is leaving soon :( we thought that this would be the perfect time to get it started. This way we can still keep in touch, do all of our cooking "together" and share it with all of YOU.

Don't mind if i do is a blog where we will be posting our favorite food and recipes, fashion/style tips, diy projects, and of course, our photography. I will still update this (my family) blog regularly, but mainly for personal use - updates of the kids and my random ramblings.

 If you have liked my recipes and DIY project posts, Please, please, PLEASE follow us HERE!!  

(click on the "follow" at the top left corner of the navigation bar) 

 There are already yummy recipes posted - you don't want to miss them!! Start following now! ;)

Thanks for your support! 

Summer Chicken Salad and Homemade Bread.

Christal and I have been on a roll with our cooking days. She is leaving the island soon, so we are using every chance we get to spend time together to cook, play and photograph. We are also working on something very special, which we will be revealing really soon. but for now, enjoy these healthy, summery recipes!

Zupas Summer Chicken Salad:

 Summer Chicken Salad
4 ounces mixed greens
2 fresh sliced strawberries
10 dried cranberries
5 red grapes
1 ounce diced cooked chicken breast
1/2 ounce chopped cashews (we used almonds instead)


Zupas Strawberry Vinaigrette
1 cup red wine vinegar
1 cup canola oil
4 strawberries
1/2 teaspoon salt
1/2 cup sugar


1.  In a medium sized bowl toss the mixed greens, dressing, and chicken. Transfer into serving bowl.
2.  Top salad with dried cranberries, red grapes, and sliced strawberries.
3.  Sprinkle chopped cashews on top to finish.
4.  Dressing:.
5.  In a medium sized container mix the strawberries, salt, sugar and vinegar.  Blend well in a blender.

6.  While blending slowly add in all the oil, blending until smooth.  

Homemade Bread:

Quick and Homemade Bread (Recipe from FOOD.COM).

1/2 cup milk

1/4 cup sugar

3 (1/4 ounce) packages active dry yeast

2 teaspoons salt

3 tablespoons butte

1 1/2 cups warm water

5 cups all purpose flour

1.  Heat milk, sugar, salt, and butter in small saucepan until butter melts and sugar dissolves.

2.  Cool to lukewarm.

3.  Dissolve yeast in warm water in warmed mixer bowl.

4.  Add milk mixture and slowly add flour.

5.  Mix for 1-2 minutes on speed 2.  

6.  Place in greased bowl, turning to grease top.

7.  Cover and let rise next to warm over for 10 minutes.

8.  Put dough in greased loaf pan and leftover dough in greased muffin pans.  

9.  Let both pans rise in over (170 degrees) for 10 minutes.

10.  Bake at 425 degrees (12 minutes for biscuits and 25-30 minutes for bread).

story of my life.

I seriously have so many things on my plate right now its not even funny...really, not laughing here. There are so many things I want to post about, so many projects that keep getting pushed back, numerous endless photo shoots to prepare for AND edit...all on top of being a full time cook, maid, MOM - and all that joys that come with it.

But...

Despite it all, I feel pretty good, especially after hearing all the uplifting things during Conference. I feel like I can take on the world right about now....haha...well, its just a figure of speech, really...   I just have to remind myself :::: I don't have to be perfect, I just have to aspire and work towards it. I don't have to get 100% of my to-do list checked off. Not even 50%. there is always tomorrow....most of those things probably shouldn't have even made it on to the list anyway... Life is a journey and everyday is a learning experience. Try to learn something new everyday and work to improve something that I couldn't accomplish the day before. BREATHE. just stop. and take a deep breath, trust me, it works. And always, always put God and family first. Because at the end of the day, they matter most and will always be there for you, no matter what. I need a good reminder every now and then...I think everyone does. Today definitely was that...a good reminder.

 see.

 everything is OK.

 because. I Love you.

 and I will be there.

every step of the way.

laughing, smiling, and loving...

to the end of time.