Valentine's Dinner...

We had a great time last night celebrating Valentine's with the Simmons, Brazeals and Rectors! Here are a few pictures from the evening....

The menu...beef tenderloin, stuffed blue cheese potatoes, green beans, chopped salad and heart shaped brownies and cookies with ice cream! It was delicious!
Place cards/Hot Tamale favors...
The Simmons...
The Rectors...The Brazeals...With my Valentine...The girls with Kaci and Sophie (one of the Simmons pups)...The boys playing some dominoes...Sweet baby Owen...in the PJ's I got him for Christmas. Isn't he adorable?! The Simmons haven't had power since Thursday, so we had fun house guests last night! Thankfully, their power is back on today!

Guess what I got for Valentine's from my sweetie....a Cooking Light cookbook and a subscription to the Cooking Light Magazine! I'm so excited to try lots of new recipes! And here is the lovely poem that was in my Valentine's card...my hubby is so creative...he cracks me up!

It's been a while since my last rhyme,
On Valentine's Day I think it's time.

I love you more thank you know,
Like Pete Delkus loves the snow!
(Pete Delkus is the super intense weather man on Channel 8 news)

Enjoy the book on Cooking Light,
Its made your buttocks firm and tight.

Every month for a year,
An issue will be delivered here.

I am the luckiest man alive,
Unless you cook from page two-oh-five!
(Page 205 is the start of the vegetable section)

I'll love you, my dear, for all my life,
Thank you for being my wife!

Valentine's Treats...

When I think of Valentine's treats, I automatically think of chocolate. But, this year I decided to do something a little different. Instead of the typical chocolates and heart shaped goodies that I usually give, our family will be receiving homemade bread! This is the Kindergarten Bread recipe that I posted last month...it's so good, it's like you're eating dessert! Josh and I have to pace ourselves when I make it. Hopefully our family will enjoy it as well! After all, homemade treats are best....especially when they're made with L♥VE!

Enjoy the weekend!!

X♥X♥,
Mindy

Shrimp and Grits Casserole...

OK, so I promise that this is not becoming a food blog....I've just been cooking a lot lately and when I find something good, I must share! I made this shrimp and grits casserole last night for dinner and it was so good...actually, insanely good! I found the recipe on Cooking Light....my favorite new website to browse! This casserole is a must try...especially on a chilly night! I followed the directions to a tee. Super easy, so tasty and just 340 calories per serving! I promise this recipe will not disappoint....it will definitely become a staple in the Rives household! The grits (minus the shrimp and probably the lemon juice) would be a great side dish with steak or chicken too!

I also want to wish my brother and sister-in-law a very happy 10 year anniversary today!! Happy Anniversary Jimmy and Jill!! We love you!!!

Record Snow Fall...12.5 Inches!!

It snowed big, beautiful flakes all day long yesterday! I've never seen anything quite like it before in Texas. A record setting 12.5 inches!! Here are a few pictures from the aftermath around our house....

Happy Friday....Happy Snow Day!!!

Snow Day!!

What a sight to wake up to! The snow was coming down like crazy when I first looked outside at 7am this morning...and it's still coming down 4 hours later! So fun! I'm working from home today....with a smile on my face because the view outside my window is so beautiful...and my coffee is so yummy!! What a great day! If you're out on the roads today, stay safe and warm!