Tomato Pie

I saw the recipe for Tomato Pie via Natalie at Designer Bags & Dirty Diapers, then did a little more research and adapted the recipe to suit mine and my family's tastes. The only problem is I wish I would have made this sooner! This recipe will be a staple in our nightly dinner routine, all summer long! Served up with a side salad and it is the perfect meal or even great for brunch.

Tomato Pie

4-6 medium sized tomatoes, sliced thinly

1 lb. bacon, cooked and crumbled

1 cup sour cream

1 cup mayo

1 1/2 cup cheddar cheese, shredded

1/2 cup mozzarella cheese, shredded

1/2 cup parmesan cheese, shredded

2 T. parsley, chopped

2 T. green onions, chopped

salt, pepper, and garlic powder

2, 9" refrigerated pie crust

handful of cherry tomatoes, various colors

Directions:

• Preheat the oven to 375 degrees F. 
• Cook bacon on cookie sheet 15 minutes until crispy. Crumble. 
• Bake pie shell for 10-15 minutes. 
• Wash and slice tomatoes and lay on paper towels to dry out. Season with salt, pepper, and garlic. Pat dry to remove extra moisture. 
• Allow tomatoes to drain on paper towels for 30 minutes to an hour. Layer tomatoes in the bottom of par-baked pie crust. 
• Add half the crumbled bacon on top of the layer of tomatoes. 
• Put a second layer of tomatoes on top of the bacon. 
• Top the second layer of tomatoes with bacon. 
• Mix sour cream, mayo, cheese, and herbs. Season as needed. 
• Add the mixture to the top of the tomato pie. The mixture will be thick, use spatula to smooth out. Spread to cover the entire pie. 
• Bake at 375 degrees F for 25-30 minutes depending on oven. Tomato pie should be brown and bubbly. 
• Allow pie to cool before slicing. Reheat if desired. Tomato pie will be slightly messy, if you slice into it too early. 
• Enjoy this tomato pie both hot and cold! 

Mother's Day Brunch

Simple Brunch at home are possibly my favorite. Well, I probably like them in a restaurant more, then I don't have to do the dishes. This quiche is a tried and true recipe. Swap out the bacon for some ham, sausage, or whatever you prefer as well with the veggies and cheese. I love making this a little more fancy by setting the table, adding fresh fruit, mini muffins from the supermarket, and serving mimosas. Coffee is standard. Hope all of you beautiful mommas have a fabulous Mother's Day! Enjoy!

Bacon, Spinach, & Swiss Quiche

6 large eggs, beaten 

4 oz. plain Greek yogurt 

1 lb. bacon, cooked and crumbled

2 cups chopped spinach 

1 1/2 cup Swiss cheese, shredded

1, 9" refrigerated pie crust

Directions:

• Preheat the oven to 375 degrees F. 
• Combine eggs, Greek yogurt, salt and pepper in a mixing bowl, food processor, or blender. 
• Layer cooked and crumbled bacon, spinach, and cheese in the bottom of the pie crust, then pour the egg mixture on top. Bake for 35-45 minutes until the egg is set. Makes 8 servings. 

Garlicky Green Beans with Pine Nuts

These Garlicky Green Beans with Pine Nuts are single handedly the most uncomplicated side dish EVER. They really pack on the flavor. Simple ingredients, easy steps, lots of bang for your buck. That girl is a real crowd pleaser. I hope you enjoy!

Garlicky Green Beans with Pine Nuts 

1.5 lbs. of green beans
1 T. avocado or olive oil
1 T. butter
2 T. garlic, minced
1/3 cup pine nuts 

Directions:

• Steam green beans in microwave or in a pot of boiling salted water until just tender, about 2-4 minutes. 
• Then heat the butter and oil in a large skillet over medium heat. Add the garlic and cook, stirring, for about 1 minute. Add the pine nuts and cook until golden brown and fragrant, about 3 minutes. Drain the green beans and transfer to the skillet. Add  salt and pepper and toss to coat. Transfer to a serving bowl. 

In Five Years..

I read something today, that really made me think. The question comes about often in life and in education, where will you be at in five years? I am, honestly, not sure why this question seemed to intrigue me so much today, as it never really has before. Sure, I have goals, dreams, desires. But really, where will I be in five years..?

The fact of the matter is.. I am a completely different person to who I was five years ago.. This person that I am now, writing this, didn't exist at all.

Experiences change you.

People change you.

Bitterness changes you.

Love, happiness, grief, desire, restlessness, hope.

Feelings.

They all change you.

This person of five years ago, didn't exist at all. Will the same thing happen in the next five years..
I sure hope so.

Staying stagnant, isn't something I plan to accomplish. I want to live. I want to be free. I want to experience all of the things. Planned. Or spontaneous.

When people say, "You've changed.." I want to say, "You're damn right!.. I have!"
I want to take MY world by storm. Caution, what's that?

Change isn't something to fear. It is something to embrace.

So, where will I be in five years? I can't wait to find out..

These Are the Days of Our Lives

I'm not perfect. I struggle. I am hard on myself. We all are. My mind wanders. I don't always pay attention. I take these precious moments for granted. I doubt myself. But the moment when he puts his tiny hand in mine, whispering over and over, "Momma, I love you. You are the most beautiful girl in the whole world." I wish time could stop. Slow down. Let me savor these moments, just a little while longer.

This stage of life, is the one, where every old person you meet, tells you, "You're going to miss this." And while you don't want to accept the harsh reality, you know it's true. I am going to miss...

This stage of life, that is full of sticky fingers, messy houses ridden with toys, ear infections, and crying over snotty noses and spilt milk (literally). When your babies snuggle together on the couch every Saturday morning watching cartoons, waiting for the coffee to brew so you can make donut runs in your pajamas.

It's the days when you call your mom in the middle of the night crying because you don't want your babies to grow up, and simply wondering how she used to do it all.. This is also the stage of life where getting to watch your parents become grandparents might be the greatest thing you'll ever witness.

These are the days when your amazement and wonder is lived through the eyes of your children... as they celebrate Christmas, see fireworks for the first time, and pretend they are astronauts soaring into space, (when in actuality they are jumping off your couch for the forty-seventh time in the last twenty minutes).

This is the stage of life where everything is new, fun and magical. Days filled with costumes, little league, dance parties, bubble baths, play dates, and birthday parties.

Motherhood is single handedly the hardest and most rewarding thing I have ever done. I wouldn't change 5 am wake up calls with slobbery kisses for the world.

Initiate Your Power

This is the year for stepping into your power, your full potential, and letting go of feeling like you need to explain your boundaries.

My best friend, Lindsey sent me this earlier this week, "Today, I want you to remember that you are a BOSS, you don't need anyone to come save you. You are not some damsel in distress... You, my love, are a BOSS and you can handle anything." Remember that. Write it down. Speak truth to it. It can easily be a daily affirmation. It quickly became one for me. Mantra. Mantra.

We fall accustom to excuses. Saying, "It's just the way, it is.." Enter every other non-valid sentiment we fill our heads with. No! Be better than that! Do better!

 Acceptance is normal. It is easy. It will destroy your willpower for change. To initiate that power, that fever from within, that sets your heart and your mind in motion...don't sit there and think, "Tt's okay," because everyone does it. No they don't. Not everyone. Dare to be different. Don't be one of them. You are destined for great things, even if that sounds cliché. Make a decision to be a better person and then go be one. No excuses.

From one of my favorite authors, Rachel Hollis, "Ambition is not a dirty word." It is not a bad thing. The definition is almost poetic. "a strong desire to do or achieve something, requiring immense determination and hard work." Basically, a willingness to overcome and succeed. No matter what. Do what sets your soul on fire. Determination. No boundaries. Initiate your power.

A Season of Letting Go

So, we are exactly one week into the New Year. 7 days. I couldn't count on my fingers and toes the amount of times, I have heard, "New Year, New You!" The count far exceeds the amount of extremities I have on my body, and then some.

With each New Year, the calendar signals to us the growth and the changes that happened in the past twelve months. The trials, the tribulations, the change we wish to see in ourselves and in our world around us. We reflect, we want to do better.

We experience a rebirth: marked with resolutions, goals, and dedication to a new cause. It's a time to let go of the past, the things that hold us back. Or the things that no longer serve us any purpose. Sometimes it can be hard to let go and to move on. That's growth.

Personally, I don't do change well. If you're like me and letting go (changing) is hard for you. Just know you are certainly not alone. However, it is important to keep in mind that resistance to change can be soothed with a mindset readjustment. That sounds kind of harsh... But you can't experience a level of growth without some self-reflection, prayer, and readjustment. This can be emotionally, socially, mentally, or even spiritually.

Being able to reflect and be completely open and honest with yourself is step one. Ask yourself, what you truly want out of this life? What does your ideal life look like? How do you feel? What growth (change) needs to occur in order for you to get there? What needs to be eliminated from your life because it is simply weighing you down? Which of your qualities should you embrace to achieve this new shift in your life? What actions can you take to get there? How can you begin this ultimate journey towards this beautiful life today?

Just as it feels so completely unbearable to let go... Rebirth, abundance, and change will come as you let go. It is all apart of the process. Oh! How hard it is to surrender ourselves gracefully at times, knowing deep down in our heart of hearts, that the best is yet to come!