Happy Birthday Matt!

Before:

AFTER!

The area rug was originally $129.99 at Target...I got it for $30!!!!! Matt always says the tile makes his feet cold in the morning, so I got it for him (maybe a little for me, too).

I surprised him with a healthy dinner. He's been working out and eating healthy diligently for a month and a half now. So instead of my typical comfort food, I went light. On Matt's Birthday menu:
Lime-Marinated Broiled Salmon, Cucumber Watercress Salad, and Whole Wheat Bread from Albertson's Culinary Circle brand (it tasted homemade)!

The birthday boy approves!
It was literally 90 degrees on Friday, so I had to make food that wouldn't heat up our house more. This was perfect because I only had to have the broiler on for a few minutes.

Instead of baking a cake, we had sorbet for dessert. It was nice on such a warm night!

Saturday we went down to Los Angeles for our Stake's Temple Day. It was so peaceful. No protesters...and uplifting words from the new Temple President to start our day off. It was wonderful to be spiritually strengthened. Afterwards, we went to Sprinkles and walked down Rodeo Dr. I loved looking at the fancy stores, Matt loved seeing the fancy cars! We saw Ferraris, Bugattis, Rolls-Royces, and tons of Benzies.

Here was the view on our drive to IKEA. There were so many fires on our drive! I hope that everyone is safe and the fires are contained soon.
We had a wonderful weekend celebrating. I am so grateful for my selfless husband and the wonderful man he is! Happy Birthday baby!!

Winna Winna Chicken Dinna!

Who can tell me what movie that's from? :) 

I made this salad for dinner last night. It's a perfect summer meal since you don't have to turn on the oven. It's called an Asian salad, but I think the cilantro lime dressing makes it taste more like a Mexican one. I used my trusty food processor to make the dressing...I am always amazed at how fast that thing pulverizes food! 

The red peppers (which are sweet -  not hot), cabbage, and cashews give this salad lots of nice crunch. I used the Albertson's rotisserie chicken with the lime marinade which went perfectly!   

Matt & I both had the leftovers for lunch today we liked it so much.

And for dessert....virgin strawberry daiquiris! YUM :)

YUM!

This blog is turning into a food blog! It sure is nice to have the time to cook and bake! If I had things my way, that's all I'd do. Every day.

I came across this recipe on FoodNetwork.com. 

I LOVE salmon, and it's so good for you. When you cook this, the smell of lemon, capers, garlic, and basil mix and make your house smell like a little restaurant on the Mediterranean!  

I subbed regular pasta since I had it on hand and didn't want to buy whole wheat pasta. 

I also cooked the salmon longer than Giada said to because I like mine a little more well done. It was still juicy and tasty! Such an awesome way to get your spinach in, too. It wilts once you put the pasta on top and is yum yum yum!

 

I forgot to take a picture before I started eating...oops.