Tasty Tuesday -- Pasta Salad

Remember a few weeks ago I participated in a Recipe Swap with Candy Girl? Candy Girl swapped and shared this on my blog. Today I'm sharing what I swapped over on her blog. This is a fresh and light pasta salad. It's a perfect side dish any summertime gatherings you might be attending! This salad is perfect for Spring and Summer, when asparagus is at its prime (and when you need to worry about the salad sitting out for a long time)! I made this for our Mother's Day cookout and it was a hit! Hope you enjoy it!

 

Pasta Salad with Asparagus and Basil Vinaigrette

Adapted from Cook’s Country

Serves 8-10

Ingredients

1 box pasta (any type is fine)

1 lb fresh asparagus

¼ c. pine nuts, toasted

1 pint grape or cherry tomatoes, halved

1/4 c – ½ c shredded Parmesan cheese

Dressing

6 Tbls. Olive Oil

½ c chopped fresh basil

3 Tbls. Lemon juice

1 shallot, minced

1 clove garlic, minced

½ tsp salt and pepper (each)

 

Whisk the dressing ingredients together in a large bowl (large enough for the pasta salad).

Steam asparagus until tender. I used the Steam Bags, but use your preferred method. When tender, run under cold water. Pat dry. Cut into chunks. Place in bowl with dressing.

Prepare pasta as directed on box. Drain. Toss in bowl with dressing and asparagus.

Refrigerate for at least 30 minutes or until chilled. Just before serving, add in pine nuts, tomatoes and Parmesan. Stir to combine. If you make the salad a day in advance, freshen up with a spoonful of olive oil and a squeeze of lemon juice.

This would go perfectly next to hamburgers, grilled chicken or pork chops! So fresh and tasty!

 

PINTASTIC Friday!! Week in Review!

Hi. How are ya? I posed this question on my personal Facebook Page--"give me an example of when NO NEWS IS GOOD NEWS and then I'd believe it." Do you have an example? I'm really trying to think positive, but its killing me not having the answer!!

This weekend we are hosting a House Party Super Soaker Party! My kids are very excited! Have you heard of House Party? You sign up (for free) and can apply to be a party host. If you are chosen as a host, you receive a Party Package (ours included 5 Nerf Super Soakers and 12 bags of Cheetos!) and agree to hold a party to test out the goods! What fun! I'll be sharing my party details next week!

Here's what happened in pictures this week:

We attended an outdoor concert at Alpine Valley to see the Zac Brown Band. We broke records that night with their largest attendance to date! It was a lot of fun!

I also gave blood this week. I always feel great after giving blood. Do you give blood?

Wednesday afternoon we received horrible storms in our region. Luckily, our neighborhood only received a nice steady downfall, some lightening and thunder!

My daughter's turn to bring treats for soccer--she picked cake balls! She helped make them!

Now...on to the PINS!

With 4th of July Right around the corner, these would be super cute on the table! Visit It All Started With Paint for all the details.



I'm pretty sure everyone can benefit from reading this post about Stinky Sandals! Thanks Frugal Fun 4 Boys!

I've been making my own taco seasoning for about a year now, but this one sounds amazing! Head on over to Involving Color to find out what spices are included!

Have a great weekend! See you next week! Oh and HAPPY FATHER'S DAY! And if you still need a quick gift, be sure to check out my DAD ROCKS last minute picture frame and my Father's Day Survey Printable!





Tasty Tuesday--Slow Cooker BBQ Ribs

It's TUESDAY!!! Which means it times for a tasty treat. These are finger-lickin' good ribs! And they couldn't be any easier than putting them into the slow cooker before work and then slapping them on the grill for 5 minutes when you get home! We served them along side with the Crispy Smashed Potatoes I shared with you last week.

Slow Cooker BBQ Ribs

Ingredients

2-3 lbs Country Style Pork Ribs
1 can beer
3 Tbls Liquid Smoke
Italian Seasoning, Montreal Steak Seasoning, Garlic Powder, Dried Chopped Onion (to taste)


Directions

Place ribs in the slow cooker. Pour beer over ribs. Add Liquid Smoke. Sprinkle seasonings over ribs. Make sure to lift the top ribs up so that all ribs get covered. Set temperature on low. Cook on low for 6-8 hours. If you are able, add BBQ sauce on the ribs after about 5 hours. Otherwise, add the sauce to the ribs at the end.
Preheat grill. Add ribs to grill and cook about 5 minutes on each side, basting with BBQ sauce. Serve immediately.

Our family absolutely loves these ribs. They are perfect for busy families to have a delicious, finger-lickin' meal at the end of a hectic day with very little effort.

Enjoy!

DIY Father's Day Gift {Last Minute Idea}

First of all, I want to wish my Sister-in-Law Kristen a Very Happy Birthday! Enjoy your day!

Can you believe Father's Day is coming up this weekend? I've got a last minute gift idea you can whip up with the kiddos help! You can buy these items at the Dollar Store or Craft Store and it won't break the bank! The bare wood frame was from Michael's for $1, the river rocks were from the Dollar Tree for $1, I had the glue, paint and popsicle stick on hand! So this project only cost $2!!! And it's a piece that is treasured in our home!

Dad Rocks Picture Frame

Supplies

Bare Wood Picture Frame
River Rocks
E600 Glue
Popsicle Stick
Paint
Marker

Instructions
Gather your rocks, we used about a bag of the smaller sized river rocks. Have them out on your work surface, ready to place. Apply glue on frame, we were very generous. Because this is very sticky glue, I applied the rocks to the glue (very carefully). We moved them around to fit. We applied more glue as necessary, working in a small area at one time. Once all the rocks have been applied, allow glue to dry and set over night. Check for loose rocks and reapply glue if necessary!
While the glue is drying, the kids painted the popsicle stick brown. I broke it in half and sanded the edges. Then I hand wrote DAD ROCKS with a black marker. This is what the kids wanted; I think I would have done something a bit differently though. Perhaps vinyl? Anyways, its handmade and I think it turned out great. We added some glue on the back of the popsicle stick and placed it on the rocks on opposite corners (per direction from my daughter!).
After that dried, we added the picture and wrapped it up! The frame is heavy and the little wood peg that comes with the frame won't hold it up. I suggest a holder or make sure you can prop it up against something else.

Super easy, inexpensive and something you could totally pull off before Father's Day this weekend!

What do you think?

 

PINASTIC Friday & Week in Review

TGIF!!
It's been a long week. I've been waiting for news and it still hasn't arrived yet. Most of you that know me understand that I am not very patient. It's been killing me!! So, remember last Friday I mentioned I was doing the Color Vibe with some Sorority Sisters? Nearly 8,000 people ran or walked in this event! It was crazy packed, but fun! Here's a recap of my week in pictures:

My Sorority Sisters Jen Stelter and Jen Schulien--we've had fun doing runs together!



Hailey showing some fierce soccer skills! She scored her first goal of the season in this game!

Mr. Carson's last picture before getting contacts! He was so excited to get rid of the glasses!

Lastly, my Cupcake Wars Birthday Bash was featured in a local magazine: Rockford Parent.com!

Now, on to my favorite pins!

Could see my kids do something like this as a summer craft! Check out this blog for the scoop!

These punch cards are a great way to encourage children to help around the house!

YUM! Flatbread tacos with Ranch Sour Cream! Get the recipe here.

Well, this weekend my husband and I will be going to the Zac Brown Concert with another couple. It's in at an outdoor concert facility--hoping for warm, no rain weather tomorrow night! What are you up to?



Father's Day Survey

Good Morning! Hope your day is off to a great start!

You know how Mother's Day falls during the school year? And you know how the teachers like to have the kids do something special for their Mother's? I love and cherish thos gifts, believe me! This is what I received from my son this year (he was in 1st Grade):

Cute, right? Who ever thought I would be as smart as his dad??? I know his dad didn't think so! Anyways, our kids get out of school before Father's Day, as I'm sure most other schools do too. Why should Mother's get all the fun out of these cute survey's? So, I created a fun Father's Day Survey Printable...just for you guys!

Go ahead and print it out, share it on Facebook, Pin it to Pinterest, email it to your friends! Have the kiddos do it and surprise their Daddy on Father's Day! 

You can download the page by clicking HERE or click on the picture and it will take you to the PDF file!

Cute? I think so! Thanks for stopping by!

Tasty Tuesday--Crispy Smashed Potatoes with Cheese & Bacon

I've got a delicious surprise to share with you today. They are easy and delicious and one of our family favorites! I've shortened the method a bit by using Market Day's Baby Baked Potatoes, but you can easily steam or pre-bake the potatoes (I'll share that method with you, too!).

These pair up perfectly with grilled BBQ Ribs. I'll share that recipe with you next week!

Crispy Smashed Potatoes with Cheese & Bacon
(adapted from Kraft Magazine)

1/2 bag of Baby Baked Potatoes (Market Day) or 1.5 lbs small red potatoes
Salt & Pepper to taste
Italian Seasoning to taste
3 Tbls Shredded Cheese
1 Tbls Bacon Bits
Cooking Spray

Follow the instructions on the bag for preparing the Baby Baked Potatoes via the microwave. If you have the small red potatoes, pierce and microwave until soft, turning often, about 10-15 minutes. Allow potatoes to cool slightly on a lightly sprayed cooking sheet. Preheat oven to 350 degrees. Take the bottom of a glass and press down on the potatoes to lightly smash, but still keeping the form. Spray lightly with cooking spray. Sprinkle seasonings over potatoes. Place in oven for 10-12 minutes, turn over and cook for about 5 more minutes. Sprinkle with cheese and bacon and place under broiler for 3-5 minutes. Serve immediately.

We've made these with cheese and bacon and without, but the family prefers them with the extra goodies! Hurry up and try these--you'll be glad you did!