May Day

May!! My second most favorite month of the year. (Side note about me: July is my first and December is my third, only because of Christmas, not for winter and snow ;))

Well the amazing 70+ degree weather came and went last weekend and the forecast is calling for 40's the rest of the week but again warmer temps are to return by the end of the weekend. We were able to get so much done this past weekend as well. The warmer weather came with more energy to get things done. I finished the craigslist project I mentioned earlier (see before and afters below) we cleaned out the garage and opened up our 3-season porch! What a difference it makes!! Eating meals out there as much as we can.

Oakley and I did a tray of planters (we'll see if they sprout out). First year of ever doing this will be trial and error, right?? I have big visions for our garden and flower beds, we'll see if any of them come to be seen.

One new recipe we tried this week:
Definitely not the healthiest (fried in oil) but it was GOOD and we enjoyed ;)!!!!

Bang Bang Shrimp:

Ingredients

1 lb. medium shrimp, peeled and deveined

For the sauce:

½ cup mayonnaise

4-5 teaspoons chili garlic sauce, such as Sriracha sauce

1 teaspoon granulated sugar

1 teaspoon rice vinegar

For the egg mixture:

1 egg, beaten

1 cup milk

For the breading mixture:

½ cup GF flour

½ cup panko breadcrumbs (used kellogs corn flake crumbs)

1 teaspoon salt

½ teaspoon ground black pepper

¼ teaspoon onion powder

¼ teaspoon garlic powder

¼ teaspoon dried basil

For frying:

8 to 12 cups vegetable oil

 Serve over rice

 

Instructions

1. Combine all ingredients for the sauce in a small bowl; cover and set aside.
2. Combine beaten egg with milk in shallow bowl; set aside.
3. Combine flour, panko, salt, black pepper, onion powder, garlic powder, and basil in another shallow bowl; set aside.
4. Bread the shrimp by first coating each with the breading mixture. Dip breaded shrimp into the egg and milk mixture, and then back into the breading. Arrange the coated shrimp on a plate and pop them into the fridge for at least 20 minutes. This step will help the breading to stick on the shrimp when they are frying.
5. Heat oil in deep fryer to 350 degrees F. Use amount of oil required by your fryer.
6. When oil is hot, fry shrimp 2 to 3 minutes or until golden brown. Drain on rack or paper towels.
7. When all shrimp has been fried, drop the shrimp into a large bowl. Spoon about ¼ cup of sauce over shrimp and stir gently to coat.

Got to finally go to the park!!!! Looking so grown up!

Last Thursday was a slight devestation in our household.......We were planning on taking Oakley to see Scooby Doo Live in Brookings, when we went to print our tickets the concert was actually held on Wednesday....so we missed it!! Long story short the website said Thursday and tickmaster said Wednesday. So we still did an Oakley night. We ate bad by going to Pizza Ranch and then went to a little arcade play area. And yes, in the picture below it is a straight sugar stick Jeremiah is pouring in Oakley's mouth. It was his night I guess ;)

So excited that I can run outside now!!! I feel like I can do so much more outside than running on a treadmill feeling like a lab rat! Fresh air and open road.

With the amazing weather we could not get this kid inside! He came in only to sleep. He even ate every meal outside. He's just so cute! And big news......finally saying a few more words! It's coming..slowly but surely!