open-faced blackened catfish sandwich

I've been holding out on making this recipe, thinking it was going to be difficult. The picture made it look so gourmet. I finally attempted to make it tonight, and it was fabulous! Not to mention, super easy. The spices it calls for, you probably already have in your kitchen, so all you need is the catfish and stuff to make the slaw. It also calls for sourdough bread, but you could use any bread. Personally I think it might be good on a darker bread, like pumpernickel or something like that. Anyways, these open-faced blackened catfish sandwiches are delish.

Open-Faced Blackened Catfish Sandwich

I actually was out of paprika. I know, how do you run out of paprika? It's a kitchen staple! So, I substituted with ground chipotle pepper. It made it a little spicier than it probably typically is. I also got to use my Le Creuset cast-iron skillet!

chapter 26

Yesterday was my 26th birthday. It was a great day! I was a little bummed that I had to work on my bday. I'm not sure I've ever had to work on my birthday. Working in retail, I was always able to schedule myself off, or ask for the day off. I guess I could have taken a vacation day, but in reality, it was sorta fun. My co-workers took me to lunch at Taco Diner, one of my favorite places. Then I got a wonderful surprise, FLOWERS! Bill sent me the most beautiful sunflowers. It's always fun to get flowers at work, you get to brag about the occasion and brag on the hubby that sent them to you. :)

My pretty sunflowers at my desk.

After work, I came home and opened my presents. I got lots of goodies, I'll talk about them in a separate post. Then, Bill and I went to eat at one of our favorite Italian places, Ruggeri's. We joke because every time we go to that place, we are literally the youngest people in there. It's just so good, and pretty reasonably priced, and Bill loves that the owner is always there greeting you at the door. I had a big plate of lasagna and Bill had the sausage and peppers. After dinner, since I didn't have a bday cake, Bill took me to Yogurtland by our house. I love that place! Who doesn't love some FroYo?

***You're getting old alert***

After yogurt, we came home to watch the end of the Rangers game/College World Series, and I fell asleep on the couch around 9:45! You know you're getting old when... ha!

I also love birthdays on Facebook. Nothing makes you feel more loved on your birthday than FB. So many posts from people you love, and people you haven't seen or spoken to in years!

This weekend is the true birthday celebration. It's a long weekend and we're looking forward to hanging out with friends, getting some sun, cooking out, and relaxing!

a wedding & fathers day

A couple of weekends ago, Bill and I made the trip back to LR for Laura Miller and Scott Geurin's wedding. Laura is one of my best friends (Michelle) little sister. I have been friends with the Miller family basically my entire life. I consider them my own family. So, naturally I wasn't going to miss their wedding. It was a beautiful wedding, and I cried as soon as Mamaw (Laura & Michelle's grandmother) walked down the aisle. Their reception was at The Little Rock Club, which is where Bill and I has our reception. I was so excited to go back to the place we celebrated our marriage 3 years ago! It was, of course, lovely and super fun! Her bridal portrait was even on the same couch I took mine on! :)

The 3 best friends a girl could ask for!

Natalie, Carla, & Michelle

Mrs. Scott Geurin

Last weekend was Father's day. Bill and I treated Dad to a day in Ft. Worth (one of his favorite places on earth). It was SUPER hot, but we made the most of it. We started off early so we could get there in time to see the cattle drive. That was not very eventful, but its funny that they still do it everyday. Then we ate lunch at a place called Lonesome Dove. Bill and I had been there before a couple years ago for my birthday. Its a very unique place. Its owned by Chef Tim Love. He is a popular chef on The Food Network, known for his awesome barbecue. This restaurant serves up different dishes like, kangaroo nachos, fried quail, roasted duck, & other wild game. We had elk sliders and rabbit-rattlesnake sausage for an appetizer, and beef tenderloin enchiladas as an entree. YUM!

Then we walked around the different shops in the Stockyards. We mostly were on the hunt for some boots, but didn't find any. However, we weren't leaving without anything, so Bill and I bought cowboy hats. I'm officially a Texan, says my dad. Then we made our way over to the Amon Carter Museum to look at some art. It was a full day, but we enjoyed spending time with Dad.

Me and Dad with our hats on.

Me with the longhorn. NO I'm not a UT fan!

What's in store this weekend? Not a whole lot. I'm actually looking forward to having NO plans. BUT... next week is my birthday! Get excited!

spicy pasta salad

On hot summer days, when me and the hubs have worked a long day, and gotten our workout in, its easy to give in to the convenience of fast food, take-out, or throwing a frozen pizza in the oven. I came across this recipe the other day from one of my favs, The Pioneer Woman. I've read her blog for a couple of years, and just recently got her cookbook for my birthday. This recipe is for an easy, quick, & tasty pasta salad.

Spicy Pasta Salad with Smoked Gouda, Tomatoes & Basil

Super tasty and a little bit spicy. I can always judge my recipes by my husbands reaction. He said several times how much he enjoyed this one. He's even taking left overs (the man doesn't eat leftovers) to work tomorrow! I told him to go to the deli next door to his office to get some grilled chicken to add to it for some protein.

Happy Monday!

summer vacay

I decided I was going to catch you up on what we've been up to this summer, so far...

We have already been on our annual beach trip to Destin, FL with Bill's mom, dad, and sister. This is our 3rd year to make the trip. Every year we've been, we've gone at a different point in the summer. This year was by far my favorite! We went early May, and it was cooler, less crowded, and the water was perfect. This year we also decided to fly to Destin. I was a little hesitant at first about this, because part of going to the beach is the road trip. But, lets just say, I hope I get to fly from now on. Easy peasy. We rented a car once we got there, and it was an hour drive from the Panama City airport to the condo.

The first night we were by ourselves in the condo, Bill's family didn't get there until the next afternoon. We decided to drive to Grayton Beach and go to the Red Bar. I love that place! Of course, I got the famous crab cakes. You just can't go there and not get them. Best you'll ever eat! Then the next day we enjoyed a perfect day on the beach together. Bill's family got there late afternoon on Sunday and we decided to grill burgers that night.

My idea of a beach vacation is, sleep in, eat some breakfast (usually the Donut Hole), mosey out to the sand, situate myself in a comfy beach chair with a book or magazine, and just enjoy the sound of the water until its time for lunch. Eat lunch, repeat the above until late afternoon. Well, my husbands family has a completely different idea of beach activities. They are the family that can't sit still. If its not playing in the water, its throwing the Frisbee or football, boogie boarding, etc. And, as usual, its always competitive. I'll just watch from the sidelines...

This was the 1st sibling activity, paddleboarding. Requires upperbody strength and balance, all the more reason I declined. :) They were both pretty good at it, and Isabelle made friends with the beach chair guy, so he let them do it for free. Oh to be young and cute.

Bill paddleboarding (you stand on it, but he was coming in when I took this)

The second night we ate at another favorite restaurant, Louisiana Lagniappe. Cajun, southern, seafood, delicious! I had shrimp and grits and it was AMAZING!

We did take one day to hit the outlet mall. I found some cute things on sale & I was mostly happy that I found some things for work. That night we went on a dolphin cruise. This was something I've never done before. It was interesting, to say the least. We did see several dolphins, getting pictures of them was rare to impossible. After the cruise, we ate dinner at a Destin staple, The Back Porch. Wonderful, as always.

The girls waiting to get on the boat for the dolphin cruise.

Bill and I on the boat during the cruise.

One of our last nights there, we drove into Seaside for dinner. I absolutely love Seaside. I grew up going there every summer with my mom, aunt, and cousin. Back then (as if it was so long ago) it was "undiscovered", pre-The Truman Show. I still love going back, but it's not the same. Anyways, we ate at Bud & Alley's Taco Bar then walked around the shops and got some gelato at Heavenly.

Every year, we've take a family picture to use as the Christmas card pic. In the past, we've known someone there at the same time as us to help take the picture in the evening. We decided to change it up this year and took the picture in the morning. Not the best idea. The sun was super bright, so we all have our sunglasses on. Oh well, still turned out ok.

Bill and I on the beach. Christmas card pic? I'm not sure...

Beach Pic 2011

Overall, we had a great trip. I'm already ready to go back. Maybe a short trip in early fall?

back by popular demand

I'm back! Looks like I had more "loyal" followers than I thought. After attending a wedding in LR this weekend, and several people telling me they missed my blog updates, I decided maybe I'll give it another go. I'm not promising I'll be diligent in keeping you up to date, but I'll certainly try. So, here goes another pass at letting friends and family in on what exactly is going on in the Davis household...

I'm not even going to try to catch you up on what's happened in the past months of our lives, so I'll just start off with what is going on right now. Let's talk about the Mavs. THE Dallas Mavericks! Last night was Game 6 of the NBA Finals, and the Mavs were up 3-2. We only had to win one more game to be NBA Champs, and sure enough they did it! This team deserved this. Dirk, Chandler, Jet, Kidd... they have put in their time, and all they needed was that ring. Well, they are going to get it, and Dallas Mavs fans couldn't be more proud.

Bill and I are definitely hometown sports fans. When we moved here, coming from AR, we didn't follow any professional teams. Now we are the biggest Mavs, Rangers, and of course, Cowboys fans there are! This has been one crazy year when it comes to hometown sports. We had the World Series in our backyard with the American League Champs Texas Rangers. Then, Super Bowl XLV at Cowboys Stadium. Unfortunately, our Cowboys weren't in that one. Now, the NBA finals. Texans are proud people, and they are for darn sure proud of their sports teams.

Dirk, Kidd, Terry, & Chandler celebrating after the win!

Other than the Mavs winning... we're gearing up for a long, hot Texas summer! It's a scorcher already. I can't walk to my car without sweating. Ugh! We stay cool by enjoying a nice cold Shiner Bock, just like any natural Texan would do. :)