Our Last Trip to Old Hilltop - Baltimore, MD. - May 2013

Baltimore is home to the 2nd jewel of the Triple Crown horse races, The Preakness. Each year, in the 3 days preceding the Preakness, Pimlico Race Course hosts a free event called Sunrise at Old Hilltop. For the last couple of years the girls and I have enjoyed a morning of fun as we explore Pimlico and take part in this Baltimore tradition.

I think it's crazy how much these girls have grown over the last year.

(E - May 2012)

(E - May 2013)

(MJ - May 2012)

(E, MJ, and I - May 2013)

We've had great tour guides and really gotten an inside look at such an incredible part of Baltimore's history. You get to go right down to the fence and see the actual derby horses practicing on the dirt track. 

and we got an up close and personal look at these amazing creatures.

This year on our tour we got to see a few of the bigger name derby horses stretching their legs

E got a kick out of watching the after practice bath.

"Say CHEESE!!!"

She supervised the post bath grooming.

We saw the famous Budweiser Clydesdales...

...and their saw dusted feet

We also got to see the stables on the backside of the track.

This is where the derby horses are housed, and where we caught a glimpse of a few jockeys, trainers, and owners.  We even got a lessen on horse shoes from the Pimlico track expert.

(E watching the horseshoe man)

We walked through the paddock...

Got to check out the stalls...

And even got to play in one of the booths.

It was wonderful to spend the morning outside with my little ladies.

They both LOVE animals, and seeing horses in real life is always a treat!

As our time in Baltimore draws to an end, doing outings like this for the last time has begun to pull at my heart strings.

I never expected to make such wonderful friends here and over the next few weeks all I want to do is spend as much time with them as possible.

Till next time,

Bon Voyage!

Surprise Laundry Art Print - Baltimore, MD. - May 2013

A month or so ago this art print was released from one of my favorite blog shops Jones Design Company

When we got home from our crazy fast house hunting trip a little surprise was waiting for me in the mail box. 

And now it's hanging on my wall!

Does anyone else find it wildly amusing that this cute laundry print is hanging next to my overflowing laundry sorter?!

Thank you Sarah! Even from Switzerland you are making my day. I Love you so much! Summer 2016 can't come soon enough!

Till next time,

Bon Voyage!

Winner Winner Chicken Dinner - Baltimore, MD. - May 2013

Okay, y'all know I'm all about quick and easy dinner recipes.   Yesterday I found an amazing chicken recipe from 101 Cooking for Two that I had to share. Please forgive me I lifted all of these photos from their website. If I'd known how awesome it was going to be, I'd have taken my own photos.  Next time!!!

Chicken is a protein packed staple at our house, but so often we grow tired of it very quickly because it tends to be bland and when baked, it can be a little dry. However, this Parmesan Baked Chicken Brest is AMAZING! It's extremely moist! In fact, I think that's what surprised me most. It tastes great! It's a little crunchy and it is super SIMPLE!

You'll need:

3 or 4 skinless boneless chicken breasts trimmed

1 cup mayonnaise

1/2 cup Parmesan cheese grated (fresh preferred)

1 1/2 t seasoning salt (I used Season All. They used Lawry's)

1 t garlic powder

1/2 t pepper

1/3 cup Italian Bread Crumbs

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TIP: Chicken stays more moist if you thaw it by putting it in the refrigerator about 24 hours before you plan to use it rather than putting it on the counter or in warm water the day of use.

1) Preheat oven to 375. Trim, rinse and pat dry 3-4 skinless boneless chicken breasts.

2) Mix in a medium bowl 1 cup mayonnaise, 1/2 cup Parmesan cheese (fresh shredded preferred) , 1 1/2 tsp seasoning salt (I used Lawry's), 1 t garlic powder and 1/2 t pepper.

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3) Prepare a cooking sheet with aluminum foil (to help clean up) and a rack. The rack will help crispiness all around. You can do without the rack but the bottom will not be crispy. Give the rack (or baking pan) a good spray of PAM.

4) Dip the chicken breasts in the mayonnaise Parmesan mixture. Be sure to get all surface coated. Finger use allowed but be sure to wash well after.

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5) Lightly sprinkle with some Italian bread crumbs on both sides. I used about 1/2 cup on 5 medium breasts. You are not coating them. Just adding some crispy and flavor.

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6) Bake until internal temp of 165. This will vary by oven but mostly by size of the chicken breast. About 40 minutes for medium to large. 45 minute for huge. Let rest for 5 to 10 minutes before serving.

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TIP: I actually checked my chicken at 25 min with a meet thermometer and they were done, so keep an eye on it because THE TIME DEFINITELY MAY VERY!!! 

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Prep time: 10 mins

Cook time: 40 mins

Total time start to finish: 50 mins.

Yield: 4 servings

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We had it with an orzo pasta and roasted veggie dish that's on my list of things to blog about.  SOOOOOOOOOOOOO GOOD!

Also, this recipe is really easy to double if you are feeding a crowd.  Hope you enjoy! We sure did!

Till next time,

Bon Voyage!

The Wandering House Hunters: "HOME" - Ann Arbor, MI. - May 2013

Okay, let's review where we've been

House #1: The "Petite White House"

PROS

Bottom of our price range

Pool and playground on site

Covered Parking

Management company handles ALL maintenance from appliances to light bulbs

CONS

Small

No inside play space

Very close to the mall, U of M Stadium, and basketball arena so traffic on game days and at Christmas time would be awful!

*

House #2: Great Location but No Covered Parking"

PROS

Bottom of our price range

Pool and playground on site

HOA handles all lawn care and snow removal

Indoor play space

Great location

CONS

No Covered Parking

No overhead lighting fixtures except bathrooms, kitchen, and dining room

*

House #3: "BIG yard, Beautiful Inside, and Long Commute"

PROS

Beautiful detached home inside and out

Great inside play space

Beautiful yard

Garage Parking

CONS

Top of our price range

We handle all lawn care and snow removal

Long commute to work, church, bible study, grocery store.

*

House #4: Everything but Green for a lot of $"GREEN"$ 

PROS

Great inside play space

Garage Parking

CONS

Top of our price range

No yard

Very close to the mall, U of M Stadium, and basketball arena so traffic on game days and at Christmas time would be awful!

*

After seeing all four properties we were definitely drawn more so to 2 of them and we very quickly were able to eliminate House #1: The "Petite White House" and House #4: Everything but Green for a lot of $"GREEN"$

This left us with House #2: Great Location but No Covered Parking" and House #3: "BIG yard, Beautiful Inside, and Long Commute", which aside from their location and parking were VERY similar houses.

People often say that when you find the place that is "HOME" you just get a "feeling". When we moved to both Memphis and Baltimore we got the "feeling", but with Ann Arbor I was worried that because we didn't have a lot of options we would feel like we were settling. After a long lunch and a good conversation, location, less up keep, and a great price tag prevailed. We chose...

***House #2!!!***

Despite, or maybe because of the colorful paint choices, both the Hub and I really felt at home when we walked in the door. The house really is perfect for our family where we are right now. The biggest compromise we made was parking. I am currently on the hunt for a product that covers the windshield that will prevent the need to scrape ice and snow. Suggestions? Any inventors out there?

Anyway, the dates have been chosen and the movers are booked and just 6 weeks from now we will call Ann Arbor, Michigan and House #2: Great Location but No Covered Parking" HOME!

Till next time,

Bon Voyage!