Easy Whole Wheat Pasta & Scallops

This dish is one of my husband’s favorites. It’s quick & easy, I usually have all the ingredients, and it doesn’t make a lot of dirty dishes for clean-up. My kind of meal. Plus, there’s wine involved. Need I say more?

Ingredients:

2 tbsp. butter
2 cups green beans
1 cup bay scallops
Whole wheat linguini or spaghetti
1/2 cup dry white wine
1.5 cups chicken stock
1/2 tsp smoked paprika
1/2 tsp fresh black pepper
Juice from 1/2 lemon
2 lemon slices for garnish
fresh grated parmesan cheese
*1/3 cup milk/heavy cream 
*Bacon
*optional


Directions:

Heat 1 tbsp of butter in a large skillet/wok over medium high heat. Brown scallops on each side. Once your scallops are browned add in about 1/3 of the chicken stock. Be sure to scrape the bottom of the pan to get all those browned bits up. Boil down most of the broth. Add in wine, more stock & remaining butter. Season with pepper, smoked paprika and lemon juice.
Let simmer for 10 minutes or until half the liquid evaporates. Add in additional stock to desired taste. For a creamier option, whisk in up to 1/3 cup of heavy cream or milk.
While your scallops simmer cook your whole wheat pasta.
Add green beans to scallops and continue to simmer until green beans become slightly tender. When your pasta is finished cooking, drain and toss into wok with scallops & green beans. Serve with a lemon slice and freshly grated parmesan cheese. For even more decadence, crumble bacon on top.
Also optional: snapping a picture when you catch your toddler sneaking bites from the butter. How can someone so cute be so gross?

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Little things

It’s been quite a while since I’ve written all about the little things that happen day to day. The small moments where I take a mental snapshot hoping with all my might, that I just might remember this infinitely small moment in time.

1. You’ve recently started making lot’s of animal noises. My favorite are the pig and the cat. Anytime you see a cat, or a picture of a cat, or anything cat-like you break out in this tiny “mew” sound. Over and over. If I ask you what that [cat] is, you respond with a meow. And a pig? The pig sound is hysterical. Since you have no idea how we snort through our noses, you’ve taken to inhaling in a gasping sort of sound. It makes me laugh and worry that you’ll pass out, all at the same time.

2. You really tug on our heartstrings. You now cry out for “Mama” or “DAAAAAAD” when you’re upset it’s time for bed. It takes all our willpower not to rush in at the first call.

3. The fake smile. If I ask you to look at me and smile… I get a priceless face every time. I get scrunched up noses, wide open grins, and you usually squint your eyes. It makes me laugh every time.

4. You are insistent about signing “thank-you.” It is probably the only sign you really do anymore. But man, anytime we give you something, do something nice for you or help you do something you pat your mouth in the “thank you” sign over and over, sometimes even chasing us down until we acknowledge your “thank you,” with a “you’re welcome!” You take your manners very seriously.

5. The “yes” nod. You mastered shaking your head “no” a long time ago, but nodding “yes” is more recent. I have to say it’s a personal favorite. The deliberate head back and sharp nod is terribly cute. No subtle nods here, one maybe two or three big violent head nods complete with a serious face and all.

6. You’re still obsessed with Oliver. In fact, every morning after saying Mom, & Dad you hunt for Oliver, calling “Allll-eeeeee!” You play tug of war, keep away, and help feed him. You chase him down with his extra collars and slide them onto his neck. You tackle him in big bear hugs and lay on his back anytime you think you can get away with it. You include him in your rounds of giving everyone a kiss. Periodically throughout the day you pick up his water bowl and carefully walk to where ever he is and put it in front of his snout, making sure he’s not thirsty. I think he usually humors you and takes a lick or two to appease you.  Oh yes, it’ safe to say you love your dog.

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All things Cat

Emerson has been obsessed with cats lately. She thinks bunnies are also cats, so now that Easter gear is out I hear “mew mew mew” a lot more frequently. She doesn’t have any cat themed things, we’ve got dogs covered, but now that’s she’s really into cats I’ve been looking into some cute cat themed gear.
All things Cat
How cute would Emmie be carrying around that little cross-body cat purse? I can just see her stashing her beloved paci’s in there. And that clock? I mean, her current clock is full of penguins, but this clock would definitely be a big hit. And don’t get me started on those insanely cute cat flats! I’m not sure she’d even be able to walk since I’m positive she would just want to sit and point at her feet and say “mew.”

Yes, there’s no denying she’s in a huge “cat” phase. I have a feeling we’ll be seeing quite a few animal phases as she grows up. Emerson has such a big heart for her animals, just like her Daddy. 
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