Minty Mango Salsa

P.S. {I don't have a food stylist}

So, I just made some really good mango salsa. I have had a ripe mango in my fridge for days...

Googled mango salsa recipe and didnt like any recipes I found, plus didn't have same ingredients....SO I made my own version {using what ingredients i had} cilantro, mint, scallions...etc These are just like staples, and boy you can make just about anything good with some fresh herbs!! And I love them because they are so interchangeable in many recipes. If you dont have that particular one a recipe calls for, you can usually substitute and the flavor is just as good. {usually} So, here's my recipe according to what I had, and I think it turned out good b/c i also used flavors i like : )

My Minty Mango Salsa:

Ingredients:

1 large very ripe mango diced

2 scallions, diced. {white and half of green part}

1 large handful of fresh cilantro chopped

3-4 sprigs of fresh mint chopped *** Key ingredient ~ makes all the difference

1 teaspoon extra virgin olive oil

S & P to taste { I like a lot}

* I would have used a half of a jalapeno too if I had one, but i didnt. Just as good though I think. Would have done that for Josh.

* You also could add a red pepper for color, but i find this really didnt lack anything, so you dont really need it.

All you do is chop everything up, and toss with fork just until mixed, then serve in a pretty bowl. Depending on your size of mango, this recipe does not make much, so i would double next time.

You must serve with quality tortillas and a ice cold whatever you like. If there's one thing I've learned having a husband who loves mexican food as much as mine, it's that you dont cheap on the chips. You will love it on a hot day! Tonight we are using it on our grilled chicken. simple, fresh, easy. There's dinner. DONE!

Happy WEEKEND!!!!!!!!!!!!!

a royal princess of our own..

Wasn't it fun watching the Royal wedding?!

How beautiful, reverent, and breathtakingly gorgeous the entire event was!

Alas...it made me miss a certain princess I know and love.

Her heart is in England, and so, ours is too.

A beautiful day forever etched in our hearts!

XXXXOOOOO

Love and missing you always Kara and Phil

Easter Day!

happy happy easter!

She's home!

A lovely photo must be shared, always!

My Mom has returned home safely and is on her way to see us today!!!!!

I can hardly believe it! I thought she would be asleep for days.....but she can't stand it she said she has to see Luke and Isabel!!!!!

Can't wait to get my hands on her camera!!

"the beach house" & a little update

Welcome to our little beach trip.

We left last week for a long weekend/anniversary trip to

our special spot. Itwas really special getting to spend the day of our anniversary

at the very same spot we were married 6 years ago. It is hard to believe how time just passes, and life just happens. It is so important to soak up each little memory, and moment, and just really find that joy somewhere in each day. My heart is just so FULL. We have been spending alot of time just being home this Spring, besides our little trip. Our weather here has been amazing, and not having the children at Moms day out, has allowed me to really take each moment {the good and not so good} and cultivate all that God has for us right now. There is so much good in our lives, but amidst so much good, there is an incredible amount of life that is so disappointing too. All the while, my FULLNESS comes from knowing that ultimately, God is GOOD, he is ALIVE, and He LOVES US!!!! Although it's hard for me in the day to day sometimes to realize/grasp all that He is, the scripture tells us that our faith be it even.. "as small as a mustard seed, you can say to this mountain, 'move from here to there' and it will move. Nothing will be impossible for you. matthew 17:20 It gives me daily comfort to know that daily I fail, yet having faith in Jesus Christ I can begin anew each day and He will continue to increase my faith if I ask. He used that example to teach the disciples because i believe he knew how we would search for faith, and it wouldn't always come easy. He didnt say you had to have a LOT of it, just some part of you must have faith, be is small as a mustard seed. He will grow it, nourish it, into a tree, blossoming and beautiful that grows fruit and life and nourishes the ground. Just as if that same faith in our hearts grows into a tree, it can provide encouragement and a place for others of the Kingdom of GOd to grow.I dont know about you, but that gives me an unbelievable high within.

It's SO not about us. Even if your faith is as little as a seed, it's still a seed, and it still can grow!

Thank you Jesus, for dying for ALL our sins, for paying for us,

when we werent worth paying for.

So..enjoy these photos...there is nothing like the ocean, and our hearts are growing ever closer to the beautiful sea, as we are so thankful to experience life here close to God's amazing creation......

Love our Lukey

Love our Izzy

And we LOOOOOOOVE our Daddy for letting us tag along with him! He is amazin!

Ever thankful for each day God graces me with these three.

6 years ago.....

6 years and counting....

I truly wish you a very blessed Easter weekend.

Mourner, wherever you are
Wherever you are at the cross there is room
Tell your burdened heart
Your burdened heart at the cross there is room

Tell it in the Savior’s ear
Cast away your every fear
Only speak and he will hear

Hallelujah, everyone
Everyone can come to the cross
It doesn’t matter what you’ve done
Everyone can come to the cross

Sinner, come today
Come today, at the cross there is room
Blessed thought for everyone
For everyone can come to the cross

Now a living fountain, see
Open there for you and me
For rich and poor, for bond and free

Hallelujah, everyone
Everyone can come to the cross
It doesn’t matter what you’ve done
Everyone can come to the cross

Tell it in the Savior’s ear
Cast away your every fear
Only speak and he will hear

Hallelujah, everyone
Everyone can come to the cross
It doesn’t matter what you’ve done
Everyone can come to the cross
Everyone can come to the cross
Everyone can come to the cross.

"Come to the Cross" michael w. smith

pretty cool

Beach post is coming soon, but for now...

I miss this girl more than you can possibly imagine.

Hi Kara!!!! I love you beautiful!

Have you ever seen that SNL skit of the Miley Cyrus show? hilarious. She has this one line she says throughout the skit.... "and, that's pretty cool" I guess miley cyrus says that a lot! But anyways it's funny. I've been saying/singing that A -LOT lately, and Josh keeps giving me a look like I'm not "pretty cool" So, I'm trying to STOP! Anyway - random thought for you to start the post! That was the first thing that came to my mind when I was titling the post. embarrasing, ha!So......I am going to give you some pictures of what I think is "pretty cool" right now in hopes of getting it OFF my mind : )

HAPPY FRIDAY!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

This juice bar in London that Kara and Mom visited....

I need this apron tonight to cook my chicken fajitas in:

This jam is so good. No it's "really cool"

And this, this is ME. I love turquoise anything.

I hope you have a great

SPRING weekend!