Jalapeno Apricot Salmon

June 10, 2014: Well, folks, it's Birthday Week for the Strickland family, and today is MY birthday! Since 28 is just getting started, I don't have a lot to report yet. I can tell you that thus far, 28 has consisted of a big "Happy Birthday!" from the fabulous fiance when I woke up, a good workout while watching I Love Lucy, a round of "Happy Birthday to Kate & Alma (a co-worker)" sung by my new co-workers, and numerous calls/texts/Facebook posts. That about sums it up, but you know I'm not going to end the post there. 

Mom, me, and dad at our birthday celebration
June 8, 2013
Cabana #3
Eagle Mountain Lake

Instead, I thought I'd reflect back on what an amazing year 27 has been for me. Let's start in Summer of 2013. Strickland Birthday Week 2013 was spent at the lake, celebrating my 27th, my mom's 65th, and my dad's 70th. The next weekend we celebrated as my college roommate, Hayley, married her husband, Ben, in Fredericksburg, Texas. The rest of the summer included 4th of July at the lake, a Hilbers family reunion, my other college roommate, Erin, and her husband Alex's 1st anniversary party, a baby shower for my bestie, and the 3rd anniversary of Andy and my first date.

Me, Jennifer, Shannon, and Erin
The Bryant's 1st Wedding Anniversary Party
July 13, 2013
Fort Worth, Texas

Fall of Year 27 was the season of football. Of course there was TCU Frog football, But I also became a Saints fan.  There was also the football themed baby shower for my dear friend, Chelsea, and the TCU v. UT football game (see ENGAGED below!) Kolt David made his appearance in San Antonio, Texas. We zip-lined and hiked our way through Costa Rica. And on October 26th, there was a little bit of excitement as we got ENGAGED (eee!! 158 days!!) before the TCU v. UT game. We cheers'ed to Andy's 29th birthday at Shaw's Burgers, and spent many Saturdays at The Omni Hotel wedding planning. We were a Cowboys Cheerleader & Walter White for Halloween, and I played my first season of kickball after watching from the sidelines for 3 years. Fall of Year 27 was, and always be, pretty damn tough to beat, but Winter of Year 27 sure gave Fall a run for it's money.

Andy and I got engaged!
Cabana #3 & The Hickman's House
October 26, 2013

There were snow days, ice days, and ice days that turned into perfectly sunny days. We were stuck in our house for 5 days straight (for better or for worse, right?) There were four Christmases spent with the Jennings, the Rivers, the Stricklands, and the Poirots. We danced the night away at one of the girls I used to nanny for's deb party. Andy and I hosted our first (hopefully annual) New Year's Eve party and rang in the new year with some of our favorite friends. We sang along with Ryan Bingham at Billy Bob's, and we went to the rodeo three times. Chelsea gave birth to her & Chris' beautiful baby, Campbell Grace, who I could snuggle with for hours.

Andy and me at our First Annual New Year's Eve Party
December 31, 2013
Fort Worth, Texas

Then came Spring of Year 27, and with spring came weddings and more babies. First, I went back down to Fredericksburg for my Kindergarten friend, Frances', bachelorette. We watched so many friends marry the loves of their lives- The Comptons, The Dubans, and The Sims. We celebrated as Charleigh Marie turned 3... and speaking of kids growing up? This year Greyson turned 4, Sloane turned 1, and Kameron turned 8. They sort of have their own Birthday Week: April 30, May 1, and May 5. Spring of Year 27 also brought with it a job change for me, and a new truck for Andy.

Sloane Sawyer turned 1 year old on April 30, 2014
Princess Sloane's 1st Birthday Party
May 28. 2014
Wichita Falls, Texas

Greyson Senter turned 4 on May 5, 2014
Greyson's Dino Dig Birthday Party
May 18, 2014
Wichita Falls, Texas

So that brings us to Summer of Year 27. Thus far, Summer of 27 has included The Colonial, Paige & Kyle's baby, Kaden's, debut, Memorial Day at Cabana #3, toasting to another happy couple- The Broyles, and watching my beautiful cousin, Tiffany, walk down the aisle to her husband, Scott.

\

Kameron & me
Tiffany & Scott Chilcutt's Wedding
June 6, 2014
Grapevine, Texas

So bring it on, Year 28. You have some tough competition, but I have a crazy feeling you'll be the best year yet. 

Jalapeno Apricot Salmon
Main Dish to Spicy Roasted Butternut Squash- see story there
Servings: 2; Weight Watchers Points Plus Value: 9

• 2 tbsp EVOO
• 2 jalapenos, seeded & sliced into rings
• 1 tbsp minced garlic
• 1/2 c white wine, I used Pinot Grigio so I could drink the rest after :)
• 3 tbsp whole-grain mustard (I used Grey Poupon)
• 1 c apricot preserves (Smuckers makes a light, sugar free one)
• 4 (6oz) salmon fillets
• 2 tsp sea salt
• 1 tsp ground black pepper
• 4 sprigs fresh rosemary
• 1 lemon, zested

Jalapeno Apricot Salmon & Spicy Roasted Butternut Squash

1. Preheat oven to 400
2. Saute oil over medium heat
3. When hot, add jalapenos to caramelize
4. Add garlic then add white wine
5. Add mustard & apricot preserves and bring to a simmer
6. Simmer over low heat for 20 mins, then let cool completely
7. Line a baking sheet with parchment paper (to make it less messy- not required)
8. Place salmon on baking sheet and sprinkle with S&P
9. Liberally apply Jalapeno Apricot mixture atop and top with rosemary sprig
10. Cook on 400 for anywhere from 5-15 mins, depending on taste and preference
11. Serve topped with lemon zest

Keep on cookin'!

-Katherine

Birthday Cake Rice Crispy Treats

Whitney & the Creels' hostesses
Mattie, Sam, Kate, Whitney, Amy, Britnee, Keri, & Kristie
Not pictured: Frances

July 21, 2013: My best friend, Whitney, is due September 18th with a baby boy, Kolt. I joined up with a group of our girlfriends (Kristie, Keri, Sam, Frances, Britnee, Amy, and Mattie) to host a pool party to  honor the parents-to-be yesterday.

Gift & Snack tables

We had all kinds of baby boy & pool/beach themed decorations, but we needed a cool and unique party favor for our guests, so i made Cake Batter Rice Crispy Treats.  I've made these for all kinds of occasions- co-workers' promotions and birthdays previously, and I knew they'd be easy and quick (not to mention a crowd-pleaser).

"Smooth as a baby's bottom buns"

The shower turned out beautiful. The Pinsons’ home was perfect- they have a great living room that spills out onto a huge patio with a pool.  Right past the pool, the guys had ample room to play washers while the girls ooh’ed & ahh’ed over Whitney’s belly and baby onesies. 

Whitney & me Hookin' & Giggin' 'em!

I’ll admit, I got a lot of ideas for the shower from Pinterest, but it all came together perfectly. I have a pet peeve of people asking “What is this?” (who cares, just try it! Unless you have a food allergy. In the case, ask. But if you don’t- go on, be adventurous!) so I made signs that said what each food item was, and the signs were baby/boy/beach themed.  We had “Smooth as a Baby’s Bottom Buns” and “Cheeseburgers in Paradise,” “Sailboat Salad,” “Ocean Water,” and “Weiners(!)”

"I like mine with lettuce & tomatoes... Heinz 57"

For snacks, we had goldfish, Swedish fish, “drift wood” (pretzel sticks), life savers, “pool noodles” (twizzlers), “kickboards” (Starbursts), and dips for the chips that said “Take a dip.” Kristie made the super cute banners, which ended up matching the theme perfectly.

Snack table

Here’s the wreath I made for Kolt’s nursery. It’s by far my favorite wreath that I’ve ever made. It matches the colors in his nursery very well (if I do say so myself!), and I am ready for him to be here so we can meet the little nugget!

"Thank you for swimming by! Take a treat!"

Oh, and the Birthday Cake Rice Crispy treats? Judging by Whitney’s niece, Kaylee,’s picture below, they were as big of a hit as I’d hoped. They had tags on them that said “Thanks for swimming by! Love, Kolt.” In fact, they were such a hit that I’ve decided to make them for another shower that I’m helping through in November. Who knows, perhaps Kaylee’s chowing down will be the new face of Katherine in the Kitchen!

Kaylee chowing down on a Birthday Cake Rice Crispy treat

Birthday Cake Rice Crispy Treats
Servings: 30
Modified from www.gimmesomeoven.com

"Thanks for swimming by! Love, Kolt"

Ingredients

• 3 tbsp butter
• 1 (10 oz) bag mini-marshmallows
• 3/4 c funfetti cake mix (the dry cake mix, not prepared into batter)
• 6 c rice crispy cereal
• 1 container of sprinkles, color of your choice
• Non-stick cooking spray
• 2 sandwich bags
• 9x13 pan, coated in non-stick cooking spray

Birthday Cake Rice Crispy Treats

Directions

1. Spray a large bowl with non-stick cooking spray
2. Melt butter in bowl in microwave
3. Add marshmallows- melt again in microwave
4. Stir well with a spoon that has been coated in non-stick cooking spray
5. Satire in the funfetti dry cake mix
6. Add in cereal, coating cereal, in butter/marshmallow mix
7. Sprinkle in 3/4 of the sprinkles, coating well
8. Put the sandwich baggies on your hands, and coat them also in non-stick spray
9. Use your bag-covered hands to scoop the bowl of marshmallow covered cereal into the pan
10. Smooth out mix in the pan
11. Add last 1/4 of sprinkles on top
12. Allow to sit for 30 mins before cutting

I made three batches for the shower!

Keep on cookin'!
-Katherine

Mexican-Style Asparagus

In January, I got the following text from my best friend, Whitney. 

Needless to say, I was crying tears of joy right in the middle of a presentation at Fort Worth ISD. I was under strict instructions not to tell anyone, so I had to keep my mouth shut about Baby Creel until Todd and Whitney formally announced their +1 on March 24th. I did, however, immediately send the Creels a care package in honor of their baby-to-be. I included a few pregnancy magazines for momma, a sign, a book, and a baby blanket. 

We found these cute shirts for the dogs at a boutique in Ruidoso when we went in February. They made for a perfect baby announcement! 

A month later, as I was going through our cabinets to make sure we had the ingredients for this Mexican Style Asparagus that night, my phone next off with another text. On April 23rd, the Creels found out their bundle of joy was going to be a boy. Whitney had suspected it was going to be a boy, but the sonogram confirmed it. A healthy, happy baby boy would be joining the Creels in September 2013. 

I could see it already: an Aggie football player with Creel printed across the back his jersey. The kiddo will have no choice but to whoop and gig 'em like his mom, dad, and numerous other family members. But don't worry, I'll do my best to brain wash him with all the burnt orange that I can sneak into his nursery!

Mexican Style Asparagus

Servings: 2; Weight Watchers PointsPlus Value: 2

• 1 bunch of asparagus cut and washed
• red pepper flakes (to taste)
• cumin (to taste)
• chili powder (to taste)
• dried cilantro (to taste)
• 2 tsp extra virgin olive oil

1. Coat asparagus with EVOO
2. Sprinkle on red pepper flakes, cumin, chili powder, and dried cilantro
3. Grill for 5 minutes, turning occasionally

Keep on cookin'!

Katherine

Chicken Enchilada Tacos

Sloane's baby wreath

Andy's sister, Carly, had his nephew, Greyson, the day after our first date (May 5, 2010). Carly has always wanted more than one kiddo, and when Grey was a little over two, she got her wish. She was pregnant with a baby girl, and was due May 1, 2013- four days before Grey's third birthday.

Her friends in Wichita Falls threw her a baby shower that was pink and girly- all things baby girl.  Carly did not want to reveal Baby Girl's name though until she was born, so part of the shower was spent trying to convince her to spill the beans, but we got nowhere.  This presented a slight hiccup in my baby gift, though. I made her a wreath, but without knowing Baby Girl's name, the wreath was going to have to be incomplete until she arrived. I joked with Carly that I was going to show up to the hospital when Baby Girl was born with a hot glue gun and wooden letter to slap on the wreath.

Sloane's baby gifts from me

The shower was held at the Jennings' church, First Christian, in Wichita Falls. This is the same church where my cousin's grandma, "Nanny," took care of Andy when he was a baby.  There were baby-themed snacks, a delicious punch, and a diaper cake as the centerpiece. It was very prissy and very fun!

A lot of the women who have had children at the shower commented that "Baby girl showers are just so much cuter than baby boy showers!" and "Baby girl clothes are so much cuter than baby boy clothes!" Needless to say, we were all pretty excited about Baby Girl Westbrook.

Sloane's wreath that matches her crib bedding

Well, on April 30th, a little before noon, Carly texted Andy that she was in labor. No less than two hours later, Andy got a message from his brother-in-law, Slate, that said "Sloane Sawyer Westbrook was born at 12:31pm, weighing 7 pounds 14 ounces and 20.75 inches long." Unfortunately I couldn't miss work that afternoon, but we headed up north to Wichita Falls the next day to see sweet Sloane and Andy's family.

We weren't sure if we were going to get to go to Wichita Falls the night Sloane was born, and, like I said it turns out that we weren't able to because of work. However, being the meal-planner I am, I went ahead and planned our dinner for that night. We had Chicken Enchilada Tacos, which are now in our top five favorite meals. The actual dish can be served sans-tacos if you're watching your carbs, and using fat-free cheese keeps it lightened up.  Although I had to work, the Chicken Enchilada Tacos were easy to throw together once I got home, and clean up was quick, too. Perhaps you'll be celebrating good news when you have them, too!

Chicken Enchilada Tacos
Servings: 8; Weight Watchers PointsPlus Value: 3

Chicken Enchilada Tacos

• 1 pound boneless chicken breasts
• 1 teaspoon taco seasoning
• Salt, to taste
• 1/2 cup enchilada sauce
• 4 ounces fat-free cheddar cheese, shredded
• 3 green onions, chopped

Chicken Enchilada Taco filling

1. Sprinkle the chicken on both sides with taco seasoning
2. Grill or sauté the chicken
3. Cut the chicken into cubes
4. Place in a greased 8x8" baking dish
5. Season with salt to taste
6. Add the enchilada sauce and toss to coat the chicken
7. Sprinkle the cheese over the chicken
8. Bake at 350º for 10-20 minutes, until hot and bubbly
9. Scatter the green onions over the top.

Keep on cookin'!
-Katherine