Peach & Nectarine Shortcake With Warm Strawberry Compote

This recipe is brought to you courtesy of moi and because of the awesome Full Circle box I received yesterday.  Full Circle delivers fresh, organic fruits and vegetables to me every week- it is amaze balls and a complete must living in such a secluded location!!  This is an easy, semi-homemade crowd pleaser that can be whipped up for a night in or dressed up for a dinner party! 

Cut 1/2 lb Strawberries and set aside

Score peaches, boil until skin pulls away from cuts, take out and cool slightly

Discard water.

Add 2 Tbs brown sugar and sauté

Drooling yet?? 

Put strawberries in pan & mash.  Mix with 1/2 cup sugar and bring to a boil on medium heat.

Lower heat and simmer for 10 min, stirring in between sips of wine, or until it looks like syrup!

Remove from heat & add 1 TBS (or more) of vanilla extract or paste

Stir and get ready to assemble!

Cut pre-packaged angel food cake, layer and ENJOY!!

For a classier feel or dinner party, layer in a trifle bowl and wait for the "oohhss" and "aahhhs".

You're welcome.

Family tested...

and approved!!

It's just another day on Semi-Homemade with Annalee...

Bloglovin'

Hey I'm now on Bloglovin' and I'm pretty sure McLovin is the CEO!  Ha!  I'm hilarious :)

Enjoy!

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Not Goodbye, See Ya Soon

Military life is nomadic in nature.  Just when you get settled it's time for you, or your new BFF, to go.  Bonded quickly by struggle, boat schedules, children and common experiences it's not an easy thing to deal with.  However, this is a natural cycle all wrapped up in a pretty bow courtesy of Uncle Sam. 

Now unless someone is retiring in the Coast Guard, you are likely to meet them again. And let's be serious, that can be a good or bad thing.  There are some people that you are SUPER excited to get rid of but just like a bad penny, they or you will be back... especially if you lost the karma lottery.  haha Have fun with that one.  

This summer was my first round and experience with this kind of change.  Many friends that I have made have left and I'm struggling to find a balance between "It's gonna be ok" and "I should probably stop drinking to not feel feelings".  I'm just being honest.  Some of these people were my first CG friends, the first people who invited me into this little group called "wives" and have become my support system- some, without even knowing it.  I've told you before, I'm not a hugger and naturally feelings kind of go in the same box.  Don't get me wrong- I'll show you my behind after an awesomely epic fall down a mountain hiking, but bearing my heart & soul may not happen unless I was seriously loving a bevarge that night.  

Via

We've shared the good, bad and drunky ugly!  Many inside jokes, nicknames, theme parties, cookie exchanges, family dinners, great pregnancy stories/tips (don't ask.), trips "out the road" and other amazing times have come out of the last two years.  I've had a lot of time to reflect and drink think on the subject and I believe I've come to terms with our friendship life cycle. 

As I try to contain my girly emotions eww and get through these last few thoughts, I want to take a rare pause... (look closely, this doesn't happen often) I want to say something truly from the heart.  Yes, I have one.  Shocker. 

I have become a better person for knowing each and everyone of you ladies. You have touched my heart and shared more of yourself than anyone ever has.  You made me feel at home in an instant and were always there no matter what.  You were my home, when my other home feels like it's a world away.  I will never forget any of you and hope you won't forget me.  I appreciate you beyond words and am so thankful that God put you in my life.  Thank you for everything.  This friendship life cycle is not easy, but nothing in this life is.  All you can do is smile, because it happened.

 

 

Via

  Until we meet again...

Just keep swimming...

So there's this thing, it's called running.  Well, he and I have a love/hate relationship!  In other words I love the idea of him and hate the actual act.  However, I have made a promise to myself to start this exercise phenomena and so I endure.  You see, running has been there taunting me with images of a bikini ready body, less chubby cheeks and some serious love of new clothes but my body is still having trouble letting go. 

Over the past two weeks I've had shin splints!  Before you call me a wuss and tell me to power through the pain, let me give you a visual.  Have you ever seen Zombieland?  You know, the movie with Woody Harrelson and Emma Stone (seriously awesome chick)!  Well shin splints are a lot like that movie.  I'm running, running, swimming, running along my merry way and WHAP- knife to the shins- like they want me for dinner knife attack.  I realize that Emma Stone would never want to eat me for dinner but she may feed me to the sharks, she's an animal lover after all.

To combat this shark biting, knife throwing attack on my shins I have done it all.  I bought brand new Flash Gordon like shoes they totally make me faster. I have made my stride shorter than a littler person, too far? and I have iced them like a cold brewski on a warm day.  They're getting a little better but it has been super annoying.  Ever walked down your stairs backwards because you thought it was fun?  Me too...  now do that for a week and a half sucker!

The moral of this story is that if you want something bad enough you just keep swimming.  I want to see my bikini clad bod almost as much as I want to get this oven ready to cook a bun!  Both goals are where I want to be!

So the next time you think you have to stop because of a zombie or shark attack remind your self this:

via

Until next time...

Breakfast Ham Cups

This is a great make ahead recipe for those on the go work mornings!  My husband is in the Coast Guard and well, I'm always late so these are perfect for us!  They are also cute enough for brunch.  I altered the original recipe which you can find here, for a more healthy alternative.  

Ingredients:

Well, it's a little hard to say, because you could add any ingredients under the sun to these.  But basically, I allowed about 1/4 egg substitute per cup.

Ingredients 

• egg beaters (original, southwest-the world is your oyster!)
• grated cheese (again, you pick!)
• diced onions
• a couple of green onions
• ham slices, a little thick
• sliced, fresh mushrooms
• diced red/green peppers
• Chopped spinach
• salt and pepper to taste

Directions

1.  Saute all of your veggies and set aside.

2.  Spray a muffin tin with nonstick cooking spray and line with the ham.

3.  Add cheese to the bottom of the "ham cups"

4.  Add a small amount of veggies and then pour on egg beaters to middle of cup.

5.  Sprinkle with green onion.


6.  Bake at 350 degrees for 20-25 min or until eggs are set!

You can also add just about anything to make them your own!  Experiment away! 

Bon Appetit! This recipe is Semi Homemade with Annalee.

 

Sauteed Rock Shrimp with Creole Cream Sauce in Puff Pastry

Hold onto your hats!  I've taken this recipe and given it a twist to make it more user friendly with added a kick!

Ingredients

6 frozen puff pastry shells (I like Pepperidge Farms)
1 pound frozen rock shrimp (70 to 90 count)- or any shrimp really!
1 tablespoon Emeril's Creole Seasoning (season to taste)

1 tablespoon olive oil
1 cup chopped green onions
1 teaspoon Tapatio (add more for the KICK)
2 cups heavy cream ( I know...but it's gooood!)
2 tablespoons unsalted butter- I use whatever I have!
Salt and pepper

Cayenne Pepper (for the KICK)

Directions

1.  Preheat oven to 400 degrees F. 

2.  Bake shells according to package directions.  Cool while cooking shrimp.

3.  Season rock shrimp with Creole seasoning. In a large skillet over high heat, saute rock shrimp in   olive oil until no longer opaque, about 1 minute. Add green onions, and tapatio and cook for 1 minute. 

4.  Add the cream, bring to a boil and reduce heat to a simmer. Cook until reduced by half and sauce covers the back of a spoon, about 4 to 6 minutes. 

5.  Add butter and whisk thoroughly to combine, about 1 minute. Season with salt and pepper.

With the tip of a knife, carefully remove the top of each pastry. Divide shrimp and sauce between pastries, cover with reserved tops and serve.

Bon Appetit! This recipe is Semi Homemade with Annalee.

 Click here for the original recipe.

Greek Spinach Feta Chicken Pockets

This recipe is seriously to die for!  The very healthy spinach with creamy cheese wrapped in a puff pastry crust- can we please make babies now?  No judging, it's that good!  I didn't do my amazing step by step this time because this recipe is SO simple.  This is a great recipe to have in the fridge ready to go or you can even dress it up for a dinner party!  It's sure to be a crowd pleaser- and don't forget how many veggies you could hide in here if you needed to!

 

Are you trying to eat your computer screen yet?  STOP! 

Here's MY recipe:

Ingredients

• 1 sheet Puff Pastry thawed
• 2 oz. chive fat free cream cheese softened
• 2 packages frozen spinach thawed and well drained
• 2 cooked and shredded chicken breasts
• 4 green onions chopped
• 1/2 cup crumbled feta cheese (more to taste)
• 3/4 cup part skim/low fat shredded mozzarella cheese (more to taste)

Instructions

1.    Preheat oven to 400 degrees F.

2.   Unfold sheet of puff pastry onto a lightly floured surface (or nice baking sheet)

3.   You can literally throw all the of the finished ingredients in a bowl, stir and then put them on one side the puff pastry an 1/2 inch away from all edges.

4.   Fold over the half of the puff pastry that doesn’t have the ingredients on it and seal the edges nice and tight!

5.    Place on a greased cookie sheet and back at 400 degrees F for 15-20 minutes of until top is nice and golden brown.  (Note: You could lightly brush some beaten egg over the top of the dough prior to baking for a nicer and crisper golden top.  I choose not to)

6.   Cut into slices and enjoy!

 I simplified the recipe, so it's Semi Homemade with Annalee!

Click here for the original recipe.

Sweet & Spicy Ginger Salmon

I LOove to cook!  Luckily living here in Alaska I have one of my favorite foods at my disposal- seafood!  When I start to cook I start with a recipe, however, I rarely follow it to a "T".  I cook by taste and feel so if you ever have my cooking, you'll notice a little something special. 

Today's recipe is a Cordova specialty... Salmon!  We currently live in the mecca of Salmon lovers everywhere!  Where we live the Copper River Salmon, the Kobe beef of Salmon, roam FREE!  I never knew how different salmon was until I moved up here.  Honestly I always thought my, then boyfriend, now husband was just being snobby picky.  Well, I am here as a true convert and salmon snob!  YUM!  Ok... tonight's recipe:

First I start with a delicious Copper River Salmon fillet,de-boned, caught by my father-in-law (you can get yours from a store if you have to)

Lather with marinade for a while- sorry we didn't time it, 15-30 min? (see below) and grill!

Tell me this doesn't look good... um, you're lying.  stop it. leave now.

And the Piece de resistance....



Sweet and Spicy Ginger Salmon

2 tbs Honey

1/2 tbs Cayenne Pepper

2 tbs Plum Sauce (can sub Hoisin)

1/2 tbs Soy Sauce

1/2 tbs `Fresh Ginger- grated

**Like I said earlier, I eyeball and keep adding/mixing until it tastes BOMB.COM!!**

Stir, marinate and save some to baste/drizzle!

1/2 tbs Soy Sauce 1/2 tbs `Fresh Ginger- grated **Like I said earlier, I eyeball and keep adding/mixing until it tastes BOMB.COM!!** Stir, marinate and save some to baste/drizzle!

Button Up!

Buttons…ahhh buttons.  Buttons are little images that other bloggers use to “show” you on their blog.  They can be used for a variety of things but recently I have been using them to create way more grey hair then I already have.  Stay with me people as I try, and possibly fail, to make these little buggers happen!

<a href=" http://lifelaughsandladds.blogspot.com/ " target="_blank"><img src=" http://www.flickr.com/photos/97709835@N05/9087406560/ " alt="Life, Laughs and Ladds" width="200" height="200" /></a>

****UPDATE****

While I may have lost a little street cred by using a generator, I DON'T CARE!  I took a look at this post after looking at a couple different tutorials.  Let me tell you Yasminaa's blog is where it's at!  It worked and I feel slightly more credible as a blogette!  Point for the little lady!  Head over to my side bar and "button up"!

Until next time...  

5 Things I would tell myself when I was younger

What would you do if you could go back and tell yourself something?  Would you take this back to the future flashback or would you let fate play out?  I've thought a lot about this and I would tell myself a couple things.  Do I think it would change my fate- maybe, but I think there's a guy upstairs who really has the key to that puzzle... I could just save a younger me some heartache and really really stupid choices! 

So, if I could tell myself 5 things they would be:


1.  Boys will come and go.  yes, relationships are valid but spend more time with your girlfriends.  No really...  chicks before... that's just a little too far but true.

2.  Explore more before deciding on a career- what do you LOVE??  Is sure isn't receptionist work so choose wisely and when you're parents say they're done funding your funday... say thanks and KEEP GOING.  Take chances and be ok with it.

3.  Don't sweat the small stuff... life is too short to get caught up in the drama and stop planning so much!!

4.  Stop looking for Mr. Charming, he will come along when he's meant to... (ps... you meet him in a bar!  Cliché, I think so!!)

5.  Make exercise a priority and learn to LOVE it... because girlfriend, this would be a whole lot easier if you had kept it up!  haha...  no seriously, pretend the zombies are real... RUN!!!

 

Until next time...

I Am Thankful

The ABCs of Thankfulness...
 

A: Avocados

B: Beauty Products (no makeup = scary!)

C: Coffee

D: Donald!

E: Extra sleep

F: Friends

G: God

H: Happiness

I: Ice cream :)

J: Juicing

K: Kaiya (my Pug)

L: Lakes

M: Married life

N: New Blog (cheated a little!)

O: Ocean

P: Parents

Q: Quibbler

R: Rice

S: Sunshine

T: Texts

U: United States Coast Guard

V: Vegetables

W: Weekends

X: xxx- hey, I'm married!

Y: YOLO

Z: Zoos!


There is so much to be thankful for!  What are you thankful for? 

Until next time...

Move That Body!

Today is National Running Day!!

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In honor of this day I ran and trust me, you are just as shocked as I was!  In the spirit of full disclosure I recently went to the doctor and she told me that I needed to lose 30 lbs *cough* ouch, that just happened.  Thanks, doc.  In lieu of this horrible appointment recent fun fact I decided that today was as good a day as any to get my butt moving- literally.

 

I am proud, yet slightly embarrassed, to say I *almost* ran a whole mile.  I ran .80 and walked .20 of a mile in 12:16.  Marathon pace- definitely not. Let's hope this was a very sweaty beginning to a beautiful relationship... don't they all start that way?  Pun... totally intended!

 

Until next time...