Simmering Saturday...

I don't know about you but I am always trying to squeeze more vegetables into my diet. I don't have picky kids, but I do have a picky husband who doesn't like "green" things because "that's what rabbits eat." Oh brother...*insert eye roll* So anytime I can't trick him into eating more "green" things, I do it!

The summer is starting to wind down but my zucchini plants are still producing like crazy! I try to find new ways to cook with zucchini and the other day I thought of this yummy side dish. Cheesy Zucchini Rice. Cheesy goodness with a full serving of vegetables, what's not to love!

This is so easy to make and it's super delicious. In the words of my husband "this is really good, way better than the normal rice you make." I make a lot of plain steamed white rice lol. He didn't even question the little "green" flecks in the rice either. He filled his plate, ate it, and then had seconds. Win for the wifey!

I had everything I needed for this dish, and it only takes 25 minutes to make, start to finish. Also it's made in just one pot which makes clean up super easy! I served mine with pulled pork, but this would be delicious with just about everything, grilled chicken, or fish would be superb.

Here is what you'll need:

Add the rice, butter, garlic, salt, and pepper to a medium sized saucepan.

Cook over medium heat and stir until the butter is completely melted and the garlic is aromatic, approximately 90 seconds.

Pour in the chicken broth, stir the pan a couple times, bring to a boil, and then reduce the heat to low and cover. Simmer for 20 minutes.

Turn off the heat and stir in the zucchini and cheese until everything is mixed together.

Voila! One-Pot Cheesy Zucchini Rice

Ingredients:

• 1 cup Long Grain White Rice
• 2 tbsp Unsalted Butter
• 1 tsp Minced Garlic
• 1/2 tsp Salt
• 1/4 tsp Black Pepper
• 2 cups Chicken Broth
• 1 cup Cheddar Cheese
• 1 cup Grated Zucchini

Directions:

1. Add the rice, butter, garlic, salt, and pepper to a medium sized saucepan.
2. Cook over medium heat and stir until the butter is completely melted and the garlic is aromatic, approximately 90 seconds.
3. Pour in the chicken broth stir the pan a couple times, bring to a boil, and then reduce the heat to low and cover. Simmer for 20 minutes.
4. Turn off the heat and stir in the zucchini and cheese until everything is mixed together.
5. Serves 4, including your picky kids and husband lol!

This would be easy to make even more healthy just by swapping out the white rice with quinoa or brown rice. If you use vegetable broth instead of chicken broth it would be vegetarian friendly too.

Thank you for stopping by. Have a sweet, cheesy, wonderful day :)

Photography Sneak Peek ~ Heidi's Senior Portraits

I am in LOVE with these pictures of my beautiful cousin Heidi. I loved getting to spend time with her and help her celebrate this milestone. We had beautiful weather and lots of fun on our photoshoot. I can't believe she is turning eighteen this weekend! I'm pretty sure I should still just be eighteen...

I have always wanted to take pictures in the river and on a bridge, and I finally got the chance and I couldn't be happier. Heidi was the perfect model and was up for anything, I just love that.

There are so many good ones I had a hard time narrowing them down, and that's not always a bad thing :)

Here are some of my favorites...

Thank you for stopping by, I hope you have a sweet and wonderful day :)

Photography Sneak Peek ~ Elijah 2 Months

Oh this baby boy is just too cute! Baby Elijah is 2 months old and full of smiles. He is the spitting image of his daddy Levi. I know that he hears that all the time but it's true! I can still see some of his mama Brett in him, just look at that little button nose :)

I really enjoyed spending the day chatting with Brett and snuggling sweet little Elijah. I just love sweet cuddly babies :) And this one is loved sooo much <3

We planned on taking his pictures outside in the shade of their huge trees, but mother nature had other plans and decided to rain. So I improvised, and I sat up a little studio outside under the covered patio, complete with a nice heater to keep baby warm. You have to be flexible and be able to go with the flow, especially with baby photography! It worked out really well and got some cute shots.

Here are a few of my favorites...

Thank you guys so so so much for stopping by, I appreciate it so much. I hope your day is wonderfully sweet :)

Photography Sneak Peek ~ Hazel Grace 4 Months

Another month has come and gone and my pretty little niece is growing like a weed!

She is sweet and has such a fun personality. During this shoot I was saying 'I'm going to get you' with a little rubber ducky and she giggled and giggled and giggled! It was the CUTEST thing ever! Evidently her Auntie is hilarious ;)

I always tell Angela that I'm not going to go overboard and I'll just do simple easy pictures, but she should know by now that I just can't help myself. I'm mean how can I when my model is this stinking cute :)

Here's a few of my favorites...

I got a few new things from etsy and I love them! Here's the links to the easy shops if you are interested.
Chiffon Floral Headband by SweetSerephina
Mint Romper by TheSimplyChicBaby
Purple Shabby Headband by AvaBowtiquee
Lavender Bloomers by LillyBowPeep

Thank you so so so much for stopping by. I hope your day is sweet and wonderful :)

Review: Laura Mercier Translucent Loose Setting Powder

Today I am going to review Laura Mercier Translucent Loose Setting Powder.

First of all let me start by saying I LOVE this!

I have been eyeing this for quite awhile, but couldn't justify spending money on something I didn't need. I already had a powder that I loved and I hadn't run out of it yet. So the day came where there was way more pan than product, and I decided to take a little trip to Sephora.

I made my way over to the Laura Mercier counter and lo and behold there was only one box left. It was meant to be. I picked up that little box and I asked the lady at the check out if this was what everyone was raving over, and she said "yes, it is amazing, you're going to love it!" (She's right.)

So today I decided to try it out. I've had this powder for about a week and just have been waiting for the right time, or a special occasion to break it out. Today was nothing special I was just dying to try it! After all, any day can be special, right? Honestly, I've been procrastinating, and not wanting to take the new away. Weird I know.

First of all I love the packaging. It's timeless and sleek, in an easy open container with a screw on top and sifter.

The power itself is very very fine and super soft. Pale/translucent in color and has a light, barely there scent. And there is a lot of it, so it will last quite awhile, at least for me.

It applies like a dream. Evenly and smoothly. I like applying my setting powder with a Sigma F35 Tapered Highlighting Brush. It's the perfect size and it applies just the right amount.

I finished my Makeup at about 10:20am and removed it at 10:30pm. I got a full 12 hours of wear out of it, and it still wasn't breaking down on me.

Here is what it looks like right after application. I apologize in advance for the awkward closeups...

I rearranged and cleaned out the cabinets in my kitchen. Went to lunch with my hubby. Went grocery shopping and then edited photos outside on my patio.

Here's what it looks like 4 hours later in natural light...

Then I delivered some newborn photos. Made chicken enchiladas for dinner, and went to visit some family friends.

Here's what it looks like 8 hours from application...

Later I came home, cleaned up the dinner mess and watched a little Netflix.

I had a full and busy day, and my face looked just as good 12 hours later. I'm impressed. And I did not touch it up at all. The only thing I did was reapply my lipstick throughout the day.

12 hours later...

Bottom line is that this powder applies beautifully, is long wearing, doesn't settle into fine lines and pores, doesn't irritate my sensitive skin, and is worth every penny. I think I have found a new favorite <3

I am extremely pleased with my purchase and I highly recommend it. I guess there is a reason why every beauty guru and beauty magazine is raving about it!

Thank you for taking the time to read. If you are considering a new setting powder, Laura Mercier makes a fantastic one! Have a sweet and wonderful day!