Five on Friday!

Happy Valentine's Day! Joining April and friends for another Five on Friday!

{one}

The girls hosting the link-up asked us joining in to help spread the word about sweet Teddy. Teddy is a beautiful, smiling seven-month old baby who was diagnosed with a terminal syndrome called Menkes. Menkes Syndrome affects approximately 1 in 450,000 male babies. There are currently only a handful of documented cases in the entire United States. There is not a cure for Menkes, and Teddy's parents, Mary and Alex Fish, are hoping to spread the word about this terrible disease and hopefully lead to a cure in the future. They also hope to encourage parents to trust their gut about their children when something doesn't seem quite right. Mary has created a caring bridge page to document their journey and share information about ways to help the family. My heart breaks for them. Please keep this precious child and his family in your prayers and help spread the word about #teamteddy.

{two}
Enough already with the snow! I am sure 99% of you are feeling the same thing, but while we have it, we might as well appreciate it. It's pretty until it piles up in the streets and you have to basically swim through it to get from one side to the other.  Okay, it's not that bad. Just when I think I'm tired of all the snow, I go to Central Park and can't get over how serene and beautiful it is while surrounded by the bustling city. I love it. With that said, hurry up, spring!

{three}
We have made some yummy things this week in our tiny kitchen!

Homemade Pad Thai: Not as intimidating as I would have thought!

rice noodles

2 cups bean sprouts

 2 cups shredded carrots

chicken

1/4 cup chopped peanuts

scallions

sauce

sesame oil

1 tsp honey

2 tbs soy sauce (or pad thai sauce if you have it)

1/2 tsp chili paste

garlic clove

1/2 tsp fish sauce

 

Cook chicken through in sesame oil in a wok. Add the cooked noodles and sauce. Then, add bean sprouts, scallions, carrots and peanuts. Mix it all up and that's it! Delicious!

This green smoothie has been my go-to lately:

2 cups (or handfuls) power greens (a mix of kale, spinach, chard, or any other greens you choose!)

juice of one lemon

pineapple

apple

pear

banana

2 tbs coconut oil

cup of water

2 tbs chia seeds

Blend it all up! The coconut oil is a recent addition and it definitely gives it a little tropical flair, if you're into that, which for this week, I am. :)

We made a "fancy" meal last night as a pre-valentine's dinner. Chicken Paprikash Topped Potatoes did not disappoint!

{four}
To go along with our little celebration, TJ surprised me with this beautiful necklace! I have to say, I really thought we were not exchanging gifts so he definitely caught me off guard. I love it and him. :)

{five}
We celebrated a little early because we are celebrating tonight and this weekend with our sweet friends, Brent and Danielle, who are coming in from Charlotte for a visit! We are soo excited and only hope they make it here without any snow delays from their end or ours! We have such a fun weekend planned filled with lots of good food, a broadway show, and spending time exploring the city with our friends.

And, because it's Valentine's Day...

 

Hope you have a wonderful weekend! Thanks so much for stopping by!