Hindsight

It is said that 'Hindsight is 20/20'...

Rewind back to January 2012:
Groupon had a paintball promotion.  Live-In #2 had a birthday.  In a moment of what I thought was pure brilliance, I decided to buy admission for the whole family to go paint balling as part of live-in #2's birthday gifts. Live-In #2 opened the gift and was tentatively excited.  Live-In #1 looked at me like I had snakes for hair and asked me if I knew what paint balling was.  It was at this point that I began to wonder if this was really such a good idea...

Fast Forward to February 2012:
We have had cabin fever lately.  This is that odd time of year where the holiday hustle and bustle is over, baseball has not yet started and summer is sadly too far off to think about.  The other day when we needed something to do (other than things that needed to be done...like clean the house, clean the yard, etc) Lover remembered we had the paint ball vouchers....

I called the paint ball company where we were to go play to ask them about attire and began to become greatly concerned when the nice man who answered the phone told me to 'wear layers'.  Huh?   So I dutifully told my live-ins to layer it up and they did so in a very efficient manner.  I, on the other hand, did not heed my warning seriously enough.  Trying to wear older clothes in case they got ruined, I put on a long sleeve (way to thin) shirt and a fleece sweatshirt. Before leaving the house I considered the v-neck in my fleece sweatshirt, but foolishly decided it would be ok.

That would be my mistake...

My family and I carefully watched the tutorial video on 'what not to do' in the arena.  I took great care in making sure my live-ins understood the rules so they wouldn't get hurt.  We recieved our masks, paint and paintball guns and were ready to play.

First, I must say while the masks were itchy and annoying, they were my new best friend in round one.  Within  a minute into the first round I was shot in the mask and could only see out of one eye.  This did not hurt.

In round two I learned from the mistakes I made in round one and kept better cover.  Live-in #1 made it about 1/2 way through the round and then got shot.  She was out.  That left me to protect Live-In #3 who was hiding behind me.  My team was dropping like flies and the round was almost over when I got my first real piece of the action.  I caught an unsuspecting opponent off guard and sent him on his way (I think) and I had my sights set on another opponent.  The problem was he had his eye set on me AND was a better aim than I was.  As I was firing off several paint rounds, feeling ever so empowered...I suddenly feel it...

I'd been shot...only everything was happening in slow motion.  I felt myself jerking as one would in a Hollywood movie when they are shot.  I tasted paint spatter... I felt pain...I had to remind myself to breathe...  When I finally got my wits I heard myself yell 'I'm Out' and desperately try to remember what I told my live-ins they had to remember about exiting the arena.  Luckily I made it out...with live-in #3 hot on my heels.

When Lover saw me he said whoever shot me was a good shot...one to the head and one to the heart.  This may be a good time to remind you that I was wearing a v-neck fleece.

So it is true...Hindsight is 20/20...and next time I will definitely wear more layers!

Back to School - Boys vs. Girls

My first child was a girl.  When we found out our second child would be a boy my mother told me I would notice a difference in the way a baby boy cried vs. a baby girl.  She even told me that my sister had called her and told her she was right about this.  I never noticed it.

Fast forward to now and I am noticing a big difference between my girl and my boys...this is not a personality difference, it is definitely gender difference.

Last week my sweet live-ins started school.  At the end of each of their days I ask them how their days went, what was their favorite thing, do they like their teacher, what they played on the playground, did they eat all their lunch, etc...

My sweet girl is happy to tell me all about her day, in colorful, vivid detail.  A moment by moment recollection.  When I ask her questions she answers happily and thoroughly.  This process takes quite a while.  Just when I think I have heard it all, we have dinner and I hear it all again and then some.

In contrast, trying to get any information out of my boys about their day is like trying to pull teeth with no hands.  This is how this conversation usually sounds:

How was your day? Fine
Do you like your teacher? Yes
What was your favorite part of the day? Recess
You can't pick recess.  Then nothing.
What did you learn? Nothing
Did you do math?

It is a this point that Live-In #2 pretty much stops answering and Live-In #3 makes a loud sound of frustration.  This is when I realize I like all the colorful vivid detail.  I am used to 13 years of colorful vivid detail. But, my precious boys are not going to give it to me.

I can sum it all up...My girl is her mother's daughter and my boys are their father's sons.

Lake Billy 2011

Lake Billy 2011

Nine Days, Eight Nights.  Rain, Sun, Clouds.   Deer, Mice, Snakes.  Surfing, Skiing, Wake Boarding, Tubing.  Fried Chicken, Turkey Wraps, Hamburgers, Ribs.  Martinis, Beer, Gatorade, Minute Maid.  

The stories from this trip are many.  

The fun on this trip was abundant.  

The memories made are priceless.

2011 Maiden Voyage of the Molly Mae

Usually we bring our boat out of storage in May for it's maiden voyage, sometimes it is even in April, but this year the weather had been...well....icky! So our maiden voyage wasn't until the end of June.  To make matters even worse, it wasn't even very sunny or warm...but we were determined to bring her out come rain, wind, snow or just plain clouds.

On this late maiden voyage I decided it was high time our boat had a name...

Bertha?  No, that is the name of my car's GPS when it is leading me the astray...

Sally?  No, that is the name of my car's GPS when it is being a good little girl...

Betty Lou?  No, just no...

Cornelia Marie?  No, the guys from Deadliest Catch took that one already, shucks!

Molly Mae?   Molly Mae...yep, that is it!  Now if only 'my people' would agree with me...

Who's the Blonde Now?

Lover has taken to calling my beautiful brunette daughter 'a blonde' because from time to time she seems a little on the airy side.  This doesn't bother or impress her, she goes right along on her merry way I assure you.

So the other morning my family went to breakfast, at one point during our breakfast conversation Live-In #2 announces that if you spell his name backwards it spells an actual word.  I was impressed, I hadn't thought of it before...then I asked him what his sister's name spelled backwards was - which he quickly informed me was the same as it is spelled forwards...smart boy that one...

Then Lover got in on the conversation and announced her name is spelled E-X-C-U-S-E-S.

Live-In #1 said quickly quipped... 'That doesn't even make sense...'Who's the Blonde Now?' - rendering my Lover speachless....while the rest of us enjoyed a good laugh!

Father's Day

I do realize it's Tuesday after Father's Day, but in the words of a friend... 'Everyday Should Be Father's Day.'  Yes, the friend is a man, but I'm going with it today because it suits my purpose.

For Father's Day this year I BBQ'd six whole chickens (yes I did it, I can be savvy that way...this is also the reason the dark meat wasn't all the way cooked on a few of them) - ok, I'll be honest...actually I did five and Lover did one.

I had to share my handiwork!

We have a 'off again/on again' tradition for Father's Day...a BBQ.  I thought it was a pretty regular thing, but when I went looking for pictures I found there was one year we went to my parents house instead of hosting and last year we flew the coop (pun intended) and were enjoying Shasta Lake and the warm California sunshine instead.

This year I don't think Shasta Lake is warm enough to thaw me out from winter or dry me up from spring so we stayed home and invited our regulars and a few newbies!

Father's Day 2011

A fine looking crew of people...we are missing seven others who had already left by this point...bellies full of smoked chicken, potato salad, deviled eggs, watermelon, & corn on the cob.  Mmm, Mmm, Mmm...

Every year we do this BBQ we take a picture.  It has been fun to look back at Father's Days past to see how the kids grow...

Father's Day 2008

Father's Day 2007

Father's Day 2006

Happy Father's Day to My Lover & My Dad...I hope you both enjoyed your day!!

Memorial Day Weekend Trivia - Part II

For Memorial Day my family and I went with friends to Central Oregon where we encountered, indulged in and endured the following:

1.  Pole Hanging Contest - I feel you must have some pictures to go with this...

Live-In #3 beat everyone with over 8 minutes!

2.  Horses - right next door to our vacation rental were horses.  The girls had so much fun feeding them, petting them and driving them out of their minds!  There was even a baby w/ is's mama!

3.  Rainbow Trout - the boys went fishing and caught fish...Mama Don't Do Trout so we are giving them to grandparents who for some reason like to eat the God awful fish!

Lover & Live-In #3 caught the only fish on the 1st day

4.  Snow - yes it's true.  Not only through the mountain pass, but we watched it accumulate outside our vacation house! On May 28th & 29th we enjoyed endured snow and the frozen temperatures that came with it!  It felt like the middle of winter rather than the cusp of summer!

The Mountain Pass

Right outside our door

5.  Sunshine - at least that is what I think it was...it reminded us that spring was if fact somewhere out there...

6.  A  Double Bed - I have two things to say about this...1st - Thank God I don't sleep on one of these anymore!  2nd - I LOVE MY OWN BED!!!

7.  Martinis - a weekend getaway wouldn't be complete without a martini in hand!  We enjoyed Strawberry Lemonade Martinis and experimented with a Coconut Cream Pie Martini - recipe to follow at a later date!

8.  Strawberry Shortcake - yes my friend made homemade strawberry shortcake and I pronounced 'It Was Good'.

9.  Turquoise Purse - this also requires a picture...

Not my only bargain for the weekend, but probably the most fun!

10.  Odd Shaped Eyebrows - I wish I had a picture for you - but apparently some of the young people of Central Oregon have a fascination with freaky eyebrows.  One woman had completely waxed her eyebrows off and then drew on new eyebrows at least 1-2" above her brow line - oh did I mention it had to have been with a jumbo crayon??  Then one man had waxed his eyebrows into triangles that abruptly went out into a thin line...  Made for some interesting conversation and laughs!


So our weekend didn't include any dolphins, sandy beaches, slushys, bikinis or fruit bats (the last one is compliments of live-in #2), but we had fun with friends and will be talking about this Memorial Day for years to come!

My Garden

Last weekend I bought 1 1/2 yards of dirt - well premium bedding mix to be precise - not only did I buy it, but I unloaded it, dumped it, spread it, etc, etc, etc....  This involved a shovel and wheel barrel - yes that is correct I actually wielded these items in my hands.  Oh, did I mention the wheel barrel was broken so I had to wield it with caution?  Yes, it's true.

So what is the big deal?  The big deal is that 'Mama Don't Do Yard Work'.  Since I was a girl I have been squirming my way out of the yard work department.  When my Dad would announce everyone was going to be in the yard working...I would bat my eyes at my Mom and she would get me off the hook...much to the dismay of my siblings - but I felt no remorse.

So what has changed?  Food is involved.  I want a vegetable garden.  I want all the cilantro, tomatoes and jalapeños I can get for my Salsa.  I want to go to my back yard for cucumbers and green beans instead of the grocery store.  I want to shuck corn from my backyard rather then pick through it and fight for the best ears at the grocery store.  I want to look outside and see all this beautiful food growing just for me...and my family.

After spending a small fortune on vegetable and herb starts (I'm not sure I spend that much over the coarse of the summer on regular veggies!), I came home and planted my treasures in the new raised beds Lover made for me.

These are my tomatoes and jalapeños!!!!!

Lover also wanted some hot banana peppers...not sure about those.

I think there is a green pepper in there too.

This is my lettuce, broccoli, cauliflower & strawberries.

(note to self: work on camera skills)

As I knew we would, we bought too much so we had to start planting in the ground.  This is our corn, green onion, more cauliflower & broccoli and a red bell pepper.

This is my green beans and cucumbers!

My herbs are in another planter - I have cilantro, german thyme, basil, chives & flat leaf parsley...mmmmmm!

So this is my new summer project...which may or may not require a green thumb...I hope it is forgiving as I am going to need it!!

I Will Stand By You

When I was a little girl I loved the 'Footprints' poem.  If you don't know it, you can google it and easily find it.  This poem gave comfort to my heart, it assured me that when I don't feel 'in control' of my life and don't think I can take it another day - I am not alone and I don't have to do it alone.  This gave me and still gives me great comfort.

Recently, my family was rocked by the news that one of our loved ones has been affected by cancer.  We went through a very dark time, however things are beginning to look up.  During this time there was a song that became very close to my heart. Every time I heard this song it spoke to me so I dedicated it to my sister-in-law to let her know she was not fighting it alone, I would fight her fight, I would not give up, I would fight to be strong enough for the both of us, I would give her my strength.  

Then one day, I realized this song played for me each time I traveled to or from her home.  This song was also a gift for me.  A gift from God letting me know he was carrying me and helping me to be strong for the ones I love.

I am sharing this today because I know there are so many other people out there fighting their own fights.  I pray this song will give you peace and comfort.  We are not alone.  

I love you Stephanie.

Coconut Cream Pie

I Love Pie!  I think pie is the perfect dessert as well as breakfast.  Yes, I said it...breakfast.  Berry Pie has lots of fruit, cream pies usually have three eggs and lots of milk inside.  Who's to say it is any worse then having cinnamon sugar toast, fruit loops or pancakes for breakfast!  So, yes it is a perfect breakfast food - for me that is - the live-ins wouldn't stand a chance if they asked for pie for breakfast.  What was that...double standard, fickle, flighty???  Well, it's my blog and I'll be fickle if I want to! 

This time of year one of my favorite pies is Coconut Cream Pie. Looking at this picture, I wish I hadn't already polished off 3/4 of the pie all by myself.  No, that is not an exaggeration.  I Love Pie!

This recipe is from my sister, Michele.  She loves me, she made me two coconut cream pies for Easter one year.  Well, maybe they weren't all for me...  Enjoy!!

Coconut Cream Pie

2/3 c. Sugar

3 tbsp. cornstarch (make them healthy tablespoons)

1/2 tsp. Salt

3 c. Milk (my sister uses whole milk, I used 1% cause that's what I buy - so do what feels good to you)

3 Egg Yolks (slightly beaten)

1 tbsp. Butter 

1 1/2 tsp. Vanilla

1 c. Coconut (plus a little extra to toast)

Mix sugar, cornstarch and salt in saucepan (make it a deep saucepan, the mixture grows when it starts to bubble).  Gradually stir in milk.  Cook over medium heat, stirring constantly (very important so it doesn't scorch), until mixture thickens and boils.  Boil one minute (this is where you will be happy to have used a deep pan).  Remove from heat.  

This part gets tricky...don't be afraid...we are going to temper the eggs yolks so we don't scramble them: After you have separated the egg yolks from the whites, use a fork to break up the yolk.  Use the whisk you had in the hot pie filling and begin whisking the egg yolks quickly. Now, SLOWLY (like drizzle slow) add 1 cup of hot pie filling to the egg yolks, whisking constantly.    

Now your eggs are tempered and you can finish the pie!  Gradually whisk the egg mixture into the pie filling, whisk until well incorporated.  Return to medium heat, still whisking constantly.  Bring to boil, let boil 1 more minute.  Remove from heat.  Whisk in butter, vanilla and coconut.  Pour into baked pie shell.  Chill (the pie, not you).  

Once pie is chilled, top with sweetened whipped cream and toasted coconut...then give me a call so I can come over and have a piece!  

Best Beef Marinade Ever!

This recipe is from my Mom - we had beef marinaded like this all through my younger years.  Mom used it to tenderize tougher meats then she would slice the meat really thin and let me tell you the flavor was so good. 

This marinade does such a great job at both tenderizing meat as well as making it super flavorful, I would also consider it suitable for 'company coming over for dinner'. 

When I eat meat which has been marinaded in this it brings back memories of:
A.  Summer
B.  BBQ
C.  Warm lazy evenings
D.  Children playing outside past their bedtime
E.  All of the Above

If you answered 'E' you may need to go buy a lottery ticket!!!

Here's the Recipe...



To a Gallon Size Bag Add Equal Parts (I usually start with 3-4 Tablespoons)
A-1, Worcestershire Sauce, Soy Sauce, Red or White Wine (or if you are like me sometimes I use both), Oil (I use EVOO, but you could use Vegetable if you want), &Red Wine Vinegar

To this add a Rosemary, if you are using fresh add a few sprigs, if you are using dried add about a Tablespoon.

3-4 Cloves Minced Garlic (you could go more or less on this depending on your tastes...I like MORE)


Add desired beef to the bag, seal bag and place in a glass dish (this is so you don't get beef juices all over your refrigerator....Mama don't like to clean the refrigerator) 

I used Flank Steak here.  My Mom used to use a 7-bone Roast or a Chuck Roast.  Marinate at least several hours, preferably overnight.  If you are using a roast you definitely want to let this marinate for at LEAST 24 hours for the ingredients to do their thing... 

I have even marinated the meat, put it in the freezer and then pulled it out to put it in our camping cooler (frozen) letting it thaw out over a few days...it was like gourmet camping!



Cook beef as desired, let rest, slice thinly, against the grain and serve!

Yum-O-licious!!!

Don't Forget the Birthday Cake

Several years ago I got tired of buying expensive specialty birthday cakes and decided I would try my hand at making my live-ins special day cakes...now that I think of it...this was around the time that instead of buying one specialty cake a year I was going to have to buy three!!  Economics, that's what it was, economincs...

I took a cake decorating class when Live-In #1 was a baby, not because I wanted to make birthday cakes, but because I thought maybe this could be a business for me...I quickly found out - Cakes Were No Business For This Girl...

But because of this whim I had a few supplies in my cabinets and was able to begin with cupcakes for Live-In #2's 1st Birthday...Mickey Mouse: cupcakes frosted red with store bought Mickey decorations and 2nd Birthday...Basketballs and Baseballs (don't remember if there were footballs and I don't want to go grab the scrapbook right now) of course the baseballs were my favorite - I actually had to use a little of what I learned in my cake decorating class for these.

Then Live-In #1 decided she wanted a Strawberry Shortcake birthday with a Strawberry Shortcake Hat shaped cake...Oh Boy...Thankfully my sister (who could probably have a cake decorating business) came to my rescue and came over to help me make this masterpiece.  Since then, every year I make my kids birthday cake.  They are so excited to see what I come up and are easily pleased. 

Over the years we have had Princess Castles, Trains, Treasure Chest, Baseball Field, Transformers, Star Wars, Beaches, Light Sabors, Football Helmets and just plain Whimsical.  They have been fun, but either they are getting harder or my creative mind is mush...But my Live-In's think I can and should be able to do it all! 

So this year Live-In #3 chose to go to a place called Sky High for his birthday.  This place is a big warehouse type building with HUGE trampolines.  Yes, that was plural.  They have a big trampoline area where the walls are also a trampoline, they have a trampoline that you can jump off of and into a pit of foam and they have a dodge ball trampoline area.  So to go with this theme Live-In #3 wanted a trampoline cake!  I had no idea what I was going to do and all the ideas on the internet included fondant...I don't do fondant...but I finally found a cake I thought I might be able to tackle with regular frosting...

If you are a professional cake decorator or even a semi-pro or kind of pro I know you are cringing right now...but Live-In #3 and his friends liked it...and my mama was proud...and that is all that matters. 

P.S.  It tasted better than it looks...

Death and Taxes...and Salsa

I worked on taxes over the weekend...Oh Joy!  The fact that I did them prior to April 15th is a testament to what I have learned over the years.  I don't know why I procrastinate the way I do, but I do..  So today as I considered this blog, a quote came to mind...

"The only things certain in life are death and taxes." Benjamin Franklin

I used to hear my parents use this phrase.  I probably heard my grandparents use this phrase.  Heck, I am sure I have used this phrase in conversation...  BUT - I don't agree with it...there are a few other things I know I can be certain of in my life...

1. I will always procrastinate when it comes to doing taxes.
2. School mornings will always be chaotic at my house as long as Live-In #2 and Live-In #3 have a say in the matter.
3. My alarm clock will forever annoy my sensitive ears.
4. The first cup of coffee in the morning tastes the best.
5. Laundry is a never ending job.
6. I am in love with my family.
7. Summer is never long enough.
8. I'd rather do the dishes ten times over than mop the floors.
9. Salsa and Chips are the perfect food marriage.
10. Tomorrow has no mistakes in it....yet...

I will stop there...I wouldn't want Ben Franklin to feel bad if he came back and found I blew his theory out of the water... 

Blue Cheese Balsamic Beef w/ Fettuccine Alfredo

My family and I enjoy eating at Olive Garden from time to time.  On one of these visits, My Lover ordered Steak Gorgonzola Alfredo.  After tasting a sample of this dish I knew I had to recreate it at home.  Now, I know there are many copycat versions of this recipe out there on the internet, but I didn't know this at the time - so I set out to create My version of Steak Gorgonzola Alfredo - which I now call:

Blue Cheese Balsamic Beef with Fettuccine Alfredo

I used Chuck Fillet in this recipe because it is cheaper than Filet Mignon, but provides the tenderness I long for when eating beef...plus - I can make cute little medallions with the fillet.

Spinach: Lover don't eat spinach...Period.  Trasnlation: Spinach does not enter this house in any way, shape or form - therefore, it didn't make the cut in my recipe!

This Alfredo sauce is the same sauce I use for chicken alfredo or shrimp alfredo.  My Lover came up with this recipe...well maybe you could say it was a joint effort because he came up with the ingredients and I came up with the ratio.

Blue Cheese Balsamic Beef with Fettuccine Alfredo
2 lb Chuck Fillet
1/2 cup Balsamic Salad Dressing
1-2 Tbsp EVOO - Extra Virgin Olive Oil
Salt & Pepper to Taste
Blue Cheese
Balsamic Glaze (I used a Fig Balsamic Vineger)

Alfredo Sauce
1 1/2 cup Whipping Cream
6 Tbsp Butter
1/2 tsp garlic powder
2 1/2 cup Parmessan Cheese
1 cup Romano Cheese
Nutmeg - dash
Pepper - to taste

1 lb Fettuccine


Cut Fillet into 1-2" medallions.  In a gallon size ziploc bag, add beef & balsamic dressing, let marinate in refridgerator for at least 1 hour.  Remove from refridgerator at least 30 minutes prior to cooking.

Finely grate the parmessan & romano cheeses.  (you could use all parmessan cheese here, I have done that many times, I just thought the two cheeses would give it a little something special)

In a small/medium saucepan combine and melt the whipping cream and butter.  Whisk in garlic powder. 

Add cheeses, whisking to combine. 

When cheese is melted add a dash of nutmeg and some freshly ground pepper.  Simmer on low heat, stirring occassionally to be sure sauce does not burn.  Reduce to allow ingredients to meld together and do their magic - about 20-30 minutes, depending on what you have time for!
 

The end result will have a deeper creamy color
and more body to the texture.


Boil fettuccine noodles in salty water until just done. 


I had just added the pasta - the water was boiling I promise!


While fettuccinne is cooking, heat a large saute pan.  Sprinkle meat with salt & pepper.  Drizzle EVOO in hot pan, add meat.  Sear each side on a medium to medium-low heat - cooking for approximate 4-5 minutes on each side.***Do no overcook meat or it will be tough and not yummy at all!  (I do a very taboo thing and check a piece by pulling it out and cutting into it to see its doneness -condemn me if you must, but this way I can ensure my family doesn't get raw meat or shoe leather)

Assemble
Place a heaping helping of fettuccinne on a plate.  Cover with Alfredo sauce.   Place beef medallions on top of fettuccine. 

Crumble a little blue cheese over the meat. - Note: I like to buy blue cheese packed in thick wax rather than already crumbled.  It lasts much longer this way and has a creamier texture!

Drizzle with Balsamic Glaze or Balsamic Vinegar. Serve and ENJOY!

Balsamic Note: I was recently introduced to a Fig Balsamic Vinegar which has a perfect touch of sweetness so I used it instead of a Balsamic Glaze.  However, before I found this vinegar I used a bottled balsamic glaze I purchased at the store.  I have tried making a homemade balsamic glaze, but for me it was more work than it was worth.

Fig Balsamic Vinegar

If you are interested in this vinegar click Here



Goodbye February

My Life (February 2011)

1. Started this Blog (and spent many nights...and days for that matter...dreaming about it)
2. Got New Pots, Pans & Pot Rack (yeah!!!)
3. Broke my Dyson vacuum cleaner
4. Donated Blood for the first time in 10 years
5. Tended Live-In #3's Smashed Thumb (smashed by none other than Live-In #2)
6. Had Lunch & a Movie with My Lover while the kids were in school (True Grit...enjoyed it)
7. Ran 6 Miles w/o stopping (in preparation for an upcoming 10k)
8. Attended A LOT of Basketball games/practices for Live-In #1, Live-In #2 & Live-In #3 (so glad the season is coming to an end!)
9. Preped for a 'Snow Day' that never really happened
10. Discovered Chipotle Mexican Grill (subsequently introduced Live-In #1 to said restaurant...Live-In #2 & Live-In #3 had no interest - they must be their fathers sons)

Such is a month in the course of my lifetime.  I wouldn't trade a day.  Happy to be the Lover of My Lover and the Mother of my Live-Ins.*

*Yes, this was written after a glass of wine washed the tension of the day away...   Wine really is the best medicine!

Not Your Everyday Chicken & Rice

My Mom used to make this chicken and rice dish.  There was never an official name for the recipe, or exact measurements for that matter - so I improvised.  Out of all the dishes my Mom cooked for us (and there were many, my Mom is a great cook), this is one of the dishes I enjoyed the most - however I think I enjoy it much more now as an adult than I did as a kid (proof that the saying 'your tastebuds will change as you get older' is true).

This recipe can be used with bone-in or boneless chicken, however I prefer it made with bone-in chicken.  I also leave the skin on while cooking because it helps the chicken stay moist - and then take the skin off prior to eating.

The sauce is To Die For!!!  I would drink it, but it is even better on buttered white rice!  If you have any left over it makes the best of all time leftovers - don't get me started!  I hope you enjoy this recipe as much as I do!!


Not Your Everyday Chicken & Rice
2-3 lbs chicken, cut up
1 tsp Paprika
4 Tbsp Butter
Salt & Pepper to Taste

Sauce:
1 can Cream of Chicken Soup (can substitute for Cream of Mushroom if preferred)
1 Tomato
3-4 Green Onions
1 small can Mushrooms*
1 tsp Poultry Seasoning
1/4 - 1/2 cup Milk
Salt & Pepper to Taste

*You can use fresh mushrooms, however cook them to extract water prior to adding to the sauce.

Preheat oven to 400 degrees.  In a 9"x13"x2" glass dish, cut up four tablespoons of butter and place in oven to melt.  Once melted, remove from oven.  Add chicken, turning to coat with butter.  Sprinkle both side of chicken with paprika, salt & pepper.  Return to oven, cook for 15-20 minutes.

Meanwhile, chop the tomato and green onions. 

In a small bowl combine soup, tomato, green onions, mushrooms (drained), poultry seasoning, salt & pepper.  Mix thouroughly.  Add milk and stir. 

 At the end of the first 15-20 minutes of cooking, remove chicken from oven.  Reduce oven temperature to 350 degrees.  Spoon sauce over the chicken evenly.  Return to oven, cook additional 30-40 minutes. 

Remove the chicken pieces to a plate and the sauce to a gravy boat.  Serve with rice, spooning as much sauce as you dare over the hot buttered rice.

Confession: This picture only shows about 1/2 the sauce I used on my rice.
Basically, I have a little rice with my sauce!!

Snow Day

We were promised a snow storm like that of which we have not seen in two years...not only that, the weatherman has been talking about it non stop for almost a week.  At first I was a non-believer, I have lived in this city all of my life and when it comes to snow...the weatherman gets it wrong a lot.  But after having it beat into my head over and over and over, I too became a believer and began planning for at least a day with my live-ins.

I rented a movie we were going to watch together...

We were going to have popcorn...

But alas, the predicted seven inches of snow quickly changed to a trace to 1" when the weatherman's predictions failed to transpire yesterday in the late afternoon.

Today we have a two hour delay...not a school is closed...but a two hour delay.  Which for me means 'your morning will be non existent'.  So instead of watching movies...we are...

Live-In #2 is snuggling in his bed a little longer...

Live-In #3 is snuggling under a blanket watching TV and playing legos...

Live-In #1 is getting ready for school, cause her 2 hours is almost up!

Pill Poppy Puppy is sleeping...

Oh, that's right...he is always sleeping!

And me - I am dreading the drive to Live-In #1's school...I don't like to drive in the snow whether it be 7" or a trace - BUT it sure is pretty to look at!