My New Breakfast Area

My beautiful sister-in-law is an interior decorator, and she writes a blog, Haven and Home.  Well, as I was reading her post this afternoon, I saw my breakfast area. 

Image Credit: Pottery Barn and Marianne Strong

OK, OK, So this is not really my breakfast area, but it could be, and I want it to be!   I could see me and my family sitting in this area...It even has 6 chairs.  All we would need to do is pull up a highchair for WillieP!

Dinner Tonight

I don't know about anyone else's family, but mine never know what they want for dinner.  I have cured myself of the headache of trying to figure out what will please them...I just cook what I want!  

Tonight's dinner is going to quick and simple:  CHICKEN TACOS.  Could dinner at MellyMir's house REALLY be that simple??? No, of course not!!!  Hailey and Patrick like soft tortillas for their "Shells" while Hannah and I want crunchy ones.  Colby doesn't eat Chicken tacos, only beef ones, so I will have to make him something else.  

With Colby, in my house dinner is never easy, but now that I only cook what I want, it is a little less stressful! 

Chicken Taco Recipe:

6 Skinless, Boneless  Chicken Breasts,
4 cups  Chicken Broth
1 whole Jalapeño Chile Pepper
3 large Garlic Cloves, crushed
1/2 teaspoon Crushed Dried Oregano Leaves 
1 teaspoon Ground Cumin
Juice of 1 lime
1/4 cup Taco Sauce
3 tablespoons Fresh Lime Juice
Taco Shells or Tortillas

Prep:
1. Trim fat from chicken.
2. Rinse chicken breasts, pat dry.
3. In large, deep pan, bring chicken broth, pepper, garlic, oregano, cumin, and juice of 1 lime to boil.

4. Reduce heat to low and add chicken. Simmer, uncovered until chicken is opaque, approximately 10-15 minutes.

5. Remove from heat, and cool 15 minutes.
6. Shred chicken.
7. Mix taco sauce and 3 tablespoons lime juice together in small bowl.
8. Pour taco sauce mixture over chicken and toss.
9. Serve with whatever taco shells and condiments your family likes!

Another way I fix this sometimes: Step #3 and Chicken in a crockpot and cook on low for most of the day!

Just Reading THIS Recipe is Adding Inches to My Waist

I received an email for a PUMPKIN CARAMEL CHEESECAKE!  It has all of my favorite ingredients: Pumpkin, Caramel and Cream Cheese.  I have not tried this, but it sound like orgasm on a plate!  I may have to make this one for Thanksgiving.

There is only problem I see...My husband does not like pumpkin or cheesecake.  I understand that most people would not have a problem with this.  You know, the whole "More For Me" mentality, but I am trying to LOSE weight!  P-daddy not eating this dessert means that I will have to sacrifice for the good of all mankind, and eat his share!

Yummy Yummy In My Tummy

Everyone loves a homemade chicken pot pie.  I love this one, because everyone gets their own pot pie.  I serve with a salad, but today is Sunday, so serve it up however you like!

 

Individual  Chicken Pot Pies

 

1 1/2 cups frozen broccoli, carrots, cauliflower

1 cup cubed (1/2 inch) cooked chicken or turkey

1 cup cooked diced potatoes with onions (can use frozen, but thaw first)

1/4 cup milk

1/2 teaspoon dried Italian seasoning

1 can (10 3/4 oz)  cream of chicken soup

1 can (4 oz)  refrigerated crescent rolls

1 egg

1 tablespoon water

1/8 teaspoon dried Italian seasoning

 

• Heat oven to 400°F.  In 2-quart saucepan, mix broccoli, cauliflower and carrots, chicken, potatoes, milk, 1/2 teaspoon Italian Seasoning and the soup.  Heat to boiling over medium-high heat, stirring occasionally.  Divide mixture evenly among 4 ungreased 10-oz custard cups.
•  Unroll crescent roll dough; separate into 4 triangles.  Place 1 dough triangle over each custard cup.
• In small bowl, mix egg and water.  Brush mixture over dough.  Sprinkle 1/8 teaspoon Italian Seasoning over dough.   Bake 11 to 13 minutes or until crusts are golden brown.

Photo Credit: Pillsbury.com

 

This recipe was inspired by the Pillsbury one found here, but I HATE peas.  Use any veggies you like...any would taste great in this dish!

The Law is The Law (From an Email)

THE LAW IS THE LAW!

I really love this one.
This is one of the better e-mails I have received in a long time! I hope this makes its way around the USA several times over!!!!!
So Be It!

THE LAW IS THE LAW
So "if" the USgovernment determines that it is against the law for the words "under God" to be on our money, then, so be it.

And "if" that same government decides that the
"Ten Commandments" are not to be used in or on a government installation, then, so be it.
I say, "so be it," because I would like to be a
law abiding UScitizen.

I say, "so be it," because I would like to think that
smarter people than I are in positions to make good decisions.

I would like to think that those people have the
American public's best interests at heart.

BUT, YOU KNOW WHAT ELSE I'D LIKE?

Since we can't pray to God, can't Trust in God and cannot post His Commandments in Government buildings, I don't believe the Government (Federal, State and Local) and its employees should participate in the Easter and Christmas celebrations which honor the God that our government is eliminating from many facets of American life.
I'd like my mail delivered on Christmas, Good Friday, Thanksgiving & Easter. After all, it's just another day.

I'd like the" USSupreme Court to be in session on Christmas, Good Friday, Thanksgiving & Easter as well as Sundays." After all, it's just another day.

I'd like the Senate and the House of Representatives to not have to worry about getting home for the "Christmas Break." After all it's just another day.

I'm thinking that a lot of my taxpayer dollars could be saved, if all government offices & services would work on Christmas, Good Friday & Easter. It shouldn't cost any overtime since those would be just like any other day of the week to a government that is trying to be "politically correct."

In fact....

I think that our government should work on Sundays (initially set aside for worshipping God....) because, after all, our government says that it should be just another day....

What do you all think????

If this idea gets to enough people,maybe our elected officials will stop giving in to the "minority opinions" and begin, once again, to represent the "majority" of ALL of the American people.

SO BE IT...........

Please Dear Lord,

Give us the help needed to keep you in our country!

'Amen' and 'Amen'
Touche!

These are definitely things I never thought about but from now on, I will be sure to question those in government who support these changes..

At the top, it says "I hope this makes its way around the USAseveral times over!!!!!"

Let's see that it does.





I LOVE this!  I didn't write it, but KUDOS to whoever did!

Finally

  I now have a few minutes to write something of note.  The past few weeks have been CRAZY!  Colby was in the hospital, Halloween, MBA preview day for Nick,  no internet for a week, AND the 2010 ELECTIONS! 

I finally have Colby's blog up...It only have one post, but well, it is a start. 


MellyMir's family is having Chicken and Rice for dinner.  Here is the recipe:

***Rice***
3 teaspoons olive oil
3/4 cup diced yellow onion
1 1/2 cup brown rice
3 cups chicken broth (I use the low salt version, but if you are using regular, reduce the amount of salt you add)
3/8 teaspoon saffron threads
salt and pepper

***Chicken***
6 (6 ounce) boneless skinless chicken breasts
6 teaspoons olive oil
salt and freshly ground black pepper
1 1/2 cup sliced yellow onion
1 1/2 cup diced tomatoes
2 1/4 cups roasted red peppers cut 1/4-inch strips
several drops hot pepper sauce (optional)

In a medium saucepan (or pot here in Melly's kitchen), add all the rice ingredients and cook as you would normally cook your rice. (Basically, bring to a boil, and reduce heat to low and simmer until all the water is absorbed and rice is tender.  About 20 minutes)  

While you are waiting on your rice to cook, you can prepare and cook your chicken.  I keep my chicken breasts whole, but you can dice the chicken.  In a large skillet, heat the olive oil.   Saute the chicken nearly done (about 4 minutes on each side) seasoning each side of the chicken with salt and pepper.  Then add onions, tomatoes, red peppers, and hot sauce.  Cook until chicken is done through.  


I use a large serving platter, and I put the rice on the bottom and add the chicken to the top, but you can serve this however you like!


I have a large family, so this is a 6 servings recipe, but you can easily cut this recipe in half.  I hope you enjoy!