Chicken Dinner

Chicken Dish!~~~>Remember the other day when I said I was going to make a pot pie--and I was asked about the recipe---well, I did not have all the ingredients for the pot pie, so I improvised and made this instead--let me just say it was really good.

It was left over chicken cut up, then I made the white cream sauce---(Butter, flour and milk) ...and then, you all know my hubby loves cheese, I added cheese to the white sauce--and poured it over the chicken, and topped it off with homemade mashed potatoes--I know I have made many similar versions of this dish...LOL, what can I say, when in doubt, make something that works and tastes good too:)

Happy Tuesday everyone!
I am taking Tony to his followup to the Orthopedic surgeon in a few minutes, then I will be back home doing housework...especially socks---my husband needs some clean socks. I buy him all white socks, and when I wash them I don't match them up, they are all the same, I just place them all in a drawer---Tony prefers all black, so I do the same with his:)

Kevin:)

Happy Monday!

He was running....LOL:)

Happy Friday!

WoW~~~~It is Friday already:)

What is in store for the weekend? Just a lot of catch up~~~Since I was Ill--it was the worst---Ugh, I always get sick when someone around me gets sick and it always seems to stay with me the longest.

Laundry~~I was caught up~~~~I guess I will eventually get caught up again...LOL:)

As for the jars, I want to put my bread flour in that big one, since that is what I really need a lot of--and then I was thinking in the smaller one---Rice, I would like to get a few more, for pasta, sugar etc~~~~and maybe even one for cookies:)

For dinner tonight, I will be making a homemade Chicken Pot Pie~~~I'll share pictures of it when it is done.

Happy Friday!

On to housework.

Canisters!

Aren't these just glorious!!! I mentioned to my husband that I wanted these huge glass canisters that I saw at Walmart--well, over the weekend he surprised me and brought these home for me----he told me he wasn't sure how many I wanted and what sizes I wanted, but thought these two would be a nice start---I LOVE THEM. The really big ones is a 2 gallon canister and the other is not....LOL--I forgot what he said it was, but I love them.
Happy Tuesday!

Depression Cooking!

Elizabeth at a Merry Rose has such a wonderful blog--she teaches all who stop by so much---a couple days ago, she posted a very interesting you tube video--I was hooked--I watched every You Tube video this lady made over the weekend--I am so glad I did, it is quite inspirational and makes you hungry for potatoes:)

Please check out Clara a 93 year old woman who shares stories and recipes during the Great Depression. ~~~~~> You Tube Videos on Depression Cooking!

Sick

I thought I escaped it~~~~But I got it---I have been ill, and sitting in bed and doing facebook~~~~I am feeling sooooo much better now. On Saturday I ended up baking bread, making ranch dressing, cooking greens in the crock pot and doing so much more--and then bam, it hit me, I got sick---thank goodness for pizza~~~that is what my husband ordered last night. I did cook tonight, but I have rested most of the day ~~~~Join me on facebook if you have it

:)

Friday!

Happy Friday!(Isn't this picture fun....LOL)

Do you ever just feel like going in the kitchen --and just cook and bake all day? That is how I feel today--I feel like baking and cooking wonderful things for my family. So I think that is what I am going to do today.

I am almost all caught up on my laundry--woohooo----Just a few more loads and I am done----until tomorrow...LOL.

I already walked my mile, so I am ready to start my day--I hope all who comes by has a wonderful Friday---can you believe it is already Friday--Easter is fast approaching--time to start planning the menu:)

Wednesday!

My--yesterday did not go as planned. My daughter woke up sick, so she stayed home--and then last night was even worse, she threw up a few times--she is now feeling a bit better but excausted from not much sleep. I just disinfected all 3 bathrooms--I think she hit each one. I am now washing all the bedding and wiping down all door knobs.

I have chicken broth going for her, that I pulled out of my freezer---see----->

Tony also had an appointment at the orthopedic Surgeon for his arm yesterday. That went well, he should be back to normal in about 6 weeks.

THEN!!!!! All the store were out of the corned beef...LOL...boy was my hubby happy...LOL. He doesn't care for it, but knows it is tradition, so last night we had just a beef roast not corned beef---my husband was very happy--I did make all the fixings, but I did not snap any pictures--I was running around trying to get everything done. I made 3 batches of green Jello---to give to my neighbors along with a loaf of Irish soda bread each--I did take a picture of the bread--it came out so yummy!

I am just hoping no one else gets sick, including myself. For the rest of the day, I will just be taking care of my children and disinfecting:) When time permits me to sit here--I will be visiting all my dear friends--Happy Wednesday!

Happy St. Patrick's Day!

May the road rise up to meet you.
May the wind be always at your back.
May the sun shine warm upon your face;
the rains fall soft upon your fields and until we meet again,
may God hold you in the palm of His hand.

Happy Sunday!

What will Matter
~~By Michael Josephson

Ready or not, some day it will all come to an end.
There will be no more sunrises, no minutes, hours, or days.
All the things you collected, whether treasured or forgotten, will pass to someone else.
Your wealth, fame, and temporal power will shrivel to irrelevance.
It will not matter what you owned or what you were owed.
Your grudges, resentments, frustrations, and jealousies will finally disappear.
So too your hopes, ambitions, plans, and to-do lists will expire.
The wins and losses that once seemed so important will fade away.
It won't matter where you came from or what side of the tracks you lived on at the end.
It won't matter whether you were beautiful or brilliant.
Even your gender and skin color will be irrelevant.
So what will matter? How will the value of your days be measured?
What will matter is not what you bought, but what you built. Not what you got, but what you gave.
What will matter is not your success, but your significance.
What will matter is not what you learned, but what you taught.
What will matter is every act of integrity, compassion, courage, or sacrifice that enriched, empowered, or encouraged others to emulate your example.
What will matter is not your competence, but your character.
What will matter is not how many people you knew, but how many will feel a lasting loss when you're gone.
What will matter is not your memories, but the memories that live in those who loved you.
What will matter is how long you will be remembered, by whom, and for what.
Living a life that matters doesn't happen by accident.
It's not a matter of circumstance but of choice.
Choose to live a life that matters.

St. Patrick's Day is coming!

May you always walk in sunshine.
May you never want for more.
May Irish angels rest their wings right before your door - Irish blessing

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St. Patrick's Day will be here soon--and I really adore this Holiday--I love the color green too--and I adore cooking special foods for this day.

The History of the Holiday
St. Patrick's Day is celebrated on March 17, his religious feast day and the anniversary of his death in the fifth century. The Irish have observed this day as a religious holiday for over a thousand years.

On St. Patrick's Day, which falls during the Christian season of Lent, Irish families would traditionally attend church in the morning and celebrate in the afternoon. Lenten prohibitions against the consumption of meat were waived and people would dance, drink, and feast—on the traditional meal of Irish bacon and cabbage.
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I will be making;
Corned Beef
Irish Soda bread
Steamed Cabbage or something different like:

Colcannon

(Photo and Recipe courtesy of the Foodnetwork.comm)

Ingredients
3 pounds potatoes, scrubbed
2 sticks butter
1 1/4 cups hot milk
Freshly ground black pepper
1 head cabbage, cored and finely shredded
1 (1-pound) piece ham or bacon, cooked the day before
4 scallions, finely chopped
Chopped parsley leaves, for garnish
Directions
Steam the potatoes in their skins for 30 minutes. Peel them using a knife and fork. Chop with a knife before mashing. Mash thoroughly to remove all the lumps. Add 1 stick of butter in pieces. Gradually add hot milk, stirring all the time. Season with a few grinds of black pepper.
Boil the cabbage in unsalted water until it turns a darker color. Add 2 tablespoons butter to tenderize it. Cover with lid for 2 minutes. Drain thoroughly before returning it to the pan. Chop into small pieces.
Put the ham in a large saucepan and cover with water. Bring to the boil and simmer for 45 minutes until tender. Drain. Remove any fat and chop into small pieces.
Add cabbage, scallions, and ham to mashed potatoes, stirring them in gently.
Serve in individual soup plates. Make an indentation on the top by swirling a wooden spoon. Put 1 tablespoon of butter into each indentation. Sprinkle with parsley.


White Soda Bread
(For more Irish Soda bread recipes click here)

4 cups (16 oz) of all purpose flour.
1 Teaspoon baking soda
1 Teaspoon salt
14 oz of buttermilk

Method:

Preheat the oven to 425 F. degrees. Lightly crease and flour a cake pan.

In a large bowl sieve and combine all the dry ingredients.

Add the buttermilk to form a sticky dough. Place on floured surface and lightly knead (too much allows the gas to escape)

Shape into a round flat shape in a round cake pan and cut a cross in the top of the dough.

Cover the pan with another pan and bake for 30 minutes (this simulates the bastible pot). Remove cover and bake for an additional 15 minutes.

The bottom of the bread will have a hollow sound when tapped so show it is done.

Cover the bread in a tea towel and lightly sprinkle water on the cloth to keep the bread moist.


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I like this recipe too---ohhh, decisions, decsions...LOL.
Champ
Bon Appétit May 1996

Restaurant: Tinakilly Country House & Restaurant; Rathnew, Ireland


Champ is traditionally served with a well in the middle that has a dab of butter melting in it. The potatoes are usually eaten from "outside" to "inside," dipping each bite into the butter. From the Tinakilly Country House & Restaurant in Rathnew, Ireland.This recipe was created to accompany Beef Tenderloin with Spring Vegetables.
2 pounds russet potatoes, peeled, cut into 1-inch pieces
1/2 cup whipping cream
1/4 cup (1/2 stick) butter
1 bunch green onions, sliced (about 1 1/3 cups)

Cook potatoes in pot of boiling salted water until very tender, about 15 minutes.


Meanwhile, bring cream and butter to simmer in heavy small saucepan over medium heat, stirring often.

Mix in green onions. Remove from heat. Cover and let steep while potatoes cook.

Drain potatoes thoroughly.

Return potatoes to same pot and mash. Add cream mixture and stir until blended. Season to taste with salt and pepper. (Can be prepared 2 hours ahead. Cover; let stand at room temperature. Rewarm over low heat, stirring often.)
Epicurious.com © CondéNet, Inc. All rights reserved.

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I am making my shopping list and will go shopping before Tuesday---I always make Corned Beef and cabbage--and I stock up on the cabbage too--it is always a great price around this holiday. I will be making some sort of dessert too--I found this awesome website with dozens of desserts ideas---> Click here.

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Okay so now, I have shared a little bit of what I am going to do--I will take pictures along the way and share my St Patrick's Day with you--My question to all of you is--what will be on your menu for St Patrick's day?

Saturday

Tony was running and he tripped and to save himself, he extended his right arm---Off to Urgent care we went this morning--How come accidents always happen over the weekend? Anyway, my Doctor told me if he is not available to use this urgent care---Tony fractured his arm and he is in a sling at this moment---they made an appointment for an Orthopedic Surgeon on Monday---- ---Poor Guy---he is so upset---no working out or guitar playing. Can I ask for some prayers for my baby. I know everything will be okay---but he is still my baby (17):)
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I am working on my St. Patrick's day menu and post--that will be up shortly. This weekend will consist--of the usual--it is quite chilly outside, so I will be staying in with the baby--I can't wait until it is warm and Little Kevin can run all around the backyard in the warm sun:)

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Kevin took Alexis to the school dance last night--they were having a Sock Hop--so that poodle skirt we got her, came in handy--she twisted the night away Kevin said...LOL
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Happy Saturday ---St Patrick's Day post coming later today!

*Food Pictures*

I made the fried green beans--Recipe is in a post or two below this one---they were soooooo yummy---if you aren't careful you could eat the whole plate easily! I deep fried them for 3 minutes--perfectly cooked--crunchy on the outside and tender in the inside and with a little bit of salt---mmmmmm
Instead of baked chicken, I made my hubby's favorite--fried chicken!
Ohhh--he was in fried Heaven!
...and I topped it off with a pile of homemade mashed potatoes!
There was also a fresh green salad---I forgot to take a picture of that--but you all have seen my salads before...LOL.

If you have not had a fried green beans, you must!!!

*Menu*

Fried pork with mushrooms and onions
Baby peas

Salad

Homemade Dinner Rolls

Baked Chicken thighs
Fried Green Beans
Mashed potatoes
Salad

Gemelli Pasta with Spaghetti Sauce and homemade meatballs
Fresh Green Salad
Garlic Bread

Meatloaf
Baked Potatoes
Corn
Dinner Rolls
Fresh Green Salad

Beef Burritos

*My menu is in no particular order and may change at anytime--My salads are always a fresh green salad loaded with fresh veggies--with avocado and a little cheese. I also make my own Ranch dressing:)
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This is the Birthday cake I made for Tony last Thursday. He requested a German Chocolate cake--I made the cake part, but I had to use plain Chocolate frosting--because the coconut frosting has nuts in it, and we can't have nuts in the house, because of Little Kevin's allergy--it was still a yummy cake--it sure did not last long...LOL

Wednesday's Post/List

Happy Wednesday

Yesterday I bleached down my entire kitchen---it looks so nice and clean. So this is what I wrote down in my notebook for today--->

Clean all 3 toilets
Make dinner rolls
Walk the mile
put all laundry away
Water front lawn
Make Salad
Vacuum and mop downstairs hardwood floor

I don't put down EVERYTHING that I will do today--I may not even get all these things done--it will just roll over until tomorrow:) ...I just work better when things are written down that I really want done. My bread is already rising in the machine, I did the mile and I watered the lawn.

Happy Wednesday.
Another post is coming with a picture of the cake and a list of my weekly menu....stay tuned.

Deep Fried Green Beans--Oh My:)

(Photo courtesy of this website-->Greenbeansandmore)

Deep Fried Green Beans

1 pound fresh green beans, trimmed and cut to preferred length
1 cup buttermilk
2 cups all purpose flour
1 tablespoon salt
1/2 tablespoon pepper
1/2 tablespoon garlic powder
Oil for deep frying

Wash and trim green beans. Pat dry. Mix the flour, salt, pepper and garlic powder in bowl. Dip the green beans in buttermilk and then roll in the flour mixture. Deep fry until golden brown. Drain on paper towels.


This will be on my menu this week---totally unhealthy, but looks soooooooo yummy:)

Happy Tuesday!

Today is my *BIG* shopping day--I need everything--from staples to produce to meat--this should be fun. I found a really cool recipe in the RR magazine--you take a puff pastry and wrap meat and mashed potatoes in it, and all sorts of good stuff--I am going to change it a bit and add cheese:) I am also out of things that I enjoy eating--I like to get fat free cottage cheese and eat it with pita chips or crackers---I also get tortillas and spread hummus on it--LOVE hummus! This is a bit of a quick post--I am in between school drop offs--and then I will be off to the market!

....and then I will organize my fridge and wash and clean produce, break up meat in servings--....and, of course a few loads of laundry!

Happy Tuesday!

Winner!!!

I did the Online random number generator--and it picked number 11!!!! Yay!--so the number 11 commenter is LINDY!!

I really wish you all could have won!!!

Lindy Congratulations!!!


Please contact me Lindy---You didn't leave me an email address:)

Happy Monday!!

Busy, Busy, Busy I tell ya! I am just enjoying this time of life with my family and children--I love keeping home, cooking, taking care of my family--and everything that it entails! Today, I am on laundry duty--almost done--yay! I baked bread over the weekend and washed my car---Kevin mowed the lawn and did a great job too. My son Tony turned 17 on Thursday and on Saturday we took him to the the restaurant of his choice --he chose the Outback, my sister and her family came along too, it was an awesome time---I just can not believe Tony is 17. I have a picture of the cake I made him that I will share too. I am going to be looking through my new Rachael Ray magazine and Taste of Home for some new and exciting dinner ideas for this weeks menu---I will doing my big shopping tomorrow.
Tonight is baked chicken.

If you have not yet joined the giveaway ---please join now--it is in the post below this one!!! I will be picking a winner tonight!

Happy Monday and a Giveaway:) LQQK!

8My husband went grocery shopping with me over the weekend--ohhh--it was so fun. Things like that are romantic to me---I know that may sound silly....I like it when he comes with me (sometimes) --I like it when he goes in the meat section and picks out the meat he would enjoy for the week--so my menu is coming.

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Okay about the giveaway--it is from this website--check it out--->EcostoreUSA--if you see something you may like, come back and join the giveaway---the winner gets $25.00 worth of products! I thought that was pretty neat. So if you want to enter, LEAVE A COMMENT--if you know someone that may be interested too, let them know--post a link, spread the word--whatever you want to do:) I am just so happy someone from my blog is going to win something--

--and if you want something--leave a comment in this ENTRY POST and the name will be drawn on next Monday:)
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ETA: NEW POSTS are below this one:)

This Giveaway is now closed!!!!

This and That!

Today is a chilly day--so we are nice and cozy in our home---it may rain.

Plans for the day:
Do some laundry
Mop the Kitchen floor
Empty dishwasher--again!

Get chicken in the oven for dinner.

Stop at the grocery store to pick up ingredients for a cake:)

.....and more laundry....LOL.

Happy Wednesday everyone!

OOOhhhh, one more thing--I am just heartbroken they took the The Walton's off the Hallmark channel--I always enjoyed doing my housework with Grandma and Olivia :::sigh:::: Instead they put the Golden Girls???---Huh?? I don't relate to that show---I wrote Hallmark a letter too---they were one of my favorite channels--now they are putting shows on it, that don't fit the Hallmark style---oh well-----time to start buying the DvD's:)

Menu!

Spaghetti and Meatballs
Fresh Green Salad

Beef Roast
Twice Baked Stuffed Potatoes
Steamed Asparagus
Green Salad

Baked Chicken
Mashed Potatoes--Homemade Gravy
Green Salad
Fresh Steamed Veggie

Oven Baked Country Ribs
Steamed Rice
Green Salad
Steamed Veggie

Nachos!

Okay that is my Menu so far:)