Hi old and new friends! I've missed you!

It's been such a long time...let's catch up! What's been happening in you life? What new recipes have you tried? Share your thoughts, tips and recipes!

What Memorial Day plans to you have? I would love to see some grilled chicken recipes since we are planning on having some neighbors over for our annual get together. Unfortunately won't be poolside since our pool furniture fell apart! Won't have anything new before then :-( so it will be inside. Getting kind of warm here anyway.

So last week I wound up in the hospital in Orlando. We were at Magic Kingdom and I got dehydrated. Man I felt bad! Disney was so wonderful though. They gave the boys stuffed animals from Toy Story plus tickets to return. So before it gets too hot, we're going again tomorrow. This time to Hollywood Studios for the Star Wars Star Tours weekend. The kids are really into Star Wars. This time though, I'm drinking lots of water and Gatorade in advance and bringing Gatorade into the park.

So...let's get this party started! Join in!

I know some of you may not have the supermarket Publix where you live so here's a recipe from the Publix Apron's Kitchen: I've not tried this but it looks good!

Here's a link that has a photo: http://www.publix.com/aprons/meals/MainDish/SimpleMeal.do?mealId=872&mealGroupId=1004

Balsamic Chicken and Vegetables With Bistro Salad

Ingredients

1 cup pre-diced onions
1 cup baby-cut carrots
4 ounces pre-sliced baby portabella mushrooms (rinsed)
1 pound boneless, skinless chicken breasts
cooking spray
1 teaspoon Montreal steak seasoning
1 1/2 tablespoons balsamic vinegar

Steps

1. Place onions, carrots, and mushrooms in microwave-safe bowl. Cover and microwave on HIGH 5 minutes or until hot.
2. Preheat large sauté pan on medium-high 2–3 minutes. Cut chicken into 1 1/2-inch-wide strips; coat with cooking spray. Add chicken to pan (wash hands); sprinkle with steak seasoning. Cover and cook 2–3 minutes, turning once, or until chicken begins to brown.
3. Drain vegetables and stir into chicken. Cover and cook 5 minutes, stirring once, or until vegetables begin to brown.
4. Remove lid and cook 3 more minutes, stirring once, or until vegetables are well browned. Stir in balsamic vinegar and serve.

         CALORIES (per 1/4 recipe) 170kcal; FAT 1.5g; CHOL 65mg; SODIUM 270mg; CARB 9g; FIBER 2g; PROTEIN 28g; VIT A 100%; VIT C 10%; CALC 4%; IRON 6%

Bistro Salad

Ingredients
        5 ounces spring mix salad
1/2 cup seasoned croutons
1/4 cup shredded Parmesan cheese
1/4 cup Caesar salad dressing

Steps

1. Combine salad mix, croutons, and cheese in salad bowl.
2. Toss with dressing and serve.

CALORIES (per 1/4 recipe) 120kcal; FAT 11g; CHOL 5mg; SODIUM 310mg; CARB 4g; FIBER 1g; PROTEIN 3g; VIT A 35%; VIT C 10%; CALC 8%; IRON 4%

Good morning all!  I can't believe I remembered my log-in password!  How have you all been?

 There are so many new things going on in my world that I would not know where to begin.  The biggest change is that my daughter, son-in-law and 2 grandsons moved to South Carolina in January.  DSIL got a great job there!  I am still not used to the fact that they live 10 hours away when they used to live just over 10 minutes away!  Another big thing that will be happening soon is I am getting my first granddaughter!!  I am so excited.  DD is due at the end of this month.  I've been a shopping fool buying all the little pink things I see.  Between DD & I this little one will really be decked out!

I've tried a lot of new recipes that I'll have to get together to share with everyone.

Glad you are feeling better - dehydration is scary.  Hope you have a wonderful time at the Star Wars tours this weekend.

Congratulations on your granddaughter! Let us know when she arrives!

A lot has happened in my world too. My Mom moved to assisted living in Dec. and it's been a difficult transition. She's been very mean to me. My MIL passed away in April and FIL moved to independent living yesterday. He really should be in assisted.

Can't wait to see new recipes...I'm in a rut!  With summer coming I'll have the time to try more. The kids want to make pizza and my new bread machine will make the dough!

Off to the store...enjoy your Saturday!

Susan- Congrats on the new the new bundle of joy!!!

Ellen- Have fun at the Star Wars tours.  We have been watching all 6 movies and playing the Lego games since I finished school. My kids love the movies!!

The last 2 yr have been filled with nursing school for me.  It was the longest 2 yr of my life.  Graduation and the pinning ceremony  was yesterday so I am officially a graduate nurse.  I have applied all over the state of Wyoming and was offered a job in Casper, Wy at Wyoming Medical Center.  My new job is on the surgery floor and I start in September.  This gives us the whole summer to sell our trailer and save money for the move.  The only way we would stay here in Rock Springs is if I got a job in the operatinitg room at the hospital here but that is hard to determine if I will get that one.  I will dig through my chicken recipes to see what I have

Susan Congratulations on the new addition to your family.

Ellen I hate to hear that happened while on vacation.

Rachelle Congratulations on finishing school and the job. That is great.

This last year hasn't been one of the best ones. This past year I lost two very important people in my life within 6 onths of each other.

The kids are doing good. Growing up way to fast for me. We just finished school. Both boys passed!! DD is now 3 and sassy.

Today I am busy cooking. Tomorrow we are having lunch after church for our Pastor. But it is sad because he is resigning and tomorrow morning is their last service. :(  So now we will begin the process of looking for a new pastor.

Right now in the oven I have a Buttermilk pound cake, later fixing a peanut butter pie, chocolate cake, thinking about cupcakes. Then making a ham, cornbread salad, baked beans, mac n cheese, maybe chicken and dressing and not really sure about what else.

Hope everyone has a great Saturday!

Michelle

Good Morning everyone! Thank you in including me in that post this morning so I knew to come here.

Gosh, what a crazy few years I have had. I have missed you all like mad. And though I see some of you over on that other site, this is definitely Home for us!!!!!

Tyler is 12 now! And just an inch or 2 from surpassing mom in height...... we now shop in the mens section. He will be going into grade 7 in September.

I am currently renovating my kitchen. I have a nice new shiny Kitchen Aid frigde and my dated 1980's kitchen needed a facelife.  I just finished removing scrubbing and replacing all the hardware on the cupboard doors. 22 doors at 8 screws per door x 2. I LOVE power tools.  New counertops come in next week and we are looking at laminate flooring. I do plan on putting in ther tile backsplash myself. It will be my first tile job!!

I am in negoitations right now for the sale of my business. Things have taken a turn in my career and I do not have the time to run it any longer. I am looking at doing a Gingerbread house design book starting this fall.

In January I went to Vancouver and tried out for a television show on the Canadian Food Network. I was successful in earning a gold ticket and was one of the finalists to make the short cut. I did end up being top 5 in Canada, which was a thrill but did not make the final cut for the show. I am trying out for season 3. I know what it takes to make it and I hope to be on the show come 2013.

As some of you know,  I produced a cookbook in the winter. To those I own a book to, they will be delivered soon. I had to hold back and actually stop printing them while I tried out for the television show.

I have been cooking and baking more then ever. I have been practising the art of smoking meats and have had a lot of fun learning the process. My next goal is to make a pastrami.

I am waiting to plant outside, though we had an early spring it is very decieving. It did snow for a short time yesterday, I am so glad I have been holding off.

Ellen, thank you so much for including me in the link about this post! Have a fantastic time on the tour.

Sue, that is wonderful! Grand daughters are the best!!!!

Rachelle, you know how proud we all are of you!!!!! Congratulations on all your hard work!!! You are an inspiration!!!

I know Michelle has posted above me so I need to post this and go read some more.

Hi to Kelly, Charlene, Nancy, Jill and Ellen, Leat, Shannon, Karla and anyone else popping in! So darn good to be back!!!

Off to find some recipes to post.

Have a fabulous mornning everyone!

Here is one our favorites... think I might go and throw this in the pot now!

Taco Chicken

I take frozen chicken breast tenderloins about 2-3 pounds. Place chicken in a crockpot, top with 2 cans diced tomatoes with chilies (rotel) mix with one package taco seasoning. Cook on high till chicken is done, about 5-7 hours depends how big your chicken is. Shred. Serve over rice or tortilla chips top with cheese.

Dill Creamed Potatoes

Baby red potatoes
2 tbsps dill (fresh or dry)
1 medium onion (chopped)
whipping cream
3 tbsps of flour
2 tbsps of sugar

Wash potatoes, leaving the skins on and boil 15-20 of until just done. Strain and return to the pot. Add the onion, dill and sugar. Cover with cream and heat until almost boiling, stirring occasionally. Stir in the flour and cook for 10 more minutes. Let cool 10 minutes before serving.

Enjoy.

That sounds awesome Michelle.

Super quick and easy too. I need to get some chicken, I am making that this week coming up.

Thanks

I can't find my recipe, my be in the big computer.

This is fairly close to the one I use.

Oven-Fried Parmesan Chicken Recipe

Photo by: Taste of Home Oven-Fried Parmesan Chicken Recipe

 

60Ingredients

• 6 tablespoons butter, melted
• 5 tablespoons dry bread crumbs
• 3 tablespoons grated Parmesan cheese
• 3 tablespoons cornmeal
• 3/4 teaspoon salt
• 3/4 teaspoon dried oregano
• 1/4 teaspoon garlic powder
• 1 broiler/fryer chicken (3 to 4 pounds), cut up

Directions

• Place butter in a shallow bowl. In another shallow bowl, combine the bread crumbs, cheese, cornmeal, salt, oregano and garlic powder. Dip chicken in butter, then roll in crumb mixture.
• Place in a greased 15-in. x 10-in. x 1-in. baking pan. Bake, uncovered, at 375° for 40-45 minutes or until juices run clear. Yield: 4 servings.

Chicken Enchilada Pasta

2-3 chicken breasts, cooked & shredded {or shredded rotisserie chicken…I used the breasts}
2 tbsp. olive oil
2 garlic cloves, minced
1 medium onion, diced
1 red pepper, diced
1 {4 oz.} can diced green chiles
1/2 tsp. salt
2 tsp. chili powder
1 tsp. cumin
2 {10 oz.} cans green chili enchilada sauce
2/3 cups red enchilada sauce
2 cups shredded cheese {I used colby & monterrey jack}
1 cup sour cream
Penne pasta

Optional toppings
Avocado
Green Onions
Black Olives
Tomatoes
Sour Cream

Cook chicken, drain, and shred {or shred your rotisserie}.  Meanwhile boil pasta according to package and chop the veggies.  Heat the olive oil in a deep skillet and cook onions for about 3-5 minutes.  Add garlic & red pepper and cook for another 3-5 minutes. 
Add cooked chicken, green chiles, cumin, chili powder, salt, & enchilada sauces.  Let sauce simmer for about 8-10 minutes
Add cheese and stir until the cheese is melted and heated through.  Now toss in the sour cream, but whatever you do, DO NOT bring to a boil!  Cook on low heat or the sour cream will curdle.    Stir until sour cream is well mixed and heated through. Drain pasta & return to pot.  Pour sauce over pasta and mix well.  Serve and garnish with avocado, tomato, green onion, and a dollop of sour cream.

Thanks everyone!! I'm just happy that my family and I made it through these last 2 yr.  I have no pictures on my phone because it died half way through the day yesterday and my DH has yet to txt me the pics he took at pinning and graduation.  My dad and family friend took a bunch of pics so I will load them soon.  My dad also recorded my speech to my classmates and I will try to load it to YouTube. 

We really like the local Golden Corral and I'm really fond of their bourbon street chicken. I've found a copy cat recipe that is just as good as the restaurant's chicken.  Only thing I don't have like the restaurant is a chocolate fountain.

Golden Corral’s Bourbon Street Chicken



Ingredients

• 1 Pound Chicken Leg or Thigh Meat, pulled apart or cut in bite size chunks 
• 4 ounces Soy Sauce 
• 1/2 cup Brown Sugar 
• 1/2 teaspoon Garlic Powder 
• 1 teaspoon powdered Ginger 
• 2 tablesoons dried minced Onion 
• 1/2 cup Jim Beam Bourbon Whiskey (that's KENTUCKY Bourbon!) 
• 2 tablespoons White Wine

1. Mix all the marinade ingredients and pour over chicken pieces in a bowl. 
2. Cover and refrigerate (stirring often) for several hours (best overnight). 
3. Bake chicken at 350 for one hour in a single layer, basting every 10 minutes.
4. Remove chicken.
5. Scrape pan juices with all the brown bits into a frying pan. 
6. Heat, and add 2 Tbs. white wine.
7. Stir and add chicken.
8. Cook for 1 minute and serve.

Ummmmm Rachelle, we'll blame the dead phone on Pinterest no? lol That is one app I have yet to download.

That chicken sounds good. Love all the flavors in the marinade.

It is after midnight here. I shouldb e thinking about bed. Ever the night owl. (some things never change)

Got some yardwork done. Waiting for warmer temps before I do much more. I may pull the plants out of the green house and move the plants from under the lights down stairs and refill the house so those plants can get used to the outdoor temps. With working full time last year I covered the garden with sod so now I am restricted to growing in flower beds and containers. I am hopeful for a bumper crop. I started everything from seed under lights and the rest will be seed going into the beds.  I am looking forward to growing this summer! I sure missed it last year.

It is a long weekend in Canada with Monday being the holiday. Hard to believe the longest day of the year is just a month off. We stay light until 10:30 right now. Love the longer hours of daylight.

I guess I better get. I will post more recipes tomorrow.

Sweet dreams to anyone popping in.