2 cups chopped cooked chicken (I used a rotisserie chicken from the deli at our grocery store)
1 block cream cheese, softened
1 jar Monjuni's spaghetti sauce (or whatever kind you like to use, I would probably try Prego Traditional if I can't get any Monjuni's)
1 lb penne pasta
Cook the penne according to directions on box. Drain and set aside.
Over low heat in a skillet, melt cream cheese. Stir in spaghetti sauce. Simmer over medium-low heat until cream cheese is blended well, 3-5 minutes. Add in chicken and continue to simmer until heated through.
Pour spaghetti sauce mixture over the pasta and stir together well. Top with some freshly grated parmesan and serve with a salad and crusty French bread. Super easy (and my kids loved it)!!
If I were fixing it just for me and Richard I might add some mushrooms, bell pepper and onion to jazz it up some. It was really good without it though. Suppose you could always puree that and add to the spaghetti sauce if you wanted to get some veggies by your kids though...
Monday, April 25, 2011
Easter Weekend
What a great weekend!! And I'm so very sad because I don't have any pictures...I FORGOT MY CAMERA!
The kids were out of school on Friday, so they, along with 2 of their cousins, went home with my dad to spend the night at their house. They spent the day dying eggs with my mom and just having a good time in the country. Richard had to work, so I did a little house cleaning and work and then went to spend the afternoon with one of my best friends, Briana. She's been asking for some deer steak for a while, so I decided to whip up some fried deer steak to take over there for lunch. I also had some squash and zuchini that needed to be used, so I sauteed those with some onion and mixed it up with some bowtie pasta for a quick pasta salad. I had a Sweet Vidalia and Summer Tomato salad dressing, so I put a little of that on it, it was so light and yummy.
Then Friday night, Richard and I headed to my parents house and we grilled burgers. I hadn't had a homemade burger in a long time, and even longer since it was a homemade deer burger..they were awesome.
Saturday morning, Richard and I took the kids to Alexandria to meet up with his parents and youngest brother and took the kids to the zoo. They had a great time, even though the first five minutes in the zoo, Rachel accidentally leaned against a rail that had fresh bird droppings on it...she was not excited. But, we got it cleaned off thanks to the nice lady with baby wipes that was passing by at that time and saved the day.
We got back to mom and dad's Saturday evening and helped my parents do a little work up at the barn and then back to the house to enjoy dinner. Mama had marinated some steaks in some yumminess. Those were amazing.
Sunday morning came early with Sunrise Service for Easter. It was a beautiful service, the weather was perfect and the sky lit up brilliantly as the sun came up. We went to the breakfast afterwards at the church and then back home to start cooking for lunch. Between all of us there, we had a menue of ham, brisket, baked corn, scalloped potatoes, baked beans, overnight green beans, pea salad, fruit salad, rolls that Mama let rise in the back window of my Daddy's car...coconut cake and lemon pie, cookies and cake pops. We had a crowd of about 21 people, and that's just my parents, myself and my sisters with our respective families. We have been so richly blessed with love and laughter this weekend..and food!
Through all of that, I can promise that our main focus was not on the menu..but on the blessings we were sharing and the Reason we are able to share those blessings. I am so eternally thankful for God's gift to us of His Only Son..that he allowed to die on the cross for MY sins. He died for each and every one of us. My sister's parents-in-law were also with us yesterday for lunch, and as we sat around the dinner table after we were through eating, we were discussing the pain and torture Jesus must have endured that day he was led to the cross..and how it's impossible for us to even imagine that level of pain. We discussed the two criminals that were also crucified that day on either side of Jesus and how the one mocked him and the other said "We are punished justly, for we are getting what our deeds deserve. But this man has done nothing wrong. Then he said, "Jesus remember me when you come into your kingdom." Jesus answered him, "I tell you the truth, today you will be with me in paradise." (Luke 23:40-43) Can you imagine, even in his intense suffering and pain, the elation that criminal must have felt at that moment hanging from that cross, knowing that he was about to spend eternity in the presence of God? One can only imagine the other criminal's disdain and horror the moment he realized that he had made an eternal mistake.
I know I will be with Jesus in paradise when my day comes. I have no doubt that my Savior lives and has saved me from a life of sin and pain and being lost among the aimless and blind in our own world. Am I still a sinner? YES. I am human and have human efforts at being a Christian. I am not foolish enough to believe any longer that I am capable of being a perfect person. I fully believe that I am a perfect creation of His and I choose to live my life trying to honor His will for me. Jesus's life and death was about forgiveness of sins, but also about teaching us how to live our human life in honor of Him. Who does your life honor?
The kids were out of school on Friday, so they, along with 2 of their cousins, went home with my dad to spend the night at their house. They spent the day dying eggs with my mom and just having a good time in the country. Richard had to work, so I did a little house cleaning and work and then went to spend the afternoon with one of my best friends, Briana. She's been asking for some deer steak for a while, so I decided to whip up some fried deer steak to take over there for lunch. I also had some squash and zuchini that needed to be used, so I sauteed those with some onion and mixed it up with some bowtie pasta for a quick pasta salad. I had a Sweet Vidalia and Summer Tomato salad dressing, so I put a little of that on it, it was so light and yummy.
Then Friday night, Richard and I headed to my parents house and we grilled burgers. I hadn't had a homemade burger in a long time, and even longer since it was a homemade deer burger..they were awesome.
Saturday morning, Richard and I took the kids to Alexandria to meet up with his parents and youngest brother and took the kids to the zoo. They had a great time, even though the first five minutes in the zoo, Rachel accidentally leaned against a rail that had fresh bird droppings on it...she was not excited. But, we got it cleaned off thanks to the nice lady with baby wipes that was passing by at that time and saved the day.
We got back to mom and dad's Saturday evening and helped my parents do a little work up at the barn and then back to the house to enjoy dinner. Mama had marinated some steaks in some yumminess. Those were amazing.
Sunday morning came early with Sunrise Service for Easter. It was a beautiful service, the weather was perfect and the sky lit up brilliantly as the sun came up. We went to the breakfast afterwards at the church and then back home to start cooking for lunch. Between all of us there, we had a menue of ham, brisket, baked corn, scalloped potatoes, baked beans, overnight green beans, pea salad, fruit salad, rolls that Mama let rise in the back window of my Daddy's car...coconut cake and lemon pie, cookies and cake pops. We had a crowd of about 21 people, and that's just my parents, myself and my sisters with our respective families. We have been so richly blessed with love and laughter this weekend..and food!
Through all of that, I can promise that our main focus was not on the menu..but on the blessings we were sharing and the Reason we are able to share those blessings. I am so eternally thankful for God's gift to us of His Only Son..that he allowed to die on the cross for MY sins. He died for each and every one of us. My sister's parents-in-law were also with us yesterday for lunch, and as we sat around the dinner table after we were through eating, we were discussing the pain and torture Jesus must have endured that day he was led to the cross..and how it's impossible for us to even imagine that level of pain. We discussed the two criminals that were also crucified that day on either side of Jesus and how the one mocked him and the other said "We are punished justly, for we are getting what our deeds deserve. But this man has done nothing wrong. Then he said, "Jesus remember me when you come into your kingdom." Jesus answered him, "I tell you the truth, today you will be with me in paradise." (Luke 23:40-43) Can you imagine, even in his intense suffering and pain, the elation that criminal must have felt at that moment hanging from that cross, knowing that he was about to spend eternity in the presence of God? One can only imagine the other criminal's disdain and horror the moment he realized that he had made an eternal mistake.
I know I will be with Jesus in paradise when my day comes. I have no doubt that my Savior lives and has saved me from a life of sin and pain and being lost among the aimless and blind in our own world. Am I still a sinner? YES. I am human and have human efforts at being a Christian. I am not foolish enough to believe any longer that I am capable of being a perfect person. I fully believe that I am a perfect creation of His and I choose to live my life trying to honor His will for me. Jesus's life and death was about forgiveness of sins, but also about teaching us how to live our human life in honor of Him. Who does your life honor?
Tuesday, April 19, 2011
SPOM (not to be confused with SPAM) and Garlic Herb Goat Cheese Grits
Here's what you need:
1 Onion, chopped
1 Green Bell Pepper, chopped
Bunch of Mushrooms, chopped
Worchestershire Sauce
1 package Beef Sausage, sliced into diagonal medallions
(You can use low fat, but it won't be greasy enough...yes, I said that out loud)
For the grits: Quick Cooking Grits, Chicken Broth, Half and Half (or Heavy Whipping Cream), 8oz pkg of Garlic-Herb Goat Cheese
Oh..and a glass of wine and some cheese to snack on while you are preparing...if you're into that sort of thing.
Put a few drizzles of olive oil in your cast iron skillet and get it super hot. Throw in the sausage and let it brown for a minute or two...
Then throw in the veggies and drizzle a little worchestershire on top. I also added some Tony's for seasoning. Cover and stir around occasionally, cooking over a medium high heat.
Cook your grits according to the package directions (I forgot to take pictures of this process). I use chicken broth instead of water to cook mine and when they are almost done, add about 1/2 cup half n half and the goat cheese. Stir until mixed thoroughly. I also add a little salt and pepper to taste. Some goat cheese is saltier than others, so taste as you go...but don't burn your tongue.
Spoon the grits onto your plate and then the sausage and peppers over that. Serve with a salad and some bread (we had caesar salad and buttered biscuits). My kids actually ate this, too.
Friday, April 15, 2011
"Giddy Up Oom Poppa Omm Poppa Mow Mow....."
Those are the words that kept going through my mind this morning as I tackled our new treadmill. I don't like going to public gyms because I feel very insecure and don't like to workout with all those mirrors they have in there where I can see every jiggly part I have going to it's own rythym.
Richard and I decided to get a treadmill to accomodate our busy schedule and it will allow us to get some exercise in either early in the morning or in the evenings once the kids are in bed..which seem to be the only down times that we have to spare. At any rate..we set the treadmill up in our bedroom and just so happens that it is directly across from our dresser...which has a mirror...which forces me to see myself on the treadmill. It's a side view, which is even worse. I've decided that when I walk or run on the treadmill..my bottom looks like one of those cars that has the fancy hydraulics on it and bounces around all over the place. So, I've decided to make that my scale of measurement as I continue with my exercise..how little hydraulics my bottom has left. Sounds like a plan to me.
Richard and I decided to get a treadmill to accomodate our busy schedule and it will allow us to get some exercise in either early in the morning or in the evenings once the kids are in bed..which seem to be the only down times that we have to spare. At any rate..we set the treadmill up in our bedroom and just so happens that it is directly across from our dresser...which has a mirror...which forces me to see myself on the treadmill. It's a side view, which is even worse. I've decided that when I walk or run on the treadmill..my bottom looks like one of those cars that has the fancy hydraulics on it and bounces around all over the place. So, I've decided to make that my scale of measurement as I continue with my exercise..how little hydraulics my bottom has left. Sounds like a plan to me.
Saturday, April 9, 2011
Spring Time!!!
This means it's time to go get my spring/summer clothes out of storage and put away the fall/winter clothes!! It's like getting a whole new wardrobe!
My man got home yesterday after a month-long trip to Texas. We did get to see him at the halfway point, so it didn't seem quite as long as it was. Our little man is gone to church camp this weekend, so we only have Princess CoCo (or Sweet Little Darlin' as she is lovingly known as by other parts of the family). She has requested to go see "Hop" this weekend, so I suppose we'll be taking her to see that this afternoon.
A lazy weekend otherwise, and I'm glad for it. I want things to slow down a bit over the next few months as time ticks away closer and closer to our move date. We only have 14 weeks left until we move...that will be here before we know it. I think that realization hit our little girl this week as she came to terms with the fact that she's not going to be in class with her friends next year. One little girl in her class is leaving next week for a bone marrow transplant and they've prepared for her not to return to school as she recuperates from that. Rachel had a tearful morning and afternoon yesterday after they did a balloon release at her school in honor of Madalyna..here's a few pics from that:
It was a sweet day with lots of tears and supportive words given to her family. I've never seen people that put up such a strong front in the face of such challenges. They are truly an inspiration and remind me that I have so many blessings to be thankful for, and the little problems I have are nothing compared to some of the things others deal with on a daily basis. Really puts things in perspective.
So, today, I'm off to spend some great family time with my hubby and daughter and enjoy this beautiful, albeit windy, day God has given us, and taking time to count my blessings!
My man got home yesterday after a month-long trip to Texas. We did get to see him at the halfway point, so it didn't seem quite as long as it was. Our little man is gone to church camp this weekend, so we only have Princess CoCo (or Sweet Little Darlin' as she is lovingly known as by other parts of the family). She has requested to go see "Hop" this weekend, so I suppose we'll be taking her to see that this afternoon.
A lazy weekend otherwise, and I'm glad for it. I want things to slow down a bit over the next few months as time ticks away closer and closer to our move date. We only have 14 weeks left until we move...that will be here before we know it. I think that realization hit our little girl this week as she came to terms with the fact that she's not going to be in class with her friends next year. One little girl in her class is leaving next week for a bone marrow transplant and they've prepared for her not to return to school as she recuperates from that. Rachel had a tearful morning and afternoon yesterday after they did a balloon release at her school in honor of Madalyna..here's a few pics from that:
It was a sweet day with lots of tears and supportive words given to her family. I've never seen people that put up such a strong front in the face of such challenges. They are truly an inspiration and remind me that I have so many blessings to be thankful for, and the little problems I have are nothing compared to some of the things others deal with on a daily basis. Really puts things in perspective.
So, today, I'm off to spend some great family time with my hubby and daughter and enjoy this beautiful, albeit windy, day God has given us, and taking time to count my blessings!
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