Quick Hello

Hello friends!

I know, I've been pretty absent this month, and honestly don't have that much time to hang out now, but I just wanted to drop in and let you know I'm still alive and well.

Very well.

Husband and I have kicked off our long weekend right, and it's been lovely.

For now, I'm enjoying some "Moose Tracks."

I originally bought it as a pick-me-up for Husband...until I realized that he's a man, and therefore basically immune to edible pick-me-ups, haha.

Ice cream for moral support's more my domain.

Oh well, any excuse for ice cream, no?

How are you?

Have a delicious holiday weekned, and I should be seeing you for coffee on Tuesday!

Coffee Date

If we were really having coffee this morning, you'd probably want to roll up your sleeves...

Coffee, Josh Turner, and getting my clean on!

What are you up to today?

Recipe Swap!

Good morning! It's such a beautiful day here today! I hope your weather is fine too.

What are you planning for your Tuesday?

One thing I'm planning?

Recipe exchange!

One of my bloggy idols, Casey Wiegand, is hosting a Tuesday recipe swap and I'm joining in!

Even though it's about a million degrees outside, I just haaave to post this cozy recipe. I waited my entire life to cook homey meals for my husband, and then started running out of ideas pretty quickly. After one epic chicken 'n' dumplings fail, I got my girlfriend to give me her recipe, and it rocks! In fact, it tastes just like my sweet, late, Granny's recipe. Obviously, I can't be greedy with gold like this, so here you go!

"Granny's" Chicken 'n' Dumplings...

Ingredients:

• 1 4-5 lb. chicken (this recipe is for two, plus leftovers, but you could easily make it for more)


• 2 cups flour


• 2 1/4 Tablespoons shortening


• 1 cup ice water


• 1 Tablespoon butter


• 1/4 cup milk

1. Wash the chicken and boil over medium-high heat in 5-7 cups of water, and simmer for one hour.


2. Take out the chicken and shred (caution: that chicken will be boiling hot! If you want, the recipe can be followed up until this point and refrigerated for up to a few days). Set aside.


3. Knead together flour and shortening until doughy. Add ice water. Using two spoons, drop dumpling dough by rough tablespoons into boiling broth. Be sure to "mash" the dumplings often (after every five or so) so they don't get dense.


4. Add chicken back to dumpling broth and add butter and milk, to make it creamy. Simmer for 15 minutes on low.


5. Salt to taste and enjoy!

Good luck and happy cooking!

A New Feature: I am Walker, hear me roar

Okay, so most of you who have been around for awhile know that I don't do very well with feature posts. As previously stated, finishing things is a bit of an issue for me, and anything that requires consistency can easily be discarded. But I'm going to try again. Walker informed me today that if I'm going to spend so much time sitting in "his" chair and blogging that he deserves the right to express himself. Fair enough....

Dear Friends,

I am Walker, it's nice to meet you. I know Mom has mentioned me a couple times, but it's only fair that I get a chance to defend myself against any impressions you may have gotten of how things roll around here.

For starters, I've been here a lot longer than Mom. I used to give her a hard time about that, but it's actually really nice having her around. She might be my favorite. Just don't tell her I said so. I wouldn't want Dad to think I was a momma's boy....which I am. He reminds me pretty often that I'm no longer a "Man Kitty" as it is, and it's kind of embarrassing. We're buddies though. I try to impress him by defending them against twisty ties and flying bugs. No really, the twisty tie threat level in this house is a secure green thanks to me. They should be grateful.

But to be honest, I sleep about 18 hours a day and the rest of the time is divided between lounging on the windowsill, eating, being pet my Mom, watching sports with Dad, batting at birds and bugs through the window, and getting into things I'm "not supposed to." I don't really understand what this phrase means, but I think it has something to do with the kitchen counters, dining room table, outside, and the guest room. In my defense, the "guest room" doesn't seem all that special. Mom goes through phases where she spends blocks of time in there, but I don't really see any difference. She shut me in there today. I'm certain it was an accident. I tried to play it cool...until it had been about fifteen minutes and I got a little worried that she might need me for something. I only cried a little. I just wanted to remind her where I was. I was just trying to protect her. There could have been a twisty tie invasion, and she would have been defenseless.

Well Friends, I need to get going. Big agenda to keep and all. Thank you again for the opportunity of chatting with you. See you soon.

Sincerely,

Walker

Who Me?

Guess what, guess what, guess what?

My one of my sweet bloggy idols actually gave me an award!

Thank you April, that was so sweet!

Here are the rules:
1.} Thank and link back to the blog that gave you your award
2.} Share seven things about yourself
3.} Award 5 great bloggers
4.} Contact the bloggers to let them know you've given them an award


Here are my 7 things about myself:

1. I am a terrific self-starter....just not quite as good at self-finishing. No one really talks about that part. I love new beginnings, organizing, and such. I just find myself organizing and cleaning and decorating the same spaces over and over (coughguestroomcough) because I can never seem to get over a certain point. They say self-awareness is half the battle, though, so I'm on my way!

2. I was raised right outside of Seattle, Washington so coffee is more like a ritual than a beverage to me. I used to be kind of a snob about it, but I've reformed. Okay, some people would say I've learned to settle, haha. But hey, sometimes, you just need a decent cup of coffee.

3. While we're on the subject, my parents owned a coffee shop for a short season, and ever since I've had the itch to own my own business. A store, or bakery, or cafe, or something. I don't really like working, though, so I would probably change my mind. And let's be honest, it's mostly when I see pretty office supplies or custom business cards, haha.

4. I love to read, but I don't do very much of it. Here's why: I just graduated with an English degree and it's hard for me to justify reading good, interesting, slightly fluffy modern novels (read: what I really want to read) when there are so many classics I haven't read yet. I've yet to find that balance between the two, so I usually end up reading nothing. Sad, right? I think the simplest thing to do is just to alternate the two. Don't you agree?

5. Right now I work outside of home, because I can, but what I really dream of is being an "at home" mom. That's what my Momma did, and it's what I've always wanted to do. My Momma also homeschooled us, and I think I'd like to homeschool as well, but Bama Man and I have decided to Cross that bridge when we come to it.

6. I play the piano. I am one of those kids who were encouraged, told, commanded to practice....and didn't really. So all my years of lessons have landed me with just enough knowledge to haltingly play...and teach a 7-year-old to play better than I can (which I do). So let this be a lesson to all children currently in lessons - practice! You'll thank me later.

7. I used to be one of those girls who loved big houses with foyers, and "entertaining space," and stair cases, etc. Even though I'm not sure I'm cut out to be the first lady, the idea of living in the White House used to make me swoon. Not so anymore. Maybe it was discovering Antrhopologie. Or maybe I'm going back to my roots of being an almost-city girl. Whatever the cause, I am just in love with the loft apartment, reasonably-sized house type space crammed with the organized clutter of coziness. You know what I mean? No mansion for this girl, thank you very much.

So there you have it! The lovely bloggers upon whom I am bestowing this award are...

1. Ariel @ voidbetweenthestars

2. Melinda @ fineasfroghair

3. fratpack+me

4. Casey @ TheWiegands

5. Emily @ Blueberry'sblog

April, thanks again! And thanks to anyone who reads this blog, leaves comments, etc. I don't say it enough, but it means a lot to me! Go see these lovely ladies, I Adore them! And have a wonderful Wednesday - two more days until the weekend!

Coffe Date

Good morning Friends! If we were really having coffee today...

I wouldn't really know where to begin.

Yes I would, I would begin my mentioning how amazingly grateful I am for this coffee this morning.

For those of you who don't know, last Wednesday, April 27th, Alabama (Where Bama Man and I live, in case that's never been clear) was hit with the greatest natural tragedy the state has seen this side of modern technology. The tornadoes left hundreds dead, thousands displaced, and over a million without power. It was considered a State and Federal Disaster and we began picking up the pieces.

Bama Man and I have been without electricity for the last five days, which is why I've been absent, but we, and everyone we know and love made it through unscathed (both sets of our parents never even lost power) and praising God that He allowed this trial to pass over us!

It has been such a privilege to join with our church and the EMA to help those who have lost so much more than utilities! The church (the body, not the buildings) of Alabama has kicked into high gear, and done everything possible to give comfort and aid to the many hurting in our community.

I'm thanking God that He has allowed my senses to be heightened. How important my friends and family are, how spoiled I've become having Bama Man home with me for the last week, how much I love my house, how nice it is to have a safe cat taking up my space in this chair, how blessed I am to have a husband who has given us enough financial security to make it through crisis, how much I am going to enjoy vacuuming now that our power has returned. How much He loves us! Not because He shielded us from this tragedy, but because He would have been with us either way.

What are you grateful for this morning? :)

If you would like to help those in need here in Alabama, please go to redcross.org to find out how to donate. Thank you so much!

On a lighter note, Bama Man and I have learned to love our "Amish Experience."

My activities this week have included, but are not limited to:

Dinners over candlelight, one game of Rummy, reading through a book and a half, organizing our bookshelf so that all of our books fit, laying contact paper in (most of) the kitchen cabinets, cleaning and organizing the study, also...

Walker made a froggy friend (see him hanging on the screen?)....who he then tried very hard to kill and could not, with the window and all. Nice try Walker.

About a hundred games of solitaire, the old-fashioned way, of which I won a few...

And possible the piece de resistance,

Grilling cinnamon rolls!

Ingenuitive, no?

It worked too!
Sure there was a little scorching, and a touch of charbroiled flavor, but they were still delicious!

Bama Man, thank you for being adventurous, and not looking at me like I was crazy when I suggested this...and also, for pulling it off! You're the best :)

What would you have to share today, friends?

I hope you all have a fabulous Tuesday!