What I've been up to

Hello Friends!

Bama Man and I celebrated our anniversary last weekend (It's actually on Monday) so I spent a large portion of my Saturday morning recreating the cupcakes from our wedding. I know quite a few of you who read this blog were there two years ago when Bama Man and I tied the knot, but for those new bloggy friends who were not, there is something you need to know: Our wedding was home to the best chocolate cupcakes (with buttercream frosting, of course) the world has ever seen. It's true. And ever since the last, solitary leftover cupcake was eaten, I have missed them very much. Me, being overly emotional about cupcakes? Shocking, I know. Anyway, I have never been able to do anything about it previously, but my dear friend who baked them let me in on a few secrets, and guess what, I did it! Granted, they are not exactly the same, but they are so very, very close and I am satisfied. Which is evidenced by the fact we have managed to eat almost two dozen in 5 days. I would post a picture...but there isn't really much to see anymore...

Let's see, what else....

Well I managed to wash my brand new amazing white Christmas sweater with last year's red Christmas sweater, which resulted in a few pinks spots, but after soaking it in freezing cold water for 3 days, and trying very hard not to cry, they (almost) completely came out!

Also, I can't stop watching Gwenyth Paltrow's 'Glee' rendition of "Forget You" even though I stopped watching the show months ago. And I have been playing a reidiculous amount of computer solitaire, since Bama Man introduced me to the 'Vegas' option...and I might have a fake money gambling problem.

I know I said I would post my To Do in 2011 list, and I haven't forgotten. I've just been thinking about it. I had quite a few short term goals on it that I have already completed (not the least of which is making my linen closet look like the magazine pictures that make me shudder at my own inadequacy) so I'm trying to limit my updated list to slightly more long-term goals. Or, at least things that may take me more than an afternoon. Know what I mean? Unfortunately, you may recognize some of these from last year. I'll do better this time. So here they are..

• Master the Pancake (I am quite good at homemade waffles, pancakes on the other hand, are my constant struggle)



• Get Wedding Pictures and album developed (I know, it's awful I still haven't done)



• Develop Honeymoon pictures



• (Finally) Finish the Guest Room



• Figure out a way to keep from falling asleep on the couch at eight or nine every night


• Make curtains for our house

• And something else I forgot, but will post when I remember

June's Fab Five: The Things I Adore (at the moment)

1. Kari Jobe's CD - Kari Jobe:

Just bought the CD and cannot physically stop listening to it. The girl has always been my worship muse, but she has completely outdone herself with this project. The lyrics are incredible and cowriters include such worship icons as Chris Tomlin, Mia Fieldes, and Paul Baloche. The whole album just spreads a balm over the heart of every woman!

*Only 7.99 right now at Lifeway Christian Bookstores!

2. Bananas:

Here's the thing, they have B and C vitamins, and enough potassium in them to replenish electrolytes, they're said to prevent certain cancers, and, let's face, they're just so darn good!

3. Mr. Clean Magic Erasers:

What in the world is in these things?!?

Whatever it is, it is God's gift to Domestic Divas everywhere!

4. That the "Natural" Look is in for Fall Makeup:

Okay, so even though I don't actually care too much about what's "in," as a girl who prefers to go Au Naturel, this Fall trend is going to be a godsend. I mean sure, I like going glam as much as the next girl, but most of the time, less is more. So lay off the eyeliner, slap on the shimmer and nude shades, and show off those beautiful faces ladies, and embrace what God gave you!

5. Panko:

I thought I was fine with flour, but allow me to tell you, that Panko breadcrumbs have revolutionized my life! I charge you to never try to pan fry anything again without them! Plus, they're cheaper than you think if you can get a generic version (Fresh Market's are the best!)

Ode to Bacon

So, I have a confession. I have this little thing going on the side...with bacon. It's like a foodie love affair. I know you probably think I sound nuts, but that would be fairly hypocritical of you. I mean, really, ask yourself, is there anything more divine than bacon? Is there anything with bacon on it that is not delicious? In the movie "Julie and Julia," Julie blogs that when you eat something and you wonder what makes it so amazing, the answer is always going to be butter. Well, that is how I feel about bacon. Dare I say it...bacon is better than butter. Can you eat butter by itself? Well, yes I suppose, but that would be gross.

At this point I am sure you are wondering what in the name of Rachael Ray got me going on this bacon thing...well, I will tell you. And lucky for you it's a recipe.

For those of you who know me, or have been following this blog for awhile, you know that when I try to take culinary matters into my own hands, it tends to be a messy affair. I fin my best bet is to slightly alter recipes I trust already. So the other night, I looked in my fridge and noticed two poor, lonely slices of bacon, and I couldn't possibly let them go to waste. So I put them to good use, and it was fantastic! I apologize for not having a picture. I didn't realize I was creating a little piece of comfort food heaven. So you'll just have to make it to see what it looks like. Like I often say, you'll thank me later.

Amazing, Nameless, Chicken, Bacon, Cheesy Pasta

6 oz. short pasta (macaroni, penne, etc.)
2 chicken breasts, cubed
Pinch Salt
3/4 cup shredded cheese
Garlic salt
1 can cream of mushroom soup
2 or 3 slices of bacon, diced

1. Preheat oven to 350 degrees. Boil pasta. Season with salt and pepper. Fry bacon in large skillet until almost crispy. Remove bacon from skillet to plate with paper towel to catch grease. Brown Chicken in remaining bacon grease.

2. When chicken is cooked through, add soup and garlic salt to skillet and mix well. Add cooked pasta and bacon and stir until flavors are incorporated. Pour into baking dish and top with cheese.

3. Bake for 15-20 minutes and, most importantly, eat!


A Couple Notes:

a) This recipe was just for BamaMan and me, so be sure to increase the ingredients for more than two people.

b) I never pretended to be offering you recipes that will trim your waste line - I just told you to put all the ingredients in bacon grease to pick up every little shred of fat - but this I do promise: it will be worth the calories.

Enjoy!

Comfort and Cheesy Chicken and Rice

There are a lot of advantages to being a nanny. Like being "part of the family." One of the disadvantages is that when the family is sick, you are "part of the family."

So I have some mysterious virus, and after a day of working on a sore throat, all I wanted was something creamy, and gooey, and warm. So I came home and made Cheesy Chicken and Rice for dinner.....and it was everything I hoped it would be!

So I thought I would share it with you! It may not be gourmet, but it is the absolutely perfect thing on those days when you need a true comfort food that takes more unattended time than effort, and gives you exactly that warm gooey feeling you lacked before.......

Cheesy Chicken and Rice

2 Chicken breasts, uncooked and halved
3/4 Cup rice
1 Can cream of mushroom(or chicken)soup
1 1/3 Cup water
1 Cup cheese
Garlic salt
Pepper

Preheat the oven to 375 degrees.

Mix soup, rice, water, half of the cheese, salt, and pepper. Lay the chicken on top. Cover and cook for 50 minutes.

Cover with remaining cheese, and let sit for 10 minutes until thick (and creamy, and gooey, and...you get the point)

Serve and enjoy!

*Add veggies to the mix to incorporate even more goodness!

Try it, you'll thank me later :)