Tuesday, February 8, 2011

First Date Chicken

I had some chicken and couldn't settle on one idea for dinner so I decided to let Hubby decide what to do with it. He picked the recipe I had no desire to make or eat. It was one of the BEST meals we have had in a while! I had to share the recipe. I didn't think it would turn out this awesome so I didn't bother to take pictures. The only pictures I did get were not of the best chickens. Those all got ate. I had to fight the ravenous rascals off just to get this picture.



First Date Chicken

2 Boneless, skinless Chicken breasts (we used 5)
4 oz cream cheese*
2 green onions, sliced*
2 bacon slices (I put 2 slices of bacon on each chicken)
garlic salt
white pepper

*I bought an 8oz container green onion and chive cream cheese. It cut down on prep time and I figure it tasted better because the green onion and chives marinated in the cream cheese for extra flavor.  :o)

Make sure all of the chicken pieces are of even thickness. Pound if necessary. Slice the onions and combine with the cream cheese. Place chicken on a Silpat (I used a Flexipat so the bacon grease wouldn't catch my house on fire by dripping into the bottom of the oven) and sprinkle on garlic salt and white pepper. Place about 2 oz cream cheese on each chicken breast. Wrap 2 slices of bacon around each chicken. Bake at 350 degrees for about 35 minutes.

I got this recipe from Demarle at Home Cook Book Cooking Across America

Monday, February 7, 2011

New Year, New Goals

OK. I'm pretty late getting this one up. Better late than never though, right? I am telling myself it was better to wait so I could pig out on Superbowl Sunday. Even though we didn't actually do anything for Superbowl Sunday I have spent the last month pigging out and putting off my New Year Goals.

I didn't make any resolutions this year. I fail every year at those darn resolutions. This year I decided will be the year of goals (sorry, Rabbits). I want to work on setting some goals and then figuring out the steps to accomplish said goals. I want to have a few personal goals, a few family goals, a few money goals, a few marriage goals and a few spiritual goals.

One of my goals in setting goals is to teach my children (and Hubby) how to life plan. In working with the teen moms one thing that keeps popping into my mind is that some of these girls have no life plan, goals or plan as to doing anything whatsoever with their life. I want my kids to have a plan. Even if it is just a rough outline of life, at least there is a path.

So stepping off my soap box and into my thinking cap:

Personal Goals
To make meal planning a priority
To be on time or early (not by this skin of our teeth)
Stop fluttering and sputtering and start FLYing with FlyLady
Loose weight (I will never be "skinny" but I can still be healthy)
Consistently blog

Family Goals
Spend more time together not preoccupied by media sources
Take a family vacation (We liked Leavenworth but just about anywhere would be great to get away to)
Buy a house

Money Goals
Make budgeting a priority
Start Dave Ramsey's practices
Get our savings account up

Marriage Goals
To make my hubby a priority
Do The Husband Project
To have a Date Night once a month

Spiritual Goals
Spend some time in the Bible each day
Pray more purposefully everyday (not just when I need help)


So there it is. My GOALS for 2011.
Many go hand in hand, some overlap others piggyback on other goals and some just are. Some seem so simple. If they were that simple I would have accomplished them when they were New Year Resolutions though...
Goals are great but they don't mean much without a plan. I think that I need to evaluate my goals and come up with some plans in which to accomplish these goals. Stay tuned!

Sunday, February 6, 2011

Lemon Cream Currant Scones

Mix together:

2 Cups All Purpose Flour
1/4 Cup Sugar
1Tbsp Baking Powder
1/2 tsp Salt (Kosher)
1 tsp grated Lemon Zest
1/2 Cup Currants
Add:
1 1/3 Cups Heavy Cream

When Cream is integrated, knead 8-10 times on a lightly floured surface. Pat or roll out until it is 1/2 inch thick. Cut into 2 inch circles with a biscuit cutter or drinking glass rim. OR form into an 8 inch circle and cut into pizza wedges. Place on a buttered cookie sheet (unbuttered Silpat) 1 inch apart.

Bake at 400 degrees (conventional oven or 350 degrees for a convection oven) for about 15 minutes or until golden brown on the edges.

While the scones are baking you can make the Lemon Glaze

Mix together:
1 Cup Powdered Sugar
2 Tbsp Lemon Juice (I just squeeze the lemon I got the zest from)

Add more lemon juice as needed until glaze is smooth and slightly thick.
Drizzle on scones and top with more lemon zest.


*From the kitchen of Lauren Hemenway.

Friday, February 4, 2011

Moose!

Yesterday was pretty exciting here in Walla Walla. A Mama Moose and her two babies took a walk through town. Along the way they took a detour through our yard. I wasn't home but luckily, my Mother-in-law (MIL) was at her house next door with her camera.

They were across the street in a field



and then went down the cul-de-sac and into some one's back yard.





I asked my MIL how they got into our yard (we share a 3/4 acre lot) when we have such a hard time.




If you look closely you can see the plank that we use to climb over the fence. There is also a hole one can climb through.





MIL exclaimed, "MEGAN! They were HUGE! The Mama just stepped over and the babies hopped over."


They are as big as the swing set!



Hubby said the Mama was as tall as the overhang on the roof.


Hubby told me that the police were treating the situation as if the moose were blood thirsty children-eaters. They made people go into their houses and had MIL bring Duke Dog inside.
And then they crossed Plaza Way and ran off towards The Country Club. I think they were just late for their tee time. Golf, anyone?*



*Haha! I made myself laugh when I went back to proof read my blog. The window that the last picture is taken out of is the same window Hubby broke last summer while practicing his golf swing.