Desperation in the Kitchen: Chicken Gloria

Ever since I saw the idea for this dish on Sandra's Blog , I decided that I HAD to make it. You know, one of those bucket list foods. I can now cross this one off! (It's since been replaced by about 3 other dishes, but that's how it goes!)

Chicken Gloria

Recipe adapted from here .

Here's what you need:

*3 boneless, skinless chicken breasts, fileted in half lengthwise (this is probably the most labor intensive part of the recipe)
*salt, pepper
*1/2 cup flour
*olive oil
*2 Tablespoons of butter
*8 oz container of fresh sliced mushrooms (I used baby bellas)
*1/2 cup of sherry wine (I used cooking wine)
*1 can of cream of mushroom soup
*1/2 cup of milk
*6 slices of muenster cheese
*chopped parsley for garnish

Here's what you do:

*Preheat the oven to 350 degrees.

*Season your chicken breast halves with salt and pepper and dredge in flour

*Brown it in olive oil. It doesn't have to be done all the way. It will finish cooking in the oven.

*Place the chicken in a 9x13 casserole pan

*Melt butter in the skillet over medium heat, add mushrooms, season to taste with salt and pepper

*Cook until golden brown, then add in sherry wine. Cook another minute, then add in cream of mushroom soup and milk.

*Pour the sauce over the chicken.

*Cover with foil, and bake for 30 minutes.

*After that, remove the foil and cover with slices of muenster cheese,

*Broil for 2 minutes until cheese is melted and bubbly

*Top with parsley

You're done! It's delicious!

5/52

5/52: Ella in the Amaryllis Jungle

5/52, Sunday: That dress is a size 12. You can't really see her leggings, but they are all kinds of cool!

Happy Homemaker Monday

Good morning, friends! It's kind of a strange Monday...I go in to work for a few hours this afternoon, and it feels weird! Mondays are usually my days off where I handle housework/meal planning/randomness, so it feels odd to have work thrown into that mix. Oh, well!

The weather: Oh, praise God! It's above freezing and the skies are blue! Maybe some of this insane snow will melt!

Right now, I am: Typing this post, and listening to the dryer running and Ella scurrying about with schoolwork.

Thinking: About how blessed we are that we stayed safe through this winter storm. There are so many people without power...so many people who were stranded on roads, or worse yet, were in accidents due to slippery roads.

On my reading pile: My sister and I are still reading The Lace Reader, and because we're both so busy, it's kind of slow going. My husband ordered me "The Story of Beautiful Girl" and I'm waiting for it to come in the mail. I'm currently reading "The Supreme Macaroni Company" by Adriana Trigiani and sadly, that's slow going (because, again, busy)

On my T.V.: I now have every single episode of Reba *woohoo!!!!!* and I'm in Season 10 of Degrassi TNG.

Things that make me happy: Sunny skies and the possibility of seeing the grass in my backyard (it's currently under more than a foot of snow, ugh)

On the menu for this week: 
Monday: Roasted veggies
Tuesday: Chicken Stew
Wednesday: Pork Roast and Egg Noodles
Thursday: Ham and Green Bean Bake
Friday: One-eyed Peppers (back by popular demand)
Saturday: Pizza Soup
Sunday: Chicken Gloria served over Spaghetti

On my to-do list:
*Work
*Clean the bathrooms
*Fold the laundry

What I am creating: That depends on if I have the time. Maybe some Valentine's Day decorations?

Looking around the house: The Sphinx is in her umbrella fort, and Dave is still hanging out in Ella's tub. Oh, to be a cat.

From the Camera:

My amaryllis in bloom!!!!

On my prayer list: Family, friends, people affected by this winter storm.

Bible Verses, Devotionals: 

Have a beautiful week, my friends!!!!

4/52

4/52: She loves that owl snuggie. The battle scar on her cheek is from The Sphinx, who's had a touch of cabin fever lately.

4/52, Sunday. With two feet of snow on the ground, I'm not sure anybody went to church today.

Brrrrr! The Blizzard of 2016

A few weeks ago, it was 70 degrees here, and Ella was riding her bike with shorts on.

And then this past Thursday, it started snowing....and didn't stop. We're currently sitting pretty at nearly 2 feet of snow, and 45 mph wind gusts.

Of course, when you have a 9 year old who has been waiting, and praying, and waiting and praying for Winter since the end of October, you brave the cold.

It's a ghost town out there!

She's certainly dressed for the weather. The hat came from Gabe. It's ridiculous, but she loves it!

The happiest kid in a blizzard that you ever will see.

Snow angel!

That snow is soooo deep!

See that red sliver? That's Ella's sled....

She had to dig it out of the snow.

Woo-hoo!

Unfortunately, the high winds and way cold weather didn't allow for much sledding. We're trying again tomorrow.

If you're wondering how our cats are faring in this insanity, well, they've both opted to stay inside. Dave has been laying out in Ella's tub, which I've discovered is pretty warm. Sphinx has decided to snuggle up under some blankets, but they both came out while I cooked dinner.

I'm going to attempt to enjoy the snow while we have it (Monday is supposed to bring 45 degree temps and Tuesday, it's going to rain, so it will all melt!), but I am definitely ready for some snowless days!!!!
If you're in the path of this storm, please stay warm and safe!

Desperation in the Kitchen: One-Eyed Peppers

When I saw the recipe for these, I said "what in the heck?" but after reading the description I thought they were pretty cool and that my husband had been making something similar to them for ages, except with bread.

You may have heard of them being called "eggs in a nest" or "toad in the hole", but they are basically eggs in a slice of bread, with a hole cut out of it. This is the same concept, except with a green pepper.

Here's what you need:

*Olive Oil
*Green Pepper, sliced into rings
*Sea salt
*Pepper
*Eggs


Here's What You Do

*heat up your olive oil in a pan and when it's nice and hot throw on your pepper rings

*crack an egg into each pepper ring. season with salt and pepper and cook until egg sets, then flip over

I sauteed some green pepper bits to eat with extra egg whites.

Done! Yummy!

Happy Homemaker Monday

Good afternoon, friends! It's the first moment I've had time to sit down and post this. It's absolutely freezing (it's below that, actually!) outside, but the sun is shining and it's making it look deceptively nice, ugh. We've all got a touch of the cabin fever setting in (especially Ella, who hates to stay inside). It's supposed to warm up some during the week, so hopefully, my outdoorsy kid won't go nuts before then!

The Weather: Oh, man. Our low tonight is 0. Zip. Zilch. Nada. I may make ice marbles with Ella tonight, because tomorrow, we're not supposed to clear 20 degrees and I'm pretty sure they'll stay frozen. We're supposed to get more snow this week, maybe even enough to build a snowman and to play in. I know Ella will love that, especially since the temps won't be in the dangerous frostbite range like they are today.

Right now, I am: Trying to make a grocery list. A friend and I are braving the temps and going to the grocery store because I'm out of milk and running low on several other staples. Oh, the things I do for my family.

Thinking: That I need to get over this death flu or whatever I have. Apparently, there's something sweeping the US and it's a doozy, and I was the lucky one in our household to get it. Better me than Gabe or Ella, but seriously, this was misery. I'm on the mend now, but COME ON. Also, that I need to get meal planning, because I've cooked only 3 days out of the last 6. BUT, one of those things that I ended up cooking was my first-ever meatloaf. It was delicious! Gabe said he was "hesitant at first" because he was traumatized by a meatloaf as a kid, but he really, really liked it. Cross another food off my bucket list!!!

On my reading pile: My sister Thera and I are starting The Lace Reader by Brunonia Barry tomorrow. I finished Burial Rites and cried like a baby. I also read a Depression-Era Murder Mystery called Mr. Shivers and I swear, it gave me nightmares. Besides The Lace Reader, I'll be starting The Supreme Macaroni Company by Adriana Trigiani. I love, love, love her books. Big Stone Gap got me through my first stay in Texas.

On my T.V.: Reba and Degrassi. I also promised my Father-in-Law that I would watch "Never Cry Wolf" this week. It's about a scientist sent to find out what's killing the Caribou in a certain area. The going theory is that it's wolves, but the scientist finds out it's not the wolves at all. It sounds interesting, and I'm not one to break a promise.

Things that make me happy: Not running a fever, having a relationship with my Momma at last, making meatloaf that doesn't turn Gabe's stomach, the prospect of our spring garden...

On the Menu for This Week: 
Monday: Breakfast for dinner (one-eyed peppers, bacon, toast)
Tuesday: Winter soup
Wednesday: Crockpot Cheeseburgers, salad
Thursday: Pork chops, spinach, nooodles
Friday: Veggie Pizza
Saturday: Spicy Turkey-Taco Soup
Sunday: Penne Alla Vodka

On my to-do list: Cleaning the bathrooms, general cleaning, grocery store,

What I'm Creating: A pile of clothes to take to the consignment sale ;) Maybe my creativity will return when I'm 100% again.

Looking around the house: I need to tidy up and fold laundry.

From the camera: 

Ella and my Momma!!!! If you look behind them, there's a picture of my parents that Gabe and I had framed for their anniversary many moons ago. Some say that I get my good looks from my Mom :)

On my prayer list: My parents, my father-in-law, some unnamed prayer requests....

Bible Verses, Devotions: 

Have a beautiful week, friends, and stay healthy!!!!

3/52

3/52: Goofing off at the park

3/52, Sunday: Ugh, this cold needs to leave our house. I'm the only one sick right now, thankfully, but UGH.

Happy Homemaker Monday

Good morning, friends! It's a cold, cold day in the mountains!

The Weather: Sunny but COLD. Definitely a "bundle up" kind of day if I ever saw one!

Right now, I am: Overseeing schoolwork, and debating lunch. It's a Monday, all right.

Thinking: That it's a blah day and I better snap out of it, and quick. I'm not going to be the person that ruins my own day.

On my reading pile: The Bible, my devotional, and "Burial Rites" by Hannah Kent. I'm now more than halfway through! It's about the last woman to be executed in Iceland. During the book, she professes her innocence, but after researching her case (because it's a true story!) evidence kind of points to her having committed the murder she was executed for. Hmmm. Interesting read.

On the TV: You'll laugh, but I've been a fan of Degrassi TNG for years. (lame! I know!) so after Ella's in bed, and Gabe's still at work, I'll binge on a few episodes :)

On the menu this week: 
I'm only planning til Wednesday. It's been one of THOSE weeks and I desperately need to go to the grocery store.

Monday: Baked Potato Bar
Tuesday: Sausage and Rice Skillet
Wednesday: Meatloaf. As in my first meatloaf. EVER.
Thursday-Sunday: TBA

On my to-do list:
*Clean the bathrooms
*Clean the kitchen
*Go to ladies  meeting (Ella gets to hang with the A.G's: Adoptive Grandparents)
*Bake the potatoes
*Call my parents, and my father-in-law

Looking around the house: My amaryllis is soooo close to blooming!!!! It should only be a day or two.

From the camera: 

The aforementioned Amaryllis. I can see all of the different blooms already. Oh, goodness.

On my prayer list: My Mom and Dad, kid brother, this crazy world in general, my attitude toward today.

Bible Verses, Devotions: 

Have a beautiful week!

2/52

2/52: Ella admiring the amaryllis

2/52, Sunday: Not standard church wear, but when we're coughing and don't want to get church friends sick, we stay home! (Oh, and Sphinx says hey)

Happy Homemaker Monday

Good Afternoon, friends! This is probably my only halfway "quiet" day this week, so let's get this underway!

The weather outside is: COLD! And there's a very light dusting of snow on the ground! SNOW! Actual snow!

On the breakfast plate this morning: I had a Lean Cuisine. Breakfast foods are not my friend first thing in the morning. 

As I look outside my window: I'm still pretty amazed that we have SNOW. It's not enough to get out and play in, but it does give me hope for this winter :)

Right now I am: Thanking God that I feel better, physically and emotionally. It had been over 10 years since my last pregnancy, and having it end in miscarriage was more frightening and panic-inducing than I ever expected. Yesterday was just a bad day, but I feel much better today.

As I look around the house: I'm ready to get into the swing of things with school and work again, Also, I do believe my amaryllis will bloom by the end of this week, and I cannot wait!

On today's to-do list:

*Meal Planning 

*Cleaning the bathrooms (Monday is Bathroom Day)

*Bundle up and hit the library with Miss Ella

*Buy milk, because apparently, we are out. 

Happening this week: Back to the grind with no holidays to break it up! Oh well!

Currently Reading: 1 Chronicles in the Bible, "Pearls of Great Price" by Joni Eareckson Tada, and "Where the Broken Lie" by Derek Rempfer. Also, finishing up a book with my sister: "The Inconvenient Corpse" by Jackie King. Thera is is Texas, and I am in North Carolina, but it's nice to "read" a book together. (We both have it on Kindle, will read a chapter at the same time, and discuss over text message...it's our own little two-person book club)

On the TV today: Probably nothing for me, I've got a lot to do and I really, really, really want to finish "Where the Broken Lie." I'm pretty sure that Gabe and Ella have a Star Trek marathon planned, as he is off of work, and they are both big Trekkies. 

The Meals This Week:

Monday: The Turkey Spaghetti I was supposed to make yesterday. I did SO well with meals this week, but I felt so bad yesterday that I jumped at the chance to have pizza with a friend, and made Gabe some chicken soup when he got home. (Ella went with me to have pizza)

Tuesday: Frittata

Wednesday: Chicken and CousCous

Thursday: Pork Roast

Friday: Planned Leftovers: Pulled Pork Sandwiches

Saturday: Winter Potato Soup

Sunday: Lasagna 

What I am Creating at this Moment: A get-well card for a family member.

Favorite Photo from the Camera: 

Snowflakes! So beautiful! God truly is an artist. 

Bible Verses, Devotionals: 

Have a beautiful week, friends!