Desperation in the Kitchen: My Famous Chicken Stew

I'll start off by saying that this is the first time I've ever written the recipe down and that the stew itself was an accident.

Back when we moved into our first NC house, and I was playing (part time) stay at home wife and mom, and trying to cook because 1) this is the sticks and there is NO place to get takeout on the regular and 2) we couldn't afford it and 3) I was in my late 20's and goodness, I NEEDED to learn how to cook. The original recipe was for chicken rice soup and I think it came from the Pioneer Woman. I think. It's been almost 8 years, you guys. I have no idea.

Eventually, I added a bunch more vegetables to this soup and replaced the rice with noodles. It's a texture issue with me, the rice.

But, let me wax poetic about this stew (and apologize about there not being a picture of the finished product in a bowl, the vultures descended shortly after I turned off the stove). If someone in the house gets a scratchy throat or just feels snotty, this stew gets made. Two days ago, Gabe came home from work and complained that he was feeling off. I asked him if he wanted me to make this stew and his face immediately lit up. My boss wasn't feeling well this weekend, so I made it on Saturday. He says it's the best chicken soup/stew/whatever he has ever had and y'all, this man has TRAVELED THE WORLD. High praise! Basically, I've made the stew twice in about 4 days, and I've already got an 11 year old asking me to make it again *sigh* It's a bit exhaustive of a recipe, but so worth it, I promise. Here goes!

Jo's Cure All Chicken Stew 

What you need:
Chicken Thighs (I'm not picky about many things in a recipe, but the thighs are a must)
Water
Salt, pepper, garlic powder
various vegetables (here's where I'm NOT picky: this time I used onions, peppers, carrots, celery, a green pepper, and some spinach)
butter (take two sticks, just to be safe)
all-purpose flour
chicken bouillion cubes
pasta (I had leftover bow tie pasta left, but I've used all kinds)
yellow food coloring (for color purposes only)

What you do:

Season your chicken thighs, throw in a pot and cover with water. Boil until meat is cooked through. When meat is cooked, remove it from the chicken stock (you just made chicken stock!) and leave it to cool a bit.

Chop your veggies. This is just my celery (and my super cool copper knife from Gabe!), but you guys get the picture.

Put 4 Tablespoons of butter into a pan. Melt. Add some flour (whatever looks right) and make a roux. Make it golden brown and pretty.

Add the roux to the chicken stock. My boss said this is where my recipe differs from most of the recipes he's seen. I add the roux at the beginning, and most of the time it is added at the end.

Throw a bit more butter into your roux pan, and add your veggie. Season with salt/pepper/garlic powder/whatever, and cook just a bit, until crisp-tender.

Toss veggies into the simmering stock.

This is a bouillion cube. It has way too much sodium, and I don't use them often. My grandma used them, and they never killed anybody. So, take one of these babies, and toss it in that pot.

Shred your chicken and throw that in the roux pan with some melted butter.

Throw that in the pot, add a few drops of yellow food coloring and simmer about ten more minutes til all the flavors meld together. It hasn't failed me yet!

Happy Homemaker Monday: January 29, 2018

I'm finally on a manageable Monday schedule, where I only work evenings again. It's only a matter of time before this changes again, so I'm enjoying it for now.

The weather: Um, weird. The sun is shining now, but we're supposed to have a snowstorm by this evening. Whut? Oh, well. You would think that after almost 8 (!!!) years in the mountains, I would be used to this weirdness, especially having come from Chicago weirdness, and then relocating to central TX weirdness...and being born in Poland weather weirdness. The mountains are a special kind of strange though.

As I look outside my window: Sunshine abounds! A thrift store is being built almost directly next door to me. I've watched the construction since last year. It used to be a pumpkin patch that I took Ella to when she was smaller. The thrift store profits Yellow Mountain Enterprises, who helps differently abled adults. They have a group home full of the most amazing individuals you've ever met. Ella and I painted a room there for a sweet lady a few years ago. I'm waxing poetic here, but they are truly amazing. And if I could ask for prayers, one of the people at the group home is dying of cancer...please, please pray.

Right now, I am: Typing up this post, and fighting the sleepies. Really struggling with energy levels lately, but found out I'm anemic (again, ugh), so I'm on liquid iron (AGAIN). At least I have answers, eh? I know the last time I was on liquid iron it helped tremendously...and I ended up pregnant. While I'm thinking that will NOT happen again, I'm hoping I will see a difference in my energy levels soon.

Thinking and pondering: I have some time off happening in May. Originally, I was going to make my way North to WI and IL, but honestly, I'm reconsidering. I do so much to make everybody happy and then it doesn't end up being much of a vacation. Ella wants to see the ocean and so do I, and I'm debating taking my girls somewhere on the coast. The weather in May will be gorgeous and I want Josie's first "vacation" to be one where she doesn't see her Mom stressed nonstop. Any good beach suggestions?

On my bedside table: Pens, pencils, a sketch pad, coupons, a clipboard, my Kindle. A jumble.

On my TV: I just finished Alias Grace and it was...weird. Weird, but super good. Ella and I are watching "Anne with an E", still and some British cooking shows, and Parnormal Survivor because some of those people just crack us up. Also, it's fun to enjoy a show with a sharp-witted 11 year old. I started Harlan Coben's "The Five" but I just can't get into it (mostly because I don't have the time). My best friend binge-watched it and told me that it's really good, so I'm gong to give  it a chance. WHYYYY was Broadchurch only 3 Seasons long? I may start Jessica Jones to get my David Tennant fix.

On the menu this week: 
Monday: Chicken Stew (Recipe coming!)
Tuesday: London Broil and Mashed Potatoes
Wednesday: Breakfast for Dinner
Thursday: Meatballs and Noodles, Mushrooms, and Peppers
Friday: Denver Steaks and Potatoes
Saturday: Chicken and Rice, Veggies
Sunday: Pasta Bake

On my to-do list: Clean off my bedside table, lol. Cook dinner early today. Vacuum rugs.

What I am creating: 

This only took me most of a month because I worked on it during my "spare time" (of which I have next to none). I'm a bit sad because it got smudged in the rain, but it's still pretty darn good.

My simple pleasure: Taking little walks by myself, even if it's only around the pond. I love the way nature changes, even from day to day. Before we moved to this house, Ella and I used to go into town and walk past this neighborhood, saying how awesome it would be to live here...and here we are! It's not where I want to be forever, but it's not a terrible place to be.

Lesson Learned This Week: Oh, y'all, where do I start? Toxic people are toxic people are toxic people. Even when you are hundreds of miles away from them, they will always try to worm their way back in. It's worse when they are family members and you try to mend fences. Sometimes, even if they are family, it's not worth it. I've gone back and forth with a family member for most of my life. It's always the same, and always ends in heartache. I'm not cold-hearted or mean, but I really think it's time for me to end communications. I have a husband and children and they need me to be SANE, not a ball of stress because of this mess. Some people will always try to one-up you or try to make you feel bad because you're different, don't let them. I'm really really really learning this now, at 34 years old. I'm worth more than this. And so are you, friends. Don't let some turkey get you down!

Looking around the house: It's quiet and sun-shiny. I love that. I'm in the process of clearing things out for a playroom for the kids since my living room is XXL. Progress pictures to come soon!

From the camera: 

Josie, my youngest, turned 8 months old yesterday. Lemme tell ya, trying to get a nice picture with an 8 month old who is into EVERYTHING is not easy...good thing that rose petals are edible. *snort* Seriously, though. Here she is again. She looks almost exactly like Ella did as a baby.

Prayer list: My sanity, you guys. The aforementioned toxic person situation is threatening to drive me nuts. My husband, as he searches for a better job while working his current one. My energy levels and my drive to take the liquid iron (it is VILE and I have to give myself a pep talk every day before I take it, bleh)

Bible Verse, Devotional:

Have an amazing week, friends!

Happy Homemaker Tuesday

Yep, I'm late!
It has been a whirlwind for the past two weeks, and today isn't slowing down either.
I'm sorry if this post will be rushed, here we go!!!

The Weather: Warmish. I'm loving the sunshine and no snow on the ground!

As I look outside my window: It looks like Spring! I can't help but be excited about a garden, even though I know it is at least two months out yet.

Right now, I am: Typing up this blog post, eating lunch and rushing back to work. Multitasking...the struggle is real!!

Thinking and pondering: Two weeks ago, I took a very part time second job. Last week, I resigned from it. The guy was bordering on sexual harassment and making really weird remarks about me pumping for Josie (more on my pumping journey someday). It was awful and I love my first job besides. I know I've made the right decision.

On my bedside table: Paper, pens, my phone.

On my TV: I finished Broadchurch. It was BRILLIANT, and I was a bit sad to have finished it. David Tennant is incredible. Not classically handsome, but y'all. I could listen to the guy yell all day. Anyway, I've been watching Greenleaf while I pump. I'm on the second to last episode. Thank goodness it was renewed for a 3rd season!

On the menu for this week:
Monday: Cheeseburger Soup
Tuesday: Breakfast for Dinner
Wednesday: Meatball Sub Bake
Thursday: Zuppa Toscana
Friday: Ham, Mashed Potatoes, and Veggies
Saturday: Philly Cheese Steak Skillet
Sunday: Chicken Alfredo

On my to-do list: Work, Work, Work. Make lactation brownies. Dinner.

What I am creating: Last week, I took a much-needed break from creating anything. This week? Who knows!!!

My simple pleasure: Laughing at Big Marvel's rubber chicken song covers on YouTube with Gabe. I laughed so hard I cried over the Justin Bieber "Sorry" cover.

Lesson Learned this past week: I shouldn't be afraid to speak up. I talked to Gabe about quitting this second job, and he was super supportive. I don't need that mess. It was starting to cut into my family time, my couponing time, time with my art, and the last evening that I worked, I came home in tears because the guy was just that creepy. That was my last straw. In my 34 years, I've quit exactly two jobs without giving notice. One because the doctor literally said "this job will kill you" when Ella was 3 and this one. I'm not even sorry. I have to speak up and watch out for myself, and my health, both physical and mental.

Looking around the house: I'm doing 40 bags in 40 days and my house looks like the Goodwill donation room, lol. Renfield the white cat (did I write about him yet?) is in some corner, waiting to jump out and scare me to death.

From the camera: 

This Sunday, I took my kids to TN (we live only a few miles from the NC/TN border) and went shopping, had lunch and took them to the park. A good time was had by all, and memories were made.

Prayer List: My Dad as usual. My Father-in-Law, my family in TX/OK. They're all okay, it's just good to send up a prayer.

Bible Verse, Devotional: 

Have a great rest of the week, friends! 

Monthly Self-Care Project

Today, rushing around between work and house, I looked in the mirror and I wasn't wild about what I saw. It's not just the grey hair (and there is a LOT of grey hair), I just look and feel tired and BLAH. And yes, I know it's typical for the Mom of a 7 month old (or any Mom, really), but I need to be accountable for taking care of myself and feeling good about what I see in the mirror.

So, the 11th of every month, I will be taking a picture of myself. No editing (because I really don't know how to anyway, ha!)

January 11, 2018

I'm in the kids' bathroom, drying my hair for work. I'm EXHAUSTED.

And it shows. 

Bleh. 

But, hey, my bangs look cute.

I'm hoping to not feel so tired (or at least to LOOK less tired) next month. Hoping for positive changes all around! 

Until next month! 

Desperation in the Kitchen/Bucket List Cross Off: Spaghetti Squash

Have you ever wanted to cook something but the darn thing just looked SO weird that you felt a bit intimidated?

                                                        Enter the spaghetti squash. 

I have this weird obsession with eating seasonally (because that's when stuff goes on sale, and I'm cheap, y'all) and then I got this spaghetti squash...and it sat in my kitchen for four days because I was legitimately scared of it. Scared. A grown woman scared of a vegetable.

And then I grew up and realized if I didn't do something with it, it would go to waste and being wasteful is pretty much punishable by prison time in my house.

This recipe is a mish mash of a bunch of recipes I found on Pinterest....

What you need:
*One Spaghetti Squash
*Olive Oil
* Water
*Salt, Pepper
*Some kind of Spaghetti Sauce (I made a meat sauce)

What you do:
**Preheat your oven to 400 degrees

**Slice your squash in half lengthwise. Side note: This was probably the most time consuming part of the entire ordeal. 

Creepy looking, huh?

**Scoop out the seeds. We dried and saved ours to grow in the spring. 

**Put some salt and pepper on your squash

**Poke a few holes in your squash halves and lay them face down in a bit of water in a baking dish

**I baked mine 45-50 minutes

**Shred the flesh with a fork. It looks like spaghetti! 

**Serve with meat sauce

The verdict: It was GOOD. And even my husband who has for years refused to eat anything remotely squash-like because squash traumatized him as a child...(even though I've been putting zucchini and yellow squash in EVERYTHING, sorry honey)  LOVED it. 

Definite make again. 

As a matter of fact, there is currently a squash in my kitchen staring. me. down. 

Happy Homemaker Monday: January 8, 2018

Good afternoon! I mean to have these posts up in the mornings, especially since Mondays are my days off, but there is SO MUCH TO DO everywhere else!

It's been such a long, emotionally exhausting week. Things clicked along beautifully until Thursday when we ran into a situation with my husband's workplace. I'm not going to say too much as he is still employed there, but it made us really realize how much a new job would make us both a lot happier.

That said...

The weather: Good Golly. It's only in the 30's here, but it feels like a tropical paradise. Let me tell you, friends, last week was COLD. Bitterly, horribly cold. It's supposed to be in the 50's on Friday (what?!) I don't know what I'm going to do with myself!!!

Right now, I am: Typing up this post, and listening to Josie and Ella laugh along in the kitchen. I'm also mentally filtering the grocery list for the absolute MUST have's before pay day. Budgeting...the struggle is real.

Thinking: I'm listening to Sara Bareilles' "King of Anything". It goes along with what I've been thinking. I think being here, in NC, so far from home, has seriously messed with me. I feel so far away. From family, from friends, and from God. I came here, and ran into some "Christian" people. Some of them have been incredible gifts from God...and some have been legalistic hypocrites...and some were even worse. I'm taking a gigantic step back from those people. I miss who I was. I miss having my nose in the Bible for the sheer joy of it, for the relationship with God. This isn't who I am, and it's time to leave this person behind...whoever she is.

On my reading pile: Some recipe magazines and a cookbook. Lame, huh? But that's where I am today. 

On my T.V.: Broadchurch! I'm on the last episode of Series 2. No spoilers from me, but what the actual HECK?! Hopefully, before the week is out I will finish that episode and the 3rd series. I will be sad to see the series go because it was SO well done, but then I can get back to Rizzoli & Isles. 

What I found while surfing the net: This song . I've always been a huge Owl City fan, but especially lately, oh my goodness. Adam Young is incredible. 

Also, google the No Sleep Podcast if you are ever in the mood for a scary story. 

On the menu for this week: 

Monday: Asian Pepper Steak, Rice

Tuesday: Breakfast for Dinner

Wednesday: Spaghetti Squash with Ground Turkey, garlic break 

Thursday: Sausage and Cheesy Rice, Peppers

Friday: Crockpot Cabbage Roll Casserole

Saturday: Chicken Stew 

Sunday: Spaghetti and Meatballs 

On my to-do list: 

*bake some apple hand-pies

*actually put up a blog post that isn't HMM

*finish with my laundry room (that's how bad last week was, you guys)

*saute the veggies to go with the Pepper Steak

In the craft basket: Lettering a love quote for the kitchen, and maybe something to frame for the living room. 

Looking forward to this week: The newspaper comes out tomorrow, so it's time for couponing. Call me crazy, but I enjoy it. Also, bring on the warmer temps, I have the worst cabin fever (and going to work doesn't count)

Looking around the house: While I've been typing, Josie has fallen asleep. My ivy is in dire need of watering. I have laundry to catch up on. 

From the camera: 

laundry baskets are SO versatile! 

On my prayer list: This situation with my husband's job. It literally turned our lives upside down last week. And pray for some wisdom for me, because I am beyond upset and it makes me want to lash out at these people, who aren't worth my time or my Christian testimony. As always, Dad's on my prayer list. 

Bible Verse, Devotional: 

Have a beautiful week!!! 

Happy Homemaker Monday: January 1, 2018

Good...evening! I'm terribly late posting this, but I wanted to work on my New Year's Resolution of getting stuff done (housework and stuff, not this blog post, otherwise...fail!) and it actually worked!
That said, my OTHER resolution is to make regular appearances on this blog.

The Weather: It's bitterly cold here. Actually, it seems to be bitterly cold everywhere. It's supposed to warm up just a little bit tomorrow and the next day before the bottom falls out again Thursday-Saturday, ugh.

Right now, I am: Bopping along to silly parody songs while dinner cooks.

Thinking: "What was that noise?" It was a box in the living room that fell. Also, trying to co-ordinate my work schedule this week with the bazillion things that need done. Ugh.

On my Reading Pile: Lol, everything. But mostly a book about Budget Photography that Gabe gave me. It tells you how to do all the cool tricks with light without buying thousands of dollars in equipment.

On my T.V.: The second season of Broadchurch. I'm literally watching every episode, open-mouthed, because good Lord!!!

Favorite Blog Post this week: This awesome skirt! Actually, I love all of her stuff, but this is just such a cool blog about upcycling clothes. Marisa is super talented, and I hope I can one day be half as good at sewing as she is.

On the menu for this week:
Monday: Turkey and wild rice soup
Tuesday: Spaghetti squash and meat sauce
Wednesday: Ham and Cheese mac and cheese
Thursday: Pork Roast with Potatoes and Carrots
Friday: Meatballs in a mushroom sauce, Egg Noodles
Saturday: Potato Soup
Sunday: Asian Beef or Goulash (I haven't decided yet)

On my to-do list: Finish folding laundry, tidy up the laundry room, start the great pantry cleanout of 2018.

What I am sewing, knitting, crocheting, or creating: Cute Valentine's Day lettering projects.

Something like this, only Valentine-y. I'm trying to get back to art, one of my first loves.

Looking around the house: The girls are sitting quietly in the living room. Josie is fascinated with the lamp and Ella is making faces at her, haha.

From the camera: Yesterday, the temperatures dropped so much that the falling snow froze. The air literally froze too. In a matter of two hours, the mountain went from bare to the trees being covered in ice. As cold as it can be, living in these mountains is magical sometimes.

On my prayer list: This country. My husband, who is just going through a bit of a time. My Ella, who's finding out that these preteen years are HARD. My Dad, as always.

Bible Verse, Devotional: 

Have a great week, friends!!!!