Wisp Clips Revamped

{The Paisley Boutique Bow}

My other blog site for Wisp Clips has been revamped.  There is a 'Products' link list that should get you to the style you are looking for.  I seriously hope this is much easier to use instead of just randomly scrolling through pics.  I'm trying to prepare for some giveaways that will be hosted on other sites, and offer a user friendly non-facebook stop.  Any suggestions are welcomed.  Seriously, help a sister out!

The Most Delicious Cupcakes

A while back, I had the opportunity to participate in a taste test for a new business, Goodness Bakery.  If you have even the slightest sweet tooth, then you'll love these creative, and oh so delicious cupcakes.  Right now you can become a fan on Facebook .  I'm pretty sure you'll want to place an order right away.  I highly recommend the Red Velvet with Cream Cheese Frosting, the Chocolate Cupcake with Cream Cheese Frosting, Cookies and Cream, Snickerdoodle, Peanut Butter Cup, Cappucino...well, I recommend them all!!!

If you are Facebook'less' you can check her out here...

Apple Cinnamon Muffins

The long time controversy between stay at home moms (SAHM) and working moms (WM) is overrated, but today I must declare that being a stay at home mom wins out.  It wins because it's 8:00am and warm Apple Cinnamon Muffins just popped out of the oven.  If I were working, I'd have one shoe on, possibly a bra, and frantically throwing two kids in the car to make it to the sitter and then to school on time.  But that's not happening today.  Today I'm enjoying my warm muffin in my pj's with some creamer and a dash of coffee.Yes, being a SAHM definitely wins out. 

Just in case you are a SAHM, or if you're an ambitious WM, here's a delicious recipe for some warm morning goodness...

Apple Cinnamon Muffins
1-1/2 cup flour (I used whole wheat flour)
1 egg, beaten
3/4 cups sugar
1/2 cups milk
1-3/4 tsp Baking Powder
1/2 tsp salt
1/2 cups vegetable oil
1 cup Unpeeled Apples, chopped

• Mix all ingredients together.
• Pour into greased muffin pan
• Bake @ 350 degrees for 20 minutes.
• While muffins are baking, mix 1 Tbsp Cinnamon with 1/2 cup sugar (this will be more than plenty) in a small dish.
• Straight out of the oven spread and even amount of butter on the top of each muffin.  Then sprinkle the cinnamon sugar on the top of each muffin...Enjoy!!!

Happy Cooking!!!

Menu Monday

The windows are open.  Secret Garden's Pound Cake candles lit.  Chili in the crock pot (it's Sunday for me).  Cooler temps have arrived.  I'm in love.  Not just infatuation.  True, true love. 

This week's menu might make you do a double take.  There are repeats.  I know.  I've failed you.  Please don't depart from me.  I love you too.  Not just infatuation.  True, true love.

Monday- Tomato Cream Sauce Pasta, Salad, Cheesy Bread
Tuesday-Pineapple Quesadillas, Corn Saute (recipe to come)
Wednesday-Chicken Broccoli Rice Casserole, Salad, Fruit Parfait
Thursday-Mexican Casserole, Restaurant Style Salsa, Mexi-rice
Friday-Chicken Club Salad, Honey Butter Cresents
Saturday-Hot Ham Drip Sandwiches, Taco Dip with Chips
Sunday-Broiled Salmon, Perfect Potatoes Au Gratin, Green Bean Casserole

Happy Cooking!!!

Lazy Lady's Chicken Pot Pie and Pull Apart Rolls

I'd love to slave in the chicken to reproduce the most delicious straight from the prairie Chicken Pot Pie, but let's get real.  That's not going to happen.  Ever.  So when this recipe came from my Simple & Delicious magazine a few years back, I carefully placed it my plastic sleeves, not to be soiled, and then kissed it over and over and over and over.  So run.  Get yourself some plastic sleeves so you can show this recipe an equal amount of love.

Lazy Lady's Chicken Pot Pie
1/2 cup mayonnaise
2 Tbsp all purpose flour (I used whole wheat flour)
1 tsp granules of chicken bouillon granules
1/8 tsp pepper
3/4 cup milk
1-1/2 cubed cooked chicken breast
1 pkg (about 10 oz) frozen mixed veggies, thawed
cresent dough (I used half wheat flour, and half white flour)

• In a large saucepan, combine mayo, flour, granules, and pepper.  Gradually stir in milk to avoid clumping of flour.  Stir until smooth.
• Bring to a boil.  Cook and stir for about 2 minutes until thickened. 
• Add chicken and veggies.  Cook 3-4 minutes longer.  Now is the time to roll out the dough.
• Sanitize your counterspace.  Throw down some flour and get to rollin'.  Thin, but not see through thin...

{Little Man and Chunky Monkey, my sous chefs, were ready to eat}

• 
  
  Pour chicken mixture into a greased 8 x 8 baking dish.  Take rolled out dough and place on top of chicken mixture.  Cut and/or fold extra dough until it covers the entire mixture.  Using a knife, cut little X's in the dough.
• 
  
  Bake @ 350 degrees for 20-25 minutes.



{Not pretty, but I had some hungry kids}

Because it would be absurd to make all that dough for a little pot pie, you MUST have pull apart rolls to go with this homestyle meal.

Pull Apart Rolls

• 
  
  Using the dough recipe, take a little smaller than golf ball sized balls and stuff three into a muffin pan.
• 
  
  Let rise for 3-4 hours, covered with waxed paper or a thin kitchen towel (preferably a clean one).
• 
  
  Bake @ 325 degrees for 15-20 minutes.
• 
  
  Top with butter and honey.

Happy Cooking!!!

Educational Mumbo Jumbo: Part III

Once temperatures drop in Oklahoma, we plan on taking Little Man (almost 4) and Little Miss (almost 2) to a local orchard to pick apples.  I want to make the most of our time there, so I thought we'd do a little prep work.  Little Man and Little Miss' schema (background knowledge you already know on a subject) is pretty limited.  They both love apples.  They know that apples come in different colors.  They know they are good for you, but that's it.  Not much else.  I wanted to build on their schema before we made the trek.   

Up, Up, Up!  It's Apple-Picking Time was the perfect book to help Little Man (Little Miss listened, and I was pleased with that).  First, we took a 'Book Walk'.  Little Man held the book and got to look through the pages without me reading.  Occasionally I would point to pictures and ask, "Why do you think that man is standing on a ladder?" or "What do you think they're doing?"  Sometimes he would answer, "I don't know."  To which I would say, "Well, maybe we'll find out once we read it." 

After he was finished, we started at the beginning and I read.  I was real careful to provide Think Time.  Once we got to the part about the ladder, Little Man's light bulb went off, "Mama, he's not on the ladder to climb the tree, he's picking apples!!!"  He was so excited to have figured that one out.  Of course it was obvious to me, but had I answered this for him during our Book Walk, I would have denied him the opportunity to have ownership over his idea.  It means more when he discovers it. 

Since we spent the time learning about apple orchards, I'm hoping our trip will be that much more valuable and he'll start making these types of connections...

Text to Self-A time where your child remembers what they have read in a story and connects it to a time in their life.  For example, when reading this book Little Man said, "That's the kind of apples we eat."  Connecting what he saw in a book and relating it to his little life.

Text to World-This is when your child makes a connection from a book to something in the world.  For example, I'm hoping Little Man will say, "This place is just like the book we read, " when we arrive at the orchard.

Text to Text- This is when your child makes a connection from one book to another.  For example, we also love Runaway Pumpkin.  When we sat down to read the apple book Little Man made a comment that pumpkins grow on the ground (which he learned from Runaway Pumpkin) and apples grow on trees.

Giving your kids these types of opportunities allows for  metacognition.  A big fancy word for 'thinking about thinking'. Reading offers a whole lot of metacognition!  Use the word today.  You'll sound super smart!!!

Well that's it for now.  Next week, we'll talk about some pre-reading activities involving acronyms KWL and FQR.  More mumbo jumbo if you ask me!

Educational Mumbo Jumbo: Part Duex

Did you do your homework?  You didn't?  Likely story.  That, and you know I'm going to tell you anyway.  I'd do the same thing!

So today we'll talk about going a little deeper.  Some simple things to do while reading to your child.  First off, slow down.  It's really easy to plow through a book, say "The End", and turn out the lights.  However, the next time you sit down to read, take breaks.  For example, we were reading A Mother for Choco last night.  Choco is in desperate search for a mother, but can't find one that looks like him. 

This is the perfect time to STOP and look at pictures.  Give your child some 'think time'.  Time where your child gets to just sit and think without you saying anything.  Yes, this is hard!  We all want to force and cram so much knowledge into our child, but truth is...your child needs time to process and think.  You'll be surprised at what they say.  For example, this is what I got from Little Man after a little 'think time'

After looking at the above pictures, Little Man not only pointed out what the book stated about the differences between the animals, but also pointed out other similarities and differences not stated.  This would have never happened if I hadn't allowed him the time to just look at the pictures, OR if I'd had pointed out what I thought he needed to know.  Think Time...it's important!

Stayed tuned for Part III tomorrow!  It will actually entail the meanings of  metacognition, schema, text to text, text to self, text to world.  You'll be smarter for it.  You might even toss these words into your daily conversation.  People will be amazed. 

Educational Mumbo Jumbo

When your children are reading it is imperative for them to continue to build their individual schema and offer opportunities for metacognition through text to self, text to world, and text to text relationships.  Got it? No?  Well, let me help you understand why reading is so important...

How many of you read to your kids, close the book, and wonder, "What good did that actually do?"  We all know reading to our kids is important, but why?  To build vocabulary?  To model fluency? To help foster the love of reading?  Why is it so important, and how do we make the most of our time while reading to our kids?

First off, you can NEVER go wrong reading to your child.  While you're reading, your child will pick up natural elements of reading.  They learn what good reading sounds like; the changes of your voice, and natural pauses at punctuation.  They learn the general layout of a book.  Text goes from left to right, and pages turn to the left. These are natural elements that your child will pick up on without you ever talking about it with them.  You'll never say, "Now Lilly, I'm going to grab this page on the right and pull it over to the left so we can continue reading."  Kids just pick up on this without direct instruction.  So if all you're doing with your child is reading aloud and closing the book, you're still teaching.

If you're not too bored with this post, come back tomorrow.  That's when we'll get down to the nitty-gritty.  I'll start to share what endless classes on children's literacy taught me.  Kind of like a college education bloggy style (aka...ya' won't be payin' me no tuition for some good information!)

Now here's your homework...

Define the following:

• metacognition
• schema
• text to text
• text to self
• text to world

I would like these definitions typed, double spaced and due at 9:00am tomorrow.  Kidding.  Only kidding.  See you tomorrow!

Menu Monday

It's that time again...

Monday-Monterey Chicken, Black Bean Corn Salsa, Split Rolls
Tuesday-Chili and Cornbread
Wednesday-Roasted Chicken Quarters and Potatoes, Fresh Green Beans
Thursday-Broiled Tilapia, Trees and Raisins, The Bread
Friday-Tomato Cream Sauce Pasta, Cheesy Bread, Salad with Olive Garden Style Dressing
Saturday-Sandwiches, Soup, and Salad
Sunday-Hamburgers and Pineapple Salsa

I hope you all have a great week.  A great week that hopefully closes out hot temps and brings the cool temps of Fall.  I love Fall.  '

Happy Cooking!!!

The List

My 'to do list' was unreal today.  Unreal.  Only Superwoman herself could accomplish a list like I had going on.  A list that covered two pages.  I woke up stressed just thinking about The List, immediately got started on The List, and then realized it could be worse.  I could be working full time as a teacher AND have The List waiting for my weekend work.  Not to mention A List that would be sitting on my desk at work for things that would have to be done Monday morning.  Stress, stress, stress.  And that my friends, is why I quit my job.  Stress, stress, stress.  Well that, and three little ones who've stolen my heart.  Those little thieves!

All this thinking about stress, and lists, and teaching got me thinking about one story in particular that happened on a Friday.  I remember this one specifically, because it drew a pretty large crowd.  For a brief moment I was a star.  Celebrity is more like it.  Okay, okay not exactly a celebrity, but people were staring.  Mouths agape is disbelief.  Here's what happened...

I was sitting with my class in the cafegymatorium (cafeteria/gymnasium/auditorium) waiting for Rise and Shine to begin.  All of a sudden I've got a parent about three inches away from my face, mad as...well, I don't know, he was just mad; face all red, breathing hard, and having difficulty controlling his tone he said, "Is Jeffrey going to get to help with the Kindergarten today or what?" 

You see, his son, Jeffrey had a huge issue with turning in work.  Let's be honest, he had a huge issue with doing work.  Never did it.  At the end of every day, I would (by request of his father) help him go through all the work he didn't do, organize him, and help him load it in his backpack.  Then, I would meet his father outside to verbally go over all of his work that needed to be completed.  The next day, he would walk in class with very little finished. What was finished would be in his father's handwriting.  Reminder:  I taught fourth grade!!!   Kids that are 9 and 10 years old.  Not babies!

So after months and months of Jeffrey and his father proving that I was only enabling the behavior, I told the father that I would no longer spend my time fishing for work from his son.  He could either do his work, or not.  His choice.  However, I would set up a reward system for him.  If he could complete all of his work, and get it turned in on time for one week, he could spend 30 minutes with a Kindergarten class being a helper.  Jeffrey was really excited about this.  The first three days he miraculously turned in every piece of work.  The fourth day he walked in without any work at all.  I was bummed for him, but a deal's a deal.  I don't budge on deals.

So back to Friday at Rise and Shine...

"Is Jeffrey going to get to help with the Kindergarten today or what?" 

"Unfortunately, Mr. Irate, Jeffrey didn't turn in any of his work yesterday."

"That wasn't his fault.  His mom picked him up, brought him home to me.  She refused to let him work on his homework in the car.  She even kept his back pack in her car and I had to track her down to get it."

"Well, that sounds a bit odd.  I'll call his mom today to verify what you're saying, but as of now Jeffrey didn't hold up his end of the bargain. He's not going to get the reward."

At this point, a l-a-r-g-e crowd had gathered in the hallway where I had stepped out to speak to Mr. Irate.  People weren't just staring, they were gawking.  Hard.  I even had one former parent step in and ask if I was alright.  To which, Mr. Irate kindly answered for me, "Why wouldn't she be?  She's happy my kid isn't getting his reward!"  Wasn't that kind of him?

"Mr. Irate, that is absurd.  I was the one who offered Jeffrey this reward.  No other child in my class gets a reward for turning in their work.  It's expected of them.  This was something offered to Jeffrey to help motivate him.  I'm sorry he chose not to do what was expected of him."

"IT WASN'T HIS FAULT!!!"

"That may be how you view it, but I highly doubt his mother would refuse to let him do his homework let alone keep his back pack from him.  In fact, when he's with his mother, he comes back with some of his work in his own handwriting.  Not done by his mother.  I will verify your story with her, but I don't think they will match up.  If you are telling me the truth, I'll be more than happy to rework this reward with Jeffrey."

"Forget it. He's not going to do any work for you for the rest of the year, and I don't blame him!"

"I'm sorry you have such low expectations for Jeffrey.  However, I will expect work from him until the last day of school.  If he doesn't do it, then you should expect F's on his report card.  That's just life.  You get what you put into something."

Never in my life had I spoken to a parent like this before, but I had HAD it!  I was done with the excuses, the lies, the 'baby'ing.  I marched right into my assistant principal's office and filled her in on the conversation (along with a few parents who had witnessed the conversation).  Mr. Irate received a phone call that day telling him he was no longer allowed to discuss Jeffrey directly with me.  He would have to go through a principal or counselor first.  Funny how he never contacted them.  Jeffrey never turned in his work either.  Sad.  Just plain sad, but a good reminder on days like this.  The List isn't seeming so bad now...

Stuffed Burritos Left Me Stuffed

If you haven't tried Ginger's recipe for Stuffed Burritos, do it NOW.  Like right now.  Go.  Cook.  Be full!

Sorry there is not a picture of this glorious meal.  One bite led to another, which led to another, which led to nothing left.  Like nothing left.  Not even any sauce.  So much for leftovers.  Next time, I will get a picture before turning the burritos over to the wolves. 

Sneaky, Sneaky, Sneaky

Alas, I have found yet another way of sneaking those veggies in for Little Miss.
 

Zucchini Cinnamon Pancakes 

Yes I know it sounds completely disgusting, and even though I will tell you they were completely yummy you will still be grossed out.  Totally grossed out.  However, if you are a desperate mama, you too might try the Zucchini Cinnamon Pancakes, and love them as well.  Here's what I did...

•  To your regular pancake batter add 1/2 cup or more of finely, finely chopped zucchini. 
• Add 2 tsp of cinnamon
• Cook pancakes according to package directions, or as you typically do.

Both the kids gave the seal of approval.  Had to be the cinnamon.  I never add cinnamon to pancake batter, unless they are Apple Cinnamon Pancakes (replace zucchini with apple).

Why I Chose Zucchini?

Zucchini have an impressive list of nutrients...fiber, manganese, vitamin C, beta-carotene (vitamin A), potassium, folate, copper, and riboflavin.  Plus it's green.  The only other vegetables she will eat out right that are green happen to be broccoli (steamed with cheese), and green beans.  That's it.  No more.  She's such a stinker, but she's my stinker ;)

Happy Cooking!!!



I've Done It Again

October 30, 2010

Remember this?  I figured I've taken a long enough break from running, and needed to start training...again.  Let me tell you what's different this time. 

1. I'm not making any other life changing decisions (i.e. We're not building a house).
2. I have more time on my hands (i.e. I'm not making decision regarding the building of a house).
3. I'm not nursing a child so Steven can do bedtime without me (i.e. I can run in the evening without having to be home in time to nurse a baby with a sweaty boob).
4. I've already paid my entry fee for the Tulsa Run 15K (i.e. We all know how frugal I am.  I would never pay for something and not do/use what I've paid for).
5. My husband isn't letting me 'slack' (i.e. When I try to sleep in and avoid my morning runs, he yanks my bootay out of bed.  I appreciate him for that...after I'm finished running).

Even though the Tulsa Run is 3.8 miles shy of a half marathon, it's still pushing my limits.  Have I ever mentioned to you how I don't enjoy running?  I haven't?  Well, news flash!  I don't enjoy running. 

I do enjoy how I feel afterward.  It's a great feeling mentally calculating how far you could run vs. driving in your car.  For example, I could run to the QT 4 miles away, get a donut, eat the donut, and run back.  Surely the donut calories would be cancelled out with all that running.  The calories definitely wouldn't count if I upchucked the donut.  Scratch that.  No donut!

Another aspect of running I enjoy is getting to know the neighborhood.  I can tell you what kids wait on what bus stop, who leaves when for work, and what family activities people like to do after work.  Yep, borderline stalking, but what else am I supposed to do while running?  It's a long time people.  I have to do something to keep my mind busy.

In conclusion, even though I do not enjoy the actual activity of running, I do enjoy challenging myself and that 'runner's high' you have after you complete your training runs.  We'll see how this Tulsa Run thing turns out.  You very well may see me on the news as the girl who passed out during the race.  If that happens, someone please wave a donut under my nose to help regain my strength.

Menu Monday

It's really Sunday for me, and we are outside enjoying the cool breeze.  I absolutely love Fall.  Love it.  You'll start to notice more and more comfort foods on the weekly menus.  Comfort foods contribute a great deal to my love of Fall, and to my waistline.  Oh well, I won't be wearing a swimsuit in the Fall!

Monday- Ginger's Stuffed Burritos, Pico De Gallo, and Homemade Gaucamole
Tuesday-Marlboro Man's Sandwich, Homemade Sweet Potato Fries
Wednesday-Baked Chicken, Garden Zuchinni and Corn Saute, Honey Butter Bread
Thursday-Chicken Pot Pie and Homemade Split Rolls using this dough for the 'pie' crust and rolls
Friday-Bacon Chicken Roll-Ups, Roasted Potatoes, Green Beans
Saturday-Breakfast for Dinner...French Toast, Sausage Patties, and Eggs
Sunday-Dinner at my Mama's!!!!

Happy Cooking!

Ginger's Stuffed Burritos

A few weeks back I asked for you to submit your recipes.  A ton of good ones have come in, but Steven wanted to try this one first....

Ginger's Stuffed Burritos
1lb ground beef
1 jalapeno, chopped
2 cups shredded cheese
1 can green chile sauce
1 package burrito size tortillas
1 package taco seasoning

• Brown beef, drain fat
• Add 1 1/2 cups cheese, jalepeno and taco seasoning.
• Stir together, divide among tortillas.
• Fold into a burrito, place in a pan, top with green chile sauce and remaining 1/2 cup cheese
• Bake at 350 for 20-30 mins.

Once cooked, we top ours with shredded lettuce, tomatoes, onion, sour cream and PW salsa. :)

Thanks, Ginger!  We look forward to chowing down on this.

Happy Cooking!!!

Pumpin'

Mental webs.  It's funny how you can see a picture and it sparks a thought.  That thought then reminds you of an experience.  That experience causes you to say, "Yep, I did that."  Here's my mental web that started with this photo...

Meet my brother-in-law.  No, that's not my husband.  Yes, that is a nursing pillow he's using as a travel pillow.  It's this very pillow that had me remembering the times I nursed my little babies from birth to about fifteen months.  If you've never nursed a child, you probably won't get this post.  It will be completely foreign to you.  Probably a little weird.  Strange.  Uncomfortable.  Don't say I didn't warn you. 

I enjoyed nursing my kids.  It was a special time where they were still and vulnerable and precious.  Not that they weren't precious at other times, but especially while nursing.  I did not enjoy pumping.  Loathed it.  I think of my friend, Jackie, who solely pumped for an extended period of time for both of her boys.  That's dedication.  Pumping for me was a must though if I wanted to keep nursing. 

While both the kids were infants, I worked as a teacher.  Therefore, I had to pump two times during the school day.  Once during my plan period, and once during lunch.  I became a professional at multi-tasking while pumping.  I could make phone calls to parents.  A few parents stopped to ask what that 'whooshing' noise was..."What noise?" I would reply.  I was proficient at grading papers while pumping.  Only occasional milk spills happened.  They left stains, but they got graded.  I could eat lunch like a champ while pumping.  If it was a really good lunch, I would forget I was pumping and overflows would happen.  I did it for the love of my kids, and the sanity for my daily life.  There was no way I could sit idoly for 15+ minutes while pumping.  Multi-tasking was a must. 

Change in Food Types

I love the changing of the seasons.  Going from summer to fall means less grilling and more crockpotting.  Crockpotting?  Yes, I'm sure it's a word.  Kinda sure.  Even though my recipe today is not a crockpot one, it's still falls under the Fall category.  Hee hee, I said 'fall' twice.  What?  You, don't find that funny?  I'm hurt!

Today's recipe comes from my family.  My family, meaning my husband's brother's wife's mother's mother.  Did you get that?  Simplified version...my sister-in-law's grandma.  This one is to die for and will probably be added to your Thanksgiving Day Menu.

Corn Casserole

{No editing done...sorry...not enough hours in the day}

1 can whole kernel corn, drained
1 can cream corn
1 pkg Jiffy cornbread mix
1 stick butter, melted
1 egg, beaten
8 oz sour cream

• Mix all ingredients together well.
• Pour into a greased 8 x 8 baking dish
• Bake uncovered @ 350 degrees for 45 minutes, or until the edges are golden brown and a knife comes out clean from the center.

Happy Cooking!!!

They Boys Are Back In Town!

I survived.  Honestly, I did more than survive.  I got in touch with my relaxing side.  Responsibility for only one child that has an 8 o'clock bedtime means endless night hours of silence and 'me' time.  I really had forgotten how truly wonderful that could be.  Ahhhh...

Snappin' back to reality, I wouldn't trade 'me' time for my boys ever again.  I really missed them.  However, Little Man did not miss me.  Here's how our phone conversations went...

"Are you having so much fun with Daddy?"

"Yes!  Daddy take me to the park to play with my cousins, and I ate Fruit Loops, and I ride my cooter (scooter), and I eat hamburgers, and..."

"Wow!  Sounds like you are having so much fun.  I miss you, buddy."

Silence.

"Are you there, sweetie.  I said Mommy misses you."

More silence.

"Do you miss Mommy?"

"No, me and Daddy are having fun.  I want to stay for tomorrow and tomorrow and tomorrow."

"Okay, okay, I get it honey!  But, I still miss you and can't wait to see you."

"Mommy, I gotta go play.  Looooove you."

Seriously, he didn't miss me.  I even asked him once he got home.  Still the same answer.  At least I squeezed out an "I love you" from him.  I'm going to blame it on the introduction to the iPhone.  Steven and I are not iPhone people.  We're just not cool enough.  It's difficult to accept, but accept we have.  Maybe one day.  Until then, I'm going to blame the iPhone for my son not missing me...that and all the undivided attention he received from his tia's, tio's and cousins.  Stupid iPhone!

Menu Monday

My boys will be home in less than 24 hours.  I cannot even begin to tell you of the excitement mounting inside of me.  I very well could get in my car to meet them on the highway.  Just so I can see them a little earlier.  I do have to admit, Little Miss and I had a wonderful time.  She might go through some withdrawls as she has never had so much concentrated attention.  It's a good thing she wasn't born first.  She would be too out of control as a first child.  Gotta love that little thing. 

Now onto the real reason you're here...

Monday-COOKOUT!!! 
Tuesday-Lasagne, Roasted Garlic Dipping Sauce with Toasted French Bread, Lemon Dilled Green Beans
Wednesday-Baked Chicken, Corn Casserole, Garden Salad
Thursday-Grilled Chicken and Veggies (just through 'em on the grill instead of the broiler), Homemade Cresents
Friday-Hamburgers with Chips and Queso
Saturday-BBQ Meatballs, Mac N Cheese, and Peas
Sunday-Dinner Out

Happy Cooking!!!

Spinach Stuffing Stuffed Chicken

It's no secret that I try, and sometimes fail miserably, to force veggies into Little Miss.  She's a hard one.  Lately she's been on a food strike; only eating a few select foods.  I'd had enough.  As of two nights ago, she eats what we eat, or she goes hungry.  It's hard to do given she's almost two and barely weighs 20 lbs, but I am NOT a short order cook.  Tonight though, she did eat this.  I won.  Victory is a sweet feeling, and a little addicting. 

Spinach Stuffing Stuffed Chicken
5 chicken breast
1 box stuffing
2 cups fresh spinach, chopped
Italian dressing to taste
Grated Parmesan cheese to taste

• Cook stuffing according to package directions with the exception of adding spinach before cooking.
• Using a meat mallot, beat the chicken to 1/4 inch thickness, or as thin as you can get it.
• Spoon in 1/4 cup of the stuffing onto the center of each chicken breast.
• Drizzle Italian dressing onto chicken and stuffing mixture.
• Roll up chicken from smallest end to biggest end.  Secure with a toothpick.
• Turn chicken seam side down.
• Drizzle a little more Italian dressing and Parmesan cheese.
• Bake @ 375 degrees for 40-45 minutes, or until juices run clear.

{Before rolling}

{After rolling, and some improvising. 

 I didn't have any toothpicks. 

Skewers did the job quite well.}

Happy Cooking!!!