Cupid, Draw Back Your Bow

Well, we went the nontraditional route this Valentines day. Flowers and chocolates are fine, but give me something I can really use, ya know?

So Chuck got a new chainsaw. Now he can cut firewood. See, that's romantic, right?
He bought me the "nifty fifty" for my Canon. I'm so excited. The only problem is, it hasn't arrived yet. I keep checking the FedEx website. It's close!
I made a really good dinner. Everyone fell asleep and I ended up eating it alone though. It's the copycat version of Applebees Santa Fe Stuffed Chicken. It's not that pretty but man is it good! I served it with almond rice pilaf and a salad.


8 skinless, boneless chicken breasts
1 (8 ounce or larger) package Monterey jack cheese,
1/2 cup butter, melted
1 cup Italian seasoned bread crumbs
1 1/2 tablespoons grated Parmesan cheese
1/2 teaspoon salt
1/2 teaspoon ground cumin
1/2 teaspoon ground black pepper
1 small red bell pepper
1 small green bell pepper

Cut some of the cheese into 8 slices, and reserve part of it for the
cheese sauce. Place 1 chicken breast between two sheets of wax paper.
Working from the center to the edges pound with a meat mallet until
flat and rectangular shaped. Repeat with remaining breasts. Wrap the
flattened chicken breasts around cheese. Secure with wooden picks or
uncooked spaghetti noodles.

Combine the bread crumbs, parmesan cheese, salt, cumin and pepper.
Roll the secured chicken pieces in the melted butter and then in the
bread crumb mixture. Place chicken breasts in a 13 x 9-inch baking
dish, but don't crowd them. Drizzle the remaining butter over all
eight of the breasts. Refrigerate for 1 hour or freeze to bake later
(baking time will be increased by about 5 to 10 minutes).

Bake in a preheated 400F oven for 25 to 30 minutes or until chicken
is done. Make a roux with butter and flour. Add about 1 cup milk.
Bring to a simmer. Add cheese and lower the heat, stirring constantly
so cheese does not burn. Add more milk as needed to thin out the
cheese sauce. Dice bell peppers.

When chicken is done, pour some cheese sauce over top and sprinkle
with diced peppers.

I'll leave you with a little eye candy since it is Valentines Day and all!

Buffalo Chicken Pizza

Buffalo Chicken Pizza

3 skinless, boneless chicken breast halves – cubed

2 tablespoons butter, melted

1 (2 ounce) bottle hot sauce (I used Franks Original, always the best!)

1 (8 ounce) bottle blue cheese salad dressing

1 (16 inch) prepared pizza crust

1 (8 ounce) package shredded mozzarella cheese

PREP: Preheat oven to 425 degrees.

Cook and shred chicken

1. Prepare crust per instructions, roll out on a foil lined cookie sheet. (Spritz the foil lightly with Pam so it doesn’t stick)

2. In a medium bowl combine the cubed chicken, melted butter and hot sauce. Mix well. Spread whole bottle of salad dressing over crust, then top with chicken mixture and sprinkle with shredded cheese.

3. Bake in preheated oven until crust is golden brown and cheese is bubbly, about 5 to 10 minutes. Let set a few minutes before slicing, and serve.

You can sprinkle green onions on top too. Crazy good!

Movie Night

I think I have found my drink of choice. I love Sangria. It just reminds me of a summer day.
My friend came over to share a glass or two and we watched Julie and Julia again. Great movie!

It inspired us to throw a 1940's (ish) formal dinner party. Pearls included! I have to come up with a fancy dish to make. Perhaps Boeuf Bourguignon .




Maybe a little Ink Spots for our listening pleasure. Can't wait!

Dining with one's friends and beloved family is certainly one of life's primal and most innocent delights, one that is both soul-satisfying and eternal~~~Julia Child

A Day Of Sloth

We have done absolutely nothing today and it's been wonderful! There aren't many days when you can say that.
I'm gearing up for the Grammys. My boys are up for 4 awards.

I just wish I didn't have to sit through so many horrible acts just to see The Kings of Leon! There is supposed to be a tribute to Les Paul too. That will be pretty cool. Hope that you're having a wonderful Sunday! Maybe yours will be much more productive than mine!

Yay Chocolate!

I never win anything, so what a nice surprise to get these chocolates in the mail today. I participated in a quiz at Home Haven Ministry. Thanks again Deanna. Now I just have to hide them from the boys!

Because Every Blog Needs A Cheesy Post

1. Grab the nearest book to you, turn to page 18 and find line 4. What does it say? Miguel's English was passable, but not nearly as good as Juan's had been.

2. Before you started this survey what were you doing? Watching John Mayer on Storytellers.

3. With the exception of the computer what can you hear? The Foo Fighters

4. When did you last step outside? What were you doing? I went out this evening to take pictures.

5. Do you usually remember your dreams? In vivid detail!

6. When did you last laugh? While I was making dinner. Hunter was doing an impression of the Nard Dog! We're always laughing in this house.

7. What is on the walls of the room you are in? A print of Rome and The Dancing Butler print by Jack Vettriano

8. What is the last film you saw? The Boys Are Back. I loved it. I am such a sucker for boys, they kill me.

9. If you moved to another state where would you go? Seattle, oddly enough, for the rain. Love it.

10. Tell me something about you that most people don't know. I collect take out menus, read the description and recreate the dish at home. Yeah, I'm a nerd. It's challenging at times but fun when you get it right!

11. Do you like to dance? I like it although I'm not good.

12. Would you ever consider living abroad? I would like a long visit to Italy.

13. What is the last thing you downloaded on your computer? A chess app for Hunt's Ipod.

14. Type of music you like most? singer/songwriter

15. Type of music you dislike most? country

16. Are you listening to music right now? yes, Foo Fighters, Skin and Bones

17. If you could change something about your home what would it be? I really want to screen in the back porch.

18. What was the last thing you bought? fresh basil

19. Have you ever driven a motorcycle? driven, crashed, got a concussion

20. Would you go bungee jumping or sky diving? No, I have no interest whatsoever

21. Do you have a garden? we had one in the summer. I really want to start an herb garden.

22. Do you really know all the words to the National Anthem? yes I do

23. What is the first thing you think of when you wake up in the morning? I immediately think of the time and check it

24. If you could eat lunch with one famous person, who would it be? Caleb Followill

25. Which store would you choose to max out your credit card? Wolf Camera or Williams Sonoma

26. What time is bedtime? never before 1 am

27. How many tattoos do you have? zero

28. If you don't have any, have you ever thought of getting one? no, tattoos aren't for me

29. Who was the last person you ate dinner with? I ate alone tonight for the first time in a long time.

30. Is the glass half empty or half full? half full

31. Are you a good cook? I think so

32. Do you know how to pump your own gas? of course, although I wish there was an attendant to do it for me.

33. Do you touch type? yes

34. What time do you get up? 6:15 ugh

35. What is your favorite time of the day? twilight

36. Where did you grow up? Jonesboro, Ga

37. How far do you live from there now? 30 minutes

38. What are some of the different types of jobs you've had in your life? pharmacy tech, phlebotomist, mom

39. What is most important in life? Family

Waffle House Waffles

These are the best waffles. The trick is to make sure you chill the batter overnight! Who needs the Waffle House when you can make them this good at home?


1 1/2 cups all purpose flour
1 tsp salt
1/2 tsp baking soda
1 egg
1/2 cup plus 1 tbls of sugar
2 tbls of butter, softened
2 tbls vegetable shortening
1/2 cup of half and half
1/ c milk
1/4 cup of buttermilk
1/4 tsp of vanilla extract

1. Combine flour, salt, and baking soda and stir.

2. Beat the egg in another bowl, add sugar, butter, and shortening. Mix well with an electric mixer until smooth. Add half and half, milk, buttermilk and vanilla.

3. Mix wet and dry ingredients together. Only mix briefly, it's ok if the batter is lumpy. Chill overnight, break out the waffle iron in the morning and enjoy!

Short and Sweet

Enjoying the fire with a nice glass of Sangria. Who says you can't drink a summer wine in the dead of winter? Makes me want to Salsa!

I Should Be Leaving This Climate

No snow here yet. I really hope that it passes us by. It's really pretty coming down, but I hate the mess it makes. I love cold weather and sitting by the fire but I'm already dreaming of a tropical island and boat drinks. As Jimmy would say, "I gotta go where it's warm."

I normally don't make New Year resolutions, too cliche, this year is different. I resolve to pick up my camera more. I'm guilty of waiting for the perfect shot to present itself. Which is exactly how to not get that great shot. Today I captured some of my son's drawings.




He does such a great job, he's still interested in the boobies though. Cracks me up. Oh well, at least they are in proportion.


Hope everyone stays warm and is careful out there!